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Virtual receptionist pricing: what an answering service really costs.

Reviewed by the VirtualAssist team · Updated 20 October 2026 · Editorial policy

Virtual receptionist pricing depends on how many calls you get, how long they last and how the service counts time. Here's how the models work, and an estimator to plan with.

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What would a virtual receptionist cost? Calls per month: 300 Average call length

$live receptionist / month

$AI receptionist / month

Rough planning ranges: live answering is often priced around $1–2 a minute, AI reception far less per minute. Plans, minimums and features vary by provider.

What you get

Per minute

Common for live receptionists. Ask how time is rounded and what's billable.

Per call

Simple to predict if your calls vary in length.

Flat AI plans

A monthly fee with included minutes or calls; overage on top.

Hybrid

AI for most calls, live time only when needed.

Questions that reveal the real price

Is time rounded up per call (for example to 30 or 60 seconds)?
Are hold time, transfers and message delivery billable?
What does a minute cost once you go over your plan?
Are there set-up fees or minimum terms?
Do nights, weekends or holidays cost more?
Are spam and wrong-number calls charged?
What does booking into my calendar add?

Who it's for

Comparing services before you sign
Budgeting for a new front desk
Deciding between AI and live

How it works

Tell us what you need

Calls, hours and budget.

Get options by email

Live, AI, or both, matched to your business.

Start with a trial

Keep what works, change the rest.

Questions

How much does a virtual receptionist cost per month?

It depends on call volume and length. Use the estimator above: enter your calls per month and typical call length to see a live and an AI range.

Is an answering service cheaper than hiring a receptionist?

For most small businesses, yes: you pay for call time rather than a full salary, benefits and cover for breaks and holidays.

Why do quotes vary so much?

Rounding rules, what counts as billable time, after-hours rates and add-ons like bookings or bilingual answering.

Is AI always cheaper?

Per minute, usually. For complex or sensitive calls, a person may be worth the difference.