How Much Does an AI Receptionist Cost? 2026 Pricing Guide

What Does an AI Receptionist Actually Cost?

If you're Googling "AI receptionist cost," you've probably already realized that missing calls is costing you money. Good instinct — the average home services business loses $48,000–$312,000 per year from missed calls, depending on the trade.

But AI receptionist pricing is confusing. Some charge per minute, some per call, some monthly. Some advertise $30/month but hit you with $1.50/minute overage fees. Here's the actual breakdown.

The 3 AI Receptionist Pricing Models

1. Per-Minute Pricing

Range: $0.05–$0.99 per minute

This is the most common model. You pay for the minutes your AI is actually on a call. Sounds fair — but costs get unpredictable fast. A plumber getting 300 calls/month at 3 minutes average = 900 minutes. At $0.50/min, that's $450/month. At $0.99/min, it's nearly $900.

The cheaper per-minute options ($0.05–$0.15) are typically bare-bones: no appointment booking, no calendar integration, no live transfers. You get a fancy voicemail, not a receptionist.

2. Per-Call Pricing

Range: $1.50–$5.00 per call

Less common, but some answering services (human and AI) use this model. It simplifies billing but penalizes longer calls — an AI that successfully books a 5-minute appointment costs the same as a 30-second hangup.

3. Flat Monthly Rate

Range: $99–$500/month

You get a set number of minutes included (typically 100–1,000), with overage charges after that. This is the most predictable model for budgeting. VoiceCharm uses this approach: $299/month for 500 minutes, which covers the average home services business comfortably.

AI Receptionist Cost Comparison (2026)

Here's how the real costs stack up across different options for a typical home services business handling ~300 calls per month:

Hidden Costs to Watch For

The sticker price isn't the whole story. Ask about these before you sign up:

• Phone number fee: Some providers charge $5–$20/month for a dedicated number. VoiceCharm includes it.
• Overage minutes: The #1 surprise on your bill. Rates range from $0.50–$1.50 per minute over your plan. VoiceCharm charges $0.59/min overage — transparent and predictable.
• Setup fees: $50–$500 for initial configuration. VoiceCharm: $0 setup.
• Calendar integration: Some charge extra for Google Calendar or CRM sync. Should be included.
• SMS notifications: Getting a text when a call comes in shouldn't be a premium feature, but some providers charge $10–$25/month for it.
• Contract lock-in: Annual contracts with early termination fees. VoiceCharm is month-to-month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The ROI Math: Does It Pay for Itself?

Let's run the numbers for a plumbing business. The average service call is worth $300–$500.

AI Receptionist vs. Human Receptionist: Cost Breakdown

A full-time receptionist in the US costs $36,000–$45,000/year in salary alone. Add payroll taxes (~7.65%), health insurance ($6,000–$12,000/year), PTO (2 weeks = $1,400–$1,750), and training costs. Total: $45,000–$60,000/year.

And they only work 40 hours a week. No nights, no weekends, no holidays. Studies show that 35% of calls to service businesses come outside business hours. A human receptionist misses all of them.

The best approach for most small businesses: use AI as your first line and transfer to a human for complex situations. VoiceCharm does exactly this — answers every call, handles the routine stuff (scheduling, basic questions, message-taking), and transfers to you when a caller needs a real person.

What to Look For in an AI Receptionist (Beyond Price)

Cheapest isn't always best. Here's what actually matters:

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an AI receptionist cost per month?

Between $30 and $500/month depending on the provider and plan. Per-minute pricing ranges from $0.05 to $0.99/minute. Flat-rate plans like VoiceCharm ($299/mo for 500 minutes) offer more predictable costs for businesses with moderate call volume.

Is an AI receptionist cheaper than a human receptionist?

Significantly. A human receptionist costs $45,000–$60,000/year (salary + benefits) and works 40 hours/week. An AI receptionist costs $1,200–$6,000/year and works 24/7. That's a 90%+ cost reduction with better coverage.

What is the cheapest AI receptionist?

Some providers offer plans starting at $30/month, but these typically include very limited minutes (25–50) and basic features — essentially a smarter voicemail. For a real business handling 200+ calls/month, budget $99–$299/month for adequate coverage with appointment booking.

Do AI receptionists have hidden fees?

Some do. Watch for: phone number fees ($5–$20/mo), overage minutes ($0.50–$1.50/min), SMS notification charges, calendar integration fees, and setup fees ($50–$500). Ask for the total cost of ownership before signing up. VoiceCharm includes everything — phone number, SMS notifications, calendar sync, and $0 setup — in the $299/month plan.

Can an AI receptionist book appointments?

The good ones can. VoiceCharm integrates with Google Calendar and checks real-time availability before offering time slots. Budget providers usually just take messages — you still have to call back and book manually, which defeats the purpose.

The Bottom Line

An AI receptionist is one of the highest-ROI investments a small business can make. For the cost of a nice dinner, you get 24/7 phone coverage that books appointments, qualifies leads, and never misses a call.

The question isn't whether you can afford an AI receptionist — it's whether you can afford the $48,000–$312,000/year you're losing by not having one.