The best AI receptionist is the one that fits your calls
We make one of these, so we show our work. Prices come from each vendor's public page with the date we checked, and we say where the others are the better pick.
Your shortlist
- Answers 24/7
- Books appointments
- Speaks Spanish
- Price you can predict
- Try before you pay
Tick what matters, then read the table below.
The shortlist, side by side
Figures copied from each vendor's public pricing page. We say where each one is the better pick.
| Product | Entry plan | How you pay | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remute (us) | Free plan (5 min a month, test calls in the browser). Pro is $49 a month for 250 minutes | Flat monthly plan with included minutes | Free plan with no card and no time limit (browser test calls only); Pro has a 7-day trial with a card |
| Rosie | Professional is $49 a month for 250 minutes. Direct calendar booking and live transfers start on the $149 plan | Flat monthly plan with included minutes | 7-day free trial |
| Goodcall | Starter is $79 a month for 100 unique customers (about 150 calls); extra customers cost 79¢ each | Per unique customer each month, with no per-minute charges | A free demo agent; you pay when you connect a number |
| Smith.ai | Starter is $300 a month for 30 calls; over the limit it is $11.50 a call | Per call, with extra features priced per call | 30-day money-back guarantee on the plan fee (up to $1,000) |
| Aira | Starter is $24.95 a month for 30 calls; extra calls are $1.50 each | Per completed call; a call counts the same whatever its length | No free trial listed on its pricing page; no long-term contracts |
| AgentIA | R-IA 1 is €29 a month for 100 minutes; extra minutes are €0.29 | Flat monthly pack with included minutes; unlimited incoming calls from €99 | A live demo line you can call; no free plan listed |
Checked on 2026-10-18.
Choose in five questions
The answers narrow the list faster than any feature grid.
- 1
How many calls a month, really?
Plans are sold by minutes, calls or unique callers. Count last month's calls before comparing prices.
- 2
Do your callers speak Spanish?
Most products speak English first. If a share of callers prefer Spanish, test that call before buying.
- 3
Does it need to book, or only take messages?
Booking into a real calendar is often a higher tier. Check which plan includes it.
- 4
Do you need a person on some calls?
AI handles routine calls; human services and live transfers cost more. Decide which calls need a person.
- 5
Can you try it on your own calls?
A demo line shows the voice. Your own forwarded calls show whether it fits your business.
When another product is the better pick
Taken from our comparison pages, where each one wins.
- Rosie
You are in the US or Canada and want an established product with native iOS and Android apps.
- Goodcall
Your calls run long or the same people call back often, so counting customers beats counting minutes.
- Smith.ai
Callers need a person: sensitive intake, complex questions, or a human voice that builds trust.
- Aira
You want the lowest starting price and a phone number included.
- AgentIA
You are in Spain and want to start from €29 a month, or you need unlimited incoming calls.
Prices you can check yourself
Each figure links to the comparison page and the vendor's own source.
Billing models side by side
Per minute, per call or per unique caller: the model changes the price more than the headline.
Honest about where we lose
If another product fits your business better, the table says so.
Picking an AI receptionist
What is the best AI receptionist for a small business?
It depends on your call volume, languages and whether you need booking. For English and Spanish callers on a flat price, Remute is built for that; the table shows the alternatives.
Which AI answering service is cheapest?
Entry prices start around $49 a month for flat plans; per-call services cost more as volume grows. Count last month's calls before comparing.
Is an AI receptionist better than a live answering service?
It is cheaper and never busy; a live service has human judgement. Our comparison page explains when each one is the better choice.
How did you choose the products in the table?
They are the ones small businesses ask us about most. Every figure comes from the vendor's own pricing page, on the date shown.
Test the shortlist on your own calls
Remute has a free plan with no card. Hear it, then compare.
Put Remute on the shortlist