AI Receptionist · 2026-05-30 · 5 min read
How much does an AI receptionist cost for a small business?
AI receptionist pricing varies depending on whether you go self-service or done-for-you. Here is an honest breakdown of what to expect.
Short answer
An AI receptionist for a small business costs between $30 and $300 per month for self-service SaaS tools, or several hundred dollars per month for a done-for-you service that handles setup, training, CRM integration, and ongoing management. Most businesses find the done-for-you model pays for itself by capturing just one or two additional bookings per month.
The two cost models
AI receptionist pricing splits into two camps: self-service SaaS tools and done-for-you managed services. They look similar on a spec sheet but are very different in practice.
Self-service SaaS tools
- Typically $30-$300/month depending on call volume and features
- You configure the call script, train the AI, and manage updates yourself
- Good if you have the time and a simple, consistent call flow
- Most small businesses buy it and never fully set it up
Done-for-you managed services
- Typically a few hundred dollars per month including setup and management
- We build the script, train the AI on your business, integrate your CRM, and handle updates
- You get a system that works from day one without learning a new tool
- Best when setup complexity or time is the constraint
How to think about the ROI
The right question is not what it costs. It is what a missed call costs you. For a dental practice, one additional new patient booking per month pays for most setups. For a plumber or HVAC contractor, one booked service call typically does too. If you are losing more than one or two jobs a month to missed or slow-answered calls, an AI receptionist pays for itself.
FAQ
Common questions
Are there per-call or per-minute charges on top of the base price?
Self-service tools often charge per minute of call time. Done-for-you services from us have a flat monthly fee that includes management; we can walk you through the full cost breakdown during a call.
Is there a setup fee?
Done-for-you services typically include a one-time setup fee for configuration, script building, and CRM integration, followed by an ongoing monthly management fee.