Remute vs Smith.ai
A US service where live receptionists answer your calls, 24/7.
Competitor data checked on 18 Oct 2026
Smith.ai's receptionist plans are staffed by real people, billed per call, and start at $300 a month for 30 calls. Remute is an AI assistant on a flat monthly plan from free. If callers need a person's judgement, Smith.ai is built for that. If most of your calls are routine, Remute costs a fraction.
Remute vs Smith.ai
| Feature | Remute | Smith.ai |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Flat monthly plan with included minutes | Per call, with extra features priced per call |
| Entry plan | Free plan (5 min a month, test calls in the browser). Pro is $49 a month for 250 minutes | Starter is $300 a month for 30 calls; over the limit it is $11.50 a call |
| Setup fee | None | No setup fees |
| Languages | English and Spanish on every call | A dedicated Spanish line costs an extra $1.00 per call |
| Phone number | One US number on Pro today, plus a shared Spanish (+34) number that your own line forwards to (each forwarded line is verified with a code). A dedicated +34 number per business is not available yet | A dedicated local or toll-free number, or port your own at no charge |
| Free trial | Free plan with no card and no time limit (browser test calls only); Pro has a 7-day trial with a card | 30-day money-back guarantee on the plan fee (up to $1,000) |
| Who answers | AI. The greeting says it is a virtual assistant | Live receptionists based in North America, 24/7 |
Smith.ai is the better pick if…
- Callers need a person: sensitive intake, complex questions, or a human voice that builds trust.
- You want features such as conflict checks, payments taken over the phone, or complex routing handled by staff.
- Call volume is low and each call is worth a lot, as in a small law firm.
Remute is the better pick if…
- Most of your calls are routine (hours, prices, booking) and you want a flat, low monthly price.
- You want a free plan to test the assistant, and a Pro plan at $49 instead of $300.
- You take calls in English and Spanish and want both included, not an add-on per call.
Smith.ai plans and prices
- Starter30 calls, then $11.50 each$300 / month
- Basic90 calls, then $10.50 each$810 / month
- Pro300 calls, then $8.50 each$2,100 / month
This compares Smith.ai's live-receptionist plans. It also sells AI-first plans, which we have not compared here. Booking is $1.50 per call and recording $0.25 per call on top.
Sources: smith.ai/pricing (18 Oct 2026).
What Remute does not do yet
Before you choose us, here is what is missing today.
- A dedicated Spanish (+34) number per business is not available yet: you forward your line to a shared Remute number.
- Calendar sync is Google Calendar only for now; Outlook and Calendly are planned.
- Not HIPAA compliant, so we do not recommend it for protected health information.
- Only English and Spanish, and no customer reviews yet: Remute is new.
- Going over your minutes triggers an alert at 80 % and 100 %; extra minutes are not billed yet.
Common questions
Is Remute an alternative to Smith.ai?
For routine calls, yes, at a far lower price. Smith.ai staffs real receptionists, and Remute is an AI assistant, so they suit different calls.
How much cheaper is Remute?
Smith.ai's entry plan is $300 a month for 30 calls; Remute Pro is $49 a month for 250 minutes. They count different things, so check them against your own call volume.
Can Remute pass a call to a person?
Yes. Remute can transfer an urgent call to a number you choose and hands over a spoken summary. It is not a staffed service: if nobody picks up, it takes a message.
Hear it before you decide
The free plan has no card and no time limit. Brief the assistant, call it from your browser and judge it on your own business.
Start free