How Much Does an Answering Service Cost in 2026?
The real answer: it depends. Human services charge per-minute. AI services charge flat rates. Here's the complete breakdown so you can budget accurately.
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Before comparing prices, understand there are three main pricing models:
1. Per-Minute Pricing
You pay for each minute your calls are handled. Common for human answering services. Rates range from $0.75-$1.50/minute for basic service to $1.50-$3.00/minute for specialized (legal, medical).
Pros: Pay only for what you use
Cons: Unpredictable bills; busy months can be expensive
2. Per-Call Pricing
You pay for each call handled, regardless of length. Ranges from $3-7 for basic calls to $10-20 for complex calls with lead capture.
Pros: More predictable than per-minute
Cons: Still variable; expensive for high volume
3. Flat Rate Pricing
One monthly fee covers unlimited (or high-volume) calls. Common for AI answering services. Ranges from $49 for basic AI to $500+ for premium AI with integrations.
Pros: Completely predictable; scales well
Cons: Higher base cost if call volume is very low
2026 Pricing by Service Type
Human Answering Services
| Provider | Starting Price | Pricing Model | 100 Calls/Mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby Receptionists | $235/mo (50 min) | Per minute | ~$700-900 |
| Smith.ai | $292/mo (30 calls) | Per call | ~$600-800 |
| AnswerConnect | $325/mo | Package | ~$400-600 |
| VoiceNation | $70/mo | Per minute | ~$250-400 |
| Abby Connect | $329/mo | Package | ~$500-700 |
*100 calls/mo estimate assumes 3-minute average call duration
AI Answering Services
| Provider | Starting Price | Pricing Model | 100 Calls/Mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandverse | $497/mo | Flat rate | $497 (same) |
| Goodcall | $59/mo | Flat rate | $59 (same) |
| Rosie | $49/mo | Flat rate | $49 (same) |
| Dialpad AI | Custom | Per seat + usage | Varies |
Real Cost Examples by Business Type
Example 1: Small Dental Practice
Call volume: 150 calls/month, including 40 after-hours
Average call length: 4 minutes
Ruby Receptionists: 150 × 4 min × $1.20/min = $720/month
Smith.ai: 150 calls × $7 avg = $1,050/month
Brandverse AI: $497/month (flat rate)
Example 2: HVAC Contractor
Call volume: 200 calls/month (seasonal peaks to 350)
Average call length: 3 minutes
Ruby Receptionists: 200 × 3 min × $1.20/min = $720/month
Peak month (350 calls): $1,260/month
Brandverse AI: $497/month (same, regardless of volume)
Example 3: Solo Law Practice
Call volume: 50 calls/month
Average call length: 6 minutes (complex intake)
Smith.ai (legal specialists): 50 × $12/call = $600/month
Ruby Receptionists: 50 × 6 min × $1.50/min = $450/month
Brandverse AI: $497/month
Notice: for low volume (50 calls), human services can be competitive or cheaper. But for medium to high volume (100+), flat-rate AI wins on cost.
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Setup fees: Some services charge $50-500 for onboarding. Ask upfront.
- After-hours premiums: Human services often charge 20-50% more for nights/weekends.
- Holiday surcharges: Major holidays may incur extra fees.
- Integration fees: Connecting to your CRM/calendar may cost extra.
- Overage rates: Exceeding plan limits often triggers higher per-unit rates.
- Contract minimums: Some require 6-12 month commitments.
How to Choose Based on Budget
Under $100/month
Options: Rosie ($49), Goodcall ($59), VoiceNation basic tier
Expect: Basic functionality, limited customization, simpler AI quality
$100-300/month
Options: VoiceNation, Ruby low tiers, AnswerConnect basic
Expect: Human receptionists with limited minutes, or better AI options
$300-600/month
Options: Brandverse, Smith.ai, Ruby mid-tier, AnswerConnect
Expect: Full-featured solutions, good integrations, quality service
$600+/month
Options: Premium human services, enterprise AI, dedicated teams
Expect: White-glove service, custom workflows, dedicated account management
ROI: Is It Worth It?
The question isn't just what it costs—it's what you get back.
Simple ROI formula:
Monthly ROI = (Recovered Revenue) ÷ (Answering Service Cost)
If you miss 40 calls/month, 30% would convert, and average job is $400:
40 × 0.30 × $400 = $4,800 in lost revenue
An answering service capturing those calls at $497/month delivers ~10x ROI.
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