# Smith.ai Alternative: InsertChat vs Smith.ai

Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai

> Compare InsertChat with Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist: per-call pricing vs monthly AI credits, channels, human backup, and entry prices, with dated sources.

InsertChat is a Smith.ai alternative for businesses that want calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered in one shared inbox. Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist is priced per call, with a free plan for 25 calls and Pro from $150, and lists human-agent backup. InsertChat starts at $98 per month, with usage measured in AI credits.

Competitor details checked on September 27, 2026 from [Smith.ai’s public pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source.

## InsertChat vs Smith.ai at a glance

| Compared | InsertChat | Smith.ai |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans based on call volume ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) |
| What is metered | AI credits from one monthly allowance. Use depends on the model, conversation length, knowledge processing, and tools; calls round up to whole minutes. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing#channel-costs)) | Calls: $3 per call over the Free allowance; $2.17–$2.50 per call over on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) |
| Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice; SMS and email from the Pro plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) |
| Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Human-agent backup ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) |
| Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, YouTube content, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified |
| Booking | Google Calendar scheduling actions that run automatically or wait for your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar)) | Not verified |
| Entry price | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | Free for 25 calls; Pro from $150 for 75–300 calls; Enterprise from $500 ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) |
| Notable limits | Additional phone numbers, SMS, WhatsApp, and other connected services can carry their own charges; analytics and reports start on Scale ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing#channel-costs)) | The Free plan covers 25 calls; SMS and email start on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) |

“Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding.

## When Smith.ai is the better fit

- You want to start free: Smith.ai lists a $0 plan with 25 calls.
- You want human agents available as backup to the AI receptionist.
- You prefer to budget per call rather than per minute or credit.

## When InsertChat fits

- You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in the same inbox as your calls.
- You want your own team to take over conversations in a shared inbox.
- You want calls and written conversations to share one allowance: 5,000 credits a month on Pro.
- You want answers from your website, documents, FAQs, YouTube content, and product information.

## Is InsertChat cheaper than Smith.ai?

It depends on your volume and channels. Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist lists a free plan with 25 calls ($3 per extra call) and Pro from $150 for 75–300 calls. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits; calls use credits and round up to whole minutes, and connected services can add charges.

## Does InsertChat include human agents like Smith.ai?

No. InsertChat does not provide receptionists. Its AI assistant answers from your business knowledge, and your own team takes over in the shared inbox when a customer needs a person. Smith.ai’s pricing page lists human-agent backup for its AI Receptionist.

## Which channels does each product cover?

Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist pricing lists voice, with SMS and email from the Pro plan. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox. SMS, WhatsApp, and additional phone numbers can carry connected-service charges.

## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat?

InsertChat supports business numbers and call-forwarding options. Availability depends on your region and phone setup. Configure the number in your workspace and place a test call before routing customer calls to your assistant.

## Other comparisons

- [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with voice, SMS, chat, and email allowances in one monthly plan, plus overage.
- [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): Voice-only AI agent priced per agent by unique customers, not minutes.
- [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold in minute bundles, with a web texting add-on.
- [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist priced by minutes, with SMS and web chat sharing one knowledge base.
- [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold in call bundles, with texting during calls.
- [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): Human receptionists and live chat agents, priced by minutes and by chats.
- [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase): AI chatbot builder priced by message credits, with a free plan.
- [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio): Customer chat with the Lyro AI agent, priced by human and Lyro conversations.
- [InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin): AI agent priced at $0.99 per outcome, alongside Intercom’s per-seat plans.