AI receptionist vs live answering service
BASIS
Computed from 2 AI receptionist and 1 Live answering service products · last verified 2026-10-28.
Each option is the cheapest qualifying product of its tool type, including add-ons the job requires.
CROSSOVER8.3calls/month, at the cheapest tracked prices
Monthly cost by calls/month
AI receptionistLive answering service
Cheapest tracked plan for each option at each volume, including add-ons the job requires.
What each includes by default
FeatureAI receptionistLive answering service
Call queues0%100%
Calls new leads from a webhook100%0%
Live human agents0%100%
Missed-call text-back100%0%
Native CRM integration100%0%
Triage scripts for urgent calls0%100%
10DLC brand and campaign registration50%0%
AI voice agent for outbound and inbound50%0%
Audio conference bridge50%0%
Auto attendant menu50%0%
Automatic failover routing50%0%
Business-hours routing rules50%0%
Call forwarding to any number50%0%
Call recording50%100%
Configurable recording retention50%0%
Desk-to-desk intercom50%0%
Dynamic E911 location for remote staff50%0%
E911 service50%0%
Geo-redundant data centers50%0%
International numbers50%0%
Local numbers50%0%
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing50%0%
Mobile softphone app50%0%
Multi-level IVR menus50%0%
Number porting50%0%
On-call escalation and dispatch50%100%
Outbound IVR calls50%0%
Overhead and group paging50%0%
Published international per-minute rates50%0%
Push-to-talk channels50%0%
Ring several devices at once50%0%
Shared team inbox for messages50%0%
Skills-based routing50%0%
STIR/SHAKEN A attestation50%0%
Supports desk phones50%0%
Toll-free numbers50%0%
Toll-free texting verification50%0%
Two-way texting50%0%
Vanity number search50%0%
Video meetings50%0%
Voicemail boxes50%0%
Voicemail to email with transcription50%0%
Zoom Phone BYOC50%0%
Answers 24/7 including holidays100%100%
Books into your calendar100%100%
Sends call summaries100%100%
Signs a HIPAA BAA100%100%
Takes and delivers messages100%100%
Takes overflow when your line is busy100%100%
Transfers calls to staff100%100%
Share of each option's qualifying products that include the feature in the base plan.
What teams actually use
Share using live answering service, by team size. From 8 recorded customer setups.
1 to 1033%
11 to 2550%
Qualifying products at default volume
| Product | Option | Tool type | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pretendo Receptionistsample | AI receptionist | AI receptionist | $249 |
| Testbed Voice Suitesample | AI receptionist | AI receptionist | $383 |
| Imaginary Answering Co.sample | Live answering service | Live answering service | $1,289 |
Next step for your size
Publication status: not indexed yet
- Decision guide record is a draft
- AI receptionist: 0 of 3 qualifying products with costs (draft and sample products excluded)
- Live answering service: 0 of 3 qualifying products with costs (draft and sample products excluded)