What Smith.ai sells today
Smith.ai's pricing page lets you choose how calls are handled, and each choice is priced differently:
- AI-first: a free plan with 25 calls a month ($3.00 per call after that), Pro from $150 a month for 75 calls ($2.50 per extra call), and Enterprise from $500 a month for 300 calls.
- Hybrid: the AI handles routine calls and a live agent joins when needed, from about $2.50 per call.
- Human-first: live virtual receptionists from $300 a month for 30 calls ($11.50 per extra call), then $810 for 90 calls and $2,100 for 300.
So "an alternative to Smith.ai" can mean a cheaper AI receptionist, a different live answering service, or a mix. The two tables below cover each.
AI receptionist alternatives to Smith.ai
These answer your calls with AI: you add your business details and forward your number. Each row is the vendor's cheapest paid plan at its monthly price, sorted by price, with Smith.ai's AI plan and Frontivo.io's plans for reference.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| Product and plan | Starting price | Included | Extra usage | Free plan or trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfirst Starter | $24.95/month | 30 calls | $1.50 per call | 14-day trial, no card |
| Dialzara Business Lite | $29/month | 60 minutes | $0.48 per minute | 7-day trial |
| Rosie Professional | $49/month | 250 minutes | Not published | 7-day trial |
| Goodcall Starter | $79/month | 100 unique customers; minutes not metered | $0.79 per extra customer | Free demo agent; you pay when you connect a number |
| My AI Front Desk | $99/month | 200 minutes | Prepaid credits (25 credits per minute) | 7-day trial |
| Smith.ai AI Receptionist Pro | $150/month | 75 calls | $2.50 per call | Free plan with 25 calls |
| Frontivo.io Phone Only | $199/month | 300 voice minutes (about 100 calls) | $0.35 per minute | 14-day trial, no card |
| Frontivo.io Starter | $299/month | 300 voice minutes, 300 chats, 300 AI text replies | Published per-unit rates | 14-day trial, no card |
Per-call and per-minute plans are not directly comparable. For example, 100 calls a month at about 3 minutes each is about 300 minutes: more than the 60 minutes in Dialzara Business Lite or the 250 in Rosie Professional, so you would pay for extra minutes or move up a plan, while a per-call plan counts it as 100 calls. The AI receptionist pricing guide lists 24 vendors and explains how to convert your month into each unit.
Live answering service alternatives to Smith.ai
If you chose Smith.ai for its human receptionists, compare it with other live answering services. These charge for an operator's time, so plans include far fewer minutes or calls than AI plans.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| Service and plan | Starting price | Included | Extra usage | Setup and trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PATLive | $99/month (or $49/month pay as you go) | 50 minutes, about 20 calls (none on pay as you go) | $2.29 per minute ($2.99 pay as you go) | 14-day free trial |
| Abby Connect Starter | $164/month | 50 minutes | Not shown with the plan | No setup fee; free trial |
| Ruby | $250/month | 50 minutes | Not shown with the plan | No setup or onboarding fees listed |
| Smith.ai Virtual Receptionists Starter | $300/month | 30 calls | $11.50 per call | Not shown with the plan |
| AnswerConnect Entry | $350/month | 200 minutes | $2.50 per minute | $49.99 setup fee |
A person brings judgement that software does not, which matters for sensitive or unusual calls. Virtual receptionist pricing works through what human answering costs per call, and AI receptionist vs answering service compares what each does.
How to choose a Smith.ai alternative
- You want a person on every call: compare the live answering services above, or Smith.ai's own Hybrid option if most calls are routine.
- You want routine calls answered by AI at a lower price: compare the AI receptionists on what a typical month of your calls would cost in their unit, including extra usage.
- Low call volume: a per-call bundle or Smith.ai's free 25-call plan may cost less than a monthly allowance you don't use.
- You also get messages, not only calls: check whether website chat and text replies are included or sold separately.
- Check the terms: contract length, whether the trial needs a card, setup fees, and whether a phone plan is required on top.
Where Frontivo.io fits, and where it doesn't
Frontivo.io publishes this guide. It is an AI receptionist on a flat monthly plan with usage included: $199 a month for phone only, or $299 for phone, website chat and voice, and text in one inbox, with a 14-day free trial and no card.
It does not offer human receptionists. When a caller needs a person, the AI passes the call or conversation to your own team. If you want an outside receptionist to take those calls, a live or hybrid service from the tables above is the closer fit. The Frontivo.io vs Smith.ai comparison goes feature by feature.
Prices and features change; check each vendor's site. Trademarks belong to their owners. Competitor details come from each vendor's public website on the date shown and are provided for general comparison only. Frontivo.io is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies.