Virtual receptionist pricing is all over the place, from $29 AI tools to $5,000 human services. This guide breaks down what you’ll actually pay by industry and country, so you don’t overspend or underbuy.
How Much Does a Virtual Receptionist Cost?
$25 to $3,000 per month — AI-only services start at $25/month, human virtual receptionists cost $800–$2,400/month, and hybrid setups land anywhere from $300–$2,000+/month.
Here's the breakdown:
- Human virtual receptionists: $800–$2400/month. Real people, real judgment, real personality. Pre-trained managed virtual receptionists at Wishup start at $1299 (unlimited calls).
- AI-only receptionists: $25–$300/month. Dialzara starts at $29/month. Cheap, tireless, never calls in sick.
- Hybrid (AI + human backup): $300–$2,000+/month. The best of both worlds; priced accordingly.
What pushes the cost of a virtual receptionist up or down? Call volume, coverage hours, features like CRM integrations or appointment booking, and whether there's a human on the other end. More of any of those things means more money.
What Are the Different Virtual Receptionist Pricing Models?
1. Per-Minute Pricing: $0.25–$3.50/min
The most common model for human receptionist services. Here are some sample pricing models: $235/50 min, $375/200 min, $575/350 min, and $720/500 min.
Per-minute pricing is suitable if your calls are short. Example: if the calls are mostly made for quick bookings, simple messages.
Not suitable if your callers like to chat. One 20-minute call can blow through half your monthly minutes. Overage rates run $1.50–$3/min, which adds up fast.
2. Per-Call Pricing: ~$7–$9.75/call
Per-call pricing usually starts around $9/call, bundled into plans starting from $255/month. You pay per interaction, not per minute. So a 15-minute call costs the same as a 2-minute one.
Per-call pricing is suitable if your calls tend to run long. Not suitable if you get a lot of spam, robocalls, or wrong numbers. Every single call counts against your budget, useful or not.
3. Monthly Flat Rate: $29–$2500/month
AI services like Dialzara ($29/month) and My AI Front Desk ($79–$119/month) keep it simple with flat monthly pricing. One number. No surprises.
Managed virtual assistant companies like Wishup offer pre-vetted and pre-trained virtual receptionists starting from $1299 per month.
The advantage of hiring a full-time virtual receptionist is that they work for 40 hours every week, and you can depute them to handle as many calls your business needs.
Virtual Receptionist Pricing Model Comparison
How Much Does a Human Virtual Receptionist Cost?
A human virtual receptionist costs $800–$2400/month for most plans. The price variation depends on the location of the virtual receptionist and their experience.
Comparison of Cost of Virtual Receptionist Among Top Companies
Cost Savings: Outsourcing to a Virtual Receptionist vs Hiring an In-House Receptionist
A full-time receptionist costs $35,000–$50,000/year in salary alone. Factor in benefits, payroll taxes, and PTO, and you're looking at $55,000–$65,000/year easy. A managed virtual receptionist costs just around $1299 per month. Plus, you don’t have to care about any of the external benefits like insurance, hikes, or rewards because everything will be taken care of by the service provider.
Delegating to a virtual receptionists cost 60–80% less than in-house staff. For most small businesses, that math is pretty hard to argue with. The catch is that tiered plans mean your bill can spike when your call volume does. So, it’s always better to hire full-time managed virtual receptionists.
How Much Does an AI Virtual Receptionist Cost?
$29–$120/month for most plans.
AI receptionists are 85–95% cheaper than human virtual receptionist services (Source: dialzara.com). Here's what they actually charge:
- Dialzara: $29/month (Source: dialzara.com)
- My AI Front Desk: $79–$119/month (Source: myaifrontdesk.com)
- Ring Eden: $39/month for 200 minutes (Source: ringeden.com)
They handle the basics extremely well: scheduling, FAQs, call routing, and after-hours coverage. They answer instantly, every time, without ever needing a sick day.
What they can't do: handle emotionally charged calls, apply genuine judgment to unusual situations, build rapport with long-term clients, or reliably manage complex multi-step conversations.
If your clients are dealing with something stressful like a legal issue, a medical question, or a financial problem, a robotic response can hurt your brand more than a missed call would. That's the real trade-off to think about.
Rule of thumb for business owners: Mostly appointment bookings and basic info requests? AI is probably fine. Calls that need empathy and nuance? You'll want a human.
How Much Does a Virtual Receptionist Cost by Country?
Virtual receptionist pricing varies quite a bit depending on where you're buying. Here's the real picture:
India
- $3–$5/hour for BPO-style virtual receptionist services
- $1300-$2500 for managed full-time virtual receptionists.
- Works well for high-volume business needs.
United States
- Human virtual receptionist: $2000–$5000/month
- AI services: $29–$300/month
- The most competitive market with the widest range of providers
United Kingdom
- Starts at £10/month plus £0.85 per call
- Roughly £225–£1,500/month
- UK pricing broadly mirrors US pricing once you convert, sometimes running slightly higher
Australia
- Virtual Reception: $3.79 per call or $2.99/min + GST, with bundles from around $80/month
- Per-call pricing is more common here than flat monthly plans
Philippines (Outsourced)
- $3–$7/hour for outsourced receptionist staff
- Full-time dedicated receptionist: $400–$850/month
- The cheapest human option by a wide margin, but you're managing the hire yourself
What Hidden Fees Should I Watch Out For When Hiring a Virtual Receptionist?
Setup and Onboarding Fees
Most providers charge $50–$500 just to get you configured and running. Complex setups can hit $4,999. Before even taking a single call, you will already be out of money. Always check the onboarding costs upfront.
Overage Charges
Go over your minute plan? Expect to pay 1.5–2x your base rate, roughly $1.50–$3 per extra minute. One unusually busy month can blow your entire budget.
After-Hours and Holiday Surcharges
Nights, weekends, and holidays often cost extra. Most providers don't advertise this loudly. Check the fine print before assuming 24/7 means one flat rate.
Other Fees That'll Creep Up on You
- Bilingual service: Usually locked behind premium tiers or charged as an add-on
- CRM integrations: Connecting Salesforce, HubSpot, or Clio? Often extra
- Agent work time: You're billed for post-call admin, not just talk time
- Minute rounding: Some providers round up to 30-second or full-minute increments
- Annual contract traps: A lower monthly rate can lock you in for 12 months
Always ask for a full fee breakdown before signing anything. The monthly rate is just the starting point.
How Much Does a Virtual Receptionist Cost for My Industry?
Some businesses need basic call answering. Others need HIPAA compliance and legal intake workflows. The price reflects that gap.
Legal: $250–$2,000/Month
Law firms have the most demanding requirements, like intake forms, conflict checks, and integrations with tools like Clio. Smith.ai and Lex Reception are the go-to options here (Source: legalsoft.com, embroker.com). Budget for the higher end.
Medical and Dental: $500–$3,000/Month
HIPAA compliance isn't optional, and it costs more. Your provider needs to handle patient data securely, and that compliance layer pushes prices up. Don't cut corners here. Wishup is the go-to option here as they have 1500+ HIPAA-trained virtual assistants.
Real Estate: $250–$1500/Month
Lead capture is everything in real estate. Call volumes are usually lower, so pricing stays manageable. You need a fast, friendly response. Assess the persuasion skills of the receptionist when you’re hiring for this industry.
Home Services (Plumbing, HVAC, etc.): $100–$600/Month
Missing calls in this space actively kill revenue. One missed emergency plumbing call can cost more than a full month of service.
Virtual Receptionists - Industry-wise Pricing Comparison
Is a Virtual Receptionist Worth the Cost?
Yes, but only if you pick the right fit. Not every business needs a live human. But some absolutely do. Here's the honest breakdown.
AI virtual receptionist is fine if:
- Calls are straightforward (ex, appointments, FAQs, basic info)
- Call volume is predictable
- Cost control matters more than a personal touch
Human virtual receptionist is fine if:
- Callers need complex intake or emotional support
- One bad interaction could cost you a client or a lawsuit
Hybrid works well for most: AI handles after-hours, humans cover business hours. You get 24/7 coverage without paying for live agents around the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Receptionists
How much does a virtual receptionist cost?
Virtual receptionists cost $25–$3,000/month, depending on the type. AI-only services start at $25/month, human receptionists run $800–$2,400/month, and hybrid setups cost $300–$2,000+/month.
How much does an AI receptionist cost for a small business?
AI receptionists cost $29–$120/month for most plans. Dialzara starts at $29/month, My AI Front Desk charges $79–$119/month, and Ring Eden offers $39/month for 200 minutes.
What is the virtual receptionist pricing per month for human services?
Human virtual receptionists typically cost $800–$2,400/month. Ruby Receptionists starts at $235/month (limited), Smith.ai at $292.50/month (limited), and Wishup's managed receptionists start at $1,299/month (unlimited).
What is the answering service cost per month for a small business?
Basic answering services start around $235/month for 50 minutes. AI-powered answering services cost as little as $29–$79/month with no per-minute charges.
What pricing models do virtual receptionists use?
Three main models exist: per-minute ($0.25–$3.50/min), per-call ($7–$9.75/call), and flat monthly rate ($29–$2,500/month). Flat-rate AI plans offer the most predictable billing.
What are the ;overage charges for virtual receptionist services?
If you exceed your monthly minute plan, expect to pay $1.50–$3 per extra minute, roughly 1.5–2x your base rate. One unusually busy month can significantly spike your bill.
How much does a virtual receptionist cost for a law firm?
Legal virtual receptionist services cost $250–$2,000/month. Law firms need specialized features like intake forms, conflict checks, and Clio integrations, which push costs toward the higher end.
How much does a medical virtual receptionist cost?
Medical and dental virtual receptionists cost $500–$3,000/month. HIPAA compliance requirements add cost; cutting corners here isn't an option.
Is an AI receptionist cheaper than a human receptionist?
Yes, significantly. AI receptionists are 85–95% cheaper than human virtual receptionist services, costing $29–$120/month versus $800–$2,400/month for human agents.
How much does a virtual receptionist cost compared to hiring in-house?
A full-time in-house receptionist costs $55,000–$65,000/year, including benefits and taxes. A managed virtual receptionist costs around $1,299/month, which is roughly 60–80% less.
Are there setup fees for virtual receptionist services?
Most providers charge $50–$500 in setup and onboarding fees. Complex configurations can cost up to $4,999 before you even take a single call.
Does 24/7 virtual receptionist coverage cost more?
Yes. After-hours, weekend, and holiday coverage often carries surcharges that aren't advertised upfront. Always check the fine print before assuming 24/7 means one flat rate.
How much does a virtual receptionist cost for real estate?
Real estate virtual receptionists cost $250–$1,500/month. Call volumes are typically lower in this industry, keeping costs manageable while still capturing leads quickly.
How much does a virtual receptionist cost for home services businesses?
Home services businesses like plumbing and HVAC pay $100–$600/month. Missing even one emergency call can cost more than an entire month of service.
What hidden fees should I watch out for with virtual receptionists?
Watch for overage charges ($1.50–$3/min), bilingual service add-ons, CRM integration fees, post-call admin billing, and annual contract lock-ins that come with lower monthly rates.
How does per-call pricing work for virtual receptionists?
You pay a flat rate of $7–$9.75 per call regardless of duration. Plans typically start around $255/month — ideal if your calls run long, but risky if you receive frequent spam or wrong numbers.
What does a virtual receptionist cost in the UK and Australia?
UK services start at £10/month plus £0.85 per call, running roughly £225–£1,500/month. Australian services charge around $3.79 per call or $2.99/min, with bundles starting near $80/month.
When should I choose a hybrid virtual receptionist setup?
Hybrid works well for most businesses: AI handles after-hours calls at low cost, while humans cover business hours for complex interactions. You get 24/7 coverage without paying for live agents around the clock.
Is a virtual receptionist worth the cost?
Yes, if you pick the right fit. AI is sufficient for appointments and FAQs; humans are essential when calls involve complex intake, emotional support, or high-stakes client relationships.
