If you are researching AI receptionists for your business, the first question on your mind is probably: how much will this actually cost? The answer depends on your call volume, the features you need, and the pricing model your vendor uses. This guide breaks down every cost component so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.
The AI receptionist market has matured rapidly. In 2024, the average small business spent 2,400 dollars per year on AI receptionist services. By early 2026, increased competition has pushed entry-level pricing below 50 dollars per month while enterprise solutions with advanced integrations and analytics command 500 dollars or more. Understanding the pricing landscape helps you find the right fit without overpaying.
## The Three Main AI Receptionist Pricing Models
Not all AI receptionist platforms charge the same way. The pricing model you choose affects your monthly bill more than any single feature. Here are the three dominant models in 2026.
### Per-Minute Pricing
You pay for every minute the AI spends on a call. Rates typically range from 0.05 to 0.15 dollars per minute depending on the provider and the features enabled (language support, CRM integration, call recording). This model is transparent and works well for businesses with low or predictable call volumes.
The downside is unpredictability. A marketing campaign that doubles your call volume also doubles your bill. If your average call duration creeps up from 3 minutes to 5 minutes, costs rise 67 percent without any increase in call count.
### Per-Call Pricing
You pay a flat fee for each call the AI handles, regardless of duration. Rates range from 0.50 to 2.00 dollars per call. This model is easier to budget for because you only need to estimate call count, not duration.
The risk here is that short calls (a quick "What are your hours?" question) cost the same as long calls (a 10-minute appointment scheduling conversation). If most of your calls are short, per-call pricing may be more expensive than per-minute.
### Flat-Rate Subscription
You pay a fixed monthly fee that includes a set number of calls or minutes, with overage charges beyond the limit. Monthly subscriptions range from 30 dollars for starter plans to 500 dollars or more for enterprise tiers. TurboCall uses a subscription model designed for predictable, scalable pricing so your costs do not spike unexpectedly during high-volume months.
This model offers the best cost predictability and is generally the most economical for businesses handling more than 200 calls per month.
## AI Receptionist Pricing Tiers Explained
Most platforms offer tiered pricing. Here is what each tier typically includes in 2026.
### Starter Tier (30 to 100 Dollars Per Month)
- Basic call answering and greeting - Business hours and FAQ responses - Call transfer to a designated number - Limited call volume (100 to 300 calls per month) - Email or SMS notifications after each call - One phone number included
This tier suits solo practitioners, freelancers, and very small businesses with modest call volume. It covers the basics but lacks advanced features like CRM integration or appointment scheduling.
### Professional Tier (100 to 300 Dollars Per Month)
- Everything in Starter - Appointment scheduling with calendar integration - CRM integration (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho) - Custom call flows and branching logic - Call recording and transcription - Multilingual support (5 to 10 languages) - Higher call volume (300 to 1,500 calls per month) - Multiple phone numbers
This is the sweet spot for most small and mid-size businesses. The AI receptionist handles scheduling, qualifies leads, and syncs data with your existing tools. TurboCall's professional tier includes all of these features plus access to industry-specific templates for healthcare, legal, real estate, and home services.
### Enterprise Tier (300 to 500+ Dollars Per Month)
- Everything in Professional - Unlimited or very high call volume - Advanced analytics and reporting dashboards - Custom voice and personality tuning - HIPAA-compliant infrastructure for healthcare - Dedicated account manager - SLA guarantees (99.9 percent uptime) - API access for custom integrations - White-label options
Enterprise plans are designed for multi-location businesses, call centers, and organizations with regulatory requirements. The per-call cost drops significantly at this volume, often to under 0.10 dollars per call.
## How AI Receptionist Cost Compares to a Human Receptionist
The cost difference is substantial. A full-time human receptionist in the United States costs 50,000 to 65,000 dollars per year when you include salary, benefits, payroll taxes, training, and turnover costs. That human works 40 hours per week -- covering only 24 percent of the hours in a week.
An AI receptionist on a professional plan costs 1,200 to 3,600 dollars per year and works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Even on an enterprise plan at 6,000 dollars per year, you are spending 90 percent less than a human hire. For a detailed side-by-side comparison, see our AI vs human receptionist cost analysis.
The math becomes even more compelling when you factor in the cost of missed calls. Research from BIA/Kelsey shows that an inbound phone lead is worth an average of 250 to 400 dollars across service industries. If your human receptionist misses 10 calls per week because she is on another line, at lunch, or off for the day, that is 2,500 to 4,000 dollars in lost leads per week -- 130,000 to 208,000 dollars per year.
An AI receptionist answers every call on the first ring. Zero missed calls means zero lost revenue from unanswered phones.
## Hidden Fees to Watch For
Not every cost shows up on the pricing page. Here are the fees that catch businesses off guard.
### Setup and Onboarding Fees
Some platforms charge 500 to 2,000 dollars for initial configuration, knowledge base creation, and call flow design. TurboCall includes self-service setup at no extra cost, with optional professional configuration for businesses that prefer a hands-off approach.
### Phone Number Costs
Provisioning a local or toll-free number typically costs 1 to 5 dollars per month. Porting an existing number may incur a one-time fee of 10 to 25 dollars. Some platforms include one number free with your subscription.
### Overage Charges
If you exceed your plan's included calls or minutes, overage rates apply. These vary widely -- from 0.05 dollars per minute to 1.00 dollar per call. Always check the overage rate before choosing a plan. A plan with a low base price and high overage rate can end up costing more than a plan with a higher base price and reasonable overages.
### Integration Fees
Basic CRM integrations are usually included, but advanced integrations (EHR systems, custom APIs, enterprise CRMs) may carry additional monthly fees of 25 to 100 dollars per integration. Ask specifically about the tools you use before signing up.
### Call Recording Storage
Most platforms include 30 to 90 days of call recording storage. Extended storage or bulk export may cost extra -- typically 10 to 25 dollars per month.
## Factors That Affect Your Total Cost
Your actual monthly bill depends on several variables.
### Call Volume
The single biggest cost driver. A dental practice handling 400 calls per month will pay significantly less than a multi-location home services company handling 5,000 calls per month. Estimate your monthly call volume before comparing plans.
### Average Call Duration
If your typical call is 2 minutes (quick FAQ), your per-minute costs will be lower than if your typical call is 6 minutes (detailed appointment scheduling with insurance verification). Platforms with per-minute pricing are more sensitive to this variable.
### Feature Requirements
Basic answering is cheap. Adding appointment scheduling, CRM integration, multilingual support, HIPAA compliance, and advanced analytics increases costs. Only pay for features you will actually use.
### Number of Phone Lines
Each additional phone number adds a small monthly cost. Businesses with multiple locations or departments may need 5 to 20 numbers.
### Language Support
English-only service is standard. Adding Spanish, French, Mandarin, or other languages may increase costs on some platforms. TurboCall includes over 30 languages on all plans at no additional charge.
## How to Calculate Your ROI
To determine whether an AI receptionist is worth the investment, use this formula:
ROI = (Cost Savings + Revenue Gained - AI Receptionist Cost) / AI Receptionist Cost x 100
### Cost Savings
Calculate what you currently spend on reception services -- whether that is a full-time employee, a part-time hire, a virtual receptionist service, or an answering service. Subtract the AI receptionist cost to get your direct savings.
### Revenue Gained
Estimate the revenue from calls you are currently missing. If you miss 30 calls per week and each lead is worth 300 dollars on average with a 20 percent conversion rate, that is 1,800 dollars per week in recovered revenue -- 93,600 dollars per year.
### Time to ROI
Most businesses break even within 30 to 60 days. Businesses with high missed-call rates or expensive human receptionist costs see positive ROI in the first month. For a deeper dive into calculating returns, see our ROI of AI voice agents guide.
## How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Business
Match the plan to your actual needs, not your aspirational ones.
- Under 200 calls per month: Start with a starter plan. Upgrade when volume grows. - 200 to 1,500 calls per month: A professional plan delivers the best value. You get scheduling, CRM integration, and enough capacity for growth. - Over 1,500 calls per month: Enterprise pricing with volume discounts makes the most sense. Negotiate annual contracts for further savings.
Start with a free trial whenever possible. TurboCall offers a trial period so you can test the AI receptionist with real calls before committing. Evaluate call quality, integration reliability, and analytics depth during the trial -- these matter more than the price difference between plans.
## What Is the Bottom Line on AI Receptionist Cost?
An AI receptionist is one of the highest-ROI investments a small or mid-size business can make. For 100 to 500 dollars per month, you get 24/7 call coverage, zero missed calls, consistent quality, and integrations with your existing tools. Compare that to 4,000 to 5,400 dollars per month for a human receptionist who covers only business hours, and the value proposition is clear.
The key is choosing the right pricing model for your call patterns, avoiding hidden fees, and starting with a plan that matches your current volume. As your business grows, the AI scales with you -- no recruiting, no training, no turnover.
Check out TurboCall's pricing page for current rates, or explore our AI receptionist product to see how it works for your industry.