How much does an AI receptionist cost?
By Eric Berg · Last updated August 2026
There is no useful category-wide price without the meter beside it. Providers charge by minute, call, contact, bundle, or month—and the apparent entry price may exclude setup, overage, integrations, or the work you actually need.
The four pricing models
Metered minutes: buy a block and pay overage. Per-call: pay for each answered interaction. Capped tiers: one fee until a stated usage limit. Flat monthly: one recurring fee, usually still subject to fair-use, minute, or product limits. Read the actual contract; “flat” does not mean infinite.
What to compare
Competitor prices and packages change. A durable comparison uses these fields:
| Field | Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee | What is charged each month? | The sticker price is only the starting point. |
| Usage | Which minutes, calls, contacts, or messages are included? | A busy month can change the bill or stop service. |
| Overage | What happens beyond the included amount? | Predictability depends on it. |
| Authority | Does “booking” mean a request, a calendar hold, or a confirmed commitment? | Those are different products and risks. |
| Proof | Can you test the actual employee before paying? | A polished sample is not your business. |
| Exit | What happens to the number and training if you cancel? | Continuity can be more valuable than setup. |
The costs that hide
Three things to check under any sticker price: overage (what happens the month a storm lights your phone up), setup and integration fees (some providers charge onboarding), and what "booking" means - a link texted to the caller is not the same as a job landing on your calendar as a request you confirm.
How Whoever prices it
Hire Whoever offers a limited card-free audition. If the employee belongs on the team, keeping that same employee is CA$149 per month, cancel anytime. The same number, approved brief, and taught knowledge stay put. Audition limits and paid usage limits are disclosed in the product; this page does not promise unlimited calling.
Fair questions
What does an AI receptionist cost per month?
There is no durable market-wide number because providers use different limits and change prices. Hire Whoever is CA$149 per month after the card-free audition, cancel anytime.
Is an AI receptionist cheaper than an answering service?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Compare the full fee, included usage, overage, setup, contract, and the work actually authorized.
What pricing model is best for a small business?
The best model matches your volume and risk. Flat pricing is predictable; metered pricing can suit small stable volume. Always inspect limits and overage.
Skip the spreadsheet - audition an employee on your own business and judge the real thing.
Build my employeeCall Whoever at (587) 316-5288. Read the brief before anything is built.