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7 Smith.ai alternatives worth a look (2026)
Smith.ai is a strong pick if you want real human receptionists behind the AI. But its Pro plan starts at $150/mo, so it’s worth knowing what else is out there. Here are seven AI receptionists that cost less, bill differently or fit a specific setup better.
Smith.ai at a glance
| Plan | Price | Calls included | Extra calls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 25 calls | $3.00 per extra call |
| Pro | $150/mo | 75 calls | $2.50 per extra call |
| Enterprise | $500/mo | 300 calls | $2.17 per extra call |
Every plan includes AI scheduling through Calendly and other tools, English and Spanish, and setup in about 15 minutes. When the AI hands a caller to Smith.ai’s North America-based receptionists on its own, there’s no extra fee. A human receptionist requested as a per-call add-on is billed separately, and Smith.ai doesn’t publish that price.
Source: smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist, checked October 1, 2026.
Quick comparison
| Alternative | Starting price | Billing | Books appointments | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfirst | $24.95/mo | Plan + per-call overage | Yes | Small firms with modest call volume |
| Dialzara | $29/mo | Plan + per-minute overage | Yes | Budget-conscious small businesses |
| Rosie | $49/mo | Monthly tiers by minutes | Yes, from $149 plan | Solo operators and local services |
| Goodcall | $79/mo | Per agent + $0.50 per extra caller | Yes | High-call-volume local businesses |
| Frontdesk | $99/mo | Plan + $0.25/min overage | Yes | Calls, texts and web chat in one |
| Sona by Quo | Quo plan + Sona from $0 (10 calls) | Phone plan + call credits | Texts booking links | Teams already on Quo phone lines |
| Allo | $32/mo per agent (yearly) | Flat per agent | Yes | Sales teams on HubSpot or Pipedrive |
The alternatives in detail
Why switch: Cheaper entry point: $24.95/mo for 30 calls versus Smith.ai Pro at $150/mo for 75. Adds 35+ languages and six calendar integrations on every plan.
Why switch: Bills by the minute instead of by the call, from $29/mo for 60 minutes. Includes white-glove setup on every paid plan and a free AI texting agent.
Why switch: From $49/mo and trains itself from your Google Business Profile and website. Direct booking and transfers start on the $149 plan.
Why switch: Unlimited minutes from $79/mo per agent, billed by unique callers. A better fit than per-call pricing if your calls run long.
Why switch: Puts calls, two-way texting, web chat and a built-in CRM in one $99/mo plan, with 20+ languages.
Why switch: Makes sense if you want new business phone lines too. Sona runs inside Quo's phone app and its first 10 AI calls are free.
Why switch: Best if your team lives in HubSpot, Pipedrive, Attio or Salesforce. The AI receptionist is a $32/mo add-on per agent, billed yearly.
When to stay with Smith.ai
Stick with Smith.ai if callers sometimes need a real person, such as law firms handling sensitive intakes, or if you want to start free. Its free plan covers 25 calls a month, the most generous free option in this list.
FAQ
What is the cheapest Smith.ai alternative?
Upfirst starts at $24.95/mo for 30 calls with a 14-day trial and no card. Dialzara starts at $29/mo for 60 minutes. Smith.ai itself has a free plan with 25 calls a month.
Which Smith.ai alternative has human backup?
The seven alternatives here focus on AI and can transfer calls to you or your team. If you need a staffed team of human receptionists behind the AI, Smith.ai is the stronger choice.
Which alternative is best for busy phone lines?
Goodcall offers unlimited minutes from $79/mo per agent and charges by unique callers, so long calls don't raise the bill.