# InsertChat: complete product and setup reference > Public website content from MindCrafters LLC. Every section names its source page. [Reference index](https://insertchat.com/llms.txt) # InsertChat AI front desk Source: https://insertchat.com/ > Your AI front desk for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. Answer customers, manage appointments, and keep your team in control from one inbox. ## What your AI front desk handles - **24/7**: Call answering: always, only after hours, or only when your team misses the call - **5**: Channels in one inbox: calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp - **10**: Natural voices for your AI receptionist - **58**: Business languages, and replies in the language each customer uses - **5**: Calendars it books into, from the built-in one to Google, Outlook, Calendly, and Cal.com - **72 + 24 h**: Appointment reminders by text or email before each booking - **5–60 s**: Ring time for your team before the AI receptionist picks up - **$98**: A month for Pro, with one phone number and 5,000 credits ## Teach it your business Add your website, documents, and FAQs. Your front desk answers from your own services, prices, hours, and policies. ## Make it sound like you Pick a voice and tone, set your booking rules, and choose the moments when your team should step in. ## Connect your channels Forward your phone, add chat to your website, and connect email, SMS, or WhatsApp. Test it, then go live. ## What is InsertChat? InsertChat is an AI front desk for small businesses: an AI receptionist that answers your calls, and the same assistant on website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp. It answers from your business knowledge, books appointments, captures leads, and hands conversations to your team in one shared inbox. ## Is InsertChat an AI receptionist or a website chatbot? Both. One assistant answers phone calls as an AI receptionist and replies to website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp as a chatbot, using the same knowledge and handoff rules. Every conversation lands in the same shared inbox and contact record. ## Does InsertChat answer phone calls 24/7? Yes. Set the AI receptionist to answer every call, only outside your opening hours, or only when your team doesn’t pick up within 5 to 60 seconds. Nights, weekends, and holidays are covered by the same plan, and every call lands in the inbox with a transcript and summary. ## Can InsertChat book appointments? Yes. Use the built-in calendar or connect Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, set your booking rules, and the assistant books, moves, and cancels appointments on calls, chats, and texts. Customers can get reminders 72 and 24 hours before. ## What can I teach my assistant? You can add website pages, documents, FAQs, audio and video files, product information, and other supported sources. Test the answers in the app and refresh the sources when your business changes. ## Can my team take over a conversation? Yes. Your team can manage conversations in the shared inbox, leave internal notes, and take over when a customer needs a person. You can also configure the topics and situations that should trigger a handoff. ## Will InsertChat act without asking me? You choose the tools and permissions available to your assistant. Supported actions can run automatically or wait for review, depending on your configuration. You can review action outcomes in the app. ## Do I need a new website or phone number? The chat widget installs on your existing website. In the US and Canada, keep your business number and forward calls to InsertChat. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. Place a test call before routing customer calls. ## Is it cheaper than a receptionist or an answering service? For answering calls, almost always. Pro is $98 a month for calls, website chat, texts, and email. The pricing page compares that with a full-time receptionist’s median wage and the published prices of human answering services, with sources and the math for a 3-minute call. ## Can I use my own branding? Yes. Customize the assistant’s identity, logo, colors, and tone. Paid plans include branding controls; custom-domain and workspace options depend on the plan. ## Is there a free trial? Yes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits to test calls, chat, and booking. A card is required at checkout, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. ## How does pricing work? Paid plans start at $98 per month for Pro. Growth is $198, Scale is $498, and Enterprise starts at $998 per month. Plans include credits and usage limits; model, phone, and connected-service usage can consume credits or carry additional costs. ## Product features - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/virtual-receptionist) - [AI voice agent](https://insertchat.com/product/voice-agent) - [AI customer service agent](https://insertchat.com/product/ai-customer-service) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [Reports](https://insertchat.com/product/reports) - [White label](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) --- # InsertChat product overview Source: https://insertchat.com/product > AI front desk software for customer conversations, knowledge, and connected actions. ## What is InsertChat? InsertChat is an AI front desk for customer conversations, built by MindCrafters LLC. It brings website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp together with contacts, business knowledge, scheduling, and actions in a shared workspace. [Answer source](https://insertchat.com/product#what-is-insertchat) · [About InsertChat and MindCrafters](https://insertchat.com/about) ## Who is InsertChat built for? InsertChat helps businesses answer customer questions, capture inquiries, and organize the next step. Example workflows cover home services, real estate, beauty & wellness, healthcare, professional services, e-commerce, agencies & teams, automotive, education & childcare, couriers & delivery, hospitality & events, pet services. Your own knowledge, connected tools, and permissions determine what each assistant can do. [Answer source](https://insertchat.com/product#who-it-is-for) · [Explore business use cases](https://insertchat.com/industries) ## How does it go beyond a website chatbot? Website chat is one channel in InsertChat. The same workspace also brings together calls, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, with customer records and conversation history. Connected apps let the assistant help with tasks such as scheduling, within the actions and permissions you enable. [Answer source](https://insertchat.com/product#beyond-website-chat) · [See the shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Can my team control the AI and take over? Your team chooses the assistant’s knowledge, tone, tools, and permissions. Supported actions can run automatically or wait for review, depending on configuration. People can take over conversations in the inbox with the customer’s context and internal notes available. [Answer source](https://insertchat.com/product#human-control) · [Understand actions and approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) ## What do I need before going live? Add and check your business knowledge, configure the assistant, and connect the first channel your customers use. Test the complete conversation, any enabled tool actions, and human handoff. Phone and messaging setup depends on your provider account, region, and configuration. [Answer source](https://insertchat.com/product#before-going-live) · [Follow the channel setup guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/connect-your-first-channel) ## How much does InsertChat cost? Monthly plans are Pro $98, Growth $198, Scale $498, Enterprise from $998 in USD. Annual plans are paid upfront and include two months free. Plans have credit and usage limits; phone numbers, calls, and connected services can add costs. Credits do not represent a fixed number of messages or minutes. [Answer source](https://insertchat.com/product#cost-and-limits) · [Compare prices, limits, and channel costs](https://insertchat.com/pricing) ## Is Northstar a real customer? Northstar Home Services is a fictional business used to demonstrate InsertChat. The demo uses sample data in the InsertChat app. The industry scenarios illustrate possible workflows; they are not customer testimonials or measured business results. [Answer source](https://insertchat.com/product#demo-and-customer-results) · [Explore the product demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) ## Features - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox): Bring website chat, calls, email, SMS, and WhatsApp into one workspace. Your AI answers first, and your team sees exactly what needs a person. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): InsertChat answers your business calls from your own services, hours, and prices. It books appointments on your calendar and brings in your team, full transcript attached, when a person should follow up. - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours): Your team’s phones ring while you’re open. After hours, or whenever nobody picks up, the AI receptionist answers, books the visit, and flags emergencies to your team. - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/virtual-receptionist): Human virtual receptionist services bill by the minute or the call and cover the phone. InsertChat’s AI virtual receptionist answers calls, website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, books appointments, and hands your team the rest. - [AI voice agent](https://insertchat.com/product/voice-agent): InsertChat’s AI phone agent understands what callers ask, answers from your knowledge, and uses your calendar and connected apps during the call, within the permissions you set. You set it up in the app; InsertChat runs the line, the voice, and the AI. - [AI customer service agent](https://insertchat.com/product/ai-customer-service): One AI agent answers customers by phone, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp, resolves routine requests in the apps you connect, and passes the rest to your team with the full conversation. - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website): Add an AI assistant to the site you already have. It answers visitors from your pages and documents, saves leads, books appointments, and hands the chat to a person when it needs one. - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email): Connect Gmail or Outlook. Your assistant drafts or sends replies, and anything sensitive waits for your team in the shared inbox. - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms): Customers text your InsertChat number and get answers from your knowledge. Your team sees every thread in the shared inbox and can step in. - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual): Callers who speak Spanish hear Spanish, and callers who speak English hear English, from the same assistant and knowledge. - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling): Your front desk offers open times, books the one the customer picks, and moves or cancels it later, on calls, website chat, and texts. Every booking stays linked to the customer and the conversation. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture): Every call, chat, text, and email gets an answer right away. The assistant saves the lead as a contact with its source and tells your team when someone is ready to book or buy. - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm): Your AI assistant saves each customer’s details from calls, chats, texts, and emails. Your team sees the history, open tasks, and next appointment in one record. - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge): Bring your website, documents, FAQs, and product details into one knowledge base. Your assistant answers every channel from it and shows you which questions need a better answer. - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations): Give your front desk the tools to act on a conversation. Choose what it can do automatically and what your team needs to review. - [Reports](https://insertchat.com/product/reports): See what customers ask, what your front desk resolved, and where answers need work. Every plan gets 30 days of reports; Scale and Enterprise add AI analysis. - [White label](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label): Build a branded assistant for each client that answers their calls, chats, and texts, runs on your domain, and sells at the price you set. --- # InsertChat pricing and plan limits Source: https://insertchat.com/pricing > Monthly and annual prices in USD, included capacity, and additional channel costs. Prices in USD. Annual plans are paid upfront; the monthly equivalent is not a monthly billing option. Enterprise prices are starting prices. Review checkout for the exact offer and applicable taxes. | Plan | Monthly billing (USD/month) | Annual billing (USD/year, upfront) | Annual monthly equivalent (USD/month) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pro | $98 | $980 | $81.67 | | Growth | $198 | $1,980 | $165 | | Scale | $498 | $4,980 | $415 | | Enterprise | From $998 | From $9,980 | From $831.67 | ## Included features and limits | Included with your plan | Pro | Growth | Scale | Enterprise | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | AI assistants | 3 | 20 | 50 | 100 | | Team seats | 3 | 5 | 10 | 25 | | Knowledge sources | 1,000 | 5,000 | 25,000 | 50,000 | | Credits each month | 5,000 | 10,000 | 25,000 | 50,000 | | Maximum size per file | 20 MB | 25 MB | 50 MB | 50 MB | | Shared inbox & human handoff | Included | Included | Included | Included | | Your logo & assistant styling | Included | Included | Included | Included | | Bring your own AI keys | Included | Included | Included | Included | | Custom domain & branded email | Not included | Included | Included | Included | | API access | Not included | Included | Included | Included | | Webhooks & S3/R2 knowledge sync | Not included | Not included | Included | Included | | Conversation analytics | Not included | Not included | All time | All time | | Analysis reports | Not included | Not included | Included | Included | | Support | Email | Email | Priority | Dedicated agent | ## What every Pro plan includes - **$98**: A month for Pro, or $81.67 a month billed annually - **24/7**: AI receptionist call answering, with your choice of routing - **1**: Phone number included; additional numbers are $10 a month - **5,000**: AI credits each month, shared by calls and written conversations - **3**: AI assistants, each with its own knowledge, voice, and branding - **3**: Team seats for the shared inbox and human handoff - **1,000**: Knowledge sources: pages, documents, and written answers - **7 days**: Free trial with 500 credits for new customers ## AI usage Plans include monthly credits. How many you use depends on your selected model, conversation length, knowledge processing, and tools. Credits are not a fixed number of messages. ## Phone numbers & calls Each paid plan includes one phone number. Additional numbers cost $10 per month each. Calls use credits, round up to whole minutes, and have a one-minute minimum. Rates and number availability depend on your setup. ## Connected services Provider subscriptions, SMS, WhatsApp, and other connected services may have their own charges. Review your channel configuration and checkout for the exact offer and taxes. ## What a 3-minute call costs: receptionist, answering service, or AI A full-time receptionist earns a median $18.27 an hour in the US, about $3,168 a month before benefits. Human answering services charge by the minute or the call: about $5.94 to $15.00 for a 3-minute call on their entry plans. InsertChat Pro works out to about $0.71 per 3-minute call, with chat, email, and texts on the same plan. | Option | What you pay | How it’s billed | One 3-minute call | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Full-time receptionist (in-house) | $18.27 an hour median wage (BLS, May 2025), about $3,168 a month before benefits and payroll taxes | One person’s scheduled hours; one call at a time | Depends on call volume | | Ruby | $250 a month for 50 minutes | Bundles of minutes: 50, 100, 200, or 500 a month ($250 to $1,725) | About $15 | | PATLive | $99 a month for 50 minutes | Bundles of minutes from 50 a month, then $2.29 per additional minute on that plan | About $5.94 | | Smith.ai (human-first) | $300 a month for 30 calls | Per call: $11.50 for each call beyond the 30 included | About $10 | | InsertChat Pro (AI) | $98 a month with 5,000 credits and one phone number | About 416 call minutes at the example rate, with website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp on the same plan | About $0.71 | Third-party prices and wages checked on October 13, 2026 from each source’s public page; taxes, setup terms, and plan details can change, so confirm with the provider. The 3-minute call column divides each entry plan’s price by what it includes. InsertChat’s figure assumes Pro’s 5,000 monthly credits are spent only on calls at the estimator’s example rate of 12 credits per billable minute. Sources: [Bureau of Labor Statistics, Receptionists (May 2025 data)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm); [Ruby pricing](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/); [PATLive pricing](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/); [Smith.ai (human-first) pricing](https://smith.ai/pricing). ## How much does InsertChat cost per month? Monthly plans are Pro $98, Growth $198, Scale $498, Enterprise from $998 in USD. Each plan includes AI assistants, team seats, knowledge sources, and monthly credits. Compare the allowances above to choose a plan for your team. ## Is there a free trial? New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## How does annual billing work? Annual plans are charged upfront for the year at the cost of ten monthly payments, equivalent to two months free. The displayed monthly equivalent helps you compare plans; it is not a monthly payment option. Enterprise prices are starting prices. ## What do AI credits cover? Plans include monthly credits. How many you use depends on your selected model, conversation length, knowledge processing, and tools. Credits are not a fixed number of messages. ## Are phone numbers and calls included? Each paid plan includes one phone number. Additional numbers cost $10 per month each. Calls use credits, round up to whole minutes, and have a one-minute minimum. Rates and number availability depend on your setup. ## Do connected services have additional costs? Provider subscriptions, SMS, WhatsApp, and other connected services may have their own charges. Review your channel configuration and checkout for the exact offer and taxes. ## Is the usage estimator an exact quote? No. The estimator uses your activity inputs and editable example credit rates. Count written conversations separately from calls. It rounds each call up to whole minutes and excludes knowledge processing, extra tools, transfers, and additional phone numbers. Actual usage depends on your model and configuration. ## Does every plan include the AI receptionist? Yes. Every paid plan includes the AI receptionist with one phone number, website chat, the shared inbox, and human handoff. Higher plans add assistants, seats, credits, knowledge sources, API access, and reporting. ## Is InsertChat cheaper than a receptionist or an answering service? For answering calls, by a wide margin. Pro is $98 a month; spent only on calls at the estimator’s example rate, that is about $0.71 per 3-minute call, and the same plan answers website chat, email, and texts. The cost comparison above shows a receptionist’s median wage and human answering-service prices, with sources. ## Which plans include API access and reporting? Growth, Scale, and Enterprise include API access. Scale and Enterprise also include conversation analytics, analysis reports, webhooks, and S3/R2 knowledge sync. The comparison table lists the features and limits for each plan. [Interactive usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate): the editable example rates are assumptions, not fixed prices or a quote. --- # AI Shared Inbox for Calls, Texts, Chat & Email Source: https://insertchat.com/product/inbox > Bring website chat, calls, email, SMS, and WhatsApp into one workspace. Your AI answers first, and your team sees exactly what needs a person. A shared inbox puts customer conversations from every channel in one place for your team. InsertChat’s inbox holds calls, website chats, texts, emails, and WhatsApp messages next to each customer’s contact record. The AI answers first, so your team opens only what needs a person, with the history and a short summary already there. ## A caller asks for a person, and the team gets the context A dramatized call to a fictional cleaning company: the caller asks for a person, and the AI receptionist hands the conversation to the team’s inbox with a summary for follow-up. [Watch the video](https://cdn.insertchat.com/website/calls/v11-knows-when-to-get-you.mp4). Dramatization with a fictional business. The voices are narration voices; your assistant uses one of the 10 voices in InsertChat. ### Transcript - **Caller:** Hi, I was charged twice for last week’s cleaning, and I’d like to talk to a real person. - **AI receptionist:** I’m sorry about that. I’m passing this to our team right now, with everything you’ve told me. - **Caller:** Okay, thank you. ## Keep the conversation together Read messages and call context alongside the contact record, wherever a customer reaches you. ## Step in when it matters Take over a conversation, leave an internal note, and bring a teammate up to speed. ## Know what needs you Use open, resolved, spam, and needs-you states, with categories, tags, and saved replies. ## Set up your shared inbox 1. **Connect your channels.** Add website chat, a phone number or forwarded line, Gmail or Outlook, SMS, and WhatsApp. Every channel feeds the same inbox. 2. **Decide what needs a person.** Keep the handoff rules on, add topics only your team should answer, and choose who gets notified, right away or in a daily summary. 3. **Invite your team.** Add teammates as owners, managers, or clients, and give each one the assistants they should see. ## What does the AI handle before a conversation reaches my team? It answers from your knowledge base, collects the details a follow-up needs, and books appointments when you allow it. When a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure, or the customer is upset, the conversation is marked needs-you and the teammates you choose are notified. ## How is an AI shared inbox different from a team email inbox? A team email inbox collects messages and waits for someone to reply. InsertChat’s assistant replies first on every channel, books appointments when you allow it, and writes a short summary of each conversation. Your team works the needs-you list, and every thread already shows what the customer asked and what the assistant said. ## How does a team share the inbox? Assign a conversation to a teammate, add tags and internal notes, snooze it until later, and answer with saved replies. Open, resolved, spam, and needs-you states show what still needs attention, and team roles decide who can approve the assistant’s actions. ## Can I review phone calls in the inbox? Yes. Every call appears with a transcript and an AI summary next to the customer’s texts, chats, and emails, so whoever calls back knows what the customer already said. ## Who on my team sees which conversations? Owners see the whole workspace. Managers work on the assistants assigned to them, and client users see only the assistants you give them, which suits agencies that share an inbox with a client. Deleting conversations and contacts stays with owners and managers. ## How much does a shared inbox cost? The shared inbox and human handoff come with every paid plan, starting at $98 per month for Pro with 3 team seats. Growth includes 5 seats, Scale 10, and Enterprise 25. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## Which channels can I manage in the shared inbox? Once connected, website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp conversations are available in the workspace. The inbox keeps the conversation and customer details together so your team can continue in context. ## How does my team take over from the AI assistant? Configure the topics and situations that need a person. Your team can open the conversation, review the history, add an internal note, and take over the reply. Test the handoff before enabling a channel for customers. ## How is my team notified about new requests? Choose staff notifications for the requests that need attention, sent immediately or as a daily summary. Conversations that need a person are marked needs-you in the inbox, so nothing depends on someone watching every channel. ## How can we organize customer requests? Use open, resolved, spam, and needs-you states to track attention. Categories, tags, internal notes, and saved replies help teammates understand and respond to the request. ## Related features - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) --- # AI Answering Service & AI Receptionist, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/product/phone > InsertChat answers your business calls from your own services, hours, and prices. It books appointments on your calendar and brings in your team, full transcript attached, when a person should follow up. An AI receptionist is software that answers your business phone calls with a natural voice, at any hour. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers from your services, hours, and FAQs, captures each caller’s name, number, and request, books appointments within the rules you set, and brings in your team, transcript and summary attached, when a person is needed. ## Same call, two endings: voicemail vs an AI receptionist A dramatized call to a fictional plumbing company, first to voicemail and then to an AI receptionist that books the visit. [Watch the video](https://cdn.insertchat.com/website/calls/v06-two-endings.mp4). Dramatization with a fictional business. The voices are narration voices; your assistant uses one of the 10 voices in InsertChat. ### Transcript - **Voicemail:** Hey, it’s Dave’s Plumbing. Leave a message. - **Caller:** Ugh. Never mind. - **AI receptionist:** Dave’s Plumbing, how can I help? - **Caller:** Hi, my kitchen sink is backing up. Can someone come today? - **AI receptionist:** Yes, there’s a two o’clock opening today. Want it? - **Caller:** Perfect. - **AI receptionist:** You’re booked for two. I’m sending your confirmation now. ## Answers from your business Services, prices, hours, service area, and policies from your website, documents, and written answers. Update a source once and every call uses it. ## Books while the caller is on the line Offers open times from your calendar, books the one the caller picks, and can confirm it by text or email. ## Rings your team first, if you want Let the AI answer every call, only after hours, or only when nobody picks up within 5 to 60 seconds. ## Keeps your number Forward your US or Canadian number, or use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Every paid plan includes one. ## Speaks your callers’ language Ten voices to choose from. It answers in the language each caller speaks and switches when asked. ## Hands over the whole story Every call lands in the shared inbox with a transcript, an AI summary, and the caller’s contact record. ## What your AI receptionist handles, and what it hands to you Draw the line once. The receptionist resolves the routine calls and passes everything else to your team with the caller’s details already collected. ### Handled on the call - Questions about services, prices, opening hours, and service area - New inquiries, saved with the caller’s name, number, and request - Booking, rescheduling, and canceling appointments it booked - Callback requests, confirmed by text or email after the call - Directions, policies, and what to bring or prepare - Callers who speak Spanish or another language ### Passed to your team - A caller who asks for a person - A question your knowledge base doesn’t answer - An upset caller or a complaint - Emergencies and safety risks, flagged urgent after the caller hears your safety steps - Actions you set to wait for approval - Booking requests outside your appointment rules ## How to set up your AI receptionist 1. **Teach it your business.** Add your website, documents, and written answers about your services, prices, hours, and service area. Test the questions callers ask most. 2. **Choose the voice and when it answers.** Pick one of 10 voices and a greeting, then decide when it answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then route your calls.** Place a test call. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number; elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. ## How does an AI receptionist answer calls? Calls to your InsertChat number, or calls you forward to it, are answered in the voice and greeting you picked. The assistant answers from your knowledge base and instructions, asks for the caller’s name, number, and reason for calling when a follow-up needs them, and saves the call to the shared inbox so your team sees exactly what happened. ## Is an AI answering service the same as an AI receptionist? For most businesses, yes: both names describe software that answers your business line with a natural voice instead of voicemail or a call center. InsertChat does more than take messages. It answers questions, books appointments, and the same assistant also covers website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox. ## What can an AI receptionist do on a call? Answer questions about your services, prices, hours, and service area. Take the caller’s details and reason for calling. Offer open times, then book, move, or cancel appointments it booked. Confirm a booking or callback by text or email. Use connected apps such as HubSpot, Zoho, or Zendesk when you allow it. Flag urgent calls for your team. ## Which callers does the AI receptionist answer? You choose per number: everyone, only numbers that aren’t saved in your contacts, or only saved contacts. Calls outside your selection ring the number you set for your team; with no number set, they end without an AI answer. Answering only unknown numbers keeps regular customers with your staff while every new caller still gets a reply. ## Can I keep my existing business number? In the US and Canada, yes. Keep publishing your number and forward calls to InsertChat; setup gives you a private routing number and confirms forwarding with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. Step-by-step forwarding guides cover AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, RingCentral, Rogers, Bell, and Telus. ## Can an AI receptionist book appointments? Yes, once you connect a calendar and allow it: InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. Choose which steps run on their own: offering times, booking, rescheduling, canceling, confirming details, and sending a confirmation. Appointment length (15 to 120 minutes), buffers, minimum notice, and how far ahead callers can book all follow your rules. ## When does a call go to a person? Handoff rules route the conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure of an answer, it cannot resolve the request after repeated attempts, the customer is upset, or the request involves a sensitive action. Your team continues with the full conversation in the shared inbox. ## Can it transfer callers to my phone? Not during a call. Your phone can ring first instead: with the “AI when unanswered” setting, calls ring your number for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI receptionist answers. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails your team, and tells the caller your team will follow up. ## Which voices and languages does it speak? Choose one of 10 voices: four North American English voices, British-, Irish-, and Australian-influenced English voices, and two Brazilian Portuguese-influenced voices. Write a greeting of up to 200 characters. The receptionist answers in the language each caller speaks, switches when a caller asks, and lets you set your business language from 58 options. ## What happens after each call? The call lands in the shared inbox with a transcript, an AI summary, and the caller’s contact record, including the number they dialed. Bookings appear on your calendar. If the caller needs a person, the conversation is marked needs-you and the teammates you chose get an email. A caller who asked for a callback gets a confirmation by text or email. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits; additional numbers are $10 per month. Calls use credits, round up to whole minutes, and have a one-minute minimum. At the usage estimator’s example rate of 12 credits per billable minute, Pro’s 5,000 monthly credits cover about 416 call minutes, roughly 138 three-minute calls, if you spend them only on calls. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. ## Is an AI receptionist cheaper than hiring a receptionist? For call answering, by a wide margin. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median receptionist wage at $18.27 an hour (May 2025), about $3,168 a month for a full-time hire before benefits. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month and answers at 2 AM, on weekends, and several calls at once. Keep people for the conversations that need judgment. Sources: [Bureau of Labor Statistics, Receptionists (May 2025 data)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm). ## What won’t the AI receptionist do? It doesn’t transfer live calls, take voicemail, record calls, or place outbound calls, and numbers can’t be ported in. It won’t announce a price, booking, or cancellation it hasn’t confirmed in your knowledge or calendar. When a request falls outside what it knows or may do, it collects the details and hands the conversation to your team. ## Four ways to route calls to your AI receptionist Routing decides who picks up first. Set it for each phone number, change it any time, and add weekly opening hours, including overnight shifts, in your own time zone. | Routing mode | Who answers first | When the AI takes the call | Good fit when | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | AI always | The AI receptionist | Every call, day and night | Nobody can pick up during the workday, or every caller should get the same fast answer | | AI after hours | Your team, during opening hours | Outside the weekly hours you set | Someone covers the phone while you’re open | | AI when unanswered | Your team’s phone, for 5 to 60 seconds | When nobody picks up in time, or the call reaches a staff voicemail box | You want a person first and no missed calls | | Team only | Your team | Never; calls ring the number you set | You want to pause the AI without changing your forwarding | ## AI receptionist vs voicemail vs a live answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## AI receptionist by industry - [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing): Answer emergency and routine plumbing calls while your crew is on a job. - [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac): Take no-heat, no-cooling, and tune-up calls when every technician is already booked. - [Electrical](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician): Book EV charger and panel upgrade visits, and flag burning smells and sparking right away. - [Roofing](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing): Separate active leaks from estimate requests and book roof inspections after a storm. - [Locksmiths](https://insertchat.com/industries/locksmith): Capture lockout, rekey, and smart lock calls while you’re working at another door. - [Cleaning](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning): Explain what each clean includes, collect home sizes, and book walkthroughs by phone or chat. - [Dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental): Book cleanings and new-patient exams, and tell callers which insurance plans you accept. - [Veterinary](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary): Answer pet owners’ calls about vaccines, refills, and sick pets during a full clinic day. - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. - [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon): Book cuts, color, nails, and massages for the right length while every chair is busy. - [Auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair): Book oil changes, brake jobs, and diagnostics while your service advisor is at the counter. ## Which phone numbers can I use? Choose a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available; each paid plan includes one, and additional numbers are $10 per month. US and Canadian businesses can instead forward an existing number. Check the phone setup in your workspace and place a test call before routing customer calls. ## What do I need to set up an AI receptionist? Your website or a few documents that describe your services, prices, hours, and service area, plus a calendar if you want bookings. Add that knowledge, pick a voice, set your routing, and place a test call. To keep a US or Canadian number, you also need your carrier’s call-forwarding settings. ## Does the AI receptionist answer after hours? Yes. It answers whenever calls reach your InsertChat number, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Choose “AI after hours” to have your team answer while you’re open and the receptionist take over outside your weekly hours, or “AI always” to have it answer every call. ## Can it answer more than one call at a time? Yes. Each assistant can be on several calls at once, so a second caller isn’t sent to a busy signal while the first one is booking. Every call gets its own transcript and summary in the shared inbox. ## Will callers know they’re talking to an AI? If a caller asks whether they’re speaking with a person, the assistant says it is an AI assistant. Write your greeting the way you want callers to meet it, and set handoff rules so anyone who wants a person is passed to your team. ## Can I choose the receptionist’s voice and language? Yes. Pick one of 10 voices and write a custom greeting of up to 200 characters. The AI receptionist answers in the language the caller speaks. Place a test call to hear how it introduces your business before going live. ## Does InsertChat record calls? No. Calls aren’t recorded. Each call is saved as a written transcript with an AI summary in the shared inbox, next to the caller’s contact record, so your team can read what was said before calling back. ## Is the AI receptionist HIPAA compliant? Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for healthcare organizations that handle protected health information. On other plans, do not add patient health information to the assistant’s knowledge or workflows. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/virtual-receptionist) - [AI voice agent](https://insertchat.com/product/voice-agent) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) --- # After Hours Answering Service With AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours > Your team’s phones ring while you’re open. After hours, or whenever nobody picks up, the AI receptionist answers, books the visit, and flags emergencies to your team. An after-hours answering service answers your business calls when your office is closed. InsertChat routes calls by your weekly opening hours and time zone: your team’s phone rings while you are open, and the AI receptionist answers after hours, or whenever nobody picks up within the ring time you choose. ## A 2 AM water heater call, answered and booked A dramatized after-hours call to a fictional plumbing company: the AI receptionist takes the address and books the first morning opening. [Watch the video](https://cdn.insertchat.com/website/calls/v01-2am-call.mp4). Dramatization with a fictional business. The voices are narration voices; your assistant uses one of the 10 voices in InsertChat. ### Transcript - **AI receptionist:** Rivera Plumbing, after-hours line. How can I help? - **Caller:** Hi, sorry it’s late. My water heater’s leaking everywhere. - **AI receptionist:** Sorry to hear that. What’s the address? - **Caller:** Fourteen-oh-eight Maple. - **AI receptionist:** The first opening is seven-thirty this morning. Should I book it? - **Caller:** Yes, please. - **AI receptionist:** You’re booked for seven-thirty. Your confirmation is on its way. ## Your hours, your time zone Set weekly opening hours, including overnight shifts. The AI covers every hour outside them. ## Ring your team first Calls ring the number you choose for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI receptionist answers. ## Bookings while you sleep A caller at 11 PM picks an open time on your calendar and gets a confirmation by text or email. ## Emergencies flagged Your safety steps read to the caller, the address and details collected, and an urgent alert emailed. ## Staff voicemail returns to the AI A call that reaches a teammate’s voicemail box goes back to the assistant, so the caller still gets an answer. ## A morning handover Today lists handoffs, missed calls, and conversations that need a person, each with a summary. ## What callers get at 2 AM, and what waits for your team After hours, the assistant works like a calm night-shift receptionist: it settles what it can and lines up the rest, with details, for the first person in. ### Settled after hours - Answers about services, prices, hours, and service area - Appointments booked into open times on your calendar - Reschedules and cancellations of appointments it booked - Callback requests, confirmed by text or email - New callers saved as contacts with their request - Callers answered in the language they speak ### Flagged for your team - Safety risks and serious service failures, sent as urgent alerts - Callers in distress, after they hear the safety steps you wrote - Anyone who asks for a person - Questions your knowledge base doesn’t cover - Complaints and upset callers - Booking requests outside your appointment rules ## Set up after hours answering 1. **Set your hours.** Enter weekly opening hours and your time zone. Hours can run past midnight, and a day can have more than one block. 2. **Choose who answers when.** “AI after hours” rings your team while you’re open. “AI when unanswered” rings your team first at any hour. Add the number to ring and a ring time. 3. **Write the urgent rules, then test.** Add the safety steps callers should hear, forward your number, and place one test call during hours and one after. ## How does after-hours call routing work? Choose who answers in your call routing settings: the AI receptionist always, the AI after hours, the AI when your team doesn’t pick up, or your team only. Set weekly opening hours, including overnight shifts, and your time zone, then enter the number to ring and a ring time between 5 and 60 seconds. ## What if my team misses a call during the day? With the “AI when unanswered” setting, every call rings your team first and moves to the AI receptionist when nobody answers in time. If the call reaches a staff voicemail box, it returns to the assistant instead, so the caller still gets an answer. ## What do callers get after hours? Answers from your knowledge, appointment booking on your calendar when you allow it, and a clear next step. A caller who asks for a callback gets a confirmation by text or email after the call, and your team finds the request, summary, and transcript in the shared inbox. ## What happens with urgent calls after hours? The assistant reads the safety steps you wrote, such as leaving the building and calling 911, and collects the address and details for whoever responds. A caller in distress, a safety risk, or a serious service failure triggers an urgent alert, and the conversation is marked needs-you so your team is emailed. ## Can our on-call tech get calls first? Yes. Choose “AI when unanswered” and enter the on-call phone as the number to ring. Every call rings that phone first for the ring time you set; if nobody picks up, the AI receptionist answers, collects the details, and flags anything urgent. Change the number when the rotation changes. ## How do I handle holidays and closures? Switch the number’s routing to “AI always” before you close and back when you reopen; your weekly hours stay saved. Add the holiday dates and reopening time to the assistant’s knowledge so it tells callers when your team will follow up and books them into your first open slots. ## Is AI after-hours answering better than a live answering service? For most small businesses it covers more for less. Live services bill by the minute or by the call; our pricing page compares the published prices of Ruby, PATLive, and Smith.ai. InsertChat answers every after-hours call from your own knowledge, books on your calendar, and answers texts and chats too. Choose a live service if every caller must reach a human. ## How much does an after-hours answering service cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits. Calls use credits, round up to whole minutes, and have a one-minute minimum. Thirty three-minute calls after hours come to 90 billable minutes, about 1,080 credits at the usage estimator’s example rate of 12 per minute, or 22% of Pro’s monthly credits. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. ## Which businesses need after-hours answering most? Any business whose customers call when it’s closed: plumbers and HVAC companies with night emergencies, locksmiths, restoration crews, property managers taking maintenance calls, and veterinary clinics. Each industry page below covers the urgent calls, intake questions, and handoff rules for that business. ## What happens to a call, hour by hour These examples use the “AI after hours” routing mode. Your team’s phone works as usual while you’re open; outside your weekly hours, the AI receptionist picks up and leaves a record of every call. | When the call comes in | Who picks up | What the caller gets | What’s waiting for your team | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Weekday, 10 AM (open) | Your team | A person from your team | Nothing extra; the call reaches you as usual | | Weekday, 7:30 PM (closed) | AI receptionist | Answers from your knowledge and an appointment if they want one | A booking on your calendar and a call summary in the inbox | | Saturday, 2 AM, burst pipe | AI receptionist | Your safety steps, then word that your team will call back | An urgent alert by email and a needs-you conversation with the address and details | | Sunday, caller wants a person | AI receptionist | Their details taken and a callback confirmation by text or email | A needs-you conversation with the full transcript | | Public holiday, routing set to “AI always” | AI receptionist | Your holiday hours and a booking for when you reopen | Bookings and summaries ready for the first day back | Illustrative scenarios. Urgent handling follows the safety steps and instructions you write; InsertChat does not transfer live calls. ## AI after-hours answering vs voicemail vs a live answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## After hours answering by industry - [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing): Answer emergency and routine plumbing calls while your crew is on a job. - [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac): Take no-heat, no-cooling, and tune-up calls when every technician is already booked. - [Electrical](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician): Book EV charger and panel upgrade visits, and flag burning smells and sparking right away. - [Locksmiths](https://insertchat.com/industries/locksmith): Capture lockout, rekey, and smart lock calls while you’re working at another door. - [Water damage restoration](https://insertchat.com/industries/restoration): Take the first call about a flooded basement or kitchen fire, day or night. - [Garage doors](https://insertchat.com/industries/garage-door): Book broken spring, off-track, and opener repairs while your techs are on other jobs. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. - [Veterinary](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary): Answer pet owners’ calls about vaccines, refills, and sick pets during a full clinic day. - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. ## Can I keep my business number? In the US and Canada, keep publishing your number and forward calls to InsertChat; your routing settings then decide whether your team or the assistant answers. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## How does my team catch up in the morning? The Today view lists what needs a person, such as handoffs, missed calls, and actions waiting for approval. Each call has a transcript and an AI summary, and chosen teammates can get alerts for new contacts and bookings. ## When does an after-hours call go to a person? Handoff rules route the conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure of an answer, it cannot resolve the request after repeated attempts, the customer is upset, or the request involves a sensitive action. Your team continues with the full conversation in the shared inbox. ## Does it cover weekends and overnight? Yes. Any time outside your weekly opening hours counts as after hours, including weekends and nights. Hours can run past midnight for late shifts, and each day can have more than one block, such as a lunch closure. ## Does the assistant answer texts and chats after hours too? Yes. Texts to your InsertChat number, website chats, and emails get answers from the same knowledge at any hour, and every thread waits in the shared inbox. Texting depends on the number’s country; UK numbers are voice-only. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/virtual-receptionist) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) --- # AI Virtual Receptionist Service, From $98/mo Source: https://insertchat.com/product/virtual-receptionist > Human virtual receptionist services bill by the minute or the call and cover the phone. InsertChat’s AI virtual receptionist answers calls, website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, books appointments, and hands your team the rest. A virtual receptionist answers your business calls from somewhere other than your office. Traditional virtual receptionist services use live agents in a call center; an AI virtual receptionist uses software. InsertChat’s AI virtual receptionist answers calls, website chat, and texts from your own knowledge, books appointments, and passes anything that needs a person to your team. ## Greets every caller by name Your business name in a greeting of up to 200 characters, in one of 10 voices, at any hour. ## Answers the everyday questions Prices, hours, service area, and policies from your website, documents, and written answers. ## Takes complete details Name, number, and reason for calling, saved to a contact with a transcript and a summary. ## Books and reschedules Appointments go straight onto your calendar under your booking rules. ## Screens who it answers Answer everyone, only unknown numbers, or only your saved contacts. ## Covers more than the phone Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp share the same knowledge and inbox. ## A human service or an AI virtual receptionist? Both answer your phone. They differ in who picks up, how you pay, and what happens to the customers who never call. ### Choose InsertChat’s AI virtual receptionist when - Most calls are questions, bookings, and new inquiries - You want nights, weekends, and holidays covered by the same plan - Customers also reach you by website chat, text, email, or WhatsApp - You want one set of answers, updated in one place - Your callers speak more than one language - You want calls and messages on one monthly plan ### Choose a human answering service when - Every caller must speak with a person - Calls need a live transfer to your staff - Callers must be able to leave voicemail, or calls must be recorded - Your workflow depends on outbound calls, such as reminder calls - Most calls are long conversations that need human judgment ## Switch from a human service to an AI virtual receptionist 1. **Hand over your call script.** Add the script, FAQs, and intake questions your current service uses to the assistant’s knowledge and instructions. 2. **Set the voice, greeting, and routing.** Pick a voice, write the greeting your callers know, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then move your forwarding.** Place test calls first. In the US and Canada, point your carrier’s forwarding at InsertChat instead of your old service; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. ## What does a virtual receptionist do? Greets callers by your business name, answers routine questions, takes the caller’s details, books appointments, and makes sure calls that need you reach your team. InsertChat’s AI virtual receptionist does each of these on calls, and also answers website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, in one shared inbox. ## Is a virtual receptionist a real person? With a traditional virtual receptionist service, yes: live agents answer from a call center or from home, following a script you approve. With an AI virtual receptionist such as InsertChat, software answers in a natural voice. If a caller asks whether they are speaking with a person, InsertChat’s assistant says it is an AI assistant. ## How much does a virtual receptionist cost? Human services sell bundles of minutes or calls. On October 13, 2026, Ruby listed 50 minutes for $250 a month, PATLive 50 minutes for $99, and Smith.ai’s smallest human-first plan 30 calls for $300. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 credits: about 416 call minutes at the estimator’s example rate, with chat, email, and texts on the same plan. Sources: [Ruby pricing](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/); [PATLive pricing](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/); [Smith.ai (human-first) pricing](https://smith.ai/pricing). ## Virtual receptionist vs answering service: what’s the difference? An answering service traditionally takes messages; a virtual receptionist acts like a front desk, answering questions, booking appointments, and routing calls. Most providers now sell both. InsertChat works like a virtual receptionist: it answers from your knowledge and books on your calendar instead of only taking a message. ## Can an AI virtual receptionist transfer calls? InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first instead: with “AI when unanswered”, calls ring your number for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI answers. When a caller needs a person, the assistant collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, and emails your team so someone calls back with the transcript in hand. ## Can it handle more calls than a human receptionist? A person answers one call at a time during set hours. InsertChat’s AI virtual receptionist can be on several calls at once and answers at any hour, so a lunchtime rush or a 10 PM call gets the same answer as a quiet Tuesday morning. ## What should a virtual receptionist script include? Your greeting, the questions callers ask most with your answers, the details to collect from every caller (name, number, reason for calling, and address if you visit customers), your booking rules, and what counts as urgent. In InsertChat the script becomes knowledge and instructions, so one update changes every call that follows. ## Will my callers notice the switch? They’ll hear a different voice. Keep the greeting your callers know, add the answers your current service gives, and test with real questions before you move your forwarding. The receptionist asks for the same details your intake script asks for, so your team’s follow-up stays the same. ## Does an AI virtual receptionist work for law firms and medical offices? Yes for intake, scheduling, and routine questions. For a law firm, set intake questions and a handoff rule for anything that needs legal advice. Practices that handle protected health information need Enterprise with a signed Business Associate Agreement; on other plans, keep patient health information out of the assistant. ## Human virtual receptionist service vs InsertChat’s AI virtual receptionist Human services price by the minute or by the call. InsertChat prices by plan, answers on more channels, and keeps a written record of every conversation. | Compared | Human virtual receptionist service | InsertChat AI virtual receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | | Who answers | Live receptionists working from a script you approve | An AI assistant in one of 10 voices, answering from your knowledge | | How you pay | Ruby: $250 a month for 50 minutes; PATLive: $99 a month for 50 minutes; Smith.ai (human-first): $300 a month for 30 calls | From $98 a month with 5,000 credits shared by calls and messages; calls round up to whole minutes | | Calls at the same time | As many as there are free receptionists | Several at once for each assistant | | Hours | Depends on the plan | Every hour, including nights, weekends, and holidays | | Live call transfer | Check the provider’s plan | Not offered; your phone can ring first, then the AI answers | | Appointment booking | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | Built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | | Other channels | Phone, and live chat with some providers | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp in the same inbox | | Record of each call | Messages or notes from the receptionist | Transcript, AI summary, and contact record in the shared inbox | | Languages | Depends on the provider | Answers in the caller’s language; 58 business-language options | Human-service prices are each vendor’s smallest listed plan, checked on October 13, 2026. Other human-service details vary by provider; confirm them before you decide. Sources: [Ruby pricing](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/); [PATLive pricing](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/); [Smith.ai (human-first) pricing](https://smith.ai/pricing). ## Virtual receptionist by industry - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Accounting](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting): Book tax appointments and answer document questions while your accountants work on returns. - [Insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance): Collect quote details and answer policy FAQs while your licensed agents are on other calls. - [Dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental): Book cleanings and new-patient exams, and tell callers which insurance plans you accept. - [Chiropractic](https://insertchat.com/industries/chiropractic): Schedule first visits and adjustments while your hands are busy with a patient. - [Therapy practices](https://insertchat.com/industries/therapy): Answer new-client inquiries and book consultations while your therapists are in session. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. - [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon): Book cuts, color, nails, and massages for the right length while every chair is busy. - [Contractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors): Book site visits for new remodels and take messages from clients and subs while you build. ## Does InsertChat provide human receptionists? No. InsertChat is an AI virtual receptionist: software answers your calls and messages, and your own team takes over in the shared inbox. If every call must reach a person, a human service such as Ruby, PATLive, or Smith.ai’s human-first plans is the better fit. ## Can I keep my number when I switch from another service? In the US and Canada, yes: change your carrier’s call forwarding from your current service to the private routing number InsertChat gives you, and confirm it with the verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Does the AI virtual receptionist take messages? It takes the caller’s name, number, and reason for calling, saves them to a contact with a transcript and an AI summary, and confirms a requested callback by text or email. It doesn’t record voicemail; your team reads the request in the shared inbox instead. ## Can I test it before canceling my current service? Yes. Set it up on an InsertChat number while your current service keeps answering, call it with real questions, then move your forwarding when you’re ready. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. ## Does it work outside the US? Yes. Outside the US and Canada, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available; UK numbers are voice-only, so texting needs another number. Callers are answered in the language they speak. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI voice agent](https://insertchat.com/product/voice-agent) --- # AI Voice Agent & AI Phone Agent for Business Source: https://insertchat.com/product/voice-agent > InsertChat’s AI phone agent understands what callers ask, answers from your knowledge, and uses your calendar and connected apps during the call, within the permissions you set. You set it up in the app; InsertChat runs the line, the voice, and the AI. An AI voice agent is software that holds a spoken phone conversation: it listens, works out what the caller needs, decides what to do, and replies in a natural voice. InsertChat’s AI voice agent answers your business calls from your knowledge, books appointments, and uses connected apps such as HubSpot or Zendesk during the call, within the permissions you set. ## Listens and replies in real time A realtime voice model answers in one of 10 natural voices, in the language the caller speaks. ## Books on the call Checks open times, then books, moves, or cancels, and confirms only after your calendar does. ## Works in your apps Creates CRM records in HubSpot, Zoho, or Dynamics 365, opens Zendesk tickets, and looks up Square orders. ## Guardrails you set Choose which actions run on their own and which wait for a teammate’s approval. ## Knows when to hand off Brings in your team when a caller asks for a person, it’s unsure, or the caller is upset. ## Leaves a full record A transcript, an AI summary, and a contact record for every call, in the shared inbox. ## What the AI voice agent may do, and what stays off-limits Every action comes from an app you connect and switch on. Anything risky can wait for a teammate’s approval. ### On the call, when you allow it - Check open times and book, move, or cancel appointments - Create or update CRM contacts, deals, leads, and notes - Open or update a help desk ticket - Look up an order, booking, or customer record - Save the caller as a contact with their request - Confirm a booking or callback by text or email ### Approval-only or off-limits - Actions you set to wait for a teammate’s approval - Follow-up texts and emails it proposes, which wait for approval and the customer’s consent - Anything that needs identity checks the connected app doesn’t perform - Other customers’ private information - Live transfers and outbound calls, which InsertChat doesn’t make ## Launch an AI phone agent without writing code 1. **Give it your knowledge.** Add your website, documents, and the answers to the calls you get most. Write instructions in plain language. 2. **Connect the apps it may use.** Connect your calendar and tools like HubSpot or Zendesk, then switch on only the actions the agent needs. 3. **Pick a voice, then call it.** Choose a voice and greeting, place test calls, and route your number once the answers and actions are right. ## How does an AI voice agent work? The caller speaks, and a realtime voice model works out the request. The agent checks your knowledge base and the connected apps it is allowed to use, then answers out loud in the voice you picked. When it needs your calendar or CRM, it waits for the app to confirm before telling the caller the result. ## What’s the difference between an AI voice agent and an AI receptionist? An AI receptionist is an AI voice agent with a front-desk job: answer the business line, help callers, and book appointments. InsertChat does both. The same agent answers as your receptionist and can act in your other tools during the call, such as creating a HubSpot contact or opening a Zendesk ticket. ## How is an AI phone agent different from an IVR phone menu? An IVR makes callers press numbers or recite menu options to reach a department. An AI phone agent lets them say what they need in their own words, answers the question, and finishes the task, such as a booking. Callers who want a person are handed to your team with the details already collected. ## Do I need developers to build an AI voice agent? Not with InsertChat. Developer voice platforms sell building blocks, and you assemble the phone line, prompts, voice, and integrations yourself. InsertChat is ready to answer business calls: add your knowledge, connect your calendar, pick a voice, and forward your number. The phone number, voice, and AI model come with your plan. ## Does the AI voice agent sound human? Choose from 10 natural voices with North American, British, Irish, Australian, and Brazilian Portuguese accents, then place a test call to hear yours. It answers in the caller’s language. If a caller asks whether they are speaking with a person, it says it is an AI assistant. ## What can a business use an AI phone agent for? Answering and booking for service businesses; order, booking, and customer lookups for shops that run on Square; intake for law firms and agencies; support tickets in Zendesk; and lead capture straight into HubSpot, Zoho, or Dynamics 365. One agent can do all of these, limited to the actions you switch on. ## Which apps can the voice agent use during a call? Calendars: the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, and Cal.com. CRMs: HubSpot, Zoho, and Microsoft Dynamics 365. Help desk and commerce: Zendesk, Square, and Stripe. The table below lists what each connection allows, and you switch on only the actions you need. ## How do I keep an AI voice agent from making mistakes? Give it complete knowledge and clear instructions, switch on only the actions it needs, and set risky ones to wait for approval. It won’t announce a price, booking, or cancellation it hasn’t confirmed, it won’t treat caller ID as proof of identity, and it brings in your team when it’s unsure. ## Can the AI phone agent make outbound calls? No. InsertChat’s voice agent answers the calls that come to your business. Follow-ups go out as texts or emails, which wait for a teammate’s approval and the customer’s consent, or your team calls back from the needs-you queue with the transcript in hand. ## How much does an AI voice agent cost? Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits. Calls use credits that cover the voice and the phone line, round up to whole minutes, and have a one-minute minimum; additional numbers are $10 per month. At the usage estimator’s example rate of 12 credits per billable minute, Pro’s 5,000 monthly credits cover about 416 call minutes, roughly 138 three-minute calls, if you spend them only on calls. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. ## Actions the voice agent can take, by connected app These are the actions each connection makes available to the agent. Turn on the ones you need, and decide which run on their own and which wait for review. | Connected app | What the agent can do during a call | | --- | --- | | Google Calendar and Outlook | Find free times, and create, update, or delete events | | Calendly | List event types and available times, book an invitee, and cancel events | | Cal.com | Check available slots, and book, reschedule, confirm, or cancel bookings | | HubSpot | Search, create, and update contacts, deals, and tickets; add notes, tasks, and meetings | | Zoho CRM | Search, create, and update leads, contacts, deals, events, and notes | | Microsoft Dynamics 365 | Create accounts and contacts; create and update leads, cases, and opportunities | | Zendesk | Search, create, update, and reply to tickets and requests | | Square | Look up orders, customers, and catalog items; check availability; update or cancel bookings | | Stripe | Look up customers, products, prices, and subscriptions; create payment links | From the actions InsertChat makes available for each connection. Your account permissions in each app still apply. ## AI voice agent vs IVR phone menu vs voicemail | Compared | InsertChat AI voice agent | IVR phone menu | Voicemail | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | How callers ask | In their own words, in their language | By pressing keys or saying menu options | By leaving a message | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | Recorded messages | No | | Completes tasks | Books appointments and uses the connected apps you allow | Routes the call to a department or extension | No | | Reaching a person | Hands off with the details collected; no live transfer | Transfers to an extension | A callback later | | Record of the call | Transcript, AI summary, and contact record | Call logs in your phone system | A recorded message | | Setup | Add knowledge, connect apps, pick a voice, forward your number | Script the menus and record the prompts | Record a greeting | IVR and voicemail columns describe typical setups; features vary by phone system. ## AI phone agents by industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. - [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate): Keep property inquiries and viewing requests moving. - [Auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair): Book oil changes, brake jobs, and diagnostics while your service advisor is at the counter. - [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants): Answer hours, menu, and reservation calls without pulling staff off the floor. ## Is the AI voice agent the same product as the AI receptionist? Yes. It is the voice side of InsertChat’s AI front desk. The AI receptionist page covers call answering, routing, and keeping your number; this page covers how the agent reasons and the actions it can take in your apps during a call. ## Can the voice agent answer several calls at once? Yes. Each assistant can be on several calls at the same time, and every call gets its own transcript, summary, and contact record in the shared inbox. ## Does the voice agent work with my existing phone number? In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat and keep publishing it. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered, and InsertChat doesn’t replace your phone system. ## Can I use the voice agent for healthcare calls? Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for organizations that handle protected health information. On other plans, keep patient health information out of the agent’s knowledge and workflows. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) --- # AI Customer Service Agent: Calls, Chat & Email Source: https://insertchat.com/product/ai-customer-service > One AI agent answers customers by phone, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp, resolves routine requests in the apps you connect, and passes the rest to your team with the full conversation. An AI customer service agent is software that answers customers and resolves routine requests without waiting for a person. InsertChat’s agent answers phone calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, takes the actions you allow in apps like Zendesk, HubSpot, and your calendar, and hands the rest to your team in a shared inbox. ## One agent on every channel Phone, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp, answered from the same knowledge and instructions. ## One knowledge base, five channels Your website, documents, and written answers. Questions to improve shows which answers need work. ## Resolves in your apps Opens Zendesk tickets, updates HubSpot or Zoho records, looks up Square orders, and books on your calendar. ## Approval per action Each action runs on its own or waits for approval, and sensitive emails wait for a person. ## Hands off by your rules Conversations that need a person are marked needs-you, with the history and a summary attached. ## Reports on every plan Volume by channel, bookings, conversations handled without a person, and the human-help rate. ## What the AI customer service agent resolves, and what it hands to your team The agent finishes the routine requests you allow. Everything else goes to a person with the conversation and a summary attached. ### Resolved by the agent, when you allow it - Questions about services, prices, hours, products, and policies - Booking appointments on your calendar, and moving or canceling the ones it booked - Opening, updating, or replying to a Zendesk ticket - Creating or updating HubSpot, Zoho, or Dynamics 365 records - Looking up a Square order or a Stripe customer or subscription - Saving the customer as a contact with their request and lead source ### Handed to your team - A customer who asks for a person - A question the agent isn’t sure of, or can’t resolve after repeated tries - An upset customer or a complaint - Refunds, charges, and payment changes, which the connected actions don’t make - Emails about payments or legal matters - Actions you set to wait for approval - Picture messages sent by text ## Set up an AI customer service agent 1. **Start from your website.** Enter your website address and review the services, hours, and FAQs the app finds. Add documents and written answers for anything it misses. 2. **Connect channels and apps.** Add website chat, a phone number, Gmail or Outlook, SMS, and WhatsApp. Then connect Zendesk, HubSpot, or your calendar and switch on only the actions you need. 3. **Set handoff, then test.** Keep the handoff rules on, choose who gets notified, and play the customer on each channel before going live. ## How does an AI customer service agent work? A customer calls, chats, texts, emails, or messages you on WhatsApp. The agent works out what they need and answers from your knowledge base and instructions. When the request needs one of your systems, it uses the actions you switched on, such as looking up an order or opening a ticket, and reports the result only after the app confirms it. ## What’s the difference between an AI agent, a chatbot, and help desk macros? A rule-based chatbot follows the flows someone scripted and stalls when a question falls outside them. Help desk macros are canned replies that a person still picks and sends. An AI customer service agent understands the question in the customer’s own words, answers from your content, and takes the next step in your apps without waiting for a teammate. Your team keeps saved replies for the conversations it takes over. ## Which channels does the AI agent answer? Phone calls, website chat, SMS, email through Gmail or Outlook, and WhatsApp Business. One assistant answers all five from the same knowledge, and every conversation lands in one shared inbox next to the customer’s contact record. Each channel has its own setup, and the table below shows where your team takes over on each one. ## What can it resolve, and what goes to a person? It resolves the questions your knowledge answers, bookings on a connected calendar, ticket and CRM updates, and order or subscription lookups, within the actions you allow. Handoff rules route the conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure of an answer, it cannot resolve the request after repeated attempts, the customer is upset, or the request involves a sensitive action. Your team continues with the full conversation in the shared inbox. ## How accurate is an AI customer service agent? Its answers are only as good as your knowledge, and every channel draws on the same approved answers, so a caller and an emailer hear the same price. When the knowledge is silent or contradicts itself, the agent says so and brings in your team. Questions to improve collects the questions that got weak answers on any channel, so one fix to the source corrects all five. ## Can it work with Zendesk and HubSpot? Yes. With Zendesk connected, the agent can create, update, and reply to tickets and requests, and search users and organizations. With HubSpot, it can search, create, and update contacts, deals, and tickets, and add notes, tasks, and meetings. Zoho CRM, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Square, Stripe, and your calendar connect the same way. Actions run with each account’s own permissions, and nothing syncs in the background. ## Which languages can it answer in? The language each customer writes or speaks in, on every channel. A Spanish-speaking caller and a French-speaking emailer both get answers from your one knowledge base, and your team reads every conversation in the shared inbox. Upload translated documents where the exact wording of a policy or price matters. ## How long does it take to set up? Setup takes no code. Enter your website address and onboarding reads your services, hours, and FAQs to build a first version of your assistant. Correct what it found, connect your first channel, switch on the app actions you need, and test each one as a customer before you go live. ## How much does an AI customer service agent cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month for Pro, with 5,000 monthly credits, 3 team seats, and one phone number. Every channel, the shared inbox, connected apps, and 30-day reports are included, and there is no per-resolution fee. Calls round up to whole minutes, and SMS and WhatsApp can carry their own charges. At the estimator’s example rate of 10 credits per conversation, Pro covers about 500 chats a month. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. ## Will an AI customer service agent replace my team? No. It takes the routine questions, bookings, and lookups, so your team works a needs-you list instead of watching every channel. People still handle complaints, judgment calls, approvals, and anything your rules hold back, and they start with the full conversation and a summary in the shared inbox. ## What the AI customer service agent does on each channel One assistant and one knowledge base cover every channel. Each channel has its own setup and its own point where your team takes over. | Channel | How customers reach it | What the agent does | When your team takes over | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Phone | Your InsertChat number, or your US or Canadian number forwarded to it | Answers in a natural voice, books appointments, and uses connected apps during the call | The call is marked needs-you with a transcript and summary, and your team calls back; calls aren’t transferred live | | Website chat | A chat widget on WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Webflow, or any other site | Answers from your pages, accepts files and voice messages, saves leads, and books | Your team takes over the chat in the shared inbox | | SMS | Texts to your InsertChat number, where its country and carrier support SMS | Sends short replies from your knowledge, books by text, and honors STOP | Picture messages, and texts that match your handoff rules | | Email | Your Gmail or Outlook mailbox | Drafts replies for review, or sends them after a delay of up to 10 minutes | Emails where it’s unsure, the customer is upset, or the topic is a complaint, payment, or legal matter | | WhatsApp | A WhatsApp Business Account | Replies with text, media, locations, reply buttons, lists, and templates | Messages that match your handoff rules | SMS and WhatsApp can carry their own charges. Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram are not supported channels. ## AI customer service agent vs rule-based chatbot vs human-only support | Compared | InsertChat AI customer service agent | Rule-based chatbot | Human-only support | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | How customers ask | In their own words, on any channel, in their language | By tapping buttons or matching scripted keywords | In their own words, during staffed hours | | Answers from | Your website, documents, and written answers | Flows someone wrote in advance | What each teammate knows | | Channels | Phone, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp | Usually one chat widget | Whichever channels someone is free to watch | | Completes requests | Books, updates tickets and CRM records, and looks up orders, within your permissions | Collects form-style answers | Yes, one conversation at a time per person | | Hours | Any hour, several conversations at once | Any hour, inside its script | When your team is working | | When it can’t help | Hands off by your rules with the conversation and a summary | A dead end or a contact form | Voicemail, a queue, or a reply later | | Record | Transcript or thread, summary, and contact record in one inbox | Chat logs in the bot tool | Spread across phone, email, and chat tools | Rule-based chatbot and human-only columns describe typical setups; tools and teams vary. ## AI customer service by industry - [E-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce): Answer product questions with your own catalog. - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. - [IT services & MSPs](https://insertchat.com/industries/it-services): Take client support calls, create tickets, and flag outages and security incidents for your on-call tech. - [Appliance repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/appliance-repair): Book fridge, washer, dryer, and oven repairs with the brand and model already noted. ## Does it replace my help desk? Not if your team runs on tickets. InsertChat has no public help center or SLA tracking, so teams that live in Zendesk keep it and connect it: the agent opens and updates tickets from calls, chats, and email. Smaller teams can work every conversation in InsertChat’s shared inbox instead. ## What won’t the AI customer service agent do? It doesn’t transfer live calls, take voicemail, record calls, or place outbound calls, and it doesn’t answer Facebook Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram. Refunds and charges stay with your team, and so does anything outside the actions you switch on. ## Can I see how well the agent is doing? Yes. Reports on every paid plan cover the last 30 days, broken down by channel, so you can see how many conversations the agent finished on its own and how many needed your team. Scale and Enterprise add AI analysis of what customers ask about and how they felt, with written monthly reports. ## Who approves what the agent does? You set it for each connected action: automatic, or held for a teammate in Today. Follow-ups the agent suggests by text or email are always held for an owner, admin, or manager, and go out only with the customer’s consent. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI voice agent](https://insertchat.com/product/voice-agent) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) --- # AI Chatbot for Website: Answers, Leads, Booking Source: https://insertchat.com/product/website > Add an AI assistant to the site you already have. It answers visitors from your pages and documents, saves leads, books appointments, and hands the chat to a person when it needs one. An AI website chatbot is an assistant on your site that answers visitors’ questions in real time from your own content. InsertChat’s website chatbot answers from your pages, documents, and FAQs, collects contact details, helps with appointments when enabled, and passes the chat to your team in a shared inbox when a person should reply. ## Answers from your content Website pages, PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, and written answers. Refresh a source and replies update. ## Looks like your business Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, avatar, and tone to fit your brand. ## Turns visitors into leads Saves contact details with the page they chatted from and the campaign that brought them. ## Books in the chat Offers open times and books one without sending the visitor to another page. ## Files and voice messages Visitors can attach a file or send a voice message instead of typing. ## A person within reach Your team takes over in the shared inbox with the visitor’s questions already there. ## What visitors can do in the chat, and when your team takes over The chatbot handles the questions you answer every day and steps aside the moment a visitor needs a person. ### In the chat - Ask about services, prices, products, and policies - Get answers in the language they write in - Attach a file or send a voice message - Book, move, or cancel an appointment - Leave contact details for a follow-up - Ask for a person at any point ### Your team takes over - The visitor asks for a person - The assistant isn’t sure of the answer - It can’t resolve the request after repeated tries - The visitor is upset - The request involves a sensitive action ## Add an AI chatbot to your website 1. **Add your content.** Crawl your website or sitemap, upload PDFs, Word files, and spreadsheets, and write questions and answers. 2. **Make it match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, and tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Install and test.** Paste the install code into WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Webflow, or any site, then check the published page from the app. ## How do I add an AI chatbot to my website? Create an assistant, add your knowledge, then copy the install code from its website settings. The app gives step-by-step instructions for WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Wix, and plain HTML: on most sites the code goes in the footer or before the closing body tag. Test the answers before publishing. After you publish, use the app’s page check to confirm the chat is live. ## What can visitors do in the chat? Ask questions, attach files, send voice messages, book an appointment when you connect a calendar, and ask for a person. Conversations that need your team are marked needs-you in the shared inbox, with the visitor’s questions already there. ## Which content can the chatbot learn from? Website pages by crawl or sitemap; PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, and ebook files; spreadsheets such as CSV and Excel; scanned documents, read with text recognition; audio and video files, which are transcribed; product information; and questions and answers you write. Upload limits depend on your plan. ## How does the chatbot avoid wrong answers? It answers from the knowledge you add and follows your instructions. Test common questions, fill gaps in your sources, and set handoff rules so the assistant brings in a person instead of guessing when it is unsure or a visitor asks for someone. ## What’s the difference between an AI chatbot and live chat? Live chat needs a person watching the widget. An AI chatbot answers on its own, from your content, at any hour. InsertChat gives you both in one widget: the assistant answers first, and your team can take over any conversation from the shared inbox with the visitor’s questions already in view. ## Does the chatbot capture leads? Yes. When a visitor wants a follow-up or a booking, the assistant asks for a name and an email or phone number and saves a contact with the page they chatted from, the referrer, and any campaign tags in the link. A visitor who asks to buy, book, hire, or get a quote triggers a high-intent alert. ## Can the same assistant answer calls and texts? Yes. The assistant on your website can also answer phone calls, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, and every conversation lands in one shared inbox with the customer’s contact record and lead source. ## Can the chatbot answer in other languages? Yes. It replies in the language the visitor writes in, from the same knowledge base, so you don’t need a translated copy of your site. Set your business language from 58 options, or keep the assistant in one language unless a visitor asks to switch. ## Can I see what visitors ask the chatbot? Every chat is in the shared inbox with the visitor’s questions, contact details, and lead source. Scale and Enterprise add conversation analytics and analysis reports that group recurring topics, so you can see which answers to improve next. ## Does it work on Shopify and WooCommerce stores? Yes. On Shopify, add the install code to your theme’s storefront layout; chat is not added to checkout. WooCommerce runs on WordPress, so you install it the WordPress way. The assistant answers product, shipping, and return questions from the pages and product information you add. ## How much does a website chatbot cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month with 5,000 monthly credits. Credit use depends on the selected model, conversation length, knowledge processing, and tools, so credits are not a fixed number of messages; at the estimator’s example rate of 10 credits per conversation, that is about 500 chats a month. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. ## Install the chatbot on your website platform The chat runs on the website you already have. Copy the install code from your assistant’s website settings and add it where your platform accepts custom code. | Platform | Where the code goes | Good to know | | --- | --- | --- | | WordPress | The footer, through your site’s header and footer code tool, a script plugin, or the InsertChat plugin from WordPress.org | WordPress.com needs a plan that supports custom JavaScript | | Shopify | Before the closing body tag in your theme’s storefront layout | Storefront code does not add chat to checkout | | Webflow | Site settings, Custom code, Footer code | Publish to the domain you will check | | Wix | Settings, Custom Code, Body – end, on the pages you choose | Check the published site, not the editor preview | | Any other site | Before the closing body tag in your page or shared layout | An embedded version can sit inside a page instead of a floating button | After publishing, enter the page address in the app to confirm the install code is found for this assistant. ## Website chatbot by industry - [E-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce): Answer product questions with your own catalog. - [Dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental): Book cleanings and new-patient exams, and tell callers which insurance plans you accept. - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate): Keep property inquiries and viewing requests moving. - [Med spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa): Turn injectable, laser, and facial questions into booked consultations. - [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants): Answer hours, menu, and reservation calls without pulling staff off the floor. ## Do I need to rebuild my website to add the chatbot? No. Use the installation code generated in your assistant’s website settings to add it to your existing site. The app includes instructions for WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Wix, and plain HTML. ## Can the chatbot answer from my website and documents? Yes. Add website pages, documents, FAQs, product information, and other supported sources to its knowledge. Check processing status and test the answers before sharing the assistant with visitors. ## Can I customize the chat widget and bring in a person? Customize the assistant’s name, logo, colors, and tone. Your team can take over in the shared inbox with the visitor’s conversation available. Domain and workspace branding options depend on your plan. ## Will the chat widget pop up on visitors? No. The floating launcher stays closed until a visitor opens it, and the snippet adds no repeated welcome pop-ups. If a visitor closes it, their browser remembers. ## Related features - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) --- # AI Email Responder for Gmail & Outlook Source: https://insertchat.com/product/email > Connect Gmail or Outlook. Your assistant drafts or sends replies, and anything sensitive waits for your team in the shared inbox. An AI email responder reads incoming customer email and prepares replies from your business information. InsertChat connects to Gmail or Outlook, drafts answers for your team to approve or sends them on the rules you set, and holds back messages where it is unsure, the customer is upset, or the topic is a complaint, payment, or legal matter. ## Connect your mailbox Set up supported Gmail or Outlook connections and manage customer emails from the inbox. ## Drafts first, sending when ready Review drafts, then turn on automatic replies with a send delay and a business-hours rule. ## Sensitive email waits for you Complaints, upset customers, and payment or legal topics are held for a person to answer. ## Set up your AI email responder 1. **Connect the mailbox.** Authorize the Gmail or Outlook account your customers already write to. Their side of the conversation doesn’t change. 2. **Start with drafts.** The assistant drafts replies from your knowledge, and your team reviews and sends them from the shared inbox. 3. **Switch on sending.** Let replies send on their own after a delay of up to 10 minutes, during business hours only if you prefer. ## Will the AI send emails without my approval? Only after you turn on automatic replies. Start with drafts that your team reviews in the inbox. When you switch to sending, add a delay of up to 10 minutes and limit sending to business hours if you want. Emails where the assistant is unsure, the customer is upset, or the topic is a complaint, payment, or legal matter still wait for a person. ## What does the AI email responder answer from? The same knowledge your phone and chat assistant uses: your website pages, documents, FAQs, and the instructions you write. Update a policy once and email, calls, chat, and texts all use the new answer. Test common questions before you let it send. ## Which emails does it answer, and which does it skip? It answers customer questions your knowledge supports, such as prices, hours, services, availability, and policies. Newsletters, delivery notices, and obvious spam go to the Spam view. Emails where it is unsure, the customer is upset, or the topic is a complaint, payment, or legal matter wait for a person. ## Can it book appointments from an email? Yes, once automatic replies are on and a calendar is connected with booking allowed. The assistant offers open times and books the one the customer confirms, and its reply is checked before the booking runs. Drafts never book anything: your team confirms the time when it sends the reply. ## How is this different from an AI writing assistant in Gmail? Writing assistants help you type faster, one email at a time. InsertChat answers on behalf of your business: it reads the customer’s question, replies from the knowledge your phone and chat assistant already use, books appointments, and keeps every email thread in the same shared inbox as your calls and texts. ## How much does an AI email responder cost? Email answering is part of every paid plan, starting at $98 per month with monthly AI credits shared across your channels. Credit use depends on the model you choose and the length of each conversation. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## AI email answering by industry - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Accounting](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting): Book tax appointments and answer document questions while your accountants work on returns. - [Insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance): Collect quote details and answer policy FAQs while your licensed agents are on other calls. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. - [Interior design](https://insertchat.com/industries/interior-design): Answer fee questions, gather the brief, and book discovery calls while you’re with clients. - [Contractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors): Book site visits for new remodels and take messages from clients and subs while you build. ## Which email accounts can I connect? Use the supported Gmail or Outlook connection for the mailbox you use with customers. Authorize the account, complete mailbox setup, and review the email actions and permissions in your workspace. ## Do replies include my email signature? Yes. Add a signature in the mailbox settings and it is added to the assistant’s replies automatically. Your team can still review each draft, signature included, before it goes out. ## Can the AI email responder send replies at night? Only if you let it. Turn on “Only reply during business hours” and automatic sending pauses outside the opening hours and time zone in your business profile. If those hours are missing or unclear, automatic sending pauses too. ## Where do SMS and WhatsApp messages go? Texts and WhatsApp messages land in the same shared inbox as email, calls, and website chat, and the assistant answers them from the same knowledge. Each channel has its own setup, and SMS and WhatsApp can carry their own charges. ## Related features - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) --- # AI Text Messaging for Business, 24/7 Replies Source: https://insertchat.com/product/sms > Customers text your InsertChat number and get answers from your knowledge. Your team sees every thread in the shared inbox and can step in. AI text messaging lets customers text your business and get an answer without waiting for someone to free up. InsertChat’s assistant replies to SMS from your services, hours, and FAQs, collects contact details when a follow-up needs them, books appointments when you allow it, and keeps every thread in the shared inbox for your team. ## Replies sized for a phone Short answers from your services, hours, and FAQs, written for a text thread. ## Your team gets the tricky texts Photos, complaints, and requests that match your handoff rules are marked for a person. ## Booking by text Offer open times and book appointments within the scheduling rules you set. ## Set up AI text messaging 1. **Use your InsertChat number.** The number that answers your calls answers texts too, where its country and carrier support SMS. 2. **Teach it your answers.** Add your services, prices, hours, and policies. Text replies come from the same knowledge as your calls and chat. 3. **Test, then share the number.** Text it yourself, check the replies and the handoff, then put the number on your website, signs, and listings. ## How do customers text my business? They text the phone number InsertChat gives you, the same number that answers your calls. The assistant replies in short, text-friendly messages from your knowledge, and each thread joins the customer’s contact record. Texting depends on the number’s country and carrier; some numbers, such as UK numbers, are voice-only. ## What happens when a customer sends a photo or wants a person? Picture messages go to your team instead of getting an automatic reply, and so do texts that match your handoff rules, such as a request for a person or an upset customer. The thread is marked for your team in the shared inbox, where someone can take it over. ## Can customers book appointments by text? Yes. Connect a supported calendar and the assistant offers open times, books the one the customer picks, and can move or cancel appointments it booked. Customers can get reminders by text or email 72 and 24 hours before the appointment. ## Can the assistant text in Spanish or other languages? Yes. It replies in the language the customer writes in, from the same knowledge, so a text in Spanish gets an answer in Spanish. Turn off “Use the customer’s language when supported” to keep replies in your business language unless a customer asks for another one. ## Is AI texting the same as SMS marketing? No. InsertChat handles two-way conversations: it answers the texts customers send and sends the follow-ups they ask for, such as callback confirmations and appointment reminders. Promotional campaigns and bulk blasts belong in an SMS marketing tool. ## How much does AI text messaging cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month and include one phone number and monthly AI credits. SMS is a connected service that can carry its own charges on top of your plan. See pricing for plan allowances and channel costs. ## AI texting by industry - [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon): Book cuts, color, nails, and massages for the right length while every chair is busy. - [Cleaning](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning): Explain what each clean includes, collect home sizes, and book walkthroughs by phone or chat. - [Landscaping](https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping): Collect lot size and mowing frequency, and book design consultations by phone, text, or chat. - [Pool services](https://insertchat.com/industries/pool-services): Book green pool cleanups and equipment repairs, and answer weekly service questions. - [Pet grooming & pet stores](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming): Book grooms by breed and coat, answer product questions, and take special orders for staff. - [Auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair): Book oil changes, brake jobs, and diagnostics while your service advisor is at the counter. ## Can customers text my existing business number? Texts reach the assistant on your InsertChat number. Call forwarding moves calls, not texts, so if you forward your existing line for calls, publish your InsertChat number for texting or keep answering texts on your current line. ## What happens when a customer replies STOP? Opt-out keywords such as STOP are honored, so that number stops receiving texts from your assistant. A customer who later replies START can opt back in. ## Does the assistant give the same answers by text and on calls? Yes. One knowledge base serves calls, SMS, website chat, email, and WhatsApp, so a price or policy you update once applies to every channel. Text replies are kept short for a phone screen. ## Can my team see and continue text conversations? Every text thread appears in the shared inbox with the contact’s details and history. Your team can take over the thread, leave an internal note for a colleague, or use a saved reply. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) --- # Bilingual & Spanish Answering Service with AI Source: https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual > Callers who speak Spanish hear Spanish, and callers who speak English hear English, from the same assistant and knowledge. A bilingual AI receptionist answers each caller in the language they speak. InsertChat’s assistant follows the customer’s language on calls, website chat, texts, and email, so a Spanish-speaking caller hears Spanish and an English-speaking caller hears English. Both get answers from the same knowledge base, around the clock, and land in the same shared inbox. ## Follows the caller Switches when a caller speaks another language or asks for one, then stays in it. ## One knowledge base Answers in each language from the information you already added. ## One inbox for every language Calls, chats, and texts in any language land in the same shared inbox. ## Set up bilingual answering 1. **Pick your business language.** Choose the language your assistant starts in, from 58 options, and keep “Use the customer’s language when supported” on. 2. **Add wording that must be exact.** Most answers work from your existing knowledge. Add a Spanish price list or intake script where the exact words matter. 3. **Test in each language.** Call and text your number in English and in Spanish, check the answers and the voice, then go live. ## Is a bilingual AI receptionist a Spanish answering service? It does the same job without a separate Spanish line or an operator team. Spanish-speaking callers dial your usual number, the assistant answers in Spanish from your knowledge and books appointments, and the transcript and summary land in the shared inbox. A bilingual teammate can call back anyone who asks for a person. ## How does the assistant choose a language? It starts in your business language and follows the caller. When a caller speaks to it in Spanish or asks for Spanish, it switches and keeps that language for the rest of the conversation. A one-word greeting in another language does not switch it. ## Do I need my knowledge base in every language? No. The assistant answers in the caller’s language from the knowledge you already added. Add translated material, such as a Spanish price list or intake instructions, when you want exact wording in that language. ## Can I keep the assistant in one language? Yes. Turn off replying in the customer’s language and the assistant stays in your business language unless a caller explicitly asks for another one. You can set the business language from 58 options. ## Why does bilingual answering matter in the US? Because millions of US customers speak another language at home. The US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey counted 67.8 million people who spoke a language other than English at home in 2019, and Spanish was the most common of those languages. Answering in the caller’s language lets those customers ask questions and book without waiting for a bilingual teammate. ## How much does a bilingual AI receptionist cost? Language settings are part of every plan, with no extra charge for Spanish. Paid plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and monthly credits, and calls use credits the same way in any language, rounded up to whole minutes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## Bilingual answering by industry - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing): Answer emergency and routine plumbing calls while your crew is on a job. - [Dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental): Book cleanings and new-patient exams, and tell callers which insurance plans you accept. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. - [Cleaning](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning): Explain what each clean includes, collect home sizes, and book walkthroughs by phone or chat. - [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants): Answer hours, menu, and reservation calls without pulling staff off the floor. ## Which languages can it speak? It follows the language a caller uses, and you can set your business language from 58 options, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic, Hindi, and Haitian Creole. Place test calls in each language your customers use before going live, and listen to how your chosen voice sounds in each one. ## Does it work on website chat and texts too? Yes. Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp replies follow the same language setting, so a customer who writes in Spanish gets a reply in Spanish from the same knowledge base. ## Which businesses use a bilingual receptionist? Businesses whose customers call in more than one language, such as home service companies, law firms taking intake calls, dental and medical practices, and property managers. Each industry page covers the calls and handoff rules for that business. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) --- # AI Appointment Setter & Scheduling Assistant Source: https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling > Your front desk offers open times, books the one the customer picks, and moves or cancels it later, on calls, website chat, and texts. Every booking stays linked to the customer and the conversation. AI appointment scheduling lets an assistant book appointments while it talks to your customers. InsertChat’s AI appointment setter offers open times from your calendar during calls, website chats, and texts, books the time the customer picks, can move or cancel appointments it booked, and sends text or email reminders 72 and 24 hours before the visit. ## Five calendar options Use the built-in calendar or connect Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ## Your booking rules Appointment length, buffers, minimum notice, booking window, and how many times to offer. ## Books on calls, chats, and texts The AI receptionist, website chat, and text replies all book into the same calendar with the same rules. ## Moves and cancels, too Customers can reschedule or cancel an appointment the assistant booked, by phone or by text. ## Reminders before every visit Text or email reminders 72 and 24 hours before each appointment it books. ## Automatic or approved Let bookings run on their own, or have them wait for a teammate’s approval in Today. ## What the AI appointment setter books, and what waits for you Give it your calendar and your rules. It fills open slots on its own and sends anything unusual to a person. ### Booked by the assistant - Offers two to five open times that fit your rules - Books the time the customer picks, during the call or chat - Asks where to meet when you offer more than one option - Confirms the details and sends a confirmation - Moves or cancels appointments it booked - Adds the contact, the customer’s note, and a conversation link to the event ### Sent to your team - Changes to appointments your team booked by hand - Times outside your hours, notice period, or booking window - Requests that need someone’s judgment first - A customer who asks for a person - Bookings you set to wait for approval - An alert for every new booking, if you want one ## Set up AI scheduling 1. **Connect a calendar.** Use the built-in calendar or connect Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. 2. **Set your booking rules.** Choose the appointment length, buffers, minimum notice, how far ahead customers can book, and where you meet. 3. **Choose approvals and test.** Decide which actions run automatically, then test a booking, a reschedule, and an exception. ## What is an AI appointment setter? An AI appointment setter turns a conversation into a booked appointment: it answers the customer’s questions, offers open times, and books one without a person stepping in. InsertChat books the requests that come to you by phone, website chat, and text. It doesn’t make outbound sales calls; it makes sure every inbound lead leaves with a time on your calendar. ## Which calendars does AI scheduling work with? InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, and Cal.com. Connect the calendar you already use and choose which booking actions the assistant may take: offering times, booking, rescheduling, canceling, confirming details, and sending a confirmation. ## How do I control when customers can book? Set the appointment length from 15 to 120 minutes, buffers before and after, minimum notice of up to 48 hours, how far ahead customers can book (up to 90 days), and how many times the assistant offers. Availability follows your business hours or custom weekly windows. ## Can the AI book an appointment during a phone call? Yes. The AI receptionist checks open times while the caller is on the line, confirms the details, and books the slot. It announces a booking only after your calendar confirms it, and the appointment stays linked to the contact and the call transcript. ## Can customers reschedule or cancel with the AI? Yes, for appointments the assistant booked. A customer who calls or texts to move a visit hears new open times and picks one; a cancellation frees the slot on your calendar. Requests about appointments your team created by hand are marked needs-you for a person to handle. ## Do customers get appointment reminders? Yes. Appointments the assistant books can get a text or email reminder 72 hours and 24 hours before. If the time stops working, the customer can reply or call, and the assistant moves the appointment to another open time. ## What goes into the calendar event? The meeting location you chose, such as your address, a phone call, or an online meeting link, plus, if you want them, the customer’s contact details, their note about the visit, and a link to the conversation. Whoever takes the appointment knows who is coming and why before they arrive. ## How is an AI appointment setter different from a booking link? A booking link leaves the work to the customer. The AI appointment setter answers their questions first, such as price, service area, or what to bring, then offers times in the same call or chat. Already on Calendly or Cal.com? Connect it, and the assistant books into the event types you have. ## What happens when the time a customer wants is taken? The assistant offers other open times that fit your rules, two to five at a time, and never books over a slot your calendar shows as busy. If none of them work, the customer can ask for a person, and your team picks up the conversation with the request already in the inbox. ## Which businesses use AI appointment scheduling? Any business that runs on appointments: dental and chiropractic offices, salons and med spas, veterinary clinics, gyms, pet groomers, and home service companies booking estimates or repair visits. Match the appointment length and buffers to the work, and use custom weekly windows when you book differently from your opening hours. ## How much does AI appointment scheduling cost? Booking is part of every plan; paid plans start at $98 per month with 5,000 monthly credits. A booking uses the credits of the call or chat it happens in, with no separate per-appointment fee. Calendly, Cal.com, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365 keep their own pricing. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. ## Booking rules you control Every rule is a setting, not a prompt. The assistant only offers times that pass all of them, so a customer can’t talk it into a slot you didn’t open. | Setting | Options | What it prevents | | --- | --- | --- | | Appointment length | 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, or 120 minutes | Visits booked too short for the work | | Buffers | 0, 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes before and after | Back-to-back visits with no travel or prep time | | Minimum notice | None, or 2, 4, 12, 24, or 48 hours | Surprise bookings an hour from now | | Booking window | 7, 14, 30, 60, or 90 days ahead | Appointments months out that people forget | | Times offered | 2 to 5 options per request | Long lists read out on a phone call | | Availability | Your business hours, or custom weekly windows | Bookings when nobody is working | | Meeting location | Your address, a phone call, an online meeting link, another place, or the customer’s choice | Customers showing up at the wrong place | | Reminders | Text or email, 72 and 24 hours before | Customers forgetting the appointment | ## AI scheduling by industry - [Dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental): Book cleanings and new-patient exams, and tell callers which insurance plans you accept. - [Chiropractic](https://insertchat.com/industries/chiropractic): Schedule first visits and adjustments while your hands are busy with a patient. - [Veterinary](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary): Answer pet owners’ calls about vaccines, refills, and sick pets during a full clinic day. - [Med spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa): Turn injectable, laser, and facial questions into booked consultations. - [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon): Book cuts, color, nails, and massages for the right length while every chair is busy. - [Gyms & fitness](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym): Answer membership, class schedule, and trial pass calls while your staff coach. - [Pet grooming & pet stores](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming): Book grooms by breed and coat, answer product questions, and take special orders for staff. - [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing): Answer emergency and routine plumbing calls while your crew is on a job. - [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac): Take no-heat, no-cooling, and tune-up calls when every technician is already booked. ## Which calendar can I connect for appointment scheduling? Use InsertChat’s built-in calendar, or connect Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com from the app catalog and choose the scheduling actions your assistant can use. Test a booking, a reschedule, and a request that needs your team before enabling scheduling. ## Can a phone call or website chat lead to a booking? Your front desk can collect the customer’s request and use the calendar actions you have enabled. Bookings stay connected to the customer and conversation, giving your team context for the appointment. ## When does a booking request go to my team? When a request falls outside your booking rules, involves an appointment the assistant did not book, or needs someone’s judgment, the conversation is marked needs-you. Teammates can also be notified about every new booking, immediately or in a daily summary. ## Can the assistant double-book my calendar? It checks open times on your connected calendar before it offers or books a slot, and it confirms the booking only after the calendar accepts it. Keep personal appointments on the same calendar so they block time too. ## Can I approve bookings before they’re confirmed? Yes. Set booking, rescheduling, and canceling to wait for review, and they appear in Today for a teammate to approve. Leave them automatic when your rules cover every case. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) --- # 24/7 AI Lead Capture for Calls, Chat & Texts Source: https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture > Every call, chat, text, and email gets an answer right away. The assistant saves the lead as a contact with its source and tells your team when someone is ready to book or buy. AI lead capture means an assistant answers each new inquiry right away and records who the customer is and what they want. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp, collects contact details when a follow-up needs them, saves the lead with its source, and alerts your team when a customer asks to book, buy, or get a quote. ## Inquiries become contacts Each lead is saved with the request, the conversation, and the details the customer shared. ## Alerts for ready customers See when someone asks to book, buy, hire, or get a quote. ## Know where leads came from Landing page, referrer, campaign, and the number dialed are saved with the contact. ## Booked on the spot When a lead wants a time, the assistant offers open slots and books one before the conversation ends. ## Answered at any hour A Sunday-night inquiry gets the same answer as a Monday-morning one, from the same knowledge. ## Into your CRM, if you use one Create or update HubSpot, Zoho, or Dynamics 365 records during the conversation, with your permissions. ## What gets saved with every lead, and what sets off an alert Each inquiry becomes a contact your team can act on, with the reason the customer reached out and how they found you. ### Saved with each lead - The request, in the customer’s own words - Name, phone number, or email when a follow-up needs it - The full conversation: call transcript, chat, text thread, or email - Landing page and referrer for website chats - Campaign and source from your tracking links - The phone number a caller dialed ### Alerts your team gets - High intent: the customer asks to buy, book, hire, or get a quote - Urgent: distress, a safety risk, or a serious service failure - A customer who wants to cancel - New contacts, immediately or in a daily summary - New bookings, immediately or in a daily summary - Conversations marked needs-you for a person ## Set up AI lead capture 1. **Connect your channels.** Turn on the channels your leads use: phone, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp. All of them answer from one knowledge base. 2. **Decide when to ask for details.** Have the assistant answer first and ask for contact details when a follow-up needs them, or collect them up front. Pick email, phone, or both. 3. **Choose who gets alerts.** Pick the teammates who hear about ready buyers, new contacts, and bookings, immediately or in a daily summary. ## What does the assistant capture from each lead? The customer’s request in their own words, plus a name, phone number, or email when a booking or follow-up needs one. The assistant answers questions first and asks for details when there is a reason to. Everything is saved to a contact record with the conversation, notes, and any appointment. ## How does my team know which leads are ready? High-intent lead alerts flag conversations where a customer explicitly asks to buy, book, hire, or get a quote. Chosen teammates can also be notified about every new contact or booking, immediately or in a daily summary. ## Can I see where each lead came from? Yes. The contact records the landing page and referrer for website chats, the campaign and source from your tracking links, and the phone number a caller dialed, so your team knows what brought the customer in. ## How is AI lead capture different from a contact form? A form collects details and makes the customer wait for a reply. The assistant answers the question that brought them in, saves the lead with the details a follow-up needs, and books a time when they’re ready. InsertChat doesn’t build web forms; it captures leads inside conversations on calls, chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp. ## Does the assistant qualify leads? It asks the questions you put in its instructions, such as the service needed, address, timeline, or budget, and keeps the answers with the conversation and contact. Customers who ask to book, buy, hire, or get a quote trigger a high-intent alert. There is no numeric lead score; teammates assign conversations in the shared inbox. ## Does it capture leads after hours? Yes. The assistant answers calls, chats, texts, and email at any hour, saves each lead, and books a time if your calendar has one open. Your team finds overnight leads in the morning, with ready buyers already flagged. ## What should my team do with a captured lead? Open the contact from the alert or the inbox, read the summary, and reply on the same channel or call back. Booked leads are already on your calendar. Assign the conversation, tag it, or leave an internal note for a teammate, so every lead has an owner and nobody works it twice. ## Which businesses get the most from AI lead capture? Businesses where a missed inquiry is a lost job: contractors, roofers, and movers quoting new work; law firms and insurance agencies taking intake; property managers fielding rental questions. The industry pages below list the intake questions and handoff rules for each. ## Does AI lead capture work with my CRM? Contacts live in InsertChat. HubSpot, Zoho, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 connect as assistant actions with the permissions you choose, so the assistant can create or update records there during a conversation; there is no background sync. Test the exact actions before relying on them. ## How much does AI lead capture cost? Lead capture is part of every plan. Paid plans start at $98 per month with 5,000 monthly credits shared by calls and written conversations. At the usage estimator’s example rate of 10 credits per written conversation, Pro covers about 500 chats, texts, or emails a month if calls take none. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. ## AI lead capture vs a contact form vs voicemail A lead that waits for a reply can call someone else. The difference is what happens in the first minute. | Compared | InsertChat AI lead capture | Website contact form | Voicemail | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers the question | Yes, from your knowledge, during the conversation | No; someone replies later | No; someone calls back later | | Channels | Calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp | Your website | Phone | | Books a time | Yes, into your calendar, when you allow it | Only with a separate booking tool | No | | Lead source | Landing page, referrer, campaign, or number dialed, saved with the contact | Depends on your form and analytics setup | Caller ID | | Ready-buyer alerts | When a customer asks to buy, book, hire, or get a quote | Depends on your form tool | Depends on your phone provider | | After hours | Answers and books at any hour | Collects details; replies wait for business hours | Messages wait until someone listens | Contact form and voicemail columns describe typical setups; check the tools you use today. ## AI lead capture by industry - [Contractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors): Book site visits for new remodels and take messages from clients and subs while you build. - [Roofing](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing): Separate active leaks from estimate requests and book roof inspections after a storm. - [Moving](https://insertchat.com/industries/moving): Handle quote requests, survey bookings, and moving-day calls while your crews are out. - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance): Collect quote details and answer policy FAQs while your licensed agents are on other calls. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. ## Which channels capture leads? Calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp. Each conversation is saved with the customer’s details in the shared inbox, so leads from every channel reach the same place. ## Can the assistant book a lead straight away? Yes, when you connect a calendar and allow booking. It offers open times within your appointment rules, books the time the customer picks, and the appointment stays linked to the contact. ## Will it push visitors for their contact details? It answers questions first and asks for contact details only when an action or an agreed follow-up needs them. Change its instructions if you want it to ask earlier in the conversation. ## Can I export my leads? Yes. Your team can export contact records from InsertChat and delete a contact when a customer asks. Connected CRMs such as HubSpot and Zoho keep any records the assistant created there. ## Related features - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) --- # Customer Contact Management for Small Business Source: https://insertchat.com/product/crm > Your AI assistant saves each customer’s details from calls, chats, texts, and emails. Your team sees the history, open tasks, and next appointment in one record. Customer contact management in InsertChat keeps each person’s details, conversation history, notes, tasks, and appointments in one record. The AI assistant saves contacts from calls, chats, texts, and emails as it collects their details and records where each lead came from, so your team follows up with the whole history in view. ## One customer record Collect the contact information your customer shares and keep it with their conversations. ## Remember the useful details Review customer memories and notes so preferences do not disappear after a call. ## Follow through Track tasks and appointments connected to the people your business serves. ## How contacts fill themselves in 1. **A customer reaches out.** A call, chat, text, email, or WhatsApp message starts a conversation in the shared inbox. 2. **The assistant collects the details.** It answers first, then asks for a name, number, or email when a booking or follow-up needs one. 3. **Your team follows up.** The contact shows the conversation, lead source, tasks, and appointments, so whoever follows up starts informed. ## How are contacts created? The assistant saves a contact when a customer shares a name, phone number, or email that a booking or follow-up needs. Your team can add and edit contacts, attach notes and tasks, and export or delete records. ## Can I see where a contact came from? Yes. The contact keeps the landing page and referrer from a website chat, the campaign and source from tracking links, and the number a caller dialed, so teammates know what brought the customer in before they reply. ## Does InsertChat replace my CRM? It can serve as the contact list for your front desk. If you already use HubSpot or Zoho, connect it and the assistant can create or update records there during a conversation, with the permissions you choose. There is no background sync between the two. ## What does a contact record show? The name, phone, email, company, language, and location the customer shared; every linked conversation across channels, newest first; scheduled tasks with due dates; upcoming and past appointments, including no-shows; and where the lead came from. Search by name, phone, email, or company to find anyone. ## How is this different from contact management software? Contact management tools wait for someone to type the details in. InsertChat’s assistant collects them during the conversation, before a booking or follow-up needs them, and links the call transcript or chat to the record. Your team’s time goes into the follow-up. ## How much does contact management cost? Contacts come with every paid plan, starting at $98 per month for Pro. Pricing is per plan, not per contact; plans differ in team seats, assistants, and stored conversation history. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## What information stays with a customer contact? Keep the contact details the customer shares alongside conversation history, notes, preferences, and related appointments. Your team can use this context when continuing a request or following up. ## Can I connect my existing CRM? InsertChat includes customer contacts in its workspace and connects to HubSpot, Zoho CRM, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 through the app catalog. The assistant can create or update records there during a conversation, within the permissions you enable. ## How do contacts help with follow-up? The team can review what the customer asked, the details already collected, and related tasks or appointments. Internal notes help preserve information intended for teammates. ## Related features - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) --- # AI Knowledge Base Chatbot Trained on Your Docs Source: https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge > Bring your website, documents, FAQs, and product details into one knowledge base. Your assistant answers every channel from it and shows you which questions need a better answer. An AI knowledge base is the business information an assistant answers from, and a knowledge base chatbot is the assistant that uses it. In InsertChat you add website pages, documents, spreadsheets, scanned files, audio and video, and written questions and answers. One knowledge base serves calls, website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp, and missing answers go to your team. ## Bring your own sources Add website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, products, and other supported sources. ## Keep answers current Refresh sources and monitor training status as your services, policies, and website change. ## Test before you connect Try your assistant in the app, adjust its responses, and work through questions that need better answers. ## Build your AI knowledge base 1. **Import your website.** Crawl your site or sitemap so your services, prices, and policies are in from day one. 2. **Add documents and answers.** Upload PDFs, spreadsheets, and price lists, and write questions and answers for anything your site leaves out. 3. **Test and improve.** Ask real customer questions in the app, then fix the gaps listed in Questions to improve. ## Which files can the assistant learn from? Website pages by crawl or sitemap; PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, and ebook files; spreadsheets such as CSV and Excel; scanned PDFs and images, read with text recognition; audio and video files, which are transcribed; and questions and answers you write. Upload limits depend on your plan. ## How do I keep answers current? Edit or refresh a source when your services, prices, or policies change, then test the questions it affects. Website sources can refresh automatically on a schedule that depends on your plan. ## How does the assistant avoid making things up? It answers from the information you approve and asks a person for help when that information is missing or conflicting, instead of guessing. Your business profile holds the facts customers ask for most: services and prices, areas served, opening hours, and payment methods. ## How do I find the questions it answered badly? Questions to improve lists customer questions that got a weak or incomplete answer, with how often each was asked and what the assistant tried to use. Add an approved answer or update a source, retest it in the app, and mark the question resolved. ## Can I test the knowledge base before customers use it? Yes. Ask the assistant your customers’ real questions in the app’s test area and check each answer before a channel goes live. Test conversations are kept separate from customer conversations in your contacts and reports. ## How much does an AI knowledge base cost? The knowledge base comes with every paid plan, starting at $98 per month. Pro includes 1,000 knowledge sources and files up to 20 MB, Growth 5,000 sources, Scale 25,000, and Enterprise 50,000, with files up to 50 MB on Scale and Enterprise. ## What sources can I add to the AI knowledge base? Supported sources include website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information. Choose the source format that fits the information and check its processing status. ## Will uploading a source immediately make it ready for answers? Check the source’s training or processing status in the app. Wait until processing finishes successfully before relying on the source for customer answers. Test relevant questions after it finishes. ## What happens when the assistant doesn’t know the answer? Handoff rules route the conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure of an answer, it cannot resolve the request after repeated attempts, the customer is upset, or the request involves a sensitive action. Your team continues with the full conversation in the shared inbox. ## Does it read scanned PDFs and videos? Yes. Scanned PDFs and images are read with text recognition, and audio and video files are transcribed, so a recorded walkthrough or a scanned price sheet becomes knowledge the assistant can answer from. Check the processing status before relying on a new source. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Reports](https://insertchat.com/product/reports) --- # AI Workflow Automation with Human Approval Source: https://insertchat.com/product/automations > Give your front desk the tools to act on a conversation. Choose what it can do automatically and what your team needs to review. AI workflow automation lets your assistant take the next step in a conversation, such as booking a visit, creating a CRM record, or opening a support ticket. In InsertChat you connect apps like Google Calendar, Outlook, HubSpot, Zoho, Zendesk, Stripe, and Square, choose the actions the assistant may use, and decide which run automatically and which wait for approval. ## Connect the tools you use Install supported apps and select the actions your assistant can access. ## Keep control of the next step Review proposed actions, approve or reject them, and check their outcome. ## See the work that remains Use Today to review tasks, appointments, and items waiting for your attention. ## Automate your first workflow 1. **Pick one customer request.** Start with a request you handle every day, such as booking a visit or logging a new lead in your CRM. 2. **Connect the app and choose actions.** Authorize the account, turn on only the actions that request needs, and set each one to run automatically or wait for approval. 3. **Test it end to end.** Play the customer in the app, then check the result in the connected app and in Today before turning it on for customers. ## What can the assistant do in connected apps? It can book, move, and cancel calendar appointments; create and update CRM contacts, deals, and notes; create and reply to Zendesk tickets; send Stripe payment links; and look up Square orders and bookings. Each integration page lists its actions, and you turn on only the ones you need. ## Can I approve actions before they run? Yes. Set each action to run automatically or wait for review in Today. Texts and emails the assistant proposes on its own wait for approval from an owner, admin, or manager. Follow-ups you switch on in Automations, such as an after-visit thank-you or one nudge when a customer still owes you an answer, send by themselves, and you can turn each one off. ## Which apps can it connect to? Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Zendesk, Stripe, Square, Gmail, and WhatsApp, each with the actions listed on its integration page. Connected apps are included on every paid plan. ## Which actions can run without a person? The ones you switch on. Offering times, booking, rescheduling, and canceling appointments, collecting contact details, and moving spam out of the inbox can run on their own. The assistant never completes an action outside the permissions and business rules you set; it asks a person instead. ## Who gets notified when something happens? Choose recipients by role or by person for new contacts, booked appointments, and conversations that need a person. Notifications go out immediately or as a daily summary at the time you pick. ## Can developers connect their own systems? Yes. Growth, Scale, and Enterprise include API keys with read or read-and-write access to your workspace. Scale and Enterprise add signed webhooks, with a delivery log and retries for failed deliveries. ## Automated workflows by industry - [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing): Answer emergency and routine plumbing calls while your crew is on a job. - [Dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental): Book cleanings and new-patient exams, and tell callers which insurance plans you accept. - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon): Book cuts, color, nails, and massages for the right length while every chair is busy. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. - [Insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance): Collect quote details and answer policy FAQs while your licensed agents are on other calls. ## Which workflows can my AI assistant automate? Install a supported connection and choose from the actions it makes available, such as calendar or email actions. Availability depends on the app, account permissions, and your InsertChat plan. ## Can I require approval before an action runs? Yes. Configure the tools and permissions your assistant can use. Supported actions can run automatically or wait for review, depending on your setup. Review pending work and action outcomes in the workspace. ## How should I test a connected workflow? Start with the specific customer request you want to handle. Confirm that the assistant has the right knowledge, can access only the intended actions, and requests approval or human handoff when your setup requires it. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) --- # Conversation Analytics for Calls, Chats & Texts Source: https://insertchat.com/product/reports > See what customers ask, what your front desk resolved, and where answers need work. Every plan gets 30 days of reports; Scale and Enterprise add AI analysis. Conversation analytics show what customers ask your front desk, how many conversations it handled without a person, and what it booked. Every InsertChat plan includes Reports for the last 30 days. Scale and Enterprise add conversation analytics and analysis reports: customer topics, sentiment, written monthly reports with recommended next actions, and longer date ranges. ## Understand conversation topics Review the themes in customer conversations and the questions that keep coming up. ## Review the activity Conversation volume by day and channel, bookings, and conversations handled without a person. ## Turn questions into better answers Use what you learn to improve your knowledge sources, responses, and customer experience. ## What does every plan include? Reports for the last 30 days: conversation volume by day and channel, bookings, conversations handled without a person, the human-help rate, and calls that ended before anyone answered. The Today view adds a needs-you queue with handoffs, missed calls, failed actions, and items waiting for approval. ## What do Scale and Enterprise add? AI analysis of your customer conversations: the top customer topics, a sentiment summary, and questions that got weak or incomplete answers. Written monthly reports add an executive summary, appointment and handoff patterns, and recommended next actions. You can also choose longer date ranges and send a weekly digest to the teammates you pick. ## How do reports improve my assistant? Each finding links to the conversations behind it. Open a weak answer, add an approved answer or update the source, retest it, and mark it resolved, so the next customer who asks gets a better answer. ## How much do conversation analytics cost? Reports for the last 30 days come with every paid plan, from $98 per month. Conversation analytics and analysis reports are included with Scale at $498 per month and Enterprise from $998 per month. ## What can I learn from customer conversation reports? Review recurring conversation topics, activity, and the supporting records available in your plan. Use the findings to identify common questions and gaps in your business knowledge. ## Which plans include analytics and reports? Every paid plan includes Reports for the last 30 days. Scale and Enterprise add conversation analytics and analysis reports: topic and sentiment analysis, written monthly reports, and longer history. The pricing comparison lists each plan’s limits. ## How do reports help improve my AI assistant? Use recurring questions to decide which knowledge sources need clearer or newer information. Update the source, refresh it, and test the affected answers before relying on the change with customers. ## Related features - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) --- # White-Label AI Receptionist & Chatbot Platform Source: https://insertchat.com/product/white-label > Build a branded assistant for each client that answers their calls, chats, and texts, runs on your domain, and sells at the price you set. A white-label AI receptionist is an AI phone and chat assistant you deliver to clients under your own brand. In InsertChat, each client assistant gets its own name, logo, colors, knowledge, and phone number, and the chat widget carries no InsertChat badge on paid plans. On Growth, Scale, and Enterprise, widgets, shared links, and customer emails run on your verified domain. ## Your clients’ brands Set each assistant’s name, logo, colors, avatar, and browser icon. ## Your domain Run widgets, shared links, and sign-in on a verified custom domain on Growth and above. ## Every client in one workspace Manage each client’s assistant, knowledge, and conversations from one place. ## Launch a white-label client 1. **Brand the assistant.** Set the client’s name, logo, colors, avatar, and tone, and add your verified domain on Growth and up. 2. **Load their knowledge.** Import the client’s website and documents, then test the questions their customers ask most. 3. **Connect their channels.** Install the widget on their site and give them a number, or forward their existing US or Canadian line. ## What can I brand for each client? Each assistant has its own display name, accent color, avatar, logos, and browser icon, plus its own knowledge, tone, and phone number. Workspace owners and managers edit these per assistant. ## How does a custom domain work? Add your hostname, verify that you own it with a DNS TXT record, and point it to InsertChat with a CNAME record. Once it is verified and its certificate is issued, public widgets, shared links, and sign-in on that host carry your brand. Custom domains and branded email are included on Growth, Scale, and Enterprise. ## How many client assistants can I run? Growth includes 20 assistants, Scale 50, and Enterprise 100, with more team seats and credits on each plan. Pro includes 3 assistants with your logo and branding but no custom domain. ## Can I resell it to my clients? Yes. Paid plans let your business serve its own customers within your plan’s limits, and you decide how to package and price your services. InsertChat bills your agency for the plan you choose and never bills your clients directly. ## How should I price a white-label AI receptionist? Start from your cost and the value of answered calls. A common package pairs a setup fee with a monthly fee per client that covers the assistant, the phone number, and your time keeping its knowledge current. Your cost is the plan, such as $198 per month for Growth with 20 assistants, plus $10 per month per extra number. Calls draw on shared credits, so charge phone-heavy clients more. ## Industries your clients work in - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate): Keep property inquiries and viewing requests moving. - [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon): Book cuts, color, nails, and massages for the right length while every chair is busy. - [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants): Answer hours, menu, and reservation calls without pulling staff off the floor. ## Do clients see InsertChat’s name? Not on the chat widget: paid plans show your client’s name, logo, and colors without an InsertChat badge. On a verified white-label domain, included on Growth and above, your workspace branding also covers shared links, customer emails, and the sign-in page on that host. ## Which plan should my agency start on? Choose Growth if clients need your domain, branded email, or API access: $198 per month for 20 assistants and 5 seats. Pro, at $98, covers 3 branded assistants without a custom domain. Scale adds analytics, analysis reports, and webhooks for up to 50 assistants. ## Can each client get their own phone number? Yes. Each paid plan includes one number, and additional numbers are $10 per month each. Clients in the US and Canada can also keep their existing number and forward calls to their assistant. ## How do I launch a new client? Create an assistant, add the client’s website and documents, set their branding and tone, and test common questions and the handoff. Then install the widget on their site and, for calls, connect a number or forward theirs. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) --- # AI Front Desk for Home Services: 24/7 Answering Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services > Capture service requests while your team is on the job. An AI front desk for home service businesses answers calls, texts, and website chats while your crews are on jobs. InsertChat’s assistant answers from your services, service area, and hours, collects the address and job details, books visits on your calendar, and flags emergencies such as flooding, gas smells, or no heat for your team. ## Turn a service call into a visit request Example workflow: Phone inquiry. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls while your technicians are out on jobs. > Do you service heat pumps in Westbrook? I’d like to book our annual maintenance. ## Check the service details Use your service-area list, maintenance packages, and opening hours to answer the initial questions. ## Help arrange the visit Collect the address and equipment details. Use your connected calendar and scheduling permissions to help with the appointment. ## Give the technician context Keep the customer’s request and contact details together so your team can prepare or follow up. ## Your team sets the boundaries Route urgent faults, uncertain pricing, and specialist questions to your team. ## What it handles for home service businesses Handled by your assistant: - Service area, opening hours, and call-out fee questions - Maintenance, tune-up, and estimate visits booked into open calendar times - What is wrong, which equipment, and how long it has been happening - Rescheduling or canceling a visit the assistant booked - Callback requests, confirmed to the customer by text or email after the call Sent straight to your team: - Flooding, burst pipes, and sewage backups - Gas smells, CO alarms, sparking, or burning smells - No heat in a cold snap or no cooling in a heat wave - A door stuck open, a car trapped in a garage, or a child locked inside - Photos homeowners text of the problem - Complaints about recent work and upset customers ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and callback number - Service address and ZIP code - What the problem is and when it started - Equipment type, brand, or age when it matters - Whether it is an emergency or can wait for a scheduled visit - Owner or tenant, and who will let the technician in - Preferred visit window What to add to its knowledge: - The services you offer and the jobs you turn down - Your service area, by city or ZIP code - Opening hours, after-hours policy, and emergency availability - Call-out, diagnostic, and trip fees you are happy to share - Safety steps for gas, water, and electrical emergencies - Brands you service, warranties, and financing options ## Which home service businesses use an AI receptionist? Any business where the phone rings while the team is on site: plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, contractors, landscapers and tree services, cleaners and carpet cleaners, pest control, locksmiths, garage door, restoration, moving, pool, appliance repair, painters, flooring, solar, septic, junk removal, handymen, pressure and window washing, fencing, and home inspection companies. Each page below shows the calls, intake questions, and handoff rules for that trade. ## How does it handle emergency calls? It collects the address and what is happening, reads the safety steps you wrote, and marks the call urgent so your team is notified. You can ring your own phone first and let the assistant answer only when nobody picks up, or let it answer after hours. ## How much does an AI receptionist for home services cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month for Pro, with one phone number, monthly credits, 3 AI assistants, and 3 team seats. Additional numbers are $10 per month. Calls round up to whole minutes, and SMS and WhatsApp can carry their own charges. ## Can homeowners text photos of the problem? Homeowners can text your InsertChat number and get answers from the same knowledge as your phone line. Picture messages go to a person on your team instead of an automatic reply, and customers who reply STOP are opted out. ## Can it book jobs into my schedule? Yes, when you connect a calendar: InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. It offers open times within your booking rules and confirms the visit with the customer. If you schedule in field service software, it collects the job details for your office instead. ## AI receptionist or answering service: which fits a home service business? An AI receptionist answers from your exact service list, books straight onto your calendar around the clock, and handles texts and website chat with the same knowledge. A live answering service fits a business that wants a person on every call; InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls, so urgent calls are flagged and emailed to your team instead. The table below compares the three options. ## Does it work for garage door, locksmith, and other emergency trades? Yes. Trades where a stuck door or a lockout can’t wait get the same urgent flag: the assistant takes the address and what happened, reads the safety steps you wrote, and marks the call needs-you so your on-call technician is emailed. Routine repairs and installs go straight onto the calendar. ## AI receptionist vs voicemail vs a live answering service for service calls | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can an AI receptionist handle after-hours service calls? Your connected phone assistant can answer from your service information and collect the caller’s contact details, address, and request. Configure your opening hours and handoff rules so urgent faults reach the right person and appointment requests follow your scheduling rules. ## Can I keep my current business phone number? In the US and Canada, keep your business number and forward calls to InsertChat. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. Place a test call before routing customer calls. ## Does InsertChat work with ServiceTitan, Jobber, or Housecall Pro? Not directly. InsertChat books into its built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. If your jobs live in field service software, the assistant collects the job details in the shared inbox and your office enters them there. ## Can it quote prices for jobs? It shares the prices you add, such as call-out fees, diagnostic fees, and price ranges for common jobs. InsertChat does not create formal quotes or invoices; for work that needs a site visit, it books an estimate or collects the details for your team. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Home services by business type - [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing): Answer emergency and routine plumbing calls while your crew is on a job. - [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac): Take no-heat, no-cooling, and tune-up calls when every technician is already booked. - [Electrical](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician): Book EV charger and panel upgrade visits, and flag burning smells and sparking right away. - [Roofing](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing): Separate active leaks from estimate requests and book roof inspections after a storm. - [Landscaping](https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping): Collect lot size and mowing frequency, and book design consultations by phone, text, or chat. - [Cleaning](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning): Explain what each clean includes, collect home sizes, and book walkthroughs by phone or chat. - [Pest control](https://insertchat.com/industries/pest-control): Book inspections, explain prep before treatment, and flag nests and stings for your team. - [Locksmiths](https://insertchat.com/industries/locksmith): Capture lockout, rekey, and smart lock calls while you’re working at another door. - [Garage doors](https://insertchat.com/industries/garage-door): Book broken spring, off-track, and opener repairs while your techs are on other jobs. - [Water damage restoration](https://insertchat.com/industries/restoration): Take the first call about a flooded basement or kitchen fire, day or night. - [Moving](https://insertchat.com/industries/moving): Handle quote requests, survey bookings, and moving-day calls while your crews are out. - [Pool services](https://insertchat.com/industries/pool-services): Book green pool cleanups and equipment repairs, and answer weekly service questions. - [Appliance repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/appliance-repair): Book fridge, washer, dryer, and oven repairs with the brand and model already noted. - [Tree service](https://insertchat.com/industries/tree-service): Separate trees on houses from removal estimates, and book estimate visits after every storm. - [Painting](https://insertchat.com/industries/painting): Book interior and exterior estimates, collect room counts and siding type, and log color questions. - [Flooring](https://insertchat.com/industries/flooring): Book in-home measures, collect square footage and subfloor details, and answer material questions. - [Solar](https://insertchat.com/industries/solar): Answer solar leads from your ads, collect bills and roof details, and book consultations. - [Septic](https://insertchat.com/industries/septic): Tell sewage backups from routine pump-outs, and book real estate septic inspections. - [Junk removal](https://insertchat.com/industries/junk-removal): Answer “how much to haul this?”, collect item lists and access details, and book pickup windows. - [Handyman](https://insertchat.com/industries/handyman): Sort honey-do lists, flag jobs that need a licensed trade, and book visits on your calendar. - [Pressure washing](https://insertchat.com/industries/pressure-washing): Book house washes and driveway cleaning, collect surfaces and square footage, and explain soft washing. - [Carpet cleaning](https://insertchat.com/industries/carpet-cleaning): Book room-based carpet, upholstery, and rug cleaning, and send soaked-carpet calls to your team. - [Window cleaning](https://insertchat.com/industries/window-cleaning): Book home and storefront window cleaning, count panes and stories, and catch route cancellations. - [Fencing](https://insertchat.com/industries/fencing): Book fence estimates with footage, material, and gates, and flag broken pool gates and downed fences. - [Home inspection](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-inspection): Book inspections and add-ons inside contract deadlines, and answer agents’ fee questions. - [Contractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors): Book site visits for new remodels and take messages from clients and subs while you build. --- # Real Estate Answering Service & AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate > Keep property inquiries and viewing requests moving. An AI receptionist for real estate answers buyer, renter, and seller inquiries while your agents are out at showings. InsertChat’s assistant answers from your listings and FAQs on calls, website chat, and texts, records what each prospect is looking for, books viewings on your calendar, and hands negotiations and offers to your agents. ## Turn a property inquiry into a viewing request Example workflow: Website inquiry. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective buyer finds a listing after your office closes. > Does the two-bedroom on Cedar Street have parking? Could I view it on Friday? ## Answer from the listing Use the property details and FAQs you have added to your knowledge base. Keep listing information current as availability changes. ## Capture the viewing request Collect the property of interest, the prospect’s contact details, and their preferred time. ## Help the agent follow up Keep the inquiry and customer context in the shared inbox. Connect calendar actions if your team allows direct scheduling. ## Your team sets the boundaries Let your agent handle negotiations, availability exceptions, and advice that needs their judgment. ## What it handles for real estate agents Handled by your assistant: - Listing questions you have answered: price, bedrooms, parking, pets, and open house times - Showing requests booked into open calendar times - Buyer and renter qualification with the questions you write - Seller inquiries about a valuation or a listing appointment - Rental application steps and document lists - Office hours, locations, and which agent covers which area Sent straight to your team: - Offers, counteroffers, and negotiation questions - Contract terms, inspections, and contingencies - Requests for a specific agent by name - Questions your listing details don’t cover - Maintenance emergencies at rentals you manage - Upset clients and complaints ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone, and email - Buying, selling, or renting - Property or listing of interest - Budget or price range - Preferred areas and must-haves - Timeline and move-in date - Financing or pre-approval status, if you ask for it What to add to its knowledge: - Active listings with price, size, features, and showing instructions - Open house dates and times - Areas and neighborhoods each agent covers - Your buying, selling, and rental process - Rental criteria, application fees, and pet policies - Office hours and how to reach the on-call agent ## How does it qualify buyers and renters? Write the questions your agents want answered, such as budget range, preferred areas, move-in date, and financing status, and the assistant asks them during the conversation. The answers are saved to the contact, and a request to book a viewing is flagged as a high-intent lead. ## Does it work for property management too? Yes. Property managers use it for maintenance requests, rental inquiries, and showings, with emergencies routed to the on-call team. The property management page covers that workflow. ## Which channels do prospects use? Calls, website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp reach the same assistant and land in the same shared inbox, where your agents pick up the follow-up. ## Can it answer listing questions late at night? Yes, from the listing details in its knowledge, on calls, website chat, and texts. Crawl your website or upload a listing sheet, refresh it when a property goes under contract, and the assistant answers from what is current. Anything it doesn’t know goes to an agent instead of a guess. ## Does it send leads to my CRM? With HubSpot or Zoho CRM connected, the assistant can create or update the contact during the conversation, within the permissions you choose. Every lead also lands in InsertChat’s contacts with the conversation and lead source attached. ## How much does an AI receptionist for real estate cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month with one phone number, monthly credits, 3 assistants, and 3 team seats. Growth adds room for a larger team, with 5 seats. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## AI answering vs voicemail vs a live real estate answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can the assistant answer questions about specific properties? Yes, when you add the relevant property details to its knowledge. Include the listing, location, features, and viewing instructions. Refresh sources when details change; the assistant should pass questions about missing or uncertain information to your agent. ## Can it arrange property viewings? It can collect the property of interest, contact details, and preferred time. Connect a calendar and enable the booking actions if you want it to schedule the showing. Your team handles availability exceptions, negotiations, and final commitments. ## Can it handle calls for a whole brokerage? Yes. Run one assistant for the office or one per team, up to 3 on Pro and 20 on Growth, and give each agent a seat in the shared inbox. Each assistant can answer its own number; additional numbers are $10 per month. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Real estate by business type - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. - [Vacation rentals](https://insertchat.com/industries/vacation-rentals): Answer guests at any hour, take direct booking inquiries, and flag lockouts and leaks for on-call staff. - [Self-storage](https://insertchat.com/industries/self-storage): Answer unit size and price questions, book move-ins, and flag break-ins and gate problems for your manager. - [HOA management](https://insertchat.com/industries/hoa-management): Answer homeowner calls about dues, amenities, and architectural requests, and flag common-area emergencies. --- # AI Receptionist for Salons, Spas & Wellness Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness > Help the next customer while you look after this one. An AI receptionist for beauty and wellness businesses answers booking questions while your team is with clients. InsertChat’s assistant answers from your service menu, prices, and policies on calls, chats, and texts, books appointments, sends reminders, and passes suitability and treatment questions to a qualified member of your team. ## Turn a service question into a consultation request Example workflow: Website inquiry. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A new customer wants to understand the service before booking. > I’m visiting for the first time. How long is a consultation, and can I book one next week? ## Explain what to expect Answer from your service menu, appointment lengths, preparation instructions, and cancellation policy. ## Help with the booking Collect the customer’s details and preferred time, then use the calendar actions you have enabled. ## Remember the request Keep appointment questions and preferences with the contact so your team can prepare for the visit. ## Your team sets the boundaries Pass questions about personal suitability or treatment advice to a qualified member of your team. ## What it handles for salons, spas, and studios Handled by your assistant: - Service menu, prices, and how long each appointment takes - New-client bookings and rebooking regulars - Moving or canceling an appointment the assistant booked - Preparation and aftercare instructions you publish - Gift card, membership, and package questions your knowledge covers - Parking, location, and opening hours Sent straight to your team: - Reactions or problems after a treatment - Whether a treatment is safe for a particular client - Medical or skin conditions that need a professional - Requests to book outside your booking rules - Refund requests and complaints - Photos clients text of a result ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and mobile number - Service or treatment wanted - Preferred stylist, therapist, or trainer - New or returning client - Preferred days and times - Anything the provider should know before the visit What to add to its knowledge: - Service menu with prices and durations - Staff, specialties, and who offers which services - Cancellation, deposit, and late-arrival policies - Preparation and aftercare guidance - Memberships, packages, and gift cards - Opening hours, location, and parking ## Can it book appointments of different lengths? Set the appointment length, from 15 to 120 minutes, and buffers before and after, and the assistant offers times that fit. Requests for a service that needs a different length are collected for your team to schedule. ## Do clients get appointment reminders? Yes. Appointments the assistant books can get a text or email reminder 72 hours and 24 hours before, and clients can reply or call to move a booking the assistant made. ## Which businesses does it fit? Salons and spas, med spas, barbershops, massage therapists, tattoo studios, gyms, yoga and pilates studios, martial arts schools, and similar appointment-based businesses. Each page below covers that business’s calls, intake questions, and handoff rules. ## Does it work with Square Appointments? With Square connected, the assistant can check booking availability and look up, update, or cancel Square bookings, and look up orders and payment links. New bookings it makes go into a connected calendar: InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ## Can it take a deposit? With Stripe connected, the assistant can create a payment link, for example for a deposit your policy requires. Choose whether that action runs on its own or waits for a team member’s approval. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a salon or spa cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month with one phone number, monthly credits, and 3 team seats. Calls round up to whole minutes, and SMS can carry its own charges. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## What can an AI receptionist answer for a salon or wellness business? Add your service menu, opening hours, appointment lengths, preparation instructions, and cancellation policy. The assistant can answer routine questions from those sources and collect booking preferences while your team is with customers. ## Will InsertChat replace my salon booking system? InsertChat can help with appointments through connected calendar actions. Check that the available connections fit your current booking process. Your team should handle requests that your setup cannot schedule, along with personal suitability and treatment questions. ## Can clients book by text? Yes. Clients can text your InsertChat number, get answers from your service menu, and book or move an appointment the assistant made. Reminders go out by text or email 72 and 24 hours before the visit. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Beauty & wellness by business type - [Med spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa): Turn injectable, laser, and facial questions into booked consultations. - [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon): Book cuts, color, nails, and massages for the right length while every chair is busy. - [Gyms & fitness](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym): Answer membership, class schedule, and trial pass calls while your staff coach. - [Barbershops](https://insertchat.com/industries/barbershop): Book cuts and fades with the right barber, answer walk-in and price questions, and send reminders. - [Massage therapy](https://insertchat.com/industries/massage): Book the right massage length, answer gift card and package questions, and route health questions to your therapists. - [Tattoo studios](https://insertchat.com/industries/tattoo): Collect custom tattoo requests, book consultations and touch-ups, and send healing problems to your artists. - [Yoga & Pilates studios](https://insertchat.com/industries/yoga-studio): Answer schedule and intro offer questions, book private sessions, and route freezes and injuries to your team. - [Martial arts schools](https://insertchat.com/industries/martial-arts): Book trial classes for kids and adults, explain programs and belt costs, and flag injuries and cancellations. --- # Medical Answering Service with AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare > Answer the phone while your team is with patients. An AI medical receptionist answers patient calls when the front desk is busy or closed. InsertChat’s assistant answers practice questions from your information, collects new-patient details, offers or records appointment requests, and routes clinical questions to your team and emergencies to emergency services. Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement. ## Turn an after-hours call into an appointment request Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A new patient calls after the front desk has closed. > Hi, I’m a new patient. Are you taking new patients, and could I come in for a check-up next week? ## Answer practice questions Answer from your services, opening hours, new-patient information, and preparation instructions. ## Help with the appointment Collect the patient’s details and preferred time, then offer times or record the request with the calendar actions you enabled. ## Prepare your front desk Keep the request with the contact so your team can confirm the details when the practice opens. ## Your team sets the boundaries Route clinical questions, urgent symptoms, and treatment advice to your team, and direct emergencies to emergency services. ## What it handles for medical practices Handled by your assistant: - New-patient questions and the intake steps you publish - Opening hours, locations, parking, and directions - The insurance plans you list as accepted - Appointment requests, booking, and rescheduling within your rules - Preparation instructions for the visits you describe - Callback requests, confirmed by text or email Sent straight to your team: - Emergencies, directed to emergency services with your instructions - Symptoms, test results, and treatment questions - Prescription and refill requests - Billing disputes and complaints - Requests to speak with a specific provider - Anything your practice marks as clinical ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Patient name and callback number - New or existing patient - Reason for the visit (health details need Enterprise and a signed BAA) - Preferred provider and location - Preferred days and times - Insurance carrier, if your practice asks for it What to add to its knowledge: - Services, providers, and locations - Your new-patient process and the forms you publish - Accepted insurance plans - Opening hours, holidays, and after-hours instructions - Preparation instructions for common visits - Emergency instructions approved by your clinicians ## What patient calls can an AI receptionist handle? New-patient questions, opening hours and directions, the insurance plans you list, preparation instructions, and appointment requests. Questions about symptoms, test results, prescriptions, or treatment go to your clinical team. ## Which practices does it fit? Medical clinics, dental and orthodontic offices, chiropractors, physical therapists, optometrists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, audiologists, podiatrists, therapists, home health agencies, and veterinary clinics. Each page below covers that practice’s calls, intake questions, and handoff rules. ## Does it connect to my EHR or practice management system? Not directly. InsertChat books into its built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. If appointments live in your practice management system, the assistant collects the request and your front desk books it there when the practice opens. ## How much does an AI medical receptionist cost? Practices that handle protected health information need Enterprise, from $998 per month, with a signed Business Associate Agreement. Practices that keep health details out of the assistant, for example to answer hours, directions, and new-patient questions, can start on Pro at $98 per month. ## AI answering vs voicemail vs a live medical answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Is InsertChat HIPAA compliant for medical practices? Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for practices that handle protected health information (PHI). On other plans, keep patient health information out of the assistant’s knowledge, conversations, and connected workflows. ## Can the AI receptionist give medical advice? No. Configure it to answer practice information such as services, opening hours, location, new-patient details, and preparation instructions. Hand clinical, urgent, and treatment questions to your team, and include instructions that direct emergencies to emergency services. ## Can patients book or reschedule appointments? Connect a calendar and enable the booking actions you want: offering times, booking, rescheduling, canceling, and sending confirmations. If your practice management system is not among the available connections, let the assistant collect appointment requests for your team to schedule. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Healthcare by business type - [Dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental): Book cleanings and new-patient exams, and tell callers which insurance plans you accept. - [Chiropractic](https://insertchat.com/industries/chiropractic): Schedule first visits and adjustments while your hands are busy with a patient. - [Veterinary](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary): Answer pet owners’ calls about vaccines, refills, and sick pets during a full clinic day. - [Physical therapy](https://insertchat.com/industries/physical-therapy): Book initial evaluations, answer referral and insurance questions, and route post-op concerns to your therapists. - [Optometry](https://insertchat.com/industries/optometry): Book eye exams and contact lens fittings, answer vision plan questions, and flag sudden vision changes. - [Dermatology](https://insertchat.com/industries/dermatology): Book skin checks and cosmetic consults, explain referral rules, and flag reactions and changing spots for clinicians. - [Orthodontics](https://insertchat.com/industries/orthodontics): Book new-patient consultations, explain braces and aligner options, and sort broken brackets from real emergencies. - [Plastic surgery](https://insertchat.com/industries/plastic-surgery): Turn procedure questions into consultations, share the pricing you publish, and route post-op concerns to your surgical team. - [Audiology & hearing aids](https://insertchat.com/industries/audiology): Book hearing tests and hearing aid fittings, let patients text instead of call, and flag sudden hearing loss. - [Podiatry](https://insertchat.com/industries/podiatry): Book foot and ankle visits, answer referral and insurance questions, and flag wounds and infections fast. - [Home health care](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-health-care): Answer families looking for care, log caregiver call-outs for schedulers, and flag client emergencies for on-call staff. - [Therapy practices](https://insertchat.com/industries/therapy): Answer new-client inquiries and book consultations while your therapists are in session. --- # AI Receptionist for Professional Services Firms Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services > Give every new inquiry a clear next step. An AI receptionist for professional services answers new client inquiries while your specialists are with clients. InsertChat’s assistant explains your services and fees from your published information, collects a brief for an introductory call, books consultations on your calendar, and leaves advice, quotes, and commitments to your team. ## Turn a client inquiry into a useful project brief Example workflow: Email inquiry. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective client sends an inquiry while your team is with clients. > We need help setting up monthly bookkeeping for our small team. What do you need to get started? ## Explain your process Use your service descriptions, onboarding checklist, and published FAQs to answer the practical questions. ## Collect a useful brief Capture the business, the help they need, and their preferred contact details in the conversation. ## Prepare the next step Help arrange an introductory call or prepare a follow-up for review, using the tools and permissions you choose. ## Your team sets the boundaries Your team reviews bespoke quotes, professional advice, and commitments before they go to a client. ## What it handles for professional firms Handled by your assistant: - Questions about your services, process, and published fees - Intake questions by practice area or service line - Consultation and discovery calls booked into open times - Document checklists and what to bring to a first meeting - Office hours, locations, and parking - Messages for a specific advisor, with the details they need Sent straight to your team: - Requests for legal, tax, financial, or coverage advice - Deadlines such as court dates, filing dates, or policy lapses - Existing-client matters that need their advisor - Fee disputes and complaints - Anything that needs a licensed professional - Upset callers ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone, and email - Business or individual client - Service or practice area needed - A short description of the matter or project - Deadlines and key dates - How they found your firm - Preferred consultation time What to add to its knowledge: - Service lines and practice areas - Fees, retainers, and consultation costs you publish - Intake questions for each service - Onboarding checklists and documents to bring - Which advisors handle which work - Your engagement process, in general terms ## Can it book consultations? Yes. Connect your calendar and the assistant offers open consultation times, books the one the client picks, and sends a reminder by text or email. Requests outside your booking rules go to your team. ## Which firms use it? Law firms (including personal injury, immigration, family, and criminal defense practices), accounting firms, insurance agencies, financial advisors, mortgage brokers, IT and managed service providers, staffing agencies, architects, interior designers, funeral homes, and other firms that run on client intake. Each page below covers that firm’s calls, intake questions, and handoff rules. ## Can it screen out inquiries that aren’t a fit? Yes, within your rules. Add the services you don’t offer and the questions that qualify a matter, and the assistant explains when you can’t help, records the inquiry, and books consultations only for the work you take on. ## Does it give professional advice? No. It explains your published services, fees, and process and collects the facts for a first meeting. Questions that need legal, tax, financial, or coverage advice are marked for a licensed member of your team. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a professional firm cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month with one phone number, monthly credits, 3 assistants, and 3 team seats. Firms with more staff in the inbox can choose Growth, with 5 seats, or Scale, with 10. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## What information can the assistant collect before a consultation? Configure the assistant to ask about the client’s business, the service they need, their preferred contact details, and the questions your team needs for an introductory call. Keep those details with the conversation so the specialist can prepare. ## Can my team review advice, quotes, and commitments? Yes. Set handoff boundaries for advice or commitments that require a specialist, and configure approval for supported tool actions. The assistant can explain your published services and collect a brief while your team reviews the next step. ## Can it answer email inquiries too? Yes. Connect Gmail or Outlook and the assistant drafts replies to new client emails from the same knowledge, for your team to approve, or sends them on the rules you set. By default, complaints and payment or legal topics wait for a person. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Professional services by business type - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. - [Accounting](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting): Book tax appointments and answer document questions while your accountants work on returns. - [Insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance): Collect quote details and answer policy FAQs while your licensed agents are on other calls. - [Personal injury law](https://insertchat.com/industries/personal-injury-law): Run accident intake day and night, so a new case reaches an attorney before another firm calls back. - [Immigration law](https://insertchat.com/industries/immigration-law): Answer immigration calls in the client’s language, take intake by case type, and flag hearings and detentions. - [Family law](https://insertchat.com/industries/family-law): Take divorce, custody, and support intake with a safe-contact check, and flag protective orders fast. - [Criminal defense](https://insertchat.com/industries/criminal-defense-law): Answer late-night arrest calls from worried families, take jail and charge details, and alert your on-call attorney. - [Financial advisors](https://insertchat.com/industries/financial-advisors): Book discovery meetings and log client service requests, with every investment question left to an advisor. - [Mortgage brokers](https://insertchat.com/industries/mortgage-brokers): Capture purchase and refinance leads around the clock, with rate and approval questions left to a loan officer. - [IT services & MSPs](https://insertchat.com/industries/it-services): Take client support calls, create tickets, and flag outages and security incidents for your on-call tech. - [Recruiting & staffing](https://insertchat.com/industries/recruiting-staffing): Answer candidates and clients, take job orders, and flag shift call-outs before a client is left short. - [Architects](https://insertchat.com/industries/architects): Qualify project inquiries by type, site, budget, and timeline, and book consultations while you’re on site. - [Funeral homes](https://insertchat.com/industries/funeral-homes): Take first calls from families, hospices, and hospitals at any hour, and get the details to your on-call director. - [Interior design](https://insertchat.com/industries/interior-design): Answer fee questions, gather the brief, and book discovery calls while you’re with clients. --- # AI Customer Support Chatbot for Online Stores Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce > Answer product questions with your own catalog. An AI customer support chatbot for e-commerce answers shoppers’ questions from your own product and policy information. InsertChat’s assistant explains sizes, materials, delivery, and returns, collects details for requests that need your team, and installs on Shopify and other store builders with the website embed. ## Turn a product question into an informed purchase Example workflow: Storefront chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A shopper has two questions before placing an order. > Does the weekend bag fit in an airplane’s overhead bin? Can I return it if it doesn’t fit? ## Use your product information Answer from the dimensions, materials, and other product details you have added to the assistant’s knowledge. ## Explain the store policy Share your published return window and conditions. Refresh the source when your policy changes. ## Bring in support when needed Keep the shopper’s questions in the inbox and hand order-specific requests to your team or the supported tools you have connected. ## Your team sets the boundaries Your team handles refunds and order changes, unless you have enabled the required tools and permissions. ## What it handles for online stores Handled by your assistant: - Sizing, materials, dimensions, and compatibility questions - Shipping times, costs, and the countries you ship to - Return and exchange policies - Product comparisons and suggestions from your catalog - Store hours and pickup details for shops with a location - Order and payment lookups, with Square connected Sent straight to your team: - Refunds, exchanges, and order changes - Damaged, missing, or late orders - Payment problems and chargebacks - Wholesale and bulk inquiries - Complaints and upset customers - Questions your product information doesn’t answer ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and email - Order number, for order questions - Product or SKU they are asking about - What went wrong, for problem orders - Photos, when the shopper attaches them in chat - Preferred way to be contacted What to add to its knowledge: - Product catalog with sizes, materials, and dimensions - Shipping zones, carriers, and delivery times - Return, exchange, and warranty policies - Care instructions and how-to guides - Discount and loyalty program rules - Contacts for wholesale and press inquiries ## Does it work with Shopify? Yes. Install the chat widget on your Shopify storefront with the embed code from your assistant’s settings. The same widget works on WooCommerce, Wix, Webflow, and other builders that accept custom code. ## Can shoppers reach you on other channels? Yes. Email, SMS, and WhatsApp conversations reach the same assistant and the same shared inbox, so your support team has one place to follow up. ## Can the chatbot look up order status? Not through the Shopify install, which adds chat without order access. With Square connected, it can search orders and payments, and with Zendesk connected, it can open a ticket for your support team. Otherwise it collects the order number and hands the request to a person. ## How much does an e-commerce AI chatbot cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month with 5,000 monthly credits and 1,000 knowledge sources. Credit use depends on the model, conversation length, and tools, so credits are not a fixed number of messages. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## Can the chatbot answer delivery and return questions? Yes. Add your product details, delivery information, and return policy to its knowledge, then test the answers. Update the sources when your catalog or policies change. Your support team can take over requests that need an exception. ## Does the website chatbot automatically have access to live orders? Adding the widget does not give it access to your store’s order system. For live order details or changes, use a supported tool connection with the required permissions, or hand the request to your support team. Shopify storefront setup uses the website embed. ## Can it recommend products? Yes, from the catalog details you add. It can compare products, suggest a size or an alternative, and point shoppers to the product pages in its knowledge. Keep the catalog source current so its suggestions match what you actually sell. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) --- # AI Chatbot Reseller Platform for Agencies Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies > Deliver a front desk that fits each client’s business. An AI chatbot reseller platform lets an agency sell AI assistants to clients under its own brand. With InsertChat you build each client an assistant with its own name, logo, knowledge, and phone number, run it on your verified domain from Growth up, give clients their own logins, and charge what you choose. InsertChat bills only your plan. ## Build a branded assistant for a client website Example workflow: Client setup. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A client wants a branded assistant for their existing website. > Can you add an assistant to our website that sounds like us and knows our services? ## Set the client’s identity Configure the assistant’s name, logo, colors, and tone. Choose a plan with the domain options the client needs. ## Add the client’s knowledge Use their website, documents, and FAQs. Test common customer questions and fill information gaps before installation. ## Install and support it Add the website embed, configure team access, and agree on how conversations and handoffs will be managed. ## Your team sets the boundaries Review source quality, team access, and each assistant’s tools before making it available to visitors. ## Is there an AI chatbot reseller program? You resell InsertChat through a plan: subscribe, build assistants for your clients, and bill them directly at the price you set. InsertChat charges your agency only for the plan and takes no revenue share, so what you collect from clients stays with you. ## What can I sell to clients? An AI receptionist that answers their calls, a website chatbot, AI texting, email answering, and WhatsApp, all from one knowledge base per client, with appointment booking and a shared inbox. Package them as one front desk or sell channels separately. ## Can I offer an AI receptionist to my clients? Yes. A client assistant can answer calls on its own number as well as website chat and messaging. Each paid plan includes one phone number, and additional numbers are $10 per month each. Test each client’s call flow before going live. ## How many client assistants can I run? Pro includes 3 assistants, Growth 20, Scale 50, and Enterprise 100, with team seats and credits that grow by plan. Compare the limits on the pricing page. ## Can clients log in to see their conversations? Yes. Give each client a Client login limited to the assistants you assign, so they can read their conversations and follow up while your agency keeps billing, team management, and app connections. Each login uses one of your plan’s team seats. ## How should an agency price AI receptionist services? Price on the value of answered calls and the work you do, then check it against your costs. A setup fee plus a monthly fee per client is a common structure. Your costs are the plan, such as $198 per month for Growth, $10 per month for each extra phone number, and the shared credits each client’s calls and chats use. ## Which clients are a good fit for an AI receptionist? Local businesses whose phones ring while they work: home services, dental and medical practices, law firms, salons and med spas, property managers, and auto repair shops. Each industry page shows the calls, intake questions, and handoff rules you can set up for that client. ## Can I customize an assistant for each client? Configure each assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and knowledge around the client’s business. Test its answers and handoff before installing it. Your plan determines assistant, team, source, and domain limits. ## Which plan should an agency choose? Compare the number of assistants, team seats, knowledge sources, and credits your client work needs. Growth, Scale, and Enterprise include custom-domain and API options. Scale and Enterprise add analytics and reports. Confirm the limits against your intended rollout. ## Can I try it before selling it to clients? Yes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. Build an assistant for one client or for your own agency, test calls and chat, then move to Growth for your own domain and more client assistants. ## Related features - [White label](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) --- # Automotive AI Receptionist: Answer Every Call Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/automotive > Book service, catch sales leads, and triage breakdowns while your bays stay busy. An AI receptionist for automotive businesses answers calls, texts, and website chats for repair shops, dealerships, towing companies, body shops, detailers, and tire shops. InsertChat’s assistant answers from your services, prices, and hours, collects the year, make, model, and problem, books appointments on your calendar, and sends breakdowns, accidents, and status checks to your team. ## Turn a weekend tow-in into Monday’s first diagnostic Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A driver calls on Saturday morning, and your shop is closed until Monday. > My car got towed to your lot last night after it died on the highway. What happens now, and can I get a rental? ## Explain your tow-in process Share how you handle cars that arrive after hours, where the keys go, and when your advisor starts on weekend drop-offs. ## Take the vehicle and the story Collect the year, make, model, and mileage, what happened before it died, and whether a tow company or insurer is involved. ## Book the diagnostic Reserve Monday’s first diagnostic slot, note the rental request, and leave the call summary on the contact for your advisor. ## Your team sets the boundaries Anyone still stranded, in traffic, or hurt hears your instruction to call 911 first. Repair status, estimates, and rental approvals go to your service advisor. ## Which automotive businesses use an AI receptionist? Any shop where the phone rings while hands are on a car: auto repair shops, dealership sales and service departments, towing and roadside companies, collision and auto body shops, detailers, and tire shops. Each page below covers the calls that business gets, the vehicle details to collect, and what goes straight to a person. ## How does it handle breakdowns and accidents? Safety first, then the details. A caller who is hurt, in traffic, or in danger hears your instruction to call 911. For everyone else, the assistant collects the location, the vehicle, and what happened, reads the roadside steps you wrote, and marks the call urgent so your team is notified. It doesn’t dispatch trucks or transfer the call live. ## Can it see my shop management software or DMS? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to shop management, dealer management, or estimating software, so repair status and inventory counts stay where they are. The assistant books into InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, and can create leads in HubSpot, Zoho, or Microsoft Dynamics 365 as actions you approve. ## Will it quote repair prices? It quotes the prices you publish and stops there. Add your oil change packages, diagnostic fee, tire install rates, detailing menu, or tow rates, and the assistant gives them exactly as written. Work that depends on an inspection gets booked as a diagnostic or estimate visit. InsertChat doesn’t create quotes or invoices. ## How much does an AI receptionist for auto shops cost? Pro is $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three team seats, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes. Dealerships that want separate assistants for sales, service, and parts across several rooftops can move to Growth at $198 a month with 20 assistants. Each extra number is $10 a month. ## AI receptionist vs voicemail vs a live answering service for auto shops | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can I keep the number on my shop’s sign and Google listing? In the US and Canada, yes: forward that number to InsertChat and keep publishing it. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting isn’t offered. Place a test call from your own phone before customers reach the assistant. ## Can customers text photos of damage or a dashboard light? Yes. Customers can text your InsertChat number, and picture messages go to a person on your team instead of an automatic reply. Your estimator or advisor sees the photo with the conversation and the customer’s contact. Customers who reply STOP are opted out. ## Is there a free trial? Yes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits to forward your line, place test calls, and book test appointments. A card is required at checkout, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Automotive by business type - [Auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair): Book oil changes, brake jobs, and diagnostics while your service advisor is at the counter. - [Car dealerships](https://insertchat.com/industries/car-dealerships): Book test drives and service, capture after-hours leads, and route deal talk to sales. - [Towing companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/towing): Take tow and roadside calls 24/7, get the exact location, and alert your on-call driver. - [Auto body & collision](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-body): Book collision estimates, collect claim details, and send photos and status calls to your estimators. - [Car detailing](https://insertchat.com/industries/car-detailing): Share package prices by vehicle size, book details and coatings, and answer questions mid-job. - [Tire shops](https://insertchat.com/industries/tire-shops): Collect tire sizes, book installs and seasonal changeovers, and flag roadside flats. --- # AI Receptionist for Schools & Learning Centers Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/education > Answer enrollment questions and book tours and trial lessons while you teach. An AI receptionist for schools and learning centers answers calls, texts, and website chats while your teachers, tutors, and caregivers are with students. InsertChat’s assistant explains your programs, ages, schedules, and tuition from the information you add, books tours, assessments, and trial lessons, records waitlist requests on each family’s contact, and sends child safety concerns straight to staff. ## Turn a late-night parent chat into a booked trial class Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A parent compares programs on your website at 10 p.m., long after your front desk has gone home. > Do you have any Saturday spots for my 10-year-old this fall? And what does a trial class cost? ## Answer from your programs Share the Saturday classes for that age group, the fall start date, and the trial price you publish. ## Learn about the student Ask the child’s age and grade, past experience, goals, and which days the family can make. ## Book the trial Offer open trial times, book the one the parent picks, and send a reminder before the visit. ## Your team sets the boundaries Anything about a child’s safety, an injury, a custody question, or a pickup change goes to your staff right away. Emergencies get your instruction to call 911. ## Which education businesses use an AI receptionist? Tutoring and test prep centers, daycares and preschools, driving schools, and music schools and studios: businesses where the people who could answer the phone are the ones teaching. Each page below covers the calls that business gets, what the assistant asks families, and the situations that go straight to staff. ## Can it handle enrollment questions and tours? Yes. Add your programs, age groups, schedules, tuition, and enrollment steps, and the assistant answers parents on the phone, in website chat, and by text. It books tours, assessments, and trial lessons on your calendar, and when a class is full it records the family’s waitlist request on their contact for your director. ## How does it handle calls about a child’s safety? It sends them to your staff at once. Write the situations you want escalated, such as an injury, an allergic reaction, a custody or pickup question, or a concern about an adult’s conduct. The assistant marks those conversations urgent so your team is notified, gives the caller your instructions, including 911 for emergencies, and leaves every decision about a child to your staff. ## Can it see my enrollment or student management software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to childcare, tutoring, or school management software, so attendance, billing, and student records stay where they are. Keep student records out of the assistant’s knowledge. Tours and trials can go on InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ## How much does an AI receptionist for schools cost? Pro costs $98 a month and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three staff seats, and three AI assistants, so a school with two locations can give each its own assistant. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. Each added number is $10 a month. ## AI receptionist vs voicemail vs a live answering service for schools | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can parents reach us by text? Yes. Parents can text your InsertChat number and get the same answers callers hear. Picture messages go to a person on your staff instead of an automatic reply, and parents who reply STOP are opted out of texts. ## Can it answer families in Spanish or another language? Yes. The assistant replies in the language the parent uses, so a family writing in Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic gets answers from the same program information. You can also fix one business language if you prefer. Add which teachers or classes run in other languages so it can share them. ## Can I keep our school’s phone number? In the US and Canada, keep the number parents already have and forward it to InsertChat; a verification call confirms the forwarding works. Elsewhere, choose a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Porting isn’t offered. Ring the line yourself before you send families to it. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) ## Education & childcare by business type - [Tutoring & test prep](https://insertchat.com/industries/tutoring): Book assessments and first sessions, explain programs and rates, and capture each student’s goals. - [Childcare & daycare](https://insertchat.com/industries/childcare): Book tours, answer tuition and openings questions, and send safety and pickup issues to staff. - [Driving schools](https://insertchat.com/industries/driving-schools): Book lessons and road test packages and explain teen and adult programs while instructors drive. - [Music schools](https://insertchat.com/industries/music-schools): Book trial lessons by instrument and age, and answer tuition, recital, and makeup questions. --- # Plumbing Answering Service & AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing > Answer emergency and routine plumbing calls while your crew is on a job. An AI receptionist for plumbers answers your business line when you can’t, using your services, service area, and hours. InsertChat’s assistant asks what is wrong and where, separates emergencies from bookable jobs, books visits on your calendar when you allow it, and flags urgent calls for your team in a shared inbox. ## Turn a late-night leak call into a booked visit Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls at 9 p.m., after your crew has finished for the day. > Our water heater is leaking into the garage. Can someone come out tomorrow morning? ## Check the job against your services Confirm that you work on water heaters in the caller’s area, using the service list and ZIP codes you added. ## Offer a morning slot Collect the address, the heater type, and whether the water is shut off, then offer open times from your calendar. ## Brief the plumber The call summary and transcript reach the shared inbox with the contact, so the plumber knows what to bring. ## Your team sets the boundaries Active flooding, gas smells, and sewage backups are flagged for your team right away, and callers hear the safety steps you wrote. ## A 2 AM water heater call, answered and booked A dramatized after-hours call to a fictional plumbing company: the AI receptionist takes the address and books the first morning opening. [Watch the video](https://cdn.insertchat.com/website/calls/v01-2am-call.mp4). Dramatization with a fictional business. The voices are narration voices; your assistant uses one of the 10 voices in InsertChat. ### Transcript - **AI receptionist:** Rivera Plumbing, after-hours line. How can I help? - **Caller:** Hi, sorry it’s late. My water heater’s leaking everywhere. - **AI receptionist:** Sorry to hear that. What’s the address? - **Caller:** Fourteen-oh-eight Maple. - **AI receptionist:** The first opening is seven-thirty this morning. Should I book it? - **Caller:** Yes, please. - **AI receptionist:** You’re booked for seven-thirty. Your confirmation is on its way. ## What it handles for plumbers Handled by your assistant: - Questions about water heaters, repiping, fixture installs, and the other jobs you list - Drain cleaning, leak checks, and maintenance visits booked into open calendar times - Service area, opening hours, and call-out fee questions - Rescheduling or canceling a visit the assistant booked - Callback requests, confirmed to the customer by text or email after the call Sent straight to your team: - Burst pipes and active flooding - A gas smell near a water heater or appliance - Sewage backing up into the property - No running water at a home or business - Upset customers and complaints about recent work ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and callback number - Service address and ZIP code - What is happening, which fixture, and when it started - Whether the water is shut off - House, apartment, or commercial property - Whether the caller owns the property or needs a landlord’s approval - Preferred visit times What to add to its knowledge: - The services you offer and the jobs you turn down - Your service area, by city or ZIP code - Opening hours and emergency availability - Call-out fees, price ranges, and payment options you are happy to share - Water and gas shut-off instructions for callers - Brands and equipment you service ## Can an AI receptionist handle emergency plumbing calls? It answers them and gets the job moving. The assistant asks what is happening, reads out the shut-off and safety steps you wrote, collects the address, and flags the call as urgent so your team is notified. Choose who answers first: ring your own phone and let the assistant pick up when you don’t, or let it take every call after hours. ## Will it give customers prices for plumbing jobs? Only the prices you add to its knowledge, such as call-out fees, flat rates, or ranges for common jobs. For work that needs someone on site, it books an estimate visit or takes the details for your team. InsertChat does not create formal quotes or invoices; those stay in the tools you use today. ## How much does an AI receptionist for plumbers cost? Paid plans start at $98 per month and include one phone number and monthly credits. Calls use credits and round up to whole minutes; SMS and other connected services can carry their own charges. The pricing page has plan limits and a usage estimate based on your call volume. ## AI answering vs a live plumbing answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can I keep my current plumbing business number? In the US and Canada, keep publishing your number and forward calls to InsertChat. Elsewhere, choose a local or toll-free number in the app where one is available. Place a test call before you route customer calls. ## Does it work with my field service software? InsertChat books into its built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. If you schedule in other field service software, let the assistant collect the job details and your office enters the booking. ## Can customers text instead of calling? Yes. Customers can text your InsertChat number or use the chat on your website, and the assistant answers from the same knowledge. Every call, text, and chat lands in one shared inbox with the customer’s contact record. ## Can I choose the voice callers hear? Yes. Pick one of 10 voices and write a greeting with your company name, up to 200 characters. The assistant answers in the language the caller speaks. Place a test call to hear it before you forward your number. ## What happens when the assistant can’t help a caller? It tells the caller your team will follow up, records what they need, and marks the conversation for a person. Your team sees the summary and transcript in the inbox and calls back with the full context. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # HVAC Answering Service: 24/7 AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac > Take no-heat, no-cooling, and tune-up calls when every technician is already booked. An AI receptionist for HVAC companies answers heating and cooling calls after hours and during rushes, using your services, service area, and maintenance plans. InsertChat’s assistant asks about the system’s symptoms, age, and fuel type, books tune-ups and diagnostic visits on your calendar, and flags no-heat emergencies and gas or carbon monoxide calls for your team. ## Turn a no-cooling call into a booked diagnostic visit Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls on the hottest afternoon of the summer, with every technician already on a job. > The AC is running but blowing warm air, and it’s 84 degrees upstairs. Can anyone come out today? ## Confirm you cover the job Check the caller’s ZIP code against your service area and confirm you work on their brand of central air. ## Ask what a technician would ask Collect the system’s age and the thermostat setting, and ask whether anyone at home is elderly or medically vulnerable. ## Book the first open slot Offer the next open diagnostic slots on your calendar. The summary lands in the shared inbox for whoever takes the job. ## Your team sets the boundaries Gas smells and carbon monoxide alarms are marked urgent for your team, and the caller hears your written instructions to leave the house and call 911 or the gas utility. ## What it handles for HVAC companies Handled by your assistant: - Fall furnace and spring AC tune-ups, booked from your open times - Maintenance plan questions, like what each visit covers and the member perks you list - Replacement and heat pump inquiries, with an in-home consultation booked - Thermostat problems and smart thermostat install requests - Diagnostic fee, service area, and weekend coverage questions Sent straight to your team: - No heat in freezing weather - No cooling in a home with an elderly or medically vulnerable person - A gas smell or a carbon monoxide alarm going off - Water leaking from the indoor unit - Complaints about a recent repair or installation ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, callback number, and service address - Heating or cooling problem, what the system is doing, and since when - Furnace, heat pump, central air, boiler, or ductless mini-split - Fuel type and the system’s approximate age - Thermostat setting and the temperature inside - Anyone at home who is elderly, an infant, or medically vulnerable - Whether they’re on a maintenance plan What to add to its knowledge: - Systems and brands you install and service - Service area, hours, and after-hours coverage - Diagnostic fees, tune-up prices, and maintenance plan perks - Your gas smell and carbon monoxide instructions for callers - How replacement consultations work and who runs them - Warranty terms and the financing options you offer ## Can an AI receptionist take no-heat calls on a winter night? Yes, and it sorts them by urgency. The assistant asks what the system is doing, what fuel it runs on, and how cold the house is getting. No heat in freezing weather, or a call about an elderly or medically vulnerable person, is flagged as urgent and your team is notified. Calls that can wait until morning get the next open diagnostic visit on your calendar. ## Will it quote a price for a new furnace or AC system? No. Replacement pricing stays with your comfort advisor. The assistant can share the diagnostic fee, tune-up price, and maintenance plan cost you add to its knowledge. For a new system, it asks about the home’s size, the current equipment, and what the caller wants to change, then books an in-home consultation. Rebate and tax credit eligibility questions go to your team, and InsertChat does not create quotes or proposals. ## How much does an AI receptionist for HVAC companies cost? InsertChat Pro costs $98 a month and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. Calls draw on those credits by the minute, rounded up. If your phones jump during a heat wave, run that week through the usage estimate on the pricing page rather than a quiet one. ## Can I keep the number on my trucks and equipment stickers? In the US and Canada, yes. Keep the number customers already have and forward its calls to InsertChat, so the sticker on a furnace still reaches you. Outside those two countries, pick a new InsertChat number, local or toll-free where available. Test the forwarding with a real call before peak season. ## Can it answer only after my office closes? Yes. Enter your weekly opening hours and time zone. While you’re open, calls ring your office as usual; after closing, the assistant answers. In peak season you can switch routing so it answers every call, or only the calls your office doesn’t pick up within 5 to 60 seconds. ## Can it book into the calendar my office already uses? Tune-ups can book into InsertChat’s built-in calendar or a connected Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com account. If your office schedules in separate field service software, the assistant collects the request and your team enters it there, with the call summary to copy from. ## Will members get a reminder before their tune-up? Once a tune-up is on the calendar, the customer can get a text or email reminder 72 hours and 24 hours before it. If the time stops working, they can call or text, and the assistant moves a visit it booked to another open slot. Seasonal outreach to members who haven’t booked stays with your office. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Electrician Answering Service with AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician > Book EV charger and panel upgrade visits, and flag burning smells and sparking right away. An AI receptionist for electricians picks up your calls while you’re on a job site, using your services, service area, and licensing details. InsertChat’s assistant collects the age of the home, the panel amperage, and what the customer wants installed, books site visits for EV chargers, panel upgrades, and lighting work, and flags burning smells and sparking for your team as urgent. ## Turn an EV charger question into a site visit Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner opens the chat on your website on a Sunday evening. > We just got an electric car. Can you put a Level 2 charger in the garage? The house was built in 1978. ## Answer from your EV charger page Explain how your installs work, what the site visit checks, and which towns you cover, using the pages you added. ## Collect the panel details Ask for the panel amperage if the customer knows it, the charger model, and how far the parking spot is from the panel. ## Book the site visit Suggest open slots from your calendar and book the visit. The chat, with the home’s age and charger details, is saved to the customer’s contact. ## Your team sets the boundaries Anyone reporting a shock, smoke, or fire hears the 911 instructions you wrote, and the conversation is marked for your team at once. ## What it handles for electricians Handled by your assistant: - Outlet, switch, lighting, and ceiling fan jobs scheduled into open slots - EV charger install inquiries, with charger and panel details collected - Panel upgrade and fuse box replacement requests, booked as site visits - Repair lists from home inspections, with the closing date noted - Service call fee, licensing, and service area questions Sent straight to your team: - A burning smell from an outlet, panel, or fixture - Sparking outlets, switches, or breakers - Exposed live wires, inside or outside - Power out to the whole property - Anyone shocked, and anything involving smoke or fire ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, callback number, and job site address - What’s happening, in which rooms, and since when - Age of the home and any wiring updates the caller knows of - Panel amperage, if known, and where the panel is - EV charger model and the distance from the panel to the parking spot - House, condo, or commercial space - Any inspection, permit, or closing deadline What to add to its knowledge: - The electrical work you take on and the jobs you refer out - Service area and the hours you take service calls - Service call fees and any flat rates you publish - How your EV charger and panel upgrade site visits work - Your instructions for burning smells, sparking, shocks, and fires - License details and how you handle permits and inspections ## What does it do when a caller smells burning or sees sparks? Calls like that are flagged as urgent. The assistant reads the steps you wrote, such as calling 911 if there is smoke, fire, or an injury, collects the address and what the caller sees or smells, and marks the call as needing a person, so your team is notified. Troubleshooting stays with a licensed electrician; the assistant doesn’t talk anyone through a panel or an outlet. ## Will it tell customers whether they need a panel upgrade? No. That decision belongs to your electrician after a look at the panel. The assistant collects the age of the home, the panel amperage if the customer knows it, and what they plan to add, such as an EV charger, a heat pump, or a hot tub, then books a site visit. It can share your service call fee and any flat rates you list. ## How much does an AI receptionist for electricians cost? Pro is $98 per month and gets you three AI assistants, three team seats, a phone number, and monthly credits. Each call uses credits in whole minutes, so a 40-second “do you install EV chargers?” call counts as one minute. Compare plans and estimate your usage on the pricing page. ## Can it pick up while I’m on a ladder or in a crawlspace? Yes. Set calls to ring your own phone for 5 to 60 seconds first; if you don’t answer, the assistant does. Each call it takes leaves a summary and transcript in the shared inbox, so you can read the job details between tasks. ## Can commercial work come in on its own number? Yes. Pro includes one number, and each additional number is $10 a month. Publish the second one to general contractors and property managers, and each contact shows which number the caller dialed, so your team can tell service calls from commercial work at a glance. ## Will it tell callers whether we pull permits? It will if you add that to its knowledge. List the jobs you pull permits for, who books the inspection, and whether the permit fee is in your price, and the assistant answers from that. Questions about code requirements for a specific home go to your electrician. ## Can it answer questions about EV charger rebates? Only with the program details you add, such as a utility rebate you help customers apply for. Whether a customer qualifies for a rebate or a tax credit is a question for your team or the program itself, so the assistant takes the details and leaves the answer to a person. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Roofing Answering Service & AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing > Separate active leaks from estimate requests and book roof inspections after a storm. An AI receptionist for roofers answers leak, storm damage, and replacement calls while your crews are up on roofs, using your services, service area, and inspection process. InsertChat’s assistant asks about the roof type, the number of stories, and whether water is getting in, books inspections and estimate visits, and flags active leaks and insurance questions for your team. ## Sort the calls the morning after a hailstorm Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls the morning after a storm, while your crews are already tarping roofs across town. > Hail came through last night and there are shingles all over my yard. Can someone check the roof before it rains again? ## Check for water inside Ask whether water is getting into the house. If it is, the call is flagged for your team; if not, the assistant moves on to booking. ## Record the roof details Collect the roof type, the number of stories, the roof’s rough age, and the date of the storm. ## Book the inspection Offer open inspection times from your calendar and save the summary to the homeowner’s contact, with the number they called. ## Your team sets the boundaries Water through a ceiling or a tree on the roof goes to your team immediately, and insurance claim questions are left for you and the adjuster. ## What it handles for roofers Handled by your assistant: - Storm damage and pre-sale roof inspections, booked on your calendar - Replacement estimate visits, with roof type, stories, and age collected first - Gutter cleaning, guard, and downspout requests - Questions about materials, warranties, and the financing you offer - Estimate requests from storm-season ads, saved with the number or page they came from Sent straight to your team: - Water coming through a ceiling or light fixture - Missing sections of roof after a storm - A tree or large limb on the roof - Insurance claim questions that need your judgment - Complaints about leaks after recent work ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, callback number, and property address - Whether water is getting inside, and where - Asphalt shingle, metal, tile, or flat roof - Number of stories and how steep the roof is - Approximate roof age and past repairs - Storm date and whether an insurance claim is open - Times that work for an inspection or estimate visit What to add to its knowledge: - Roofing materials you install and repair - Service area, including how far you travel after storms - What happens at an inspection and at an estimate visit - Your instructions for callers with water coming in - Gutter, guard, and downspout services - Warranty terms and financing options ## What does it do with storm damage calls? It separates leaks from inspections. The assistant asks whether water is coming inside; if it is, your team gets an urgent alert. Everyone else is offered an inspection from your open times, with the roof type, stories, and storm date saved to their contact. The homes that need a person are listed in your Today view. ## Will it answer questions about insurance claims? No. Coverage and claim questions go to your team. The assistant can explain how your inspections work and whether you meet adjusters on site, if you’ve written that into its knowledge. When a caller asks whether their policy covers hail damage or what to tell their insurer, it records the question and hands the conversation to your team. ## How much does an AI receptionist for roofers cost? Plans start with Pro at $98 a month, with a phone number, three AI assistants, three team seats, and a monthly allowance of credits. Call minutes come out of those credits and round up to the next whole minute. Growth, Scale, and Enterprise add assistants, seats, and credits for roofers running several offices or a larger sales team. ## Can homeowners send photos of the damage? Yes. In your website chat, homeowners can attach photos of missing shingles or a stained ceiling, and your team sees them with the conversation. Picture messages texted to your InsertChat number go to a person on your team. The assistant collects the details; your inspector judges the damage. ## Can I see which ads and signs bring in roofing leads? Each contact records its lead source, including the landing page, referrer, campaign, and the number called. Give a storm-season ad or a batch of yard signs its own number, and the contact shows which one the homeowner dialed. Analytics reports are part of the Scale and Enterprise plans. ## Does it connect to HubSpot or Zoho? Yes, as assistant actions. With the permissions you choose, the assistant uses the CRM actions you enable, such as creating or updating a record during the call, automatically or after someone approves it. There is no background sync, so pick the details that should reach your CRM and test the action before storm season. ## Can it explain our workmanship warranty? Yes, from the documents you upload. Add your workmanship warranty and the manufacturer warranties you register, as PDFs or Word files, and the assistant answers questions about how long coverage lasts and whether it moves to a new owner. A claim about a specific leak or repair goes to your team. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Landscapers & Lawn Care Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping > Collect lot size and mowing frequency, and book design consultations by phone, text, or chat. An AI receptionist for landscapers and lawn care companies answers calls and texts about mowing, cleanups, irrigation, and design work while your crews are out on properties. InsertChat’s assistant collects the property address, lot size, and visit frequency, books design consultations when you allow it, and flags flooding irrigation leaks, fallen trees, and damage complaints for your team. ## Turn a mowing text into a ready-to-price lawn Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner texts in early April, while every crew is out on its first cuts of the season. > Hi, how much for weekly mowing? Corner lot, about a quarter acre, and we have a dog. ## Reply in a texting style Answer from your mowing options and the starting prices you share, and confirm the street is in your service area. ## Collect the lot details Ask about lot size, front and back or front only, the gate, and the dog, plus when they’d like service to start. ## Pass it to your office The thread and the contact land in the shared inbox, so your office can price the lawn and confirm the mowing day. ## Your team sets the boundaries A broken irrigation line flooding a yard, a tree down on a house, or a damage complaint shows up in your Today view as needing a person. ## What it handles for landscapers and lawn care companies Handled by your assistant: - Weekly and every-other-week mowing requests, with lot details collected - Spring and fall cleanup, mulch, and aeration requests - Design and hardscape consultations, booked on your calendar - Irrigation start-ups, winterizations, and broken sprinkler heads - Snow removal questions and sign-ups, if you offer the service Sent straight to your team: - A broken irrigation line flooding a yard or street - A fallen tree or large limb on a house, car, or driveway - Property damage reported after a crew visit - Commercial contract, bid, and renewal questions - Complaints about missed visits or work quality ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone number, and property address - Lot size, or front yard, back yard, or both - Services wanted, from mowing to irrigation or snow removal - Weekly, every other week, or a one-time visit - Gate access and any dogs in the yard - Homeowner, HOA, or commercial property - Preferred start date What to add to its knowledge: - Services by season, including snow removal if you offer it - Service area, by town or neighborhood - Mowing frequencies and the starting prices you share - What a spring or fall cleanup includes - Irrigation start-up and winterization windows - How design consultations work and any consultation fee ## Can an AI receptionist handle the spring rush of mowing requests? Yes. It answers calls and texts about mowing and cleanups, confirms the address is in your area, and collects the lot size, the services wanted, and how often. Design consultations go straight onto your calendar. Your office gets complete requests in the shared inbox and prices each lawn without calling back to ask the basics. ## Will it give mowing prices without seeing the yard? Only the prices you choose to share. If you publish a starting weekly rate or ranges by lot size, the assistant shares those as a starting point. Everything else gets a site visit or a call from your office, with the lot details already collected. Commercial bids and HOA contracts stay with your team; InsertChat does not write estimates. ## How much does an AI receptionist for landscapers and lawn care companies cost? Pro is $98 a month and comes with monthly credits, one phone number, three AI assistants, and seats for three teammates. Calls are counted in whole minutes against your credits, and text messages can carry their own charges. Annual billing covers the year with ten monthly payments upfront, if you’d rather pay once before the season starts. ## Can it take snow removal calls in winter? If you plow, add your seasonal contracts, per-push options, and service area to its knowledge, and the assistant answers from them all winter. Commercial lot inquiries are flagged for your team. If you don’t offer snow removal, it tells callers so and can share a referral you list. ## Can property managers email instead of calling? Yes. Connect Gmail or Outlook and the assistant drafts replies to property managers and HOA boards for your approval, or sends them automatically after a delay you set, during business hours if you prefer. Emails about contract terms, payments, or complaints are held for a person. ## Can it book design consultations from my website? Yes. Add the chat to your site with the WordPress plugin, or with the install code on Wix or Webflow. Visitors can ask about patios, plantings, or retaining walls, attach photos of the yard, and pick a consultation time from your calendar. Your designer sees the conversation on their contact. ## Will the number on my trailers and yard signs still work? It will in the US and Canada. Forward calls from your existing number to InsertChat and nothing on your trailers, door hangers, or yard signs has to change. In other countries, get a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is offered, then make a test call before switching over. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Cleaning Companies, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning > Explain what each clean includes, collect home sizes, and book walkthroughs by phone or chat. An AI receptionist for cleaning companies answers calls, texts, and website chats from people shopping for a recurring, deep, move-out, or commercial clean. InsertChat’s assistant explains what each clean includes from your checklists, collects the square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, pets, and access details, books walkthroughs when you allow it, and flags complaints and damage reports for your team. ## Answer a move-out clean inquiry before the lease ends Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A renter opens your website chat at 11 p.m., two weeks before the end of their lease. > We hand back the keys on the 30th. Do you do move-out cleans, and is the inside of the oven and fridge included? ## Explain what’s included Answer from your move-out checklist, including which appliances and cabinets are cleaned inside and which tasks cost extra. ## Collect the home details Ask for the address, square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, and whether the home will be empty on cleaning day. ## Offer a date before the 30th Offer open times from your calendar, or pass the request to your office when the job needs a walkthrough first. ## Your team sets the boundaries Complaints, damaged or missing items, and lockouts on cleaning day are marked for a person, and your team gets notified. ## What it handles for cleaning companies Handled by your assistant: - Recurring cleaning requests, with home size and frequency collected - Move-out and deep clean inquiries, with the deadline noted - Questions about what’s included, extras, supplies, and pets - Commercial walkthroughs, booked from your open times - Skip-a-week and reschedule requests, logged for your office Sent straight to your team: - Complaints about a clean or missed areas - Damaged or missing items - Access problems on the day, like a key that wasn’t left out - A commercial client canceling or cutting back service - Refund requests and payment disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, callback number, and address - Square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms - Recurring, deep, move-out, or commercial clean - How often, or the date a one-time clean must be done by - Pets in the home and any rooms to skip - How the cleaner will get in, without the code itself - Extras like inside the oven, the fridge, or interior windows What to add to its knowledge: - What each type of clean includes, room by room - Extras and how you price them - Starting prices by bedrooms and bathrooms, if you share them - Whether you bring supplies and which products you use - Cancellation, lockout, and rescheduling policies - Service area and the days you clean in each part of it ## Can it answer the questions people ask before booking a cleaning? Yes, from the checklists and policies you add. The assistant explains what a standard clean covers, what counts as an extra, whether your team brings supplies, and how you handle pets. Then it collects the square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, and how often the customer wants service, so your office can confirm the price and a start date. ## Can it quote a price for a deep clean or an office? For standard cleans, yes, if you publish your rates. Add starting prices by bedrooms and bathrooms, plus the cost of each extra, and the assistant shares them. Deep cleans that depend on the home’s condition and commercial jobs that need a walkthrough are booked as a walkthrough or passed to your office with the details. InsertChat does not produce quotes or invoices. ## How much does an AI receptionist for cleaning companies cost? InsertChat’s Pro plan is $98 per month and includes three team seats for the people who share the inbox, plus one phone number, monthly credits, and three AI assistants. Calls use credits in whole minutes. Text messages, WhatsApp, and other connected services can add their own charges, so check the pricing page’s usage estimate against your inquiry volume. ## Should customers give the assistant their door or alarm codes? It’s better if they don’t. Every conversation is kept in your shared inbox, so have the assistant ask how your cleaner will get in, such as a lockbox, a doorman, or someone at home, and let your office collect codes directly. Add that rule to its knowledge so the assistant explains it when access comes up. ## Can it set up recurring cleanings? Your office sets up the recurring schedule. The assistant collects the frequency, preferred day, and home details, and it can book a walkthrough or first visit on your calendar. Later skip-a-week or reschedule requests are logged in the shared inbox for your team. ## Can it talk with customers in other languages? Yes. The assistant can respond in the language the customer uses. Its answers still come from the knowledge you added, so run a test conversation in each language your customers speak and check that your list of included tasks comes across the way you intend. ## Will I know when a commercial client wants to cancel? Yes. When a client says they want to cancel or cut back service, InsertChat raises a cancellation alert, notifies your team, and lists the conversation in your Today view. Whoever calls the client back has the full conversation in front of them. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Pest Control Answering Service with AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/pest-control > Book inspections, explain prep before treatment, and flag nests and stings for your team. An AI receptionist for pest control companies answers calls about ants, rodents, termites, bed bugs, and stinging insects when your office is busy or closed. InsertChat’s assistant asks what the caller has seen and where, notes children and pets in the home, books inspections and treatments when you allow it, and leaves product and chemical questions for your licensed technicians. ## Turn a bed bug call into a booked inspection Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls early on a Saturday, while your office is closed. > I think we have bed bugs. I keep waking up with bites. What do I need to do before you come? ## Ask where they’re showing up Collect which rooms, how long it has been going on, and whether children or pets live in the home. ## Book the inspection Book an inspection in an open slot on your calendar. A reminder can go out by text or email 72 and 24 hours before the visit. ## Share your prep sheet Read out the steps from the bed bug prep sheet you uploaded, and leave product questions for your licensed technician. ## Your team sets the boundaries If someone describes an allergic reaction, they hear the 911 instructions you wrote, and nests near doors or play areas go to your team straight away. ## What it handles for pest control companies Handled by your assistant: - Ant, rodent, roach, and spider calls booked as inspections or first treatments - Termite inspections, including real estate closing deadlines - Service plan questions, like visit frequency and what the plan covers - Prep instructions before bed bug, roach, or flea treatments, from your sheets - Re-service requests when pests come back between plan visits Sent straight to your team: - A wasp, hornet, or bee nest near a doorway or play area - An allergic reaction to a sting - Questions about products around children or pets, for a licensed technician - Complaints about a treatment or a missed service - Customers asking to cancel a service plan ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, callback number, and the address to treat - Pest type, or a description if the caller isn’t sure - Where they were seen, and for how long - Children, pets, or anyone with allergies in the home - House, apartment, or business - Current plan customer or first-time caller - Closing date, for real estate termite inspections What to add to its knowledge: - Pests you treat and the ones you refer out - Service plans, visit frequency, and what re-services cover - Prep sheets for bed bug, roach, and flea treatments - Service area and the inspection fees you share - Your instructions for stinging insects and allergic reactions - How customers reach a licensed technician with product questions ## What does it do with calls about wasp nests or stings? It treats both as urgent. If the caller describes an allergic reaction, the assistant reads the 911 instructions you wrote. For a nest by a door, a deck, or a play area, it collects the address and where the nest is, then flags the call so your team is notified and can decide how soon to go out. ## Will it answer questions about pesticides around kids and pets? No, those go to a licensed technician. The assistant can share the prep and re-entry instructions you write for each treatment. Questions about specific products, chemicals, or safety around children, pets, or someone who is pregnant are recorded with the caller’s details and marked for your team. That keeps the advice with the person licensed to give it. ## How much does an AI receptionist for pest control companies cost? At $98 a month, Pro covers one phone number and monthly credits, along with three AI assistants and three team seats. Calls are billed against credits in whole minutes, with a one-minute minimum. Text reminders go out as SMS, which can carry its own charge. Size your plan for swarm season with the estimate on the pricing page. ## Can it handle calls for more than one branch? Yes, within your plan’s assistant limit. Give each branch its own assistant with its address, service area, and hours, and work every conversation from one shared inbox. Pro covers three assistants; Growth, Scale, and Enterprise allow more. Each extra phone number is $10 a month. ## Can customers text a photo of the bug? Yes. A photo texted to your InsertChat number goes to a person on your team, who can take a look before the visit. Customers using your website chat can attach the picture to their message, and the conversation stays on their contact for the technician. ## How far ahead can customers book an inspection? Up to 90 days, and you set the rest. Choose the appointment length, buffers before and after each visit, a minimum notice of up to 48 hours, and how many open times the assistant offers, from two to five. Inspections book into InsertChat’s calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ## Can it book termite inspections for home sales? Yes. It asks for the property address, the closing date, and who should get the report, such as the buyer’s agent, then books the inspection from your open times. Questions about what a finding means for the sale or the price go to your team. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Locksmith Answering Service with AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/locksmith > Capture lockout, rekey, and smart lock calls while you’re working at another door. An AI receptionist for locksmiths answers your business line when you’re on a job or off duty, using your prices and service area. InsertChat’s assistant asks if it’s a home, car, or business lockout, takes the location and vehicle or lock details, explains your ID policy, books rekeys on your calendar, and flags urgent lockouts for your team. ## Put a move-in rekey on the calendar Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A new homeowner calls at 6 p.m. while your locksmith is opening a safe across town. > We just got the keys to our new house. Can you rekey the front, back, and garage doors on Thursday? ## Share your rekey pricing Give the per-lock rekey price and trip charge you added, and mention the smart locks you install. ## Book the rekey Ask how many doors and which lock brands, explain the ID your locksmith will check, and offer Thursday times. ## Pass on the lock details The call summary lists each door and lock brand, so your locksmith arrives with the right key blanks. ## Your team sets the boundaries A child or pet locked inside, break-in damage, and a business that can’t open are flagged for your team, and anyone in danger hears the 911 instructions you wrote. ## What it handles for locksmiths Handled by your assistant: - Home, car, and business lockouts, logged with the exact location for your locksmith - Rekeys after a move and lock changes, booked on your calendar - Smart lock, keypad, and deadbolt installs for the brands you work with - Safe openings and combination changes - Questions about lockout fees, service area, and the ID you require Sent straight to your team: - A child or pet locked in a car or home - A caller locked out somewhere they feel unsafe - Break-in damage to doors, frames, or locks - A business that can’t open for the day - Complaints and disputes over a lockout charge ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and mobile number - Street address, or the parking spot and cross street for a car - Home, car, or business, and whether a child or pet is inside - Vehicle make, model, and year for car lockouts - Number of doors and the lock brand or type - Whether the caller can show the ID your policy asks for - Preferred time for rekeys and installs What to add to its knowledge: - Residential, automotive, commercial, and safe services you offer - Your service area and any after-hours trip charge - Lockout fees, per-lock rekey prices, and ranges you’re happy to share - Your ID and proof-of-residence or ownership policy - Vehicle makes and smart lock brands you work on - The 911 instructions callers should hear when someone is in danger ## Can an AI receptionist answer locksmith lockout calls? Yes, and it gets the details your locksmith needs to call back with an arrival time. It asks whether the lockout is a home, car, or business, takes the exact location and the vehicle make and model, and shares your lockout fee. If a child or pet is inside, or the caller feels unsafe, the conversation is marked urgent for your team. ## Does the assistant verify who owns the home or car? No. Your locksmith verifies on site, and the assistant makes sure callers expect it. It explains the policy you set, such as photo ID showing the address or a vehicle registration in the caller’s name, and asks what they can show. That answer goes into the call summary, so your locksmith knows before arriving whether the paperwork is in hand. ## How much does an AI receptionist for locksmiths cost? Locksmiths can run it on Pro for $98 per month, which comes with one phone number, monthly credits, and three team seats. Each call uses credits, rounded up to the whole minute, so a 90-second lockout call counts as two minutes. Text messages and other connected services may carry their own charges. Check the pricing page for plan limits and to estimate usage from your call volume. ## Can I keep the number on my van and business cards? For US and Canadian locksmiths, yes. Keep the number printed on your van, cards, and listings, and forward its calls to InsertChat. In other countries, the app shows the local and toll-free numbers available to you. Call it yourself to test before customers do. ## Can a locked-out customer text instead of calling? Yes. Someone standing next to a locked car can text your InsertChat number and get short replies asking for the parking spot and vehicle details. The text thread lands in the shared inbox on the same contact as any calls, so your locksmith sees the full story. ## Can it answer only after hours or when I’m on a job? Yes. Set weekly hours and a time zone, overnight shifts included, and the assistant answers outside them while calls ring your team during the day. Or ring your own phone first for 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant picks up the calls you can’t reach in time. ## What if a caller asks about a car or safe you haven’t listed? It says your team will confirm, takes the make, model, and year, and marks the conversation for a person. Add the vehicle makes, key types, and safe brands you handle to its knowledge, and it can answer those questions directly next time. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Garage Door Answering Service with AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/garage-door > Book broken spring, off-track, and opener repairs while your techs are on other jobs. An AI receptionist for garage door companies answers your line while techs are swapping springs, using your services, service area, and repair pricing. InsertChat’s assistant finds out whether it’s a snapped spring, a door off its track, or a dead opener, collects the door size and opener brand, books repair visits, and flags new door inquiries for your sales team. ## Turn a 7 a.m. spring call into a repair visit Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls at 7 a.m., before your office opens and while your first tech is loading the truck. > We heard a loud bang from the garage last night, and now the door won’t open. Can someone come out today? ## Narrow down the problem Ask if a spring looks split or the opener just hums, and check whether a car is stuck inside. ## Book the repair Collect the door width and opener brand, share your spring repair range, and offer today’s open times. ## Ready the truck The summary notes the door size and opener brand, so your tech loads the right springs and cables. ## Your team sets the boundaries Doors stuck open overnight, cars trapped inside, fallen doors, and snapped cables go to your team as urgent, and callers hear your instruction not to operate the door. ## What it handles for garage door companies Handled by your assistant: - Broken springs and doors off track, booked into an open repair slot - Opener replacements and questions about the opener brands you install - New door inquiries, with the opening size and style noted for a sales visit - Replacement remotes and keypad questions - Service area, service call fee, and parts warranty questions Sent straight to your team: - A door stuck open overnight - A car trapped inside the garage - A door that fell or a cable that snapped - Upset customers whose door is acting up after a repair ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Homeowner’s name and phone number - Address, plus any gate or HOA access notes - What the door is doing and what the caller heard - Door width and height, and single or double - Opener brand and roughly how old it is - Whether a car is stuck inside or the door won’t close - Preferred repair day and time window What to add to its knowledge: - Repairs and installs you offer, by door and opener type - Your service area and same-day availability - Service call fee and price ranges for springs, cables, and openers - Opener brands, door styles, and remotes you install - Parts and labor warranty terms - Your instructions for callers when a door fell or a cable snapped ## Can an AI receptionist book broken garage door spring repairs? Yes. It asks the questions you use to spot a spring problem, like whether the caller heard a loud bang, then collects the door width and opener brand and offers open repair times from your calendar. When a car is trapped inside or the door won’t close for the night, the call is flagged as urgent for your team instead. ## Will it tell callers what a spring or opener costs? Yes, if you add those figures. Put your service call fee and ranges for torsion springs and openers in its knowledge, and it gives callers those numbers. When the price depends on what your tech finds, it books the visit and notes what the caller was told. New door inquiries go to your sales team with the opening size and style, since InsertChat does not create quotes. ## How much does an AI receptionist for garage door companies cost? You can start on Pro at $98 a month, with one phone number, monthly credits, and three team seats. Calls draw on credits by the minute and round up, so a short call about a remote still counts as a full minute. Paying annually means 10 monthly payments upfront for the year. If customers text you, SMS charges can apply on top. ## Does it work with the scheduling software my office uses? It books repairs into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the calendar built into InsertChat. Set the repair length, buffers for drive time, and how far ahead customers can book. If your techs’ schedule lives in other software, the assistant gathers the door details and preferred times for your office to enter. ## We serve two metro areas. Can each one have its own assistant? Yes. Set up one assistant per location, each with its own address, service area, and opening hours, up to the number of assistants your plan includes. Pro includes three. Extra phone numbers are $10 a month, so each branch can have its own number. ## Can it take calls from property managers with commercial doors? Yes, if you service them. Add your commercial work, such as rolling steel and sectional doors, to its knowledge. Each property manager is saved as a contact, so your team can see every request they’ve made across their buildings. ## Can it handle calls from Spanish-speaking homeowners? Yes. It responds in the language the caller uses, so a homeowner who starts in Spanish gets the same questions about the door and opener in Spanish. Pick one of 10 voices and write a custom greeting for your company. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Restoration Answering Service with AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/restoration > Take the first call about a flooded basement or kitchen fire, day or night. An AI receptionist for restoration companies answers calls about water, fire, smoke, and mold damage at any hour, using the services and emergency steps you add. InsertChat’s assistant collects the address, the source of the water, the affected rooms, and when it started, flags active losses for your team, and routes every insurance coverage question to a person. ## Book a same-day inspection after an overnight leak Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls at 6:30 a.m. while your crew is setting up air movers in a flooded basement across town. > Our dishwasher leaked overnight and the kitchen floor is soaked. The water’s off now. Can someone come look today? ## Size up the loss Ask which rooms and flooring got wet, when the leak started, and whether water is still coming in. ## Book the inspection Offer same-day inspection times from your calendar and note whether the homeowner has opened an insurance claim. ## Prepare the crew The summary lists the source, rooms, and timeline, so your crew knows how much drying equipment to load. ## Your team sets the boundaries Water still coming in, sewage backups, and fire or smoke damage that just happened are flagged for your on-call team, and questions about insurance coverage always go to a person. ## What it handles for restoration companies Handled by your assistant: - Leaks, overflows, and appliance water damage, logged with the source and rooms - Mold inspection requests scheduled on your calendar - Fire and smoke cleanup questions about the services you offer - Service area, response time, and first-visit questions - Insurance company and claim number, taken down for your office Sent straight to your team: - Active water or flooding that is still spreading - Sewage backups and contaminated water - Fire or smoke damage that just happened - Anyone who says mold is making them feel unwell - Questions about what insurance will cover ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and the number your crew should call back - Property address and whether the caller owns or rents - Water source, such as a pipe, appliance, roof, or toilet - Affected rooms, ceilings, and flooring types - When it started and whether the water has stopped - Landlord or property manager details for rentals - Insurance company and claim number, if one is open What to add to its knowledge: - Water, fire, smoke, and mold services you offer - Your service area and after-hours response policy - What homeowners can expect on the first visit - The safety steps you want callers to hear - Your process for working with insurance adjusters - Certifications and equipment you want mentioned ## What happens when someone calls about active water at 2 a.m.? The assistant answers, asks where the water is coming from and whether it’s still running, and reads the steps you wrote, such as where to find the main shut-off. It takes the address and affected rooms, marks the call urgent, and notifies your team. If you want a person to answer first, set calls to ring your on-call phone for up to a minute before the assistant picks up. ## Will the assistant answer insurance coverage questions? No. Coverage questions stay with your team. The assistant can explain the parts of your process you add, such as documenting the damage with photos or working with the homeowner’s adjuster, and it takes down the insurer and claim number. When a caller asks what a policy pays, about deductibles, or whether a loss is covered, the conversation is marked for your office. ## How much does an AI receptionist for restoration companies cost? On the Pro plan, $98 a month buys one phone number and three AI assistants, along with three team seats and monthly credits. Calls use credits by the minute, rounded up, so a detailed water damage intake uses more than a quick question about hours. Growth and Scale add assistants, seats, and credits if you take calls for several territories. Texts and any other connected services you add may cost extra. ## Can adjusters and property managers reach us by email? Yes. Once your Gmail or Outlook mailbox is connected, the assistant drafts a reply to an adjuster’s or property manager’s email for you to approve, or sends it on its own after a delay you choose, during business hours if you like. Emails it isn’t sure about, complaints, and anything involving payment or legal matters wait for your team. ## Can I keep our 24-hour emergency number? If you’re in the US or Canada, yes. Keep the emergency line your customers and referral partners already use, and forward its calls to InsertChat. Outside those two countries, the app offers local or toll-free numbers where available. Test it with a call of your own before the next emergency comes in. ## Can my office see what the assistant told a caller overnight? Yes. Every call leaves a transcript and an AI summary in the shared inbox, attached to the caller’s contact. The Today view lists the conversations still waiting on a person, so the morning shift can start with the losses that came in overnight. ## Can customers share pictures of a stained ceiling or wet floor? Yes. Customers can attach photos in the chat on your website, and they arrive with the conversation in your inbox. If they text a picture instead, it skips the assistant and lands with your team. Either way, your project manager can review the photos before calling back. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Movers: 24/7 Answering Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/moving > Handle quote requests, survey bookings, and moving-day calls while your crews are out. An AI receptionist for moving companies answers quote calls and chats while your crews are loading trucks, using your services, coverage area, and calendar. InsertChat’s assistant collects the move date, origin and destination, home size, access details, and special items, books in-home or video surveys on your calendar, and passes every inquiry to your team to price. ## Get a two-bedroom move ready to price Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A renter starts a website chat late Sunday night, a few weeks before their lease runs out. > We’re moving a two-bedroom apartment across town on June 14. Are you free that day? We have an upright piano. ## Build the inventory Ask about floors, stairs or elevators at both ends, how close the truck can park, and large items like the piano. ## Book a video survey Note June 14 as the move date, then offer times from your calendar for a short video walkthrough with your estimator. ## Hand it to your estimator The contact holds the addresses, inventory, and access notes, so your estimator can price the move without starting over. ## Your team sets the boundaries A late crew or blocked access on moving day, damage claims, and deposit or refund disputes go to your team as urgent, and every price comes from your estimators. ## What it handles for moving companies Handled by your assistant: - Quote requests, with the inventory and access details your estimators need - Move date requests, noted for your team to confirm - Full packing, partial packing, and packing supply questions - Short- and long-term storage questions - In-home and video survey bookings Sent straight to your team: - A crew running late on moving day - Access problems at either address on moving day - Damage claims for furniture or property - Deposit and refund disputes - Complaints about a crew or a finished move ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone number, and email for the follow-up - Move date and whether it’s flexible - Pickup and delivery addresses - Home size, by bedrooms or square footage - Stairs, elevators, and how far the truck can park from the door - Pianos, safes, artwork, and other special items - Packing or storage needs What to add to its knowledge: - Local, long-distance, packing, and storage services you offer - The cities and regions you move to and from - Hourly rates, minimums, or ranges you’re happy to share - Deposit, cancellation, and rescheduling policies - How you handle pianos, safes, and other specialty items - Items your crews won’t move ## Can an AI receptionist take moving quote requests? Yes. It asks for the move date, both addresses, the number of bedrooms, stairs or elevator access at each end, and items like a piano or gun safe. Everything lands on the customer’s contact with a summary in the inbox. When a move needs a closer look, the assistant books an in-home or video survey on your calendar. ## Will it tell customers what their move will cost? Not the full price. It shares the rates you publish, such as an hourly rate for a three-person crew or your minimum for local moves. Pricing the whole move stays with your team, since InsertChat does not create quotes or estimates. When a customer asks for a price, your team gets a high-intent lead alert, so your estimator can follow up while the move is still being planned. ## How much does an AI receptionist for moving companies cost? Pro is $98 per month. That gets you a number for your quote line, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. Calls round up to whole minutes on your credits. If customers reach you on WhatsApp or by text, those connected services can carry their own charges. Teams with several branches can move up to Growth for more assistants, seats, and credits. ## Can customers start a quote request from our website? Yes. Add the chat to your existing site with the WordPress plugin or the install code for Wix or Webflow. Customers can attach files, such as a room-by-room list or a floor plan, and the conversation lands in the same inbox as your calls. ## Can I see which ad or page a moving lead came from? Yes. InsertChat saves where each lead came from on the contact, such as the landing page, referrer, campaign, and which of your numbers they dialed. Give your ads their own InsertChat number, at $10 a month for each extra number, and you can tell which campaign started each quote request. ## Can booked customers reach my office directly on moving day? Yes. In call routing, enter your team’s number and limit the assistant to callers who aren’t in your contacts yet. Customers you’ve already saved then ring your team, while new quote calls go to the assistant. You can switch back to answering everyone whenever you like. ## Can my estimator step into a chat that’s already going? Yes. Anyone on your team can take over a conversation in the shared inbox, add internal notes, assign it to an estimator, and use saved replies for common answers like your deposit policy. The full transcript and the customer’s move details stay on the contact. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # 24/7 AI Receptionist for Pool Service Companies Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/pool-services > Book green pool cleanups and equipment repairs, and answer weekly service questions. An AI receptionist for pool service companies answers calls and texts while your techs are brushing and vacuuming pools, using your services, service area, and rates. InsertChat’s assistant collects the pool size, sanitizer type, and equipment, books cleanups and repair visits on your calendar, answers chemistry questions from your published guidance, and flags electrical and chemical emergencies for your team. ## Book a green pool cleanup before the weekend Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner texts on Tuesday afternoon while your techs are working their routes. > Our pool turned green while we were away. Can someone clean it up before our party on Saturday? ## Ask about the pool Get the pool size, whether it’s chlorine or saltwater, the filter type, and whether the pump is running. ## Book the cleanup Share the green pool cleanup range you added and offer open times before Saturday from your calendar. ## Set up the visit The summary notes gate access and any dog in the yard, so your tech isn’t surprised at the back gate. ## Your team sets the boundaries Equipment that sparks or smells electrical, chemical spills or exposure, and leaks draining the pool are flagged for your team, and callers hear the 911 and poison control steps you wrote. ## What it handles for pool service companies Handled by your assistant: - Weekly service inquiries, collected for your team to add to a route - Green pool cleanups, booked on your calendar - Pool opening and closing appointments - Pump, heater, and filter repair requests - Water chemistry questions answered from your published guidance Sent straight to your team: - Sparking equipment or an electrical smell near the pool - Pool chemical spills or exposure - A leak draining the pool - Complaints about a missed visit or cloudy water after service ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone number, and service address - Pool size or gallons, in-ground or above-ground - Chlorine or saltwater, and any attached spa - Pump, filter, and heater types, if they know them - Water condition, from cloudy to fully green - Gate access and pets in the yard - Service needed and preferred day What to add to its knowledge: - Weekly service plans and what each visit includes - Your service area and route days by neighborhood - Cleanup, opening, and closing prices you’re happy to share - Equipment brands you repair or install - Your published water chemistry guidance for customers - The 911 and poison control steps for chemical exposure ## Can an AI receptionist sign up new weekly pool service customers? It handles the first conversation and leaves the route to you. The assistant explains your weekly plans and what each visit covers, confirms the address is in your service area, and collects the pool size, sanitizer, equipment, and gate access. Your team adds the customer to a route, or the assistant books a start-up visit on your calendar if you offer one. ## Will it give customers advice on pool chemistry? Only from the guidance you publish. If your website or care sheet covers chlorine and pH ranges or shocking after a storm, the assistant answers from it. Questions your guidance doesn’t cover go to your team, and so does anything involving a spill, fumes, or someone who feels unwell. ## How much does an AI receptionist for pool service companies cost? Pricing begins at $98 a month on Pro, which gives you a phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. If your customers text more than they call, note that SMS can carry its own charges on top of call credits. Call time comes out of your credits in whole minutes. If more of your office staff need access, Growth adds seats along with more assistants and credits. ## What happens when a customer texts a photo of green water? Yes, and the photo goes to a person. Customers can text your InsertChat number and get short replies from the assistant, but picture messages are passed to your team so someone can look at the water. Texts and calls from the same customer stay on one contact. ## Can customers message us on WhatsApp? Yes. Connect your WhatsApp Business Account, and the assistant answers WhatsApp messages from the same knowledge it uses for calls and texts. Those conversations land in the shared inbox with everything else, and your office can step in on any of them. ## Can it tell customers which day we service their street? Yes, if you add your route days by neighborhood or ZIP code to its knowledge. The assistant can tell a new customer when your techs are usually in their area. Requests to change a customer’s service day go to your team, since your routes live outside InsertChat. ## Can the assistant reschedule a cleanup? It can reschedule or cancel appointments it booked, such as a green pool cleanup or an opening visit, using your calendar rules. Visits your office booked another way go to your team to change. Customers can also get text or email reminders 72 and 24 hours before a visit. ## Related features - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Appliance Repair, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/appliance-repair > Book fridge, washer, dryer, and oven repairs with the brand and model already noted. An AI receptionist for appliance repair companies answers calls and chats about broken fridges, washers, dryers, and ovens, using your brands, service area, and fees. InsertChat’s assistant collects the brand, model number, age, and symptoms, explains your diagnostic fee and warranty process, books repair visits on your calendar, and flags gas smells and flooding for your team. ## Take a washer repair from chat to calendar Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner starts a chat on your website at lunchtime while both of your techs are out on repairs. > My front-load washer won’t drain and there’s water sitting in the drum. It’s about eight years old. Can someone come this week? ## Get the model number Ask for the brand and the model number from the label on the machine, and check that you service that brand. ## Book the repair Explain your diagnostic fee and how it applies to the repair, then offer open times this week from your calendar. ## Give your tech a head start The summary lists the brand, model, age, and symptoms, so your tech can check likely parts before the visit. ## Your team sets the boundaries Gas smells, smoke, flooding washers, and failed commercial fridges are flagged for your team, and anyone reporting gas hears your instructions to leave and call the gas utility. ## What it handles for appliance repair companies Handled by your assistant: - Fridges not cooling, washers leaking, and dryers that won’t heat - Oven, range, and cooktop repair requests - Which brands you service and which you don’t - Diagnostic fee and service area questions - Warranty repair requests, with the provider and claim number taken down Sent straight to your team: - A gas smell from a range, oven, or dryer - Burning smells or smoke from an appliance - A washer flooding the floor - A failed commercial fridge with food at risk - Complaints about a repair that didn’t hold ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone number, and where the appliance is - Appliance type, brand, and model number - Approximate age of the appliance - Symptoms, error codes, and when it started - Gas or electric, for ranges and dryers - Warranty provider and claim number, if any - Days and times someone can be home What to add to its knowledge: - Appliance types and brands you service - Towns you cover and any trip charge - Diagnostic fee and whether it goes toward the repair - Warranty work you accept and the details you need - Parts and labor guarantee terms - Gas smell and flooding instructions for callers ## Can an AI receptionist book appliance repair visits? Yes. It confirms you service the brand, asks for the model number and the appliance’s age, and notes the symptoms, like a fridge that runs but won’t cool or a dryer that tumbles without heat. Then it offers open times from your calendar and books the visit. Your tech reads the summary and can check parts before driving out. ## Will it diagnose the problem or price the repair? No. It collects symptoms and error codes for your tech and leaves the diagnosis to them. It can explain your diagnostic fee, whether that fee goes toward the repair, and any flat rates you publish. Repair prices that depend on the part stay with your tech, and InsertChat doesn’t write quotes or invoices. Whether a repair is worth it stays your tech’s call too. ## How much does an AI receptionist for appliance repair companies cost? Expect to pay $98 a month on Pro, which includes three team seats, three AI assistants, one phone number, and monthly credits. Every call uses credits, counted in whole minutes with a one-minute minimum. Growth, Scale, and Enterprise add more assistants, seats, and credits as you add locations, and analytics reports start on Scale. Connected services such as SMS can add separate charges. ## Can it take calls about warranty repairs? Yes. Add the warranty work you accept and the details you need, and the assistant collects them, such as the warranty provider, the claim or authorization number, and the purchase date. Questions about what a warranty covers are passed to your team to answer. ## Can it tell customers whether a part is in stock? Not on its own, because InsertChat isn’t connected to your parts inventory. If a customer asks, the assistant notes the part and model number and marks the conversation for your team. Add general timelines you’re comfortable sharing, such as how long special-order parts usually take, and it can explain those. ## Can I keep the phone number customers already use? You can, if your business is in the US or Canada. Customers keep dialing the number on your vans and fridge magnets, and you forward those calls to InsertChat. Businesses in other countries can start with a fresh InsertChat number, local or toll-free, depending on what the app offers there. Run a test call before customers start calling in. ## Will customers get a reminder before the repair visit? Yes, for visits the assistant books. Customers can get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before the appointment, so someone is home to let your tech in. Set a minimum notice of up to 48 hours to keep same-day bookings off your calendar. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Tree Service AI Receptionist: Storm Calls 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/tree-service > Separate trees on houses from removal estimates, and book estimate visits after every storm. An AI receptionist for tree service companies answers removal, trimming, stump grinding, and storm calls while your crews are working aloft. InsertChat’s assistant asks how tall the tree is, what it could hit, and how equipment gets in, books estimate visits on your calendar, and flags trees on houses, cars, or power lines for your team. ## Turn a dead-ash call into a booked estimate visit Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls on an October afternoon while your climber is roped in and the ground crew is feeding the chipper. > We’ve got a dead ash about 60 feet tall, maybe 20 feet from the house. Can someone look at taking it down before winter? ## Size up the tree by phone Ask for the rough height and trunk width, what the tree would land on if it fell, and whether a gate or fence limits equipment access. ## Check the town’s rules Confirm the street is in your service area and share what you wrote about removal permits in that town. ## Book the estimate Offer open estimate times, save the tree details to the homeowner’s contact, and let a reminder go out before the visit. ## Your team sets the boundaries A tree on a house, a car, or a line, or anyone hurt, is flagged for your team at once. Callers near downed wires hear your instruction to keep clear and call the utility or 911. ## What it handles for tree service companies Handled by your assistant: - Removal estimates, with height, trunk width, and distance to structures collected - Trimming, crown thinning, and clearance pruning over roofs and driveways - Stump grinding requests, including how many stumps and how wide - Arborist assessments for trees that look sick, hollow, or newly leaning - Questions about cleanup, haul-away, firewood, and wood chips Sent straight to your team: - A tree or large limb on a house, garage, or car - Anything touching or tangled in power lines - A fallen tree blocking a driveway or road - A split trunk leaning toward a home after a storm - Property damage reported after your crew’s visit ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, callback number, and property address - How many trees, and the species if the caller knows it - Rough height and trunk width - What sits nearby: house, fence, pool, wires, or a neighbor’s yard - Gate width and whether a truck can reach the tree - Removal, trimming, stump grinding, or a health check - Any HOA approval or town permit already in hand What to add to its knowledge: - Services: removal, trimming, stump grinding, cabling, and storm work - Service area and how far you travel after big storms - Whether estimates are free and what the visit involves - Local permit rules for removals, by town - What cleanup includes and what happens to wood and chips - Your instructions for downed lines and trees on structures ## Can an AI receptionist handle tree service calls after a storm? Yes, and storm mornings are when it earns its keep. The assistant asks every caller whether the tree is on a structure, a vehicle, or a line. Those calls are flagged urgent and your team is notified with the address. The leaning trees and hanging limbs that can wait a day get estimate slots from your calendar, so the storm list fills in while your crews cut. ## Will it give tree removal prices over the phone? Only the numbers you choose to publish, such as a per-stump grinding price or your minimum charge. Removal pricing depends on height, lean, what sits underneath, and access, so the assistant collects those details and books a visit for your estimator. InsertChat does not write estimates or quotes. Your estimator still sets the price, with a full picture before the drive. ## How much does an AI receptionist for tree service companies cost? Pro is $98 a month for one phone number, three AI assistants, three team seats, and a monthly credit allowance. Calls use credits by the minute, rounded up. A storm week brings far more calls than a calm one, so run a busy week through the usage estimate on the pricing page. Each extra phone number is $10 a month. ## AI receptionist vs a tree service answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can it answer only when my crew can’t get to the phone? Yes. Ring your own phone for 5 to 60 seconds first, and the assistant takes the calls nobody grabs. Or set weekly hours and let it answer evenings and weekends, overnight included. When a storm hits, switch it to answer every call, then switch back once the backlog clears. ## Can homeowners send photos of the tree? Yes. In your website chat, they can attach photos of the trunk, the lean, or the limb hanging over the roof, and your estimator sees them with the conversation. Photos texted to your InsertChat number go to a person on your team rather than getting an automatic reply. ## How is it different from a virtual receptionist service? A virtual receptionist service puts a remote person on your line during the hours you pay for. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers from the tree knowledge you write, books estimates on your calendar, and keeps a transcript and summary of every call. It doesn’t transfer live calls, so urgent ones are flagged and emailed to your team. ## Can it tell callers whether they need a permit to remove a tree? It can share the permit rules you write down, such as which towns require one for large trees and whether you file it for the customer. Whether a specific tree is protected, or what a city arborist will decide, goes to your team with the address and the caller’s description. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Painter Answering Service & AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/painting > Book interior and exterior estimates, collect room counts and siding type, and log color questions. An AI receptionist for painting contractors answers calls, texts, and website chats about interior, exterior, cabinet, and commercial work while your crews are on ladders. InsertChat’s assistant asks what needs painting, how big it is, and what shape the surfaces are in, books estimate visits on your calendar, and passes lead paint, damage, and touch-up complaints to your team. ## Turn an exterior repaint chat into an estimate visit Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner opens your website chat on a March evening, with your crews booked on interiors until the weather warms up. > Can you repaint our two-story colonial before June? Some of the trim by the gutters is soft, and the paint is peeling on the south side. ## See what they see The homeowner attaches photos of the peeling siding and soft trim, and your estimator gets them with the chat. ## Collect the exterior details Ask for the siding material, the number of stories, the year the house was built, and whether colors are chosen. ## Book the walk-around Offer estimate times from your calendar and note the June deadline and the soft trim on the contact, so your estimator plans for carpentry. ## Your team sets the boundaries Questions about lead paint in an older home, damage claims, and unhappy customers asking about touch-ups go straight to your team. ## What it handles for painting contractors Handled by your assistant: - Interior repaint requests, with room count and ceiling heights collected - Exterior estimates, booked with siding type, stories, and condition noted - Cabinet painting inquiries, with door and drawer counts - Deck and fence staining, and drywall patching before paint - Questions about paint brands, prep, timing, and how long a room takes Sent straight to your team: - Lead paint questions about an older home - Paint on floors, furniture, or cars after a job - Peeling, bubbling, or touch-up complaints on recent work - Property manager turnovers with a tenant moving in - Changes to a job already on the schedule ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone, email, and the property address - Interior, exterior, cabinets, or a commercial space - Rooms or surfaces, ceiling heights, and the number of stories - Siding or wall material, and damage like peeling or rot - Year the home was built - Whether colors are picked or a consultation is wanted - The date the work needs to be done by What to add to its knowledge: - Interior, exterior, cabinet, and commercial services you offer - Paint lines you use and whether customers can supply their own - Prep standards: scraping, priming, caulking, and patching - How estimates work and whether color consultations cost extra - Your exterior season and how weather moves start dates - Workmanship warranty and deposit policy ## Can an AI receptionist book painting estimates? Yes. It answers the first round of questions, confirms the address is in your area, and collects what your estimator needs: surfaces, size, stories, condition, and deadline. Then it offers estimate times from your calendar. A request to schedule an estimate raises a high-intent lead alert, so your team can see which homeowners are ready to hire. ## Will it price a paint job over the phone? It shares only the numbers you publish, such as a per-room starting price or your cabinet range. Exterior work depends on siding, height, and how much prep the surface needs, so the assistant gathers those details and books a walk-around. InsertChat does not write estimates or proposals. Your estimator still sets the price after seeing the house. ## How much does an AI receptionist for painting contractors cost? For $98 a month, Pro gives you one phone number, three team seats, three AI assistants, and a monthly credit allowance. Calls use credits in whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. Exterior estimate requests tend to bunch up in spring, so size your plan from an April week rather than a January one, using the usage estimate on the pricing page. ## Can I set rules for when estimates get booked? Yes. Choose the visit length, buffers before and after each estimate, how far ahead customers can book (up to 90 days), and the minimum notice, up to 48 hours. The assistant offers between two and five open times within those rules and books the one the customer picks. ## Can it answer questions about colors and paint brands? From your knowledge, yes. Add the paint lines you use, the sheens you recommend by room, and whether you offer color consultations. The assistant answers from that and books a consultation if you sell one. Choosing a color for a customer stays with your team. ## Can property managers email about unit turnovers? Yes. With Gmail or Outlook connected, the assistant writes replies to turnover requests from your services and availability. Approve each draft, or let replies go out after a delay you choose. Messages about payment terms or complaints wait for a person, and each request is saved with the unit address and move-in date. ## Will the number on my job-site signs keep working? In the US and Canada it will. Forward the number on your lawn signs, truck, and listings to InsertChat, and calls keep reaching you there. Elsewhere, pick a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Place a test call before your signs go back out in spring. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Flooring AI Receptionist & Answering Service Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/flooring > Book in-home measures, collect square footage and subfloor details, and answer material questions. An AI receptionist for flooring companies answers calls and chats from homeowners and contractors shopping for hardwood, LVP, tile, carpet, or refinishing. InsertChat’s assistant explains your materials and install process, collects rooms, square footage, subfloor, and stairs, books measure appointments on your calendar, and sends install-day problems and warranty claims to your team. ## Find out whether the hardwood under the carpet can be saved Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A new homeowner calls on a Saturday morning while your showroom is busy and a crew is sanding a floor across town. > We just bought a 1950s house and there’s hardwood under the carpet. Can it be refinished before we move in on the 20th? ## Explain how refinishing works Answer from your refinishing guide: sanding and finish options, carpet removal, and when furniture can go back. ## Collect the room details Ask which rooms, the rough square footage, whether there are stairs, and if any boards look stained, cupped, or patched. ## Book the visit before the deadline Offer the next open in-home visits and note the move-in date on the contact, so your estimator knows the job is time-boxed. ## Your team sets the boundaries Water under a floor you installed, a crew that hasn’t arrived on install day, and warranty claims are marked for a person, and your team is notified. ## What it handles for flooring companies Handled by your assistant: - In-home measure requests, with rooms and square footage collected - Questions about the LVP, hardwood, laminate, tile, and carpet lines you carry - Refinishing inquiries, with board condition and stairs noted - Showroom hours, sample checkout, and directions - Removal, disposal, furniture moving, and transition strip questions Sent straight to your team: - Water or moisture under a floor you installed - Buckling, cupping, or gaps after a recent install - An install crew that hasn’t shown up - Warranty claims and disputes over materials - Builder and commercial jobs tied to a move-in date ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone, and the job address - Rooms, approximate square footage, and number of stairs - What’s on the floor now and whether it needs removing - Concrete slab or wood subfloor, and any basement rooms - Material in mind, or whether they want to see samples - Furniture and appliances that need moving - Pets in the home and the date the floor must be done What to add to its knowledge: - Flooring lines, brands, and the price ranges you share - What a measure appointment includes and whether it’s free - Removal, disposal, and furniture moving policies - How long each material sits before install, and when furniture can go back - Showroom hours, address, and sample policy - Install and manufacturer warranty terms, plus financing ## Can an AI receptionist schedule flooring measures? Yes. Once it knows the rooms, rough square footage, stairs, and what’s on the floor now, it offers measure times from your connected calendar and books the visit. Your measure tech reads the call summary on the customer’s contact before arriving. Shoppers who would rather see samples in person get your showroom hours and directions instead. ## Will it quote a price per square foot? If you publish ranges, it shares them, for example a starting installed price for LVP or carpet. Final numbers depend on the measure, subfloor prep, stairs, and removal, so the assistant books the measure rather than guessing a total. InsertChat does not create quotes or invoices; your estimator prices the job after the visit. ## How much does an AI receptionist for flooring companies cost? Flooring stores and installers can start on Pro at $98 per month: one phone number, three team seats for sales and install coordinators, three AI assistants, and monthly credits. Calls count in whole minutes against those credits. If fall bookings before the holidays are your peak, estimate from those weeks. Annual billing charges ten monthly payments for the full year. ## Can it answer detailed questions about our flooring lines? Yes, from what you upload. Add product sheets, care guides, and warranty PDFs, or point it at the product pages on your website. It answers questions about water resistance, wear layers, and cleaning in your words. If a shopper asks about a line you don’t carry, it says so and offers a showroom visit. ## Can shoppers chat from our website after hours? Yes. Install the chat with the WordPress plugin, or paste the install code into Wix or Webflow. Late-night shoppers can ask about materials, attach photos of their current floor, and book a measure. The conversation and contact are waiting in the shared inbox when you open. ## Can it tell contractor accounts apart from homeowners? Give contractors their own number for $10 a month, and each contact shows which number they dialed. You can also write instructions for builder calls, such as taking the job address, PO number, and move-in date, then handing the conversation to a person. ## Will customers get a reminder before the measure? Appointments on your calendar can trigger a text or email reminder 72 hours and 24 hours ahead. Add your prep checklist, like clearing small furniture and leaving parking for the van, to the assistant’s knowledge so it can answer prep questions when customers reply. ## Related features - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Solar: Answer Every Lead Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/solar > Answer solar leads from your ads, collect bills and roof details, and book consultations. An AI receptionist for solar companies answers new-lead calls, website chats, and texts, plus service calls from customers with installed systems. InsertChat’s assistant collects the homeowner’s utility, average bill, roof age, and shading, books design consultations on your calendar, and flags burning smells, damaged panels, and systems that stopped producing for your service team. ## Turn an ad click into a booked solar consultation Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner clicks your ad at 9 p.m. and opens the chat on your landing page, long after your sales team has gone home. > What would solar cost for my house? Our electric bill is around $240 a month in the summer. ## Explain how pricing gets decided Share how your consultations work and why system size depends on usage, roof, and shading, without promising savings. ## Qualify the home Ask whether they own the house, the utility company, the roof’s age and material, shade, and interest in battery backup. ## Book the consultation Offer consultation times and save the answers, plus the ad campaign and landing page, to the new contact. ## Your team sets the boundaries Burning smells, sparks, or storm damage to panels are flagged for your service team, and the caller hears the safety steps you wrote, such as calling 911 for smoke or fire. ## What it handles for solar installers Handled by your assistant: - New solar inquiries from ads, mailers, and referrals, with the lead source saved - Consultation booking, in the home or by video call - Battery backup and EV charger add-on questions - Monitoring app questions, like why output drops in winter - Panel cleaning, maintenance, and system check requests Sent straight to your team: - A burning smell, sparking, or smoke from an inverter or panel - Panels damaged or loosened by a storm or fallen limb - A roof leak near panel mounts - A system showing zero production or an inverter fault - Tax credit, incentive, and financing questions ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, mobile number, email, and the property address - Homeowner or renter - Utility company and the average monthly bill - Roof age, material, and shade from nearby trees - Interest in battery backup or an EV charger - For service calls: the installer, inverter brand, and the fault shown - Preferred time for the consultation What to add to its knowledge: - How your consultations and site surveys work - Panel, inverter, and battery brands you install - Utilities and towns you serve - Financing options you offer, described in your words - Warranty and monitoring support for installed systems - Whether you service systems another company installed ## Can an AI receptionist answer solar leads at night and on weekends? Yes. Calls, chats, and texts from your ads get an answer whenever they arrive, from the consultation process and service area you add. The assistant asks the qualifying questions your sales team uses and books a consultation. A request to book raises a high-intent lead alert, and the contact keeps the landing page, referrer, and campaign the homeowner came from. ## Will it promise savings or quote a system price? No. Savings, system size, and price depend on usage, roof, shading, and your utility’s rules, so the assistant leaves them to your design team. It can share the starting prices or ranges you publish and explain what the consultation covers. Questions about tax credits, rebates, and financing approval are recorded and handed to a person. ## How much does an AI receptionist for solar companies cost? InsertChat Pro costs $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, for one phone number, three AI assistants, three seats, and monthly credits. Calls round up to the minute. Teams running several campaigns can add numbers for $10 a month each and see which campaign every caller dialed. ## Can it handle service calls from existing customers? Yes. Add your support docs and a set of service rules: the assistant asks for the installer, the inverter brand, and what the monitoring app shows, answers common questions, and books a service visit. Faults like zero production or an error code are flagged for your service team. ## Does it send solar leads to HubSpot or Zoho? With the CRM actions you enable, the assistant can create or update a record during the conversation, automatically or after a person approves it. It runs as an action, not a background sync, so choose the fields your sales team needs and test the flow before your next campaign launches. ## Can it talk to Spanish-speaking homeowners? Yes. It follows the caller’s language, so a homeowner who speaks Spanish hears Spanish, with answers drawn from the same knowledge. Add a Spanish version of your consultation overview if you want exact wording, and place a test call in each language before your ads go live. ## Will the number on our mailers still work? In the US and Canada, forward the number already printed on your mailers and ads to InsertChat. Outside those countries, choose a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Number porting is not offered, so forwarding is how you keep the number customers know. ## Related features - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Septic Answering Service & AI Receptionist 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/septic > Tell sewage backups from routine pump-outs, and book real estate septic inspections. An AI receptionist for septic companies answers pumping, inspection, and repair calls when your trucks are out and after hours. InsertChat’s assistant asks about symptoms, tank size, lid location, and the last pump-out, books routine service and real estate inspections on your calendar, and flags sewage backups, alarms, and surfacing wastewater for your team. ## Book a septic inspection before a home sale closes Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A seller calls on a Thursday afternoon while your drivers are out on pump-outs and the office line is already busy. > We’re selling the house, and the buyer’s lender wants a septic inspection before closing on the 28th. Can you fit us in? ## Get the system details Ask for the tank size if known, when it was last pumped, whether the lid has a riser, and the closing date. ## Explain the inspection Share what your inspection covers, whether the tank is pumped first, and who receives the report, from what you wrote. ## Book before the deadline Offer open times before the 28th and save the closing date and the agent’s contact details to the summary. ## Your team sets the boundaries Sewage backing up into the house, a pump tank alarm, or wastewater surfacing in the yard is flagged for your on-call team, and the caller hears your instruction to stop running water until help arrives. ## What it handles for septic companies Handled by your assistant: - Routine pump-outs, booked with tank size and last service date - Real estate inspections, with the closing date and agent noted - Riser and lid installation requests - Questions about pumping frequency and what to keep out of the system - Drain field evaluations and new system inquiries, booked as site visits Sent straight to your team: - Sewage backing up into toilets, tubs, or floor drains - A high-water alarm sounding on a pump tank - Wastewater or strong odors surfacing in the yard - A collapsed lid or sinking ground near the tank - Restaurants and other commercial accounts with a backed-up grease trap ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, callback number, and service address - Symptoms: slow drains, gurgling, odors, alarms, or wet spots - Tank size and type, if known - Date of the last pump-out and who did it - Whether the lid is buried or has a riser - Number of people living in the home - Closing date and agent details for real estate inspections What to add to its knowledge: - Pumping prices by tank size, plus any locate or dig fee - Inspection types and what each report covers - Counties and towns you serve - Emergency and after-hours fees - What callers should do while sewage is backing up - How often you recommend pumping, in your own words ## Can an AI receptionist tell a septic emergency from a routine call? Yes, by asking what your dispatcher would ask. Is sewage coming into the house? Is an alarm sounding? Is anything surfacing in the yard? A yes to any of those marks the call urgent and notifies your team. Slow drains without a backup, overdue pumping, and inspections are booked into open times instead, with the tank details saved. ## Will it tell homeowners how often to pump their tank? It shares the guidance you write, such as your recommended interval for a family of four on a 1,000-gallon tank. It won’t diagnose a failing drain field or promise a repair; those calls are booked as evaluations or passed to your team. Add your list of things to keep out of the system, and the assistant answers those questions too. ## How much does an AI receptionist for septic companies cost? Septic companies can run InsertChat on Pro at $98 per month. That includes a phone number, three team seats, three AI assistants, and 5,000 credits a month. Calls use credits by the minute, rounded up, so a two-minute pump-out booking counts as two minutes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits; a card is required at checkout. ## AI receptionist vs a septic answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can it cover nights and weekends only? Yes. Enter your office hours and time zone, and calls ring your dispatcher during the day. After closing and on weekends, the assistant answers, books the routine calls, and flags backups so your on-call driver is notified. In a wet spring you can switch it to answer every call. ## Can customers text instead of calling? Yes. Homeowners can text your InsertChat number about pumping, and the assistant replies from the same knowledge as your phone line. A text describing sewage in the house is treated like the call would be: it’s flagged urgent and your team is notified. ## Will customers get reminded about their pump-out? Customers can get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before a pump-out on your calendar. If the time no longer works, they can call or text, and the assistant moves a visit it booked. Contacting customers who are due for pumping stays with your office. ## What does it tell callers when the ground is frozen? Whatever your winter policy says. If you can’t dig out buried lids in frozen ground, add that and any winter fee to the assistant’s knowledge, and it explains the policy and mentions the risers you install. Backups are still flagged as urgent in every season. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Junk Removal Companies Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/junk-removal > Answer “how much to haul this?”, collect item lists and access details, and book pickup windows. An AI receptionist for junk removal companies answers calls, texts, and chats about furniture, appliance, yard debris, and cleanout jobs while your crews are lifting. InsertChat’s assistant shares the pricing you publish, collects the item list, location, and access details, books arrival windows on your calendar, and flags hazardous materials and sensitive cleanouts for a person. ## Turn a “how much to haul this?” text into a pickup Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner texts the InsertChat number on your website on a Sunday afternoon while both crews are on cleanouts. > How much to get rid of a couch, a queen mattress, and an old treadmill? They’re in the basement. ## Reply with your pricing Share your single-item and truckload prices in short texts, and mention any item fees you list, such as for mattresses. ## Ask about access Confirm the address, ask about the basement stairs and door width, and check whether anything else might go once the crew is there. ## Book the arrival window Offer open windows from your calendar and confirm the booking. If the customer texts a photo, a person on your team takes a look. ## Your team sets the boundaries Paint, chemicals, propane tanks, hoarding cleanouts, and any complaint about damage or a missing item go to your team instead of an automatic reply. ## What it handles for junk removal companies Handled by your assistant: - Single-item pickups like couches, mattresses, and appliances - Garage, basement, and attic cleanouts, with rough volume collected - Yard debris, hot tub, and shed removal inquiries - Move-out and estate cleanouts with a deadline - Questions about donation, recycling, and items you won’t take Sent straight to your team: - Hazardous items like paint, chemicals, tires, or propane tanks - Hoarding cleanouts and estate jobs after a family loss - Property manager cleanouts with a unit turnover date - Damage to walls, floors, or driveways during a pickup - An item hauled away by mistake ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, mobile number, and pickup address - Items going, or a rough volume like half a truck - Where the items are: curb, garage, basement, or upstairs - Stairs, elevators, and narrow doorways - Truck parking and how the crew gets in - Whether someone will be home - Preferred day and arrival window What to add to its knowledge: - Pricing by item and by truckload fraction, plus minimums - Items you take, items you don’t, and any surcharges - Same-day and next-day availability rules - Arrival windows and how the crew checks in on the day - Where items go: donation, recycling, or the dump - Accepted payment methods and when payment is due ## Can an AI receptionist give junk removal prices? Yes, if you publish them. Add your single-item rates, truckload fractions, and surcharges, and the assistant answers “how much?” with your real numbers. For bigger or messier jobs, it explains that the crew confirms the final price on site from the volume, then books a window. InsertChat does not create quotes or invoices. ## Can it book same-day pickups? It can offer any open window your calendar and booking rules allow, including today if you leave room for it. Set the minimum notice, visit length, and buffers between jobs. If you only take same-day work after checking with a crew, write that down, and the assistant collects the details and hands the request to a person. ## How much does an AI receptionist for junk removal companies cost? Pro runs $98 a month and comes with one phone number, three AI assistants, three team seats, and monthly credits. Calls use credits in whole minutes. Texts can carry their own charges, which matters in a business where many customers text first, so estimate your mix of calls and texts on the pricing page before you choose a plan. ## Can customers send photos of the junk? Yes. A photo texted to your InsertChat number goes to a person on your team, who can size up the load. In your website chat, customers can attach photos to their message, and the conversation stays on their contact for the crew lead. ## Can it collect a deposit for a large cleanout? It can’t charge a card. If you connect Stripe, the assistant can create a payment link for a deposit under the approval settings you choose, and your team decides when to send it. Texts and emails to customers always wait for a person’s review. ## Will it tell callers what you can’t take? Yes. Add your list of refused items, such as paint, chemicals, and propane, with what customers should do instead, and the assistant explains it before the crew arrives. If a caller isn’t sure whether something counts, the conversation goes to your team with the item description. ## Can it keep up with the end-of-month move-out rush? Calls that would ring out while your crews are lifting get answered and booked into open windows. Offer up to five times per conversation, trim the buffers if your crews can fit more jobs, and switch routing to answer every call for the last week of the month. ## Related features - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Handyman Answering Service & AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/handyman > Sort honey-do lists, flag jobs that need a licensed trade, and book visits on your calendar. An AI receptionist for handyman businesses answers calls, texts, and website chats while you’re mid-repair. InsertChat’s assistant writes down every task on the customer’s list, checks it against the jobs you take, explains your hourly rate or minimum charge, books visits on your calendar, and passes leaks, safety hazards, and licensed-trade work to you. ## Turn a four-item list into one booked visit Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls at lunchtime while you’re halfway through a bathroom vanity swap. > I need three shelves hung, a TV mounted over the fireplace, a sticking bedroom door fixed, and a hole in the drywall patched. Can you do it all in one trip? ## Write down every task List each item, the wall type behind the TV and shelves, and whether the customer already has the brackets and hardware. ## Catch the licensed work If the customer wants an outlet moved behind the TV, the assistant explains that you refer electrical work and notes it. ## Book the visit Offer open times from your calendar. The full task list goes into the summary, so you pack the right anchors and patch kit. ## Your team sets the boundaries Active water leaks, a loose stair railing or other fall hazard, and complaints about finished work go to you right away. ## What it handles for handyman businesses Handled by your assistant: - Mounting jobs: TVs, shelves, mirrors, curtain rods, and art - Drywall patches, door adjustments, and caulking - Furniture assembly and small carpentry fixes - Repair lists from home inspections, with the closing date noted - Landlord and rental turnover lists, with tenant access details Sent straight to your team: - Active water leaks, especially near anything electrical - Loose railings, stairs, or other fall hazards - Work that needs a licensed electrician, plumber, or gas fitter - Complaints about a recent repair - Tenant emergencies at rentals you look after ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone, and address - Every task on the list, in the customer’s words - Wall type for mounting jobs: drywall, plaster, brick, or tile - Whether the customer has the parts or you supply them - Ceiling height and ladder needs - Owner, tenant, or property manager, and who approves the work - Photos, if the customer can share them in chat What to add to its knowledge: - Jobs you take and jobs you refer to licensed trades - Hourly rate, minimum charge, and trip fee - Materials policy: who buys, and how you charge for parts - Service area and the days you work each part of it - Licensing and insurance details you’re happy to share - Landlord and property manager terms ## Can an AI receptionist book handyman jobs with several tasks? Yes, and it keeps the whole list together. The assistant asks about each task, the materials, and details like wall type or ceiling height, then books a visit from your open times. Every task appears in the summary in your inbox, so you can judge whether the visit needs more time and call back if it does. ## Will it accept electrical or plumbing work? Only the work you say you do. List the jobs you take, like swapping a light fixture or a faucet where your license and local rules allow, and the jobs you refer out. The assistant answers from that list. Anything outside it, or anything that sounds unsafe, is written down and handed to you to decide. ## How much does an AI receptionist for handymen cost? On Pro, $98 a month buys a phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats, which suits a solo handyman or a small crew. Calls come out of credits in whole minutes, with a one-minute minimum. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days first; a card is required at checkout. ## AI receptionist vs a handyman answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can it handle landlord and property manager requests? Yes. Give your property managers a dedicated number for $10 a month, and each contact shows which line they called. Write your rental rules, such as who approves larger repairs and how tenants are contacted for access, and the assistant explains them and records the unit and tenant details. ## Can I read the job list before calling the customer back? Yes. Every call leaves a transcript and an AI summary in the shared inbox, on the customer’s contact. Read the task list between jobs, add an internal note, and call back with a time estimate instead of a round of questions. ## Can it work from a home inspection repair list? Yes. Buyers and sellers call with an inspector’s repair list and a closing date. The assistant records each item, asks for the closing date, and books a visit before it. In your website chat, customers can attach photos of the report pages so you see them with the conversation. ## Is it worth it for a one-person business? Yes, because when you work alone nobody else is there to pick up. Ring your own phone for 5 to 60 seconds first, so you still take the calls you can, and let the assistant answer the rest from the knowledge you wrote. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Pressure Washing Companies Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/pressure-washing > Book house washes and driveway cleaning, collect surfaces and square footage, and explain soft washing. An AI receptionist for pressure washing companies answers calls, texts, and chats about house washing, roof soft washing, driveways, decks, and storefronts. InsertChat’s assistant explains your methods and pricing from your knowledge, collects the surfaces, size, and water access, books estimates and jobs on your calendar, and flags damage reports and commercial requests for your team. ## Answer an HOA violation letter with a booked house wash Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls on a Saturday morning while your rig is running on a driveway two neighborhoods over. > Our HOA sent a letter about green streaks on our siding, and we have 30 days. Can you wash the house and the front walkway? ## Explain the soft wash Describe how you clean vinyl siding without high pressure, using the process you wrote, so the caller stops worrying about damage. ## Size the job Ask for the number of stories, siding material, walkway length, outdoor spigot location, and plants close to the house. ## Book inside the deadline Offer open times within the 30 days and save the HOA deadline to the contact, next to the surfaces to clean. ## Your team sets the boundaries Reports of etched concrete, broken windows, or damaged plants after a wash, plus HOA-wide and commercial contracts, go straight to your team. ## What it handles for pressure washing companies Handled by your assistant: - House washes, booked with siding type and stories - Roof soft washing for black streaks and moss - Driveways, sidewalks, patios, and pool decks - Deck and fence cleaning, plus sealing or staining if you offer it - Curb appeal requests before a listing or the holidays Sent straight to your team: - Damage after a wash: etched concrete, stripped paint, or dead plants - Water forced into a window, outlet, or light fixture - HOA-wide and commercial contracts or bids - Graffiti or a spill a business needs gone before opening - Complaints about streaks or missed areas ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone, and property address - Surfaces: siding, roof, driveway, deck, fence, or patio - Stories and siding material, like vinyl, brick, or stucco - Rough square footage for driveways and patios - Outdoor spigot location and whether the water is on - Plants, pets, or cars near the work area - Any deadline, like an HOA notice or a listing date What to add to its knowledge: - Surfaces you clean and the ones you won’t - Soft washing versus pressure washing, in your own words - Starting prices by house size or square foot - Water and power access you need on site - Weather policy for wet or freezing days - Prep steps: close windows, move cars, cover outlets ## Can an AI receptionist explain soft washing to nervous homeowners? Yes, in your words. Upload your process page or a short write-up about pressure levels, cleaning solutions, and plant protection, and the assistant answers from it. That settles the “will this ruin my siding?” question before anyone books, with the same explanation every time. Questions about a specific stain or surface it can’t judge go to your team. ## Will it give driveway and house wash prices? If you publish starting prices, yes, for example by house size or by square foot of concrete. The assistant collects the stories, siding, and rough footage, shares the matching price you listed, and books the job or an estimate visit. Roof washes and commercial work that need a look first are booked as estimates. InsertChat does not issue quotes. ## How much does an AI receptionist for pressure washing companies cost? Pressure washing companies can start on Pro at $98 per month with three AI assistants, three seats, one phone number, and monthly credits. Calls use credits by the minute, rounded up. If spring pollen season is your busiest stretch, estimate usage from a spring month on the pricing page. ## Can it answer customers on WhatsApp? Yes, once you connect a WhatsApp Business Account. Customers can message you there, and the assistant answers from the same knowledge as your phone and website chat. Every thread lands in the shared inbox on the customer’s contact. ## Can it handle commercial flatwork and fleet washing inquiries? Yes, as inquiries. It collects the site address, square footage or number of vehicles, how often, and after-hours access, then hands the conversation to your team to bid. A bid request raises a high-intent lead alert so it doesn’t sit unread. ## Can I tell which ad or door hanger brought a lead? Yes. Contacts record the landing page, referrer, and campaign for website chats, and the number dialed for calls. Print a separate number on door hangers, at $10 a month, and you’ll see which ones ring. Analytics reports come with Scale and Enterprise. ## Can it book recurring storefront cleanings? It collects the frequency and preferred day and books the first visit. Your team sets up the recurring schedule. If a commercial client asks to stop service, InsertChat raises a cancellation alert so someone calls them back. ## Related features - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Carpet Cleaners, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/carpet-cleaning > Book room-based carpet, upholstery, and rug cleaning, and send soaked-carpet calls to your team. An AI receptionist for carpet cleaning companies answers calls, texts, and chats about carpet, upholstery, rug, and tile cleaning while your techs are on jobs. InsertChat’s assistant explains your per-room pricing and drying times, collects rooms, stairs, pet spots, and furniture details, books cleanings on your calendar, and flags flooded carpet and damage complaints for your team. ## Book a pre-Thanksgiving clean with the pet spots noted Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls in mid-November, in the pre-holiday rush, while both vans are out on back-to-back jobs. > Family’s coming for Thanksgiving. Can you clean three bedrooms, the stairs, and a sectional? The dog had a few accidents in the hallway. ## Explain what counts as a room Share your per-room price, how you count hallways and stairs, and what the pet odor treatment adds. ## Count it up Collect the rooms, the number of stairs, the sectional’s size and fabric, and where the pet spots are. ## Book before the holiday Offer the open times left before Thanksgiving, explain your drying time so the family can plan, and send a reminder before the visit. ## Your team sets the boundaries Soaked carpet from a leak goes to your team with the restoration referral you list, along with any complaint about returning stains or damaged furniture. ## What it handles for carpet cleaners Handled by your assistant: - Room-based carpet cleaning, with rooms, halls, and stairs counted - Pet stain and odor treatments - Upholstery: sofas, sectionals, and chairs, with fabric noted - Area rug cleaning, including pickup if you offer it - Tile and grout cleaning requests Sent straight to your team: - Wet or flooded carpet from a leak or overflow - Carpet still wet well past your stated drying time - Stains that came back after a recent job - Damage to furniture, walls, or floors - Refund requests and billing disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone, and address - Rooms, hallways, and stairs to clean - Pet urine spots, stains, and odors - Upholstery pieces and fabric type - Rug sizes and materials, like wool or synthetic - Furniture the crew needs to move - Parking for the van and the hose run to the door What to add to its knowledge: - Per-room pricing and how you define a room - Pet treatment, protector, and deodorizer add-ons - Drying times and when people can walk on the carpet - Furniture moving policy - Stain and re-clean guarantees - Water damage referrals, or restoration services if you offer them ## Can an AI receptionist price carpet cleaning by the room? Yes, from your price list. Add what a room costs, how you count large rooms, halls, and stairs, and your minimum charge, and the assistant explains the price for the rooms the caller lists. It collects pet spots and upholstery pieces too, so your tech isn’t surprised at the door. InsertChat does not send quotes or invoices. ## Will it promise that a stain will come out? No, and it shouldn’t. Your guarantee wording sits in its knowledge, so callers hear exactly what you promise for pet stains, red wine, or old spots. Questions about a specific stain your techs need to see are recorded with the location and the customer’s description for the technician. ## How much does an AI receptionist for carpet cleaners cost? Pro costs $98 per month and includes one number, three team seats, three AI assistants, and monthly credits. Calls round up to whole minutes. If your phones peak before Thanksgiving and in spring, choose a plan from those weeks using the estimate on the pricing page. Annual billing is ten monthly payments for twelve months. ## Can customers reschedule without calling the office? Yes. When a customer calls or texts to move a cleaning the assistant booked, it offers another open time and updates the appointment. Reminders go out 72 and 24 hours before each visit, which gives customers a chance to move it early. ## Can it answer upholstery fabric questions? From the fabric guide you add, yes, such as which cleaning codes you take and which you don’t. In your website chat, customers can attach a photo of the fabric tag. An antique piece or a fabric you haven’t listed goes to your technician with the details. ## Can landlords book move-out cleanings? Yes. Landlords and property managers can call, text, or email with the unit address and move-out date, and the assistant books the cleaning in an open slot. Give them their own number for $10 a month to see their requests apart from homeowners. ## What does it say about drying time? Whatever you tell it. Add your usual drying time, how fans and air conditioning speed it up, and when furniture can go back, and the assistant answers the same way every time. Add a handoff rule for carpet still wet after that window, and those calls go to your team. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Window Cleaning Companies Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/window-cleaning > Book home and storefront window cleaning, count panes and stories, and catch route cancellations. An AI receptionist for window cleaning companies answers calls, emails, and chats about home windows, screens, tracks, gutters, and storefront routes. InsertChat’s assistant counts windows and stories, asks about hard water and access, books residential cleanings on your calendar, drafts replies to commercial emails, and flags broken glass and route cancellations for your team. ## Turn a storefront email into a monthly route request Example workflow: Email. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A new business owner emails your Gmail inbox on a Monday morning while your crew is on a three-story house. > We just opened a bakery on Main Street with six front windows and a glass door. Do you do monthly storefront cleaning, and what does it cost? ## Draft the reply Answer from your storefront pricing and the Main Street route day, inside and outside, in a draft for your approval. ## Ask what the route needs Ask about door glass, signage and decals to avoid, the preferred day, and whether the inside must be done before opening. ## Hand off the agreement The owner’s details and answers are saved to their contact, so your team can confirm the start date and add the shop to the route. ## Your team sets the boundaries A cracked or broken pane, a ladder or safety incident, and a route client asking to cancel are marked for a person, and your team is notified. ## What it handles for window cleaning companies Handled by your assistant: - Residential window cleaning, with windows and stories counted - Screens, tracks, and sills, priced as the add-ons you list - Hard water stain removal and post-construction cleaning inquiries - Storefront route requests by email, with panes and preferred day - Gutter cleaning and solar panel washing, if you offer them Sent straight to your team: - A window cracked or broken during a cleaning - Ladder or safety incidents on site - A route client asking to cancel or switch providers - Complaints about streaks or missed windows - High-rise or rope access jobs that need your judgment ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone or email, and address - Number of windows, or a description of the home - Number of stories and any skylights - Inside, outside, or both - Screens, tracks, and divided panes - Hard water spots or paint overspray - Business hours and preferred day for storefronts What to add to its knowledge: - Pricing per window or per pane, plus minimums - What inside, outside, screens, and tracks each include - Route days by neighborhood or street - Rain policy and your re-clean guarantee - Heights and building types you service - Insurance details for property managers who ask ## Can an AI receptionist book window cleaning jobs? Yes. It asks how many windows and stories, whether the customer wants inside, outside, or both, and whether screens and tracks are included. Then it shares the prices you list and books an open time on your calendar. The count lands in the summary, so your crew knows how long the house will take. ## Will it handle commercial window cleaning inquiries? It answers the first email or call and collects what your team needs: panes, door glass, building height, and the preferred route day. With Gmail or Outlook connected, replies are drafted for your approval or sent after a delay you choose. Contracts, building access rules, and rope access work stay with your team. ## How much does an AI receptionist for window cleaning companies cost? Window cleaners can start on Pro, $98 a month, which includes one phone number, three AI assistants, three team seats, and 5,000 monthly credits. Calls and AI replies draw on those credits, and calls round up to the minute. Growth, at $198 a month, raises you to 5 seats for companies running several crews. ## Will customers get a heads-up before we come? For visits on your calendar, customers can get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before. For a recurring route you manage elsewhere, notices stay with your office, and the assistant answers when clients reply or call with questions. ## What does it tell callers on a rainy morning? Your rain policy, word for word if you like. If a customer asks to move their cleaning, it offers another open time and moves a visit it booked. Letting the day’s customers know about a weather delay stays with your team. ## Can storefront owners text us? Yes. Owners can text your InsertChat number to ask about the next visit or add the inside glass, and the assistant answers from your route details. Texts and calls from the same person sit on one contact. Anyone who replies STOP is opted out of texts. ## Can it tell callers whether you clean three-story homes? Yes, from the heights and building types you list. If you stop at two stories, it says so and offers what you do. A caller with a skylight, a stairwell window, or anything needing special equipment goes to your team with the details. ## Related features - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Fence Company AI Receptionist: Book Estimates Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/fencing > Book fence estimates with footage, material, and gates, and flag broken pool gates and downed fences. An AI receptionist for fence companies answers calls, texts, and website chats from homeowners and builders while your crews set posts. InsertChat’s assistant collects the rough linear footage, material, height, gate count, and HOA requirements, books estimate visits on your calendar, and flags downed fences, broken pool gates, and damage claims for your team. ## Turn a new-puppy call into a fence estimate Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. On a March afternoon, a homeowner calls while your estimate calendar fills for spring and your crew is setting posts. > We’re bringing home a puppy next month and need the backyard fenced. Probably 180 feet of six-foot privacy, with a gate wide enough for the mower. ## Collect the fence details Confirm the rough footage, material, height, and gate widths, and ask whether the yard slopes or an old fence comes out. ## Check HOA rules and property lines Ask whether the HOA approves fences and whether the caller knows where the property pins are, then explain your utility locate process. ## Book the estimate Offer estimate times from your calendar and note the puppy’s arrival date on the contact, so your estimator knows the deadline. ## Your team sets the boundaries A fence blown down with dogs loose, a pool gate that won’t latch, and a neighbor or property line dispute go to your team right away. ## What it handles for fence companies Handled by your assistant: - Wood, vinyl, chain link, and aluminum fence estimates - Pool fence and self-closing gate inquiries - Repairs to leaning posts, sagging gates, and storm-damaged sections - Questions about HOA approval, permits, and utility locates - Builder and property manager requests, with lot and unit details Sent straight to your team: - A pool gate that won’t close or latch - A fence down with pets or livestock able to get out - A vehicle through a fence - Property line disputes with a neighbor - Damage to utilities, sprinklers, or landscaping during an install ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone, and property address - Approximate linear feet, or a description of the area - Material, height, and style - Number and width of gates - Purpose: privacy, pets, pool, or livestock - HOA rules, and whether a survey or property pins exist - Old fence removal and the slope of the yard What to add to its knowledge: - Fence materials, styles, and heights you install - Per-foot price ranges you’re willing to share - How you handle permits, HOA approval, and utility locates - Lead times by season and material - Pool fence and gate hardware options - Warranty terms and financing ## Can an AI receptionist book fence estimates? Yes. It gathers the rough footage, material, height, gates, and purpose, asks about HOA approval and slope, and books an estimate visit from your open times. A request for an estimate raises a high-intent lead alert. Your estimator arrives knowing the yard, and the homeowner already understands how locates and permits work. ## Will it give fence prices per foot? It shares the ranges you publish, such as a starting price per foot for six-foot cedar or vinyl privacy. Total cost depends on footage, terrain, gates, and removal, so the assistant books the visit instead of guessing a total. InsertChat does not write estimates or contracts; your team prices the job after walking the line. ## How much does an AI receptionist for fence companies cost? Fence companies can run InsertChat on Pro for $98 a month, which covers a phone number, three team seats, three AI assistants, and monthly credits. Calls draw credits by the minute, rounded up. Check the usage estimate on the pricing page before spring estimate season, and move to Growth for more seats as you add estimators. ## What does it tell callers when the ground freezes? Your winter policy. Add how cold weather affects installs, such as whether you set posts in frozen ground or book spring installs now, and the assistant explains it to callers. It can keep booking winter estimates whenever your calendar has open times. ## Can homeowners send a survey or plat? In your website chat, homeowners can attach a photo of their survey or plat, and your estimator sees it with the conversation. Picture messages sent by text go to a person on your team. Property line questions stay with your team and the survey. ## Can it answer pool fence questions? It answers from the pool fence styles and gate hardware you list. Whether a design meets your local pool barrier rules is a question for your team or the inspector, so the assistant records it and hands it off. A pool gate that won’t latch is flagged as urgent. ## Can it explain the utility locate before we dig? Yes, if you add it. Describe your locate process, such as calling 811 in the US, how long marking takes, and why painted lines and flags appear in the yard, and the assistant answers homeowners who ask. A utility line damaged during an install is flagged for your team. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Home Inspectors: Book 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/home-inspection > Book inspections and add-ons inside contract deadlines, and answer agents’ fee questions. An AI receptionist for home inspectors answers calls, emails, and chats from buyers, sellers, and real estate agents while you’re on site. InsertChat’s assistant shares the fees and add-ons you list, collects the property details and the inspection deadline, books inspections on your calendar, and leaves questions about findings, reports, and repair costs for you. ## Book an inspection and sewer scope before the deadline Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A buyer’s agent calls on a Friday afternoon while you’re in a crawlspace on another inspection. > My buyers just went under contract on a 1962 ranch, and the inspection period ends Wednesday. Can you do it Monday and add a sewer scope? ## Collect the property details Ask for the address, square footage, year built, foundation type, and whether the utilities are on. ## Share the fees Give your base fee for that size and age, plus the sewer scope and radon prices, from the fee table you added. ## Book inside the deadline Offer Monday times, book the inspection, and save the buyer’s and agent’s contact details to the summary. ## Your team sets the boundaries Questions about what a finding means, report disputes, and repair cost estimates go to you, and the assistant does not interpret findings. ## What it handles for home inspectors Handled by your assistant: - Buyer inspections, with square footage, age, and foundation collected - Add-ons like radon, sewer scope, mold, and wood-destroying insect inspections - Pre-listing inspections for sellers - New construction phase and builder warranty inspections - Questions about fees, payment, report delivery, and attending Sent straight to your team: - An inspection deadline in the next two days with no open slot - Questions about a finding or what a report means - Disputes or claims after closing - Commercial and multi-unit inspection requests - Repair cost questions and contractor recommendations ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Property address, and the listing number if there is one - Square footage, year built, and slab, crawlspace, or basement - Contract date and inspection deadline - Add-ons wanted: radon, sewer scope, mold, or termite - Buyer’s and agent’s names, phone numbers, and emails - Whether utilities are on and how access is arranged - Who plans to attend the inspection What to add to its knowledge: - Base fees by square footage and age - Add-on services and prices - What your inspection covers and excludes - Report delivery time and format - Inspection agreement and payment terms - Seasonal limits, like cooling systems you won’t run in cold weather ## Can an AI receptionist schedule home inspections? Yes. It collects the address, size, age, foundation, add-ons, and inspection deadline, shares your fee from the table you add, and books an open time on your calendar. Agents get the same answers on a Sunday evening that your office gives on a Tuesday morning, and each booking appears on your calendar with the details attached. ## Will it explain inspection findings to buyers? No. Findings, report wording, and repair costs belong to the inspector. The assistant can explain what your inspection covers, how long the report takes, and how to reach you with questions. When a buyer or agent asks about a specific item in a report, the conversation is handed to you with their question written down. ## How much does an AI receptionist for home inspectors cost? Inspectors can use Pro at $98 per month, with a phone number, three AI assistants, three team seats, and monthly credits. Calls use credits in whole minutes, so estimate from your busiest listing month. Firms with several inspectors can compare Growth, at $198 a month with 5 seats, on the pricing page. ## Can agents book inspections by email? Yes. Connect Gmail or Outlook, and agent emails asking for a date get a reply from your availability and fees, drafted for your approval or sent automatically after a delay you set. Emails about report disputes or payment problems are held for you. ## Can it take calls while I’m inspecting all day? Yes. Set your phone to ring for 5 to 60 seconds first, then let the assistant take any call you can’t answer from an attic or a crawlspace. Each booking appears on your calendar, and the summary of every call waits in the shared inbox. ## Will clients get reminders before the inspection? Yes, for inspections on your calendar: a text or email 72 hours and 24 hours before. Add what buyers and sellers should know, like keeping utilities on and clearing access to the attic and panel, so the assistant can answer prep questions when they call back. ## Does it work with my inspection software? If your scheduling runs in dedicated inspection software, the assistant can’t book into it directly. Use InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com for bookings, or let the assistant collect the request and enter it in your software yourself. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # Dental Answering Service & AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/dental > Book cleanings and new-patient exams, and tell callers which insurance plans you accept. An AI receptionist for dental practices answers patient calls when the front desk is tied up or the office is closed, using your services, hours, and the insurance plans you accept. InsertChat’s assistant books cleanings and new-patient exams on your calendar or records the request for your staff, and hands tooth pain, swelling, and clinical questions to your team. ## Turn a lunch-hour call into a new-patient exam Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A new patient calls at 12:30 p.m., while your front desk is at lunch. > I’m new to the area and overdue for a cleaning. Do you take my work insurance, and is anything open next week? ## Confirm the insurance plan Ask for the insurance carrier and plan name, then answer from the plans you accept. Coverage and eligibility questions go to your front desk. ## Book the new-patient visit Offer next week’s openings for a new-patient exam and cleaning, and book the time the caller chooses. ## Prepare the front desk The call summary lists the carrier, plan, and reason for the visit, so your team can verify eligibility before the patient arrives. ## Your team sets the boundaries Severe pain, swelling, and knocked-out or broken teeth go straight to your team, and callers describing facial swelling with fever or trouble breathing hear your instructions to contact emergency services. ## What it handles for dental practices Handled by your assistant: - New-patient exams, cleanings, and checkups offered from your open times - Whether you accept a caller’s insurance plan, answered from your list - Office hours, directions, and parking - Moving a cleaning or exam that the assistant booked - Questions about whitening, night guards, and the other services you list Sent straight to your team: - Severe tooth pain or swelling - A knocked-out, cracked, or broken tooth - Facial swelling with fever or trouble breathing - Clinical questions about treatment, medication, or recovery - Billing disputes and complaints ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Patient name and phone number - New or existing patient - Insurance carrier and plan name, or self-pay - Reason for the visit, such as a cleaning, a checkup, or a specific tooth - Which tooth or area hurts, and since when - Other family members who need appointments - Preferred days and times What to add to its knowledge: - Insurance carriers and plans you accept, in network or out - Services you offer, from cleanings to crowns and whitening - New-patient forms, what to bring, and how early to arrive - Office hours, holiday closures, and your dental emergency instructions - Cancellation and missed-appointment policy - Self-pay prices or in-house membership plans you choose to share ## What happens when a patient calls with a toothache or a broken tooth? The assistant takes down what happened and flags the call for your team at once. It asks which tooth, when the pain or swelling started, and whether a tooth was knocked out, then marks the conversation “needs you” and notifies your teammates. Diagnosis and medication questions stay with your dentists. If a caller describes one of the emergencies you list, the assistant reads the emergency-services guidance you wrote. ## Can InsertChat sign a BAA with our dental practice? Yes, on Enterprise. Symptoms, visit reasons, and insurance details that patients share can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) before the assistant collects them. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant and its connected tools. ## Does it work with our dental practice management software? No, InsertChat does not connect to dental practice management systems. Its assistant schedules in a connected Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com account, or in InsertChat’s own calendar. If your schedule lives in practice management software, set it to collect requests instead. Each one arrives with the patient’s name, new or existing status, insurance, visit type, and preferred times, and your front desk books the slot. ## How much does an AI receptionist for dental practices cost? Dental practices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 per month and can sign a BAA. It includes 100 AI assistants, so each office can have its own with its own address. On other plans, from $98 per month, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls use credits rounded up to whole minutes, and each extra phone number is $10 a month. ## Can it tell callers whether you take their dental insurance? Yes, once you add the carriers and plans you accept and note which ones you’re in network with. The assistant asks for the carrier and plan name and answers from that list. Benefit checks, remaining coverage, and out-of-pocket estimates go to your front desk with the details already collected. ## Can calls ring our front desk before the assistant answers? Yes. Your office phone can ring for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant picks up, so calls during check-in or lunch still get answered. You can also have it answer only outside office hours. US and Canadian practices can keep the number on their website and forward it to InsertChat. ## Can patients reach the office by text? Yes. Patients can text your InsertChat number to ask about hours, check whether their plan is on your list, or move a cleaning the assistant booked. A photo of a chipped tooth sent by text goes to a person on your team. Replying STOP opts a patient out. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # AI Receptionist for Chiropractors, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/chiropractic > Schedule first visits and adjustments while your hands are busy with a patient. An AI receptionist for chiropractors answers the office phone while you’re treating patients, using your services, rates, hours, and first-visit details. InsertChat’s assistant explains what a new patient can expect, books first visits and follow-up adjustments on your calendar, and leaves questions about whether care suits a condition to your chiropractors. ## Turn a stiff-back call into a new-patient booking Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective patient calls in the middle of a full morning of adjustments. > My lower back has been stiff since I moved apartments. What happens at a first visit, and do you have anything Thursday? ## Explain the first visit Walk through the intake forms, consultation, and exam, using the first-visit notes in your knowledge. ## Book a new-patient slot Offer Thursday openings for a new-patient visit and book whichever one works for the caller. ## Brief the chiropractor The summary records where it hurts, how it started, and whether they plan to use insurance or pay cash. Your chiropractor reads it before the exam. ## Your team sets the boundaries Accident injuries, numbness, and severe pain reach your clinicians right away, and emergencies get the emergency-services instructions you wrote. ## What it handles for chiropractors Handled by your assistant: - What happens at a first visit and how long it takes - New-patient visits and follow-up adjustments booked into open times - Insurance you accept and the cash rates you publish - Visit packages and wellness plans you offer - Changes to adjustments it booked, by phone or text Sent straight to your team: - Pain or injury after a car accident or fall - Numbness or severe pain - Questions about whether care is right for a condition - Complaints about a visit or a bill ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and mobile number - New or returning patient - Where it hurts and how long it has bothered them - Whether it started with an accident, a fall, or a work injury - Insurance carrier, or cash pay - Who referred them, if anyone - Preferred days and times for a first visit What to add to its knowledge: - First-visit steps, length, and what to wear - Cash rates for first visits and adjustments - Insurance plans you bill, if any - Packages and wellness plans, with their terms - Other services you offer, such as massage or spinal decompression - Hours, parking, and your emergency instructions for callers ## Can it explain what happens at a first chiropractic visit? Yes, using what you add about first visits. The assistant can walk a caller through your intake paperwork, consultation, exam, and any X-rays you take, along with how long to allow and what to wear. Then it offers open times and books the visit. Whether chiropractic care suits their condition is a question it saves for a chiropractor. ## How does it handle someone calling after a car accident? It records the details and flags the call so a clinician can follow up. The assistant asks when and how the accident happened, where it hurts, and whether there is numbness, then marks it “needs you” in the Today view and emails your team. It doesn’t judge whether someone should be adjusted. If it sounds like an emergency, the assistant reads the emergency instructions you added to its knowledge. ## Is a BAA available for chiropractic offices? Yes, on Enterprise. Injury details and insurance information that callers share can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) before the assistant records them. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant. ## How much does an AI receptionist for chiropractors cost? Chiropractic offices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 per month and can sign a BAA. On other plans, from $98 per month with seats for three people, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls draw on credits in whole minutes with a one-minute minimum, so a 40-second question about Saturday hours counts as one minute. Patient texts can carry their own charges. ## Can new patients book from our website too? Yes. Add the chat widget to your current site with the WordPress plugin or the install code for Wix or Webflow, and it answers from the same knowledge as your phone line. Someone reading about your first visit late at night can book it right there in the chat. ## Can patients book their next adjustment by text? Yes. Patients text your InsertChat number, the assistant offers open times in a short texting style, and the booking lands on your calendar. It can also move or cancel adjustments it booked. Patients can get reminders by text or email 72 and 24 hours before each visit. ## What if a patient speaks Spanish? The assistant can respond in the language the patient uses, so someone who starts in Spanish can ask about a first visit and book it in Spanish. Your team still gets the call transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox, attached to the patient’s contact. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # Veterinary Answering Service & AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary > Answer pet owners’ calls about vaccines, refills, and sick pets during a full clinic day. An AI receptionist for veterinary clinics answers calls from pet owners when your front desk is checking in patients or the clinic is closed, using your services, hours, and new-client details. InsertChat’s assistant books wellness exams and vaccine visits, records refill requests for your staff to approve, and flags sick or injured pets so a veterinarian can advise. ## Turn a new-puppy call into a first wellness visit Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A new client calls on Thursday evening, after your front desk has gone home. > We just adopted a 10-week-old Lab mix. Can we bring her in for a checkup and her puppy shots on Saturday? ## Register the new client Collect the owner’s name and number, plus the puppy’s name, breed, age, and any records from the shelter. ## Book the puppy visit Offer open Saturday times, book the visit on your calendar, and remind the owner to bring the shelter paperwork. ## Leave notes for the morning team The summary lists the pet, the visit type, and the records to expect, so your front desk can set up the new client file. ## Your team sets the boundaries Trouble breathing, suspected poisoning, seizures, bloat signs, and pets hit by a car are flagged for your team at once, and owners hear the emergency-vet directions you wrote. ## What it handles for veterinary clinics Handled by your assistant: - Wellness exams and vaccine visits for the species you see - Spay and neuter dates, with the drop-off and fasting instructions you wrote - Prescription refill requests, collected for your staff to approve - Boarding and grooming questions, if you offer them - New-client details and which records to bring Sent straight to your team: - Trouble breathing or collapse - Suspected poisoning or a swallowed object - Pets hit by a car or badly hurt - Bloat signs or seizures - Medical questions that need a veterinarian ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Owner’s name and phone number - New or existing client - Pet’s name, species, breed, and age - Reason for the visit and how long signs have lasted - Medication name and dose from the label, for refill requests - Previous clinic and vaccine records, for new clients - Preferred appointment times What to add to its knowledge: - Species you see and where you refer the rest - Wellness, vaccine, and dental-cleaning appointment types - New-client fees, forms, and records to bring - Spay and neuter drop-off, pickup, and fasting instructions - Refill, boarding, and grooming policies - Your emergency-vet directions and after-hours instructions ## What does it do when an owner calls about a pet emergency? It treats the call as urgent and gets your team involved straight away. The assistant asks what happened, what kind of animal it is, and when it started, then reads the emergency instructions you wrote, such as the address of the emergency hospital you refer to after hours. The conversation is marked “needs you” and your teammates get an alert. Medical advice always comes from a veterinarian. ## Can it handle prescription refill requests? It collects them for your staff and leaves approval to your veterinarians. The assistant records the pet, the medication and dose on the label, and how the owner wants to pick it up, then marks the request for a person. Your team checks the record and confirms with the owner. Owners can also text refill requests to your InsertChat number. ## How much does an AI receptionist for veterinary clinics cost? On Pro, $98 per month covers one clinic phone number, a monthly pool of credits, and three team seats for your front desk and practice manager. Each call uses credits and rounds up to the next whole minute. The pricing page estimates usage from the number of calls your clinic gets each month. ## Can it answer only when the clinic is closed? Yes. Set your weekly hours and time zone, and calls ring your front desk while you’re open and go to the assistant after close. Overnight shifts are supported for clinics with late hours. Owners keep calling the number they already have, since US and Canadian clinics can forward it to InsertChat. ## Can pet owners text us photos? Yes. Owners can text your InsertChat number with routine questions, such as hours or vaccine visits, and get short replies from the assistant. Picture messages, like a photo of a wound or a rash, go to a person on your team instead. Texting STOP opts an owner out. ## Can it book into our veterinary practice software? InsertChat doesn’t connect to veterinary practice software. Bookings go to InsertChat’s built-in calendar or a connected Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com account. If you schedule in practice software, the assistant collects the request with the pet’s details and visit reason for your front desk to enter. ## Will it tell owners which animals you treat? Yes, if you list the species you see and the ones you refer elsewhere. A caller with a rabbit, a bearded dragon, or backyard chickens hears whether you can help and, if not, the referral details you added. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # Med Spa AI Receptionist & Answering Service Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa > Turn injectable, laser, and facial questions into booked consultations. An AI receptionist for med spas answers treatment questions by phone, text, and website chat, using your service menu, the prices you choose to share, and the prep and aftercare instructions you publish. InsertChat’s assistant books consultations and repeat treatments, and sends adverse reactions and candidacy questions to a licensed provider on your team. ## Turn a late-night filler question into a consultation Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective client opens the chat on your website at 10 p.m. on a Sunday. > How much is lip filler, and do I need a consultation first? I have a wedding in three weeks. ## Answer from your menu Share the filler pricing you publish, your consultation policy, and the timing guidance you wrote for clients with an upcoming event. ## Book the consultation Offer consultation times for this week, book the one the client picks, and send a reminder 24 hours ahead. ## Brief the injector The contact keeps the treatment interest, the wedding date, and the page or campaign that brought the client in, so your provider walks into the consult prepared. ## Your team sets the boundaries A client describing swelling or pain after a treatment is marked urgent for your clinical team, and candidacy questions wait for a licensed provider. ## What it handles for med spas Handled by your assistant: - What the injectables, laser treatments, and facials on your menu involve - Prep and aftercare questions, answered from your published instructions - Prices and specials you choose to share - Membership tiers and what each one includes - Consultation bookings and rebooking for repeat treatments Sent straight to your team: - Swelling, pain, or skin changes after a treatment - Whether someone is a good candidate for a treatment - Questions about medications, pregnancy, or medical history - Complaints about results ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, mobile number, and email - Treatment or concern they’re asking about - First visit or returning client - Any event date they’re planning around - Preferred provider, if any - How they heard about you - Preferred consultation times What to add to its knowledge: - Service menu covering injectables, laser, facials, and body treatments - Prep and aftercare instructions for each treatment - Prices and current specials you’re happy to share - Membership tiers, perks, and cancellation terms - Consultation policy, deposits, and late-cancellation fees - Provider bios and the treatments each one performs ## What happens when a client calls about a reaction after treatment? Your clinical team hears about it right away. The assistant asks which treatment the client had, when, and what has changed since, then marks the conversation urgent so your chosen teammates are notified. Callers describing severe symptoms hear the emergency instructions you wrote. Only a licensed provider assesses the reaction. ## Will it tell callers whether a treatment is right for them? No, candidacy stays with a licensed provider. The assistant describes each treatment from your menu and offers a consultation for anything personal. Questions about medications, pregnancy, skin conditions, or past reactions are noted on the contact so your provider can review them before the consult. Dosing, product choice, and treatment plans are decided at the consultation. ## How much does an AI receptionist for med spas cost? Med spas that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 per month and can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Otherwise, Pro at $98 a month includes one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats for your front desk and providers; keep protected health information out of the assistant on Pro. Each call draws on credits, rounded up to the minute, and texts and WhatsApp messages can add their own charges. ## Can it share prices per unit or per syringe? Yes, if that’s how you list them. Add your per-unit and per-syringe prices, package rates, and current specials, and the assistant gives them exactly as written. How many units or syringes a client needs is a question for your provider at the consultation. ## Can it answer consultation questions after the spa closes? Yes. With after-hours routing, your front desk phone rings while the spa is open and the assistant answers once you close. It also replies to texts and website chats at any hour from the same treatment menu, and it can book consults on your calendar. ## Can clients rebook their next treatment by text? Yes. A returning client can text your InsertChat number to book their next visit, and the assistant offers open times from your calendar. It can also cancel an appointment it booked and offer new times. Changes to visits booked another way go to your front desk. ## Can clients keep calling our current med spa number? Yes, in the US and Canada. Keep the number on your website and ads, and forward it to InsertChat. Elsewhere, pick a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available, then choose one of 10 voices and write the greeting callers hear. ## Related features - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness): Help the next customer while you look after this one. --- # AI Receptionist for Salons & Spas: 24/7 Booking Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/salon > Book cuts, color, nails, and massages for the right length while every chair is busy. An AI receptionist for salons and spas answers booking calls and texts while your team is with clients, using your service menu, prices, and policies. InsertChat’s assistant asks which service and which stylist or therapist the client wants, books an appointment of the right length, and can send text or email reminders 72 and 24 hours before the visit. ## Turn a text from a regular into a booked color appointment Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A regular client texts your InsertChat number on Monday, when the salon is closed. > Can I get a root touch-up and a trim with Dana next Friday? Late morning if she has it. ## Match the services to your menu Find the root touch-up and trim on your price menu, along with how long the two take together. ## Offer late-morning openings Suggest Friday times long enough for both services, note Dana as the preferred stylist, and book the slot the client picks. ## Send the reminders The client gets a text or email reminder 72 hours before the appointment and another 24 hours before. ## Your team sets the boundaries Skin irritation after a color or wax goes to your team right away, and complaints about results and bridal or group requests wait for a manager. ## What it handles for salons and spas Handled by your assistant: - Bookings for cuts, color, nails, and massages, each with its own length - Stylist and therapist preferences, saved on the client’s contact - Prices from your service menu - Cancellation, late-arrival, and no-show policies - Gift card and walk-in questions Sent straight to your team: - Allergic reactions or skin irritation after a service - Unhappy color results and other complaints - Bridal parties and group bookings that need a manager - Requests to waive a cancellation fee ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Client name and mobile number - Service, such as a cut, color, nails, or a massage - Preferred stylist, nail tech, or therapist - New or returning client - Hair length and last color service, for color bookings - Whether a patch test is due, if your policy asks for one - Preferred day and time What to add to its knowledge: - Service menu with prices and how long each service takes - Which stylists, nail techs, and therapists do which services - Cancellation, deposit, and late-arrival policies - Gift card options and where to buy them - Walk-in days and hours - Patch test, prep, and aftercare notes for color, waxing, and lashes ## Can it book the right amount of time for each salon service? Yes, with Cal.com. Create an event type per service, such as a 45-minute cut or a 60-minute massage, and the assistant books the type that matches the request. Calendly and InsertChat’s built-in calendar book one appointment length per assistant. For combinations like color plus a cut, create a combined event type or let it take the request for your front desk. ## Can it help with no-shows and late cancellations? Yes, through reminders and clear policies. Text or email reminders 72 and 24 hours before each appointment help reduce forgotten visits. The assistant explains your cancellation and late-arrival policy when a client books, and requests to waive a late fee wait for a manager. It can also cancel an appointment it booked when a client asks. That opens the slot for someone else. ## How much does an AI receptionist for salons and spas cost? The Pro plan costs $98 a month, or 10 monthly payments upfront if you bill annually. It covers one phone number and monthly credits, and its three seats let the owner and front desk share the inbox. Calls draw down credits by the whole minute. Reminder texts and WhatsApp messages are connected services that can carry their own charges. ## Can clients book through WhatsApp? Yes, once you connect a WhatsApp Business Account. Clients message your business number there, and the assistant answers from the same menu and policies it uses on calls and texts. Requests from every channel land in one shared inbox, on the client’s contact. ## Can I keep my salon’s phone number? Yes, if you’re in the US or Canada. Forward your existing number to InsertChat and decide when the assistant answers, such as every call, only after hours, or only after the front desk phone has rung for up to 60 seconds. Salons in other countries can get a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is offered. ## What if a client texts a photo of the look they want? A person on your team handles it. Picture messages sent by text skip the automatic reply and go to your stylists in the shared inbox. On your website chat, clients can attach inspiration photos to their message too. ## Can the assistant take a deposit over the phone? No, it doesn’t take card payments on calls. It can explain your deposit and cancellation policy, tell clients where to buy gift cards, and note the request for your team. Questions about a charge or a refund go to a person. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness): Help the next customer while you look after this one. --- # AI Receptionist for Gyms & Studios, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/gym > Answer membership, class schedule, and trial pass calls while your staff coach. An AI receptionist for gyms and fitness studios answers calls and texts about memberships, classes, and hours while your staff are coaching or checking members in. InsertChat’s assistant shares the prices you publish, books trial classes and personal training consultations, and alerts your team to cancellation requests, billing disputes, and injuries at the facility. ## Turn a price question into a booked intro class Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective member calls at 6:05 p.m., while your instructor is teaching the evening class. > How much is a monthly membership, and can I try a class before I sign up? I’m free Tuesday evening. ## Share the membership options Give the monthly, annual, and class-pack prices you publish, plus any joining fee and the trial offer you set. ## Book the intro visit Offer the Tuesday evening times you set aside for intro visits and reserve the one the caller wants. ## Save the new lead The contact records the caller’s goals and trial date, so your membership staff can follow up after the class. ## Your team sets the boundaries Cancel and freeze requests send your team an alert, billing disputes are marked for a person, and anyone reporting an injury at the gym hears the emergency instructions you wrote. ## What it handles for gyms and fitness studios Handled by your assistant: - Membership options and the prices you publish - Class schedules, instructors, and what to bring - Trial passes and intro classes - Personal training consultations on your calendar - Hours, parking, and childcare if you offer it Sent straight to your team: - Membership cancellation and freeze requests - Billing disputes and double charges - Injuries at the facility - Complaints about staff, equipment, or cleanliness ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Caller’s name, phone, and email - Current member or prospective member - Fitness goals and any class they want to try - Membership type they’re interested in - Preferred trial or consultation time - Member name and reason, for cancel or freeze requests - Where they saw your gym, such as a flyer, an ad, or a friend What to add to its knowledge: - Membership tiers, prices, and joining fees you publish - Class timetable and instructor bios - Trial pass and intro class offers - Personal training packages and how consultations work - Cancellation, freeze, and contract terms - Staffed hours, childcare times, and parking ## What happens when a member calls to cancel? The assistant takes the request and sends your team a cancellation alert. It records the member’s name, membership, and the reason they give, and it can explain the cancellation and freeze terms you wrote. Your team handles the cancellation itself and can call the member back with options, such as a freeze, before anything changes. ## Does it have to share our membership prices? No, it shares only what you add to its knowledge. Publish every tier and joining fee, or leave prices out and let your sales staff discuss them in person. In that case, instruct the assistant to offer an intro class or a consultation and to note what the caller wants, so your team follows up with the right offer. ## How much does an AI receptionist for gyms and fitness studios cost? At $98 per month, Pro gives a gym one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three staff seats. Calls round up to whole minutes. Gyms that need more assistants, seats, or credits can move to Growth, Scale, or Enterprise, and Scale and Enterprise add analytics reports. ## Can people text or use our website chat instead of calling? Yes. The same assistant can run as a chat widget on your gym’s website and reply to texts sent to your InsertChat number, using the same prices and timetable. Each new lead lands in the shared inbox with its source, such as the landing page or campaign that brought them in. ## Can it answer for more than one gym location? Yes. Set up one assistant per location, each with its own address, hours, class timetable, and prices, within your plan’s assistant limit. Pro includes three assistants, and each extra phone number is $10 a month. A caller to your downtown club hears downtown’s hours and classes. ## Our gym is open 24 hours but staffed part-time. Can it cover the unstaffed hours? Yes. Enter your staffed hours as opening hours with your time zone, and calls ring your desk while staff are on site and go to the assistant the rest of the time. In the US and Canada, forward your current gym number so members keep dialing the same one. ## Does it connect to our gym management software? No. The assistant books trial visits and consultations into InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. Check-ins, contracts, and membership billing stay in the system you already use, and your staff enter new members there after the trial. ## Related features - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Broader industry - [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness): Help the next customer while you look after this one. --- # Physical Therapy AI Receptionist, Answers 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/physical-therapy > Book initial evaluations, answer referral and insurance questions, and route post-op concerns to your therapists. An AI receptionist for physical therapy clinics answers patient calls and texts while your therapists are treating, using your services, hours, referral policy, and the insurance you accept. InsertChat’s assistant books initial evaluations and follow-up visits, tells post-op patients what to bring, and sends new pain, swelling, and clinical questions to a licensed therapist. ## Turn a post-surgery call into a booked initial evaluation Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A patient calls at 7:40 a.m., while both therapists are with early patients and the front desk isn’t in yet. > I had ACL surgery on Friday and my surgeon says I should start PT this week. Is anything open before Thursday, and what do I bring? ## Check the referral and the plan Ask for the surgeon’s name, the surgery date, and the insurance plan, then answer from your referral and insurance notes. ## Book the initial evaluation Offer evaluation openings before Thursday and book the time the patient picks, at the length you set for first visits. ## Tell the patient what to bring Share your first-visit checklist, such as the surgeon’s protocol, a photo ID, and shorts. The call summary lands with your front desk. ## Your team sets the boundaries Calf pain, new swelling, a fever, or a wound that looks wrong after surgery is flagged for your therapists at once, and anyone describing chest pain or trouble breathing hears your instruction to call 911. ## What it handles for physical therapy clinics Handled by your assistant: - Initial evaluations and follow-up visits booked into open times - Whether a referral is needed, answered from the policy you write - Insurance plans you accept and the self-pay rates you publish - What to bring and wear to a first visit - Moving or canceling visits the assistant booked Sent straight to your team: - New swelling, calf pain, or fever after surgery - A fall or a new injury between visits - Chest pain or trouble breathing, answered with your 911 instruction - Questions about exercises, pain levels, or progress - Authorization, visit-limit, and billing disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Patient name and mobile number - Body area and what brings them in, such as surgery, an injury, or ongoing pain - Surgery date and surgeon, for post-op patients - Referring provider, if they have a referral - Insurance carrier and plan, or self-pay - Preferred clinic, if you run more than one - Days and times that fit around work or school What to add to its knowledge: - Conditions you treat, such as post-op rehab, sports injuries, and pelvic health - Referral policy, including when patients can book without one - Insurance you accept, self-pay rates, and visit packages - First-visit checklist, visit length, and what to wear - Cancellation and no-show policy - Clinic locations, hours, parking, and your 911 instructions ## Can it tell patients whether they need a referral for physical therapy? Yes, from the policy you write. Referral rules differ by state and by insurance plan, so add the version that applies to your clinic and each plan you take. The assistant explains it, asks for the referring provider when there is one, and books the evaluation. Coverage and authorization checks go to your front desk with the plan details already collected. ## What happens when a post-op patient calls with a worrying symptom? Your therapists hear about it right away. The assistant asks what changed, when it started, and the surgery date, then marks the conversation urgent and emails the teammates you chose. It never tells a patient whether a symptom is serious. If the caller describes chest pain, trouble breathing, or another emergency on your list, the assistant reads your instruction to call 911. ## Is a BAA available for physical therapy clinics? Yes, InsertChat can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) on Enterprise. Diagnoses, surgery dates, and insurance details that patients share can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign the BAA before the assistant collects them. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant, its calendar, and its connected tools. ## How much does an AI receptionist for physical therapy clinics cost? Clinics that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, from $998 a month, which can sign a BAA and includes 100 AI assistants, enough for one per location. On other plans, from $98 a month, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls draw on monthly credits in whole minutes, and each extra phone number is $10 a month. ## Can our front desk answer first and the assistant take the overflow? Yes. Set your clinic line to ring the front desk for 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant answers whatever isn’t picked up. That covers check-in rushes and the hour before staff arrive. It can also take every call after hours. US and Canadian clinics can forward their current number to InsertChat. ## Can patients reschedule a visit by text? Yes, for visits the assistant booked. Patients text your InsertChat number, the assistant offers new times, and the change shows on your calendar. Each visit can get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before, so patients move a session instead of skipping it. Visits booked another way are changed by your staff. ## Does it connect to our physical therapy EMR? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to physical therapy EMR or practice management software, so plans of care and notes stay where they are. The assistant books into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar. If your schedule lives in your EMR, have it collect requests with the body area, referral, and preferred times for your front desk to enter. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # Optometry AI Receptionist: Book Eye Exams 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/optometry > Book eye exams and contact lens fittings, answer vision plan questions, and flag sudden vision changes. An AI receptionist for optometry practices answers calls and texts while your doctors are examining patients and your opticians are fitting frames. InsertChat’s assistant answers vision plan and exam questions from your information, books comprehensive exams and contact lens fittings, logs eyewear order questions for your optical staff, and flags sudden vision changes for a doctor. ## Turn a last-box-of-contacts text into a booked exam Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A patient texts your InsertChat number on Sunday evening. > I’m down to my last box of contacts and my prescription expired. Can I get an exam and a fitting this week? I have vision insurance through work. ## Check the vision plan Ask which vision plan the patient has and answer from the plans you accept. Benefit and eligibility checks are left for your front desk. ## Book the exam and fitting Offer this week’s openings for a comprehensive exam with a contact lens fitting, and book the one the patient picks. ## Prepare the visit Remind the patient to bring their current lenses or the box, and save the plan and lens brand on their contact for your staff. ## Your team sets the boundaries Sudden vision loss, new flashes or floaters, eye injuries, and chemical splashes are flagged for your doctors at once, and the patient hears the urgent-care or 911 instructions you wrote. ## What it handles for optometry practices Handled by your assistant: - Comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings booked into open times - Vision and medical plans you accept, answered from your list - Eyewear order and pickup questions, logged for your optical staff - Frame brands, lens options, and the prices you choose to share - Office hours, directions, and what to bring to an exam Sent straight to your team: - Sudden vision loss or a curtain over part of the vision - New flashes of light or a burst of new floaters - Eye injuries and chemical splashes - A red, painful eye in a contact lens wearer - Questions about a prescription, a diagnosis, or eye drops ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Patient name and mobile number - New or existing patient, and the date of their last eye exam - Glasses, contacts, or both, with the current lens brand - Vision plan or medical insurance, or self-pay - Reason for the visit, such as a routine exam, a fitting, or an eye problem - Other family members who need exams - Preferred days and times What to add to its knowledge: - Vision plans and medical insurance you accept - Exam types, contact lens fitting fees, and what each visit includes - Frame brands, lens options, and eyewear prices you share - How long eyewear orders usually take and how pickup works - Dilation notes, such as bringing sunglasses or a driver - Hours, holiday closures, and your urgent eye care instructions ## Can it tell patients whether you take their vision plan? Yes, once you list the vision and medical plans you accept. The assistant asks which plan the patient has and answers from that list. If routine exams and medical eye visits bill differently at your office, add that note and it explains the difference. Remaining benefits, frame allowances, and eligibility stay with your front desk, which gets the plan details with the request. ## What does it do with an urgent eye problem? It flags it for your doctors and gives the caller your instructions. The assistant asks what happened, which eye, and when it started, then marks the conversation urgent and emails the teammates you chose. Someone describing a chemical splash, an injury, or sudden vision loss hears the urgent-care or 911 instructions you wrote. The assistant doesn’t judge symptoms or suggest eye drops. ## Does InsertChat sign a BAA with optometry practices? Yes, on Enterprise. Prescriptions, eye conditions, and insurance details can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) before the assistant handles them. Practices on other plans should keep protected health information out of the assistant and use it for general questions, office hours, and eyewear pickup times. ## How much does an AI receptionist for optometry practices cost? Optometry practices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 a month and can sign a BAA. On other plans, from $98 a month with three seats for your front desk and opticians, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls are billed from monthly credits in whole minutes, so a quick question about Saturday hours counts as one minute. ## Can it answer “Are my glasses ready?” It takes the question for your optical staff. InsertChat doesn’t connect to optical lab or practice management software, so it can’t see order status. The assistant records the patient’s name, what they ordered, and how they want to hear back, then marks the conversation for a person. A patient who asks for a callback gets a text or email confirming the request. ## Can patients book from our website at night? Yes. Add the chat widget to your site with the WordPress plugin or the install code, and it answers from the same knowledge as your phone line. A patient browsing frames at 11 p.m. can ask whether you carry a brand and book an exam in the same chat. ## Can calls ring our optical desk before the assistant answers? Yes. Your office number can ring your staff for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant picks up, or the assistant can answer only after hours. In the US and Canada, keep the number printed on your cases and website and forward it to InsertChat. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # Dermatology AI Receptionist & Answering Service Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/dermatology > Book skin checks and cosmetic consults, explain referral rules, and flag reactions and changing spots for clinicians. An AI receptionist for dermatology practices answers patient calls and messages while your providers are seeing patients, using your medical services, cosmetic menu, referral rules, and insurance list. InsertChat’s assistant books skin checks, follow-ups, and cosmetic consultations, quotes only the cosmetic prices you publish, and sends changing spots, reactions, and clinical questions to your clinicians. ## Turn a mole question into a booked skin check Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective patient opens the chat on your website during a Tuesday lunch break. > My partner noticed a mole on my back that looks bigger than last summer. Are you taking new patients, and do I need a referral? ## Answer the referral question Ask for the insurance plan, then explain the new-patient and referral rules you wrote for that plan type. ## Book a skin check Offer new-patient skin check openings and book the time the patient chooses, at the length you set for that visit. ## Flag the change for your team The summary notes the spot, where it is, and that it has grown, and the conversation is flagged so your clinical staff can decide whether to see the patient sooner. ## Your team sets the boundaries Rashes spreading with fever, bleeding from a biopsy site, and swelling after a procedure go to your clinicians at once, and anyone with swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing hears your instruction to call 911. ## What it handles for dermatology practices Handled by your assistant: - Skin checks, follow-ups, and cosmetic consultations booked into open times - Referral and new-patient rules for each insurance type you list - Cosmetic treatments on your menu and the prices you publish - Prep notes, such as skipping nail polish before a full-body skin check - Moving or canceling visits the assistant booked Sent straight to your team: - A spot that is bleeding, growing, or changing, flagged for clinical review - Bleeding, swelling, or signs of infection after a biopsy or procedure - Rashes spreading fast or coming with a fever - Swelling of the face or throat, answered with your 911 instruction - Biopsy results and prescription questions ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Patient name and mobile number - Medical visit or cosmetic consultation - The concern, where it is on the body, and how long it has been there - Whether it has changed, bled, or itched - Insurance plan and referring doctor, or self-pay - Treatment of interest, for cosmetic callers - Preferred days, times, and provider What to add to its knowledge: - Medical services, from skin checks to acne and eczema care - Cosmetic menu with the prices and packages you choose to share - Insurance plans you accept and when a referral is required - Skin check prep and the biopsy aftercare sheet you hand out - Which providers see medical patients and which do cosmetic work - Hours, locations, and your after-hours and 911 instructions ## Can it keep medical and cosmetic dermatology calls apart? Yes. Add your medical services and your cosmetic menu as separate knowledge, and the assistant asks which one the caller needs before it answers. Medical callers hear your insurance and referral rules and get a skin check or follow-up. Cosmetic callers hear the treatment details and prices you publish and get a consultation. Every conversation lands in one shared inbox, where your team can assign it to medical or cosmetic staff. ## Will it tell a patient whether a mole looks serious? No. The assistant never assesses a spot, a rash, or a photo. It records what the patient describes, flags spots that are bleeding, growing, or changing, and books the visit type you set for them. Photos texted to your InsertChat number skip the automatic reply and go to a person on your team. Biopsy results and treatment questions always go to a clinician. ## Can InsertChat sign a BAA with a dermatology practice? Yes, on the Enterprise plan. Skin conditions, biopsy questions, photos, and insurance details can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) before the assistant collects them. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant and limit it to questions such as hours, directions, and cosmetic menu prices. ## How much does an AI receptionist for dermatology practices cost? Dermatology practices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, from $998 a month, which can sign a BAA and covers up to 100 AI assistants, so medical and cosmetic lines can each have their own. On other plans, starting with Pro at $98 a month, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls use credits rounded up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. ## Can patients text us a photo of a rash? They can, and a person on your team sees it. Picture messages sent to your InsertChat number skip the assistant’s automatic reply and land in the shared inbox for your staff. The assistant doesn’t look at or comment on images. Replying STOP opts a patient out of texts. ## Can it handle cosmetic leads from our ads? Yes. Each new contact keeps its lead source, such as the landing page or campaign that brought them in, and a question about pricing or booking a laser package sends your team a high-intent alert. The assistant books the consultation and saves the treatment interest on the contact for your cosmetic coordinator. ## Does it work with our dermatology EHR? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to EHR or practice management software. It books into InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, or it collects requests for your schedulers to enter. Charts, results, and prescriptions stay in your EHR. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # Orthodontic AI Receptionist That Books Consults Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/orthodontics > Book new-patient consultations, explain braces and aligner options, and sort broken brackets from real emergencies. An AI receptionist for orthodontic practices answers calls, texts, and website chats from parents and adult patients, using your treatment options, consultation process, and payment plans. InsertChat’s assistant books new-patient consultations, gives current patients your instructions for loose brackets and poking wires, and sends mouth injuries and clinical questions to your orthodontists. ## Turn a parent’s question into a first consultation Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A parent starts a chat on your website after dinner on a school night. > Our dentist says my daughter should see an orthodontist. She’s 8. Is that too early, and do you offer payment plans? ## Answer from your approach Share what you publish about early evaluations, what happens at the first consultation, and the payment plans you offer. ## Book an after-school consult Offer afternoon consultation times and book the one the parent picks, with the child’s name on the appointment. ## Save the family as a lead The contact keeps the child’s age, the referring dentist, and the parent’s cost questions, so your treatment coordinator walks in ready. ## Your team sets the boundaries Mouth or face injuries, swelling, and wire problems your at-home instructions don’t fix go to your team at once, and anyone describing heavy bleeding or trouble breathing hears your instruction to call 911. ## What it handles for orthodontic practices Handled by your assistant: - New-patient consultations for children, teens, and adults - Braces, clear aligners, and other options you offer, explained from your pages - Payment plans, down payments, and the insurance you accept - Loose brackets and poking wires, answered with your at-home instructions - Adjustment visits moved or canceled when the assistant booked them Sent straight to your team: - A mouth or face injury, or a loosened tooth - Swelling, infection signs, or pain that won’t settle - A wire or appliance problem your instructions don’t cover - Whether treatment is needed or how long it will take - Contract, payment, and refund disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Parent or patient name and mobile number - Patient’s age, and school schedule for kids - Referring dentist, if any - Main concern, such as crowding, spacing, or bite - Interest in braces, clear aligners, or not sure yet - Dental insurance with orthodontic coverage, or self-pay - For current patients, the appliance they wear What to add to its knowledge: - Treatment options you offer, from metal braces to clear aligners - What happens at the first consultation and how long it takes - Payment plans, down payments, and the insurance you accept - At-home instructions for loose brackets, poking wires, and lost aligners - Retainer replacement policy and fees - Office hours, after-school appointment times, and your emergency instructions ## Can it handle orthodontic emergency calls? It separates the ones that can wait from the ones that can’t. A loose bracket or a poking wire gets your at-home instructions, such as covering the wire with orthodontic wax, and a note for your team to see the patient at the next opening. Injuries, swelling, and anything your instructions don’t cover are marked urgent and your team is notified. Callers with heavy bleeding or trouble breathing hear your instruction to call 911. ## Will it tell parents whether their child needs braces? No. Whether a child needs treatment, when to start, and how long it takes are decisions for your orthodontist at the consultation. The assistant shares what you publish about early evaluations and the first visit, answers cost and payment plan questions from your numbers, and books the consultation. Parents’ questions are saved on the contact so your doctor can answer them in person. ## Is a BAA available for orthodontic practices? Yes, InsertChat can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) on Enterprise. A child’s dental history, a referral from their dentist, and insurance details can be protected health information, so sign the BAA on Enterprise before the assistant collects them. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant and its connected calendar and CRM. ## How much does an AI receptionist for orthodontic practices cost? Orthodontic practices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 a month and can sign a BAA. On other plans, starting with Pro at $98 a month for three AI assistants and three seats, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls use monthly credits in whole minutes, and a practice with satellite offices can add numbers at $10 a month each. ## Can consultation leads go into HubSpot? Yes, as actions you approve. The assistant can create or update a HubSpot contact and add a note or task, so a parent who books a consult shows up in your CRM with the child’s age and referring dentist. There is no background sync, and the assistant doesn’t send follow-up campaigns. Your treatment coordinator follows up from the record. ## Can patients ask about a lost aligner or retainer by text? Yes. Patients text your InsertChat number and the assistant explains your replacement policy and fee as you wrote them, then records the request for your team. Patients can also move adjustment visits the assistant booked. Picture messages, such as a photo of a broken retainer, go to a person on your team. ## Does it work with our orthodontic practice software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to orthodontic practice management software. Consults can be booked into InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. If you schedule in practice software, the assistant collects the request with the patient’s age, concern, and preferred times for your front desk to enter. ## Related features - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # Plastic Surgeon AI Receptionist: 24/7 Consults Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/plastic-surgery > Turn procedure questions into consultations, share the pricing you publish, and route post-op concerns to your surgical team. An AI receptionist for plastic surgery practices answers calls, texts, and website chats about procedures, costs, and consultations, using your procedure pages, the price ranges you publish, and your consultation policy. InsertChat’s assistant books in-person and virtual consultations, saves each prospect’s interests for your patient coordinator, and sends post-op concerns and candidacy questions to your surgical team. ## Turn a late-night inquiry into a video consultation Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective patient opens your website chat at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday. > I live about three hours away. Roughly what does a breast augmentation cost with you, and can I do the first consult by video? ## Share the published range Give the price range and financing options you publish for the procedure, and explain what the consultation covers and any consultation fee. ## Book a video consult Offer virtual consultation times and book the one the patient picks. The booking carries your video meeting link. ## Brief the patient coordinator The contact keeps the procedure, the travel distance, the financing question, and the page that brought the patient in. ## Your team sets the boundaries Post-op fever, sudden swelling on one side, bleeding, and incision problems are marked urgent for your surgical team at once, and patients describing chest pain or trouble breathing hear your instruction to call 911. ## What it handles for plastic surgery practices Handled by your assistant: - Procedure questions answered from your procedure pages - Price ranges, consultation fees, and financing options you publish - In-person and virtual consultation bookings - Travel and recovery-stay questions from out-of-town patients - Pre-op checklists you publish, such as arranging a ride home Sent straight to your team: - Fever, bleeding, or sudden swelling after surgery - Incision, drain, or wound problems - Chest pain or trouble breathing, answered with your 911 instruction - Whether someone is a good candidate for a procedure - Unhappy results, revision requests, and billing disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, mobile number, and email - Procedure or area of interest - In-person or virtual consultation, and the city they’re traveling from - Timeline, such as a date they want to be recovered by - Interest in financing - Preferred surgeon, if any - How they found your practice What to add to its knowledge: - Procedure pages covering what each surgery involves and the recovery time you describe - Price ranges, consultation fees, and financing partners you share - Consultation process, including virtual consults and what to prepare - Pre-op and post-op instructions you give every patient - Travel and lodging notes for out-of-town patients - Surgeon bios and your after-hours post-op instructions ## Can it share plastic surgery prices without quoting a patient? Yes. It gives only the ranges and fees you publish, such as a starting price for a procedure or your consultation fee, and explains that the surgeon sets the final price after the consultation. Questions about what someone’s own result or cost would be are saved on the contact for the consult. InsertChat doesn’t create quotes. ## What happens when a post-op patient calls at night? The call is marked urgent and your surgical team is notified right away. The assistant asks which procedure, the surgery date, and what changed, then reads the after-hours instructions you wrote, such as the on-call number to dial. It never tells a patient whether a symptom is normal. Patients describing chest pain, trouble breathing, or heavy bleeding hear your instruction to call 911. ## Can it book virtual consultations for out-of-town patients? Yes. Set the consultation’s meeting location to your video link, or have the assistant ask whether the patient wants to come in or meet online. The booking carries the location the patient chose, and each one can get a reminder 72 and 24 hours before. The travel and lodging notes you publish answer the rest of an out-of-town patient’s questions. ## How much does an AI receptionist for plastic surgery practices cost? Practices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 a month and can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). On other plans, from Pro at $98 a month, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls draw on monthly credits in whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. ## Does InsertChat sign a BAA with plastic surgery practices? Yes, on Enterprise. Procedure interests, medical history, photos, and post-op details can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) before the assistant collects them. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant, its connected calendar, and your CRM actions. ## Can prospective patients send photos? Photos sent by text go to a person on your team instead of the assistant, and patients can attach photos in your website chat as well. Add an instruction that your team reviews every photo, and the assistant tells patients so. Your coordinator sees the images in the shared inbox with the rest of the conversation. ## Can it log inquiries in HubSpot or Zoho? Yes, as actions you approve. The assistant can create or update a contact in HubSpot or Zoho CRM with the procedure, timeline, and lead source, so your coordinator follows up from the CRM you already use. There is no background sync, and every inquiry also stays in InsertChat’s shared inbox. ## Related features - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # AI Receptionist for Audiology & Hearing Clinics Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/audiology > Book hearing tests and hearing aid fittings, let patients text instead of call, and flag sudden hearing loss. An AI receptionist for audiology and hearing aid practices answers calls and texts while your audiologists are testing and fitting patients, using your services, hearing aid brands, and policies. InsertChat’s assistant books hearing evaluations, fittings, and clean-and-check visits, takes repair requests for your staff, and sends sudden hearing loss and clinical questions to an audiologist. ## Turn a daughter’s call into her dad’s first hearing test Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An adult daughter calls on her lunch break while your audiologist is in the sound booth. > My father keeps turning the TV up and missing half of what we say. Can I book him a hearing test, and does he need a referral? ## Explain the first visit Describe your hearing evaluation, how long it takes, and your referral and insurance notes, using what you added to the assistant’s knowledge. ## Book the evaluation Offer evaluation times and book the one that works, with the father as the patient and the daughter saved as the scheduling contact. ## Prepare the audiologist The summary notes who is coming, the concerns the family described, and that a family member will attend. ## Your team sets the boundaries Sudden hearing loss, ear pain with fever or drainage, and dizziness after a head injury are flagged for your audiologists at once, and callers describing a medical emergency hear your instruction to call 911. ## What it handles for audiology and hearing aid practices Handled by your assistant: - Hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and clean-and-check visits - Hearing aid brands and styles you carry, and the prices you share - Battery, charging, and cleaning questions answered from your guides - Warranty, loss and damage, and trial-period policies - Repair drop-off and mail-in steps Sent straight to your team: - Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears - Ear pain with fever, drainage, or bleeding - Dizziness or balance problems after an injury - Questions about test results or whether a device suits someone - Returns, refunds, and billing disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Patient name, and the family member calling if it isn’t the patient - Best way to reach them: a call, a text, or an email - New patient or current hearing aid wearer - Hearing aid make and model, for repair or warranty questions - Insurance or hearing benefit plan, or self-pay - What they’ve noticed and how long it has been going on - Preferred days and times What to add to its knowledge: - Hearing tests, fittings, and follow-up visits you offer - Hearing aid brands, styles, and price ranges you share - Trial period, warranty, loss and damage, and return policies - Battery, charging, and cleaning guides for the devices you fit - Insurance and hearing benefit plans you accept - Hours, locations, and your urgent instructions ## Can patients with hearing loss text instead of calling? Yes. Patients and family members can text your InsertChat number and get short written replies from the same knowledge as your phone line. The assistant can book visits, move the ones it booked, answer battery and warranty questions, and take repair requests by text. Add a line to your phone greeting that tells callers they can text the same number. Texting STOP opts a patient out. ## Can it help hearing aid wearers troubleshoot a device? It walks them through the steps you publish, such as changing a battery, checking the charger, or cleaning a dome or wax guard. If those steps don’t fix it, the assistant takes the make, model, and problem, explains your repair drop-off or mail-in process, and records the request for your staff. It doesn’t adjust settings or diagnose a device. ## Does InsertChat sign a BAA with audiology practices? Yes, on Enterprise. Hearing test results, hearing loss details, and insurance information can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) before the assistant collects them. Practices on other plans should keep protected health information out of the assistant and the calendar it books into. ## How much does an AI receptionist for audiology practices cost? Audiology practices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 a month and can sign a BAA. On other plans, starting with Pro at $98 a month, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls are billed from monthly credits in whole minutes, and text messages can carry their own charges. The pricing page estimates usage from your monthly calls and messages. ## Can family members book for a parent? Yes. The assistant asks who the appointment is for and who to contact about it, then books the visit in the patient’s name. Both names and the best number to reach the family are saved on the contact, so your front desk knows who to call with questions. ## Can the assistant answer only when the office is closed? Yes. Set your weekly hours and time zone, and calls ring your front desk while you’re open and go to the assistant after close. On busy fitting days, the office phone can ring for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant picks up. US and Canadian practices can forward their current number. ## Can it explain our hearing aid trial period? Yes, in your words. Add the length of your trial, what happens at the follow-up visits, and any fees that apply if a patient returns the devices, and the assistant answers those questions on calls, texts, and website chat. Requests to return devices or dispute a fee are marked for a person. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # Podiatry AI Receptionist & Answering Service Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/podiatry > Book foot and ankle visits, answer referral and insurance questions, and flag wounds and infections fast. An AI receptionist for podiatry practices answers patient calls and texts while your doctors are seeing patients, using your services, the insurance you accept, and your referral rules. InsertChat’s assistant books visits for heel pain, ingrown toenails, and routine diabetic foot care, collects referral details, and sends foot wounds, infection signs, and injuries to your clinical team. ## Turn a weekend heel pain call into a Monday appointment Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A runner calls on Saturday morning, when your office is closed. > My heel has been killing me every morning for three weeks, and I’m training for a half marathon. Can someone see me early next week? ## Collect the basics Ask how long the pain has lasted, whether there was an injury, and which insurance the caller has, then check it against your list. ## Book the first opening Offer Monday and Tuesday new-patient times from your calendar and book the one the runner picks. ## Tell them what to bring Share your new-patient checklist, such as the shoes they run in and their insurance card, and leave the summary for your front desk. ## Your team sets the boundaries Open wounds, a foot that is red, hot, or swollen, and injuries that make walking impossible are flagged for your podiatrists at once, and callers with a medical emergency hear your instruction to call 911. ## What it handles for podiatry practices Handled by your assistant: - New-patient visits for heel pain, bunions, ingrown toenails, and warts - Routine diabetic foot care and nail care visits - Insurance you accept and when a referral is required - Custom orthotics questions, pickup times, and the prices you share - Moving or canceling visits the assistant booked Sent straight to your team: - Open sores or wounds, especially for patients with diabetes - Redness, heat, swelling, or drainage that could mean infection - Injuries where the patient can’t put weight on the foot - Concerns after foot or ankle surgery - Questions about medication, a diagnosis, or test results ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Patient name and mobile number - Where it hurts and how long it has bothered them - Whether it started with an injury - Whether the patient has diabetes, for foot care and wound calls - Referring doctor, if their plan needs one - Insurance carrier and plan, or self-pay - Preferred office and appointment times What to add to its knowledge: - Conditions you treat and procedures you perform - Insurance you accept and referral requirements by plan - How diabetic foot care visits work and what to bring - Custom orthotics process, timing, and prices you share - Post-op instructions you give surgical patients - Office locations, hours, and your urgent and 911 instructions ## What happens when a patient with diabetes calls about a foot wound? Your clinical team hears about it right away. The assistant asks where the wound is, how long it has been there, and whether there is redness, swelling, or drainage, then marks the conversation urgent and emails the teammates you chose. It doesn’t tell the patient how to treat the wound. Your staff decide how soon to see the patient and call them back. ## Can it handle referral and insurance questions for podiatry? Yes, from the rules you write. Add the plans you accept and the ones that need a referral from a primary care doctor, and the assistant asks for the plan and referring doctor before booking. When a referral is missing, it still records the request and tells the patient what your office needs. Benefit checks stay with your front desk. ## Is a BAA available for podiatry practices? Yes, on Enterprise. Foot conditions, wound details, diabetes status, and insurance details can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) before the assistant collects them. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant and the calendar it books into. ## How much does an AI receptionist for podiatry practices cost? Podiatry practices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, from $998 a month, which can sign a BAA and supports up to 100 AI assistants for multi-office groups. On other plans, from $98 a month, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls use monthly credits rounded up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum, and each extra office line is $10 a month. ## Can it cover the phones on surgery days? Yes. Let your front desk phone ring for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant answers, so calls during a busy surgery morning still get picked up. You can also have the assistant answer every call, or only after hours. In the US and Canada, forward the number your patients already have. ## Can patients text about orthotics pickup? Yes. Patients can text your InsertChat number to ask whether their orthotics are ready, and the assistant logs the question for your staff, since it can’t see your lab orders. It also answers hours and directions and moves visits it booked. Picture messages, like a photo of a toe, go to a person on your team. ## Can it talk with Spanish-speaking patients? Yes. The assistant replies in the language the patient uses, so someone who calls or texts in Spanish can ask about heel pain visits and book one in Spanish. Your team reads the transcript and summary in the shared inbox, attached to the patient’s contact. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # Home Health AI Answering Service & Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/home-health-care > Answer families looking for care, log caregiver call-outs for schedulers, and flag client emergencies for on-call staff. An AI receptionist for home health and home care agencies answers calls and texts around the clock, using your services, service area, payer list, and intake process. InsertChat’s assistant answers families’ questions, books in-home assessments or care consultations, records caregiver call-outs and referral details for your office, and flags falls, emergencies, and clinical questions for your on-call team. ## Turn a hospital-discharge call into an in-home assessment Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A daughter calls at 8:15 p.m. on a Wednesday, after your office has closed. > My mom is being discharged from the hospital on Friday and can’t be alone yet. Do you cover our town, and can someone come out this weekend? ## Check the service area Confirm the town is in your service area and explain the care types you offer, from companion care to skilled nursing, as you describe them. ## Collect the intake details Ask about the discharge date, the help needed at home, and how care will be paid for, such as Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or private pay. ## Book the assessment Offer in-home assessment times from your intake coordinator’s calendar and book one, with the address and discharge date on the appointment. ## Your team sets the boundaries Falls, a client who won’t wake up, and anyone describing a medical emergency hear your instruction to call 911, and the call is flagged for your on-call staff. Medication and care-plan questions wait for a clinician. ## What it handles for home health and home care agencies Handled by your assistant: - Care types you offer, explained from your service descriptions - Service area checks by town or ZIP code - Payer questions, answered from the plans and programs you list - In-home assessments and care consultations booked on your calendar - Caregiver job inquiries, with your application steps Sent straight to your team: - A fall, injury, or medical emergency, answered with your 911 instruction - Caregiver call-outs and late arrivals for today’s visits - A change in a client’s condition reported by family - Medication, wound care, and care-plan questions - Complaints about a caregiver or a missed visit ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Caller’s name, relationship to the client, and phone number - Client’s name and address, including town or ZIP code - Help needed, such as bathing, meals, nursing, or therapy - Hospital or rehab discharge date, if any - Payer, such as Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or private pay - Referring doctor, hospital, or case manager - Hours or days of care they’re hoping for What to add to its knowledge: - Services you offer, from companion and personal care to skilled nursing and therapy - Towns, counties, or ZIP codes you serve - Payers and programs you accept, and the private-pay rates you share - How assessments and start of care work at your agency - Call-out steps for caregivers and who covers scheduling after hours - Job openings, the pay ranges you publish, and how to apply ## Can caregivers call out through the assistant? Yes, and your schedulers are alerted. The assistant records the caregiver’s name, the client visit they’ll miss, and the reason, then marks the conversation urgent so the teammates you choose get an email. If you’d rather caregivers reach a person directly, save them as contacts and set the assistant to answer only callers who aren’t saved. Their calls then ring the scheduling line you choose. ## How is it different from a home health answering service? A live answering service takes messages from the script you give its operators. InsertChat’s assistant answers families from your service area, payer list, and care descriptions, books assessments on your calendar, and saves each call’s transcript and AI summary in a shared inbox. Urgent calls are flagged and emailed to your on-call staff with your instructions. It doesn’t transfer live calls, so put your on-call number in those instructions. ## Does InsertChat sign a BAA with home health agencies? Yes, on Enterprise. A client’s diagnosis, discharge details, medications, and Medicare or Medicaid information can be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) before the assistant collects them. Agencies on other plans should keep protected health information out of the assistant, for example by limiting it to job inquiries, service area questions, and office hours. ## How much does an AI receptionist for home health agencies cost? Home health agencies that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 a month, can sign a BAA, and includes 100 AI assistants for branch offices. On other plans, starting with Pro at $98 a month, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Overnight and weekend calls draw on the same monthly credits as daytime calls, billed in whole minutes. ## Can families text the agency? Yes. Families can text your InsertChat number to ask about services, your service area, or an upcoming assessment, and the assistant replies from the same knowledge as your phone line. Photos sent by text go to a person on your team. A family member who asks for a callback gets a text or email confirming the request. ## Can it answer caregiver job inquiries? Yes, and your recruiters make the decisions. The assistant shares the openings, pay ranges, and requirements you publish, explains how to apply, and records the applicant’s name, location, and availability on a contact. Hiring decisions and background checks stay with your team. ## Will the number on our referral materials keep working? Yes, in the US and Canada. Forward that number to InsertChat, and a verification call confirms the forwarding works. Calls can ring your office first during business hours and go to the assistant after hours and on weekends. Outside the US and Canada, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # AI Receptionist for Barbershops, Booking 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/barbershop > Book cuts and fades with the right barber, answer walk-in and price questions, and send reminders. An AI receptionist for barbershops answers calls and texts while your barbers are cutting, using your service list, prices, walk-in hours, and policies. InsertChat’s assistant books cuts, fades, beard trims, and kids’ cuts, saves each client’s preferred barber, sends text or email reminders 72 and 24 hours before, and passes complaints and special requests to the shop owner. ## Turn a Friday-night text into a Saturday fade Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A regular texts your shop number at 9:40 p.m. on Friday, after close. > You got anything with Marcus tomorrow morning? Skin fade and a beard line-up. ## Price it from your menu Find the skin fade and beard line-up on your price list, along with how long the two take together. ## Find a Saturday slot Offer Saturday morning openings and book the one the client picks, with Marcus noted as the requested barber. ## Remember the regular The contact keeps his usual cut, his barber, and every past conversation, so his next booking takes one text. ## Your team sets the boundaries A client cut or burned during a shave goes to the owner at once, and complaints, refund requests, and wedding-party bookings wait for a person. ## What it handles for barbershops Handled by your assistant: - Cuts, fades, beard trims, shaves, and kids’ cuts booked into open times - Preferred barber saved on each client’s contact - Prices from your service list, including add-ons like a hot towel - Walk-in hours and the days you take appointments only - Late, no-show, and cancellation policies Sent straight to your team: - A client cut or burned during a service - Complaints about a cut or a barber - Wedding parties and group bookings - Requests to waive a no-show fee - Booth rental and job inquiries for the owner ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Client name and mobile number - Service, such as a fade, a line-up, a beard trim, or a kids’ cut - Preferred barber - New or returning client - Number of people, for a parent booking with kids or a group - Preferred day and time - How they found the shop, such as a friend, a review, or walking past What to add to its knowledge: - Service list with prices and how long each service takes - Which barbers work which days, and who does shaves or designs - Walk-in hours, appointment-only days, and holiday hours - Late, no-show, and cancellation policies - Payment methods you take, such as card or cash - Parking, location details, and the products you sell ## Can an AI receptionist book clients with a specific barber? Yes. It asks which barber the client wants and saves that on the booking and the contact. If the shop shares one calendar, the requested barber goes in the booking notes so the chair can be lined up. For a separate schedule per barber, connect Cal.com with an event type for each one, and the assistant can list them, check open slots, and create the booking in the right one. ## We book in Square Appointments. Does it work with that? Partly. With the Square connection, the assistant can check booking availability and look up, update, or cancel existing Square bookings, but it can’t create a new Square booking. Shops that want the assistant to book new clients use InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, or let it collect requests for the front of the shop. ## Does it handle walk-in questions? Yes. Add your walk-in hours and how your shop handles them, such as walk-ins welcome before noon or appointments only on Saturdays, and the assistant answers exactly that. It can’t see who is in the chairs right now, so it won’t promise a wait time. When someone would rather not wait, it offers a booked time instead. ## How much does an AI receptionist for barbershops cost? Pro costs $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, with one phone number, monthly credits, and three seats for the owner and the barbers who handle messages. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. ## Will the number on our sign and Google listing keep working? Yes, in the US and Canada. Forward that number to InsertChat and pick when the assistant answers: every call, only when nobody at the shop picks up within 5 to 60 seconds, or only after hours. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. ## Can the assistant field booth rental and job inquiries? It answers what you publish, like booth rent, open chairs, and how to apply, and it saves the barber’s name, experience, and contact details for the owner. Decisions on hires and rentals stay with you. ## Can clients book from our website or WhatsApp? Yes. Add the chat widget to your shop’s site with the WordPress plugin or the install code, and connect a WhatsApp Business Account if clients message you there. Both answer from the same price list and book into the same calendar, and every conversation lands in one shared inbox. ## Related features - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness): Help the next customer while you look after this one. --- # Massage Therapist AI Receptionist, Booking 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/massage > Book the right massage length, answer gift card and package questions, and route health questions to your therapists. An AI receptionist for massage therapists and studios answers calls and texts while you’re in a session, using your massage menu, session lengths, prices, and policies. InsertChat’s assistant explains each modality you offer, books appointments of the right length, shares gift card and package details, and leaves injury, pregnancy, and medical questions to a licensed therapist. ## Turn a gift card call into a booked 90-minute massage Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A client calls at 2:15 p.m. on a Thursday, while both of your therapists are mid-session. > I got one of your gift cards for my birthday. Can I use it for a 90-minute deep tissue, and do you have anything Sunday afternoon? ## Answer the gift card question Explain how your gift cards work, whether they cover upgrades and gratuity, and what a 90-minute deep tissue costs on your menu. ## Book the 90-minute session Offer Sunday afternoon openings for a 90-minute massage and book the one the client picks. ## Note the intake details Record the gift card number, focus areas, pressure preference, and any injuries mentioned, so the therapist reads them first. ## Your team sets the boundaries Questions about massage during pregnancy, after surgery, or with a medical condition go to a licensed therapist, and a client reporting pain or injury after a session is flagged for the owner at once. ## What it handles for massage therapists and studios Handled by your assistant: - Swedish, deep tissue, sports, prenatal, and couples massages, explained from your menu - Session lengths and prices, including add-ons like hot stones - Gift cards, packages, and memberships - Booking, moving, and canceling sessions the assistant booked - What to expect, what to wear, and when to arrive Sent straight to your team: - Pain, bruising, or injury after a session - Whether massage is safe with pregnancy, a recent surgery, or a medical condition - Inappropriate requests, handed to the owner - Complaints and refund requests - Insurance billing and doctor’s-note questions ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Client name and mobile number - Massage type and session length - Preferred therapist - Focus areas and pressure preference - Injuries, pregnancy, or conditions to tell the therapist about - Gift card or package number - Preferred day and time What to add to its knowledge: - Massage menu with descriptions, lengths, and prices - Add-ons, packages, and membership terms - Gift card rules, including expiry and what they cover - Cancellation, late-arrival, and no-show policies - Which therapists offer prenatal, sports, or couples sessions - What to wear, intake forms, parking, and arrival time ## Can it book 60- and 90-minute massages correctly? Yes. Set your standard session length, such as 60 minutes, with a buffer of up to 30 minutes before or after for turnover, and the assistant offers times that fit. For a menu with several lengths, connect Cal.com with an event type for each one, and the assistant can list them, check open slots, and book the one the client asks for. Without that, it collects requests for other lengths for you to book. ## Will it answer questions about massage during pregnancy or after an injury? It shares what you publish, such as whether you offer prenatal massage and which therapists do it, and it leaves the health question itself to a licensed therapist. The assistant notes the pregnancy, injury, or condition on the contact and marks the conversation for a person, so the therapist can follow up before the session. ## Can it deal with inappropriate calls? Yes. Describe the services you offer and the requests you refuse in the assistant’s instructions, and it declines anything outside them in plain words. Add those requests to your handoff topics, and the conversation goes to the owner with the full transcript in the shared inbox. ## How much does an AI receptionist for massage therapists cost? Pro is $98 a month and fits a solo therapist or a small studio: one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats. Calls round up to whole minutes. Clinics that bill health insurance and handle protected health information need Enterprise, which starts at $998 a month and can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). ## Can clients book couples massages? Yes. Add your couples massage to the menu with its price and length, and the assistant books it as one appointment with both guests’ names in the notes. If your studio has to confirm two therapists first, have the assistant take the request instead, and your front desk confirms it. ## Does it answer only while I’m in a session? You choose. Your studio phone can ring for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant answers, so you catch calls between clients and the assistant takes the rest. It can also answer every call, or only after hours. In the US and Canada, forward the number your clients already have. ## Can clients rebook by text after a session? Yes. Clients text your InsertChat number, the assistant offers open times, and the booking lands on your calendar with a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before. Picture messages go to a person, and replying STOP opts a client out. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ## Broader industry - [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness): Help the next customer while you look after this one. --- # AI Receptionist for Tattoo Shops & Studios Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/tattoo > Collect custom tattoo requests, book consultations and touch-ups, and send healing problems to your artists. An AI receptionist for tattoo shops and studios answers calls, texts, and website chats while your artists are tattooing, using your rates, deposit policy, artist styles, and aftercare instructions. InsertChat’s assistant collects custom piece details, books consultations and touch-ups, explains walk-in and age rules, and sends healing concerns and design questions to your artists. ## Turn a “how much for a sleeve?” chat into a consultation Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective client opens your website chat at midnight, after scrolling your artists’ portfolios. > How much would a black-and-gray forearm sleeve cost? I really like Jess’s realism work. Does she have any openings this year? ## Explain how you price Share your shop minimum, hourly or day rates, and that the artist sets the final price after the consult, using what you published. ## Collect the brief Ask for placement, rough size, style, color or black and gray, and reference images, plus whether the client has tattoos already. ## Book the consult Offer consultation times with Jess, book one, and explain your deposit policy. Your team sends the deposit request. ## Your team sets the boundaries Spreading redness, swelling, or a rash after a session goes to the artist and manager at once, and a client describing a severe allergic reaction hears your instruction to call 911. Design changes and custom pricing stay with the artist. ## What it handles for tattoo shops and studios Handled by your assistant: - Shop minimum, hourly and day rates, and deposit policy - Artist styles and who does color, black and gray, fine line, or cover-ups - Consultations and touch-up appointments - Walk-in and flash day hours - Age, ID, and aftercare rules as you wrote them Sent straight to your team: - Spreading redness, swelling, or heat around a fresh tattoo - A rash or allergic reaction to ink - Price commitments on custom work - Deposit refunds and rescheduling disputes - Complaints about a finished tattoo ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, mobile number, and email - Placement and rough size - Style, and color or black and gray - Preferred artist - Reference images, sent by text or chat - First tattoo, or a cover-up or rework of an existing one - Dates that work, and any trip or event deadline What to add to its knowledge: - Each artist’s styles, books-open dates, and portfolio links - Shop minimum, hourly and day rates, and how pricing works - Deposit amount, what it covers, and when it’s forfeited - Age, ID, and consent rules - Aftercare instructions and your touch-up policy - Walk-in hours, flash day dates, and shop location ## Will it quote a price for a custom tattoo? It gives your pricing rules and leaves the number to the artist. The assistant shares your shop minimum, hourly or day rate, and anything you publish about how many sessions large pieces take, then collects the placement, size, and style so the artist can price it. When a client pushes for an exact figure, the assistant repeats your wording that the artist confirms the price at the consult. ## Can it take a deposit to lock in a booking? No. The assistant explains your deposit amount, what it covers, and when it’s forfeited, and your shop sends the deposit request the way you do today. Add a line saying a booking isn’t confirmed until the deposit is paid, and the assistant tells every client that. Refund and reschedule disputes go to a person. ## Can clients send reference images? Yes. Clients can attach reference photos in your website chat, and pictures sent by text go to a person on your team instead of the assistant. Either way, the images stay on the client’s contact with the rest of the brief, so the artist sees them before the consult. ## How much does an AI receptionist for tattoo shops cost? Pro costs $98 a month, or $81.67 a month billed annually, for one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats for artists and the front desk. Calls are billed in whole minutes, and texts and WhatsApp messages can carry their own charges. The pricing page estimates usage from your monthly calls and messages. ## What does it say about age and ID rules? Exactly what you write. Add your minimum age, the ID you accept, and any parental consent rules your shop follows, and the assistant explains them to anyone who asks. It doesn’t make exceptions, and requests for one go to your manager. ## Can clients message us on WhatsApp? Yes, once you connect a WhatsApp Business Account. Clients can send their idea and ask about rates there, and the assistant answers from the same knowledge as your phone line and website chat. Every conversation lands in one shared inbox, where an artist can take over. ## Can touch-ups be booked by text? Yes. Clients text your InsertChat number with the date of their original session, and the assistant explains your touch-up policy and offers open times. Photos of the healed tattoo sent by text go to the artist. The assistant can also move or cancel touch-ups it booked. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness): Help the next customer while you look after this one. --- # AI Receptionist for Yoga & Pilates Studios Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/yoga-studio > Answer schedule and intro offer questions, book private sessions, and route freezes and injuries to your team. An AI receptionist for yoga and Pilates studios answers calls, texts, and website chats while your teachers are leading class, using your schedule, class descriptions, pricing, and policies. InsertChat’s assistant explains your intro offer and class levels, books private sessions and studio tours, and passes freeze requests, billing questions, and injury concerns to your team. ## Turn a nervous beginner’s question into a first class Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective student opens your website chat at 6:50 a.m., while the early flow class is running. > I’ve never done yoga and I’m not flexible at all. Which class should I start with, and is the intro month still available? ## Point to the right class Name the beginner and gentle classes on your schedule, using the class descriptions you wrote, and what to bring to a first class. ## Share the intro offer Explain the intro offer, its price, and what happens when it ends, then share the sign-up link for your class booking page. ## Save the new student The contact keeps the student’s goals, the class they picked, and the page that brought them in, so your team can welcome them by name. ## Your team sets the boundaries A student hurt in class or reporting an injury flare-up is flagged for your team, and anyone describing a medical emergency hears your instruction to call 911. Refunds, freezes, and contract questions go to the studio manager. ## What it handles for yoga and Pilates studios Handled by your assistant: - Class schedule, levels, and which classes suit beginners - Intro offers, class packs, and membership prices you publish - Private sessions and studio tours booked on your calendar - What to bring, mat and towel rentals, and arrival time - Teacher bios, workshops, and teacher training dates Sent straight to your team: - Injuries in class or flare-ups after a class - Pregnancy and medical questions about whether a class is safe - Membership freeze, cancellation, and refund requests - Billing errors and double charges - Complaints about a teacher or the studio ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, mobile number, and email - New student or current member - Experience level and any injuries to mention - Class styles they’re curious about, such as vinyasa, yin, or reformer Pilates - Interest in the intro offer, a class pack, or a membership - Preferred times for a private session or tour - How they found the studio What to add to its knowledge: - Weekly schedule with class styles, levels, and teachers - Intro offer, class packs, membership tiers, and their terms - Link to your class booking page and how sign-up works - Private session rates and teacher availability - Workshops, retreats, and teacher training dates - Studio etiquette, rentals, parking, and late-arrival rules ## Can it book students into yoga classes? It sends them to your class booking page and books what fits your calendar. InsertChat doesn’t connect to studio management software, so group class spots, memberships, and payments stay there, and the assistant shares the class details and the sign-up link you add. Private sessions, intro consultations, and studio tours can be booked straight onto your connected calendar. ## Can it help a beginner pick a class? Yes, from your class descriptions. Add the level, pace, and style of each class and which ones you recommend for first-timers, and the assistant matches what the student says about their experience to those notes. Questions about injuries, pregnancy, or medical conditions are noted on the contact and go to a teacher. ## Can it answer questions about workshops and teacher training? Yes. Add each workshop, retreat, or training with its dates, price, deposit, and sign-up link, and the assistant answers on calls, texts, and chat. A student asking about price or enrollment for a teacher training is saved as a lead, and your team gets a high-intent alert so someone can follow up while they’re deciding. ## How much does an AI receptionist for yoga studios cost? Pro is $98 a month for one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats for your owner, manager, and front desk. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits, with a card at checkout. ## Can the studio phone stay quiet during class? Yes. Set the assistant to answer every call, and nothing rings in the studio while class is running. Or let a front desk phone ring for up to 60 seconds first between classes. US and Canadian studios can forward their current number, and elsewhere you can use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. ## Can it answer email inquiries too? Yes. Connect your studio’s Gmail or Outlook inbox, and the assistant drafts replies from the same knowledge for your team to review, or sends them automatically after a delay of up to 10 minutes. Emails about complaints, payments, or anything it’s unsure of wait for a person. ## Can students text to ask about today’s classes? Yes. Students text your InsertChat number and get short answers from your posted schedule, such as whether the 6 p.m. class is still on. Add substitutions and cancellations to the assistant’s knowledge as they happen. It can’t see live class capacity, so “Is it full?” goes to your booking page or your staff. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) ## Broader industry - [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness): Help the next customer while you look after this one. --- # AI Receptionist for Martial Arts Schools, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/martial-arts > Book trial classes for kids and adults, explain programs and belt costs, and flag injuries and cancellations. An AI receptionist for martial arts schools answers calls, texts, and website chats while instructors are on the mat, using your programs, age groups, class schedule, and membership terms. InsertChat’s assistant books trial classes for kids and adults, explains belt testing and uniform costs, saves each family as a lead, and alerts your team to cancellations, injuries, and billing questions. ## Turn a parent’s call into a kids’ trial class Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A parent calls at 5:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, while you’re teaching the youngest kids’ class. > My son is 7 and pretty shy. Would your kids’ karate class be a good fit, and can he try a class before we sign up? ## Explain the kids’ program Share the age groups, class length, and what a first class looks like, using the program notes you wrote for parents. ## Book the trial class Offer trial times for the 6-to-8 age group and book the one the parent picks, along with your what-to-wear notes. ## Save the family as a lead The contact keeps the child’s age, the parent’s concerns, and the trial date, so you can greet them by name and follow up after class. ## Your team sets the boundaries Injuries in class or at a tournament are flagged for your team at once, with your instruction to call 911 for emergencies, and cancellations, contract questions, and billing disputes go to the school owner. ## What it handles for martial arts schools Handled by your assistant: - Programs and age groups, from kids’ karate to adult jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and boxing - Class schedule and which classes suit beginners - Trial classes and intro offers booked on your calendar - Membership options, uniform and gear costs, and belt testing fees you publish - Tournament, seminar, and summer camp dates Sent straight to your team: - Injuries in class or at an event - Membership cancellation, pause, and contract questions - Billing disputes and failed payments - Parent concerns about a child’s safety or an instructor - Questions about training with a medical condition or injury ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Parent or student name, mobile number, and email - Student’s age - Program they’re interested in, such as kids’ karate, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing - Experience level and any previous belts - Goals, such as fitness, confidence, self-defense, or competition - Injuries or conditions the instructor should know about - Preferred trial day and time What to add to its knowledge: - Programs, age groups, and the weekly class schedule - Trial class and intro offer details - Membership options, contract terms, and pause rules - Uniform, gear, and belt testing costs - What to wear and bring to a first class - Tournament, seminar, camp, and closure dates ## Can an AI receptionist book trial classes for a martial arts school? Yes. Set aside trial times on your calendar, and the assistant books them after asking the student’s age, experience, and the program they want, so a 7-year-old doesn’t land in the adult no-gi class. It shares what to wear and when to arrive, and every booking can get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before. ## Can it follow up with families after a trial class? It gets your team ready to follow up. Each trial booking saves the family on a contact with the child’s age, goals, and lead source, and new bookings notify your team. If you track leads in HubSpot, the assistant can create or update the contact there as an action you approve. The follow-up call itself comes from your staff. ## Can it explain belt testing, uniforms, and gear costs? Yes, from what you publish. Add testing fees and schedules, uniform and sparring gear prices, and what each program includes, and the assistant answers parents’ cost questions directly. Whether a student is ready to test is up to the instructor, and the assistant says so. ## How much does an AI receptionist for martial arts schools cost? Pro costs $98 a month and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats for owners and instructors. Calls round up to whole minutes. Schools with several locations or a bigger staff can move to Growth at $198 a month, which raises the limits to 20 assistants and 5 seats. ## Can it answer while I’m teaching? Yes. Enter the hours someone is free at the front desk, and calls go to the assistant the rest of the time, including while you teach. You can also let the desk phone ring for 5 to 60 seconds first. US and Canadian schools can forward their current number. ## Can parents text instead of calling? Yes. Parents text your InsertChat number to ask about schedules, closures, or a trial class, and the assistant replies in a short texting style. It can book trial classes and move the ones it booked. Photos sent by text, like a picture of an injury, go to a person on your team. ## Does it connect to our martial arts school software? No. Memberships, attendance, and billing stay in the software you use now. The assistant books trial classes into InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, and your staff enroll new students after the trial. ## Related features - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness): Help the next customer while you look after this one. --- # AI Legal Answering Service for Law Firms, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/legal > Take new client intake calls and book consultations while your attorneys are in court. An AI receptionist for law firms answers calls from prospective and current clients when your front desk can’t, using your practice areas, consultation fees, and office hours. InsertChat’s assistant asks your intake questions, records the other parties’ names for your own conflict check, books consultations if you turn on scheduling, and holds every legal question for an attorney. ## Turn an evening divorce inquiry into a booked consultation Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective client calls at 7 p.m., after your paralegal has gone home. > I was served with divorce papers today. Do you handle divorces, and can I meet with a lawyer this week? ## Confirm the practice area Check that you take family law matters in the caller’s county, then share your consultation fee and what to bring. ## Ask your intake questions Collect contact details, the spouse’s full name for your conflict check, and any court date listed in the papers. ## Book the consultation Offer open times on the family law calendar and book one. Your team finds the summary and transcript on the new contact in the morning. ## Your team sets the boundaries Questions about custody, support, or how to respond to the papers wait for an attorney. A court date within days is flagged for your team right away. ## What it handles for law firms Handled by your assistant: - Intake for new matters in each practice area you list - Consultation bookings, plus changes to ones the assistant made - The consultation fee and payment options you publish - Office hours, locations, and parking - Existing clients asking for their attorney, logged as callback requests Sent straight to your team: - A court date or filing deadline in the next few days - An arrest, a detained family member, or an emergency custody situation - A caller in danger, who hears your instruction to call 911 - Questions about an existing client’s matter - Any request for legal advice ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and a phone number that is safe to call back - Practice area and a brief description of the matter - Names of the other parties, for your conflict check - Any court date, hearing, or deadline - County or state where the matter is - How the caller found your firm - Preferred consultation times What to add to its knowledge: - Practice areas you take and matters you refer out - Intake questions for each practice area - Consultation fees, length, and payment options - Attorney bios and the languages your team speaks - Office addresses, hours, and parking - What callers should share at intake and what to keep for the attorney ## Can an AI receptionist do client intake for a law firm? Yes, using the intake questions you write for each practice area. A personal injury caller can be asked about the accident date and the other driver, a probate caller about the estate and the county. The assistant records the other parties’ names so your staff can run the conflict check, books a consultation if you allow it, and flags any court date within days. ## Will the assistant give callers legal advice? No. It answers questions about your firm, such as fees, hours, and the matters you take, and leaves anything about a caller’s rights or options to an attorney. Following your instructions, it can ask callers to keep confidential details for the consultation and share only what intake needs. Requests for advice are marked for a person, so an attorney decides what to say. ## How much does an AI receptionist for law firms cost? Pro costs $98 a month. That covers one number, a monthly pool of credits, seats for three people at your firm, and three AI assistants. Each intake call draws on credits per started minute, with one minute as the minimum. Paying annually costs ten monthly payments upfront. Firms with several offices or a larger staff can step up to Growth, Scale, or Enterprise for more assistants, seats, and credits. ## Can existing clients still reach their attorney’s office directly? Yes. Choose the caller setting that excludes saved contacts, and clients saved in your contacts ring the office number you pick. If a client still reaches the assistant, it takes a message and a callback number, flags the conversation for your staff, and sends the client a text or email confirming the callback request. ## Does it connect to our case management software? No, there is no connection to legal case management software, so your matters stay where they are. Consultations can go into Outlook, Google Calendar, Calendly, Cal.com, or InsertChat’s own calendar. Each intake arrives as a contact with the summary and transcript, ready for your staff to open the matter once the conflict check clears. ## Can it take intake calls in Spanish or other languages? Yes. The assistant switches to the caller’s language, so someone more comfortable in Spanish goes through the same intake questions in Spanish. Add the languages your attorneys and staff speak to its knowledge, so it can tell callers who at the firm speaks their language. ## Can it answer only at night or when the front desk is busy? Yes. Pick the routing mode that fits your firm. The assistant can answer only outside the weekly hours you set, pick up when your front desk doesn’t answer within 5 to 60 seconds, or take every call. A call at midnight about an arrest is marked urgent, and an email goes to your team. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Receptionist for CPA Firms: 24/7 Answering Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting > Book tax appointments and answer document questions while your accountants work on returns. An AI receptionist for accounting firms answers client calls when your staff are deep in returns, using your services, fees, document checklists, and the deadlines you publish. InsertChat’s assistant books tax prep and onboarding appointments, tells clients what to bring, takes bookkeeping and payroll inquiries, and passes every request for tax advice to an accountant. ## Turn a weekend chat into a prepared tax appointment Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. Late on a Sunday, a returning client messages you through your website chat. > I started a side business this year. What do I need to bring for my tax appointment, and do you have anything next week? ## Answer from your checklist Share the checklist you wrote for clients with self-employment income and the fee you publish for that type of return. ## Book the appointment Offer two to five open times next week and book the tax appointment the client picks. ## Brief the preparer The chat summary notes the new side business, so your preparer knows what to ask before the meeting. ## Your team sets the boundaries Questions about deductions, estimated payments, or which business structure to choose are left for your accountant to answer. ## What it handles for accounting firms Handled by your assistant: - Tax prep, bookkeeping, and payroll appointments booked into open times - Which documents to bring, from the checklist you wrote for each service - The deadlines you publish, such as your last day to drop off documents - Published fees for individual returns, business returns, and monthly bookkeeping - New client onboarding, from first questions to an introductory call Sent straight to your team: - Notices or letters from a tax authority - A filing or payment deadline only days away - Payroll that didn’t run or paid the wrong amount - Any request for tax advice, such as whether an expense is deductible - Clients upset about a bill or a filed return ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Client or business name and contact details - Whether you prepared last year’s return - Individual or business, and the type of business - Services needed, such as tax prep, bookkeeping, or payroll - Tax years involved - Any notice received, and the date on it - Preferred appointment time, in person or virtual What to add to its knowledge: - Services you offer, from individual returns to monthly bookkeeping - Document checklists for each type of return - Fees and packages you publish - The deadlines you publish for documents, appointments, and extensions - Onboarding steps and how engagement letters work - Office hours, including any extended hours in busy season ## Can an AI receptionist handle tax season calls for an accounting firm? Yes, it handles the routine calls that pile up during busy season. It books tax prep appointments, reads out the document checklist you wrote for each type of return, and repeats the deadlines you publish. Calls that need judgment, such as a letter from a tax authority or a question about deductions, are marked for an accountant along with the caller’s details. ## Will the assistant answer tax questions? Only the ones about your own services, like fees, appointment times, and the deadlines you publish. Requests to interpret tax rules, estimate a refund, or judge a deduction go to an accountant, and the caller is told someone will follow up. You can also instruct it to ask clients not to read out Social Security or bank account numbers. ## How much does an AI receptionist for accounting firms cost? Pro is $98 per month for a single phone number, a set of monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats for your staff. Credits go down with each call, in whole minutes, so a busy filing week uses more of them. Extra numbers are $10 a month each, and texts or WhatsApp messages can carry their own charges. ## Can we keep the number on our letterhead and website? Yes, for firms in the US and Canada. Your published number stays the same, and calls forward to InsertChat. Firms in other countries can get a toll-free or local number from InsertChat where one is offered. Call the line yourself before your busiest weeks start, so you hear what clients will hear. ## Can it reply to client emails as well as calls? Yes. After you connect Gmail or Outlook, the assistant either writes drafts you approve or sends replies itself once a delay you set has passed, optionally only during business hours. Emails about a bill, a complaint, or anything it is unsure of are held back for your staff. Client calls and emails land in the same shared inbox. ## What happens when a client asks about the status of their return? The assistant can’t see your tax software, so it takes the request and marks it “needs you” in the shared inbox. It notes the client’s name, the tax year, and the best callback number, and a text or email confirms the callback request. Your staff check the status and call back. ## Can clients get reminders before their tax appointment? Yes. Booked clients can receive a reminder by text or email three days and again one day ahead. If a client needs another time, the assistant can move or cancel the appointments it set up and offer the next open times, so the freed slot can go to someone else. ## Related features - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # Insurance Agency Answering Service with AI Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance > Collect quote details and answer policy FAQs while your licensed agents are on other calls. An AI receptionist for insurance agencies answers calls from shoppers and policyholders when your agents are busy, using your lines of business, carriers, office hours, and published FAQs. InsertChat’s assistant gathers quote details for an agent, takes certificate requests, gives callers the carrier claims numbers you list, and leaves every coverage question to a licensed agent. ## Turn a home buyer’s call into a complete quote request Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A home buyer calls at 12:30 p.m., when your two agents are already on the phone with clients. > We close on a house at the end of the month and the lender needs proof of insurance. Can you quote it? ## Check the line of business Confirm that you write homeowners policies in the buyer’s state, using the lines and carriers you added. ## Collect the quote details Ask for the property address, year built, roof age, closing date, and current carrier, following your home quote questions. ## Alert an agent A high-intent lead alert reaches your agents, and the details sit on the contact for the quote callback. ## Your team sets the boundaries Premiums, coverage choices, and binding the policy before closing stay with your licensed agents, and the buyer is told an agent will follow up. ## What it handles for insurance agencies Handled by your assistant: - Quote requests for the lines you write, with details collected for an agent - Policy questions answered from FAQs your agency approved - Certificate of insurance requests, with the holder’s name and address - Office hours, locations, and the carriers you represent - How and where to pay a bill, from the billing details you publish Sent straight to your team: - A new claim, after the caller hears the carrier claims number - An injury at the scene, with your 911 instruction given first - Coverage questions, such as whether a loss is covered - Requests to bind, add, remove, or change coverage - Cancellation requests and policyholders shopping elsewhere ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, contact details, and ZIP code - Policy type and when coverage needs to start - Drivers and vehicles, or the property address - Current carrier and renewal date - Policy number, for existing policyholders - Certificate holder details, for certificate requests - Best time for an agent to call back What to add to its knowledge: - Lines of business you write and carriers you represent - The questions you ask for each type of quote - Policy FAQs your agency has approved - Carrier claims numbers and online claim links - Payment options and carrier billing contacts - Certificate request steps and your usual turnaround ## Can an AI receptionist take insurance quote calls? Yes. It asks the questions you set for each line of business, such as drivers and vehicles for auto or the business type and number of employees for a commercial policy, and saves the answers to the contact. A quote request triggers a high-intent alert so an agent can call back while the shopper is still comparing. It does not price policies or bind coverage. ## Can the assistant answer coverage questions? No. Whether a loss is covered, which limits to choose, or how to change a policy are questions for a licensed agent, so the assistant marks them for your team and tells the caller an agent will follow up. It can answer general questions from FAQs your agency has approved, such as how to request a certificate or get a copy of an auto ID card. ## How much does an AI receptionist for insurance agencies cost? InsertChat Pro costs $98 a month and gives your agency one number, a monthly credit balance, three AI assistants, and three team seats. Calls are measured in whole minutes against those credits, and even a short call counts as one minute. A separate line for your commercial team costs $10 a month per extra number, and analytics reports come with the Scale and Enterprise plans. ## Can it take certificate of insurance requests? Yes. The assistant collects the policyholder’s name, the certificate holder’s name and address, and any project or job details, then marks the request for your service team. InsertChat doesn’t issue certificates, so your team sends the certificate from your usual system. Requests to add an additional insured go to an agent. ## Does it connect to our agency management system? Not to agency management systems. Each caller is saved as a contact in InsertChat with the summary and transcript, and your staff enter policy details in your own system. If your agency also uses HubSpot or Zoho, the assistant can add the lead there through the CRM actions and permissions you choose, without any background sync. ## What happens when a policyholder calls to cancel? The assistant doesn’t process cancellations. It records the policy, the reason the caller gives, and the date they want coverage to end, and a cancellation alert goes to your team. An agent can then call back and talk through the policyholder’s options. ## What does a caller with a claim hear after hours? The claims steps you write. Add each carrier’s claims number and online claim link to the assistant’s knowledge, and it reads out the right one when a caller reports an accident, theft, or storm damage. If someone is hurt, it tells them to call 911 first, as your instructions say, and your staff get an urgent alert. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # Property Management Answering Service with AI Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management > Take maintenance requests from residents and showing requests from renters, day or night. An AI receptionist for property managers answers calls and texts from residents and prospective renters, using your maintenance policies, listings, and office hours. InsertChat’s assistant takes repair requests with the unit and entry permission, books showings, answers rent payment questions from your policies, and flags emergencies such as flooding or a gas smell for your on-call team. ## Turn a late-night ceiling leak into an urgent maintenance alert Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A resident calls at 11:40 p.m., long after your office has closed. > Water is coming through my bathroom ceiling from the unit upstairs. Can someone come tonight? ## Read your emergency steps Give the resident the instructions you wrote for active leaks, including who to call and what to do while they wait. ## Collect the request details Record the building, the unit and the one above it, where the water is coming in, permission to enter, and any pets. ## Alert your on-call team The call is flagged as urgent, your on-call staff get an email alert, and the resident hears that someone will follow up. ## Your team sets the boundaries Your on-call staff decide who goes out and when, and the assistant does not promise arrival times or contact vendors. ## What it handles for property managers Handled by your assistant: - Routine maintenance requests, from a dripping faucet to a broken dishwasher - Rental inquiries about available units, rent, and pet policies - Showing requests booked into open times on your calendar - Application status questions, answered from your published process or passed to leasing - Rent payment and move-out questions answered from your policies Sent straight to your team: - Flooding or water coming through a ceiling - No heat in a unit during freezing weather - A gas smell, fire, or smoke - Residents locked out of their unit - Break-ins, broken locks, and other security issues ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Resident name and callback number - Property address and unit number - What is broken, where, and since when - Permission to enter if no one is home - Pets in the unit - Preferred times for maintenance access - For prospects, move-in date, budget, and unit size What to add to its knowledge: - Properties you manage, with addresses and unit types - What counts as an emergency, and the instructions callers should hear - Available listings, rents, and pet policies - Rent payment methods, due dates, and late fee policy - Application requirements and screening steps - Move-out procedures, inspections, and key return ## Can an AI receptionist handle after-hours maintenance calls? Yes. It separates routine repairs from emergencies using the definitions you write. A clogged sink at midnight becomes a request with the unit, the problem, entry permission, and pets, waiting for your team in the morning. Flooding, a gas smell, or no heat in freezing weather gets your emergency instructions, and the call is flagged so your on-call staff get an email right away. ## Does it work with my property management software? Not directly. It doesn’t connect to property management or work order software, so your team enters the work order. Each request arrives with the resident, unit, problem, entry permission, pets, and the full transcript on the contact in your shared inbox. Showings can be booked straight into InsertChat’s calendar or a connected Google, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com calendar. ## How much does an AI receptionist for property managers cost? The Pro plan is $98 per month. It comes with one phone number and a monthly allotment of credits, plus room for three AI assistants and three teammates. Every call draws down credits by the whole minute, so a busy winter night uses more than a quiet one. Each extra line costs $10 a month, and resident texts can carry their own charges. ## Can residents text a maintenance request with a photo? Yes, where your number supports SMS. Residents text your InsertChat number, and the assistant replies in short messages, asking for the unit and the problem. Photos of a leak or a broken part go to your staff to review. Website chat works too, and residents can attach files there. ## Can one assistant cover every property we manage? Yes. List each property’s address, unit types, and maintenance rules in the assistant’s knowledge, and it asks callers which building they live in. If your company runs separate offices with their own hours or staff, give each office its own assistant and address, up to your plan’s assistant limit. ## How does it stay current on available units? Add your listings page as a knowledge source, or upload your rent list as a spreadsheet, and refresh it when a unit is leased or a price changes. The assistant answers rent, size, and pet questions from that source and passes anything it can’t confirm, such as a move-in special, to your leasing team. ## Can it answer calls only after the office closes? Yes. Enter your weekly office hours and time zone; during those hours, calls ring your office. After closing, on weekends, and overnight, the assistant answers. Or ring the leasing office first and let the assistant take over after 5 to 60 seconds without an answer. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate): Keep property inquiries and viewing requests moving. --- # AI Receptionist for Auto Repair Shops, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair > Book oil changes, brake jobs, and diagnostics while your service advisor is at the counter. An AI receptionist for auto repair shops answers calls when your service advisors are tied up with customers, using your services, posted prices, hours, and warranty terms. InsertChat’s assistant collects the year, make, model, mileage, and symptoms, books service appointments on your calendar, and leaves status checks and estimate approvals to your service advisor. ## Turn a warning-light call into a booked diagnostic Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A driver calls at 8:15 a.m., while your service advisor is checking in the morning drop-offs. > My check engine light came on this morning and the car shakes at stoplights. Can you look at it tomorrow? ## Share your diagnostic terms Give the diagnostic fee you publish and your drop-off rules for next-day appointments. ## Take the vehicle details Collect the year, make, model, and mileage, which warning lights are on, and when the shaking happens. ## Book the drop-off Offer tomorrow’s open drop-off times, book one, and put the call summary on the customer’s contact for your advisor. ## Your team sets the boundaries If the caller says the car feels unsafe to drive, they hear the towing instructions you wrote and your advisor gets an urgent flag. ## What it handles for auto repair shops Handled by your assistant: - Oil changes, brake work, diagnostics, and inspections booked into open times - Prices you publish, such as oil change packages or the diagnostic fee - Loaner, shuttle, and early drop-off questions - Hours, directions, and after-hours key drop instructions - Warranty work and the extended warranty plans you accept Sent straight to your team: - “Is my car ready?” status checks - Estimate approvals and added work on a car in the shop - Breakdowns and vehicles that aren’t safe to drive - Complaints about a repair, a bill, or a problem that came back ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Driver’s name and callback number - Year, make, and model - Mileage - Symptoms, noises, and when they happen - Warning lights on the dash - Service requested, or a diagnostic if the cause is unknown - Whether they’ll wait, drop off, or need a ride What to add to its knowledge: - Services you offer and the makes you work on - Prices for oil changes, inspections, and diagnostics - Loaner, shuttle, and drop-off policies - Your repair warranty and the extended warranties you accept - Towing partners and roadside instructions for breakdowns - Hours, address, and key drop steps ## Can an AI receptionist answer “Is my car ready?” calls? It takes them, but your service advisor gives the answer. InsertChat doesn’t connect to shop management software, so the assistant can’t see repair status. It records the customer’s name, vehicle, and callback number, then marks the call for your advisor. The customer receives a callback confirmation by text or email. Estimate approvals follow the same path. ## Will it quote repair prices over the phone? It shares the prices you publish, like your oil change packages or the diagnostic fee, and nothing beyond them. A repair price depends on what your technician finds, so for a grinding noise or a leak the assistant books a diagnostic instead of guessing. Written estimates and invoices stay in your shop software. ## How much does an AI receptionist for auto repair shops cost? Start on Pro for $98 a month. It includes one phone number, a monthly allowance of credits, logins for three people on your team, and three AI assistants. Each call rounds up to the next full minute, so even a quick question about hours uses a minute of credits. A second shop location can run its own assistant on the same plan, and each added number is $10 a month. ## Will the number on my shop’s sign still work? For shops in the US or Canada, it will. Forward that number to InsertChat and keep it on your sign, website, and Google listing. Elsewhere, your shop gets its own InsertChat line, local or toll-free, based on what your country offers. Ring it from your own cell before you switch customers over. ## Can drivers text the shop to book? Yes. Drivers can text your InsertChat number to book an oil change or check your hours, and the assistant texts back with the same answers callers get. If a driver sends a photo of the dashboard, someone on your team reviews it. Anyone who replies STOP is opted out. ## What happens when a car breaks down after hours? The assistant reads out the roadside steps you wrote, like the tow company you use and where to leave the keys, then marks the call urgent for your team. It doesn’t send a tow truck itself. A caller stranded on a busy road or in danger hears your instruction to call 911 first. ## Can the assistant pick up only when my advisor is busy? Yes. Calls ring the shop first, for a delay you choose between 5 and 60 seconds, and the assistant answers when no one picks up. A call that reaches a staff voicemail comes back to the assistant too. If your advisor covers the phone all day, after-hours mode limits the assistant to evenings and weekends. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Automotive](https://insertchat.com/industries/automotive): Book service, catch sales leads, and triage breakdowns while your bays stay busy. --- # AI Phone Answering for Restaurants, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants > Answer hours, menu, and reservation calls without pulling staff off the floor. An AI receptionist for restaurants answers the phone during service and after close, using your hours, menu, allergen information, and reservation policy. InsertChat’s assistant handles menu and dietary questions, tells guests to confirm allergies with your staff, books tables into a supported calendar or takes the request for your host, and flags private events and complaints for a manager. ## Turn a dinner-rush call into a reservation with the allergy noted Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A parent calls at 6:45 p.m. on a Thursday, while your host is seating a full dining room. > Do you have room for six on Saturday at 7:30? My son has a peanut allergy. Is the satay okay for him? ## Answer from your allergen chart Share what your published allergen information lists for the satay, and ask the guest to confirm the allergy with your staff on arrival. ## Handle the reservation Book Saturday at 7:30 in your connected calendar, or record the request for your host to confirm. ## Note the allergy The summary and transcript, allergy included, sit on the guest’s contact for your host to share with the kitchen before Saturday. ## Your team sets the boundaries A guest reporting an allergic reaction or a food safety concern is flagged for a manager right away. Whether a dish is safe for an allergy is always your staff’s call. ## What it handles for restaurants Handled by your assistant: - Hours, last seating, and holiday closures - Menu, vegetarian, and gluten-free questions from the menu you publish - Reservation requests, booked into a supported calendar or recorded for your host - Parking, directions, and accessibility questions - Corkage, dress code, and patio seating questions Sent straight to your team: - Allergic reactions and food safety concerns - Complaints about a visit, a dish, or a bill - Large parties, private events, and catering inquiries that need a manager - Lost phones, wallets, and other items left behind ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Guest name and phone number - Party size, date, and time - Allergies or dietary needs in the group - Occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary - Seating requests, such as the patio or a high chair - For private events or catering, the date, headcount, and budget - For lost items, what was left and when What to add to its knowledge: - Hours, last seating, and holiday schedule - Your current menu with prices - Allergen and dietary information for each dish - Reservation policy, party size limits, and cancellation rules - Private dining, event, and catering details - Parking, directions, and accessibility notes ## Can an AI receptionist take restaurant reservations? Yes, in one of two ways. It can book a table into a supported calendar, such as Google Calendar or Outlook, or take the name, party size, date, and time for your host to confirm. InsertChat is not a reservation platform, so if you already use one, your host enters the request there. Parties above the size you set go to a manager. ## Will it answer allergy questions? Only from the menu and allergen information you publish, and it tells guests to confirm any allergy with your staff before ordering. Keep that information current when dishes or suppliers change. If a guest describes a reaction after eating, the call is marked for a manager right away and the caller hears the emergency instructions you wrote, such as calling 911. ## How much does an AI receptionist for restaurants cost? On Pro, you pay $98 a month, or ten monthly payments upfront for a full year. That covers a phone number, a monthly batch of credits, three staff seats, and three AI assistants. A short call about parking still uses at least a minute of credits, since every call is rounded up to the minute. Texts and WhatsApp messages may add their own charges. ## Can it take takeout or delivery orders? No. InsertChat does not take food orders or payments. The assistant can tell callers how to order, for example through the online ordering link or delivery apps you list, and answer menu questions while they decide. Questions about an order already placed go to your team. ## What happens with private event and catering inquiries? The assistant collects the date, headcount, occasion, budget, and contact details, and the inquiry is flagged for your manager or events lead. It can share the private dining and catering details you publish, such as room capacity or minimum spend, while event quotes and contracts stay with your team. ## Can it talk with guests who don’t speak English? Yes. It replies in the guest’s language, using the same menu, hours, and allergen information. Describe each dish’s main ingredients in your menu source, so the assistant can explain a dish clearly to a caller in any language it supports. ## Can one account cover several restaurant locations? Yes. Set up an assistant for each location, with that restaurant’s address, hours, and menu. Pro covers three locations this way, and Growth, Scale, and Enterprise raise the assistant limit. Each location can have its own InsertChat number, and every number after the first adds $10 a month. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Hospitality & events](https://insertchat.com/industries/hospitality-events): Answer guests, couples, and event planners while your team looks after the people in front of them. --- # 24/7 AI Receptionist for Personal Injury Firms Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/personal-injury-law > Run accident intake day and night, so a new case reaches an attorney before another firm calls back. An AI receptionist for personal injury firms answers accident calls when your intake team is off or busy. InsertChat’s assistant asks when and how the injury happened, what treatment the caller has had, and which insurers are involved, records the other parties for your conflict check, books consultations, and leaves case value and filing deadlines to an attorney. ## Turn a Saturday crash call into a consultation before Monday Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An injured driver calls at 10 a.m. on a Saturday, while your intake specialist is off until Monday. > Someone rear-ended me on the highway last night. My neck is killing me and their insurance already called. Do I need a lawyer? ## Confirm you take the case Check that you handle car accident cases in the caller’s state, then explain the consultation and fee terms exactly as you publish them. ## Run your crash intake Record the accident date and place, the injuries and any ER visit, the other driver’s name and insurer, the police report number, and whether the caller has a lawyer. ## Book the consultation Offer open times on the intake calendar, at the office or by video link, and book one. A high-intent alert and the full summary reach your team. ## Your team sets the boundaries Whether to give the other driver’s insurer a statement, what the case is worth, and how long the caller has to file are attorney questions. The assistant says so and flags the call for an attorney. ## What it handles for personal injury firms Handled by your assistant: - Intake for car, truck, motorcycle, slip-and-fall, and dog bite cases - Consultation bookings at the office, by phone, or by video - Your fee terms, such as a contingency percentage, worded as you publish them - Office locations, hours, and whether attorneys meet clients at home or in the hospital - Past clients and referral partners calling with a new case, saved with their source Sent straight to your team: - Accidents older than the cutoff you set, so an attorney checks the filing deadline - A settlement offer, a release to sign, or an adjuster asking for a recorded statement - Callers who already have a lawyer on this case and want to switch - Catastrophic injuries, a wrongful death, or a crash with a commercial truck - A caller who is hurt right now, who hears your instruction to call 911 ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and a safe callback number - Accident date, location, and type - Injuries, ER visits, and current treatment - The other driver, property owner, or dog owner, for your conflict check - Insurance companies involved and any claim numbers - Police or incident report number - Whether the caller already has a lawyer on this case What to add to its knowledge: - Case types you take, and the ones you refer out - Intake questions for each case type - Fee terms, consultation format, and what to bring - States and counties you practice in - Attorney bios, languages spoken, and office locations - The accident age that triggers an attorney review ## Can an AI receptionist do personal injury intake? Yes, with the questions you write for each case type. A car crash caller is asked for the date and place, injuries and treatment, the other driver’s insurer, and the police report number. A slip-and-fall caller is asked where it happened and who owns the property. Every answer lands on the contact, so your intake team opens a complete file on Monday morning. ## How does it handle statute of limitations questions? It never calculates a deadline. Add “how long do I have to file” to the topics that always need a person, and tell the assistant which accident age should trigger a review, such as anything older than a year. Those calls are flagged for an attorney with the accident date recorded, and the caller hears that an attorney will answer the deadline question. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a personal injury firm cost? Pro is $98 a month with one phone number, monthly credits, three seats, and three AI assistants. Calls use credits by the started minute. Firms running TV, billboard, or search ads can give each campaign its own number for $10 a month, and every contact records the number dialed, so you can see which ads bring in cases. ## AI intake vs voicemail vs a legal answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can injured clients text us photos of the accident? Yes, where your number supports SMS. Callers can text your InsertChat number, and the assistant replies with your intake questions. Photos of the crash scene, injuries, or a police report go to your staff to review, since picture messages are always handed to a person. Website chat accepts file attachments too. ## What happens when a caller already has a lawyer? The assistant asks whether the caller has hired a lawyer for this accident and records the answer. Your instructions decide the next step. You can have it note the current lawyer’s name and flag the call, so an attorney handles any switch personally. It never comments on another firm’s work. ## Can new leads go straight into our CRM? If your firm uses HubSpot, Zoho, or Microsoft Dynamics 365, the assistant can create the lead there through the actions and approvals you choose, without any background sync. InsertChat doesn’t connect to legal case management software, so your team opens the matter after the conflict check clears. ## Can it answer when our intake team is on other calls? Yes. Calls ring your intake line first, and the assistant picks up when nobody answers within 5 to 60 seconds or when a call reaches a staff voicemail. Outside the weekly hours you set, it answers every call. Live transfer to an attorney isn’t available, so urgent calls are flagged and emailed to your team. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # Bilingual AI Receptionist for Immigration Law Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/immigration-law > Answer immigration calls in the client’s language, take intake by case type, and flag hearings and detentions. An AI receptionist for immigration law firms answers calls and messages in the language each client speaks, using your case types, consultation fees, and office hours. InsertChat’s assistant runs intake for family, employment, humanitarian, and removal cases, records the deadlines on any notice, books consultations in person or by video, and leaves every eligibility question to an attorney. ## Turn a Spanish-language call about a court notice into a consultation Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A caller phones at 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday and switches to Spanish right after the greeting. > I got a letter from immigration court with a hearing date in March. Can someone help me, and does anyone there speak Spanish? ## Follow the caller into Spanish The assistant switches to Spanish and runs the whole intake in Spanish, from the same knowledge your English-speaking callers get. ## Record the notice details Collect the hearing date and court location from the letter, family members involved, any earlier filings, and a safe callback number. ## Book the consultation Offer open times on the calendar you use for Spanish-language consultations, at the office or by video link, and flag the hearing date for your team. ## Your team sets the boundaries Whether the caller qualifies for relief, what to say at the hearing, and anything about their status wait for an attorney. A hearing date within weeks is flagged right away. ## What it handles for immigration law firms Handled by your assistant: - Intake for family petitions, work visas, asylum, citizenship, and removal defense - Consultation fees, flat fees, and payment plans you publish - Consultation bookings at the office or by video link - Which attorneys and staff speak which languages - Existing clients asking for their case manager, logged as callback requests Sent straight to your team: - A family member detained by immigration authorities - A hearing date, interview, or response deadline coming up soon - A notice to appear, a denial letter, or a request for evidence - Any question about eligibility, status, or travel outside the country - A caller in danger, who hears your instruction to call 911 ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, preferred language, and a safe way to reach them - Case type, such as a family petition, work visa, asylum, or citizenship - Any notice received, with its date and deadline - Court or interview dates and their location - Family members included in the case - A petitioner or employer’s name, for your conflict check - Whether another lawyer or preparer has already filed anything What to add to its knowledge: - Case types you handle and the ones you refer out - Intake questions for each case type - Consultation fees, flat fees, and payment plans - Languages each attorney and staff member speaks - What to bring, such as notices, passports, and earlier filings - Office locations, hours, and video consultation steps ## Can an AI receptionist take immigration intake in Spanish? Yes. It starts in your business language and switches when a caller speaks Spanish or asks for it, then runs the same intake in Spanish from the same knowledge. You don’t need a translated knowledge base, though a Spanish fee sheet gives you exact wording. You can set your business language from 58 options, and you should test calls in each language your clients use before going live. ## Will the assistant tell callers whether they qualify? No. Eligibility, status, travel, and what to say to an officer are questions for an attorney, so add them to the topics that always need a person. The assistant explains your services and fees, collects the facts your attorneys need, and tells the caller who will follow up. You can also have it say that only an attorney at your firm gives legal advice. ## How much does an AI receptionist for an immigration firm cost? Pro costs $98 a month, with one phone number, a monthly pool of credits, three AI assistants, and three seats. Language doesn’t change the price: a call in Spanish uses credits exactly like a call in English, by the whole minute. Firms with offices in several cities can give each office its own assistant and number, at $10 a month for each extra number. ## Can clients and their families message us on WhatsApp? Yes. Connect a WhatsApp Business Account and messages reach the same assistant, in the same shared inbox as calls, texts, and website chat. Relatives in another country can write in their own language and get the same answers your callers hear, and your staff pick up anything that needs a person. ## What happens when someone calls about a detained relative? The assistant records the person’s full name, date and country of birth, their A-number if the caller has it, and where they are held, then marks the conversation urgent so your team gets an email alert. It reads the next steps you wrote for detention calls, such as when an attorney will call back, and never promises release or a bond amount. ## Can it give clients an update on their case? No. The assistant can’t see your case files or government case status, so it takes the request, notes the receipt number if the client offers it, and marks it for the case manager. The client gets a text or email confirming the callback request, in the language they used. ## Can it book video consultations for clients in other cities? Yes. Set the meeting location to an online link, and every consultation it books carries your video meeting link. You can also let callers choose between the office, a phone call, and video. Booked clients receive reminders by text or email three days and one day before. ## Related features - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Receptionist for Family Law & Divorce Firms Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/family-law > Take divorce, custody, and support intake with a safe-contact check, and flag protective orders fast. An AI receptionist for family law firms answers calls about divorce, custody, child support, and adoption when your staff can’t, using your practice areas, fees, and office hours. InsertChat’s assistant asks your intake questions, confirms a safe way to reach the caller, records the other parent’s name for your conflict check, and leaves custody and support questions to an attorney. ## Turn a relocation worry into a consultation with the order on file Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A father messages your website chat at 9:40 p.m. on a weeknight. > My ex just told me she’s moving to Arizona with our kids next month. We have a custody order. Can she do that? ## Answer what your firm does Confirm that you handle custody modifications and relocation cases in his county, and share your consultation fee and what to bring. ## Collect the custody details Record the children’s ages, the county that issued the order, the other parent’s full name for your conflict check, and the planned move date. ## Book the first open time Offer the earliest consultation times and book one. The summary puts the move date up front, so the attorney sees how much time there is. ## Your team sets the boundaries Whether the move can be stopped is an attorney’s answer. The assistant tells him so, asks him to bring the custody order, and flags the move date for your team. ## What it handles for family law firms Handled by your assistant: - Intake for divorce, custody, child support, alimony, adoption, and prenuptial agreements - Consultation bookings, plus changes to the ones the assistant made - Consultation and retainer fees, as you publish them - Mediation and collaborative divorce options you offer - What documents to gather, such as tax returns and existing orders Sent straight to your team: - Domestic violence, threats, or a request for a protective order - A child taken, or kept past the parenting schedule - A hearing or response deadline within days - The opposing party or their lawyer calling about a case - A caller in danger, who hears your instruction to call 911 ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, and whether it’s safe to call, text, or email - Type of matter, such as divorce, custody, or support - Spouse’s or other parent’s full name, for your conflict check - Children’s ages and where they live now - County and state, and any existing court order - Upcoming hearings or served papers, with dates - Preferred consultation times and format What to add to its knowledge: - Matters you handle and the ones you refer out - Intake questions for each type of matter - Consultation and retainer fees - Mediation, collaborative, and litigation options you offer - Local domestic violence hotline and shelter numbers for callers - Office hours, locations, and parking ## Can an AI receptionist handle sensitive family law calls? Yes, inside the boundaries you set. Choose the formal and reserved tone, and the assistant stays calm and brief while it gathers the basics. It asks whether it’s safe to call or text back before anyone does, and it records the answer on the contact. Threats, protective orders, and children at risk go straight to your team as urgent. ## What should the assistant do if a caller is in danger? Read the safety steps you write. You might tell callers in immediate danger to hang up and call 911, then share the local hotline and shelter numbers you list. The conversation is marked urgent, an email alert reaches your team, and the safe contact method the caller chose is waiting on the contact for whoever follows up. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a family law firm cost? Pro is $98 per month for one phone number, monthly credits, three staff seats, and three AI assistants. Calls draw credits in whole minutes, and an emotional 20-minute intake uses more of them than a two-minute question about parking, so watch usage in your first month. Paying yearly costs ten monthly payments upfront. ## Can it tell an existing client when their hearing is? No. The assistant can’t see your case files or the court docket, so it logs the question for the client’s attorney or paralegal and marks it “needs you” in the shared inbox. You can also send saved clients straight to your office line with the caller setting that excludes saved contacts. ## Can we text a client who asks us not to call? Yes, where your number supports SMS. The intake records the caller’s preferred contact method, so your staff see it before reaching out. Clients who start by text get answers by text, and anyone who replies STOP stops receiving messages. ## Does it work for mediation and collaborative divorce practices? Yes. Describe each path in its knowledge, with your fees and how the first meeting works, and the assistant explains the options in plain terms. Booking settings let you set the consultation length, from 15 minutes to two hours, and buffer time between meetings. ## What happens when the other spouse calls the firm? Add calls from opposing parties to the topics that always need a person, and list confirming who is a client among the decisions the assistant must not make. It takes a name and number, flags the call for an attorney, and leaves the rest to your team. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # Criminal Defense Answering Service & AI Intake Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/criminal-defense-law > Answer late-night arrest calls from worried families, take jail and charge details, and alert your on-call attorney. An AI receptionist for criminal defense firms answers arrest and charge calls around the clock, using your practice areas, fees, and office hours. InsertChat’s assistant takes the jail, booking, charge, and court details from the caller or a family member, books consultations, flags anyone in custody for your on-call attorney, and keeps every legal question for a lawyer. ## Turn a mother’s 2 a.m. call into the first alert your attorney sees Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A mother calls at 2:10 a.m. on a Sunday. Your office opens Monday at 8. > My son was arrested tonight for DUI and he’s at the county jail. How do I get him out, and can you help him? ## Explain what your firm does Confirm that you take DUI cases in that county and share how consultations and fees work, from the details you publish. ## Take the custody details Record her son’s full name and date of birth, the jail, the booking number if she has it, the charge as she understands it, and any bail amount or court date. ## Alert your on-call attorney The call is marked urgent, an email alert goes to the teammates you chose, and she gets a text confirming that an attorney will call her back. ## Your team sets the boundaries How to post bail, what her son should say, and how the case might go are questions for your attorney. The assistant says so plainly and promises only a callback. ## What it handles for criminal defense firms Handled by your assistant: - Intake for DUI, drug, theft, assault, domestic violence, and white-collar charges - Consultation bookings for people out on bail or not yet charged - Your fee structure and payment plans, exactly as you publish them - Expungement and record-sealing inquiries, with eligibility left to an attorney - Office hours, courthouses you cover, and directions Sent straight to your team: - Someone in custody right now - An arraignment or court date in the next few days - Police asking the caller to come in for questioning - A warrant the caller knows about - Existing clients with a new arrest or a probation violation ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Caller’s name, relationship, and callback number - Full name and date of birth of the person charged - Jail or facility, and booking number if known - Charges as the caller understands them - Bail amount and next court date, if set - County where the arrest happened - Names of alleged victims or co-defendants, for your conflict check What to add to its knowledge: - Charges you defend and courts you appear in - Fee structure, retainers, and payment plans - What families should have ready, such as the booking number - How your firm handles calls about someone in custody - Expungement and record-sealing services - Your instruction not to discuss the facts of the case by phone ## Can an AI receptionist answer criminal defense calls after hours? Yes, and arrest calls are where it earns its keep. It answers every call at night and on weekends, takes the custody, charge, and court details, and marks anyone held in jail as urgent so an email alert reaches your team. Consultations for people who are already released can go straight onto your calendar. ## Will it tell callers what to say to the police? No. What to say to police, whether to take a plea, and how bail works in a specific case are questions for a lawyer, so list them as topics that always need a person. You can also have the assistant ask callers to save the details of what happened for the consultation, which keeps the intake to the facts your attorney needs first. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a criminal defense firm cost? InsertChat Pro costs $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, and includes one number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats. Calls round up to whole minutes against those credits, so a busy Saturday night uses more than a quiet Tuesday. Firms that want more people in the shared inbox can move to Growth, Scale, or Enterprise for more seats. ## Can it put a caller straight through to the on-call attorney? No. Live transfer during a call isn’t available. The assistant marks the call urgent, your team gets an email alert, and the caller receives a text or email confirming the callback request. Choose which teammates receive alerts, by role or by name, so the first person to see a 2 a.m. arrest is the one who can act on it. ## What happens when a client misses court or is picked up on a warrant? The assistant treats it as urgent. It records the client’s name, the court, the case number if known, and where the client is now, marks the conversation for your team, and tells the caller an attorney will call back. It doesn’t tell the caller what to do next; that stays with your attorney. ## Can families text the firm instead of calling? Yes, where your number supports SMS. Families can text your InsertChat number, answer your intake questions by text, and get the same urgent handling as a call. Texts, calls, and website chats land in one shared inbox, so the attorney on call reads the whole story in one place. ## Can it answer only outside office hours? Yes. Set your weekly hours and time zone, and the assistant answers evenings and weekends. During the day, calls ring your office, and the assistant can still step in after 5 to 60 seconds if nobody picks up, or when a call lands in a staff voicemail. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Receptionist for Financial Advisors & RIAs Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/financial-advisors > Book discovery meetings and log client service requests, with every investment question left to an advisor. An AI receptionist for financial advisors answers prospect and client calls while you’re in meetings, using your services, account minimums, published fees, and office hours. InsertChat’s assistant books discovery meetings, logs service requests such as address changes or distribution questions for your team, and routes every investment, tax, or trade question to a licensed person. ## Turn a rollover question into a discovery meeting Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospect referred by a client calls at 11:30 a.m., while both advisors are in review meetings. > I’m retiring next spring and I have a 401(k) from my old job. Should I roll it over, and can I meet with someone? ## Explain how you work Describe your planning services, account minimum, and how you charge, from the fee schedule you publish. ## Collect the basics Record the retirement date, the types of accounts involved, who referred the caller, and the best time to meet, without asking for account numbers. ## Book the discovery meeting Offer open times on the advisor’s calendar, at the office or by video link, and book one with the caller’s notes in the calendar event. ## Your team sets the boundaries Whether to roll over the 401(k) is advice, so the assistant tells the caller the advisor will cover it in the meeting. It never comments on investments, returns, or the markets. ## What it handles for financial advisors Handled by your assistant: - Discovery and annual review meeting bookings - Services, account minimums, and fee schedules you publish - Address, phone, and beneficiary form requests, logged for your service team - Where to find statements, tax forms, and the client portal sign-in page - Referral calls from clients, CPAs, and attorneys, saved with their source Sent straight to your team: - Instructions to buy, sell, or transfer anything - Withdrawal, distribution, or wire requests - Market worries and calls about losses - A suspected scam, an unknown login, or changed bank details - The death of a client, or a beneficiary calling ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, contact details, and who referred them - Prospect or existing client - Life event or goal, such as retirement, a business sale, or an inheritance - Types of accounts involved, never account numbers - Whether a spouse or partner will join the meeting - For service requests, what needs to change and by when - Preferred meeting time, at the office or by video What to add to its knowledge: - Services you offer and the clients you serve best - Account minimums and your published fee schedule - Required disclosures, worded exactly as compliance approved them - How to reach the client portal and where statements live - Topics it must never discuss, such as returns or specific securities - Office hours, locations, and parking ## Can an AI receptionist work for a regulated advisory firm? It works inside the limits you set. Use the setting for promises or decisions it must not make to rule out recommendations, return figures, and accepting trades, and list investments, taxes, and money movement as topics that always need a person. Every change to these instructions is saved as a version you can compare and restore, which helps when compliance reviews the wording. ## Will the assistant ever give investment advice? No. It answers questions about your firm, such as services, minimums, fees, and office hours, and nothing about markets, securities, or what a caller should do with their money. Those questions are marked for an advisor, and the caller hears that a licensed person will follow up. It has no access to custodian or brokerage accounts, so it can’t place a trade or move money. ## How much does an AI receptionist for financial advisors cost? Pro runs $98 a month with one phone number, monthly credits, three seats, and three assistants. Calls count against credits in whole minutes. Teams with more advisors and service staff in the inbox can move to Growth at $198 a month, which adds seats for 5 people and raises the assistant limit to 20. ## Does it keep a record of each conversation? Yes. Each call, chat, text, and email is saved in the shared inbox with a transcript and AI summary, tied to the contact. Calls are kept as transcripts, not audio recordings. Whether those records fit your books-and-records process is a question for your compliance team; InsertChat makes no regulatory compliance claim. ## Can it send meeting reminders and a prep list? Booked prospects and clients get reminders by text or email three days and one day before the meeting. Add your prep list to its knowledge, such as recent statements and tax returns, and the assistant shares it when someone books or asks what to bring. ## Does it connect to our CRM or custodian? It doesn’t connect to wealth management CRMs or custodians. If your firm runs HubSpot, Zoho, or Microsoft Dynamics 365, the assistant can create or update a contact there through the actions and approvals you choose. Meetings can go into Outlook, Google Calendar, Calendly, Cal.com, or InsertChat’s own calendar. ## Can our client service associate keep answering the phone? Yes. Calls ring your office first, and the assistant picks up after 5 to 60 seconds without an answer, or when a call lands in a staff voicemail. After hours, it takes every call. Clients saved in your contacts can skip the assistant and ring the office line you choose. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Receptionist for Mortgage Brokers & Lenders Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/mortgage-brokers > Capture purchase and refinance leads around the clock, with rate and approval questions left to a loan officer. An AI receptionist for mortgage brokers answers borrower and real estate agent calls when your loan officers are busy, using your loan programs, licensed states, and document checklists. InsertChat’s assistant qualifies purchase and refinance leads, books calls with a loan officer, and sends every rate, fee, approval, or credit question to a licensed person. ## Turn an open-house call into a booked pre-approval conversation Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A couple calls at 5:15 p.m. on a Sunday, straight from an open house. > We saw a house today that we love. It’s listed at $480,000. What would our rate be, and how fast can we get pre-approved? ## Explain your process Describe how pre-approval works at your company and which documents to gather, from the checklist you wrote. ## Qualify the lead Record purchase or refinance, the price range, the planned down payment, the property’s state, the buyer’s agent, and the target closing date. ## Book the loan officer Offer Monday morning times on the loan officer’s calendar and book one. A high-intent alert reaches your team that evening. ## Your team sets the boundaries The rate, the fees, and whether they qualify are for a licensed loan officer. The assistant says so and never quotes a number. ## What it handles for mortgage brokers Handled by your assistant: - Purchase and refinance leads, qualified with the questions you set - The loan programs you list, such as conventional, FHA, VA, or jumbo - Document checklists for pre-approval and underwriting - Calls with a loan officer, booked into open times - Real estate agents asking how to reach a borrower’s loan officer Sent straight to your team: - Any request for a rate, fee, or payment estimate - A closing within days, or an agent asking about clear to close - A rate lock about to expire - Suspicious wiring instructions or a changed account for closing funds - Borrowers upset about a denial or a delay ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and preferred contact method - Purchase or refinance - Property state and type, such as a single-family home or condo - Price range or estimated home value - Target closing date or timeline - Buyer’s agent name, for purchases - How they heard about you What to add to its knowledge: - Loan programs you offer and the states you’re licensed in - Pre-approval steps and document checklists - NMLS numbers and licensing statements, as you display them - Loan officers, their specialties, and the languages they speak - The rule never to quote rates, payments, or approvals - How borrowers should send documents, such as your secure portal ## Can an AI receptionist quote mortgage rates? No, and you don’t want it to. Rates depend on credit, loan type, and the day’s pricing, and quoting them is a loan officer’s job. Add rates, fees, payments, and approvals to the topics that always need a person, and the assistant tells callers a loan officer will give them real numbers. Every rate request is flagged, so it becomes a callback instead of a lost lead. ## How does it help with real estate agent referrals? Agents calling about a shared buyer get answers from your process and a quick route to the right loan officer. The assistant records the agent’s name, brokerage, the buyer, and the closing date, and flags anything about clear to close or a closing within days. You can also send saved agents straight to your office line. ## How much does an AI receptionist for mortgage brokers cost? Pro is $98 a month for one phone number, monthly credits, three assistants, and three seats. Each call rounds up to the whole minute. Give each loan officer an assistant and a number, at $10 a month per extra number, and alerts can go to the officer assigned to it. Growth raises the limits to 20 assistants and 5 seats for larger teams. ## Can borrowers text us their documents? Picture messages go to your staff, but bank statements and tax returns shouldn’t travel by text. Add your secure upload steps to the assistant’s knowledge, and it points borrowers there whenever they ask how to send documents. You can also tell it to ask callers never to read out a Social Security number. ## Does it connect to our loan origination system? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to loan origination or pricing software. Each lead becomes a contact with the summary and transcript, and if you use HubSpot, Zoho, or Microsoft Dynamics 365, the assistant can add the lead there through the actions you allow. Your team starts the application in your own system. ## Can it talk with borrowers in Spanish? Yes. The assistant switches to the caller’s language and asks the same qualifying questions in Spanish or another language your borrowers use. Add which loan officers speak which languages to its knowledge, so it can tell callers who will follow up with them. ## Does it work after hours and on weekends? Yes. Set your office hours and time zone, and the assistant answers evenings and weekends, when buyers get home from showings. During the day, it can pick up when your team doesn’t answer within 5 to 60 seconds. ## Related features - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Answering Service for IT Companies & MSPs Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/it-services > Take client support calls, create tickets, and flag outages and security incidents for your on-call tech. An AI answering service for IT companies and managed service providers answers client support calls and new business inquiries while your techs are heads-down, using your service catalog, support hours, and escalation rules. InsertChat’s assistant records the issue, impact, and affected users, can create Zendesk tickets, books discovery calls, and flags outages and security incidents. ## Turn a Monday-morning outage call into an urgent ticket Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. The office manager at a 20-person client calls at 7:50 a.m., before your help desk opens. > Nobody in our office can get into email or the shared drive. We have a client meeting at ten. Can someone help? ## Measure the impact Ask which company is calling, how many people are affected, what they see on screen, and when it started. ## Open the ticket Create a Zendesk ticket with the company, contact, symptoms, and impact, if you allow that action. ## Alert the on-call tech Mark the call urgent so your on-call technician gets an email alert, and text the caller a callback confirmation. ## Your team sets the boundaries The assistant doesn’t troubleshoot, reset passwords, or touch client systems. Your technicians decide the fix and when to call back. ## What it handles for IT companies and MSPs Handled by your assistant: - Support requests logged with company, user, device, and symptoms - Zendesk tickets created or updated, with the approvals you choose - Ticket status checks, looked up in Zendesk when you allow it - Support hours, contract coverage, and how to reach your portal - New business inquiries, booked as discovery calls Sent straight to your team: - An outage that stops a whole office or a critical server - Ransomware messages, a suspected breach, or a clicked phishing link - Internet or phone service down at a client site - Problems for the priority users a client’s contract names - Angry clients and contract or billing disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Company name, and the caller’s name, role, and callback number - Affected users and devices - What they see, including any error message - When it started and what changed - How many people can’t work - For prospects, company size, current setup, and what prompted the call - Best time for a technician to call back What to add to its knowledge: - Clients, contract tiers, and what each tier covers after hours - Your definition of an emergency and the steps callers hear - Support hours, portal link, and remote session instructions - Services you sell, such as managed IT, backups, and security - The rule never to ask for or accept passwords - Onboarding steps for new clients ## Can an AI answering service create IT support tickets? Yes, with the Zendesk connection. Turn on the actions you want, and the assistant can create a ticket with the company, user, symptoms, and impact, look up an existing ticket’s status, or reply to and update a ticket, with approval wherever you require it. Without Zendesk, each request lands in the shared inbox as a conversation your techs can pick up. ## Does it connect to our PSA or RMM tools? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to PSA or remote monitoring tools, so your team creates tickets in those systems from the conversation, or the assistant creates them in Zendesk if that’s your help desk. The Microsoft Dynamics 365 and HubSpot connections cover sales and account records for new business. ## How much does an AI answering service for an MSP cost? Pro costs $98 per month with one number, monthly credits, three seats for your techs, and three assistants. Calls use credits by the whole minute. Connected services such as Zendesk may carry their own charges, and Growth at $198 a month adds seats when more of your help desk works from the shared inbox. ## AI answering vs voicemail vs a live IT answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Will the assistant reset passwords or remote into machines? No. It has no access to your clients’ systems, and you can tell it never to ask for or accept a password. Password resets and remote sessions are logged as requests for a technician, with the user and device recorded. ## Can different clients get different after-hours rules? Yes, through its knowledge. List each client’s contract tier and what counts as an emergency for them, and the assistant asks which company is calling before it treats a request as next-morning work or an urgent alert for the on-call tech. ## Can it answer new business calls too? Yes. Prospects hear the services you offer and your onboarding steps, then book a discovery call into open times. The contact keeps the company size, current setup, and the campaign from your tracking links, and a high-intent alert reaches your sales lead. ## Can techs keep answering the phone during the day? Yes. Ring your help desk first and let the assistant pick up after 5 to 60 seconds without an answer, or only outside your support hours. A call that reaches a technician’s voicemail comes back to the assistant, so the request is still logged. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Receptionist for Staffing & Recruiting Firms Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/recruiting-staffing > Answer candidates and clients, take job orders, and flag shift call-outs before a client is left short. An AI receptionist for staffing agencies answers candidates, workers on assignment, and client companies when recruiters are on other calls, using your open jobs, pay practices, and office hours. InsertChat’s assistant asks your screening questions, takes job orders, books interviews, and flags shift call-outs, injuries on assignment, and hiring decisions for your team. ## Turn a 5 a.m. call-out into an alert before the shift starts Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A worker on assignment texts your office number at 4:55 a.m. > This is Marcus, I’m on the 6 a.m. shift at the warehouse on Pine Road. My car won’t start and I can’t make it today. ## Reply by text Acknowledge the message, confirm the assignment and shift, and ask whether he can make tomorrow’s shift. ## Record the call-out Save the worker, client site, shift time, and reason on the contact, following the attendance policy you wrote. ## Alert the on-call recruiter Mark it urgent so your recruiter gets an email alert with time to fill the shift before it starts. ## Your team sets the boundaries Finding a replacement, telling the client, and any attendance consequences stay with your recruiters. The assistant makes no promises about future assignments. ## What it handles for staffing agencies Handled by your assistant: - Candidate questions about open jobs, pay ranges, and shifts you publish - Screening questions you write for each type of role - Interview and orientation bookings - Job orders from clients, with headcount, role, and start date - Timesheet, payday, and direct deposit questions answered from your policies Sent straight to your team: - Shift call-outs and no-shows - Injuries or safety problems on assignment - Same-day orders from clients - Harassment or discrimination complaints - Missing or wrong paychecks ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Candidate name, phone, and email - Roles of interest and years of experience - Availability, shifts, and transportation - Location and how far they will travel - For clients, company, role, headcount, start date, and pay rate - Shift times and the site contact - How they heard about you What to add to its knowledge: - Open jobs, pay ranges, and shifts, refreshed as orders change - Screening questions for each role type - Application, onboarding, and orientation steps - Pay schedule, timesheet rules, and attendance policy - Questions it must never ask, such as age, religion, or family plans - Branch locations and hours ## Can an AI receptionist screen candidates? It asks the screening questions you write, such as forklift certification, shift availability, or whether a candidate can lift 50 pounds, and saves the answers to the contact for a recruiter. Hiring and placement decisions stay with your recruiters. Add the questions it must never ask to its words and claims to avoid, so every screen stays on job-related ground. ## Can it keep up with our open jobs? Yes. Add your job board page as a knowledge source, or upload a spreadsheet of open orders, and refresh it when roles fill or open. The assistant answers pay, shift, and location questions from that source and sends candidates to apply the way you prefer, such as your online application link. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a staffing agency cost? On Pro, you pay $98 a month for one number, monthly credits, three seats, and three AI assistants. Calls draw on credits in whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges, which matters when most of your workers text. Agencies with several branches can step up to Growth for up to 20 assistants, one per branch or division. ## How do candidates send a résumé? Through your website chat, which accepts attachments, or by email if you connect Gmail or Outlook. Picture messages sent by text go to a recruiter to review. Every channel lands on the same contact, so the recruiter sees the candidate’s whole history in one place. ## Does it connect to our applicant tracking system? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to applicant tracking or staffing software, so recruiters move candidates into your ATS from the contact. If your sales team tracks client accounts in HubSpot, Zoho, or Microsoft Dynamics 365, the assistant can add new job order leads there through the actions you allow. ## Can it talk with candidates in Spanish? Yes. The assistant switches to the caller’s language and asks the same screening questions in Spanish, from the same job list. Add which recruiters speak which languages, so it can tell candidates who will follow up. ## Can it answer before the office opens? Yes. Set your branch hours and time zone, and the assistant takes every call outside them, including early-morning call-outs, while texts get a reply at any hour. During the day it can pick up when recruiters don’t answer within 5 to 60 seconds. ## Related features - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Receptionist for Architecture Firms Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/architects > Qualify project inquiries by type, site, budget, and timeline, and book consultations while you’re on site. An AI receptionist for architecture firms answers project inquiries while your team is on site or in design reviews, using your project types, service area, fee approach, and process. InsertChat’s assistant asks about the site, scope, budget, and timeline, books consultations, and leaves design advice, code questions, and fee proposals to an architect. ## Turn a portfolio-page chat into a qualified consultation Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner opens your website chat on a Saturday afternoon after browsing your portfolio. > We want to add a second story to our 1950s ranch house. Do you do residential additions, and what would it cost to design? ## Answer from your process Confirm you take residential additions in their town, and explain your phases and how fees are set, from the process page you published. ## Qualify the project Ask for the address, the size and age of the house, the construction budget range, the target start, and whether a builder is involved. ## Book the first meeting Offer open consultation times, at your studio or by video link, and book one with the project brief in the calendar event. ## Your team sets the boundaries Whether a second story is feasible, what zoning allows, and the design fee are an architect’s call. The assistant says so and books the conversation where that call gets made. ## What it handles for architecture firms Handled by your assistant: - New project inquiries, qualified by type, site, budget, and timeline - Consultation bookings at your studio, by phone, or by video - Your process, phases, and how you set fees, as you publish them - Project types and locations you take on, from your portfolio - Calls from product reps and consultants, logged for the right person Sent straight to your team: - Contractors with a question that is holding up work on an active site - Permit or inspection deadlines within days - Clients on active projects asking about changes or costs - Requests for a fee proposal or contract terms - Complaints and disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, contact details, and project address - Project type, such as a new home, addition, renovation, or commercial space - Site details, such as lot size or the existing building’s size - Construction budget range - Target start and completion dates - Whether a contractor or builder is involved - How they found your firm What to add to its knowledge: - Project types, sizes, and locations you take on - Your phases, from feasibility to construction administration - How you set fees and any minimum project size - Portfolio pages and project descriptions - Who on the team leads which project types - Studio address, hours, and site visit policy ## Can an AI receptionist qualify architecture projects? Yes. It asks the questions you’d ask on a first call: what kind of project, where, how big, what budget, and when. The answers are saved to the contact with the full conversation, so your first meetings go to projects that fit your firm. Projects below your minimum can be referred out politely, using the wording you write. ## Will it tell clients what their project will cost? Only the fee information you publish, such as how your fees work or a minimum design fee. Construction costs and fee proposals depend on scope, so the assistant books a consultation instead of guessing and flags requests for a proposal for an architect. ## How much does an AI receptionist for architects cost? Pro costs $98 a month and covers one phone number, monthly credits, three team seats, and three AI assistants. Calls use credits by the whole minute. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits, enough to test your intake questions on real calls and chats; a card is required at checkout. ## Can it add a chat to our portfolio website? Yes. Paste the embed code into your site, or install the WordPress plugin, and visitors browsing your projects can ask questions and book a consultation in the same window. The assistant answers from the pages you add to its knowledge, including project descriptions. ## What happens when a contractor calls about an active job? The assistant records the project, the question, and how soon an answer is needed, then marks it for the project architect. It doesn’t interpret drawings or approve changes. If the issue stops work on site, your instructions can treat it as urgent, so an email alert goes out right away. ## Can it book site visits as well as studio meetings? Yes. Booking settings cover the appointment length, from 15 minutes to two hours, buffer time before and after, and minimum notice, so a site visit isn’t booked an hour before you can get there. Booked clients get reminders by text or email three days and one day before. ## Can it answer the phone while I’m on site? Yes. Calls ring your studio first, and the assistant answers when nobody picks up within 5 to 60 seconds. You can also let it answer every call on site days, then switch back to after-hours answering when you’re at your desk. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # Funeral Home Answering Service with AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/funeral-homes > Take first calls from families, hospices, and hospitals at any hour, and get the details to your on-call director. A funeral home answering service with AI picks up when no director can. InsertChat’s assistant takes first calls with the questions you set, such as the place of death and whether hospice was involved, emails an urgent alert to your team, and answers service times, directions, and price questions from the information you publish. ## Turn a 3 a.m. hospice call into a complete first call Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A daughter calls at 3:10 a.m., while your on-call director is out on a removal across the county. > My dad just passed at home. The hospice nurse is here and told us to call you. What happens now? ## Answer with care Offer condolences in the words you wrote, then ask one question at a time and let the caller set the pace. ## Take the first call Record her father’s name, the home address, the hospice agency and the nurse on site, her relationship and callback number, and burial or cremation wishes if the family knows them. ## Alert the on-call director The call is marked urgent, an email alert with the summary goes to your team, and the daughter hears what you want families told about the callback. A text or email confirms her callback request. ## Your team sets the boundaries The assistant doesn’t put the daughter through to a director or schedule the removal. Your on-call director calls the family and the hospice nurse back with every detail already in hand. ## What it handles for funeral homes Handled by your assistant: - Service, visitation, and memorial times, with chapel directions and parking - Obituary questions, such as when it will post and where to leave condolences - Price questions, answered from the General Price List you add - Pre-need planning consultations booked on your calendar - Where to send flowers, and the livestream link you post for a service - Messages from cemeteries, florists, clergy, and other funeral homes Sent straight to your team: - First calls from families, hospices, hospitals, and nursing facilities - An unexpected death at home with no hospice involved, answered with your 911 instruction first - Calls from a medical examiner’s or coroner’s office - Families asking for a director or changing arrangements already made - Questions about a loved one in your care or the timing of a cremation - Complaints, billing disputes, and callers too upset to go on ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name of the person who died, and the date and time of death - Place of death: home, hospice, hospital, or nursing facility, with the address - Caller’s name, relationship, and a safe callback number - Whether hospice was involved and the death was expected - Whether the medical examiner or coroner is involved - Attending physician’s name, if the caller knows it - For facility calls, the nurse’s name and direct line What to add to its knowledge: - Your General Price List, plus the casket, outer burial container, and package prices you publish - Upcoming services, visitations, and obituaries, from your website or a document - Chapel addresses, directions, parking, and livestream links - Your first call questions and the wording to use with grieving callers - What families hear about who calls back and how soon - What to bring to the arrangement conference, such as clothing, photos, and military discharge papers ## Can an AI answering service take first calls for a funeral home? Yes, using the first call questions you write. A family calling from home is asked whether hospice was involved and the death was expected, a nursing facility is asked for the nurse’s name and direct line, and every caller is asked whether the medical examiner or coroner has been contacted. Each answer is saved on the contact, and the call is marked “needs you” with an urgent email alert to your team, so the director who calls back knows where to go and whom to call. ## Will a caller be put through to the director on call? No. InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls. The assistant tells the caller, in your words, that a director will call back, and your on-call director returns the call from the shared inbox with the details in front of them, so the family doesn’t have to repeat anything. If families should reach a person first, set your line to ring the on-call phone and let the assistant answer only when nobody picks up. ## Can it give price information over the phone? Yes, from the prices you publish. The FTC’s Funeral Rule says funeral providers must give accurate price information to callers who ask, and can’t require their name, address, or phone number first. Add your General Price List and your casket and outer burial container prices to the assistant’s knowledge, and tell it to answer price questions without asking who is calling. It quotes only those prices; a total for a specific family or a package you don’t list goes to a director. Sources: [FTC: The FTC Funeral Rule](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/ftc-funeral-rule); [FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-funeral-rule). ## How does it handle pre-need planning calls? It answers general questions from what you publish and books a planning consultation into open times on your calendar, noting whether the plan is for the caller or a family member, burial or cremation interest, and any plan they already hold elsewhere. Booked callers get a reminder by text or email three days and one day ahead. Contract terms, payment plans, and funding options stay with your pre-need staff. ## How much does an AI answering service for funeral directors cost? InsertChat Pro costs $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, for one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats. Calls use credits by the started minute, and an unhurried first call with a grieving family uses more than a question about directions. Homes with several chapels can give each its own assistant and number, at $10 a month per extra number. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days. ## AI answering vs voicemail vs a live funeral answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can calls ring our on-call director first? Yes. Set calls to ring a number you choose first, such as the on-call director’s cell, and the assistant picks up when nobody answers within 5 to 60 seconds or the call reaches a staff voicemail. You can also have it answer every call outside the weekly hours you set, overnight included, while your office line rings as usual during the day. ## Can hospice and hospital staff skip the assistant? Yes. Save the hospices, hospitals, and nursing facilities that call you as contacts, and set the assistant to answer only callers who aren’t saved. Their calls then ring the number you choose. If one still reaches the assistant, it takes the first call details like any other call and flags it for your team. ## Does it connect to our funeral home software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to funeral home management or case software, so your case records stay where they are. Each first call arrives as a contact with the summary and transcript for your staff to enter, and pre-need consultations can go into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or InsertChat’s own calendar. ## Can families text or chat with us instead of calling? Yes. Families can text your InsertChat number or use your website chat to ask about service times, directions, and obituaries, and the assistant replies from the same knowledge as your phone line. Photos sent for an obituary or memorial slideshow go to your staff, since picture messages are always handed to a person. The assistant also answers in the caller’s language, such as Spanish. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Receptionist for Vacation Rental Managers Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/vacation-rentals > Answer guests at any hour, take direct booking inquiries, and flag lockouts and leaks for on-call staff. An AI receptionist for vacation rental managers answers guest calls, texts, and WhatsApp messages at any hour, using your house guides, policies, and local tips. InsertChat’s assistant handles check-in, parking, and amenity questions, takes direct booking inquiries and owner leads, and flags lockouts, leaks, and noise complaints for your on-call team. ## Turn a late-arrival lockout into an urgent on-call alert Example workflow: WhatsApp. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A guest messages your WhatsApp number at 11:20 p.m. on a Friday, three hours after your office closed. > We just got to the beach house and the door code isn’t working. It’s raining and we have two kids with us. ## Read your lockout steps Share the keypad troubleshooting steps from that property’s house guide, such as how to wake the lock before entering the code. ## Confirm the stay Record the guest’s name, the property, the name on the reservation, and a callback number. The assistant never sends a door code itself. ## Alert your on-call team Mark the conversation urgent so your on-call staff get an email alert, and tell the guest someone will contact them. ## Your team sets the boundaries Your on-call staff verify the guest and send access through your usual system. The assistant doesn’t promise arrival times or refunds. ## What it handles for vacation rental managers Handled by your assistant: - Check-in and checkout times, parking, and directions - Appliances, hot tubs, and house rules, from each house guide - Direct booking inquiries, with dates and party size recorded - Pet, early check-in, and late checkout policies - Owner inquiries about your management services, booked as consultations Sent straight to your team: - Lockouts and door codes that don’t work - Leaks, no power, no heat, or no air conditioning - A gas smell, smoke, or a carbon monoxide alarm - Neighbor complaints about noise or parties - Guest injuries, after the caller hears your 911 instruction ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Guest name and the name on the reservation - Property name or address - Arrival and departure dates - Number of guests and any pets - What’s wrong and when it started - Callback number and preferred channel - For owners, property location, size, and current rental status What to add to its knowledge: - A house guide for each property, covering parking, appliances, and quirks - Check-in, checkout, pet, and party policies - Your direct booking link and how pricing works - Emergency steps and who is on call - Local tips, from grocery stores to beach access - Management services and fees for owners ## Can an AI receptionist answer vacation rental guests 24/7? Yes. Guests can call, text, or message on WhatsApp, and the assistant answers from the house guide for their property at any hour, in the language they write in. Routine questions about parking, the hot tub, or checkout get answered on the spot. Urgent problems are flagged, and your on-call staff get an email alert. ## Does it connect to our property management software or Airbnb? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to vacation rental software, channel managers, or booking platforms, so it can’t see reservations, change dates, or send door codes. It answers from your guides, records the reservation name for your staff, and passes anything that needs your system to your team. Guest messages inside Airbnb or Vrbo stay in those apps. ## Can it take direct bookings? It takes the inquiry and points guests to your direct booking link. The assistant records the dates, party size, pets, and property, shares your published rates and policies, and saves the inquiry as a lead for your team. It doesn’t check nightly availability or take payment, so your booking engine stays the source of truth. ## How much does an AI receptionist for vacation rentals cost? Pro is $98 a month for one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats. Calls use credits in whole minutes, and texts and WhatsApp messages can carry their own charges. Managers in several markets can give each market its own assistant and local number, at $10 a month per extra number, or move to Growth for up to 20 assistants. ## Can one assistant cover all our properties? Yes. Add a house guide for each property, and the assistant asks which home the guest is staying in before answering. Keep property names consistent across your guides, so a question about the hot tub at one cottage gets that cottage’s answer. ## Will it share door codes or Wi-Fi passwords? Only what you put in its knowledge, and door codes don’t belong there. The assistant can’t verify who is messaging, so leave access codes to the system that sends them after booking. When a guest can’t get in, the conversation is flagged urgent, and your on-call staff verify the booking and send access themselves. Whether Wi-Fi details go in a house guide is your call. ## Can it answer owners who want us to manage their home? Yes. Owners hear your management services and fees as you publish them, share their property’s location, size, and rental history, and book a consultation. A high-intent alert tells your business development lead right away, and the contact keeps the lead’s source, such as the landing page or the number they dialed. ## Can it answer calls only after the office closes? Yes. Set your office hours and time zone, and calls ring your team during the day. After closing, the assistant takes every call. On busy changeover days, you can also ring the office first and let the assistant answer after 5 to 60 seconds without a pickup. Texts and WhatsApp messages get a reply at any hour. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) ## Broader industry - [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate): Keep property inquiries and viewing requests moving. --- # AI Receptionist for Self-Storage Facilities Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/self-storage > Answer unit size and price questions, book move-ins, and flag break-ins and gate problems for your manager. An AI receptionist for self-storage facilities answers calls, chats, and texts when your manager is on the lot or the office is closed, using your unit sizes, rates, access hours, and policies. InsertChat’s assistant helps renters pick a size, takes reservation requests, books move-in appointments, and flags break-ins, gate problems, and lien questions. ## Turn a “what size do I need?” call into a booked move-in Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A renter calls at 3:30 p.m. on a Saturday, while your only manager is showing units outside. > I’m moving out of a two-bedroom apartment at the end of the month. What size unit do I need, and is it climate controlled? ## Recommend a size Use your size guide to suggest the sizes you recommend for a two-bedroom, and share the rates and climate-control options on your unit list. ## Take the reservation request Record the size, climate control, move-in date, how long they need it, vehicle access needs, and contact details. ## Book the move-in Book a move-in appointment with your manager on the date the renter picked. Reminders go out by text or email before the day. ## Your team sets the boundaries Your manager confirms the unit, signs the lease, and takes payment in your management software. The assistant never promises a specific unit. ## What it handles for self-storage facilities Handled by your assistant: - Unit sizes, rates, and specials from your current list - What fits in each size, from your size guide - Access hours, office hours, and how gate access works - Reservation requests and move-in appointments - Payment methods, due dates, and late fee policy Sent straight to your team: - Break-ins, cut locks, or a unit door found open - Gates or keypads that aren’t working - Water, pests, or damage inside a unit - Lien, auction, or overdue account questions - Suspicious activity on the property ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and callback number - Unit size, or what they need to store - Climate control or drive-up access - Move-in date and how long they need the unit - Vehicle, boat, or RV storage needs - For tenants, unit number and the problem - How they found your facility What to add to its knowledge: - Unit sizes, rates, and current specials - A size guide, such as what fits in a 5x10 or a 10x20 - Access hours, office hours, and how gate access works - Protection plan or insurance options you offer - Payment, late fee, and lien policies - Moving supplies and truck rental, if you offer them ## Can an AI receptionist rent storage units? It handles everything up to the lease. It explains sizes and prices from your current unit list, records which unit type the renter wants, and books a move-in appointment or takes a reservation request. InsertChat doesn’t connect to storage management software, so your manager confirms the unit, signs the lease, and takes the first payment. ## How does it stay accurate on prices and availability? Upload your unit list as a spreadsheet or add your rates page as a knowledge source, and refresh it when rates or specials change. The assistant answers from that list and says when it can’t confirm something, such as whether a specific size is open today, then passes the question to your manager. ## Will it give out gate codes? Not if codes stay out of its knowledge, and they should. The assistant can’t verify who is calling, so it explains how gate access works and flags tenants who can’t get in as urgent for your manager. Tenants locked out after hours hear the steps you wrote for that situation. ## How much does an AI receptionist for self-storage cost? Pro costs $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, for one number, monthly credits, three assistants, and three seats. Calls round up to whole minutes. Operators with several facilities can give each one its own assistant and number, with extra numbers at $10 a month, and Growth raises the limit to 20 assistants. ## Can tenants pay their bill through the assistant? No. The assistant shares the payment methods and due dates you publish, such as your online payment link, and can’t see account balances. It records the unit number and the question, so your manager can call back with the balance in hand. Billing disputes and overdue accounts go to your manager as requests that need a person. ## Does it answer website chat for our facility? Yes. Add the chat to your website with the embed code or the WordPress plugin, and renters browsing unit sizes get the same answers callers hear. Chats, calls, and texts land in one shared inbox, where your manager can step into any conversation. ## Can it answer when the manager steps away? Yes. Calls ring the office first, and the assistant picks up after 5 to 60 seconds with no answer. After office hours it takes every call, so renters who call in the evening still get a size recommendation and a move-in time. ## Can it handle vehicle and RV storage questions? Yes, once you add them. List your parking spaces with their sizes, covered or uncovered options, and rates, and the assistant asks for the vehicle type and length before suggesting a space. Add your rules for registration and insurance too, and anything it can’t confirm goes to your manager. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate): Keep property inquiries and viewing requests moving. --- # HOA Answering Service & AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/hoa-management > Answer homeowner calls about dues, amenities, and architectural requests, and flag common-area emergencies. An HOA answering service answers homeowner, board, and vendor calls for the communities you manage, using each association’s rules, fees, and amenity schedules. InsertChat’s assistant answers dues and amenity questions, books clubhouse reservations, takes architectural review and maintenance requests, and flags common-area emergencies for your on-call manager. ## Turn a broken pool gate call into an urgent common-area request Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls at 7:15 p.m. on a Saturday in July, with your office closed for the weekend. > The pool gate at Willow Creek won’t latch and kids are getting in without adults. Who do I call about this? ## Find the community Confirm the caller lives in Willow Creek and read the after-hours steps that association approved for pool problems. ## Record the request Note the location, what’s broken, the safety risk, and the homeowner’s address and callback number. ## Alert the on-call manager Mark the call urgent because of the safety risk, so your on-call manager gets an email alert that evening. ## Your team sets the boundaries Your manager decides whether to close the pool and which vendor to send. The assistant doesn’t dispatch vendors or promise repair times. ## What it handles for HOA management companies Handled by your assistant: - Dues amounts, due dates, and payment options for each association - Pool, gym, and clubhouse hours and rules - Clubhouse reservations booked into the community calendar - Architectural review requests, with the project and address recorded - Resale and estoppel document requests from title companies, logged for your team Sent straight to your team: - Water main breaks, flooding, or fallen trees in common areas - Broken gates, pool safety issues, or lighting outages - Someone stuck in a building elevator, after the caller hears your 911 instruction - Collections disputes and legal threats - Board members calling about urgent association business ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Homeowner name, community, and property address - Whether they own or rent - What the request is about and where - For architectural requests, the project type and planned start - For reservations, the date, time, and number of guests - For title companies, the property address and closing date - Callback number and preferred contact method What to add to its knowledge: - Each community’s rules, governing document summaries, and amenity schedules - Dues amounts, due dates, and payment options - Architectural review steps and forms - Emergency definitions and after-hours steps for each association - Resale and estoppel request process and fees - Office hours and which manager covers each community ## Can one AI receptionist answer for every community we manage? Yes. Add each association’s documents and amenity schedules to the assistant’s knowledge, and it asks callers which community they live in before answering. Management companies with many associations can split them across assistants, one per community or region, up to their plan’s limit, each with its own number if you want. ## Can it handle violation reports and rule questions? It takes violation reports and answers questions about the published rules, such as trash days or parking limits. It doesn’t issue notices, fines, or decisions. Reports are saved with the address and details for your manager, and anyone disputing a notice or a fine is passed to a person. ## Does it work with our HOA management software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to association management or accounting software, so it can’t look up balances or work orders. Each request arrives in the shared inbox with the homeowner, community, and full transcript, ready for your team to enter. Amenity reservations can go straight into Google Calendar, Outlook, or InsertChat’s own calendar. ## How much does an HOA answering service cost with InsertChat? Pro costs $98 a month with one phone number, monthly credits, three seats, and three AI assistants. Calls use credits by the whole minute, with a one-minute minimum. Companies covering many associations can step up to Growth, at $198 a month for up to 20 assistants, or to Scale for more seats and analytics reports. ## AI answering vs voicemail vs a live HOA answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can homeowners email the management office too? Yes. Connect Gmail or Outlook, and the assistant drafts replies for your approval or sends them itself after a delay you set. By default, emails about payments, legal matters, or complaints, and any reply it’s unsure of, are held back for your staff. ## Can it book the clubhouse? Yes. Connect the community calendar and the assistant offers open times, books the reservation, and records the homeowner, event, and guest count. Your booking settings control minimum notice and how far ahead residents can book, up to 90 days out. ## Can it answer only after hours? Yes. Calls ring your office during business hours, and the assistant answers evenings, weekends, and whenever your team doesn’t pick up within 5 to 60 seconds. Each community’s after-hours emergency steps come from its own documents. ## What about calls from board members? Saved board members can skip the assistant and ring your manager’s line, using the caller setting that excludes saved contacts. If a board member reaches the assistant anyway, it takes the message and marks it for the community manager. ## Related features - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate): Keep property inquiries and viewing requests moving. --- # Contractor Answering Service with AI, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors > Book site visits for new remodels and take messages from clients and subs while you build. An AI receptionist for contractors and remodelers answers your business line while you’re running construction jobs, using the projects you take, your service area, and how your site visits work. InsertChat’s assistant asks about scope, timeline, and budget, books estimate visits on your calendar, takes messages from clients and subcontractors, and flags job-site problems for your team. ## Turn a garage conversion call into a site visit Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A homeowner calls on Saturday morning while you’re walking a punch list on another job. > We want to turn our attached garage into a bedroom and bathroom for my mom. Is that something you do, and can someone come look at it? ## Confirm it’s work you take Check garage conversions against your project types and the caller’s town against your service area. ## Scope the project Ask what’s in the garage now, when they hope to start, whether they own the house, and the budget range they’re comfortable sharing. ## Book the garage walkthrough Offer site visit times from your calendar. Your estimator reads the scope, budget, and lead source on the contact before walking the garage. ## Your team sets the boundaries Water getting into a house you’ve opened up, a sagging beam, or an injury on site is flagged for your team at once, and anyone reporting an injury hears the 911 instructions you wrote. ## What it handles for contractors and remodelers Handled by your assistant: - Kitchen, bath, basement, and addition inquiries, checked against the work you take - Estimate site visits booked on your calendar, with scope and budget noted - Status questions from current clients, logged for the project manager - Calls from subcontractors and suppliers, taken as messages with the job address - Questions about your license, insurance, warranty, and current lead times Sent straight to your team: - Active water or structural damage at a job site - Injuries and safety incidents on a job - An upset homeowner on a project you’re building - Permit, inspection, and code questions - Change orders and scope changes on active jobs ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, phone number, and email - Project address, and whether they own or rent - Project type, such as a kitchen, bath, addition, or basement - Scope, including rooms, rough square footage, and walls coming out - Hoped-for start date and any deadline behind it - Budget range they’re comfortable sharing - Where they found you, such as a referral or a job-site sign What to add to its knowledge: - Project types you take, your minimum job size, and work you refer out - Towns and counties you build in - What happens at a site visit and when your bid follows - License, insurance, and warranty details you share with homeowners - Current lead times and any price ranges you publish - Your job-site emergency steps and 911 instructions ## Can an AI receptionist book estimate visits for remodeling jobs? Yes, once it has the details your estimator needs. The assistant asks about the project type, the address, the rooms involved, and the start date, checks whether the caller owns the home, and asks what budget range they have in mind. When the job fits your work and service area, it books a site visit from your open times. Jobs below your minimum get the referral note you wrote. ## Will it give homeowners a price for their project? Only the price ranges you choose to publish. If you share a starting price for a bathroom remodel or a cost per square foot for additions, the assistant gives those figures as written. Your estimator prices the actual job after the site visit, because InsertChat does not create estimates or bids. When a homeowner asks for a quote, you get a high-intent lead alert so your estimator can follow up while they’re still deciding. ## How much does an AI receptionist for contractors and remodelers cost? Pro runs $98 a month and includes three team seats to split between the office and the field, along with one phone number, three AI assistants, and monthly credits. Credits cover call time, billed in whole minutes with a one-minute minimum. Each extra number is $10 a month, so the signs on your job sites can carry a line of their own. ## AI receptionist vs a contractor answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Will the number on our trucks and signs keep working? It will for contractors in the US and Canada. Keep publishing it and point call forwarding at the private routing number InsertChat gives you, and a verification call confirms the forwarding works. Outside the US and Canada, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting isn’t offered, and InsertChat’s call forwarding page has carrier guides. ## Can subcontractors and suppliers skip the assistant and reach the office? Yes. Save them as contacts and set the assistant to answer only callers who aren’t saved, and their calls ring the office number you choose. If one still reaches the assistant, it takes their name, company, job address, and what they need, and your team assigns the message to whoever runs that job. ## What happens when a current client calls about their project? The assistant takes the question, the job address, and a good time to call back, then marks the conversation for a person so your project manager can pick it up. It can’t see your project schedule, so it won’t guess at dates. A client who asks for a callback gets a text or email confirming the request, and talk of damage or an injury is flagged as urgent. ## Does it connect to my construction project management software? No. InsertChat has no connection to construction project management software, so schedules and change orders stay in the tools you use now. The assistant can book site visits into Google Calendar or Outlook, a Calendly or Cal.com page, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar. If you track leads in HubSpot or Zoho, the assistant can create or update records as actions you approve, with no background sync. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) ## Broader industry - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Capture service requests while your team is on the job. --- # AI Receptionist for Couriers & Delivery, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/couriers > Take pickup requests and delivery questions while your dispatchers are busy with drivers. An AI receptionist for courier and delivery companies answers customer calls and texts while your dispatchers are busy, using your service area, cutoff times, and published rates. InsertChat’s assistant collects pickup and delivery addresses, package details, and deadlines for your dispatch staff to confirm, logs “where is my delivery?” questions with the reference number, and alerts your team to missed pickups and damage claims. ## Get a next-morning delivery ready for dispatch Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A print shop manager calls at 6:20 p.m., after your day dispatcher has signed off. > I’ve got three boxes of brochures, about 20 pounds each, that need to be at a hotel across town by 9 tomorrow. Can you grab them tonight? ## Check the zone and cutoff Confirm both addresses are inside your service area, then share the evening pickup cutoff and the next-morning rate you publish. ## Take the pickup details Record the box count and weights, the door the driver should use, who will hand the boxes over, and the 9 a.m. deadline at the hotel. ## Hand it to dispatch The request waits in the shared inbox with every detail, so your dispatcher can confirm it with the caller and slot it into the night’s runs. ## Your team sets the boundaries Missed pickups on deadline runs, damaged or lost items, and driver incidents go to your team at once, and court or medical deliveries up against a deadline are flagged as soon as they come in. ## What it handles for courier and delivery companies Handled by your assistant: - Pickup requests with addresses, sizes, and ready times, for dispatch to confirm - Service area, cutoff times, and the rates you publish for each delivery type - Recurring pickups and new business account inquiries - “Where is my delivery?” questions, logged with the reference number for dispatch - Proof-of-delivery requests, passed to your office with the order details Sent straight to your team: - A missed or failed pickup on a time-critical shipment - Damaged or lost item claims - Medical or legal deliveries with a deadline - Driver accidents and incidents on the road - Complaints about a driver or a late delivery ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Caller name, company, and callback number - Pickup and delivery addresses, with suite or dock details - Number of pieces, sizes, and weights - Ready time and the latest acceptable delivery time - Recipient name and whether a signature is required - Reference number, for delivery status questions - Account name, for existing business customers What to add to its knowledge: - Delivery zones by ZIP code or mileage - Rates you publish for standard, rush, and scheduled deliveries - Same-day cutoff times and after-hours availability - Size and weight limits, and items you won’t carry - How recurring routes and business accounts are set up - Proof-of-delivery, damage, and lost-item claim policies ## Can an AI receptionist take pickup requests for a courier company? Yes, and each one goes to your dispatchers to confirm. The assistant asks for both addresses, the number of pieces with sizes and weights, when the package is ready, and when it has to arrive. It checks the addresses against your service area and shares the rate you publish for that delivery type. Assigning a driver and confirming the run stay with your dispatch team. ## What happens when a customer asks where their delivery is? The assistant collects the details and passes the question to your dispatch staff, because InsertChat has no tracking connection. It asks for the reference number, the sender and recipient, and the delivery address, then marks the conversation for a person. Your dispatcher checks with the driver and gets back to the customer. Proof-of-delivery requests follow the same path, and a missed deadline on an urgent run is flagged right away. ## How much does an AI receptionist for courier and delivery companies cost? A courier company on Pro pays $98 a month for one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats for dispatch and office staff. Every call is charged in whole minutes against those credits, so a quick pickup call still counts as a full minute. Texts and WhatsApp messages can carry their own charges, and a separate number for account customers is $10 a month. ## Can business customers text or email their pickup requests? Yes. Customers can text your InsertChat number and get short replies, or email an inbox you connect through Gmail or Outlook. On email, the assistant can draft replies for your approval or send them after a delay, and it holds back complaints and anything it’s unsure about. Texts, emails, and calls all land in one shared inbox with each customer’s history. ## Can drivers and regular accounts bypass the assistant? Yes. Save drivers and account contacts in InsertChat, then set the assistant to answer only callers who aren’t saved contacts. Their calls ring the dispatch number you enter, while new customers and one-off pickups reach the assistant. A driver calling from an unsaved phone gets the assistant instead, and it takes the message for dispatch. ## Does it connect to our dispatch or tracking software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to courier dispatch, routing, or tracking software, so your dispatchers keep working in the system they use now. The assistant hands them complete requests in the shared inbox, and each customer’s contact keeps their conversation history and notes. If you manage business accounts in HubSpot or Zoho, you can enable CRM actions there, with no background sync. ## Can dispatch answer first and the assistant take the overflow? Yes. Choose the setting where the assistant answers when nobody picks up, and your dispatch line rings for 5 to 60 seconds first. You can also limit it to after-hours calls. Couriers in the US and Canada can forward the number customers already call, and elsewhere InsertChat offers local or toll-free numbers where available. InsertChat doesn’t offer number porting. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) --- # AI Receptionist for Interior Designers, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/interior-design > Answer fee questions, gather the brief, and book discovery calls while you’re with clients. An AI receptionist for interior designers answers calls, texts, and website chats from prospective clients while you’re at a showroom or an install, using your services, fees, and process. InsertChat’s assistant explains full-service and e-design options, gathers the rooms, timeline, budget range, and inspiration photos, books discovery calls, and flags install-day problems for your studio. ## Turn a new homeowner’s chat into a discovery call Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A couple who closed on a house last week opens your website chat at 9:40 p.m. > We just bought a 1920s bungalow and need help with the living and dining rooms. Do you take smaller projects, and how do your fees work? ## Explain how you work Describe full-service design and e-design from your service pages, and share the fee structure and project minimum you publish. ## Gather the brief Ask about the two rooms, their move-in plans, the budget range they’ll share, and who else is deciding, then invite them to attach inspiration photos. ## Book the discovery call Offer discovery call times from your calendar. The brief and photos wait on the contact, so you start the call already knowing their style. ## Your team sets the boundaries Install-day problems, damaged deliveries, and concerns from current clients reach your team right away, and paint, layout, and furniture recommendations stay with your designers. ## What it handles for interior designers Handled by your assistant: - Discovery call bookings, with the project brief attached - How your design fees and minimums work, as you publish them - Full-service versus e-design, and what each includes - Service area and travel for projects out of town - Vendor, showroom, and trade rep inquiries, logged for your studio Sent straight to your team: - Install-day problems at a client’s home - Furniture that arrives damaged or wrong - Concerns from current clients about orders, timelines, or budgets - Requests to cancel or change an order already placed - Disputes over design fees or invoices ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, email, and phone number - City or address of the project - New build, renovation, or furnishing, and which rooms - Timeline, including any move-in date or event - Budget range they’re willing to share - Inspiration photos or style links, attached in website chat - Who else is part of design decisions What to add to its knowledge: - Full-service, e-design, and consultation offerings - Fee structure, project minimums, and retainer terms you publish - Your process from discovery call to installation day - Service area and travel fees for projects farther away - Portfolio pages and past project descriptions - How ordering, lead times, and returns work for furnishings ## Can an AI receptionist screen design inquiries before a discovery call? Yes, with the questions you would ask yourself. The assistant asks which rooms are involved, whether it’s a renovation or a furnishing project, the timeline, the budget range the client is willing to share, and who else decides. If you publish a project minimum, it mentions that before booking. Inquiries that fit get a discovery call on your calendar. The rest hear the alternative you wrote, such as your e-design package. ## Will it tell prospective clients what you charge? Yes, if you add your fee structure to its knowledge. Some studios publish a flat fee per room or an hourly rate, and others prefer to talk fees on the discovery call. The assistant follows your choice, either explaining your fees as written or offering a call. It doesn’t estimate what furnishings or a renovation will cost, so those questions wait for you. ## How much does an AI receptionist for interior designers cost? Studios can start on Pro at $98 per month, which includes one phone number, monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three seats for you and your design team. Calls use credits in whole minutes, and the same assistant answers your website chat. Billed annually, Pro is 10 monthly payments upfront. Growth and Scale add assistants, seats, and credits as your studio grows. ## Can clients send inspiration photos and floor plans? Yes, through your website chat, where clients can attach files such as a floor plan, room measurements, or photos they’ve saved. Everything stays with the conversation on their contact, so you can review it before the discovery call. Pictures sent by text go to a person on your team instead of an automatic reply. ## How does it handle calls from vendors and trade reps? It takes a clear message for your studio. The assistant asks for the rep’s name, company, product line, and reason for calling, then marks the conversation so someone can follow up. If you aren’t taking on new vendors, add that to its knowledge and the assistant tells reps so. ## Does it work with the software we use to run projects? No, it doesn’t connect to design project management or purchasing software. Discovery calls go into Calendly, Google Calendar, Outlook, Cal.com, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar, and every inquiry is saved as a contact with its brief. If you use HubSpot, the assistant can create or update records there as actions you allow. ## Can we choose how the assistant sounds on calls? Yes. Choose from 10 voices, then write the greeting callers hear first, up to 200 characters with your studio’s name. Answers draw on the service descriptions and process notes you add. It replies in the language the caller speaks, and anyone on your team can step into a conversation from the shared inbox. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Give every new inquiry a clear next step. --- # AI Receptionist for Party & Event Rentals, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/party-rentals > Collect rental requests with dates, items, and venues while your crew delivers and sets up. An AI receptionist for party and event rental companies answers calls and texts while your crews are delivering and setting up, using your catalog, delivery zones, and policies. InsertChat’s assistant collects the event date, items, quantities, and venue details for your team to confirm, explains the deposit and cancellation terms you publish, and puts event-day problems in front of a person at once. ## Turn a graduation party text into an order request Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A parent texts your InsertChat number at 9 p.m., three weeks before the party. > Do you have a 20x30 tent, 10 round tables, and 80 white chairs for Saturday, June 21? It’s for a backyard graduation party. ## Answer from your catalog Confirm you carry that tent size, round tables, and white chairs, then share the delivery fee for the caller’s town and your deposit policy. ## Collect the order details Record the date, items, and quantities, then ask whether the tent goes on grass or pavement and how wide the side gate is. ## Pass it to your team Your team checks the date against your own records and confirms the order. The assistant doesn’t hold items or take the deposit. ## Your team sets the boundaries Missing chairs or a late truck on event day, tent trouble in bad weather, damage disputes, and changes inside 48 hours of an event go to your team at once. ## What it handles for party and event rental companies Handled by your assistant: - Availability requests, collected with the date, items, and quantities for your team to confirm - Tent, table, chair, linen, and inflatable questions answered from your catalog - Delivery zones, setup and pickup windows, and the fees you publish - Deposit, rain, and cancellation policies, explained as written - Wedding and corporate event inquiries, saved with the details your team needs to price them Sent straight to your team: - Missing items or a late delivery on event day - Tent or weather problems during an event - Disputes over damaged or unreturned items after pickup - Changes within 48 hours of an event - Tent permit and site questions ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Contact name, mobile number, and email - Event date, start time, and guest count - Items and quantities, from tents to linens - Venue address and type, such as a backyard, park, or hall - Setup surface and access, like grass, pavement, stairs, or a narrow gate - Delivery and pickup windows the venue allows - Whether the venue asks vendors for a certificate of insurance What to add to its knowledge: - Rental catalog with sizes, colors, and per-item prices - Delivery zones and fees, including setup and teardown - Deposit, rain, and cancellation policies - Tent sizes, seating capacity, and site requirements - Damage waiver terms and cleaning fees - Availability you choose to publish, such as sold-out dates ## Can an AI receptionist check rental availability for a date? It collects the request, and your team confirms availability, because InsertChat doesn’t connect to rental inventory. The assistant records the event date, each item and quantity, the venue, and the setup surface, then marks the request for a person. If you publish sold-out dates or items you always have plenty of, it can share those. Once your team confirms, the contract goes out from your own system. ## Will it take deposits or reserve items for customers? No. It explains your deposit, rain, and cancellation policies as you wrote them, and it never takes card details or payments. Add a line saying nothing is reserved until your team confirms, and the assistant says so whenever someone asks about a date. Requests to waive a fee or to change an order within 48 hours of the event go to a person. ## How much does an AI receptionist for party and event rental companies cost? For $98 a month, Pro gives a rental company three team seats, three AI assistants, a phone number, and a monthly credit balance. Calls are counted in whole minutes against your credits, and texting or WhatsApp can carry separate fees. Check the usage estimate on the pricing page against your busiest month of weddings and graduations. Annual billing is 10 monthly payments upfront. ## Can customers share a venue layout or photos of the yard? Yes, in the chat on your website. Customers can attach a venue floor plan, a sketch of where the tent should go, or photos of the yard, and your team sees them with the conversation. Texted photos are routed to a person rather than answered by the assistant. ## Can it answer on event days when everyone is out delivering? Yes. Have calls ring your event-day manager’s mobile for 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant picks up whenever nobody answers. A customer reporting missing items or a tent problem is marked urgent and your teammates get an email, with the event address and what’s wrong already noted. The customer hears that your team will follow up. ## Will it connect to our rental software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to party rental or inventory software, so orders stay in the system you use now. It can book calendar appointments, such as a showroom visit to see linens or a site visit before a large tent install, in Google Calendar, Calendly, Outlook, Cal.com, or InsertChat’s own calendar. ## Can we keep our rental company’s phone number? Rental companies in the US and Canada can keep it. Leave the number on your trucks and contracts, and forward its calls to the routing number InsertChat provides. A verification call confirms the forwarding works before customers rely on it. Businesses in other countries can pick a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available, and porting isn’t offered. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) ## Broader industry - [Hospitality & events](https://insertchat.com/industries/hospitality-events): Answer guests, couples, and event planners while your team looks after the people in front of them. --- # AI Receptionist for Therapists: 24/7 Intake Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/therapy > Answer new-client inquiries and book consultations while your therapists are in session. An AI receptionist for therapy and counseling practices answers calls and messages while your clinicians are in session, using your specialties, fees, and new-client process. InsertChat’s assistant explains telehealth and in-person options, books consultation calls, shares the crisis instructions you write with anyone at risk, and leaves every clinical question to a clinician. ## Help a couple find a therapist and book a consultation Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A prospective client starts a chat on your practice website late on a weeknight. > Do any of your therapists work with couples? We’d need evening sessions, and we’d be paying out of pocket. ## Share who sees couples Name the therapists whose profiles list couples work, along with their evening hours and the self-pay rate you publish. ## Book the consultation Offer consultation times from the chosen therapist’s calendar and book the slot that works for both partners. ## Prepare the therapist The contact keeps the evening preference and self-pay choice, so the therapist starts the consultation already knowing the logistics. ## Your team sets the boundaries Anyone describing a crisis or a risk of harm hears the crisis instructions you wrote, and the conversation is flagged for your team at once. Clinical questions wait for a clinician. ## What it handles for therapy and counseling practices Handled by your assistant: - Consultation calls with new clients, booked into open times - Insurance, out-of-network, and self-pay questions, answered from what you publish - Specialties, approaches, and therapist bios you publish - Telehealth and in-person options, office location, and parking - Intake forms and what to expect at a first session Sent straight to your team: - A caller in crisis or at risk of harm, who hears your crisis instructions - Clinical questions about symptoms, diagnosis, or medication - Session changes and messages for a current client’s therapist - Requests for records, letters, or forms signed by a clinician - Complaints and questions about a bill ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and the contact method they prefer - Who the sessions are for, such as an individual, a couple, a family, or a teen - Telehealth or in person, and the state they live in - Insurance plan or self-pay - Therapist or specialty they’re looking for - Days and times that work for a consultation - How they heard about the practice What to add to its knowledge: - Each therapist’s specialties, approaches, and the clients they see - Session fees, sliding-scale options, and the insurance you accept - How out-of-network billing and superbills work at your practice - Telehealth details and the states your clinicians are licensed in - Intake forms, consultation steps, and first-session prep - Crisis instructions and the emergency resources you want shared ## What happens if someone in crisis contacts the practice? The assistant shares your crisis instructions and alerts your team right away. You write those instructions, for example 988 in the US and 911 for emergencies, and it gives them as soon as someone describes a crisis or a risk of harm. The conversation is marked urgent and your chosen teammates are notified. The assistant doesn’t counsel anyone, and your clinicians follow up under your own protocols. ## Can it help new clients find the right therapist? It shares the matching details you publish, and your clinicians decide on fit. Add each therapist’s specialties, the ages and formats they work with, their open hours, and where they’re licensed for telehealth. The assistant answers from those profiles and books a consultation with the therapist the client picks. Questions about symptoms, diagnoses, or medication go to a clinician. ## Does InsertChat offer a BAA for therapy practices? Yes, a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is available on Enterprise. Why someone is seeking therapy, their history, and their insurance details can all be protected health information, so choose Enterprise and sign the BAA before the assistant collects them. Without Enterprise, keep protected health information out of the assistant and out of the calendars and tools it connects to. ## How much does an AI receptionist for therapy and counseling practices cost? Therapy practices that handle protected health information with the assistant need Enterprise, which starts at $998 per month and can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). On other plans, such as Pro at $98 a month, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Calls are billed from monthly credits by the whole minute, and texts can carry their own charges. Group practices can give each office its own assistant within the plan’s limit. ## What happens when a current client needs to cancel or move a session? The assistant follows the policy you write. It explains your cancellation window and any late-cancellation fee, records the request, and marks it for a person on your team. It can move or cancel sessions it booked itself, and anything scheduled another way is changed by your staff. Clients can make these requests by phone or text. ## Can the assistant cover the phone only while we’re in session? Yes. Your office line rings first, for anywhere from 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant steps in when no one is free to pick up. Your therapists stay with their clients, and the call that comes in mid-session still gets answered. US and Canadian practices can forward the number clients already have; elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Porting a number isn’t available. ## Can it see our EHR or practice management system? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to EHR or practice management systems, so client records and notes stay where they are. For consultations, connect the Calendly, Google Calendar, Outlook, or Cal.com account your clinicians already use, or use InsertChat’s built-in calendar. If you schedule in your practice software, the assistant can collect consultation requests for your intake coordinator to enter. ## Can it help clients who prefer another language? Yes. The assistant replies in whichever language the client uses. Add the languages each therapist offers sessions in, and a client writing in Spanish or Vietnamese can learn which clinicians speak it and book a consultation with one of them. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ## Broader industry - [Healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Answer the phone while your team is with patients. --- # AI Receptionist for Groomers & Pet Stores, 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming > Book grooms by breed and coat, answer product questions, and take special orders for staff. An AI receptionist for pet groomers and pet stores answers calls and texts while your groomers are working and your staff are on the floor, using your grooming menu, policies, and product information. InsertChat’s assistant matches each groom to the breed and coat, explains your vaccination and matting rules, answers product questions, takes special orders, and flags pets that are hurt or unwell. ## Book a large-dog groom from a late-night text Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An owner texts your shop’s InsertChat number on Thursday night, after you’ve closed. > Can I get a full groom for Biscuit on Saturday? He’s a 60-pound goldendoodle and pretty matted behind the ears. ## Match the groom to your menu Find the full-groom price for a large doodle and share your matting policy, including any dematting fee or shave-down rule you wrote. ## Check what you require Ask when Biscuit was last groomed, how he handles the dryer, and whether his rabies vaccine is current, as your policy requires. ## Book a slot long enough Offer Saturday times set aside for large-dog grooms and book the one the owner picks, with the matting noted for your groomer. ## Your team sets the boundaries Reports of a pet hurt or unwell during or after a groom go to your team at once, and the owner hears the emergency-vet directions you wrote. Bites and complaints are marked for a manager. ## What it handles for pet groomers and pet stores Handled by your assistant: - Grooming appointments matched to breed, size, and coat - Prices from your grooming menu, including add-ons like teeth brushing - Vaccination, matting, drop-off, and pickup policies - Product and brand questions, answered from the product information you publish - Special orders, store hours, and adoption event dates Sent straight to your team: - A pet hurt or unwell during or after a groom - Bites and aggressive-pet incidents - Health and diet questions that belong with a veterinarian - Complaints about a groom or a product - Refund and return disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Owner’s name and mobile number - Pet’s name, breed, age, and weight - Coat condition, including mats or a long gap since the last groom - Service wanted, from a bath to a full haircut or nail trim - Vaccine records your policy requires - Behavior notes, such as nerves around dryers or past bites - Product, size, and quantity for special orders What to add to its knowledge: - Grooming menu with prices by size and coat type - Vaccination requirements and the records you accept - Matting, shave-down, and behavior policies - Brands, formulas, and sizes you usually carry - How special orders work and how long they take to arrive - Store hours, adoption event dates, and your emergency-vet directions ## Can an AI receptionist book grooming appointments by breed and coat? Yes, when each kind of groom has its own appointment length. Set up event types in Calendly or Cal.com, such as a small-dog bath and a large double-coat groom, and the assistant books the one that fits the breed, weight, and coat the owner describes. Mats, nervous pets, and missing vaccine records are noted on the contact, so your groomer knows before drop-off. ## Can it tell pet store customers what’s in stock? It answers from the product information you publish, since it can’t see live stock levels. Add the brands, formulas, and bag sizes you usually carry, and the assistant tells customers what you normally have on the shelf. When someone wants an item set aside or ordered, it takes the product, size, quantity, and contact details as a special order, and your staff confirm it. ## How much does an AI receptionist for pet groomers and pet stores cost? Pro costs $98 a month and gives your shop three seats for groomers and floor staff, three AI assistants, a phone number, and monthly credits. Owners’ calls round up to whole minutes on your credits, and SMS can bring its own charges. A second location can run its own assistant with its own address and hours, and each extra number costs $10 a month. ## We run a grooming salon inside our pet store. Can one assistant handle both? Yes. Add your grooming menu and your product information to the same knowledge, and the assistant answers both kinds of questions on one number. It books grooms on your calendar and takes special orders for the store team. Grooming and store conversations land in the same shared inbox, where your team can assign each one. ## Can owners text photos of their pet’s coat? Yes. Picture messages bypass the assistant and land with a person on your team, so a groomer can judge the matting before the appointment. Owners can also attach photos in your website chat. Either way, the picture stays on the owner’s contact with the rest of the conversation. ## Can shoppers ask product questions on our online store? Yes. Put the chat on a Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix store using the install code, or on WordPress with the plugin. Online shoppers then get the same product answers your callers hear. It can’t look up live orders or stock, so order changes and refunds go to your staff in the shared inbox. ## What if our schedule lives in grooming software? InsertChat doesn’t connect to grooming software. Grooms can go on a Calendly or Cal.com event type, Google Calendar, Outlook, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar. If you keep your schedule in grooming software, have the assistant collect requests with the pet’s details and preferred times, and your front counter books them. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Pet services](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-services): Book grooms, evaluations, and stays, answer pet store questions, and send hurt or sick pets to staff. --- # Car Dealership AI Receptionist & BDC Backup Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/car-dealerships > Book test drives and service, capture after-hours leads, and route deal talk to sales. An AI receptionist for car dealerships answers sales, service, and parts calls, website chats, and texts when your BDC and advisors are busy or gone for the night. InsertChat’s assistant answers from your inventory pages, service menu, and hours, books test drives and service appointments, collects trade-in details, and routes pricing, financing, and deal questions to your sales team. ## Turn a Sunday-night inventory chat into a Monday test drive Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A shopper chats on your website at 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, with the showroom closed. > Is the silver 2023 RAV4 Hybrid on your site still there? I’d like to drive it Monday after work, and I have a 2016 Civic to trade. ## Answer from your listing Share the trim, mileage, and features from the inventory page you added, and explain that a salesperson confirms the car is still available before the visit. ## Capture the trade Ask the Civic’s trim, mileage, and condition, whether there’s a loan on it, and whether the shopper plans to finance. ## Book the test drive Offer Monday evening times, book one, and send a reminder. Sales gets a high-intent lead alert with the full chat. ## Your team sets the boundaries Prices, payments, trade values, credit questions, and anything that sounds like a negotiation go to your sales team. The assistant doesn’t quote a monthly payment or hold a car. ## What it handles for car dealerships Handled by your assistant: - Questions about vehicles listed on the inventory pages you add - Test drives and showroom visits booked into open times - Service appointments for oil changes, rotations, and other menu services - Sales, service, and parts hours, directions, and loaner or shuttle policies - Trade-in details collected before an appraisal appointment Sent straight to your team: - Price, payment, and trade-in value questions - Credit applications and financing decisions - A customer stranded or a vehicle unsafe to drive - Complaints about a purchase, a repair, or a recall - Title, registration, and paperwork problems after a sale ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, mobile number, and email - Vehicle of interest, with the stock number or VIN if they have it - New, used, or certified pre-owned - Trade-in year, make, model, mileage, and payoff - Cash, financing, or leasing, and their timeframe to buy - For service: year, make, model, mileage, and what it needs - Preferred day and time for the visit What to add to its knowledge: - Your inventory pages, added as a website source you keep refreshed - Sales, service, and parts hours for each department - Service menu with the prices you publish - Loaner, shuttle, and early drop-off policies - What to bring to a test drive or a purchase appointment - Brands you sell and service, and your recall instructions ## Can an AI receptionist tell shoppers if a car is still available? It tells them what your inventory pages say and lets your sales team confirm. Add your listing pages as a website source and refresh it as your lot changes; website sources can also refresh automatically on a schedule that depends on your plan. A car sold this afternoon can still show up tonight, so the assistant gives the listing details, says a salesperson confirms availability, and books the visit. It doesn’t connect to your DMS or hold vehicles. ## Will it quote prices, payments, or trade-in values? It shares the advertised price on your listing and nothing more. Monthly payments, rates, trade values, and out-the-door numbers depend on credit and an appraisal, so the assistant collects the shopper’s trade details and financing plans and routes the conversation to sales with a high-intent lead alert. Your desk stays in charge of every number. ## Can it book service department appointments too? Yes. Give service its own calendar or booking page, and the assistant books oil changes, rotations, and other menu services into open times, collects the year, make, model, and mileage, and sends a reminder 72 and 24 hours before. Recall questions get the instructions you write, and “Is my car done?” calls go to the advisor. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a car dealership cost? Pro is $98 a month with one number, three seats, and three AI assistants, enough to run sales, service, and parts as separate assistants at one store. Larger stores and dealer groups can choose Growth at $198 a month, with 5 seats and 20 assistants. Calls use monthly credits in whole minutes, and each added number is $10 a month. ## Does it work with our dealer CRM? InsertChat doesn’t connect to dealer CRMs or DMS platforms. Every lead lands in the shared inbox with the transcript and contact, where your BDC can copy it into your CRM. If your store uses HubSpot, Zoho, or Microsoft Dynamics 365, the assistant can create leads and contacts there as actions you approve, with no background sync. ## Can it answer the phone only when the BDC is busy? Yes. Your line rings your team first for a delay you choose, from 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant picks up when nobody does. Calls that roll to a staff voicemail come back to the assistant too. Or switch it to after-hours mode so it covers evenings, Sundays, and holidays only. ## Can shoppers reach us on website chat and text? Yes. The chat widget installs on your dealer website with an embed code, as long as your website provider lets you add custom code, and shoppers can text your InsertChat number. Chats, texts, calls, and email land in one inbox, each attached to the shopper’s contact. ## Can it handle Spanish-speaking customers? Yes. The assistant answers in the language the customer speaks or writes, from the same inventory and service information. Add which salespeople and advisors speak other languages, and the assistant can note the preference so the right person follows up. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Broader industry - [Automotive](https://insertchat.com/industries/automotive): Book service, catch sales leads, and triage breakdowns while your bays stay busy. --- # AI Answering Service for Towing Companies 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/towing > Take tow and roadside calls 24/7, get the exact location, and alert your on-call driver. An AI answering service for towing companies picks up tow, roadside, and impound calls when your dispatcher is on another line or your drivers are on the road. InsertChat’s assistant puts safety first, collects the pickup location, vehicle, and destination, shares the rates and impound release rules you publish, and marks every tow request urgent for your on-call driver. ## Get a stranded driver’s location to your on-call driver at 2 a.m. Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A driver calls at 2:10 a.m. while your only on-call driver is already out on a winch-out. > My car just died on Route 9 near the Exit 14 ramp. I’m pulled over on the shoulder. Can you tow it to my mechanic? ## Check the caller is safe Ask whether anyone is hurt or in a live lane. Anyone in danger hears your instruction to call 911 before anything else. ## Pin down the pickup Collect the road, direction, nearest exit or mile marker, and a landmark, plus the year, make, model, color, and whether it’s AWD. ## Alert the on-call driver Mark the call urgent so your driver gets the location, vehicle, destination, and callback number. The caller hears your rate and what happens next. ## Your team sets the boundaries Accidents with injuries, cars in a travel lane, and anyone who feels unsafe get your instruction to call 911 first. The assistant doesn’t send trucks, give arrival times, or track drivers. ## What it handles for towing companies Handled by your assistant: - Tow requests, with the pickup location, vehicle, and destination collected - Lockouts, jump starts, tire changes, and fuel delivery, if you offer them - Impound questions about release hours, required documents, and posted fees - Rates you publish for hookups, mileage, and winching - Scheduled tows and vehicle transports booked into open times Sent straight to your team: - Anyone hurt, in a travel lane, or unsafe, told to call 911 first - A child or pet locked in a car, with your 911 instruction - Every live tow or roadside request, for your on-call driver - Accident scenes, police requests, and cars in a ditch - Disputes over impound fees or damage to a towed vehicle ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Caller’s name and a callback number that will stay on - Exact location: road, direction, nearest exit or mile marker, and a landmark - Whether anyone is hurt or the car is in a travel lane - Year, make, model, color, and license plate - AWD or 4WD, and whether the car rolls, steers, and shifts into neutral - Where the vehicle is going, such as a home, a repair shop, or a dealer - Roadside plan, insurer, or motor club, if they’re paying that way What to add to its knowledge: - Your service area and the highways you cover - Rates for hookups, mileage, winching, and after-hours calls, if you publish them - Services you offer, from flatbed and heavy-duty tows to lockouts - Impound lot address, release hours, required documents, and fees - Roadside plans and motor clubs you work with - Safety instructions, including when to call 911 and where to wait ## Can an AI answer towing calls at 2 a.m.? Yes. It answers every call that reaches it, day or night, and starts with safety. The assistant asks whether anyone is hurt or in traffic and gives your 911 instruction when they are. Then it collects the location, vehicle, and destination and marks the call urgent, so your on-call driver is notified with everything needed to call the customer back. ## Does it dispatch trucks or give arrival times? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to towing dispatch software or track trucks, and it doesn’t transfer calls live. Your driver or dispatcher calls the customer back from the urgent alert. The assistant tells callers what you write about what happens next instead of guessing at an arrival time. ## Can it handle impound and private property tow calls? Yes, and they’re often the calls that tie up your line. Add your lot address, release hours, the documents an owner needs, and your posted fees, and the assistant answers “Do you have my car?” questions from those rules. It can’t look up whether a specific vehicle is on your lot, so it takes the plate and make and leaves the confirmation to your team. ## How much does an AI answering service for a towing company cost? Pro is $98 a month and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three seats for dispatch and drivers, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes, so a quick “Are you open?” uses a minute of credits. A second yard can run its own assistant with its own number for $10 a month. ## AI receptionist vs a towing answering service | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can motor club and police calls skip the assistant? Yes. Save those numbers as contacts and set the assistant to answer only callers who aren’t saved, and their calls ring the dispatch phone you choose. Stranded drivers and impound callers still reach the assistant. If a saved caller dials from a different number, the assistant takes the message for dispatch. ## Can the assistant pick up only when dispatch is busy? Yes. Your dispatch line rings first for 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant answers whatever nobody picks up. That covers the moments your dispatcher is on another call or your driver is hooking up a car. You can also run it overnight only, with your team answering during the day. ## Can stranded drivers text us their location? Yes. Customers can text your InsertChat number with an address or cross streets, and the assistant replies with the same instructions callers hear. Picture messages, like a photo of the car or a street sign, go to a person on your team. Texts and calls land in one shared inbox. ## Will the number on my trucks stay the same? For towing companies in the US and Canada, yes. Keep your number on trucks, motor club listings, and Google, and forward it to InsertChat; a verification call confirms it works. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Number porting isn’t offered. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Automotive](https://insertchat.com/industries/automotive): Book service, catch sales leads, and triage breakdowns while your bays stay busy. --- # AI Receptionist for Auto Body & Collision Shops Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-body > Book collision estimates, collect claim details, and send photos and status calls to your estimators. An AI receptionist for auto body and collision shops answers calls and texts while your estimators are walking cars and your techs are in the booth. InsertChat’s assistant explains your estimate and claims process, lists the insurers you work with, collects the claim number, vehicle, and damage, books estimate appointments, and routes photos, supplements, and repair status calls to your team. ## Turn a parking-lot fender bender into a booked estimate Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A driver calls at 11:30 a.m. while both estimators are writing up cars in the lot. > Someone backed into me at the grocery store. The rear bumper’s hanging and a taillight is cracked. My insurance says I can pick the shop. Can you look at it? ## Explain how claims work here Say which insurers you work with directly, that the driver chooses the shop, and how your estimate and rental process runs. ## Take the claim details Collect the claim number and insurer, the year, make, and model, where the damage is, and whether the car is safe to drive. ## Book the estimate Offer estimate times this week, book one, and note that the driver will text photos for the estimator to see first. ## Your team sets the boundaries A driver who is hurt or still at the scene hears your 911 instruction. Cars that are leaking fluid or won’t steer get your towing steps, and supplement and total-loss questions go to an estimator. ## What it handles for auto body and collision shops Handled by your assistant: - Estimate appointments and drop-offs booked into open times - Which insurers you work with and how claims run at your shop - Rental car, towing, and drop-off questions answered from your policies - Dent, paint, bumper, and glass questions about services you list - Hours, directions, and after-hours key drop steps Sent straight to your team: - Drivers hurt or still at an accident scene, told to call 911 - Vehicles that are leaking fluids, won’t steer, or aren’t safe to drive - “When will my car be done?” status checks - Supplements, total-loss questions, and adjuster calls - Complaints about a repair, a color match, or a bill ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Driver’s name, mobile number, and email - Insurance company and claim number, or self-pay - Year, make, model, color, and VIN if they have it - Where the damage is and how it happened - Whether the car is drivable and safe - Whether they need a rental or a tow - Whether they’ll text damage photos before the visit What to add to its knowledge: - Insurers you work with directly and how claims run at your shop - Your estimate process, hours, and whether you take walk-ins - Rental car partners and how rentals are arranged - Towing partners and steps for cars that can’t be driven - Your repair warranty terms - Services you offer, such as paintless dent repair, frame work, and glass ## Can an AI receptionist explain insurance claims to drivers? It explains your process, in the words you write. Add the insurers you work with directly, what happens at an estimate, how supplements and rentals work, and what drivers should tell their adjuster. The assistant answers from that, collects the claim number and insurer, and leaves coverage decisions and total-loss questions to your estimators and the insurer. ## Can customers send damage photos? Yes. Customers can text photos to your InsertChat number, and picture messages go straight to a person on your team instead of an automatic reply. Your estimator sees them in the shared inbox on the customer’s contact, next to the call summary. InsertChat doesn’t write estimates from photos; your estimator does. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a collision shop cost? Start on Pro for $98 a month: one phone number, monthly credits, three seats for your estimators and front office, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes of credits, and texts can carry their own charges. A shop with a second location can give it its own assistant and number, at $10 a month for the extra number. ## Can it tell customers when their car will be ready? Not by itself. InsertChat doesn’t connect to estimating or shop management software, so it can’t see repair status. It takes the customer’s name, vehicle, and question, marks it for your team, and sends the customer a text or email confirming the callback request. Your estimator answers with the real date. ## What happens when someone calls right after an accident? The assistant asks whether anyone is hurt or still in danger and gives your 911 instruction first. Once the driver is safe, it shares your towing steps for a car that can’t be driven, collects the claim and vehicle details, and marks the call urgent so your team follows up. ## Can the assistant answer only when the front counter is busy? Yes. Calls ring your front counter first for 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant answers when nobody picks up. A call that rolls to staff voicemail returns to the assistant too. Use after-hours mode instead if your team covers the phone all day. ## Does it book estimates into my calendar? Yes. Connect Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar, set the estimate length and buffers, and the assistant offers open times. It can reschedule or cancel estimates it booked, and drivers get a reminder by text or email 72 and 24 hours before. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Automotive](https://insertchat.com/industries/automotive): Book service, catch sales leads, and triage breakdowns while your bays stay busy. --- # Car Detailing AI Receptionist That Books 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/car-detailing > Share package prices by vehicle size, book details and coatings, and answer questions mid-job. An AI receptionist for car detailing businesses answers calls, texts, and website chats while you’re polishing, coating, or driving between mobile jobs. InsertChat’s assistant shares your package prices by vehicle size, asks about pet hair, stains, and paint condition, checks mobile jobs against your service area, books the right appointment length, and passes paint correction and coating consultations to you. ## Turn a muddy-SUV text into a booked full detail Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A customer texts on Thursday afternoon while you’re in the middle of a two-step paint correction. > How much for a full interior and exterior on a 2021 Tahoe? Two dogs, so lots of hair. Can you come to my house Saturday? ## Price it from your menu Find the full-detail price for a full-size SUV and add the pet hair fee you list. ## Check the mobile job Confirm the address is in your service area and ask whether there’s a driveway, water, and power at the house. ## Book a long enough slot Offer Saturday times that fit a full-size detail, book one, and note the dogs for whoever does the job. ## Your team sets the boundaries Paint correction and ceramic coating consultations, damage claims, and unhappy customers go to you. The assistant doesn’t promise results on scratches or stains that need eyes on the car. ## What it handles for car detailers Handled by your assistant: - Package prices by vehicle size, from sedans to third-row SUVs and trucks - Add-ons you list, such as pet hair, odor treatment, and engine bays - Mobile jobs checked against your service area and site needs - Appointments booked with enough time for the package - Maintenance washes and repeat details for regular customers Sent straight to your team: - Paint correction and ceramic coating consultations - Claims of damage to a vehicle or its interior - Biohazard, mold, and heavy smoke cleanups - Fleet and dealership account requests - Complaints and refund requests ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name, mobile number, and email - Year, make, model, and size, such as a sedan, SUV, or truck - Package and add-ons they want - Condition notes: pet hair, stains, smoke, sand, or swirl marks - Shop visit or mobile service, and the service address - Water and power access at the address for mobile jobs - Preferred day and time What to add to its knowledge: - Package menu with prices by vehicle size - Add-on fees for pet hair, heavy soil, and odor - Mobile service area and what you need on site - Ceramic coating and paint correction options you offer - Deposit, cancellation, and weather policies - Aftercare instructions for coatings and paint protection ## Can an AI receptionist price a detail by vehicle size? Yes, from the menu you write. List each package with its price for a sedan, a small SUV, a full-size SUV, and a truck, plus fees for pet hair or heavy soil. The assistant asks what the customer drives and how dirty it is, then gives the matching price. Anything it can’t judge from a description, like deep scratches, goes to you. ## Can it book mobile detailing jobs? Yes. Add your service area by town or ZIP code and what you need at the address, such as a driveway, a water spigot, and an outlet. The assistant checks the address, asks about access, and books a slot long enough for the package. Set buffers between appointments so you have driving time between jobs. ## Will it take deposits for ceramic coatings? It doesn’t take card details on a call. It explains your deposit and cancellation policy, and if you take deposits through Stripe, it can create a payment link as an action you review first. Coating consultations themselves go to you, since paint condition decides the package. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a detailing business cost? Pro is $98 a month and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three seats, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. A detailer who runs both a shop and a mobile van can give each its own assistant and number; each extra number is $10 a month. ## Can customers send photos of their car? Yes. Picture messages sent to your InsertChat number go to you instead of an automatic reply, so you can look at the swirl marks or stains before you price the work. Photos stay on the customer’s contact with the conversation. ## Does it work with Square Appointments? Partly. The Square connection can check booking availability and look up, update, or cancel existing bookings, but it doesn’t create new ones or take payments. For new bookings, connect Calendly, Cal.com, Google Calendar, Outlook, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar. ## What happens when it rains on a mobile booking? When a customer asks, the assistant shares the weather policy you write, such as moving the job to the next open day, and can reschedule an appointment it booked once the customer picks a new time. If you’d rather decide case by case, it records the request for you. ## Can customers book from my website? Yes. Add the chat to your website with the install code, or to WordPress with the plugin, and visitors get the same package prices and booking times as callers. Every chat, text, and call lands in one inbox with the customer’s contact. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ## Broader industry - [Automotive](https://insertchat.com/industries/automotive): Book service, catch sales leads, and triage breakdowns while your bays stay busy. --- # Tire Shop AI Receptionist: Book Installs 24/7 Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/tire-shops > Collect tire sizes, book installs and seasonal changeovers, and flag roadside flats. An AI receptionist for tire shops answers calls and texts while your techs are mounting and balancing. InsertChat’s assistant collects the tire size, vehicle, and how many tires the caller needs, shares your install packages and prices, books installs, flat repairs, rotations, alignments, and seasonal changeovers, and sends stock checks, special orders, and roadside emergencies to your team. ## Turn a sidewall-size text into a Monday install Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A customer texts on Saturday evening after your counter has closed. > I need four tires for my 2019 F-150, size LT275/65R18. Do you have any all-terrains, and can you put them on Monday morning? ## Answer from your lineup Share the all-terrain brands you usually carry in that size and your install package price, and say the counter confirms stock. ## Take the order details Confirm the size and quantity, ask about a brand or budget preference, and ask whether the truck needs an alignment. ## Book the install Offer Monday morning slots, book one, and leave the order details on the contact so the counter can check stock first thing. ## Your team sets the boundaries A blowout or flat on a highway gets your instruction to move somewhere safe and call 911 if needed. Stock confirmations, special orders, and warranty claims go to your counter. ## What it handles for tire shops Handled by your assistant: - Install, flat repair, rotation, balance, and alignment appointments - Install package prices and fees you publish - Tire sizes collected from the sidewall or the door jamb sticker - Seasonal changeovers and tire storage questions - Brands and tire types you usually carry Sent straight to your team: - Blowouts and flats on the road, with your safety instructions - Bulging sidewalls, exposed cords, or a tire losing air fast - A loose wheel or vibration after an install - Stock checks and special orders that need the counter - Road hazard and tire warranty claims ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Name and mobile number - Year, make, model, and trim - Tire size from the sidewall or door jamb sticker - How many tires, and the brand or price range they want - Services needed: mount and balance, TPMS, alignment, or storage - Whether they’ll wait or drop off the vehicle - Preferred day and time What to add to its knowledge: - Install packages, with what’s included and the price - Brands and tire types you usually stock, by size range - Flat repair, rotation, and alignment prices - Seasonal changeover and tire storage options - Road hazard and tire warranty terms - Waiting room, drop-off rules, and hours ## Can an AI receptionist tell callers which tires are in stock? It tells them what you usually carry and lets your counter confirm. InsertChat doesn’t connect to tire inventory or point-of-sale systems, so the assistant answers from the brands and sizes you list, collects the size and quantity, and books the install. Your counter checks stock and calls back if a special order is needed. ## Can it keep up when the season changes? Yes. When your counter can’t pick up, the assistant does. It books changeovers into the times you open, explains your storage options, and records waitlist requests when your calendar is full. Set appointment lengths and buffers in your booking settings so bookings match what your bays can handle. ## Will it quote a price for a set of tires? Only prices you publish. Tire prices change with size, brand, and stock, so many shops publish install packages and service fees and price the tires at the counter. If you add price ranges by size or brand, the assistant shares them as written; otherwise it takes the request and flags a high-intent lead for your team. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a tire shop cost? Pro costs $98 a month and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three seats for the counter and bays, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes, so short calls about hours still use a minute. Multi-location tire dealers can give each store its own assistant and number, with each extra number at $10 a month. ## Can customers text a photo of their tire size? Yes. Picture messages to your InsertChat number go to a person on your team, who can read the sidewall and reply. Customers can also type the size, and the assistant handles that like any other message. Customers who reply STOP are opted out. ## Do customers get appointment reminders? Yes. Appointments the assistant books get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before. Customers can reply or call to move an appointment the assistant booked, and it offers the next open times. ## What should the assistant say about a flat on the highway? Whatever safety steps you write, such as getting off the road, turning on hazard lights, and calling 911 if the driver is in danger. The assistant gives those steps first, shares your towing partner if you have one, and marks the call urgent for your team. ## Can I keep my shop’s number? In the US and Canada, yes. Forward the number on your sign and Google listing to InsertChat, and a verification call confirms it works. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting isn’t offered. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Automotive](https://insertchat.com/industries/automotive): Book service, catch sales leads, and triage breakdowns while your bays stay busy. --- # AI Receptionist for Tutoring Centers & Tutors Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/tutoring > Book assessments and first sessions, explain programs and rates, and capture each student’s goals. An AI receptionist for tutoring centers answers parent and student calls, chats, and emails while your tutors are in sessions. InsertChat’s assistant explains your subjects, programs, formats, and published rates, collects the student’s grade, school, goals, and test dates, books assessments and first sessions on your calendar, and passes learning-needs questions and billing to your director. ## Turn a test-date chat into a booked assessment Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A parent chats on your website at 9:30 p.m. while your center is closed. > My son is a junior and his SAT is in March. He’s stuck around 1150 on practice tests. What would a prep plan look like, and what does it cost? ## Explain the program Describe your SAT prep options, from small groups to one-on-one packages, with the prices and session lengths you publish. ## Capture the goal Ask the target score, the test date, which sections are weakest, and which days and formats work for the family. ## Book the diagnostic Offer times for your practice test or assessment, book one, and send the family a reminder before it. ## Your team sets the boundaries Questions about learning differences, IEPs, accommodations, or a tutor’s conduct go to your director. The assistant doesn’t promise score gains. ## What it handles for tutoring centers Handled by your assistant: - Subjects, grade levels, and test prep programs you offer - In-person, online, small group, and one-on-one options - Rates, packages, and session lengths you publish - Assessments, consultations, and first sessions booked into open times - Reschedules for sessions it booked, under your cancellation policy Sent straight to your team: - Concerns about a tutor’s conduct or a student’s safety - Learning differences, IEPs, 504 plans, and accommodation questions - Requests to change tutors - Billing disputes and package refunds - A student who sounds distressed during a chat or call ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Parent and student names, with the best contact for each - Grade, school, and subject or test - Goal, such as a target score, a grade to raise, or a test date - What has been hard so far and what they’ve tried - In person or online, and group or one-on-one - Days and times that fit around school and activities - How they heard about your center What to add to its knowledge: - Subjects, grade levels, and test prep programs - Rates, packages, and what each one includes - How assessments and tutor matching work - Tutor bios with the subjects and credentials you publish - Cancellation, makeup session, and refund policies - Locations, online session tools, and hours ## Can an AI receptionist match students with the right tutor? It shares the matching details you publish and lets your director decide. Add each tutor’s subjects, grade levels, and availability, and the assistant can tell a parent who teaches AP Chemistry on Tuesday evenings. It books the assessment or first session and notes the student’s goals, so your director makes the match from real information. ## Will it promise score improvements? No. The assistant explains your programs, how many sessions a package includes, and how you track progress, using the words you write. It doesn’t predict results for a student it hasn’t met. If you publish a score guarantee with conditions, add the exact terms and it will quote them as written. ## Can it handle inquiries about online tutoring? Yes. Add how your online sessions run, such as the video tool you use, the device a student needs, and how worksheets and practice tests are shared, and the assistant explains it to families who can’t come in. It books online assessments from the same calendar and notes the format on the contact, so your director assigns a tutor who teaches online. ## Can it answer email inquiries too? Yes. Connect Gmail or Outlook and the assistant drafts or sends replies to parent emails from the same knowledge, with a delay or a business-hours rule if you want one. Topics you hold back, such as refunds or complaints, stay as drafts for your team. Every email lands in the shared inbox next to calls and chats. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a tutoring center cost? Pro is $98 a month, with one phone number, monthly credits, three seats for your director and front desk, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. A center with a second campus can run a separate assistant there and add a number for $10 a month. ## Can parents reschedule sessions by text? Yes, for sessions the assistant booked. Parents text your InsertChat number, the assistant explains your cancellation window, and it offers new times. Sessions scheduled another way are noted for your team to move. Reminders go out by text or email 72 and 24 hours before each booked session. ## Does it work with tutoring management software? InsertChat doesn’t connect to tutoring or learning center management software, so student records, invoices, and session notes stay there. Book assessments in Calendly, Cal.com, Google Calendar, Outlook, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar, and use HubSpot or Zoho actions if you track enrollment leads in a CRM. ## What happens when a parent asks for a callback? The assistant records the question and the best time to call, marks the conversation for your team, and sends the parent a text or email confirming the request. Your director reads the summary in the shared inbox before dialing. ## Can the assistant answer only while tutors are in sessions? Yes. Calls ring your front desk first for 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant answers when nobody is free. You can also run it after hours only, covering the evenings when parents finally have time to call. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) ## Broader industry - [Education & childcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/education): Answer enrollment questions and book tours and trial lessons while you teach. --- # AI Receptionist for Daycare & Childcare Centers Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/childcare > Book tours, answer tuition and openings questions, and send safety and pickup issues to staff. An AI receptionist for childcare centers and daycares answers calls, texts, and website chats while your teachers are with the children. InsertChat’s assistant explains your age groups, hours, tuition, and enrollment steps, books tours, records waitlist requests, takes absence messages, and sends child safety, custody, and pickup concerns to your staff at once, without deciding anything about a child. ## Turn an expecting parent’s call into a booked tour Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An expecting parent calls at 1 p.m., during nap time, while your director is in a classroom. > We’re due in April and I’ll be back at work in July. Do you take infants, and is there a waitlist? Could we come see the center? ## Answer from your programs Share the youngest age you enroll, infant room hours, the tuition you publish, and how your waitlist works. ## Record the request Collect the parents’ names, the due date, the start date they need, and full or part time, and note it as a waitlist request. ## Book the tour Offer tour times outside nap and pickup, book one, and send a reminder before the visit. ## Your team sets the boundaries A parent reporting an injury, an illness, a custody change, or a pickup by someone new reaches your staff immediately. Emergencies get your instruction to call 911. ## What it handles for childcare centers Handled by your assistant: - Age groups, openings, hours, and enrollment steps - Tuition, fees, and subsidy programs you accept, as you publish them - Tours booked outside nap time and pickup - Waitlist requests recorded on each family’s contact - Absence and late arrival messages taken for the classroom Sent straight to your team: - A child hurt, sick, or having an allergic reaction - Custody disputes, court orders, and changes to who can pick up - Someone not on the pickup list asking to collect a child - Concerns about a staff member or a child’s safety - A late pickup or a parent who can’t be reached ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Parent or guardian names and phone numbers - Child’s first name and age, or the due date - Start date needed, and full or part time - Days of the week they need care - Siblings already enrolled - Subsidy or tuition assistance program, if any - Questions to cover on the tour What to add to its knowledge: - Age groups, classroom ratios, and openings by program - Tuition, registration fees, and the subsidy programs you accept - Hours, holidays, and closure days - Enrollment steps, forms, and waitlist rules - Meals, naps, curriculum, and what to pack - Sick-child, late pickup, and emergency policies ## How does an AI receptionist handle custody and pickup calls? It sends them to your staff, who make every decision. Custody questions, court orders, a change to the authorized pickup list, or someone new asking to collect a child are marked urgent so your director is notified at once. The assistant tells the caller a staff member will follow up and gives your emergency instruction when someone is in danger. ## Will it share information about enrolled children? Only what you put in its knowledge, so keep children’s records out. Add your public program information, policies, and tuition. Questions about a specific child, like how they napped or whether they were picked up, go to your staff, who can confirm who they’re talking to. ## Can it answer questions about subsidies and tuition assistance? It answers from the list you write. Add the state or county subsidy programs you accept, any sibling discount, and how families apply, and the assistant explains them as written on calls, chats, and texts. Eligibility and paperwork questions go to your director, because the assistant can’t check a family’s case or approve a discount. ## Can it manage the waitlist? It records waitlist requests and leaves the list to you. The assistant explains how your waitlist works, collects the child’s age or due date, the start date, and the schedule, and saves the request on the family’s contact. InsertChat doesn’t connect to childcare management software, so your director moves families off the list. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a daycare cost? Pro costs $98 a month, including one phone number, monthly credits, three staff seats, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. Centers with more than one location can give each its own assistant, hours, and number, at $10 a month per extra number. ## Can parents report an absence by phone or text? Yes. A parent can call or text that their child is out sick, and the assistant takes the child’s name, classroom, and reason, then marks the message for your team. It confirms the message was recorded, and anything about symptoms or exposure goes to your director under your sick-child policy. ## Can the assistant answer only during nap time and pickup? Yes. Your front desk phone rings first for a delay you choose, from 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant answers when nobody is free. A call that reaches a staff voicemail comes back to the assistant too, so a busy pickup doesn’t mean a missed tour request. ## Do families get tour reminders? Yes. Tours the assistant books get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before, and parents can reply or call to move a tour it booked. Turn on booking notifications and your director hears about each new tour as it’s booked. ## Can I keep the number families already have? If your center is in the US or Canada, yes. Forward that number to InsertChat, and a verification call confirms the forwarding. Outside the US and Canada, choose a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting isn’t offered. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) ## Broader industry - [Education & childcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/education): Answer enrollment questions and book tours and trial lessons while you teach. --- # Driving School AI Receptionist: Book Lessons Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/driving-schools > Book lessons and road test packages and explain teen and adult programs while instructors drive. An AI receptionist for driving schools answers calls, texts, and website chats while your instructors are out on lessons. InsertChat’s assistant explains your teen and adult packages, classroom courses, and the requirements you publish for your state, collects the student’s permit status and pickup address, books lessons and road test packages, and passes incidents and complaints to your office. ## Turn a new-permit text into a booked first lesson Example workflow: Text message. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A parent texts on Tuesday at 3 p.m., when every instructor is out on a lesson. > My daughter just got her learner’s permit. How many lessons does she need before her road test, and can you pick her up from Lincoln High after school? ## Explain the requirements Share the behind-the-wheel hours and classroom course you list for teens in your state, and the packages that cover them. ## Check the pickup Confirm the school is inside your pickup area and note the dismissal time for the instructor. ## Book the first lesson Offer after-school lesson times, book one, and send the family a reminder before it. ## Your team sets the boundaries An accident or incident during a lesson, a complaint about an instructor, and certificate or paperwork problems go to your office right away. ## What it handles for driving schools Handled by your assistant: - Teen, adult, and refresher lesson packages with the prices you publish - Classroom and online course schedules - State requirements as you describe them, such as permit hours - Lessons and road test packages booked into open times - Pickup areas, cancellation rules, and what to bring Sent straight to your team: - An accident or incident during a lesson - Complaints or safety concerns about an instructor - A same-day road test cancellation or a missed pickup - Lost completion certificates and paperwork problems - Refunds and package disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Student’s name and age, plus a parent’s contact for minors - Permit status and how long they’ve held it - Lessons already completed and hours still needed - Package or course they want - Pickup address, such as home, school, or work - Automatic or manual transmission - Days and times that fit their schedule What to add to its knowledge: - Lesson packages, course options, and prices - Your state’s requirements as you explain them to families - Pickup area by town or ZIP code - Road test package details, including use of your car - Cancellation, no-show, and weather policies - What students bring, from the permit to their glasses ## Can an AI receptionist explain state driver’s ed requirements? It explains them in the words you write. Add the permit holding period, behind-the-wheel hours, classroom requirements, and age rules for your state, along with how your packages cover them. The assistant answers families from that and points anything unusual, such as an out-of-state permit, to your office. Update the source whenever your state changes its rules. ## Can it book lessons around pickup areas and drive time? Yes. Set your lesson length and buffers for driving time between pickups, and list your pickup area by town or ZIP code. The assistant checks the address, offers open lesson times from your connected calendar, and books one. It can move or cancel lessons it booked, and students get a reminder 72 and 24 hours before. ## Can it book road test packages? Yes, for the road test packages you sell. Explain what each one includes, such as a warm-up lesson and use of your car, and the assistant books the package once the student has a test date. Scheduling the test itself with the licensing office stays with the student or your office, whichever your process calls for. ## Can it take payment for lesson packages? It doesn’t take card details. It explains your package prices and payment policy, and if you sell packages through Stripe, it can create a payment link or checkout session as an action you review first. Refunds and disputes go to your office. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a driving school cost? Pro runs $98 a month with one phone number, monthly credits, three seats, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. A school with branches in two towns can give each its own assistant and local number; extra numbers are $10 a month. ## Can students reschedule lessons by text? Yes, for lessons the assistant booked. Students or parents text your InsertChat number, hear your cancellation window and any late fee, and pick a new time. Lessons scheduled another way are recorded for your office to move. ## What if someone calls about an accident during a lesson? The assistant gives your instruction to call 911 if anyone is hurt, marks the conversation urgent, and tells the caller your office will follow up. Your team gets the summary and transcript in the shared inbox. ## Can it help adult students who are nervous about driving? Yes. Add how your adult and refresher lessons work, such as starting in empty lots and building up to highways, and the assistant explains it in plain words. Adults can book a single refresher lesson or a road test package from the same calendar. ## Does it work with driving school software? InsertChat doesn’t connect to driving school management software. Lessons can go on Cal.com, Calendly, Google Calendar, Outlook, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar. If you schedule in your own software, the assistant collects the request with the student’s details and your office books it. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Education & childcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/education): Answer enrollment questions and book tours and trial lessons while you teach. --- # AI Receptionist for Music Schools & Studios Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/music-schools > Book trial lessons by instrument and age, and answer tuition, recital, and makeup questions. An AI receptionist for music schools and studios answers calls, texts, and website chats while your teachers are in lessons. InsertChat’s assistant explains instruments, ages, private and group options, and tuition from your information, books trial lessons, handles makeup requests under your policy, and passes teacher changes, conduct concerns, and billing questions to your office. ## Turn an after-dinner call into a booked trial lesson Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A parent calls at 6:40 p.m., when every teacher is in a lesson and the front desk is empty. > My son is seven and really wants to learn drums. Do you teach kids that young, and do you have anything on Thursdays? ## Answer for that instrument and age Share the youngest age your drum teachers take, lesson lengths, and the monthly tuition you publish. ## Learn about the student Ask about any experience, whether there’s a practice pad or kit at home, and the days that work. ## Book the trial Offer Thursday trial times with a drum teacher, book one, and send a reminder before the lesson. ## Your team sets the boundaries Concerns about a teacher’s conduct or a student’s safety go to your director at once. Requests to switch teachers and billing questions are marked for the office. ## What it handles for music schools and studios Handled by your assistant: - Instruments, ages, and levels you teach - Private, group, and online lesson options - Tuition, registration fees, and instrument rentals you publish - Trial lessons booked with teachers who have openings - Makeup lesson requests handled under your policy Sent straight to your team: - Concerns about a teacher’s conduct or a student’s safety - A student hurt or unwell at the studio - Requests to switch teachers or withdraw - Billing disputes and refund requests - Accessibility and learning-needs questions for the director ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Parent and student names, and the best contact - Student’s age and instrument - Experience so far, from none to years of lessons - Goals, such as fun, school band, exams, or auditions - Private or group, in person or online - Whether they have an instrument at home - Days and times that work What to add to its knowledge: - Instruments, teachers, and the ages each teacher takes - Lesson lengths, tuition, and registration fees - Makeup lesson, cancellation, and withdrawal policies - Recital, exam, and camp dates - Instrument rental and purchase options - Parking, waiting area, and studio hours ## Can an AI receptionist book trial lessons by instrument? Yes. Add who teaches each instrument and age group, connect the calendar where you keep trial lesson openings, and the assistant offers times that fit the student’s instrument and schedule. It notes experience and goals on the contact, so the teacher knows who’s coming before the trial starts. ## How does it handle makeup lessons? By your policy. Write how many makeups a student gets, how much notice you need, and whether you hold makeup weeks or group makeup classes. The assistant explains the policy, offers open makeup times if you keep them on a calendar, and records anything outside the policy for your office to decide. ## Can it explain instrument rentals? Yes. Add the instruments you rent, the sizes, the monthly fees, and any rent-to-own terms, and the assistant explains them to families who don’t own an instrument yet. It notes the instrument and size a student needs on the contact, and your office sets up the rental. Repairs and damage questions go to a person. ## Can it help adult students too? Yes. Adult beginners and returning players get the same answers as parents: lesson options, tuition, and evening or weekend openings. Add which teachers work with adults, and the assistant books a trial in the slots you open. Adult and child students each get their own contact in the shared inbox. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a music school cost? Pro costs $98 a month and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three seats, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts can carry their own charges. A school with two studios can run one assistant per location with its own hours and teachers; each extra number costs $10 a month. ## Can families reach us by text? Yes. Parents and students can text your InsertChat number about schedules, makeups, and recital dates and get the same answers callers hear. Picture messages, like a photo of a damaged rental instrument, go to a person on your team. ## Does it work with music school management software? InsertChat doesn’t connect to music school or studio management software, so billing and attendance stay where they are. If you use Square, the assistant can look up customers and invoices; it doesn’t take payments. Trial lessons can book into Calendly, Cal.com, Google Calendar, Outlook, or InsertChat’s built-in calendar. ## Can it share recital and camp dates? Yes. Add your recital schedule, summer camp sessions, and exam dates, and the assistant answers families on calls, chat, and text. When dates change, update the source and the assistant answers from the new version. ## Can the assistant pick up only when the front desk is busy? Yes. Calls ring your front desk first for 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant answers when nobody picks up. Or set after-hours mode so it covers evenings and weekends while your team handles the daytime calls. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Education & childcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/education): Answer enrollment questions and book tours and trial lessons while you teach. --- # AI Receptionist for Hospitality & Events Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/hospitality-events > Answer guests, couples, and event planners while your team looks after the people in front of them. An AI receptionist for hospitality and event businesses answers calls, website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp while your staff look after today’s guests. InsertChat’s assistant answers from your packages, menus, and policies, records the event date, headcount, and budget on every inquiry, books tours and consultations on your calendar, and flags guest safety and event-day problems for your team. ## Turn a Sunday-night party inquiry into a booked walkthrough Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A caller reaches your events line at 9:15 p.m. on a Sunday, while your team is breaking down a wedding. > We’re planning my parents’ 40th anniversary for about 80 people in mid-November. Do you have a Saturday open, and roughly what would it cost? ## Answer from your packages Share the starting prices, food and beverage minimums, and room capacities you publish, so the caller gets a realistic range on the first call. ## Record the inquiry Save the occasion, preferred dates, guest count, and budget on the caller’s contact, marked as a high-intent lead for your events lead. ## Book a walkthrough Offer walkthrough times from the windows you set and book the one the caller picks, with reminders before the visit. ## Your team sets the boundaries Date holds, contracts, deposits, and custom pricing stay with your team. Guest injuries, safety threats, and event-day failures are marked urgent so staff can act at once. ## Which hospitality and event businesses use an AI receptionist? Any business that sells dates and experiences while its staff are busy delivering them: hotels, inns, and B&Bs, wedding and event venues, caterers, photographers, wedding and event planners, restaurants, and party supply and rental companies. Each page below covers that business’s calls, intake questions, and handoff rules, with an example inquiry you can test against your own setup. ## Can it tell a customer whether a date is available? It records the date and tells the customer your team will confirm it, because InsertChat doesn’t connect to hotel booking engines, venue management software, or rental inventory. If you publish sold-out weekends or blackout dates, the assistant shares them straight away. Tours, tastings, walkthroughs, and consultation calls are different: those book directly into InsertChat’s calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ## What happens when a guest is in danger or an event goes wrong? The caller hears the emergency instructions you wrote, such as calling 911 first and then your on-duty manager’s number. The conversation is marked urgent, your teammates get an email alert, and the summary and transcript wait in the shared inbox. InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls, so list the numbers guests and vendors should dial for each kind of emergency. ## Does it work for party supply and rental stores? Yes. Party supply shops and rental companies add their catalog, delivery zones, and deposit and rain policies, and the assistant answers what you stock, what delivery costs, and how setup works. Rental orders are collected with the date, items, quantities, and venue for your team to confirm, since the assistant can’t see live inventory. The party rentals page walks through that workflow. ## How much does an AI receptionist for hospitality and event businesses cost? Pro is $98 a month and includes one phone number, monthly credits, three team seats, and three AI assistants, so a hotel with a restaurant or a venue with a catering arm can run a separate assistant for each. Extra numbers are $10 a month, and calls round up to whole minutes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits; a card is required. ## AI receptionist vs voicemail vs a live answering service for hotels and venues | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can it answer guests in other languages? Yes. The assistant replies in the language each caller speaks or writes, using the same packages, menus, and policies. A traveler can call in Spanish, a planner can email in French, and a couple can message in Portuguese, and every conversation lands in the same shared inbox in a form your team can read. ## Can we keep the phone number on our website and booking confirmations? Businesses in the US and Canada keep their number and forward calls to InsertChat, with a verification call to confirm the forwarding works before guests rely on it. Elsewhere, pick a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Can our sales and events team see every inquiry in one place? Yes. Calls, website chats, texts, emails, and WhatsApp messages land in one shared inbox with a summary, the transcript, and the details the assistant collected. Your team can assign an inquiry, leave internal notes, and take over the conversation whenever a person should reply. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Hospitality & events by business type - [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants): Answer hours, menu, and reservation calls without pulling staff off the floor. - [Party & event rentals](https://insertchat.com/industries/party-rentals): Collect rental requests with dates, items, and venues while your crew delivers and sets up. - [Hotels & inns](https://insertchat.com/industries/hotels): Answer guest calls about rooms, check-in, and parking day and night, and flag guest safety issues to staff. - [Event venues](https://insertchat.com/industries/event-venues): Answer date, capacity, and package questions, book venue tours, and route event-day issues to your coordinator. - [Catering](https://insertchat.com/industries/catering): Collect the date, headcount, and dietary needs on every catering inquiry, and flag day-of problems to staff. - [Photographers](https://insertchat.com/industries/photography): Share packages, book consult calls and mini-sessions, and keep every shoot inquiry while you’re behind the camera. - [Wedding & event planners](https://insertchat.com/industries/wedding-planners): Qualify couples by date, budget, and guest count, book discovery calls, and catch wedding-week emergencies. --- # AI Receptionist for Pet Businesses & Stores Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-services > Book grooms, evaluations, and stays, answer pet store questions, and send hurt or sick pets to staff. An AI receptionist for pet businesses answers calls, texts, website chat, and email while your staff are with the animals. InsertChat’s assistant answers from your services, prices, and vaccine rules, books grooms, evaluations, and tours, collects boarding and special-order requests for your team, and flags injured or unwell pets so your staff and, when needed, a veterinarian can step in. ## Handle a pet resort’s two-service request in one chat Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An owner messages a pet resort that offers boarding, grooming, and training, late on a Thursday. > Luna is boarding with you until Sunday. Can she get a bath before pickup? Also, is there room in your next puppy class for our new beagle? ## Answer from both menus Share the bath price for Luna’s size, the next puppy class start date, its price, and the vaccines puppies need before the first session. ## Book the bath Book the bath for Sunday morning in the grooming calendar, before the pickup window you publish. ## Pass the class request on Record the puppy’s name, age, and vaccine dates as a class request, so your trainer can confirm the spot. ## Your team sets the boundaries A pet that is hurt, sick, or missing goes to your staff at once, and the owner hears the emergency-vet directions you wrote. Medical questions always go to a veterinarian. ## Which pet businesses use an AI receptionist? Groomers, pet supply stores, dog trainers, boarding kennels and pet resorts, dog daycares, and pet sitters and dog walkers who can’t answer the phone with a leash in each hand. Each page below covers that business’s calls, intake questions, and handoff rules. Veterinary clinics have their own page under healthcare, because medical calls need different triage. ## What happens when a caller reports a hurt or sick pet? The assistant treats it as urgent. It asks what happened, which pet it is, and when it started, then reads the emergency-vet directions you wrote. The conversation is marked for a person and your teammates get an email alert. It never gives medical advice: health questions go to your staff, and your staff decide when a veterinarian needs to see the animal. ## Can an AI receptionist answer for a pet supply store? Yes. Add the brands, formulas, and sizes you usually carry, and the assistant answers product questions, store hours, and special-order requests on the phone, by text, and in your website chat. It can’t see live stock, so set-aside and special-order requests go to your staff to confirm. With Square connected, it can look up orders and catalog items using the permissions you choose. ## Can it ask for vaccine records before booking? Yes. Write the vaccines each service requires, and the assistant asks for the dates during booking and notes them on the owner’s contact. Owners can attach a record in your website chat, and texted photos of paperwork go to a person on your team. Your staff check the records before the visit, since the assistant doesn’t verify documents. ## How much does an AI receptionist for pet businesses cost? Pro costs $98 a month for one phone number, monthly credits, three team seats, and three AI assistants. A pet resort can put grooming, boarding, daycare, and training on one assistant or split them. Each extra number is $10 a month, and calls round up to whole minutes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits, card required. ## AI receptionist vs voicemail vs a live answering service for pet businesses | Compared | InsertChat AI receptionist | Voicemail | Live answering service | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Answers questions | Yes, from your knowledge base | No; callers leave a message | From the script you give the operators | | Books appointments | Into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com | No | Depends on the provider and your calendar access | | When it answers | Always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | When nobody answers | During the hours your plan covers | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | A recorded message | Message notes from the operator | | Urgent calls | Flagged and emailed to your team, with the safety steps you wrote; no live transfer | Heard when someone checks messages | Handled with the escalation instructions you give | | Other channels | Website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | Phone only | Varies by provider | | Pricing | From $98 per month with monthly credits; calls billed in whole minutes | Usually included with your phone service | Varies by provider; often per minute or per call | Voicemail and answering service details vary by provider. Check the terms of any service you compare. ## Can one assistant cover grooming, boarding, daycare, and training? Yes. Add each service’s prices, rules, and booking details to the same knowledge, and the assistant answers all of them on one number. Bookable services, such as a groom or an evaluation, go on your calendar, while stays and class spots are collected for your staff. Every conversation lands in the same shared inbox, where your team assigns it. ## Will it connect to our kennel or grooming software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to pet care software. Appointments can go on InsertChat’s built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. If your schedule lives in pet care software, the assistant collects requests with the pet’s details and preferred times, and your front desk enters them. ## Can we keep our shop’s phone number? In the US and Canada, yes: keep the number on your sign and forward its calls to InsertChat, then place a verification call to confirm it works. Outside those two countries, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Number porting is not offered. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Pet services by business type - [Pet grooming & pet stores](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming): Book grooms by breed and coat, answer product questions, and take special orders for staff. - [Dog training](https://insertchat.com/industries/dog-training): Explain classes and private lessons, book evaluations, and send bite and aggression cases to a trainer. - [Pet boarding & kennels](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-boarding): Collect boarding requests with dates and care needs, explain vaccine rules, and send sick or hurt pets to staff. - [Dog daycare](https://insertchat.com/industries/dog-daycare): Book temperament evaluations, explain packages and rules, and route injured dogs and incidents to staff. ## Related industries - [Veterinary](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary): Answer pet owners’ calls about vaccines, refills, and sick pets during a full clinic day. --- # AI Receptionist for Hotels: 24/7 Guest Calls Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/hotels > Answer guest calls about rooms, check-in, and parking day and night, and flag guest safety issues to staff. An AI receptionist for hotels answers guest calls, website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp around the clock, using your room types, policies, and amenities. InsertChat’s assistant handles check-in, parking, pet, and amenity questions in the guest’s language, points new bookings to your booking engine or records them for the desk, saves group requests, and flags guest safety issues for staff. ## Handle a late-arrival call without waking the manager Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A guest with a reservation calls at 11:40 p.m., after your front desk has closed for the night. > Our flight’s delayed and we won’t get in until 1:30 a.m. How do we check in that late, and is there anywhere to park overnight? ## Answer from your arrival policy Explain the late check-in steps you wrote, such as the after-hours entrance or the night manager’s number, and where overnight parking is. ## Record the late arrival Note the reservation name and the new arrival time on the guest’s contact, so the morning team sees it in the shared inbox. ## Flag it if your policy asks If late arrivals are on your handoff list, the conversation is marked for a person and it waits in the inbox’s Needs you view for your on-duty teammate. ## Your team sets the boundaries Medical emergencies, fire or smoke, threats to a guest’s safety, and guests stranded outside at night are marked urgent for staff, after the caller hears your emergency instructions, such as calling 911. Refunds, rate disputes, and damage charges go to a manager. ## What it handles for hotels and inns Handled by your assistant: - Check-in and checkout times, with early check-in and late checkout requests recorded for the desk - Room types, bed setups, accessibility features, and amenities you list - Parking, shuttle, pet, and smoking policies - New booking questions, answered with your booking link or recorded for the front desk - Group, wedding block, and meeting room inquiries, saved with dates and room counts - Breakfast and pool hours, directions, and local tips you add Sent straight to your team: - Medical emergencies or injuries on the property - Fire, smoke, gas smells, or a carbon monoxide alarm - Threats, harassment, or a guest who feels unsafe - Guests locked out or stranded at night - Flooding, no heat, or a broken door lock in a room - Billing disputes, refund requests, and damage charges ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Guest name, phone number, and email - Reservation name or confirmation number, if they have one - Arrival and departure dates and the number of guests - Room type and bed preferences - Accessibility needs, such as a roll-in shower or ground-floor room - For groups, the number of rooms, the dates, and any meeting space - Late arrival time or special requests for the stay What to add to its knowledge: - Room types, bed configurations, and occupancy limits - Check-in, checkout, deposit, and cancellation policies - Parking, shuttle, pet, and smoking rules - Amenities and their hours, from breakfast to the pool - Your booking engine link and group sales contact - Emergency instructions and the after-hours number you choose to share ## Can an AI receptionist book hotel rooms? It sends guests to book and leaves rates and inventory to you. InsertChat doesn’t connect to hotel property management systems or booking engines, so the assistant can’t see live availability or hold a room. It shares your booking link in chat, text, and WhatsApp replies, or records the dates, room type, and guest details for your front desk to confirm. Group and wedding blocks are saved as leads for your sales contact. ## What does it do when a guest calls about an emergency? It tells the caller to contact emergency services first if anyone is hurt or in danger, then reads the instructions you wrote, such as the on-call manager’s mobile number. The conversation is marked urgent, your teammates get an email alert, and the transcript and summary sit in the shared inbox. InsertChat can’t transfer a live call, so list every number guests should dial at night. ## Can it talk with international guests? Yes. The assistant follows the language the guest speaks or writes, using the same room, policy, and amenity information you added in English. You can also fix it to one business language if you prefer. Travelers abroad often message rather than call, so connect WhatsApp and their questions reach the same assistant and the same shared inbox as your phone line. ## How much does an AI receptionist for hotels cost? Pro is $98 a month for one phone number, a monthly credit balance, three staff seats, and three AI assistants, enough for a small group to give each property its own assistant with its own policies. Each extra number costs $10 a month, calls round up to whole minutes, and texts and WhatsApp messages can carry their own fees. Annual billing is 10 monthly payments upfront. ## Can it answer only overnight, when the desk is closed? Yes. Set your desk hours and time zone, and calls ring your front desk while it’s staffed and go to the assistant after it closes. Overnight shifts are supported, and you can have the desk phone ring for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant picks up during busy check-in hours. ## Can we keep the hotel’s phone number? Hotels in the US and Canada keep the number printed on their website and confirmations and forward its calls to the routing number InsertChat provides. A verification call confirms the forwarding before guests rely on it. Properties elsewhere can use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available; porting isn’t offered. ## Can guests text the hotel or send photos? Guests can text your InsertChat number and get answers from the same knowledge as your phone line, and WhatsApp works with a WhatsApp Business account. Picture messages, such as a photo of a leak, go to a person instead of an automatic reply. A guest who texts STOP is opted out. ## Will it handle complaints and refund requests? It listens, records the details, and hands the conversation to a manager. Upset guests are on the assistant’s default handoff list, and emailed complaints and payment questions are held back from automatic replies. Your manager sees the full conversation before calling the guest back, so nobody has to repeat the story. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) ## Broader industry - [Hospitality & events](https://insertchat.com/industries/hospitality-events): Answer guests, couples, and event planners while your team looks after the people in front of them. --- # AI Receptionist for Event Venues: Book Tours Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/event-venues > Answer date, capacity, and package questions, book venue tours, and route event-day issues to your coordinator. An AI receptionist for event venues answers calls, website chat, texts, and email while your coordinators run events, using your spaces, packages, and venue rules. InsertChat’s assistant answers capacity, pricing, and vendor questions, records the date, guest count, and budget on every inquiry, books venue tours into your calendar, and flags event-day problems for staff. ## Turn a late-night wedding inquiry into a booked tour Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An engaged couple messages your venue’s website at 10 p.m., while your coordinator is closing out tonight’s wedding. > Is Saturday, October 16, 2027 still open? We’re expecting about 140 guests, and we’d love to use our own caterer. ## Answer from your venue rules Share the ceremony and reception capacity, the Saturday rental fee you publish, and your outside-caterer policy, including any license or insurance requirement. ## Record the inquiry Save the date, guest count, ceremony location, and budget on the couple’s contact, marked as a high-intent lead for your sales coordinator. ## Book a tour Offer tour times from the windows you set, such as weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and book the one the couple picks. ## Your team sets the boundaries Your coordinator confirms the date, writes the contract, and takes the deposit. Injured guests, power or weather problems, vendor no-shows, and contract or refund disputes go to staff at once. ## What it handles for event and wedding venues Handled by your assistant: - Date inquiries, recorded with the event type and guest count for your team to confirm - Capacity for ceremony, reception, and cocktail setups - Rental fees, packages, minimums, and what each includes - Catering, alcohol, decor, and music rules, plus your preferred vendor list - Parking, accessibility, nearby lodging, and rain plans - Venue tours booked into your calendar Sent straight to your team: - Guest injuries or medical emergencies during an event - Power, water, or weather problems on event day - Vendors missing or locked out on event day - Changes to a booked event inside your cutoff window - Contract, deposit, and refund disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Names, phone number, and email for the couple or planner - Event type, such as a wedding, gala, or company dinner - Preferred date and backup dates - Guest count for the ceremony and the reception - Budget range and the package they’re considering - Caterer, planner, or other vendors already booked - How they found you, saved as the lead source What to add to its knowledge: - Each space with its seated, standing, and ceremony capacity - Rental fees by day and season, plus minimums - Package inclusions, from tables and chairs to the getting-ready suite - Catering, bar, decor, candle, and noise rules - Preferred and required vendor lists - Tour hours, deposit schedule, and cancellation policy ## Can an AI receptionist check if a venue date is open? It records the date and leaves the answer to your team, since InsertChat doesn’t connect to venue management or event booking software. The assistant saves the preferred and backup dates, guest count, and event type, and marks the inquiry as a lead. If you publish dates that are already booked, it says so straight away. Your coordinator confirms the date and sends the contract from your own system. ## Can it book venue tours? Yes. Set tour windows, such as Tuesday to Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons, a tour length of up to 120 minutes, and the minimum notice you need. The assistant offers two to five open times and books the one the couple picks into InsertChat’s calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. Tours it books can get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before. ## Does it answer vendors and planners too? Yes. Add your load-in times, dock and parking instructions, insurance requirements, and noise curfew, and caterers, florists, bands, and planners get answers without calling your coordinator. A vendor locked out or missing on event day is marked urgent. Questions about a specific contract stay with your team. ## How much does an AI receptionist for event venues cost? Pro costs $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, for one phone number, monthly credits, three team seats, and three AI assistants. A venue group can give each property its own assistant with its own spaces and prices. Calls round up to whole minutes, and each extra number is $10 a month. Annual billing is 10 monthly payments upfront. ## Can planners send us a floor plan or an insurance certificate? Yes, in your website chat. Couples and planners can attach a floor plan, a seating chart, or a vendor’s certificate of insurance, and your coordinator sees it with the conversation. Texted photos go to a person on your team rather than the assistant. ## What if nobody staffs the office on event weekends? Set your office hours and time zone, and every call outside them goes to the assistant. During an event, you can have calls ring your coordinator’s mobile for 5 to 60 seconds first, so the assistant only answers when nobody picks up. ## Can we keep our venue’s phone number? Venues in the US and Canada keep their number and forward calls to InsertChat, confirmed with a verification call before couples rely on it. Elsewhere, choose a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. InsertChat doesn’t port numbers. ## Will it negotiate prices or offer discounts? No. It quotes the prices and off-peak rates you publish and nothing else. Requests for a discount, a waived fee, or a custom package are saved for your coordinator, because by default the assistant asks a person before anything outside your approved rules. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ## Broader industry - [Hospitality & events](https://insertchat.com/industries/hospitality-events): Answer guests, couples, and event planners while your team looks after the people in front of them. --- # AI Receptionist for Caterers: Never Miss a Lead Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/catering > Collect the date, headcount, and dietary needs on every catering inquiry, and flag day-of problems to staff. An AI receptionist for catering companies answers calls, emails, texts, and website chat while your team is cooking and serving, using your menus, minimums, and service area. InsertChat’s assistant collects the date, headcount, venue, service style, and dietary needs your team needs to write a proposal, books tastings, and flags day-of delivery problems and food safety concerns for staff. ## Turn an after-hours lunch email into a ready-to-price request Example workflow: Email inquiry. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An office manager emails your catering inbox at 8:15 p.m. on a Monday. > We need lunch for 40 next Thursday at noon, delivered to our downtown office. Six are vegetarian and two are gluten-free. Budget is around $20 a head. Can you do it? ## Answer from your menus and rules Point to the boxed-lunch and buffet menus that fit the budget, and share your minimum order, lead time, and downtown delivery fee. ## Collect what the quote needs Confirm the delivery address, setup time, service style, dietary counts, and whether they need plates, utensils, or staff. ## Hand it to your sales lead The request waits in the shared inbox with every detail, ready for your team to price and send the proposal in the morning. ## Your team sets the boundaries Your team writes quotes, contracts, and invoices. Allergic reactions, food safety concerns, late or wrong deliveries, and changes inside your cutoff go to staff at once. ## What it handles for caterers Handled by your assistant: - Menu, package, and per-person price questions from what you publish - Minimum orders, lead times, delivery zones, and fees - Dietary and allergen questions, answered from your allergen chart with a reminder to confirm - Corporate, wedding, and private party inquiries, saved with the details to quote - Tasting appointments booked on your calendar - Rentals, service staff, and bar service questions Sent straight to your team: - Allergic reactions and food safety concerns - Late, missing, or wrong deliveries on event day - Headcount or menu changes inside your cutoff - Complaints after an event - Payment, deposit, and refund disputes ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Contact name, company, phone number, and email - Event date, serving time, and headcount - Venue or delivery address, with access notes like loading docks - Service style, from drop-off trays to a plated dinner - Dietary needs and allergies, with counts - Budget per person or in total - Extras such as service staff, rentals, bar service, or cake cutting What to add to its knowledge: - Menus and packages with per-person prices - Minimum orders and lead times for each service style - Delivery zones, fees, and setup windows - Allergen and dietary information for each dish - Deposit, cancellation, and final headcount deadlines - Tasting options and what they cost ## Can an AI receptionist give catering quotes? It collects everything a quote needs, and your team writes the quote. InsertChat doesn’t create quotes or invoices. The assistant shares the per-person prices, minimums, and package inclusions you publish, so a customer gets a realistic range on the first call. The request then lands in the shared inbox with the date, headcount, service style, and dietary counts, ready for your sales lead to price. ## How does it handle allergy questions? It answers only from the allergen information you publish and asks the customer to confirm serious allergies with your team before the order is final. If your kitchen can’t promise a nut-free or gluten-free prep area, write that down and the assistant says so plainly. Allergy counts are saved with the request, and a guest reporting a reaction after an event is marked urgent at once. ## Can it answer catering emails automatically? Yes. Email replies can wait as drafts for your team or send automatically after a delay of up to 10 minutes, and you can limit automatic replies to business hours. Uncertain answers, complaints, upset customers, and payment or legal topics are held back for a person, so a refund request never gets a cheerful automatic reply. ## How much does an AI receptionist for caterers cost? Pro costs $98 a month for one phone number, a monthly credit balance, three team seats, and three AI assistants. A short call about a delivery fee still uses at least one minute of credits, since calls round up to whole minutes. Check the usage estimate on the pricing page against your busiest month of holiday parties and weddings. ## Can it book tastings? Yes. Set a tasting length, the days and hours you hold tastings, and buffers between them, and the assistant books into InsertChat’s calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. Tastings it books can get a reminder by text or email 72 and 24 hours before. ## We also run a restaurant. Can one account cover both? Yes. Use one assistant for the restaurant and another for catering, each with its own menu, hours, and number, or keep both on one assistant if you share a phone line. Pro includes three assistants, and every conversation lands in the same shared inbox. ## Does it take orders or payments? It records order requests for your team to confirm, and it never takes card numbers on a call or in chat. If you connect Stripe, you can let the assistant create a payment link for a deposit and require a person to approve the action first. ## Can we keep our catering line? Caterers in the US and Canada keep their number and forward calls to InsertChat, with a verification call to test it. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Porting isn’t offered. ## Related features - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Broader industry - [Hospitality & events](https://insertchat.com/industries/hospitality-events): Answer guests, couples, and event planners while your team looks after the people in front of them. --- # AI Receptionist for Photographers: Book Shoots Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/photography > Share packages, book consult calls and mini-sessions, and keep every shoot inquiry while you’re behind the camera. An AI receptionist for photographers answers calls, website chat, texts, and email while you’re shooting or editing, using your packages, policies, and session types. InsertChat’s assistant shares starting prices and what each package includes, records the date, location, and hours of coverage, books consult calls and mini-sessions on your calendar, and passes custom requests and contracts to you. ## Turn a wedding date question into a booked consult call Example workflow: Website chat. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An engaged couple opens your website chat on a Saturday while you’re shooting a wedding two hours away. > Are you free on June 12 next year for a wedding in Sonoma? We’re thinking eight hours of coverage plus an engagement shoot. What would that run? ## Answer from your packages Share the starting price of your eight-hour collection, what it includes, the Sonoma travel fee you list, and the engagement-session add-on. ## Capture the details Record the date, venue, hours of coverage, guest count, and how they found you, and mark the inquiry as a high-intent lead. ## Book a consult call Offer times for a 30-minute video consult and book the one the couple picks, with your meeting link in the invite. ## Your team sets the boundaries You confirm the date, send the contract, and collect the retainer. Day-of problems, gallery complaints, and licensing questions come straight to you. ## What it handles for photographers and studios Handled by your assistant: - Package, collection, and starting-price questions - Date inquiries, recorded for you to confirm - Weddings, portraits, families, headshots, and brand shoots - Mini-session and headshot slots booked on your calendar - Turnaround, gallery delivery, and print questions from your policies - Travel fees, locations, and what-to-wear guides Sent straight to your team: - Day-of changes, such as a client running late or a location move - Clients unhappy with a gallery or an edit - Rush delivery requests with a deadline - Cancellations and refund requests under contract - Commercial licensing and usage-rights questions ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Client names, phone number, and email - Shoot type and date, with backup dates - Location or venue, and travel distance - Hours of coverage or session length - Number of people in the photos - Budget range and the package that interests them - Planner or venue contact, for weddings What to add to its knowledge: - Packages and collections with starting prices - Session types, lengths, and what each includes - Travel fees and the areas you cover - Retainer, payment schedule, and cancellation terms - Gallery turnaround, delivery, and print options - Mini-session dates, locations, and styling guides ## Can an AI receptionist book photography sessions? Yes, for anything with a fixed length. Set up event types in Calendly or Cal.com, such as a 20-minute mini-session, a 60-minute headshot session, and a 30-minute consult call, and the assistant books the right one. Weddings and custom shoots work differently: it records the date and details for you, then books a consult call so you can talk it through with the client. ## Will it quote my prices to clients? It shares the starting prices and package contents you publish, and nothing beyond them. A couple asking for six hours instead of eight, a second shooter, or an album upgrade gets the add-on prices you list. Requests that need a custom price are saved for you, since InsertChat doesn’t write quotes. You send the custom proposal after the consult call. ## Can it collect a retainer? It never takes card details on a call or in chat. If you connect Stripe, the assistant can create a payment link or checkout session for a retainer, and you can require your approval before it does. If your contract software collects the retainer, the assistant tells clients when it’s due and leaves the rest to you. ## How much does an AI receptionist for photographers cost? Pro is $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, for one phone number, monthly credits, three seats for you and your associates or editors, and three AI assistants. A studio that runs wedding and portrait brands can give each its own assistant. Calls round up to whole minutes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits, card required. ## Does it connect to my photography client management software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to photography studio software. If you track clients in HubSpot or Zoho CRM, the assistant can create contacts there with the permissions you choose. Otherwise, every inquiry waits in the shared inbox with the details it collected. ## Can clients send inspiration photos? Yes. Clients can attach mood boards and location photos in your website chat, and you see them with the conversation. Pictures sent by text go to you rather than to the assistant. ## Can it answer Instagram DMs? No. InsertChat answers phone calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp. Put your website chat or booking page link in your bio, and inquiries from Instagram reach the assistant there. ## My business line is my cell phone. Can I still use it? In the US and Canada, forward unanswered or busy calls from your mobile to InsertChat, so your phone rings first and the assistant picks up when you’re shooting. Our call forwarding guides list the codes for major carriers. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) ## Broader industry - [Hospitality & events](https://insertchat.com/industries/hospitality-events): Answer guests, couples, and event planners while your team looks after the people in front of them. --- # AI Receptionist for Wedding & Event Planners Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/wedding-planners > Qualify couples by date, budget, and guest count, book discovery calls, and catch wedding-week emergencies. An AI receptionist for wedding and event planners answers calls, website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp while you’re on site with clients, using your services, packages, and process. InsertChat’s assistant explains full planning, partial planning, and day-of coordination, qualifies each inquiry by date, budget, and guest count, books discovery calls, and flags current-client emergencies for you. ## Qualify a newly engaged couple and book the discovery call Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A couple calls on a Sunday evening while you’re running a rehearsal dinner across town. > We just got engaged and we’re thinking fall 2027, around 120 guests, budget maybe $60,000. Do you do full planning, or only day-of coordination? ## Explain your services Describe full planning, partial planning, and month-of coordination as you wrote them, with starting fees and what each one covers. ## Qualify the inquiry Ask whether they have a venue, their preferred season and region, and the style they have in mind, then save the answers on their contact. ## Book the discovery call Offer times for a 45-minute call from the hours you set and book the one they choose, with reminders before it. ## Your team sets the boundaries Contracts, fees, and vendor negotiations stay with you. A current client’s wedding-week emergency, such as a vendor cancellation or a venue problem, is marked urgent and you get an alert. ## What it handles for wedding and event planners Handled by your assistant: - Questions about full planning, partial planning, and day-of coordination - Starting fees and what each package covers - Inquiries qualified by date, budget, guest count, and venue status - Discovery calls booked on your calendar - Destination, corporate, and milestone event questions - Preferred vendor recommendations you choose to share Sent straight to your team: - Vendor cancellations or no-shows during a client’s wedding week - Venue, weather, or transport problems on event day - A guest or client hurt at an event - Contract, payment, and refund disputes - Unhappy clients and complaints about a vendor ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Names, phone numbers, and email - Event type and preferred date or season - Guest count and budget range - Whether a venue is booked, and where - Planning level they want - Style, culture, or traditions to plan around - How they heard about you What to add to its knowledge: - Each planning package with its starting fee and timeline - Your planning process from first call to wedding day - Areas you serve and travel or destination fees - Preferred vendors you’re happy to recommend - Booking, retainer, and cancellation terms - Discovery call length and what couples should prepare ## Can an AI receptionist qualify wedding inquiries? Yes. Write the questions you ask on every first call, such as date, guest count, budget, and whether a venue is booked, and the assistant asks them in conversation and saves the answers on the contact. A couple asking to book a call is flagged as a high-intent lead. If an inquiry falls below your minimum, the assistant shares the smaller package or referral you wrote for that case. ## Will it recommend vendors to my couples? Only the ones you list. Add your preferred photographers, florists, caterers, and bands with a line about each, and the assistant shares them when a couple asks. It never invents a recommendation, and it doesn’t book or contact vendors on your behalf. ## How do current clients reach me in an emergency? They call or text the same number. Have calls ring your mobile for 5 to 60 seconds first, and the assistant answers when you can’t. A client reporting a vendor cancellation or a venue problem is marked urgent, you get an email alert, and the summary tells you exactly what’s wrong. InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls, so share the number clients should use on the day itself. ## How much does an AI receptionist for wedding planners cost? Pro costs $98 a month for one phone number, monthly credits, three seats for you and your associate planners, and three AI assistants. Calls round up to whole minutes, and texts or WhatsApp messages can carry their own fees. Annual billing is 10 monthly payments upfront. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits; a card is required. ## Does it work with my planning software? InsertChat doesn’t connect to wedding planning software. If you track clients in HubSpot or Zoho CRM, the assistant can create contacts there with the permissions you allow. Discovery calls book into InsertChat’s calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ## Can it sound like my brand? Yes. Name the assistant, set its tone, choose from 10 voices, and write the greeting callers hear first, up to 200 characters. Answers come from the services and process you describe, so it sounds like your studio rather than a call center. ## Can couples text me mood boards? Couples can text your InsertChat number with questions and get answers from your knowledge. Picture messages skip the assistant and go to you, and couples can also attach images in your website chat. ## Can I keep my business number? Planners in the US and Canada keep their number and forward calls to InsertChat, tested with a verification call. Elsewhere, pick a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting isn’t offered. ## Related features - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Hospitality & events](https://insertchat.com/industries/hospitality-events): Answer guests, couples, and event planners while your team looks after the people in front of them. --- # AI Receptionist for Dog Trainers: Book Consults Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/dog-training > Explain classes and private lessons, book evaluations, and send bite and aggression cases to a trainer. An AI receptionist for dog trainers answers calls, texts, website chat, and email while you’re teaching, using your programs, prices, and policies. InsertChat’s assistant explains puppy classes, group obedience, private lessons, and board-and-train, records each dog’s age, breed, and behavior goals, books evaluations, and sends aggression and bite cases to a trainer. ## Turn a leash-pulling call into a booked evaluation Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An owner calls on a weekday evening while you’re teaching a group class in the yard. > Our eight-month-old lab, Cooper, pulls so hard I can’t walk him, and he jumps on everyone. Do you do group classes, or does he need private lessons? ## Explain the programs Describe your group obedience course and private lessons as you wrote them, with prices, class length, and the vaccines you require. ## Record the dog’s details Note Cooper’s age, breed, and goals, and ask whether he has ever growled, snapped, or bitten, as your intake asks. ## Book an evaluation Offer evaluation times from your schedule and book the one the owner picks, so you can place Cooper in the right program. ## Your team sets the boundaries Dogs with a bite history, aggression toward people or dogs, or severe fear go to a trainer for a call back. The assistant never gives behavior advice beyond the guidance you publish. ## What it handles for dog trainers Handled by your assistant: - Puppy, obedience, and advanced class questions with dates and prices - Private lessons, day training, and board-and-train programs you offer - Vaccine, age, and equipment requirements for class - Evaluations and consults booked on your calendar - Class makeup, cancellation, and package policies - Location, parking, and what to bring to the first session Sent straight to your team: - Dogs with a bite history or aggression toward people - Dog fights or injuries during class or board-and-train - A dog that is sick or hurt while in your care - Complaints and refund requests - Sudden behavior changes or signs of pain that belong with a veterinarian ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Owner’s name, phone number, and email - Dog’s name, breed, age, and weight - Behavior goals, from leash pulling to recall - Any growling, snapping, or bite history - Vaccination status your classes require - Preferred format: group, private, or board-and-train - Days and times that work for training What to add to its knowledge: - Each program with its length, price, and age range - Upcoming class start dates and schedules - Vaccine and spay or neuter requirements - Equipment rules, such as which leashes and collars you allow - Package, makeup class, and refund policies - Your training approach in plain words ## Can an AI receptionist book dog training evaluations? Yes. Set up an evaluation or consult as an event type in Calendly or Cal.com, or as an appointment on InsertChat’s calendar, with the length and buffers you need. The assistant asks your intake questions first, then offers open times and books the one the owner picks. Evaluations it books can get a reminder by text or email 72 and 24 hours before. ## What does it do with aggression and bite cases? It records the history and puts the case in front of a trainer. The assistant asks what happened, how often, and whether anyone was hurt, then tells the owner a trainer will call back and reads the interim safety guidance you wrote, such as keeping the dog away from visitors. It never diagnoses behavior or suggests a plan, because that call belongs to you. ## Can it enroll owners in group classes? It answers class dates, prices, and requirements, then records the enrollment request with the dog’s details for your team to confirm. Class rosters and payments stay in your own system. When a class is full, add a line saying so and the assistant offers the next start date or a waitlist request instead. ## How much does an AI receptionist for dog trainers cost? Pro is $98 a month, about $3.27 a day, for one phone number, monthly credits, three team seats, and three AI assistants. A solo trainer can run one assistant across classes, private lessons, and board-and-train. Calls round up to whole minutes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits, card required. ## Will it give training advice over the phone? Only what you publish. If you add tip sheets, such as puppy biting basics or crate training steps, the assistant shares them. Anything about a specific dog’s behavior is saved for a trainer, who calls the owner back with advice for that dog. ## Can it answer while I’m training at a client’s home? Yes. Have your phone ring for 5 to 60 seconds first, and the assistant picks up when you don’t. You can also send every call to the assistant during class hours and have it ring you after. ## Does it connect to dog training software? No. InsertChat doesn’t connect to training or kennel software. Evaluations and lessons can go on InsertChat’s calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, and anything else is collected for you in the shared inbox. ## Can owners send vaccine records or photos of their dog? Yes. Owners can attach a vaccine certificate or a photo in your website chat, and it stays with the conversation on their contact. Pictures sent by text go to a person on your team, so you can check the paperwork before the first class. ## Can I keep my training business number? Trainers in the US and Canada keep their number and forward calls to InsertChat, confirmed with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Number porting is not offered. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Broader industry - [Pet services](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-services): Book grooms, evaluations, and stays, answer pet store questions, and send hurt or sick pets to staff. --- # AI Receptionist for Pet Boarding & Kennels Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-boarding > Collect boarding requests with dates and care needs, explain vaccine rules, and send sick or hurt pets to staff. An AI receptionist for pet boarding answers owners’ calls, texts, website chat, and email while your staff are feeding, walking, and cleaning, using your rates, vaccine rules, and care policies. InsertChat’s assistant collects stay dates, pets, feeding, and medication details for your team to confirm, books meet-and-greets, and flags injured or sick pets for staff and your veterinarian. ## Collect a holiday boarding request with medication needs Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. An owner calls at 7:30 p.m. in early November, after your front desk has gone home. > Do you have room for two dogs from December 22 to January 2? One of them, Max, is diabetic and needs insulin twice a day. ## Answer from your policies Share your holiday rates and minimum stay, the vaccines you require, and your medication policy, including any fee for injections. ## Collect the care details Record both dogs, the dates, Max’s insulin dose and schedule, feeding instructions, and the owner’s veterinarian, as your intake asks. ## Pass it to your staff Your team checks space for those dates and confirms the reservation. The assistant doesn’t hold runs or take the deposit. ## Your team sets the boundaries A pet that is injured, sick, or missing while in your care, owners worried about a pet’s health after pickup, and medical questions go to your staff and veterinarian at once. ## What it handles for boarding kennels and pet resorts Handled by your assistant: - Boarding requests, collected with dates, pets, and care needs for staff to confirm - Rates, holiday minimums, and add-ons like playtime or a bath before pickup - Vaccine requirements, such as rabies, distemper, and bordetella - Medication, special diet, and senior-pet care policies - Drop-off and pickup hours - Meet-and-greets and facility tours booked on your calendar Sent straight to your team: - An injured or sick pet in your care - Coughing, vomiting, or limping noticed after pickup - A lost or escaped pet - Bites or fights between animals - Health and medication questions for a veterinarian ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Owner’s name, mobile number, and email - Drop-off and pickup dates and times - Each pet’s name, species, breed, age, and weight - Vaccination dates and the clinic that holds the records - Feeding schedule and the food the owner will bring - Medications with doses and times - Emergency contact and the pet’s regular veterinarian What to add to its knowledge: - Nightly rates by pet size and room or suite type - Holiday dates, minimum stays, and deposit rules - Required vaccines and how records must be sent - Medication, diet, and senior or special-needs policies - What owners should bring and what you provide - The veterinarian you use for emergencies and your after-hours instructions ## Can an AI receptionist take boarding reservations? It collects the request, and your staff confirm it, because InsertChat doesn’t connect to kennel software and can’t see which runs or suites are free. The assistant records the dates, each pet, and their care needs, and marks the request for a person. If you publish sold-out holiday dates, it says so and saves a waitlist request instead. It doesn’t take deposits. ## What happens if an owner calls about a sick or injured pet? The assistant treats it as urgent. It asks which pet, what the owner noticed, and when it started, then reads the instructions you wrote, such as the emergency hospital you send after-hours cases to. The conversation is marked “needs you” and your staff get an email alert. Medical advice always comes from your staff or a veterinarian, never from the assistant. ## Will it collect vaccine records? It asks for the vaccine dates and the clinic that holds the records, and notes them on the owner’s contact. Owners can attach a record in your website chat, and texted photos of paperwork go to a person. Your staff check every record before check-in, since the assistant doesn’t verify documents. ## How much does an AI receptionist for pet boarding cost? Pro costs $98 a month for one phone number, monthly credits, three team seats, and three AI assistants. Calls use credits and round up to whole minutes, so check the usage estimate on the pricing page against your busiest holiday month. Each extra number is $10 a month. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits, card required. ## Can it answer only when our office is closed? Yes. Set your office hours and time zone, and calls ring your front desk while you’re open and go to the assistant after close. You can also have the desk phone ring for 5 to 60 seconds first during drop-off and pickup rushes. ## Can owners text to check on their pet? Owners can text your InsertChat number, and routine questions get answers from your policies. The assistant can’t see how a boarded pet is doing, so check-in messages go to your staff in the shared inbox, where a team member can reply with an update. ## Can it book meet-and-greets or facility tours? Yes. Set the length, the days and hours you hold them, and the minimum notice you need, and the assistant books into InsertChat’s calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. Trial overnight stays are collected as requests for your staff. ## Can we keep our kennel’s phone number? Kennels in the US and Canada keep their number and forward calls to InsertChat, confirmed with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Porting isn’t offered. ## Related features - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Broader industry - [Pet services](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-services): Book grooms, evaluations, and stays, answer pet store questions, and send hurt or sick pets to staff. ## Related industries - [Veterinary](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary): Answer pet owners’ calls about vaccines, refills, and sick pets during a full clinic day. --- # AI Receptionist for Dog Daycare Centers Source: https://insertchat.com/industries/dog-daycare > Book temperament evaluations, explain packages and rules, and route injured dogs and incidents to staff. An AI receptionist for dog daycares answers calls, texts, website chat, and email while your staff run playgroups, using your packages, hours, and enrollment rules. InsertChat’s assistant explains vaccine, age, and spay or neuter requirements, books temperament evaluations on your calendar, answers pass and pricing questions, and sends injured dogs, fights, and incident reports to staff. ## Book a first-timer’s temperament evaluation during the drop-off rush Example workflow: Phone call. Illustrative scenario. Answers depend on your sources; actions depend on your connected tools and permissions. This is not a customer testimonial or measured result. A new owner calls at 7:20 a.m., while your staff are checking in the morning playgroups. > My husky, Juno, is a year old and has never been to daycare. Can she start next week, and what does a 10-day pass cost? ## Explain how enrollment works Share your evaluation requirement, the price of a 10-day pass, your hours, and the vaccines and spay or neuter age you require. ## Screen against your rules Ask Juno’s age, spay status, vaccine dates, and how she plays with other dogs, and note anything your staff should know. ## Book the evaluation Offer evaluation slots from the times you set, such as weekday mid-mornings, and book the one the owner picks, with reminders before it. ## Your team sets the boundaries Dogs injured or in a fight at daycare, owners reporting illness after a visit, and bite incidents go to staff at once. Which dogs can join playgroups is always your team’s decision. ## What it handles for dog daycares Handled by your assistant: - Full-day, half-day, and package pricing - Temperament evaluations booked on your calendar - Vaccine, age, and spay or neuter requirements - Drop-off and pickup hours and late pickup fees - Playgroup, nap time, and what-to-bring questions - Add-ons such as baths or training walks, if you offer them Sent straight to your team: - A dog hurt or in a fight during daycare - Owners reporting coughing or illness after a visit - Bite incidents involving dogs or staff - A dog that slipped out or went missing - Complaints about how a dog was handled ## What it asks and what it needs to know Details it collects: - Owner’s name, mobile number, and email - Dog’s name, breed, age, and weight - Spay or neuter status - Vaccination dates for the shots you require - Play style and any history with other dogs - Days of the week they want care - Emergency contact and regular veterinarian What to add to its knowledge: - Daily rates, packages, and memberships - Evaluation process, length, and price - Vaccine, age, and spay or neuter rules - Hours, late pickup fees, and holiday closures - Playgroup sizes, supervision, and nap schedule - Your incident process and the veterinarian you use ## Can an AI receptionist book daycare evaluations? Yes. Set the evaluation length, the windows you run them, such as weekday mid-mornings when playgroups are calm, and the minimum notice you need. The assistant asks your screening questions first, then offers two to five open times and books the one the owner picks. Dogs that don’t meet your age or spay and neuter rules are told so politely and saved for your staff. ## Can it reserve daycare days for enrolled dogs? It records the request for your staff, since InsertChat doesn’t connect to daycare software and can’t see how full a day is. Owners can call or text to add a Friday or cancel a Tuesday, and the request lands in the shared inbox with the dog’s name and the date. If Mondays are always full, add that to your knowledge and the assistant says so. ## What happens when an owner calls about an injury or illness? It’s marked urgent. The assistant asks which dog, what the owner noticed, and when, then reads the instructions you wrote, such as the emergency vet to visit after hours. Your staff get an email alert with the summary and transcript in the shared inbox. The assistant never gives medical advice or discusses what happened in playgroup; your manager handles that call. ## How much does an AI receptionist for dog daycare cost? Pro costs $98 a month for one phone number, monthly credits, three team seats, and three AI assistants, so a daycare with two locations can give each its own assistant and hours. Every extra number is $10 a month, and calls round up to whole minutes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits; a card is required. ## Can owners text us to add a day? Yes. Owners text your InsertChat number, the assistant records the dog and the date, and your staff confirm in the shared inbox. Picture messages go to a person, and an owner who texts STOP is opted out. ## Can it answer only during our busiest hours? Yes. Have your front desk phone ring for 5 to 60 seconds, and the assistant picks up whenever nobody answers, which covers the drop-off and pickup rushes. After close, every call goes to the assistant. ## Will it tell owners why a dog didn’t pass the evaluation? No. Evaluation results and playgroup decisions stay with your staff. If an owner asks, the assistant says a team member will follow up and marks the conversation for a person. ## What happens when an owner calls to say they’ll be late for pickup? The assistant shares your closing time and late pickup fee as you wrote them, records the expected arrival time, and marks the conversation for the staff member closing up. Whether a dog can stay later, or go to overnight boarding, is your team’s call. ## Can we keep our daycare’s phone number? Daycares in the US and Canada keep their number and forward calls to InsertChat, confirmed with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Number porting isn’t offered. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Broader industry - [Pet services](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-services): Book grooms, evaluations, and stays, answer pet store questions, and send hurt or sick pets to staff. ## Related industries - [Veterinary](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary): Answer pet owners’ calls about vaccines, refills, and sick pets during a full clinic day. --- # Google Calendar AI Booking for Calls and Chat Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar > Connect availability and appointment actions to your front desk. InsertChat connects to Google Calendar so your AI receptionist can find free time across your calendars and create, update, or delete events while a customer is on the phone or in chat. You choose which calendar actions run on their own and which wait for your team’s approval. ## From customer inquiry to calendar appointment A customer asks for a visit by phone or website chat. Your assistant collects the request and uses the Google Calendar actions you have enabled. Keep the appointment and conversation together so your team knows who is coming and why. Test availability exceptions and approval settings before enabling the flow. ## What your assistant can do in Google Calendar - Find free time slots across your calendars - Create, update, and delete events - Look up events and list your calendars Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Google Calendar in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Google Calendar with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Book a service call during the call.** A homeowner calls about a slow drain at 7 p.m. The assistant finds the next open slot on your Google Calendar, books it, and keeps the address and problem with the appointment. [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing) - **Move appointments without phone tag.** A client asks to push Friday’s cut to next week. The assistant checks your calendar, updates the event, and records the change on the client’s contact. [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon) - **Schedule showings around your listings.** A buyer asks to see a listing Saturday morning. The assistant checks the agent’s free time and books the showing, or holds the request for approval. [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate) ## What do I need to connect Google Calendar? Authorize the Google account that owns or can access the calendar you want to use. Choose the scheduling actions available to your assistant and review their permissions. Test appointments and availability exceptions before using the connection with customers. ## Can I require approval for calendar actions? Configure the supported actions and approval rules in your workspace. Your assistant can collect the requested time and customer details while actions that need review wait for your team. Test the exact booking flow you intend to use. ## Can my assistant book into more than one Google Calendar? It can list your calendars and find free time across them, then create the event on the calendar you use for bookings. Test availability with shared calendars before customers start booking. ## Do customers get reminders for these bookings? Appointments the assistant books can get a text or email reminder 72 hours and 24 hours before. If the time stops working, the customer can reply or call, and the assistant moves the appointment to another open time. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) ## Related guides and comparisons - [Outlook integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook) - [Calendly integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly) - [Cal.com integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/cal-com) --- # Gmail Inbox Integration for AI Email Replies Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/gmail > Bring customer email into your workspace and connected actions. InsertChat connects to Gmail so your AI front desk can read customer emails and full threads, including attachments, create drafts, reply in the existing thread, and send new emails. Customer email then sits in one shared inbox with your calls, chats, and texts, and your team reviews the replies you choose. ## Keep the email and the customer context together When a customer emails your business, the connected mailbox gives that conversation a place in your front desk. Configure supported email actions and decide which steps need review. Your team can use the message history and customer details when continuing the conversation. ## What your assistant can do in Gmail - Read emails and full threads, including attachments - Create drafts and reply in an existing thread - Send new emails Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Gmail in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Gmail with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Reply to new-client inquiries.** A prospective client emails about a lease dispute. The assistant drafts a reply with your intake steps for review and flags anything that asks for legal advice for an attorney. [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal) - **Answer tenant maintenance emails.** A tenant emails about a broken heater. The assistant replies in the thread with your maintenance process and flags the message as urgent for your team. [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management) - **Collect documents during tax season.** A client emails to ask what to send for their return. The assistant answers from your document checklist, reads the attachments they send back, and keeps the thread for your accountant. [Accounting](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting) ## Does connecting Gmail finish my email setup? Authorize the account, complete the mailbox setup shown in InsertChat, and configure the email actions your assistant can use. Send a test message and check that your team can find and continue the conversation in the inbox. ## Can my team review email actions before they run? Set the permissions and approval rules for supported email actions in your workspace. Test which actions run automatically and which wait for review, including the steps your team uses to take over a customer conversation. ## Can the AI reply to Gmail automatically? Yes, if you turn it on. Replies can start as drafts for your team or send automatically after a delay you set, with an option to reply only during business hours and a list of topics the assistant holds back for a person. ## Related features - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI receptionist for phone calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [Outlook integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook) --- # Outlook AI Email and Calendar Integration Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook > Connect your Microsoft mailbox to customer conversations. InsertChat connects to Microsoft Outlook for email and calendar. Your AI front desk can read and search customer emails, create drafts, reply, and send, then find meeting times and create, update, or delete calendar events. You choose which actions run automatically and which wait for your team. ## Manage Outlook customer inquiries with your team Authorize the Microsoft mailbox your business uses with customers, then complete the email setup in InsertChat. Keep incoming requests with the customer conversation instead of relying on someone to relay the details. Verify the account permissions and test the mailbox before enabling the workflow. ## What your assistant can do in Outlook - Find meeting times and read your calendar schedule - Create, update, and delete calendar events - Read and search emails - Create drafts, reply, and send emails Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Outlook in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Outlook with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Book policy reviews from email.** A policyholder emails to review coverage before renewal. The assistant replies with open times from your Outlook calendar and books the review; coverage decisions stay with your agents. [Insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance) - **Fill the maintenance calendar.** A customer asks for a spring tune-up. The assistant finds a free slot on the Outlook calendar your technicians use and books it with the address and equipment details. [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac) - **Schedule in-home move surveys.** Someone planning a move asks for a walkthrough. The assistant finds a time on your estimator’s calendar and books the visit with the move date and both addresses. [Moving](https://insertchat.com/industries/moving) ## Which account should I connect to Outlook? Use the Microsoft mailbox your business uses for customer communication. Authorize the account through the supported Outlook connection, review access permissions, and complete the mailbox setup in InsertChat. ## How do I check that the Outlook connection is ready? Send a test email to the connected mailbox, confirm that the conversation reaches your inbox, and test the supported reply actions. Check that your team can take over and that actions requiring approval wait for review. ## Does the Outlook connection cover the calendar too? Yes. The same connection covers email and calendar, so the assistant can find meeting times, read your schedule, and create or update events as well as answer email. Turn on only the actions you need. ## Related features - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) ## Related guides and comparisons - [Gmail integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/gmail) - [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Microsoft Dynamics 365 integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/microsoft-dynamics-365) --- # HubSpot AI Receptionist and Chatbot Integration Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/hubspot > Give your assistant access to supported CRM actions. InsertChat connects to HubSpot so your AI front desk can create and update contacts, deals, and tickets, add meetings, notes, and tasks, and search companies, contacts, deals, and tickets during a call or chat. Each conversation can end with the right CRM record, with approval where you want it. ## Use customer conversations to guide CRM actions Use InsertChat contacts to keep the conversation in context, and connect HubSpot when your workflow needs a supported external CRM action. Choose from the actions available to your account, then set the permissions that fit your team’s process. Test the customer request and confirm that the intended CRM action and approval flow work together. ## What your assistant can do in HubSpot - Create and update contacts, deals, and tickets - Create meetings, notes, and tasks - Search and list companies, contacts, deals, and tickets Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find HubSpot in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use HubSpot with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Create a deal for every storm call.** After a hailstorm, a homeowner calls about a damaged roof. The assistant checks HubSpot for an existing contact, creates the deal, and adds a note with the address and damage described. [Roofing](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing) - **Log consultation requests with context.** A visitor asks about a bookkeeping engagement. The assistant creates the contact, adds a note with their needs, and creates a task for a partner to follow up. [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services) - **Capture buyer inquiries as contacts.** A buyer texts about a listing. The assistant answers from the listing details, creates or updates the HubSpot contact, and logs the showing request as a note. [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate) ## Does HubSpot replace the contacts in InsertChat? InsertChat keeps its own customer contacts and conversation context in the workspace. A HubSpot connection makes supported CRM actions available to your assistant. Choose the actions your workflow needs and test how they interact with your CRM records. ## Which HubSpot actions are available to my assistant? It can create and update contacts, deals, and tickets, create meetings, notes, and tasks, and search and read companies, contacts, deals, and tickets. Actions run with your HubSpot account’s permissions; enable only the ones your workflow needs and set review where your team wants it. ## Does InsertChat sync every contact to HubSpot? No. There is no background sync. The assistant creates or updates HubSpot records during a conversation with the actions you turn on, and InsertChat keeps its own contact with the conversation history. ## Related features - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI customer service agent](https://insertchat.com/product/ai-customer-service) - [Microsoft Dynamics 365 integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/microsoft-dynamics-365) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Zoho CRM integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/zoho) --- # Shopify AI Chatbot: Add One to Your Store Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/shopify > Add AI website chat to your Shopify storefront. To add an AI chatbot to your Shopify store, copy your assistant’s embed code from InsertChat’s Shopify guide, open Online Store → Edit code for your theme, and paste it before the closing body tag in the storefront layout. Save and publish. The chat answers shoppers from your product information and store policies. ## Help shoppers understand your products before buying A shopper asks about a product’s size or your return policy. Your website assistant answers from the product information and policies you have added to its knowledge. Keep those sources current and pass order-specific requests, including order changes and refunds, to your support team. The storefront installation connects these customer questions to your InsertChat inbox. ## Where the code goes in Shopify - Location: Online Store → Edit code, before the closing body tag in the storefront layout - Requirements: Shopify lets you edit a theme’s code only after you’ve purchased the theme and suggests duplicating it first. Storefront code doesn’t add chat to checkout. - Source: [Shopify: Editing theme code](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/customizing-themes/edit-code/edit-theme-code), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your Shopify account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Get your website embed.** Open your assistant’s website installation settings, choose the Shopify guide, and copy your assistant’s embed code. 2. **Add it to your storefront.** Follow the Shopify installation instructions in the app to add the code to your storefront’s theme. 3. **Test the customer experience.** Ask product and policy questions on your storefront. Check that conversations reach your inbox and test handoff to your team. ## How businesses use Shopify with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Answer shipping and return questions.** A shopper asks whether an order placed today arrives before Friday and how exchanges work. The assistant answers from your shipping and return policies and sends order-specific requests to your team. [E-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce) - **Answer ingredient questions for beauty brands.** A shopper asks whether a serum is fragrance-free. The assistant answers from the ingredient lists you add and sends questions about skin conditions to your team. [Beauty & wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness) - **Give phone and WhatsApp shoppers the same answers.** Shoppers who call or message you on WhatsApp get the same product answers as storefront chat, from one assistant and one shared inbox. ## Do I install Shopify from the InsertChat app catalog? Use the Shopify guide in your assistant’s website installation settings. Copy the generated embed code and follow the instructions for adding it to your storefront theme. This setup adds website chat; it does not authorize access to your Shopify account. ## Will the chatbot automatically know my products and orders? Add product information and store policies to the assistant’s knowledge and keep those sources current. The storefront embed does not automatically grant access to live orders, refunds, or inventory. Pass order-specific requests to your support team. ## How do I add an AI chatbot to my Shopify store? Open your assistant’s website installation settings in InsertChat, choose the Shopify guide, and copy the embed code. In Shopify, open the theme code editor, add the code before the closing body tag in the storefront layout, then save and publish the theme. ## Will the chatbot appear on Shopify checkout? No. Storefront theme code doesn’t install chat in checkout, so the chat appears on your product, collection, and content pages. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI customer support for e-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce) - [BigCommerce AI chatbot](https://insertchat.com/integration/bigcommerce) - [WooCommerce AI chatbot](https://insertchat.com/integration/woocommerce) - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio) --- # Stripe Integration for AI Customer Support Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/stripe > Use supported payment-related actions with controlled access. InsertChat connects to Stripe so your AI front desk can create payment links and checkout sessions, create and look up customers, and look up invoices, subscriptions, payment intents, products, and prices during a conversation. Refunds and direct card charges aren’t supported actions, so those stay with your team. ## Keep payment-related actions under your control Choose the supported Stripe actions relevant to your customer workflow and review the access they require. Configure approval where your team needs to make the decision, then test the specific payment-related task. The action list in your workspace shows which operations your account can make available to the assistant. ## What your assistant can do in Stripe - Create payment links and checkout sessions - Create and look up customers - Look up invoices, subscriptions, payment intents, products, and prices Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Stripe in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Stripe with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Answer invoice status questions.** A client asks whether their last invoice went through. The assistant looks up the invoice in Stripe and replies with its status; disputes go to your team. [Accounting](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting) - **Explain membership charges.** A member asks about a charge on their card. The assistant looks up their subscription and latest invoice and explains it, and sends cancellation requests to your staff. [Gyms & fitness](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym) - **Send a deposit link after booking.** Once a customer confirms a rental date in chat, the assistant creates a Stripe payment link for the deposit so they can pay right away. [Party & event rentals](https://insertchat.com/industries/party-rentals) ## What can the Stripe connection do? It makes the supported Stripe actions shown in your workspace available to your assistant. Authorize the relevant account, inspect the action list, and choose the permissions needed for the specific payment-related workflow you want to support. ## Can a person approve a Stripe action first? Configure approval for supported actions that your team needs to review. Test the intended workflow and check the proposed action details before enabling it. Connecting an account is only the first step; your selected actions and permissions determine what the assistant can do. ## Can the assistant issue a Stripe refund? No. Refunds aren’t one of the supported Stripe actions. The assistant can look up the payment and invoice, then hand the refund request to your team with the details in the shared inbox. ## Looking for a Stripe integration like Intercom’s? InsertChat’s Stripe actions work inside an AI front desk that also answers phone calls, SMS, email, WhatsApp, and website chat in one inbox. The InsertChat vs Intercom Fin comparison covers pricing and channels with dated sources. ## Related features - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Related guides and comparisons - [InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin) - [Pricing and plan limits](https://insertchat.com/pricing) - [Square integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/square) --- # Calendly AI Receptionist: Book by Phone & Chat Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly > Check open times and book invitees into your Calendly event types. InsertChat connects to Calendly so your AI receptionist can list your event types, check available and busy times, and book a caller or chat visitor into an open slot. It can also look up scheduled events and invitees and cancel an event. Rescheduling isn’t a supported Calendly action. ## From a booking request to a Calendly meeting A customer asks for a consultation on your website or by phone. Your assistant checks the available times for the Calendly event type you selected, collects the customer’s details, and books them as an invitee. It can also look up scheduled events and invitees, and cancel an event when a customer asks. Bookings do not run until you choose the event type the assistant should use. ## What your assistant can do in Calendly - List your event types and their available times - Book an invitee into an available time - Look up scheduled events and invitees - Cancel scheduled events and check busy times Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Calendly in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Calendly with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Book case reviews by phone.** A caller asks whether they have a case. The assistant collects the basics, offers open times for your case-review event type, and books them as an invitee; legal questions wait for the attorney. [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal) - **Book discovery calls from the portfolio.** A visitor wants to talk about a living-room refresh. The assistant books them into your discovery-call event type with their name and email. [Interior design](https://insertchat.com/industries/interior-design) - **Book sales calls for clients.** An agency sets a client’s assistant to book prospects into the client’s Calendly event type, so new leads land on the right calendar. [Agencies & teams](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies) ## What can my assistant do in Calendly? It can list your event types, check available and busy times, and book an invitee into an event type. It can also look up scheduled events and their invitees, and cancel a scheduled event. Rescheduling is not one of the supported Calendly actions. ## Why isn’t my assistant booking Calendly meetings yet? Calendly bookings wait until you choose the event type your assistant should book. Select it in InsertChat, then test a booking and check that the time, duration, and meeting location match your Calendly settings. ## Which Calendly account should I connect? Connect the Calendly account whose event types and availability customers should book. You authorize it in the InsertChat app, and actions run with that account’s own permissions. Connected services such as Calendly may have their own charges. ## Can callers book Calendly meetings by phone? Yes. On a call, the assistant checks the open times for your selected event type, offers a few options, and books the caller as an invitee with the name and email they give. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ## Related guides and comparisons - [Google Calendar integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Cal.com integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/cal-com) --- # Cal.com AI Booking Integration for Calls & Chat Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/cal-com > Check open slots and create, reschedule, or cancel Cal.com bookings. InsertChat connects to Cal.com so your AI front desk can list event types, check available slots and busy times, and create bookings from a call or chat. It can also look up, edit, reschedule, and cancel bookings, and confirm or decline bookings that need your confirmation. ## Let customers book, move, or cancel Cal.com appointments A customer asks to book, move, or cancel an appointment. With the Cal.com actions you enable, your assistant can list your event types, check available slots and busy times, and create the booking. It can look up a booking’s details, edit or reschedule it, or cancel it. For bookings that need your confirmation, it can confirm them or decline them with a reason. ## What your assistant can do in Cal.com - List event types and check available slots and busy times - Create booking requests - Confirm, decline, reschedule, edit, and cancel bookings - Look up booking details Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Cal.com in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Cal.com with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Book service appointments.** A driver calls about squealing brakes. The assistant checks your Cal.com slots for an inspection and books it with the vehicle details. [Auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair) - **Reschedule grooming without back-and-forth.** An owner texts to move a Saturday groom. The assistant finds the booking, checks open slots, and reschedules it. [Pet grooming & pet stores](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming) - **Confirm consultations that need approval.** For event types that require confirmation, the assistant confirms the booking or declines it with a reason, following the rules you set. [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services) ## What can my assistant do in Cal.com? It can list your event types, check available slots and busy times, and create bookings. It can also look up, edit, reschedule, and cancel bookings, and confirm or decline bookings that need your confirmation. Enable only the actions your scheduling flow needs. ## Can my team review Cal.com actions before they run? Yes. Configure approval for the Cal.com actions your team wants to review, such as cancelling or declining a booking. Test the flow to check which actions run automatically and which wait for your team. ## What do I need to connect Cal.com? You need the Cal.com account that owns the event types customers should book. Authorize it from the app catalog in InsertChat; actions run with that account’s own permissions. Connected services such as Cal.com may have their own charges. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) ## Related guides and comparisons - [Google Calendar integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Calendly integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly) --- # WhatsApp AI Chatbot for Your Business Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/whatsapp > Answer WhatsApp Business messages from your AI front desk. InsertChat connects to a WhatsApp Business Account so your AI front desk can answer customer messages and send text, media, locations, contact cards, reply buttons, lists, and template messages. WhatsApp conversations land in the same shared inbox as your calls, website chat, SMS, and email. ## Keep WhatsApp conversations with the rest of your front desk WhatsApp is one of your front desk channels, alongside website chat, phone, SMS, and email, and its conversations appear in your shared inbox. With the WhatsApp actions you enable, your assistant can send text, media, locations, contact cards, reply-button and list messages, and your message templates. It can also look up message history and media details. Replies are written in a short, messaging-friendly style. ## What your assistant can do in WhatsApp - Send text, media, locations, and contact cards - Send reply-button and list messages - List message templates and send template messages - Read message history and media details Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find WhatsApp in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use WhatsApp with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Share the menu and your location.** A guest messages to ask what’s on tonight’s menu and where to park. The assistant answers from your menu and sends your location pin. [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants) - **Offer appointment times as reply buttons.** A client asks for a trim next week. The assistant replies with open times as reply buttons and books the one they tap in your connected calendar. [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon) - **Answer delivery questions on WhatsApp.** A customer asks where to drop off a parcel. The assistant replies with your depot’s location pin and hours, and passes missed-delivery complaints to your dispatcher. [Couriers & delivery](https://insertchat.com/industries/couriers) ## What do I need to connect WhatsApp? You need a WhatsApp Business Account with a business phone number, because the connection uses the WhatsApp Business API; a personal WhatsApp account is not enough. Authorize it from the app catalog in InsertChat, then check that the WhatsApp channel shows as live. ## What can my assistant send on WhatsApp? It can send text messages, media, locations, contact cards, and interactive messages with reply buttons or lists. It can also list your message templates and send a template message. WhatsApp’s own messaging rules, including when a template is required, still apply. ## Does WhatsApp messaging cost extra? It can. WhatsApp may charge for business messages under its own pricing, separately from your InsertChat plan. Review the pricing for your WhatsApp account and region before you rely on template messages. ## Related features - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) --- # Zoho CRM AI Integration for Lead Capture Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/zoho > Create and update Zoho CRM leads, deals, and notes from conversations. InsertChat connects to Zoho CRM so your AI front desk can create leads, contacts, deals, events, and notes, update accounts, deals, events, leads, and notes, and search the records your team uses. A phone call or website chat ends with a Zoho lead your team can work. ## Capture leads from conversations in Zoho CRM A new customer asks about your services by phone or website chat. With the Zoho CRM actions you enable, your assistant can create a lead, contact, deal, event, or note, and update existing accounts, deals, events, leads, and notes. It can also find and read accounts, contacts, deals, events, leads, notes, and tasks, so it can check for an existing record first. InsertChat keeps its own contact record with the conversation. ## What your assistant can do in Zoho - Create contacts, leads, deals, events, and notes - Update accounts, deals, events, leads, and notes - Search and list accounts, contacts, deals, events, leads, notes, and tasks Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Zoho in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Zoho with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Create a lead from every after-hours call.** A homeowner calls at 10 p.m. with no heat. The assistant searches Zoho for the customer, creates a lead if they’re new, and adds a note with the address and symptoms. [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac) - **Update deals when customers call back.** A customer calls to add an EV charger to a panel upgrade. The assistant finds the open deal in Zoho CRM and adds a note with the new request. [Electrical](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician) - **Log seasonal service requests.** In spring, a visitor asks about weekly mowing. The assistant creates the lead and an event for the site visit in Zoho CRM. [Landscaping](https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping) ## Which Zoho CRM records can my assistant change? It can create leads, contacts, deals, events, and notes, and update accounts, deals, events, leads, and notes. It can also search and read accounts, contacts, deals, events, leads, notes, and tasks. Creating accounts or tasks and updating contacts or tasks are not supported actions. ## Does Zoho CRM replace the contacts in InsertChat? No. InsertChat keeps its own contacts and conversation history in your workspace. The Zoho connection adds CRM actions when your workflow needs them. Test how new leads and notes appear in Zoho CRM before enabling the flow for customers. ## What do I need to connect Zoho? You need a Zoho account with access to the Zoho CRM records your team uses. Authorize it from the app catalog in InsertChat; actions run with that account’s own permissions. Connected services such as Zoho may have their own charges. ## Related features - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Related guides and comparisons - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Microsoft Dynamics 365 integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/microsoft-dynamics-365) - [HubSpot integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/hubspot) --- # Zendesk AI Integration for Support Tickets Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/zendesk > Create, look up, and update Zendesk tickets from conversations. InsertChat connects to Zendesk so your AI front desk can create tickets and requests, reply to and update them, read their comments, and search tickets, users, and organizations. Problems reported by phone, website chat, or email can become Zendesk tickets without anyone retyping them. ## Turn customer conversations into Zendesk tickets A customer reports a problem by chat, email, or phone. With the Zendesk actions you enable, your assistant can create a ticket or request, look up an existing ticket and its comments, reply to it, or update it. It can also find and update Zendesk users and search organizations. Keep the conversation in your InsertChat inbox and configure approval where your team needs to decide. ## What your assistant can do in Zendesk - Create tickets and requests - Reply to and update tickets and requests - Read ticket and request comments - Search tickets, users, and organizations, and create or update users Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Zendesk in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Zendesk with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Open a ticket for a damaged delivery.** A shopper reports a cracked item in chat. The assistant creates a Zendesk ticket with the order number and what happened for your support team. [E-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce) - **Log repeat repair issues from calls.** A caller says their repaired dryer stopped heating again. The assistant finds the existing ticket, adds a reply with the new details, and updates it for your service desk. [Appliance repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/appliance-repair) - **Track tenant requests as tickets.** A tenant reports a leak by phone after hours. The assistant creates a ticket for your maintenance team and flags it as urgent in your inbox. [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management) ## What can my assistant do in Zendesk? It can create tickets and requests, reply to and update tickets, and look up tickets, requests, and their comments. It can also search Zendesk, find users and organizations, and create or update users. Enable only the actions your support workflow needs. ## Does Zendesk replace the InsertChat inbox? No. InsertChat keeps customer conversations, contacts, and handoff in its shared inbox. The Zendesk connection adds ticket actions for teams that track support work in Zendesk. Test how new tickets and replies appear in Zendesk before enabling the flow. ## Which Zendesk account should I connect? Connect the Zendesk account your support team uses, from the app catalog in InsertChat. Actions run with that account’s own permissions, so the assistant cannot do more in Zendesk than the account allows. Connected services such as Zendesk may have their own charges. ## Related features - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI customer service agent](https://insertchat.com/product/ai-customer-service) - [Gmail integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/gmail) - [Human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin) --- # Square AI Receptionist for Orders and Bookings Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/square > Look up orders and payments, manage customers, and update Square bookings. InsertChat connects to Square so your AI front desk can look up, create, and update customers, search orders, payments, invoices, subscriptions, and catalog items, check booking availability, and update or cancel existing bookings. It can’t take payments, issue refunds, or create new Square bookings. ## Answer order and booking questions with Square details A customer asks about an order, an invoice, or an existing appointment. With the Square actions you enable, your assistant can find the customer, look up orders, payments, invoices, subscriptions, and payment links, and search your catalog. For Square bookings, it can search availability and look up, update, or cancel an existing booking. It can also create and update customer profiles. ## What your assistant can do in Square - Look up, create, and update customers - Search orders, payments, invoices, subscriptions, and catalog items - Check booking availability, and look up, update, or cancel bookings - Retrieve payment links Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Square in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Square with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Move a Square appointment by phone.** A client calls to push her color appointment to Thursday. The assistant checks Square availability and updates the booking. [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon) - **Answer pickup order questions.** A guest calls about a pickup order. The assistant searches your Square orders and tells them where it stands. [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants) - **Check grooming availability.** An owner asks about open groom times. The assistant searches Square availability and passes the new booking request to your team. [Pet grooming & pet stores](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming) ## Can my assistant take payments or issue refunds in Square? No. The Square actions available to your assistant look up payments, orders, invoices, subscriptions, and payment links. They do not charge a card, create a payment, or issue a refund, so hand payment changes to your team. ## Can customers book new Square appointments through the assistant? Not through Square. Your assistant can search booking availability and look up, update, or cancel an existing Square booking, but creating a new booking is not a supported action. Handle new appointments with your InsertChat scheduling setup or your team. ## What access does the Square connection use? It uses the Square account you authorize in the InsertChat app, with that account’s own permissions. Enable only the customer, booking, order, and catalog actions your workflow needs. Connected services such as Square may have their own charges. ## Related features - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI receptionist for phone calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Stripe integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/stripe) - [Pricing and plan limits](https://insertchat.com/pricing) --- # AI Chatbot for WordPress: Plugin & Install Code Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/wordpress > Install the AI chat widget on WordPress with the plugin or the install code. To add an AI chatbot to WordPress, install the InsertChat plugin from WordPress.org, enter your assistant’s ID in its settings, and clear your page cache, or paste the install code into your site’s footer. The chat answers visitors from your pages and documents and hands conversations to your team. ## One assistant for your WordPress site and your phone Visitors ask questions in the chat on your WordPress pages and get answers from your website content and documents. The same assistant can answer calls, texts, and email, and every conversation lands in the shared inbox, where your team can take over. ## Where the code goes in WordPress - Location: InsertChat plugin settings, or footer code - Requirements: The plugin needs WordPress 4.7 or later and PHP 7.0 or later. Custom code on WordPress.com needs the Personal, Premium, Business, or Commerce plan. - Source: [InsertChat on WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org/plugins/insertchat/), [WordPress.com: Add code to headers](https://wordpress.com/support/adding-code-to-headers/), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your WordPress account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Create your assistant.** Add your WordPress pages by crawl or sitemap, plus documents and FAQs, and set the assistant’s name, logo, and colors. 2. **Install it on WordPress.** Install the InsertChat plugin from WordPress.org and enter your assistant’s ID, or add the install code to your site’s footer. 3. **Verify and test.** Use Verify on your website in InsertChat with a public page URL, then ask a few common questions in the chat. ## How businesses use WordPress with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Book service calls from service-area pages.** A visitor on your water heater repair page asks whether you serve their ZIP code. The assistant answers from your service area and books a visit. [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services) - **Answer class and membership questions.** A visitor asks about beginner classes and the cancellation policy. The assistant answers from your schedule and policy pages and books a trial class. [Gyms & fitness](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym) - **Answer coverage FAQs and book reviews.** A visitor asks what a renters policy covers. The assistant answers from your published coverage pages and books a call with an agent for anything specific. [Insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance) ## What does the InsertChat WordPress plugin need? Its WordPress.org listing requires WordPress 4.7 or later and PHP 7.0 or later. You also need an InsertChat assistant: enter its ID, the ICG_BOT_ID value in its install code, in the plugin settings. ## Can I add the chatbot without a plugin? Yes. Paste your assistant’s install code into your site’s header and footer code tool, in the footer, then publish. WordPress.com sites need a plan that supports custom JavaScript. ## Does it work on WooCommerce stores? Yes. WooCommerce runs on WordPress, so the plugin or install code adds the chat to your store pages. The assistant answers from the product information you add; it does not connect to WooCommerce orders. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Related guides and comparisons - [WooCommerce AI chatbot](https://insertchat.com/integration/woocommerce) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [How to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase) --- # Dynamics 365 AI Integration for Leads & Cases Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/microsoft-dynamics-365 > Create Dynamics 365 leads, contacts, and cases from customer conversations. InsertChat connects to Microsoft Dynamics 365 so your AI front desk can create accounts, contacts, leads, opportunities, and cases, update leads, opportunities, and cases, and look up leads during a call or chat. Records are written during the conversation, with no background sync, and each action can wait for approval. ## From a new inquiry to a Dynamics 365 lead A caller or website visitor asks about your services. The assistant answers, collects their details, and can create the lead in Dynamics 365, or open a case for an existing customer, using the actions you enabled. Your team sees the conversation in the InsertChat inbox and the record in Dynamics 365. ## What your assistant can do in Microsoft Dynamics 365 - Create accounts, contacts, leads, opportunities, and cases - Update leads, opportunities, and cases - Look up leads Turn on only the actions you need. Each one can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. ## Setup 1. **Connect your account.** Find Microsoft Dynamics 365 in the InsertChat app catalog and authorize the account you want to use. 2. **Choose the actions.** Select the supported actions your assistant needs and review the connection’s permissions. 3. **Test the workflow.** Try the customer flow and confirm that actions, approvals, and handoff work the way your team expects. ## How businesses use Microsoft Dynamics 365 with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Open a case for a policyholder call.** A policyholder calls about a claim update. The assistant creates a case in Dynamics 365 with their details and request for your service team. [Insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance) - **Create opportunities from consultation requests.** A company asks about an advisory engagement. The assistant creates the lead and an opportunity with the scope they described. [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services) - **Log commercial project inquiries.** A property manager asks about a tenant build-out. The assistant creates the account and contact and records the project as a lead for your estimator. [Contractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors) ## Does InsertChat sync contacts with Dynamics 365? There is no background sync. The assistant creates or updates Dynamics 365 records during a conversation, with the permissions you choose, and the contact also stays in InsertChat with its conversation history. ## Can my team review records before they are created? Each action can run automatically or wait for review, depending on how you set it. Test the exact flow, such as a new lead from a phone call, before turning it on for customers. ## Which Dynamics 365 records can the assistant create? Accounts, contacts, leads, opportunities, and cases. It can update leads, opportunities, and cases and look up leads; updating accounts or contacts isn’t a supported action. ## Related features - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) ## Related guides and comparisons - [HubSpot integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/hubspot) - [Zoho CRM integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/zoho) - [Outlook integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook) --- # Wix AI Chatbot: Add an AI Front Desk to Wix Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/wix > Install the AI chat widget on Wix with Custom Code. To add an AI chatbot to Wix, copy your assistant’s install code from InsertChat, open Settings → Custom Code in your Wix dashboard, and add it to Body – end on all pages. Publish, and the chat answers visitors from your website content, captures leads, and can book appointments once you connect a calendar. ## From a Wix visitor’s question to a booked appointment A visitor on your Wix site asks whether you have a Saturday opening. The assistant answers from your pages and the documents you added, checks the calendar you connected, and books the time or collects the request for your team. The chat, the contact’s details, and the booking land in the shared inbox, where your team can reply or take over. ## Where the code goes in Wix - Location: Settings → Custom Code → Body – end - Requirements: Wix asks for a published site with a connected domain before you add custom code. You can load the code on all pages, including pages you add later, or on pages you pick. - Source: [Wix: Embedding custom code on your site](https://support.wix.com/en/article/wix-editor-embedding-custom-code-on-your-site), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your Wix account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Copy your install code.** Open your assistant’s website install settings in InsertChat, choose Wix as your website platform, and copy the installation code. 2. **Add it in Wix Custom Code.** In the site dashboard, open Settings → Custom Code. Add the loader to Body – end and select the intended pages. Verify the published site. 3. **Verify and test.** Run Verify on your website in InsertChat with the published URL of a Wix page, then open the chat and ask the questions your customers ask most. ## How businesses use Wix with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Book the next open chair.** A client asks who does balayage and when they’re free next week. The assistant answers from your service menu and books the slot in your connected calendar. [Salons & spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon) - **Collect the project before the site visit.** A homeowner describes a kitchen remodel and attaches photos in the chat. The assistant collects the address, scope, and timing, then books a site visit or hands it to your team. [Contractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors) - **Answer menu questions after close.** A diner asks about gluten-free dishes and holiday hours at 11 p.m. The assistant answers from the menu and allergen information you publish and takes the reservation request for your host. [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants) ## What do I need on Wix to add the chatbot? Wix’s Custom Code settings need a published site with a connected domain. You also need an InsertChat assistant: copy its install code from the website install settings, add it to Body – end, and publish. ## Does the install connect to my Wix account? No. It adds the chat with your assistant’s install code, the same way you add any third-party script, so it doesn’t read Wix bookings, store orders, or contacts. Teach the assistant with your pages and documents instead. ## Will the chat show on every page of my Wix site? You choose. Wix lets you load custom code on all pages, including pages you create later, or only on pages you select. Pick all pages so visitors can ask a question wherever they land. ## Can the same assistant answer my business phone? Yes. The assistant on your Wix site can also answer calls, texts, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge. In the US and Canada you can forward your existing number; elsewhere you get an InsertChat local or toll-free number. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Related guides and comparisons - [How to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio) - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase) --- # Webflow AI Chatbot: Add It in Footer Code Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/webflow > Install the AI chat widget on Webflow with footer code. To add an AI chatbot to Webflow, copy your InsertChat install code, paste it into Site settings → Custom code → Footer code, then save and publish. Webflow runs custom scripts on the published site only. The chat answers from your content, captures leads, and hands conversations to your team. ## Turn Webflow traffic into qualified conversations A prospect reading your pricing page asks whether you work with companies their size. The assistant answers from your site and documents, asks the qualifying questions you set, and books a call in your calendar or flags the lead for your team. The conversation and the new contact land in the shared inbox with their lead source. ## Where the code goes in Webflow - Location: Site settings → Custom code → Footer code - Requirements: Webflow allows custom code with an active Site plan or a Core, Growth, Agency, or Freelancer Workspace. Scripts run on the published site, not in the Designer. - Source: [Webflow: Custom code in head and body tags](https://help.webflow.com/hc/en-us/articles/33961357265299-Custom-code-in-head-and-body-tags), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your Webflow account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Copy your install code.** Open your assistant’s website install settings in InsertChat, choose Webflow as your website platform, and copy the installation code. 2. **Add it to your footer code.** Add the loader in Site settings → Custom code → Footer code. Save and publish to the domain you will verify. 3. **Verify and test.** Run Verify on your website in InsertChat with the published URL of a Webflow page, then open the chat and ask the questions your customers ask most. ## How businesses use Webflow with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Launch a branded assistant on each client site.** Build each client’s assistant with its own knowledge, name, logo, and colors, then add its code to the client’s Webflow footer. Growth and above add a custom domain and branded email. [Agencies & teams](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies) - **Book consultations from practice-area pages.** A visitor asks whether the firm handles their kind of case. The assistant answers from your published practice areas, collects the basics, and books a consultation; anything that needs legal advice goes to an attorney. [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal) - **Answer listing questions and book showings.** A buyer asks about a listing after hours. The assistant answers from the listing details you added and books a showing in your calendar or takes the request for an agent. [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate) ## Which Webflow plan do I need to add the chatbot? Webflow’s help center says custom code needs an active Site plan, or a Core, Growth, Agency, or Freelancer Workspace. With either, site managers and designers can add footer code that applies to every page. ## Why don’t I see the chat in the Webflow Designer? Webflow runs custom scripts only on the published site. Publish to the domain you want to check, then open the page in a browser or run Verify on your website in InsertChat. ## Can I add the chatbot to just one Webflow page? Yes. Paste the code into that page’s custom code settings, before the closing body tag, instead of the site-wide footer code. Webflow adds page-level code after site-wide code. ## Can my agency white-label the chat for Webflow clients? Yes. Set each assistant’s name, logo, colors, and tone for the client. Growth, Scale, and Enterprise add a verified custom domain and branded email, so clients see their own brand. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [White label](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) ## Related guides and comparisons - [How to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [AI chatbots for agencies](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies) - [InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin) --- # Squarespace AI Chatbot: Code Injection Setup Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/squarespace > Install the AI chat widget on Squarespace with Code Injection. To add an AI chatbot to Squarespace, paste your InsertChat install code into the Footer field of the Code Injection panel and click Save. Squarespace offers code injection on Core, Plus, Advanced, and some legacy plans. The chat then answers visitors from your site content, books appointments, and captures leads. ## From a portfolio visit to a booked consultation A visitor browsing your Squarespace portfolio asks whether you take projects in their area and what a first consultation involves. The assistant answers from your services page and FAQs, collects their details and project notes, and books the consultation in your connected calendar. Your team sees the whole conversation on the new contact. ## Where the code goes in Squarespace - Location: Code Injection → Footer - Requirements: Squarespace offers code injection on the Core, Plus, Advanced, and some legacy billing plans. Footer code loads before the closing body tag on every page; checkout pages don’t support custom code. - Source: [Squarespace: Using code injection](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/205815908-Using-code-injection), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your Squarespace account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Copy your install code.** Open your assistant’s website install settings in InsertChat, choose HTML or custom website as your website platform, and copy the installation code. 2. **Add it to Code Injection.** Open the Code Injection panel, paste the code into the Footer field, and click Save. Squarespace adds footer code to every page of your site. 3. **Verify and test.** Run Verify on your website in InsertChat with the published URL of a Squarespace page, then open the chat and ask the questions your customers ask most. ## How businesses use Squarespace with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Qualify design inquiries before the first call.** A homeowner asks whether you take single-room projects. The assistant explains your process from your services page, collects the room, style, and timeline, and books a discovery call. [Interior design](https://insertchat.com/industries/interior-design) - **Answer practice questions without clinical advice.** A prospective client asks about fees, availability, and how the first session works. The assistant answers from your published practice information and offers a consultation time; clinical questions go to your clinicians. [Therapy practices](https://insertchat.com/industries/therapy) - **Collect event details for rental requests.** Someone planning a June wedding asks about tent sizes and delivery to their venue. The assistant answers from your rental catalog and policies and collects the date, venue, and guest count for your team to confirm. [Party & event rentals](https://insertchat.com/industries/party-rentals) ## Which Squarespace plans support the chatbot code? Squarespace offers code injection on its Core, Plus, Advanced, and some legacy billing plans. Check your plan before you start; the install code goes in the Footer field of the Code Injection panel. ## Will the chat appear on my Squarespace checkout? No. Squarespace doesn’t support custom code on checkout pages, so the chat appears on your other pages. Answer shipping, booking, and return questions earlier, on your product, service, and policy pages. ## The chat doesn’t show in the Squarespace editor. Is it broken? Check the live site. Squarespace notes that custom code can interfere with the editor preview, and you can turn off scripts in the preview without changing your live site. Then run Verify on your website in InsertChat with a published page URL. ## Can visitors book an appointment in the chat? Yes, once you connect a calendar. InsertChat books into its built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, and you choose whether booking actions run on their own or wait for your team. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) ## Related guides and comparisons - [How to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio) - [InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin) --- # WooCommerce AI Chatbot via the WordPress Plugin Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/woocommerce > Install the AI chat widget on WooCommerce with the WordPress plugin. To add an AI chatbot to WooCommerce, install the InsertChat plugin from WordPress.org, enter your assistant’s ID in its settings, and clear your page cache. The chat answers shopper questions from your product pages and store policies, captures leads, and hands order-specific requests to your team in the shared inbox. ## Answer the pre-purchase question that stalls a cart A shopper on a product page asks whether the jacket runs small and how returns work. The assistant answers from the product descriptions and policy pages in its knowledge and points to your size chart. When someone asks to change an order or get a refund, it collects the order number and passes the request to your team, because the plugin doesn’t give it access to WooCommerce orders. ## Where the code goes in WooCommerce - Location: WordPress plugin: InsertChat settings in your dashboard sidebar - Requirements: The InsertChat plugin needs WordPress 4.7 or later and PHP 7.0 or later. To paste the code instead on WordPress.com, you need the Personal, Premium, Business, or Commerce plan. - Source: [InsertChat on WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org/plugins/insertchat/), [WordPress.com: Add code to headers](https://wordpress.com/support/adding-code-to-headers/), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your WooCommerce account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Install the plugin.** Install and activate the InsertChat plugin from the WordPress.org plugin directory on the WordPress site that runs your store. 2. **Enter your assistant’s ID.** Open InsertChat in your dashboard sidebar, paste your assistant’s ID (the ICG_BOT_ID value in its install code), and save. Then clear any page cache. 3. **Verify and test.** Run Verify on your website in InsertChat with the published URL of a product page, then open the chat and ask the questions your customers ask most. ## How businesses use WooCommerce with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Answer fit, materials, and care questions.** A shopper asks whether a linen shirt shrinks. The assistant answers from the care guide and product description you added and links the return policy if they’re unsure. [E-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce) - **Help pet owners pick the right product.** An owner asks which harness size fits a 30-pound dog. The assistant answers from your sizing guide and product pages, and sends health questions about the pet to your staff. [Pet grooming & pet stores](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming) - **Handle rental questions before checkout.** A customer asks whether chairs can be delivered the day before an event. The assistant answers from your delivery policy and collects the date and address when your team needs to confirm. [Party & event rentals](https://insertchat.com/industries/party-rentals) ## Can the chatbot look up WooCommerce orders? No. The plugin adds the chat to your store pages; it doesn’t connect to WooCommerce orders, inventory, or customer accounts. The assistant collects the order number and request, and your team handles it from the shared inbox. ## How does the chatbot learn my products? Add your store to its knowledge by website crawl or sitemap, and upload documents such as size charts, care guides, and shipping tables. Keep those sources current so answers match your catalog and prices. ## Does it work with my theme and caching plugin? The plugin loads the chat in your site’s footer through the standard WordPress footer hook. After you save its settings, clear caching plugins such as WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache so visitors get the updated pages. ## Do I need the plugin, or can I paste the code? Either works. The plugin is the shortest path. You can also paste your assistant’s install code into the footer with a header and footer code tool; WordPress.com sites need a plan that supports custom code. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI chatbot for WordPress](https://insertchat.com/integration/wordpress) - [AI customer support for e-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio) - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase) --- # Framer AI Chatbot: Add It With Custom Code Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/framer > Install the AI chat widget on Framer with Custom Code. To add an AI chatbot to Framer, open Project Settings → Custom Code, click Add Script, paste your InsertChat install code, place it at the end of the body, and publish. Framer doesn’t load custom code in the canvas preview, so test on the live site. The chat answers from your content and books calls. ## Book demos from a Framer landing page A founder on your Framer landing page asks how onboarding works and whether you connect to their CRM. The assistant answers from your pages and documents, asks who they are, and books a call in your calendar. The lead and transcript go to the shared inbox, and a HubSpot contact or Zoho CRM lead is created too if you connect one. ## Where the code goes in Framer - Location: Project Settings → Custom Code → Add Script, end of body - Requirements: Framer’s help article lists no plan requirement for custom code; connecting your own domain needs a paid Framer plan. Framer doesn’t load custom code in the canvas preview. - Source: [Framer: How to add custom code](https://www.framer.com/help/articles/how-to-add-custom-code/), [Framer Academy: Custom code](https://www.framer.com/academy/lessons/custom-code), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your Framer account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Copy your install code.** Open your assistant’s website install settings in InsertChat, choose HTML or custom website as your website platform, and copy the installation code. 2. **Add a script in Framer.** Open Project Settings → Custom Code and click Add Script. Name it InsertChat, paste the code, and place it at the end of the body tag. 3. **Publish and test.** Publish, open the live site, and ask the chat a few questions. Then run Verify on your website in InsertChat with the published URL. ## How businesses use Framer with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Ship a chat assistant with every client site.** Studios that build on Framer can hand over a site with its own trained assistant, branded for the client and managed from your InsertChat workspace. [Agencies & teams](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies) - **Answer service questions during tax season.** A visitor asks whether you file for small businesses and what documents to bring. The assistant answers from your services and checklist pages and books a first meeting. [Accounting](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting) - **Turn portfolio views into discovery calls.** A visitor admiring a project asks whether you work remotely. The assistant explains your process, collects the project details, and books a discovery call in your calendar. [Interior design](https://insertchat.com/industries/interior-design) ## Which Framer plan do I need for the chatbot? Framer’s help article on custom code doesn’t list a plan requirement. Framer’s pricing page says connecting a custom domain needs a paid plan, so check your plan before you go live on your own domain. ## Why can’t I see the chat in the Framer canvas? Framer doesn’t load custom code in the canvas preview. Publish the site, open the live page in a browser, and check that the chat launcher appears. ## Can I show the chat on only some Framer pages? Yes. When you add the script in Project Settings → Custom Code, select the pages it should run on. Leave every page selected if you want visitors to reach the chat anywhere on the site. ## Will the chat match my Framer design? Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, and tone in InsertChat, then adjust the launcher’s button color and its bottom and side clearance so it doesn’t cover your own buttons. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Related guides and comparisons - [How to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio) - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase) --- # BigCommerce AI Chatbot: Script Manager Setup Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/bigcommerce > Install the AI chat widget on BigCommerce with Script Manager. To add an AI chatbot to BigCommerce, go to Storefront › Script Manager, create a script with Footer placement and the Storefront pages location, paste your InsertChat install code, and save. Script Manager works with Stencil themes. The chat answers shoppers from your product and policy content and collects bulk inquiries. ## Catch the bulk-order inquiry on a product page A buyer asks whether you sell 200 units at a time and how long delivery takes to Ohio. The assistant answers from your shipping policy and published terms, collects the company, quantity, and timeline, and creates a contact for your sales team, plus a HubSpot or Zoho CRM record if you connect one. Pricing decisions and order changes stay with your staff. ## Where the code goes in BigCommerce - Location: Storefront › Script Manager → Create a Script, Footer placement - Requirements: Script Manager is available to stores using Stencil themes; Multi-Storefront stores find it in Channel Manager. Scripts on payment pages need an integrity hash, so place the chat on Storefront pages. - Source: [BigCommerce: Using Script Manager](https://support.bigcommerce.com/s/article/Using-Script-Manager?language=en_US), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your BigCommerce account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Copy your install code.** Open your assistant’s website install settings in InsertChat, choose HTML or custom website as your website platform, and copy the installation code. 2. **Create a script in Script Manager.** Go to Storefront › Script Manager and create a script. Set placement to Footer and location to Storefront pages, choose a script category, paste the code, and save. 3. **Verify and test.** Run Verify on your website in InsertChat with the published URL of a product page, then open the chat and ask the questions your customers ask most. ## How businesses use BigCommerce with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Answer spec and compatibility questions.** A shopper asks whether a replacement filter fits their model. The assistant answers from the compatibility tables and manuals you upload and sends anything it can’t confirm to your team. [E-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce) - **Capture wholesale and trade inquiries.** Buyers asking about volume or trade accounts get answers from your published terms, and the assistant collects the company, quantity, and timeline for your sales rep. - **Answer in your shopper’s language.** The assistant follows the language the shopper writes in, across 58 business languages, so a question in Spanish gets a Spanish answer from your product content. ## Do I need a Stencil theme to add the chatbot? For Script Manager, yes. BigCommerce says Script Manager is available to stores using Stencil themes. If you use Multi-Storefront, you’ll find it under Channel Manager for each storefront. ## Should the chat run on BigCommerce checkout? Choose Storefront pages, which covers every page except checkout and order confirmation. BigCommerce requires an integrity hash for scripts that run on payment pages. ## Will my cookie consent banner block the chat? It can. BigCommerce’s cookie consent banner uses the script category you choose in Script Manager. Pick the category that matches your privacy policy, then test with consent accepted and declined. ## Can the assistant check order status in BigCommerce? No. The install adds chat to your storefront; it doesn’t connect to BigCommerce orders or customers. The assistant collects the order number and hands the request to your team in the shared inbox. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI customer support for e-commerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio) - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase) --- # Ghost AI Chatbot: Add It With Code Injection Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/ghost > Install the AI chat widget on Ghost with Code Injection. To add an AI chatbot to Ghost, open Settings → Code injection in Ghost admin, paste your InsertChat install code into Site Footer, and save. Ghost recommends the footer for JavaScript. The chat answers readers from your posts and pages, and collects sponsorship and partnership inquiries for you. ## Answer reader questions from your archive A reader asks whether you’ve covered a topic and what a paid membership includes. The assistant answers from the posts, pages, and membership FAQs you added to its knowledge. A brand asking about sponsorship gets the rates and audience details you publish, and its contact details land in your inbox. ## Where the code goes in Ghost - Location: Settings → Code injection → Site Footer - Requirements: Ghost’s guides list no plan requirement for code injection. Site Footer code is added to every page, and Ghost recommends the footer for JavaScript. - Source: [Ghost: How to use code injection](https://ghost.org/tutorials/use-code-injection-in-ghost/), [Ghost: Adding styles with code injection](https://ghost.org/help/code-injection-styles/), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your Ghost account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Copy your install code.** Open your assistant’s website install settings in InsertChat, choose HTML or custom website as your website platform, and copy the installation code. 2. **Add it to Site Footer.** In Ghost admin, open Settings → Code injection, paste the code into Site Footer, and save. 3. **Verify and test.** Run Verify on your website in InsertChat with the published URL of a post, then open the chat and ask the questions your customers ask most. ## How businesses use Ghost with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Answer membership and newsletter questions.** Readers ask what paid members get, how often you publish, or how to change their email. The assistant answers from your membership pages and sends account changes to you. - **Turn readers into advisory clients.** A reader of your industry analysis asks whether you take advisory work. The assistant explains your services from your pages, collects the company and need, and books an intro call. [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services) - **Collect sponsorship inquiries.** Brands asking about sponsorships get your published rates and audience details, and the assistant collects budget, dates, and contact details for you to follow up. ## Can the chatbot manage Ghost memberships? No. The install adds chat to your site; it doesn’t connect to your Ghost members or newsletters. The assistant answers from the membership information you publish and passes account requests to you. ## Where exactly does the code go in Ghost? In the Site Footer field of Code injection, which Ghost adds to every page of your site. Ghost recommends the footer for JavaScript so it loads properly. You can also add code to a single post or page from its settings. ## Will the chat slow my pages down? The install code loads the chat script asynchronously, so your posts render without waiting for it. The chat launcher stays closed until a reader opens it. ## Related features - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) ## Related guides and comparisons - [How to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio) - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase) --- # Duda AI Chatbot for Agencies and Client Sites Source: https://insertchat.com/integration/duda > Install the AI chat widget on Duda client sites with Body End HTML. To add an AI chatbot to a Duda site, open Settings → Header HTML, paste your InsertChat install code into Body End HTML, and save. Duda offers custom code on its Team plan and higher. Each client site can get its own branded assistant that answers website chat and phone calls from one workspace. ## One assistant per client, managed from one workspace You build a roofing company’s site on Duda. In InsertChat you create the roofer’s assistant with its services, service area, and storm-damage FAQs, its logo and colors, and its booking calendar, then paste its install code into Body End HTML. The roofer’s chats and calls land in a shared inbox that your team or the client can work from. ## Where the code goes in Duda - Location: Settings → Header HTML → Body End HTML - Requirements: Duda offers custom code on its Team plan and higher. Duda recommends body-end placement for scripts, which also works with consent management apps. - Source: [Duda: Custom code](https://support.duda.co/hc/en-us/articles/26519250445079-Custom-Code), checked 2026-10-13 A website install adds the chat to your pages without signing in to your Duda account or reading its data. ## Setup 1. **Copy your install code.** Open your assistant’s website install settings in InsertChat, choose HTML or custom website as your website platform, and copy the installation code. 2. **Paste it into Body End HTML.** In the Duda editor, open More → Settings → Header HTML, paste the code into Body End HTML, save, and publish the site. 3. **Verify and test.** Run Verify on your website in InsertChat with the published URL of the client’s site, then open the chat and ask the questions your customers ask most. ## How businesses use Duda with InsertChat Illustrative examples, not customer results. - **Add an AI front desk to client retainers.** Give each client a branded assistant with its own knowledge, install code, and phone number, and manage every client conversation from your agency workspace. [Agencies & teams](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies) - **Capture storm-season leads for roofers.** Homeowners asking about leaks after hours get answers from the roofer’s services and service area, and the assistant books an inspection or flags emergencies for the crew. [Roofing](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing) - **Book tune-ups from an HVAC client’s site.** A visitor asks whether the company services their furnace brand and when someone can come out. The assistant answers from the service list and books a visit in the connected calendar. [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac) ## Which Duda plan do I need to add the chatbot? Duda’s support center says custom code is available on Team plans and higher. On those plans you can add site-wide code in Header HTML or code for a single page. ## Can each Duda client have its own assistant? Yes. Each client gets its own assistant with its own knowledge, branding, and install code. Pro includes 3 assistants, Growth 20, Scale 50, and Enterprise 100. ## Why use Body End HTML instead of Head HTML? Duda suggests body-end placement so scripts don’t delay the main content, and notes that consent management apps can’t hold back code placed in the head. The install code also loads the chat script asynchronously. ## Can the client’s phone calls go to the same assistant? Yes. Add a phone number to the client’s assistant and it answers calls from the same knowledge. Each paid plan includes one phone number; additional numbers cost $10 per month each. ## Related features - [White label](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Related guides and comparisons - [AI chatbots for agencies](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies) - [AI receptionist for small business](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-for-small-business) - [Pricing and plan limits](https://insertchat.com/pricing) --- # Call Forwarding Codes and Steps by Provider Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding > Forward your business number to InsertChat’s AI receptionist. Sourced steps and dial codes for 23 US and Canadian carriers and phone systems, plus iPhone. To forward calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist, keep your business number and tell your phone provider to send calls to the private routing number InsertChat creates: dial a code such as *72 or *21*, or change a portal setting. InsertChat then places a verification call. It works for US and Canadian numbers. ## How forwarding to InsertChat works 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Call forwarding codes by provider XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. | Provider | Forward all calls | Unanswered or busy | Turn off | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | AT&T Business | `*72XXXXXXXXXX#` | `*92XXXXXXXXXX#`, `*90XXXXXXXXXX#` | `*73#`, `*93#`, `*91#` | | Verizon Wireless | `*72XXXXXXXXXX` | `*71XXXXXXXXXX` | `*73` | | Spectrum Mobile | `*72XXXXXXXXXX` | `*71XXXXXXXXXX` | `*73` | | Spectrum Voice home phone | `*72`, then the number | Not listed | `*73` | | Visible | `*72XXXXXXXXXX` | Not listed | `*73` | | Mint Mobile | `**21*1XXXXXXXXXX#` | `**61*1XXXXXXXXXX#`, `**67*1XXXXXXXXXX#`, `**62*1XXXXXXXXXX#` | `##21#`, `##61#`, `##67#`, `##62#` | | Comcast Business Voice | `*72`, then the number | `*92`, `*90`, then the number | `*73`, `*93`, `*91` | | Nextiva | `*72`, then the number | Not listed | `*73` | | Rogers Wireless | `*21*XXXXXXXXXX#` | `*67*XXXXXXXXXX#`, `*61*XXXXXXXXXX#` | `##21#`, `##67#`, `##61#` | | Bell Home phone | `*72`, then the number | Not listed | `*73` | | TELUS Home Phone | `72#`, then the number | Not listed | `73#` | | Fido | `*21*XXXXXXXXXX#` | `*61*XXXXXXXXXX#`, `*67*XXXXXXXXXX#`, `*62*XXXXXXXXXX#` | `##21#`, `##61#`, `##67#`, `##62#` | | Koodo | `*21*XXXXXXXXXX#` | `*61*XXXXXXXXXX#`, `*67*XXXXXXXXXX#`, `*62*XXXXXXXXXX#` | `#21#`, `#61#`, `#67#`, `#62#` | | Freedom Mobile | `*21*XXXXXXXXXX#` | `*61*XXXXXXXXXX#`, `*67*XXXXXXXXXX#`, `*62*XXXXXXXXXX#` | `#21#`, `#61#`, `#67#`, `#62#` | | Videotron Home Phone | `*72`, then the number | Not listed | `*73` | ## US carriers Mobile and landline carriers that forward with a dial code or a phone setting. - [AT&T call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att) - [Verizon call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon) - [T-Mobile call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile) - [Spectrum call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/spectrum) - [Visible call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/visible) - [Mint Mobile call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/mint-mobile) ## US business phone systems Cloud and VoIP phone systems that forward from an admin portal, an app, or a desk phone. - [RingCentral call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral) - [Comcast Business call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/comcast-business) - [Grasshopper call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/grasshopper) - [Quo (OpenPhone) call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/quo) - [Nextiva call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/nextiva) - [8x8 call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/8x8) - [Zoom Phone call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/zoom-phone) - [Vonage call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/vonage) - [Ooma Office call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ooma) ## Canadian carriers Mobile, home, and business lines in Canada, with the codes each carrier publishes. - [Rogers call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/rogers) - [Bell call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/bell) - [TELUS call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/telus) - [Fido call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/fido) - [Koodo call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/koodo) - [Freedom Mobile call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/freedom-mobile) - [Virgin Plus call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/virgin-plus) - [Videotron call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/videotron) ## Phone settings Forward from the phone itself when your carrier supports it. - [iPhone call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/iphone) ## Another provider Available for numbers in the United States and Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Ask your phone provider to forward all calls to your private routing number. 2. Keep caller ID passthrough enabled when offered. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Ask your provider to forward unanswered and busy calls to your private routing number. 2. Disable carrier voicemail or make its ring timeout longer than the forwarding timeout. ### Forward calls after hours 1. Create an after-hours routing rule that forwards to your private routing number. 2. Keep the existing daytime route unchanged. ### Turn forwarding off - Ask your provider to remove every forwarding rule targeting your private routing number. Source: [Another provider documentation](https://developers.telnyx.com/docs/voice/programmable-voice/quickstarts/), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## What are the most common call forwarding codes? In the US, *72 followed by the 10-digit number forwards every call on Verizon, Visible, Spectrum, and many business lines, and *73 turns it off. Rogers, Fido, Koodo, and Freedom Mobile use *21*, the number, and #; Mint Mobile uses **21*1 before the number. ## Can I forward Google Voice calls to InsertChat? Google says forwarding calls from a Google Voice number to an automated system is unsupported, and linked numbers need a verification code. Forward the carrier or business line your customers call instead, or answer with an InsertChat local number. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. ## Can I forward a number outside the US and Canada? Not at the moment. Keeping your number by forwarding works for US and Canadian numbers. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## How do I stop forwarding later? Remove every forwarding rule that points to your private routing number using your provider’s removal steps, then run the removal check in InsertChat. The routing line is released when the test call no longer forwards. --- # AT&T Call Forwarding to an AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att > Forward your AT&T Business line to InsertChat’s AI receptionist with *72, or forward only unanswered and busy calls with *92 and *90. Verify and undo it. AT&T Business landlines forward every call when you dial *72, the 10-digit number, and # from the business line, and *73# turns it off. To forward only the overflow, dial *92 for unanswered calls and *90 for busy calls. Use your InsertChat routing number, and the AI receptionist answers. ## AT&T Business Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the business line, call `*72XXXXXXXXXX#` and wait for confirmation. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. From the business line, call `*92XXXXXXXXXX#` for unanswered calls. 2. Then call `*90XXXXXXXXXX#` for busy calls. ### Turn forwarding off - Call `*73#` to disable all-call forwarding. - Call `*93#` and `*91#` to disable unanswered and busy forwarding. Source: [AT&T Business documentation](https://www.att.com/support/smallbusiness/article/smb-local-long-distance/KM1181691/), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Do these codes work on an AT&T wireless phone? These steps are for AT&T Business phone lines. AT&T wireless phones use their own forwarding settings, so choose Another provider during setup or check AT&T’s wireless instructions before you dial. ## Which AT&T forwarding option should I choose? Forward all calls if the AI receptionist should answer every call. Forward unanswered and busy calls if your team picks up first and the assistant takes the overflow; that needs both the *92 and *90 codes. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Verizon Call Forwarding to an AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon > Forward Verizon Wireless, Business Digital Voice, or One Talk calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist. Dial codes, portal steps, verification, and removal. Verizon Wireless forwards every call when you dial *72 and the 10-digit number, forwards unanswered calls with *71, and stops with *73. Business Digital Voice forwards from its user portal, and One Talk can also forward on an after-hours schedule. Pick your Verizon service and point it to your AI receptionist. ## Verizon Wireless Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Verizon phone, call `*72XXXXXXXXXX`. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. From the Verizon phone, call `*71XXXXXXXXXX` to forward unanswered calls. ### Turn forwarding off - Call `*73` from the Verizon phone to stop forwarding. Source: [Verizon Wireless documentation](https://www.verizon.com/support/call-forwarding-faqs/), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Verizon Business Digital Voice Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Open the Verizon Business Digital Voice user portal. 2. Choose Call Settings, then Call Forwarding Always, and enter your private routing number. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Open the Verizon Business Digital Voice user portal. 2. Enable both When busy and When no answer, using your private routing number. ### Turn forwarding off - Open Call Settings in the Verizon Business Digital Voice portal. - Disable every forwarding rule that points to your private routing number. Source: [Verizon Business Digital Voice documentation](https://businessdigitalvoice.verizon.com/call-forwarding-end-user/), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Verizon One Talk Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Open One Talk, then Manage features and Call Forwarding. 2. Enable Always and enter your private routing number. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Open One Talk, then Manage features and Call Forwarding. 2. Enable Busy and No Answer, using your private routing number. ### Forward calls after hours 1. Create or select the required after-hours schedule in One Talk. 2. Assign Group or Selective Call Forwarding to that schedule using your private routing number. ### Turn forwarding off - Open One Talk call-forwarding settings. - Disable the forwarding rule or schedule that points to your private routing number. Source: [Verizon One Talk documentation](https://www.verizon.com/support/one-talk-web-portal-admin-guide/), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Which Verizon service do I have? If the number is on a Verizon mobile phone, follow the Verizon Wireless steps. Office lines managed in the Business Digital Voice portal follow those steps, and One Talk users manage forwarding in One Talk. The setup screen asks you to confirm the provider you pay for. ## Can Verizon forward only after hours? One Talk can, with an after-hours schedule assigned to call forwarding. For the other Verizon services, forward unanswered calls, or forward all calls and set InsertChat’s routing to ring a team member’s mobile or direct line during business hours. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # T-Mobile Call Forwarding to an AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile > Forward T-Mobile calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist from your phone’s settings: always, or only when unanswered, busy, or unreachable. Verify and undo it. On T-Mobile, forwarding is set in the phone’s own call settings: open the Phone app settings, choose Call forwarding, and enter the number. Forward every call with Always forward, or set the unanswered, busy, and unreachable conditions so the AI receptionist catches only the calls you miss. ## T-Mobile Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Open the Phone app settings for the T-Mobile device. 2. Choose Call forwarding, then Always forward, and enter your private routing number. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Open the Phone app settings for the T-Mobile device. 2. Set the unanswered, busy, and unreachable forwarding destinations to your private routing number. ### Turn forwarding off - Open the device Call forwarding settings. - Turn off every forwarding condition that points to your private routing number. Source: [T-Mobile documentation](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/calling-services), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Where are the forwarding settings on my phone? Open the Phone app’s settings and look for Call forwarding; the exact menu names vary by device. Set each condition you want, such as unanswered, busy, and unreachable, to your private routing number. ## Will my voicemail still pick up? Forwarding unanswered calls sends them to the AI receptionist instead of voicemail. If voicemail keeps answering first, make sure the unanswered condition points to your routing number, then run verification again. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Spectrum Call Forwarding: *72, *71, and *73 Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/spectrum > Forward Spectrum Mobile or Spectrum Voice calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist: *72 for every call, *71 for busy and missed calls, and *73 to turn it off. Spectrum Mobile forwards every call when you dial *72 and the 10-digit number, forwards busy and missed calls with *71, and stops with *73. Spectrum Voice home phone lines forward every call with *72, the number, and #. Pick your Spectrum service and point it to your AI receptionist. ## Spectrum Mobile Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Spectrum Mobile phone, call `*72XXXXXXXXXX`. 2. Wait for the confirmation tone and message, then end the call. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. From the Spectrum Mobile phone, call `*71XXXXXXXXXX` to forward busy and missed calls. 2. Wait for the confirmation tone and message, then end the call. ### Turn forwarding off - Call `*73` from the Spectrum Mobile phone and wait for the confirmation tone. Source: [Spectrum Mobile documentation](https://www.spectrum.net/support/mobile/spectrum-mobile-call-forwarding), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Spectrum Voice home phone Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Spectrum Voice phone, dial `*72` and wait for the dial tone. 2. Enter `XXXXXXXXXX` followed by #. Add 1 before the area code if your line requires it. 3. Wait for the confirmation tone. ### Turn forwarding off - From the Spectrum Voice phone, dial `*73` and wait for the dial tone to confirm. Source: [Spectrum Voice home phone documentation](https://www.spectrum.net/support/home-phone/handset-calling-features-and-star-codes), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Can I turn on Spectrum Mobile forwarding without star codes? Yes. In your Spectrum account or the My Spectrum App, the account holder opens Mobile, picks the line, selects Call Forwarding, completes the one-time passcode, and chooses All Incoming Calls or Busy Line & Missed Calls. Enter the 10-digit routing number and save. ## Will Spectrum voicemail still answer missed calls? No. Spectrum says unanswered calls aren’t directed to the phone’s voicemail while call forwarding is on. With *71 pointed at your routing number, the AI receptionist answers those calls and captures the caller’s details for your team. ## Does Spectrum Business Voice use the same steps? These steps cover Spectrum Mobile and Spectrum Voice home phone. Spectrum Business Voice has its own user guide, so choose Another provider during setup and follow Spectrum’s business instructions to forward calls to your private routing number. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Visible Call Forwarding: *72 and *73 Codes Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/visible > Forward your Visible line to InsertChat’s AI receptionist by dialing *72 and the routing number, then turn it off with *73. What *71 does, and how to verify it. Visible forwards every call when you dial *72 followed by the phone number, and *73 turns forwarding off. Dial it from the Visible phone with your InsertChat routing number, and the AI receptionist answers every call to your Visible line while your phone stays quiet. ## Visible Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Visible phone, call `*72XXXXXXXXXX`. ### Turn forwarding off - Call `*73` from the Visible phone to stop forwarding. Source: [Visible documentation](https://www.visible.com/help/plan-features), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Can Visible forward only missed calls? Visible documents *71 for calls that arrive while you’re busy or on another line, not for calls you leave unanswered. InsertChat’s verification lets the test call ring unanswered, so use *72 and set InsertChat’s routing to ring a team member first if people should answer before the assistant. ## Is call forwarding included with Visible? Visible lists Call Forwarding as available to any active Visible member. While it’s on, your phone won’t ring; each call goes straight to the forwarding number, which is your AI receptionist. ## What do I enter after *72? Enter the 10 digits of the private routing number shown in your InsertChat phone settings right after *72, with no spaces, then press call. Customers keep dialing your Visible number; nobody sees the routing number. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Mint Mobile Call Forwarding Codes (**21*) Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/mint-mobile > Forward Mint Mobile calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist with **21*1, or only unanswered, busy, and out-of-service calls with **61*, **67*, and **62*. Mint Mobile forwards every call when you dial **21*1, the 10-digit number, and #, and ##21# turns it off. Separate codes forward only the calls you don’t answer (**61*), calls when you’re busy or unreachable (**67*), and calls when the phone is out of service (**62*). ## Mint Mobile Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Mint Mobile phone, call `**21*1XXXXXXXXXX#`. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Call `**61*1XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls you don’t answer. 2. Call `**67*1XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls when you’re busy or unreachable. 3. Call `**62*1XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls when the phone is out of service. ### Turn forwarding off - Call `##21#` to stop forwarding all calls. - Call `##61#`, `##67#`, and `##62#` to stop forwarding unanswered, busy, and out-of-service calls. Source: [Mint Mobile documentation](https://www.mintmobile.com/help/how-to-turn-on-off-call-forwarding/), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Why does the Mint code have a 1 before the number? Mint’s help page writes every forwarding code as **21*1, **61*1, **62*1, or **67*1 followed by the number you forward to. Enter the 10 digits of your private routing number right after the 1, then #. ## Which Mint code should I use for missed calls? Use **61*1 with the routing number and # for calls you don’t answer, and **67*1 for calls when you’re busy or unreachable. InsertChat’s unanswered-or-busy option lists all three conditional codes, including **62*1 for out-of-service calls. ## How do I stop Mint call forwarding? Dial ##21# to stop forwarding all calls, and ##61#, ##67#, and ##62# to clear the conditional rules. Then run the removal check in InsertChat so the routing line can be released. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # RingCentral Call Forwarding: Rules and Steps Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral > Send RingCentral calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist with call handling rules: forward all calls, overflow and missed calls, or after-hours calls. RingCentral forwards through Call handling and forwarding rules for US and Canadian numbers. Forward every call to your InsertChat routing number, send only missed and overflow calls, or forward after hours, and your team keeps answering in RingCentral whenever the rules ring them first. ## RingCentral Available for numbers in the United States and Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Open Call handling and forwarding, then forward all calls to your private routing number. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Add your private routing number as the missed-call or overflow destination in Call handling and forwarding. ### Forward calls after hours 1. Open after-hours call handling and set your private routing number as the forwarding destination. ### Turn forwarding off - Open RingCentral Call handling and forwarding. - Remove every rule that targets your private routing number. Source: [RingCentral documentation](https://support.ringcentral.com/content/dam/support/us/en/pdf/get-started/v2/MVP_User_Guide_Compendium.pdf), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Do I keep my RingCentral phones? Yes. You keep your RingCentral account and number; InsertChat only receives the calls your rules forward. Your team keeps answering on RingCentral whenever the rules send calls to them first. ## Should I forward after hours or forward missed calls? Forward after hours if the AI receptionist should cover only closed hours. Forward missed and overflow calls if it should also catch daytime calls your team cannot reach. You can combine both in RingCentral. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Comcast Business Call Forwarding: *72, *92, *90 Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/comcast-business > Forward Comcast Business Voice calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist: *72 for every call, *92 for unanswered calls, *90 for busy calls, and how to undo each. Comcast Business Voice forwards every call when you press *72 and dial the forwarding number, and *73 turns it off. Press *92 to forward unanswered calls and *90 for busy calls. Dial from the business line with your InsertChat routing number, and the AI receptionist picks up. ## Comcast Business Voice Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Lift the receiver on the business line and press `*72`. Wait for the stutter tone, then the normal dial tone. 2. Dial `XXXXXXXXXX` and stay on the line until the call is answered. 3. If it isn’t answered, hang up and press `*72` again within two minutes to activate forwarding. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Press `*92`, wait for the second dial tone, dial `XXXXXXXXXX`, and listen for the confirmation tone to forward unanswered calls. 2. Press `*90`, wait for the second dial tone, dial `XXXXXXXXXX`, and listen for the confirmation tone to forward busy calls. ### Turn forwarding off - Press `*73` to turn off Call Forwarding Always. - Press `*93` and `*91` to turn off no-answer and busy forwarding. Source: [Comcast Business Voice documentation](https://business.comcast.com/support/article/voice/phone-managing-call-forwarding-routing), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Why does Comcast ask me to stay on the line after *72? Comcast activates Call Forwarding Always once the destination answers. If the routing number doesn’t pick up, hang up, pick up again, and press *72 within two minutes; Comcast then turns forwarding on without an answer. ## Can I forward unanswered calls on a hunt group line? Comcast says not to activate Call Forwarding No Answer on a phone that’s part of a Hunt Group, and Call Forwarding Busy isn’t available with Hunt Group. Choose Forward all calls for that line, or check with Comcast first. ## Do these codes cover Business VoiceEdge? These star codes are for Comcast Business Voice and VoiceEdge Select. Comcast points Business VoiceEdge customers to separate call-forwarding instructions, so choose Another provider during setup if you use VoiceEdge. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Grasshopper Call Forwarding: Add a Number Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/grasshopper > Add InsertChat’s AI receptionist as a Grasshopper forwarding number for every call or only after hours. Which call handling option to pick, and how to undo it. Grasshopper forwards each extension to the phone numbers you add in the admin portal. Add your InsertChat routing number as a forwarding number, set it to connect as soon as the call is picked up, and schedule it for all hours or only the hours you’re closed. ## Grasshopper Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. In the Grasshopper admin portal, select Extensions, then Edit next to the extension that takes your calls. 2. Select Add a forwarding number and enter your private routing number. 3. Choose Calls will connect to you as soon as you pick up, so the call connects without an announcement. 4. Choose a schedule that covers all hours, then select Add this number. 5. Select Off next to the extension’s other forwarding numbers so only the routing number receives calls. ### Forward calls after hours 1. In the Grasshopper admin portal, select Extensions, then Edit next to the extension that takes your calls. 2. Select Add a forwarding number and enter your private routing number. 3. Choose Calls will connect to you as soon as you pick up, so the call connects without an announcement. 4. Under When do you want this number to receive calls?, select Custom Schedule with your closed hours, then select Add this number. ### Turn forwarding off - Open the extension in the Grasshopper admin portal. - Select Off next to the forwarding number that points to your private routing number. Source: [Grasshopper documentation](https://support.grasshopper.com/help/forward-incoming-calls-for-an-extension), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Which Grasshopper call handling option should I pick? Choose Calls will connect to you as soon as you pick up. The announced options play a prompt that asks the person answering to press 1 or 2, and your AI receptionist should start talking to the caller right away. ## Can Grasshopper forward only after hours? Yes. When you add the routing number, set When do you want this number to receive calls? to a custom schedule that matches your closed hours. Your team’s numbers keep ringing during business hours. ## How many forwarding numbers can a Grasshopper extension have? Grasshopper allows up to 15 forwarding numbers per extension, or 1 on True Solo accounts. On True Solo, the routing number replaces your current forwarding number. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Quo (OpenPhone) Call Forwarding Steps Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/quo > Forward Quo, formerly OpenPhone, calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist: Forward all calls, a fallback after Ring users, or an after-hours path in the call flow. Quo, formerly OpenPhone, forwards calls from its call flow builder. Choose Forward all calls to send every call to your InsertChat routing number, add a Forward call step after Ring users for missed calls, or put it on the after-hours path of a Business hours step. ## Quo (formerly OpenPhone) Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. In Quo, open Settings, then Phone numbers, select the number, and click Edit call flow. 2. Open the Default call flow dropdown, select Forward all calls, enter your private routing number, and click Create new call flow. 3. Click Enable this call flow and confirm the Live indicator appears. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Open the number’s call flow in the Quo call flow builder. 2. After the Ring users step, add a Forward call step to your private routing number as the fallback. 3. Publish the call flow. ### Forward calls after hours 1. Open the number’s call flow in the Quo call flow builder. 2. Add a Business hours step after Incoming call and keep Ring users on the during-hours path. 3. On the after-hours path, add a Forward call step to your private routing number. 4. Publish the call flow. ### Turn forwarding off - Select Default call flow from the call flow dropdown and click Enable this call flow. - Remove any Forward call step that targets your private routing number, then publish the call flow. Source: [Quo (formerly OpenPhone) documentation](https://support.quo.com/core-concepts/administration/call-flows/call-forwarding), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Does forwarding use more Quo minutes? Quo puts no limit on forwarded calls, but each forwarded call uses two call legs and counts double toward your Quo usage. Check your Quo plan before you forward every call. ## Will the AI receptionist see the caller’s number? Yes. Quo says forwarded calls keep the original caller’s number as caller ID, so the conversation in InsertChat shows the customer’s number instead of your Quo number. ## Can Quo forward missed calls before voicemail? Yes. Put a Forward call step after Ring users as the fallback. Quo notes the Forward call step is the last step before voicemail and forwards can’t be chained, so keep the routing number as the only forward on that path. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Nextiva Call Forwarding: *72 Setup and Removal Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/nextiva > Forward Nextiva calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist with *72 or the voice portal, then stop with *73. Which calls Nextiva forwards and how to verify it. Nextiva forwards every direct call when you dial *72, enter the forwarding number at the prompt, and press #. Dial *73 to stop. Use your InsertChat routing number as the forwarding number, and the AI receptionist answers calls made to that Nextiva user. ## Nextiva Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Nextiva phone, dial `*72`. 2. When prompted, enter `XXXXXXXXXX` and press #. 3. Wait for the message to finish playing. ### Turn forwarding off - From the Nextiva phone, dial `*73` and wait for the message to finish playing. Source: [Nextiva documentation](https://help.nextiva.com/article/call-forwarding-always), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Can I set Nextiva forwarding in the voice portal instead? Yes. An administrator opens Users, chooses Voice Settings for the user, selects Forwarding, expands Call forwarding (always), enters the number, clicks Save, and turns the toggle on. ## Does Nextiva forward call center or call group calls? No. Nextiva’s Call Forwarding Always forwards direct calls to the user only, not calls distributed by a call center or call group, and Call Forwarding Selective overrides it. ## Can Nextiva forward only unanswered calls? Nextiva documents Call Forward When Unanswered in the voice portal, which forwards after a set number of rings. InsertChat’s Nextiva steps cover all calls; for missed calls only, choose Another provider in setup and enter your routing number in that unanswered setting. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # 8x8 Call Forwarding Rules to an AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/8x8 > Point 8x8 call forwarding rules at InsertChat’s AI receptionist: forward all calls, unanswered and busy calls, or a recurring after-hours rule in Admin Console. 8x8 forwards calls through call forwarding rules in 8x8 Admin Console. Forward all calls, send unanswered and busy calls, or add a recurring after-hours rule. Each rule points to your InsertChat routing number, entered with its country code, and the AI receptionist answers whatever the rule sends. ## 8x8 Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. In 8x8 Admin Console, click Users, then Edit next to the extension. 2. Select Call forwarding rules and click Edit. 3. Under Forward all Calls, choose Selected User or Service and enter your private routing number, including the country code. 4. Click Save, then save the user profile. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. In 8x8 Admin Console, click Users, edit the extension, and open Call forwarding rules. 2. Under When User does not Answer the Call, set the ring time and choose Forward Directly To your private routing number. 3. Under When User is Busy, choose Forward Directly To your private routing number. 4. Click Save, then save the user profile. ### Forward calls after hours 1. In 8x8 Admin Console, open the extension’s Call forwarding rules and click Add New Rule. 2. Apply the rule to Anyone on a Recurring Schedule that covers your closed hours. 3. Under Forward the Calls to, choose Forward Directly To your private routing number. 4. Click Save, then save the user profile. ### Turn forwarding off - Open the extension’s Call forwarding rules in 8x8 Admin Console. - Change or delete every rule that targets your private routing number, then save the user profile. Source: [8x8 documentation](https://help.8x8.com/docs/set-up-call-forwarding-in-8x8-admin-console), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Do I need the country code for an 8x8 external number? Yes. 8x8 asks you to include the country code when you forward to an external number, so enter the routing number with +1 in front of its 10 digits. ## Who can create an 8x8 after-hours rule? 8x8 marks Add New Rule as admins only. End users can change their own forwarding settings, but an administrator creates the recurring schedule that forwards closed-hours calls to the routing number. ## Can 8x8 ring my team before the AI receptionist? Yes. Use the When User does not Answer the Call rule: set how many seconds the extension rings, then forward directly to the routing number so the AI receptionist answers only the calls your team misses. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Zoom Phone Call Forwarding to External Numbers Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/zoom-phone > Forward Zoom Phone calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist: add the routing number to call handling for all hours or closed hours and turn off the press-1 prompt. Zoom Phone forwards calls when you add an external number to call handling in the Zoom web portal. Add your InsertChat routing number to business hours to forward every call, or to closed hours only for after-hours coverage, and turn off the press-1 prompt. ## Zoom Phone Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. In the Zoom web portal, open Zoom Phone, then the Settings tab. 2. Set Business Hours to 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week. 3. Next to Call Handling, click Edit, click Add Phone Number, and add your private routing number with the correct country or region. 4. Clear Require to press 1 before connecting the call, and turn off your Zoom apps and devices so only the routing number rings. ### Forward calls after hours 1. In the Zoom web portal, open Zoom Phone, then the Settings tab. 2. In the Closed Hours section, click Edit next to Call Handling, click Add Phone Number, and add your private routing number. 3. Clear Require to press 1 before connecting the call, and turn off your Zoom apps and devices for closed hours. ### Turn forwarding off - Open Call Handling for business and closed hours in Zoom Phone settings. - Delete the external number that points to your private routing number and turn your Zoom apps back on. Source: [Zoom Phone documentation](https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0069180), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Why turn off Require to press 1? Zoom checks Require to press 1 before connecting the call by default. That prompt waits for a key press your AI receptionist won’t send, so clear it; Zoom lets you turn it off for calls that don’t come from call queues. ## What if Add Phone Number is locked? A lock icon means a Zoom Phone admin has restricted that setting. Ask your admin to unlock call handling for external numbers, then add the routing number. ## Can Zoom Phone forward during breaks and holidays? Yes. Zoom has separate call handling for break hours and holiday hours, and each one lets you add an external number. Add the routing number there too if the AI receptionist should cover those times. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Vonage Business Call Forwarding Setup Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/vonage > Forward a Vonage Business Communications extension to InsertChat’s AI receptionist from the Admin Portal or your online account, with caller ID passthrough. Vonage Business Communications forwards an extension’s calls from the Admin Portal: turn on Forward Calls, add an outside number, and save. Use your InsertChat routing number as that number, and every call to the extension goes to your AI receptionist. ## Vonage Business Communications Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. In the Vonage Admin Portal, click Phone System, then Extensions, and click the pencil icon for the extension. 2. Click Call Forwarding and turn on Forward Calls. 3. Select Send To Ext. or Number, click Add New Number, and enter your private routing number. 4. Choose Originating Caller ID so the caller’s number passes through, then click Save. ### Turn forwarding off - Open the extension’s Call Forwarding settings in the Vonage Admin Portal. - Turn off Forward Calls and click Save. Source: [Vonage Business Communications documentation](https://businesssupport.vonage.com/articles/answer/Call-Forwarding-24813), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Can a Vonage user turn on forwarding without the Admin Portal? Yes. In the Vonage online account, open Settings, then Call Forwarding, mark Forward All Calls, enter the routing number, choose a caller ID option, and click Save. ## Which caller ID should I choose? Choose Originating Caller ID. Vonage then passes the caller’s own number on the forwarded call, so each conversation in InsertChat shows who called. ## Can Vonage forward only after hours? Vonage recommends its Virtual Receptionist for after-hours forwarding. InsertChat’s Vonage steps forward all calls; for an after-hours rule, choose Another provider during setup and point Vonage’s after-hours routing to your routing number. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Ooma Office Call Forwarding: Portal and *74 Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ooma > Forward Ooma Office calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist from Call Handling in the End User Portal, keep the key-press prompt off, and use *74 to toggle it. Ooma Office forwards an extension from Call Handling in the End User Portal: select Forward it immediately, choose My Forwarding number, and enter the number. Use your InsertChat routing number, leave the key-press prompt off, and dial *74 from the desk phone to toggle forwarding. ## Ooma Office Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. In the Ooma Office End User Portal, open Settings, then Call Handling. 2. Select Forward it immediately, then select My Forwarding number. 3. Enter your private routing number as the forwarding number and leave Require key press on answer turned off. 4. Save the popup window, then save your settings. ### Turn forwarding off - From the Ooma Office desk phone, dial `*74` and follow the prompts to turn call forwarding off. Source: [Ooma Office documentation](https://www.ooma.com/small-business-phone-systems/how-to/how-to-turn-call-forwarding-on-and-off/), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Should I turn on Require key press on answer? No. That option asks whoever answers to press 1 first, which protects a cell phone’s voicemail but stops an AI receptionist from taking the call. Leave it off for the routing number. ## Can I set Ooma forwarding from the desk phone? Yes. Ooma documents dialing *72, waiting for the prompt, and entering the forwarding number followed by #. Dial *74 later and follow the prompts to toggle forwarding on or off. ## Can Ooma Office forward to any number? Ooma says calls can only be forwarded to numbers in the US and Canada. Your InsertChat routing number is a US or Canadian number, so it qualifies. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Rogers Call Forwarding to an AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/rogers > Forward Rogers Wireless or Rogers Business Phone calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist. Star codes for busy and no-reply calls, verification, and removal. Rogers Wireless forwards every call when you dial *21*, the 10-digit number, and #, and ##21# cancels it. Separate codes forward busy calls (*67*) and calls with no reply (*61*) to your AI receptionist. Rogers Business Phone forwards all calls from its call-forwarding settings instead. ## Rogers Wireless Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Rogers phone, call `*21*XXXXXXXXXX#`. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Call `*67*XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward busy calls. 2. Call `*61*XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls with no reply. ### Turn forwarding off - Call `##21#` to cancel unconditional forwarding. - Call `##67#` and `##61#` to cancel busy and no-reply forwarding. Source: [Rogers Wireless documentation](https://www.rogers.com/support/mobility/use-call-forwarding), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Rogers Business Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Open Rogers Business Phone call-forwarding settings. 2. Set the forwarding destination to your private routing number and enable the rule. ### Turn forwarding off - Open Rogers Business Phone call-forwarding settings. - Disable the rule that points to your private routing number. Source: [Rogers Business documentation](https://www.rogers.com/cms/page-specific/other/RogersHamilton/pdf/RBP_User_Guide_%20IBLc_BOM%20LINK.pdf), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Can Rogers Business Phone forward only unanswered calls? The reviewed Rogers Business Phone steps forward all calls. To catch only unanswered calls, forward all calls to InsertChat and set its routing to ring a team member’s mobile or direct line first, so the assistant answers when nobody picks up. ## Does this work for Canadian numbers? Yes. Keeping your number by forwarding works for Canadian and US numbers, and Rogers is one of the providers listed in setup. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Bell Call Forwarding: Mobility, Home, Business Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/bell > Forward Bell Mobility, Bell Home phone, or Bell Business calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist: phone menu steps, *72 and *73, the voice portal, and costs. Bell forwards differently on each service. Bell Mobility phones forward from the Call Settings menu, Bell Home phone lines use *72 to forward and *73 to stop, and Bell Business lines forward all calls from the voice portal. Pick yours and point it to your InsertChat routing number. ## Bell Mobility Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. On the Bell Mobility phone, open the Call Settings menu and select Call Forwarding. 2. Choose forwarding for all voice calls and enter your private routing number when prompted. 3. Wait for the free text message that confirms the activation. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. On the Bell Mobility phone, open the Call Settings menu and select Call Forwarding. 2. Choose forwarding for calls you don’t answer and enter your private routing number when prompted. 3. Wait for the free text message that confirms the activation. ### Turn forwarding off - Open Call Settings, then Call Forwarding, and deactivate each forwarding type that points to your private routing number. - Select Deactivate All if you want calls to return to your voicemail. Source: [Bell Mobility documentation](https://support.bell.ca/mobility/rate_plans_features/how_to_use_call_forwarding_on_my_mobile_phone), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Bell Home phone Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Bell Home phone, dial `*72` and listen for three beeps followed by a dial tone. 2. Dial `1XXXXXXXXXX`. 3. If the call is answered, keep the line open for at least 5 seconds. If there’s no answer, wait 3 seconds, hang up, and repeat these steps once more. ### Turn forwarding off - From the Bell Home phone, dial `*73` and listen for two beeps. Source: [Bell Home phone documentation](https://support.bell.ca/home_phone/calling_features/how_to_use_call_forwarding_on_my_bell_home_phone), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Bell Business Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Open the Bell Business voice portal and select Call Forward: All calls. 2. Enter your private routing number, then save and enable the rule. ### Turn forwarding off - Open the Bell Business voice portal. - Disable Call Forward: All calls for your private routing number. Source: [Bell Business documentation](https://business.bell.ca/web/SUPPORT/resources/pdf/Voice/SIP_Trunking_end_user_portal_guide.pdf), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## What does Bell Mobility call forwarding cost? Bell lets you add Call Forwarding to a Bell Mobility plan for a monthly fee or use it pay-per-use at $0.25 a minute. Long distance charges apply if the number you forward to is long distance. ## Why do I dial 1 before the routing number on a Bell Home phone? Bell asks you to add a 1 to the 10-digit number when forwarding within North America. With a Home Hub 3000 modem, dial *72 and enter the number followed by # when prompted instead. ## Can Bell Business forward only unanswered calls? The reviewed Bell Business steps forward all calls. Forward all calls to InsertChat and set its routing to ring a team member’s mobile or direct line first; the AI receptionist then answers only when nobody picks up. ## What do I enter in the Bell portal? Enter the private routing number shown in your InsertChat phone settings as the forwarding destination, save, and enable the rule. Then run verification in InsertChat. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # TELUS Call Forwarding to an AI Receptionist Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/telus > Forward your TELUS home phone line to InsertChat’s AI receptionist by dialing 72#, verify that calls arrive, and dial 73# when you want to stop forwarding. TELUS home phone lines forward every call with 72#. Dial it from the line, enter the 10 digits of your InsertChat routing number when prompted, and the AI receptionist answers from then on. Dial 73# to stop. Other TELUS services use different settings, so choose Another provider for those. ## TELUS Home Phone Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the TELUS home phone, dial `72#` and follow the prompts. 2. Enter `XXXXXXXXXX` when asked for the forwarding number. ### Turn forwarding off - From the TELUS home phone, dial `73#` to stop forwarding. Source: [TELUS Home Phone documentation](https://www.telus.com/en/telephonie/options), reviewed 2026-08-06. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Can I use TELUS forwarding for a business? Yes, if your business number is a TELUS home phone line. Other TELUS services may use different settings; if yours is not listed, choose Another provider during setup and ask TELUS to forward calls to your private routing number. ## What should I enter when TELUS asks for the number? Enter the 10 digits of the private routing number shown in your InsertChat phone settings, then wait for the confirmation before hanging up. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Fido Call Forwarding Codes: *21*, *61*, *67* Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/fido > Forward Fido calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist with *21*, or only no-reply, busy, and out-of-reach calls with *61*, *67*, and *62*. Cancel codes and costs. Fido forwards every call when you dial *21*, the 10-digit number, and #, and ##21# cancels it. Conditional codes forward the calls you don’t answer (*61*), calls while you’re on another call (*67*), and calls when your phone is off or out of coverage (*62*). ## Fido Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Fido phone, call `*21*XXXXXXXXXX#`. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Call `*61*XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls you don’t answer. 2. Call `*67*XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls when you’re already on a call. 3. Call `*62*XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls when the phone is off or out of coverage. ### Turn forwarding off - Call `##21#` to cancel unconditional forwarding. - Call `##61#`, `##67#`, and `##62#` to cancel no-reply, busy, and out-of-reach forwarding. Source: [Fido documentation](https://www.fido.ca/support/mobility/call-forwarding), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Why don’t Fido’s conditional codes work on my line? Fido says conditional forwarding is only available when you don’t have Voice Messaging. If *61*, *67*, or *62* fails, forward all calls with *21*, or contact Fido about your Voice Messaging. ## Do forwarded Fido calls cost extra? Fido charges call forward minutes at a pay-per-use rate unless you have a Call Forwarding add-on, and they never come out of your plan minutes. Long distance charges apply outside your local calling area. ## Can Fido forward to my InsertChat routing number? Yes. Fido forwards to Canadian and American numbers with country code 1, and your InsertChat routing number is one of them. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Koodo Call Forwarding Codes and Costs Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/koodo > Forward Koodo calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist with *21*, or only unanswered, busy, and unreachable calls. The add-on, per-minute rate, and Prepaid limits. Koodo forwards every call when you dial *21*, the area code and number, and #, then press Send. Use *61* for unanswered calls, *67* for busy calls, and *62* for calls when the phone is off. Dial #21# to stop forwarding to your AI receptionist. ## Koodo Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Koodo phone, dial `*21*XXXXXXXXXX#` and press Send. 2. Wait for the message confirming that Call Forwarding is activated. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Dial `*61*XXXXXXXXXX#` and press Send to forward calls you don’t answer. 2. Dial `*67*XXXXXXXXXX#` and press Send to forward calls when the line is busy. 3. Dial `*62*XXXXXXXXXX#` and press Send to forward calls when the phone is off or out of coverage. ### Turn forwarding off - Dial `#21#` and press Send to stop forwarding all calls. - Dial `#61#`, `#67#`, and `#62#` to stop no-reply, busy, and unreachable forwarding. Source: [Koodo documentation](https://www.koodomobile.com/en/help/call-forwarding), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Do I need Koodo’s Call Forwarding add-on? Koodo offers Call Forwarding as a $5 monthly add-on. Without it, Koodo charges a pay-per-use rate of $0.60 per minute for forwarded calls, so compare the two with your call volume. ## Does call forwarding work on Koodo Prepaid? Only partly. Koodo says Prepaid accounts can use Call Forwarding unreachable but don’t have unconditional forwarding, so forwarding every call isn’t available on Prepaid. ## How do I add the Koodo add-on? In Self Serve, select Mobile services, then Manage add-ons, select Call Forwarding, and click Add to plan. Then dial the activation code from your Koodo phone. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Freedom Mobile Call Forwarding Codes Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/freedom-mobile > Forward Freedom Mobile calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist with *21*, or only no-reply, not-reachable, and busy calls with *61*, *62*, and *67*. Off codes. Freedom Mobile forwards every call when you dial *21*, the 10-digit destination number, and #, and #21# turns it off. Freedom also forwards only unanswered (*61*), unreachable (*62*), or busy (*67*) calls, so your AI receptionist can catch just the overflow. ## Freedom Mobile Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. From the Freedom Mobile phone, call `*21*XXXXXXXXXX#`. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. Call `*61*XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls you don’t answer. 2. Call `*67*XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls when the line is busy. 3. Call `*62*XXXXXXXXXX#` to forward calls when the phone is off or not reachable. ### Turn forwarding off - Call `#21#` to stop forwarding all calls. - Call `#61#`, `#67#`, and `#62#` to stop no-reply, busy, and not-reachable forwarding. Source: [Freedom Mobile documentation](https://www.freedommobile.ca/en-CA/support/manage-call-forwarding-service), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Can I use iPhone settings instead of the Freedom codes? Yes, to forward every call. Freedom notes that iPhone’s Call Forwarding setting is unconditional forwarding. Use the *61*, *62*, and *67* codes for unanswered, unreachable, and busy calls. ## What happens to my Freedom voicemail? Freedom voicemail works through call forwarding to +1 647-700-1778. While the routing number replaces it, the AI receptionist answers those calls; to go back, forward the busy, unanswered, and unreachable scenarios to that voicemail number again. ## Will the routing number work with Freedom? Freedom forwards to Canadian numbers. InsertChat orders the routing number for your business number’s country and area code, so a Freedom line forwards to a Canadian routing number. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Virgin Plus Call Forwarding: Turn It On and Off Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/virgin-plus > Forward Virgin Plus calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist from your phone’s Call Settings menu: all calls or only unanswered ones, and how to restore voicemail. Virgin Plus forwards calls from your phone’s Call Settings menu: select Call Forwarding, choose all calls or only the calls you don’t answer, and enter the destination number. Use your InsertChat routing number, and the AI receptionist answers those calls. ## Virgin Plus Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. On the Virgin Plus phone, open the Call Settings menu and select Call Forwarding. 2. Choose forwarding for all calls and enter your private routing number as the destination number. ### Forward unanswered or busy calls 1. On the Virgin Plus phone, open the Call Settings menu and select Call Forwarding. 2. Choose forwarding for calls you don’t answer and enter your private routing number as the destination number. ### Turn forwarding off - Open Call Settings, then Call Forwarding, and deactivate each forwarding type that points to your private routing number. - Select Deactivate All if you want calls to return to your voicemail. Source: [Virgin Plus documentation](https://www.virginplus.ca/en/support/faq.html?q=how-to-use-calling-features), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## What does Virgin Plus call forwarding cost? Virgin Plus says forwarded calls are charged like any other call, with long distance charges when the destination is outside your home area. Plans with long distance minutes use those minutes. ## How do I get my Virgin Plus voicemail back? Open Call Settings, then Call Forwarding, and select Deactivate All. Virgin Plus says that restores your voicemail, then run the removal check in InsertChat. ## Can Virgin Plus forward to the routing number? Yes. Virgin Plus forwards to any local or North American number, though not to international numbers. Your InsertChat routing number is a North American number. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # Videotron Call Forwarding: Mobile and Home Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/videotron > Forward Videotron mobile or home phone calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist: the phone’s Call Forwarding setting, *72 and *73 at home, and what it costs. Videotron mobile phones forward every call from the phone’s Call Forwarding setting, and Videotron home phone lines forward with *72 followed by the number. Dial *73 to stop on a home phone. Point either one to your InsertChat routing number. ## Videotron Mobile Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. On iPhone, open Settings, then Apps, then Phone, and select Call Forwarding. On Android, open the Phone app settings, then Supplementary services or Calls, and select Call Forwarding. 2. Turn on Call Forwarding (Always forward on Android) and enter your private routing number. ### Turn forwarding off - Open the same Call Forwarding setting and turn off Call Forwarding or Always forward. Source: [Videotron Mobile documentation](https://www.videotron.com/en/support/mobile/calls-and-messaging/call-forwarding), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Videotron Home Phone Available for numbers in the Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Pick up the Videotron home phone and dial `*72`. 2. Dial `XXXXXXXXXX`. 3. If the call is answered, stay on the line until you hear two beeps, then hang up. If no one answers, hang up, repeat both steps, and wait for two beeps. ### Turn forwarding off - Pick up the Videotron home phone and dial `*73`. Two beeps confirm that forwarding is off. Source: [Videotron Home Phone documentation](https://www.videotron.com/en/support/home-phone/calls-services/star-codes-add-ons), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## What does Videotron charge for forwarded mobile calls? Videotron doesn’t charge to set up Call Forwarding, but each forwarded call that is answered costs $0.75 a minute unless you add the Mobile Call Forwarding option to your plan. ## Why can’t I turn on forwarding on my Videotron mobile? Videotron requires a phone and SIM card that support VoLTE to enable or change Call Forwarding. If the setting won’t save, contact Videotron Technical Support. ## Does Videotron home phone forwarding need an add-on? Yes. Videotron’s home phone Call Forwarding requires a subscription to the Call Forwarding add-on before *72 works. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # How to Forward Calls on iPhone (Settings Steps) Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/iphone > Forward iPhone calls to InsertChat’s AI receptionist from Settings, Apps, Phone, Call Forwarding. When it works, and which carrier codes to use instead. To forward calls on iPhone, open Settings, tap Apps, then Phone, then Call Forwarding, turn it on, and enter the number under Forward To. Apple notes this works on GSM networks and forwards every call. For only missed or busy calls, use your carrier’s codes instead. ## iPhone Available for numbers in the United States and Canada. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number. ### Forward all calls 1. Go to the Settings app, tap Apps, then tap Phone. 2. Tap Call Forwarding, then turn on Call Forwarding. 3. If your iPhone has Dual SIM, choose the line for your business number. 4. Tap Forward To, enter your private routing number, then tap Back. ### Turn forwarding off - Go to Settings, tap Apps, then Phone, then Call Forwarding, and turn off Call Forwarding. Source: [iPhone documentation](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-call-forwarding-iph7405291c4/ios), reviewed 2026-10-13. ## Finish the setup in InsertChat 1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. ## Can iPhone forward only unanswered calls? Not from Settings. Apple says to contact your carrier for conditional forwarding when the line is busy or not in service. Use your carrier’s codes from these guides, such as **61* on Mint Mobile or *71 on Spectrum Mobile. ## Why don’t I see Call Forwarding in iPhone settings? Apple offers the setting when your service runs on a GSM network; on CDMA service, Apple says to contact your carrier. Carriers such as Verizon and Visible also forward with *72 dialed from the phone. ## Which provider do I choose in InsertChat setup? Choose the carrier you pay for phone service, not Apple. InsertChat shows that carrier’s steps and verifies forwarding with a test call. iPhone’s setting forwards every call, so pick Forward all calls. ## Does forwarding my number cost extra? The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them. ## What if my provider is not listed? Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. --- # AI Receptionist & Chatbot Alternatives (2026) | InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives > Compare InsertChat with Smith.ai, Goodcall, Dialzara, Rosie, Ruby, Chatbase, Tidio, Intercom Fin, and more: what each meters, its channels, and its entry price. InsertChat is the most complete alternative to AI receptionists such as Smith.ai, Goodcall, and Dialzara, answering services such as Ruby, and chatbots such as Chatbase and Tidio. One assistant answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, in one shared inbox, from $98 per month. Each comparison shows what the other product meters, with sources. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026; each comparison shows its own check date and links its sources. ## Which alternative fits your business? InsertChat is the most complete AI front desk for small businesses that want every customer channel answered and their team in control. Another product can fit better when you need people on the phone, live call transfers, or back-office tools. ### Choose InsertChat when - You want one assistant answering calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, with every conversation in one shared inbox. - Your team needs to step in: handoff to your own people comes on every plan, with the full conversation. - You want a flat monthly plan: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats. - You want to start today: new customers get a 7-day free trial, and US and Canadian businesses keep their number by forwarding it. ### Look at another product when - You want people, not AI, answering every call: Ruby’s receptionists answer calls and live chats. - You need callers transferred live during the call: Smith.ai, Rosie, Upfirst, Goodcall, and RingCentral list call transfers. - You want quotes, invoices, and job management in the same product: Sophiie lists all three. - Your support team already works in Intercom and wants AI inside it. ## Every alternative at a glance | Compared | What is metered | Channels | Entry price | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | 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)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai) | Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | [My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk) | Per-channel allowances: 200 voice minutes, 100 chatbot conversations, 400 SMS, and 500 email drafts a month; overage draws a 1,000-credit pool at 25 credits per minute and 4 per SMS (1 credit = $0.01) ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | Voice calls, a web voicebot, web chat, two-way SMS, email drafts, website forms, and outbound calls ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | $99 per month ($79 per month billed annually), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | [Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall) | Unique customers (100, 500, or 2,000 a month), then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ each; minutes are not metered ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | [Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie) | Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | [Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara) | Call minutes (60 to 1,000 a month), with overage from $0.48 down to $0.35 per minute; AI texts at $0.05 each ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | Phone calls, an AI SMS agent, and a website chatbot ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | $29 a month for 60 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | [Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst) | Calls (30 to 600 a month), with extra calls from $1.50 down to $0.70; spam and calls under 15 seconds are not billed ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | Phone calls, with texts sent during calls and call summaries by text or email ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | [RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral) | Minutes: after the included 100, $0.50 per minute, billed in 30-second increments ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Voice calls and texts ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | $39 per month as a RingEX add-on; $49 per month standalone; 14-day free trial on both ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | [Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie) | Not published ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) | Calls, 24/7 web chat, and an email responder ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/solutions)) | Not published ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) | | [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby) | Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | [Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase) | Message credits (700, 4,000, or 15,000 a month); an extra 1,000 cost $40 ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | Chat, email, and voice, with voice from Standard; WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger, and Instagram integrations ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | $40 a month (Hobby) with a 7-day trial; no free plan is listed ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | [Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio) | Billable human conversations (50 on Free, 100 on Starter, up to 2,000 on Growth) and Lyro AI conversations ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Free plan; Starter $24.17 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | [Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin) | Fin outcomes ($0.99 each) and seats ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Live chat, support email, and in-app chat included; SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | $29 per seat (billed annually) plus $0.99 per outcome; 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | | [AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect) | Receptionist minutes, rounded up and billed in 1-minute increments; the first 30 interactions under 30 seconds each billing cycle are free ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | Phone answering, plus live chat staffed by people on Growth and Standard; notifications by app, SMS, and email ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | $350 per month for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee; Growth is $395 for 300 minutes with no setup fee ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | [Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect) | Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | [PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive) | Minutes receptionists are live on your calls (after-call notes and wrap-up are not charged); extra minutes cost $2.99 down to $1.49 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | [Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa) | Receptionist work time: talk time plus after-call follow-up, email, scheduling, dispatching, and other time on your behalf; extra minutes bill at your base rate ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | Phone, with a local and toll-free number; live chat is a separate service ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | Not listed; plan buttons lead to a contact form ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | | [Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny) | Minutes or calls, by plan: extra minutes cost $2.28 down to $1.67, extra calls $2.49 down to $1.89 ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | Phone calls; call summaries arrive by email, text, or both ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/ai-receptionist)) | $69 per month for 25 calls; $165 per month for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | | [Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual) | Live receptionist time, billed by the second; extra time costs $1.75 per minute on Business and $2.50 on Premium ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq)) | Phone: live answering, voicemail, an auto receptionist, and online faxing ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists/details)) | $129 per month for 50 live answer minutes (Business 50) ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists)) | | [Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh) | Receptionist minutes; extra minutes cost $2.30 down to $1.90 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | [MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications) | Minutes; extra minutes cost $1.37 on Pay As You Go and $1.30 to $1.28 on other plans ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | Phone answering with a toll-free number and free message delivery ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | $49 per month with no minutes included, then $1.37 per minute ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | [Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi) | Minutes: $0.05 per minute Vapi hosting, plus transcriber, model, and voice at provider cost and carrier fees (Twilio inbound $0.008 per minute) ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | Voice agents over Vapi telephony and SIP, Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, WebSockets, and WebRTC ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | $0 to start with $5 in free credits; Vapi’s calculator estimates $82–$129 a month for 1,000 minutes ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | | [Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai) | Call minutes, tracked to the second: $0.055 voice infrastructure plus model, voice, and $0.015 telephony per minute; chat agents per AI message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Voice agents and chat agents, with SMS at $0.01 per message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | $0 to start with $10 in free credits; voice agents from $0.07 per minute ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | [Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai) | Talk time at $0.14 (Start) or $0.12 (Build) per minute and transfer time at $0.05 or $0.04; LLM, speech-to-text, and voices included; telephony separate ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Voice calls on Start and Build; SMS, web chat, and iMessage listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | $0.14 per minute with no platform fee; 2 credits and an inbound number to start, no card required ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | [Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow) | Self-serve credits: $0.05 per phone minute and $0.005 per chat message, plus LLM, speech-to-text, and text-to-speech usage ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/account-management/billing/credits-pricing-table)) | Voice and chat agents ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | Plan prices are not listed on the pricing page; agencies can start a free trial without a card ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | | [ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents) | Call minutes (15 to 12,375 included), then $0.08 per minute; text messages $0.003 each; LLM usage billed separately ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | Voice calls with telephony included, a website widget, and text messages ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | Free with 15 call minutes; Starter at $6 per month with 75 minutes ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | | [Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai) | Locations; the pricing page lists no call or minute allowance ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | Voice calls, with text links and confirmations ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | Core from $399 per location; the billing period is not stated ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | | [Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet) | Minutes: 150 included on the AI Receptionist, then $0.20 per minute ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | Inbound calls on your existing number; web chat and SMS are listed as a separate Messaging product ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | $49 per month for 150 minutes, with a 28-day money-back guarantee ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | | [Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai) | Units shared by voice and text: 1 unit per call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, longer calls in 3-minute increments, 0.5 units per 15 agent messages ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | Inbound voice, web chat, and social messaging on every plan; outbound voice on request ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | $0 to start with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; AI Receptionist $299 for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | | [Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona) | Calls: 100 credits per call; 10 calls a month included, then $1.00 down to $0.45 per extra call by credit tier ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) | 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | | [Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad) | Conversations, billable only when the AI retrieves information or takes an action ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | Inbound calls; Dialpad AI Agents also cover digital channels ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | Not published: the pricing page lists no price for AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | | [Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva) | Conversations: a call of 30 seconds or more, or a text or chat with 3 or more AI responses ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | Phone calls, text messages, web chat, and messaging apps ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions, with a 30-day money-back guarantee ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | | [Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai) | Minutes: 250 to 2,000 included, then $0.35 down to $0.25 per minute ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | Voice, with SMS and email notifications and reports ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | $49 per month for 250 minutes, with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | [CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail) | Voice Assist calls over 15 seconds, with $1 per call after 50 (55 in one footnote) ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) | Phone calls ([source](https://www.callrail.com/voice-assist)) | $95 per month plus Lead Tracking from $55, with a 14-day free trial and no credit card ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) | | [Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk) | Agents, plus AI automated resolutions: 5 per agent a month included on Support Team and Suite Team and 10 on Suite Professional, then $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Email on every plan; messaging, live chat, and telephony from Suite Team; social channels and WhatsApp with additional fees; text messages as an add-on ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | $19 per agent a month billed annually (Support Team); Suite Team, with messaging and telephony, $55 ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | | [Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp) | AI credits: $5, $25, or $75 included (about 90, 450, or 1,350 automated conversations); conversations are not capped ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | Chat widget and email; WhatsApp Business, Instagram, SMS, Line, and Viber in the omnichannel inbox from Essentials; Messenger, Telegram, X, and phone also listed ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | Free plan with 2 seats and no AI credits; Mini $45 a month with 4 seats ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | [LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat) | Users, plus AI resolutions: 10 a month on Essential and 200 on Growth; 50 more cost $49.50 ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email in one inbox on every plan ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | $19 per user a month billed annually (Essential), with 1 AI Agent and 10 AI resolutions ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | | [Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat) | Agents, plus Freddy AI Agent sessions: the first 500 included, then $49 per 100 ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | Web and mobile chat and email on every plan; Messenger, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, LINE, and Google Business Messages from Growth; voice through Freshcaller ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19 per agent a month billed annually, with Freddy AI Agent ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | | [Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress) | Conversations (100, 250, or 1,500 a month), with packs of 100 for $65 on Plus or $50 on Team; each conversation includes $0.10 of AI usage ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | Webchat and WhatsApp; Slack deployment; voice on Enterprise ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | Free for 100 conversations a month; Plus $150 a month billed annually ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | | [CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt) | Queries: 1,000 a month on Standard and 5,000 on Premium, shared across agents; documents and word storage are also capped ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | Slack deployment listed on every plan; other deployment channels are not itemized on the pricing page ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | $99 a month, or $89 billed annually (Standard), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | | [SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt) | Messages a month, which vary by model: up to 4,000 GPT-4.1-mini or 400 GPT-4.1 messages on Starter ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | Website embed; Messenger, Slack, Google Chat, Crisp, Freshdesk Messaging, and Zoho SalesIQ from Growth; WhatsApp as an add-on ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | $39 a month billed yearly, or $59 monthly (Starter), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | | [Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling) | AI credits: 200, 1,750, 6,000, or 35,000 a month, with use per message set by the AI model; 1,000 more cost $10 ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | Web on every plan; WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, and API on paid plans ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | Free plan with 200 AI credits; Starter $25 a month, or $21 billed annually ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | [Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias) | Tickets (50 to 5,000 a month) and AI Agent automated interactions: $1.00 on Starter, $0.90 on Basic and Pro, $0.85 on Advanced ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | Email, chat, social, and help center; voice and SMS as add-ons priced by volume ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | $10 a month for 50 tickets (Starter); with AI Agent, $40 a month including 30 automated interactions ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | ## AI receptionist alternatives - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. ## Human answering service alternatives - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): Human receptionists and live chat agents, priced by minutes and by chats. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. ## AI chatbot alternatives - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase): AI agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. ## AI voice agent platform alternatives - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. ## Not compared - Drift: Salesloft’s Drift page describes a transition from Drift to 1mind ([source](https://www.salesloft.com/platform/drift)). - Synthflow: its pricing page lists enterprise plans only, from $30,000 per year ([source](https://synthflow.ai/pricing)). - Lindy: it is priced per user as an AI teammate for email, Slack, and iMessage work, and its newer receptionist role is not compared here yet ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing)). - Numa: its pricing page lists no prices and describes a product built for franchise auto dealerships ([source](https://www.numa.com/pricing)). --- # Smith.ai Alternative (2026): InsertChat vs Smith.ai Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai > AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. InsertChat is the Smith.ai alternative for businesses that want one AI assistant answering every channel. Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist bills per call: free for 25 calls a month, then Pro from $150 for 75 calls ($2.00 each). InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox, from $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. Competitor details checked on October 13, 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. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Smith.ai InsertChat is the stronger pick when customers call, chat, email, and text you, and you want one assistant and one flat plan for all of it. Smith.ai makes sense when live receptionists taking transferred calls matter more to you than channel coverage. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by the same assistant, in one shared inbox. - You want a flat plan instead of $1.60 to $3.00 a call: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and written conversations. - You want your own team to step in from the inbox with the full conversation, on every plan. - You want 3 assistants answering from your website, documents, FAQs, audio and video files, and product information. ### Stay with Smith.ai if - You want live receptionists to take over transferred calls: Smith.ai routes them to its North America-based team, day or night. - You want to try AI answering on real calls for free: its Free plan covers 25 calls a month. - You prefer a per-call bill, and your calls run long enough that per-minute pricing would cost more. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## 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 priced by calls per month ([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: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([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)) | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([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)) | Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | 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 a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([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)) | Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Smith.ai in a day Keep Smith.ai answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Smith.ai setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good Smith.ai alternative? InsertChat. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge, keeps every conversation in one shared inbox, books appointments into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, and hands customers to your team when they need a person. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## Is InsertChat cheaper than Smith.ai? InsertChat’s paid entry plan costs less: Pro is $98 per month, against $150 for Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist Pro with 75 calls. Smith.ai’s Free plan covers 25 calls, then $3.00 per call. InsertChat calls use credits and round up to whole minutes, and connected services such as SMS can add charges, so compare with your own call volume. ## Does InsertChat include human receptionists like Smith.ai? No. InsertChat does not staff receptionists. InsertChat does not transfer a live call. To put people first, use the “AI when unanswered” setting: your phone rings for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI answers. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation needs-you, and emails your team. Smith.ai’s pricing page lists transfers to its live North America-based receptionists. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? Yes, in the US and Canada: keep your business number, forward calls to InsertChat, and confirm the setup with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Smith.ai compared with other vendors - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # My AI Front Desk Alternatives (2026) | InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk > AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. InsertChat is the My AI Front Desk alternative for businesses that want WhatsApp, a shared team inbox, and one credit allowance across channels. My AI Front Desk costs $99 a month ($79 billed annually) with separate caps: 200 voice minutes, 100 chats, 400 texts, and a 20-page knowledge base. InsertChat covers every channel from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [My AI Front Desk’s public pricing page](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk InsertChat is the stronger pick when you want WhatsApp, more room for your knowledge, and one allowance your whole team works from. My AI Front Desk makes sense when AI outbound calls, website forms, and its built-in CRM are why you bought it. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want WhatsApp in the same inbox as calls, website chat, SMS, and email. - You want one allowance of 5,000 monthly credits on Pro instead of a separate cap for each channel. - You want room for your knowledge: Pro holds 1,000 sources, against a 20-page knowledge base on Business-in-a-Box. - You want 3 AI assistants and 3 team seats on your entry plan, and your own AI keys on every plan. ### Stay with My AI Front Desk if - You want AI outbound calls and website forms in the same plan: Business-in-a-Box lists 20 outbound calls a day and 300 form submissions a month. - You want fixed allowances per channel, with overage rates published in credits. - You want the built-in CRM and sequence automations on its plan. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | My AI Front Desk | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Business-in-a-Box at $99 per month, or $79 per month billed annually, with per-channel allowances; Partner and Enterprise are custom ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Per-channel allowances: 200 voice minutes, 100 chatbot conversations, 400 SMS, and 500 email drafts a month; overage draws a 1,000-credit pool at 25 credits per minute and 4 per SMS (1 credit = $0.01) ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice calls, a web voicebot, web chat, two-way SMS, email drafts, website forms, and outbound calls ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Call transfer is one of its agent actions; Business-in-a-Box includes 2 of each ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | A 20-page knowledge base on Business-in-a-Box ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Booking and appointments; calendars connect through Zapier ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | $99 per month ($79 per month billed annually), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Business-in-a-Box allows 2 editor seats, 3 notification recipients, 20 outbound calls a day, and the last 200 logs ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from My AI Front Desk in a day Keep My AI Front Desk answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your My AI Front Desk setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good My AI Front Desk alternative? InsertChat, if you want WhatsApp and a team inbox with your AI receptionist. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from one allowance of 5,000 monthly AI credits on Pro, with 3 assistants, 3 team seats, and room for 1,000 knowledge sources. Pro is $98 per month, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does My AI Front Desk’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? My AI Front Desk’s Business-in-a-Box plan is $99 a month, or $79 billed annually, with 200 voice minutes, 100 chatbot conversations, 400 SMS, and 500 email drafts. Overage draws a 1,000-credit pool at 25 credits a minute and 4 per text. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 a month billed annually, with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## Does InsertChat make outbound calls or host web forms like My AI Front Desk? No. InsertChat answers inbound calls and messages; it does not place AI outbound calls or host website forms. It captures lead details during the conversation, saves them to the contact, and can send a callback confirmation by email or text afterward. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? Yes, in the US and Canada: keep your business number, forward calls to InsertChat, and confirm the setup with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Goodcall Alternative (2026): InsertChat vs Goodcall Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall > AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. InsertChat is the Goodcall alternative for businesses that need more than a phone agent. Goodcall answers calls and bills by unique customers: $79 a month for 100, then 79¢ each, and it never meters minutes. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox from $98 per month, so website and text leads get answered too. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Goodcall’s public pricing page](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Goodcall InsertChat is the stronger pick when customers reach you by website chat, email, text, or WhatsApp as well as by phone. Goodcall makes sense when the phone is your only channel and long or repeat calls would make per-minute billing expensive. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by the same assistant as your calls. - You want every conversation in one shared inbox, where your team picks up with the full history. - You want 3 assistants and 3 team seats on your entry plan; Goodcall Starter includes 1 team member. - You want appointments booked into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team approves. ### Stay with Goodcall if - The phone is your only channel and you want a dedicated AI phone agent. - Your calls run long or callers ring back often: Goodcall bills each caller once a month and never meters minutes. - You want calls transferred to the people you choose during the call. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Goodcall at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Goodcall | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Starter $79, Growth $129, or Scale $299 a month, priced by unique customers; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Unique customers (100, 500, or 2,000 a month), then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ each; minutes are not metered ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Transfers calls to the people you choose; transfers do not count toward limits ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Plans cap workers (5 to 20), external tools (1 to 15), team members (1 to 10), and call history (30 days to unlimited) ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Goodcall in a day Keep Goodcall answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Goodcall setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good Goodcall alternative? InsertChat, when your customers do more than call. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge, keeps them in one shared inbox, and hands conversations to your team. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How is Goodcall priced compared with InsertChat? Goodcall charges $79, $129, or $299 a month for 100, 500, or 2,000 unique customers, then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ per extra customer, and does not meter minutes. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, 3 assistants, and 3 team seats; calls use credits and round up to whole minutes. ## Does Goodcall answer website chat or text messages? Goodcall’s pricing page describes an AI phone agent and lists no chat, email, SMS, or WhatsApp channel. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, and every conversation reaches the same shared inbox as your calls. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? Yes, in the US and Canada: keep your business number, forward calls to InsertChat, and confirm the setup with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Goodcall compared with other vendors - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Rosie AI Alternative (2026): InsertChat vs Rosie Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie > AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. InsertChat is the Rosie alternative for businesses that want email, WhatsApp, and a shared team inbox alongside phone answering. Rosie sells AI answering by the minute, from $49 for 250 minutes, with a website chat widget; calendar booking and call transfers start on its $149 Scale plan. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Rosie InsertChat is the stronger pick when email, WhatsApp, and a team inbox matter as much as the phone. Rosie makes sense when calls are nearly all of your customer contact and you want live transfers and its mobile apps. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want email and WhatsApp in the same inbox as calls, website chat, and SMS. - You want 3 team seats working every conversation from one shared inbox, with assignments and internal notes. - You want answers from documents, audio and video files, and product information on your entry plan; Rosie lists document uploads on its $299 Growth plan. - You want appointments booked into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team approves. ### Stay with Rosie if - You want warm or live call transfers to your team: Rosie lists both from its $149 Scale plan. - Phone is your main channel and you want a $49 entry price for 250 minutes. - You want native iOS and Android apps, which Rosie lists on every plan. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Rosie at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Rosie | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Your Google profile and website, custom FAQ answers, and uploaded documents on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Rosie in a day Keep Rosie answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Rosie setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good Rosie alternative? InsertChat, if your customers also email, text, or message you on WhatsApp. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge in one shared inbox, books appointments, and hands conversations to your team. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does Rosie’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Rosie lists $49 for 250 minutes, $149 for 1,000, and $299 for 2,000; its pricing page does not list an overage rate. Website texting is a $50 add-on for 25 conversations, then $1 each. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and written conversations. ## Does InsertChat transfer live calls like Rosie? No. InsertChat does not transfer a live call. To put people first, use the “AI when unanswered” setting: your phone rings for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI answers. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation needs-you, and emails your team. Rosie lists warm and live transfers from its Scale plan. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? Yes, in the US and Canada: keep your business number, forward calls to InsertChat, and confirm the setup with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Rosie compared with other vendors - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Dialzara Alternatives (2026): InsertChat vs Dialzara Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara > AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. InsertChat is the Dialzara alternative for businesses that want email, WhatsApp, and a shared team inbox alongside their calls. Dialzara bills phone answering by the minute, from $29 for 60 minutes with overage up to $0.48 a minute, and adds SMS and a website chatbot. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialzara’s public pricing page](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Dialzara InsertChat is the stronger pick when email, WhatsApp, and team handoff belong in the same front desk as your calls. Dialzara makes sense when you get few calls and want a $29 entry price billed by the minute. ### Choose InsertChat if - You also want email and WhatsApp in the same inbox as calls, SMS, and website chat. - You want your team in the loop: Pro includes 3 seats and handoff in a shared inbox. - You want booking actions that wait for your team’s approval when you choose. - You want 3 AI assistants on your entry plan, for separate locations or services. ### Stay with Dialzara if - You get few calls and want a $29 entry price for 60 minutes. - You want published per-minute overage, from $0.48 down to $0.35. - You want AI outbound calling, which Dialzara sells from $750 a month. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Dialzara at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Dialzara | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Business Lite $29, Pro $99, Plus $199, or Elite $349 a month by included minutes ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | 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)) | Call minutes (60 to 1,000 a month), with overage from $0.48 down to $0.35 per minute; AI texts at $0.05 each ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls, an AI SMS agent, and a website chatbot ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Not verified | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | One knowledge base shared by voice, SMS, and the website chatbot ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Appointment booking with CRM and calendar integration, including in-chat booking ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | 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)) | $29 a month for 60 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | 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)) | With a voice plan, the chatbot is free for 100 sessions a month, then $0.15 each; SMS carrier fees pass through at $0.0083 per segment ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Dialzara in a day Keep Dialzara answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Dialzara setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good Dialzara alternative? InsertChat, if you want every channel and your team in one place. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge, keeps them in one shared inbox with 3 team seats on Pro, and books appointments. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does Dialzara’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Dialzara lists Business Lite at $29 for 60 minutes up to Business Elite at $349 for 1,000, with overage from $0.48 down to $0.35 a minute. Its AI SMS agent is $19 a month plus $0.05 per AI message, and its chatbot is free with a voice plan for 100 sessions, then $0.15 each. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## What knowledge sources can InsertChat use? Add website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information. Check each source’s processing status and test the answers before connecting customers. Dialzara’s pricing page describes one knowledge base shared by voice, SMS, and its website chatbot. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? Yes, in the US and Canada: keep your business number, forward calls to InsertChat, and confirm the setup with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Upfirst Alternative (2026): InsertChat vs Upfirst Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst > AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. InsertChat is the Upfirst alternative for businesses whose customers also reach out by website chat, email, SMS, or WhatsApp. Upfirst sells phone answering by the call, from $24.95 for 30 calls, with extra calls from $1.50 down to $0.70. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Upfirst’s public pricing page](https://upfirst.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Upfirst InsertChat is the stronger pick when you want every channel answered by one assistant and worked from one team inbox. Upfirst makes sense when you only need the phone covered, get few calls, and want warm transfers on its entry plan. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered in the same inbox as your calls. - You want several assistants without add-on fees: Pro includes 3, while Upfirst lists $9.95 a month for each extra agent. - You want your team to pick up any conversation with the full history in a shared inbox. - You want answers from your website, documents, FAQs, audio and video files, and product information. ### Stay with Upfirst if - You get few calls and want a $24.95 entry price for 30 calls. - You want live, warm call transfers, which Upfirst lists on every plan. - You need a BAA and can use Upfirst’s Custom plan, where it is offered. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Upfirst at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Upfirst | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Starter, Premium, Pro, and Scale plans by included calls; annual billing saves 20% ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | 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 (30 to 600 a month), with extra calls from $1.50 down to $0.70; spam and calls under 15 seconds are not billed ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls, with texts sent during calls and call summaries by text or email ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Live, warm call transfers to you or your team on every plan ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Trains from your website, then your edited questions and FAQ answers ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Books into Google, Outlook, Clio, Acuity, Calendly, Square, and more ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Each additional AI agent is $9.95 a month; a BAA is offered only on the Custom plan ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Upfirst in a day Keep Upfirst answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Upfirst setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good Upfirst alternative? InsertChat, if your customers write as well as call. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge in one shared inbox, with 3 assistants and 3 team seats on Pro. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does Upfirst’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Upfirst lists $24.95 for 30 calls up to $299 for 600, with extra calls from $1.50 down to $0.70; annual billing saves 20%. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits; calls use credits and round up to whole minutes, with a one-minute minimum. ## Can InsertChat sign a BAA? Yes, on Enterprise. InsertChat can sign a Business Associate Agreement on Enterprise plans for organizations that handle protected health information; on other plans, keep patient health information out of the assistant. Upfirst lists BAAs on its Custom plan. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? Yes, in the US and Canada: keep your business number, forward calls to InsertChat, and confirm the setup with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # RingCentral AI Receptionist Alternative 2026 | InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral > AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. InsertChat is the RingCentral AI Receptionist alternative for businesses that want website chat, email, and WhatsApp answered alongside calls. RingCentral lists $49 a month standalone, or $39 as a RingEX add-on, each with 100 minutes, then $0.50 a minute. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month, and you keep your RingCentral number. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [RingCentral AI Receptionist’s public pricing page](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist InsertChat is the stronger pick when you want one AI front desk for calls and every written channel on one monthly credit allowance. RingCentral makes sense when you already run RingEX and want the AI to route callers inside your phone system. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, and WhatsApp in the same inbox as calls and SMS. - You want one allowance of 5,000 monthly credits on Pro instead of 100 minutes and $0.50 a minute after. - You want 3 AI assistants and 3 team seats on your entry plan. - You want to keep your RingCentral number and forward calls to InsertChat with a call handling rule. ### Stay with RingCentral AI Receptionist if - You already use RingEX and want AI answering added to it for $39 a month. - You want callers routed by name, location, or keyword to people in your phone system. - You prefer per-minute billing in 30-second increments, with a 14-day free trial. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | RingCentral AI Receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | $49 per month standalone, or $39 per month as a RingEX add-on, each with 100 minutes included ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | 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)) | Minutes: after the included 100, $0.50 per minute, billed in 30-second increments ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice calls and texts ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Routes calls by name, location, or keyword, and passes complex requests to a team member with context ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Website, FAQs, or uploaded documents ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Schedules or reschedules appointments through a connected calendar ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | 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)) | $39 per month as a RingEX add-on; $49 per month standalone; 14-day free trial on both ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | 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)) | Usage past the included 100 minutes is billed at $0.50 per minute; extra minute bundles are sold separately ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from RingCentral AI Receptionist in a day Keep RingCentral AI Receptionist answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your RingCentral AI Receptionist setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good RingCentral AI Receptionist alternative? InsertChat, if you want more than calls answered. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge in one shared inbox and works with your existing RingCentral number through call forwarding. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does RingCentral AI Receptionist pricing compare with InsertChat’s? RingCentral lists $49 per month standalone, or $39 per month as a RingEX add-on, each with 100 minutes, then $0.50 per minute billed in 30-second increments. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 per month billed annually, with 5,000 monthly AI credits; calls round up to whole minutes. ## Can I use InsertChat with my RingCentral phone system? Yes. Keep your RingCentral number and add a call handling rule that forwards all calls, missed calls, or after-hours calls to the private routing number InsertChat gives you, then verify it with a test call. ## Can my team take over from the AI in InsertChat? Yes. Handoff rules route a conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure, or the request needs one. Your team continues with the full conversation in the shared inbox, on every plan. ## RingCentral AI Receptionist compared with other vendors - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Sophiie AI Alternative (2026): InsertChat vs Sophiie Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie > AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. InsertChat is the Sophiie alternative for businesses that want published prices, self-serve signup, and SMS and WhatsApp alongside calls, chat, and email. Sophiie is an AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses that quotes its prices on a demo call. InsertChat starts at $98 per month, with a 7-day free trial. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Sophiie’s published AI reference](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Sophiie InsertChat is the stronger pick when you want to see the price, sign up today, and answer every channel from one inbox. Sophiie makes sense when you want the same product to send quotes and invoices and run jobs in the field. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want published prices and self-serve signup: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want SMS and WhatsApp answered in the same inbox as calls, website chat, and email. - You want 3 AI assistants and 3 team seats on your entry plan, and your own AI keys on every plan. - You run an agency and want white-label branding, with custom domains from the Growth plan. ### Stay with Sophiie if - You run a trade business and want quotes, invoices, and job management from the same product. - You use ServiceM8, simPRO, Xero, or QuickBooks and want those connections. - You want callers transferred to the right person during the call. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Sophiie at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Sophiie | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Plan prices are not published; pricing is provided on a demo call ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) | | 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)) | Not published ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Calls, 24/7 web chat, and an email responder ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/solutions)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Call transfers, so callers reach the right person ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/solutions)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Checks calendars and confirms jobs on the call; connects to ServiceM8, simPRO, Google Calendar, and Outlook ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) | | 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)) | Not published ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) | | 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)) | Pricing requires booking a demo; no self-serve price list ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Sophiie in a day Keep Sophiie answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Sophiie setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good Sophiie alternative? InsertChat, if you want to know the price before a sales call. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge, captures job details, and books appointments into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does Sophiie’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Sophiie does not publish plan prices; its AI reference says pricing is provided on a demo call. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 per month billed annually, with 5,000 monthly AI credits. Calls use credits, and connected services can add charges. ## Does InsertChat create quotes and invoices like Sophiie? No. InsertChat answers calls and messages, captures the job details, and books appointments on supported calendars. Sophiie lists quoting, invoicing, and job management among its products, so keep those in your current tools if you choose InsertChat. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? Yes, in the US and Canada: keep your business number, forward calls to InsertChat, and confirm the setup with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Ruby Receptionist Alternative (2026): InsertChat vs Ruby Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby > Human receptionists and live chat agents, priced by minutes and by chats. InsertChat is the Ruby alternative for businesses that want an AI front desk answering first, at any hour, with their own team stepping in. Ruby’s human receptionists answer calls and chats, priced by minutes from $250 for 50 and by chats from $143 for 10. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Ruby’s public pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Ruby InsertChat is the stronger pick when you want every routine call and message answered at any hour from your own knowledge, with your team handling the rest. Ruby makes sense when you want trained people, not AI, speaking with every caller. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want an AI assistant answering routine questions from your business knowledge at any hour, with your team handling the rest. - You need email, SMS, and WhatsApp in the same inbox as calls and website chat. - You prefer a plan with 5,000 monthly AI credits on Pro to receptionist bundles that start at $250 for 50 minutes. ### Stay with Ruby if - You want people, not AI, answering your calls and website chats. - Your call volume fits a bundle of minutes, from 50 to 500 on Ruby’s listed plans. - You want a human service with optional AI enhancements, which Ruby lists at no extra cost. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Ruby at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Ruby | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Receptionist plans by included minutes, and separate live chat plans by included chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | 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 service: people answer calls and chats; optional AI enhancements are free ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Scheduling is listed among the receptionist plan features ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Listed receptionist plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes, and chat plans to $520 for 50 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Ruby in a day Keep Ruby answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Ruby setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## What is a good Ruby Receptionist alternative? InsertChat, if you want AI to answer first. Its AI receptionist answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge, and your team takes over in a shared inbox when a customer needs a person. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## Is InsertChat a human answering service like Ruby? No. Ruby is a human service: people answer calls and live chats. InsertChat is an AI front desk: an AI assistant answers from your knowledge, and your own team takes over in the shared inbox. Ruby lists optional AI enhancements at no extra cost. ## How does Ruby’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Ruby prices receptionist plans by minutes, from $250 for 50 to $1,725 for 500, and live chat by chats, from $143 for 10. 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. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? Yes, in the US and Canada: keep your business number, forward calls to InsertChat, and confirm the setup with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Ruby compared with other vendors - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase): AI agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Chatbase Alternatives (2026): InsertChat vs Chatbase Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase > AI agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. InsertChat is the Chatbase alternative for businesses that want an AI receptionist on their phone number and a shared inbox where the team takes over. Chatbase meters message credits, from $40 a month for 700 on Hobby, and adds voice from its $150 Standard plan. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Chatbase’s public pricing page](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Chatbase InsertChat is the stronger pick when the phone matters and your team works conversations together in one inbox. Chatbase makes sense when you mainly need a website AI agent with Slack, Messenger, or Instagram connections. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want phone answering on your entry plan: Pro includes one phone number at $98 per month, while Chatbase lists voice from its $150 Standard plan. - You want 3 AI assistants and 3 team seats on Pro, against one agent and 2 members on Chatbase Hobby. - You want your team to take over conversations in a shared inbox, with contacts and internal notes. - You want appointments booked into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with optional approval. ### Stay with Chatbase if - You want Slack, Messenger, or Instagram connections, which Chatbase lists among its integrations. - You prefer paying by message credits, with 1,000 extra for $40. - You want to choose among AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Chatbase at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Chatbase | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Hobby ($40), Standard ($150), and Pro ($500) a month, plus custom Enterprise; 20% off yearly ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | 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)) | Message credits (700, 4,000, or 15,000 a month); an extra 1,000 cost $40 ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Chat, email, and voice, with voice from Standard; WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger, and Instagram integrations ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Helpdesk from the $150 Standard plan ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Calendly integration ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | 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)) | $40 a month (Hobby) with a 7-day trial; no free plan is listed ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | 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)) | One AI agent per plan ($25 a month per extra agent); removing Chatbase branding is $99 a month ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Chatbase in a day Keep Chatbase live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Chatbase setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Chatbase widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## What is a good Chatbase alternative? InsertChat, if you want calls answered as well as chats. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge in one shared inbox, with 3 assistants and 3 seats on Pro. Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits and one phone number, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does Chatbase’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Chatbase lists Hobby at $40 a month for 700 message credits, Standard at $150 for 4,000, and Pro at $500 for 15,000; 1,000 extra credits cost $40, and branding removal is $99 a month. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, and every plan includes your logo and assistant styling. ## How do I set up InsertChat’s knowledge after using Chatbase? Add your website pages, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information as knowledge sources. Wait for processing to finish, test the answers in the app, then install the chat widget on your existing site. ## Does InsertChat answer phone calls? Yes. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls from your business knowledge, and calls reach the same shared inbox as website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. Each paid plan includes one phone number; calls use credits and round up to whole minutes. ## Chatbase compared with other vendors - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): Human receptionists and live chat agents, priced by minutes and by chats. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Tidio Alternatives (2026): InsertChat vs Tidio Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio > Customer chat with the Lyro AI agent, priced by human and Lyro conversations. InsertChat is the Tidio alternative for businesses that want AI answering phone calls as well as chat. Tidio meters human and Lyro AI conversations; Free and Starter include 50 one-off Lyro conversations, and more AI starts at $32.50 a month. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Tidio’s public pricing page](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Tidio InsertChat is the stronger pick when you want AI answering every call and message from a monthly credit allowance. Tidio makes sense when website live chat is the center of your support and you want Messenger and Instagram in the same tool. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want an AI receptionist answering calls in the same inbox as chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. - You want AI usage included every month: Pro includes 5,000 monthly AI credits, against 50 one-off Lyro conversations on Tidio Starter. - You want appointments booked into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with optional approval. ### Stay with Tidio if - You want a free plan for website live chat. - You want Messenger and Instagram alongside chat, email, and WhatsApp. - You want no-code Flows that react to visitor behavior, sold as an add-on from $24.17. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Tidio at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Tidio | | --- | --- | --- | | 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; Starter $24.17; Growth from $49.17; Plus from $300 plus usage; Premium custom ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Billable human conversations (50 on Free, 100 on Starter, up to 2,000 on Growth) and Lyro AI conversations ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Lyro AI Agent hands conversations to your team ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | FAQ upload, FAQ and website scrapers, and Zendesk article import ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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 plan; Starter $24.17 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Free and Starter include 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations; more need the Lyro add-on, from $32.50 a month for 50 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Tidio in a day Keep Tidio live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Tidio setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Tidio widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## What is a good Tidio alternative? InsertChat, if you want AI on the phone as well as the website. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge in one shared inbox, with 5,000 monthly AI credits on Pro for calls and written conversations. Pro is $98 per month, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does Tidio’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Tidio lists a free plan, Starter at $24.17, Growth from $49.17, Plus from $300 plus usage, and custom Premium pricing. It meters billable human conversations and Lyro AI conversations. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and written conversations. ## How many AI conversations do Tidio’s entry plans include? Tidio’s pricing page lists 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations on its Free and Starter plans; more need a Lyro quota, from $32.50 a month for 50. InsertChat Pro includes 5,000 monthly AI credits; how many conversations they cover depends on your model, conversation length, and tools. ## Does InsertChat answer phone calls? Yes. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls from your business knowledge, and calls reach the same shared inbox as website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. Each paid plan includes one phone number; calls use credits and round up to whole minutes. ## Tidio compared with other vendors - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin): AI agent priced at $0.99 per outcome, alongside Intercom’s per-seat plans. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Intercom Fin Alternatives (2026): InsertChat vs Fin Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin > AI agent priced at $0.99 per outcome, alongside Intercom’s per-seat plans. InsertChat is the Intercom Fin alternative for small teams that want one flat monthly plan covering calls and messaging. Intercom charges per seat ($29, $85, or $132 billed annually) plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, with SMS, WhatsApp, and phone as pay-as-you-go. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month, with 3 seats included. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Intercom Fin’s public pricing page](https://www.intercom.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Intercom Fin InsertChat is the stronger pick for small businesses that want phone, chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered on one flat plan. Intercom Fin makes sense when a support team already lives in Intercom and wants to pay for AI by outcome. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want a flat monthly plan with no per-outcome fee: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want an AI receptionist answering calls in the same inbox as chat and email. - You want appointments booked into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with optional approval. ### Stay with Intercom Fin if - Your support team already works in Intercom and wants AI inside it. - You prefer to pay for AI by outcome ($0.99 each) rather than by usage. - Chat and email are your main channels. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Intercom Fin at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Intercom Fin | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Per-seat plans at $29, $85, or $132 (billed annually), plus $0.99 per Fin outcome; a Fin-only plan has a monthly minimum ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Fin outcomes ($0.99 each) and seats ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Live chat, support email, and in-app chat included; SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Fin hands conversations to agents in your preferred inbox ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $29 per seat (billed annually) plus $0.99 per outcome; 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are paid add-ons; the Fin-only plan has a minimum monthly commitment, such as 50 outcomes ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Intercom Fin in a day Keep Intercom Fin live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Intercom Fin setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Intercom Fin widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## What is a good Intercom Fin alternative? InsertChat, for small businesses that want calls answered too. It answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge in one shared inbox, on one flat plan with no per-outcome fee. Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits, and new customers can try it free for 7 days. ## How does Intercom Fin’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Intercom lists seats at $29, $85, or $132 billed annually, plus $0.99 per Fin outcome; a Fin-only plan has a monthly minimum. SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits; connected services can add charges. ## Does InsertChat answer phone calls? Yes. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls from your business knowledge, and calls reach the same shared inbox as website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. Each paid plan includes one phone number; calls use credits and round up to whole minutes. ## Can my team take over from the AI in InsertChat? Yes. Handoff rules route a conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure, or the request needs one. Your team continues with the full conversation in the shared inbox, on every plan. ## Intercom Fin compared with other vendors - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio): Customer chat with the Lyro AI agent, priced by human and Lyro conversations. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # AnswerConnect Alternatives & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect > Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. InsertChat is an AnswerConnect alternative for businesses that want AI to answer every call and message from a flat plan. AnswerConnect staffs real people 24/7 and bills receptionist minutes in whole-minute increments, from $350 for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [AnswerConnect’s published US pricing guide (PDF)](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs AnswerConnect ### Choose InsertChat if - You want one flat plan for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You’d rather not pay $1.85 to $2.50 for every extra receptionist minute spent on routine questions. - You want answers drawn from your website pages, documents, and FAQs instead of a call script. - You want callers answered in their own language on every plan, without a Spanish answering add-on. ### Stay with AnswerConnect if - You want every caller to reach a person, day or night: AnswerConnect’s guide says it uses no AI agents. - Callers need live transfers, on-call routing, or complex call flows handled by a receptionist. - You want people on your website chat as well, which AnswerConnect includes on Growth and Standard. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs AnswerConnect at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | AnswerConnect | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Monthly plans by receptionist minutes: Entry $350 for 200, Growth $395 for 300, Standard $575 for 400, and larger plans up to 100,000 minutes ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | 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)) | Receptionist minutes, rounded up and billed in 1-minute increments; the first 30 interactions under 30 seconds each billing cycle are free ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone answering, plus live chat staffed by people on Growth and Standard; notifications by app, SMS, and email ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | 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 service: the guide says it uses no AI agents; receptionists transfer calls using your call flows ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Basic scripting on Entry; customizable scripting on Growth and Standard ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Appointments booked into your calendar with its free scheduling software ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | 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)) | $350 per month for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee; Growth is $395 for 300 minutes with no setup fee ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | 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)) | Extra minutes cost $2.50 on Entry and $1.85 on Growth and Standard; transcriptions, HIPAA compliance, Spanish answering, and live operator relay are add-ons from $30 to $40 a month ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from AnswerConnect in a day Keep AnswerConnect answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your AnswerConnect setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does AnswerConnect cost? AnswerConnect’s US pricing guide lists Entry at $350 a month for 200 minutes, Growth at $395 for 300, and Standard at $575 for 400, with a $49.99 setup fee on Entry and Standard. Extra minutes cost $2.50 on Entry and $1.85 above it, and every interaction rounds up to a whole minute. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Does AnswerConnect use AI receptionists? No. AnswerConnect’s pricing guide says its receptionists are real people and that it uses no AI agents. InsertChat takes the other approach: an AI assistant answers first from your business knowledge, and your own team takes over in the shared inbox when a customer needs a person. ## What add-ons does AnswerConnect charge for? Its US guide lists call transcriptions at $30 a month, HIPAA compliance at $40, live operator relay at $40, outbound follow-up from $20, phone menu routing from $30, and Spanish answering from $30. InsertChat saves a transcript and AI summary of each call to the shared inbox, and language settings are part of every plan. ## What happens when a caller needs a real person? Handoff rules route the conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure, or the request needs one. The assistant tells the caller your team will follow up, and your team continues in the shared inbox with the transcript and AI summary, on every plan. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Abby Connect Alternatives & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect > US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. InsertChat is an Abby Connect alternative for businesses that want AI on every channel under one monthly credit allowance. Abby sells Abby Minutes, from $165 for 50: a human-answered minute uses one, an AI-answered minute half. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month, and your team takes over in a shared inbox. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Abby Connect’s public pricing page](https://www.abby.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Abby Connect ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered from the same knowledge as your calls. - You want your own team, with three seats on Pro, to take over conversations in a shared inbox. - You want to start below Abby’s $165 Starter plan: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want bookings in the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team approves. ### Stay with Abby Connect if - You want trained US-based receptionists on the calls that need a personal touch, with AI on the rest. - You want to set the human and AI mix by call type and change it month to month. - You need HIPAA compliance options, which Abby offers on human answering. - You want English and Spanish answering from a receptionist team, at any hour. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Abby Connect at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Abby Connect | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Starter $165 (50 Abby Minutes), Essential $329 (100), Professional $599 (200), Growth $1,380 (500), and custom Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | US-based receptionists and an AI receptionist; each call goes to a person or the AI based on call type ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Overage is billed at the plan’s Abby Minute rate; HIPAA compliance options are for human answering only ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Abby Connect in a day Keep Abby Connect answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Abby Connect setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Abby Connect cost? Abby’s pricing page lists Starter at $165 a month for 50 Abby Minutes, Essential at $329 for 100, Professional at $599 for 200, and Growth at $1,380 for 500, with no setup fee. A minute of AI answering uses half an Abby Minute, and overage bills at the plan’s Abby Minute rate. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## How is Abby’s AI receptionist different from InsertChat? Abby routes each phone call to its receptionists or its AI based on call type, inside a receptionist service. InsertChat is an AI front desk: one assistant answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, and conversations that need a person go to your own team in the shared inbox. ## Can I keep my business number when I leave an answering service? Yes, in the US and Canada. Forward your existing number to InsertChat, then choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered, so place a test call before routing customers. ## Can I try InsertChat before I cancel my answering service? Yes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. Forward unanswered or after-hours calls to InsertChat while your answering service keeps the rest, then compare the conversations. ## Abby Connect compared with other vendors - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # PATLive Alternatives & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive > Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. InsertChat is a PATLive alternative for businesses that want AI to answer calls and messages on one plan. PATLive says it does not use AI: people answer 24/7, from $49 a month plus $2.99 per minute, or $349 for 200 minutes. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month, with your team taking over. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [PATLive’s public pricing page](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs PATLive ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat on the same plan as your calls, instead of a separate chat plan billed per chat. - You want email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered from your knowledge in the same inbox. - You want answers drawn from your website pages, documents, and FAQs rather than a script. - You want a fixed monthly price: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits shared across channels. ### Stay with PATLive if - You want every call answered by a person: PATLive says it does not use AI to answer calls. - You need calls screened and transferred to your team while the caller waits. - Your volume is low and uneven: pay-as-you-go is $49 a month plus $2.99 a minute. - You want people on live chat and outbound callbacks, sold as their own plans. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs PATLive at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | PATLive | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Live call answering plans from $49 pay-as-you-go to $6,899 for 5,000 minutes, with separate live chat and outbound call plans ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Minutes receptionists are live on your calls (after-call notes and wrap-up are not charged); extra minutes cost $2.99 down to $1.49 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | 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 only: PATLive does not use AI to answer calls; call screening and transfers on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Appointment scheduling on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Prices are plus taxes and fees; outbound calls run 8 am to 6 pm ET on weekdays; texting activation is a one-time $50 fee ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from PATLive in a day Keep PATLive answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your PATLive setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does PATLive cost? PATLive’s pricing page lists live call answering from $49 a month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute, $99 for 50 minutes, and $349 for 200 minutes, up to $6,899 for 5,000, plus taxes and fees. Live chat and outbound calls are separate plans. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Does PATLive offer an AI receptionist? No. PATLive’s pricing page says it does not use AI to answer calls and that real people staff its web chat. InsertChat answers with AI from your business knowledge, and your team takes over in the shared inbox when a customer needs a person. ## Can InsertChat transfer a caller to my phone like a receptionist? Not during the call: InsertChat does not transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first instead. With the “AI when unanswered” setting, calls ring your number for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI receptionist answers. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation needs-you, and emails your team. ## PATLive compared with other vendors - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Nexa Receptionist Alternatives & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa > Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. InsertChat is a Nexa alternative for businesses that want published prices and AI on every channel. Nexa’s live virtual receptionists answer 24/7 on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, but its pricing page lists no prices or setup fee amount. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Nexa’s public pricing page](https://www.nexa.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Nexa ### Choose InsertChat if - You want to see the price before talking to sales: Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 per month billed annually. - You want to pay for AI usage on calls and messages, not receptionist work time that also counts after-call follow-up. - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp on the same plan as phone answering. - You want to set up and test your front desk yourself: the 7-day trial includes 500 credits. ### Stay with Nexa if - You want live virtual receptionists answering around the clock, every day of the year. - You need client or patient intake and inbound or outbound sales calls, listed on Nexa 300 and 500. - You prefer a plan quoted by a sales team over self-serve signup. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Nexa at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Nexa | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Nexa 100, Nexa 300, and Nexa 500 plans by voice minutes; prices are not listed ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Receptionist work time: talk time plus after-call follow-up, email, scheduling, dispatching, and other time on your behalf; extra minutes bill at your base rate ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone, with a local and toll-free number; live chat is a separate service ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | | 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 service: live virtual receptionists answer 24 hours a day, every day ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Custom scripting on every plan ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Appointment scheduling on every plan ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Not listed; plan buttons lead to a contact form ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | A setup fee covers programming, onboarding, and training (amount not listed); CRM integration is listed on Nexa 500 only ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Nexa in a day Keep Nexa answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Nexa setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Nexa cost? Nexa’s pricing page names Nexa 100, Nexa 300, and Nexa 500 plans by voice minutes but lists no prices; its plan buttons lead to a contact form. Extra minutes bill at your base rate, and a setup fee covers programming, onboarding, and training. InsertChat publishes its prices: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## What counts as Nexa receptionist work time? Nexa’s pricing FAQ says work time includes live talk time plus after-call follow-up, email services, scheduling after the call, dispatching, and any other time spent on your behalf. InsertChat uses credits for AI usage instead; calls round up to whole minutes, with a one-minute minimum. ## Can I keep my business number when I leave an answering service? Yes, in the US and Canada. Forward your existing number to InsertChat, then choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered, so place a test call before routing customers. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Moneypenny US Alternatives & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny > People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. InsertChat is a Moneypenny alternative for businesses that want AI to answer calls and online messages on one plan. Moneypenny US offers people and AI answering, with minute plans from $165 for 50 minutes and call plans from $69 for 25 calls. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Moneypenny’s US pricing page](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Moneypenny ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered in the same inbox as calls. - You want 5,000 monthly AI credits across every channel on Pro, instead of per-call or per-minute overage. - You want to edit the assistant’s knowledge yourself, from website pages, documents, and FAQs. - You want three AI assistants and three team seats on your entry plan. ### Stay with Moneypenny if - You want receptionists and AI on one account, with AI calls escalating to people. - You need warm call transfers to your team during the call. - You prefer paying per call: plans run from $69 for 25 calls to $435 for 250. - You want bilingual answering from a receptionist team. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Moneypenny at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Moneypenny | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Minute plans from $165 for 50 to $985 for 500, and call plans from $69 for 25 to $435 for 250, with People Answering and AI Answering options ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Minutes or calls, by plan: extra minutes cost $2.28 down to $1.67, extra calls $2.49 down to $1.89 ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls; call summaries arrive by email, text, or both ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/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)) | Warm call transfer on every plan; call plans list human escalation ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Its AI receptionist works from a KnowledgeBase of your call-handling details ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/ai-receptionist)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Its AI receptionist books appointments directly into your calendar ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/ai-receptionist)) | | 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)) | $69 per month for 25 calls; $165 per month for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | | 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)) | No long-term contract; canceling takes 30 days’ notice, effective from your next billing date ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Moneypenny in a day Keep Moneypenny answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Moneypenny setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Moneypenny cost in the US? Moneypenny’s US pricing page lists minute plans from $165 for 50 minutes to $985 for 500, with extra minutes from $2.28 down to $1.67, and call plans from $69 for 25 calls to $435 for 250. Its AI Receptionist page says AI plans start from $99 per month. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## What happened to VoiceNation? When we checked on October 13, 2026, voicenation.com and its pricing page redirected to Moneypenny’s US website and pricing page, so Moneypenny’s US plans are the current reference for VoiceNation customers comparing options. InsertChat is an AI front desk for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 per month. ## Does Moneypenny’s AI hand calls to people? Moneypenny’s AI Receptionist page says calls can escalate to its receptionists or to your own team. InsertChat hands conversations to your own team: the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation needs-you, and emails your team, without transferring the live call. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Davinci Virtual Alternatives & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual > Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. InsertChat is a Davinci Virtual alternative for businesses that want AI answering on every channel, at any hour. Davinci’s live receptionist plans start at $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, plus a $95 setup fee, with appointment scheduling on Premium plans from $249. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Davinci’s live receptionist plans page](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual ### Choose InsertChat if - You want the AI to book appointments while the caller is on the line, with reminders 72 and 24 hours before. - You want calls answered after hours and on weekends, plus website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. - You want 5,000 monthly AI credits on Pro instead of overage at $1.75 to $2.50 per minute. ### Stay with Davinci Virtual if - You want live receptionists billed by the second: Davinci’s FAQ says it does not round calls up to the minute. - You need calls forwarded to up to 99 employees or numbers, which Davinci includes at no extra charge. - You also want online faxing or a virtual office address from the same provider. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Davinci Virtual | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Business 50 ($129), Business 100 ($239), Premium 50 ($249), and Premium 100 ($319) plans by live answer minutes ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists)) | | 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)) | Live receptionist time, billed by the second; extra time costs $1.75 per minute on Business and $2.50 on Premium ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone: live answering, voicemail, an auto receptionist, and online faxing ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists/details)) | | 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 service: receptionists forward calls to up to 99 employees or numbers at no extra charge ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Special FAQs and complex call flows on Premium plans ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists/details)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Appointment scheduling on Premium plans only ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists/details)) | | 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)) | $129 per month for 50 live answer minutes (Business 50) ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists)) | | 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)) | $95 one-time setup fee; its FAQ lists live answering from 8 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday; 30 days’ written notice to cancel ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Davinci Virtual in a day Keep Davinci Virtual answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Davinci Virtual setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Davinci Virtual’s live receptionist cost? Davinci lists Business 50 at $129 a month, Business 100 at $239, Premium 50 at $249, and Premium 100 at $319. Its FAQ adds a $95 one-time setup fee and extra time at $1.75 per minute on Business or $2.50 on Premium, billed by the second. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## What hours do Davinci’s live receptionists answer? Davinci’s FAQ says its live receptionists answer during coast-to-coast business hours, 8 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday, with automated support around the clock. Its live receptionist page also mentions 24/7 availability, so confirm coverage with Davinci. InsertChat’s AI receptionist can answer always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. ## Can InsertChat transfer a caller to my phone like a receptionist? Not during the call: InsertChat does not transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first instead. With the “AI when unanswered” setting, calls ring your number for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI receptionist answers. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation needs-you, and emails your team. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Posh Receptionist Alternatives & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh > Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. InsertChat is a Posh alternative for businesses that want AI to answer calls and online conversations on one plan. Posh’s live receptionists bill by the minute, from $65 a month at $2.30 per minute to $1,900 for 1,000 minutes, with a seven-day trial. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Posh’s public pricing page](https://www.posh.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Posh ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by AI as well as phone calls. - You want one allowance shared across channels: Pro includes 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want booking built in, with the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. - You want handoff rules that send a conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person or the AI is unsure. ### Stay with Posh if - You want receptionists who transfer calls to you when your status in the Posh app says you’re free. - You get only a few calls: Chïc is $65 a month, with each minute at $2.30. - You need English and Spanish speaking receptionists. - You want unlimited users, since Posh prices by receptionist time. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Posh at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Posh | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Seven plans by receptionist minutes, from Chïc ($65, no minutes included) to Exclusive ($1,900 for 1,000 minutes) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Receptionist minutes; extra minutes cost $2.30 down to $1.90 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | 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 service: receptionists transfer calls to you based on the status you set in the app ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Appointment scheduling through integrations with your software ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Month-to-month; the free trial lasts seven days or 250 receptionist minutes, whichever comes first ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Posh in a day Keep Posh answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Posh setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Posh cost? Posh’s pricing page, effective January 1, 2026, lists seven plans, from Chïc at $65 a month with no minutes included and $2.30 per minute to Exclusive at $1,900 for 1,000 minutes and $1.90 per extra minute. Elegant, the plan Posh marks most popular, is $215 for 100 minutes. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Does Posh offer AI answering? Posh’s pricing page points to separate plans for AI-enabled live receptionists, without listing their prices on that page. InsertChat’s AI assistant answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your business knowledge, and your team takes over in the shared inbox. ## Can I try InsertChat before I cancel my answering service? Yes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. Forward unanswered or after-hours calls to InsertChat while your answering service keeps the rest, then compare the conversations. ## Posh compared with other vendors - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # MAP Communications Alternatives & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications > Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. InsertChat is a MAP Communications alternative for businesses that want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered alongside calls. MAP prices 24/7 answering by minutes: $49 pay-as-you-go at $1.37 per minute, or $179 for 125 minutes. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month, with monthly AI credits. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [MAP Communications’s public pricing page](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs MAP Communications ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in the same inbox as your calls. - You want the AI to book appointments into your calendar, automatically or after your team approves. - You want three AI assistants and three seats for your own team on Pro. ### Stay with MAP Communications if - You want people answering around the clock, with English and Spanish fluency on every plan. - You need the HIPAA, PCI-DSS, HITRUST, and SOC 2 assurances MAP lists on its plans. - Your call volume is high and overage near $1.28 per minute fits your budget. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs MAP Communications at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | MAP Communications | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Pay As You Go ($49), Business ($179 for 125 minutes), Enterprise ($339 for 250), and Premium ($649 for 500) ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Minutes; extra minutes cost $1.37 on Pay As You Go and $1.30 to $1.28 on other plans ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone answering with a toll-free number and free message delivery ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | 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 service: virtual receptionists answer, with 24/7 coverage on every plan ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $49 per month with no minutes included, then $1.37 per minute ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | No long-term contracts; setup fees and billing increments are not listed; every plan lists HIPAA compliance plus PCI-DSS, HITRUST, and SOC 2 certification ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from MAP Communications in a day Keep MAP Communications answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your MAP Communications setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does MAP Communications cost? MAP’s pricing page lists Pay As You Go at $49 a month with no minutes and $1.37 per minute, Business at $179 for 125 minutes, Enterprise at $339 for 250, and Premium at $649 for 500, with extra minutes from $1.30 down to $1.28. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Can InsertChat handle patient information like MAP? MAP’s pricing page lists every plan as fully HIPAA compliant. InsertChat Enterprise, from $998 per month, can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for protected health information. On other plans, keep patient health information out of the assistant’s knowledge and conversations. ## What happens when a caller needs a real person? Handoff rules route the conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure, or the request needs one. The assistant tells the caller your team will follow up, and your team continues in the shared inbox with the transcript and AI summary, on every plan. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Vapi Alternative: InsertChat vs Vapi for AI Receptionists Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi > Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. InsertChat is a Vapi alternative for businesses that want a finished AI receptionist instead of a voice stack to assemble. Vapi charges $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus transcription, model, and voice at provider cost and any carrier fees. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Vapi’s public pricing page](https://vapi.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Vapi ### Choose InsertChat if - You want a working AI receptionist without hiring a developer: add your website and documents, pick a voice, and place a test call. - You want one monthly price: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 credits and a phone number, and AI usage comes out of those credits. - You want every call in a shared inbox with website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, where your team takes over. - You want booking into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar without writing tool code. ### Stay with Vapi if - Your developers want to pick the transcriber, model, and voice for every agent and pay each provider at cost. - You need callers transferred live to a phone number or SIP address, including warm transfers with a summary. - You are building voice AI into your own product and want unlimited agents on usage pricing. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Vapi at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Vapi | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Prepaid usage with no package, or a Success Package: Core at $29 per month, Pro at 10% of hosting fees with a $999 monthly minimum, Premier custom ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Minutes: $0.05 per minute Vapi hosting, plus transcriber, model, and voice at provider cost and carrier fees (Twilio inbound $0.008 per minute) ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice agents over Vapi telephony and SIP, Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, WebSockets, and WebRTC ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | A transfer call tool routes live calls to a phone number or SIP address, with warm transfer modes ([source](https://docs.vapi.ai/tools/transfer-call)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Uploaded files such as .txt, .pdf, .docx, .csv, and .md, searched by a query tool ([source](https://docs.vapi.ai/knowledge-base)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $0 to start with $5 in free credits; Vapi’s calculator estimates $82–$129 a month for 1,000 minutes ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Without a package: 4 concurrent calls and 1 Vapi number; extra lines cost $10 per month; HIPAA is a $2,000 monthly add-on ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Vapi in a day Keep Vapi answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your business knowledge.** Add the website pages, documents, and FAQs behind your Vapi prompts and knowledge bases. InsertChat answers from them, so you test questions instead of editing prompts. 2. **Switch on calls, booking, and handoff.** Pick one of 10 voices and a greeting, connect your calendar, set handoff rules, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How does Vapi’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Vapi charges $0.05 per minute for hosting, with transcription, model, and voice billed at provider cost and carrier fees on top; its calculator estimates $82–$129 a month for 1,000 minutes. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 billed annually, with 5,000 credits and one phone number included. ## Do I need a developer to switch from Vapi to InsertChat? No. You set up InsertChat in the app: add website pages, documents, and FAQs as knowledge, pick one of 10 voices and a greeting, choose when the AI answers, and connect a calendar. Growth, Scale, and Enterprise add API access when you want to build on top. ## Can InsertChat transfer a caller to my phone like Vapi’s transfer tool? Not during the call. InsertChat can ring your phone first for 5 to 60 seconds and answer only when your team doesn’t pick up. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation for your team, and emails them so someone follows up. ## Vapi compared with other vendors - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Retell AI Alternative: InsertChat vs Retell AI Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai > Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. InsertChat is a Retell AI alternative for businesses that want an AI front desk ready to run without building agents. Retell lists $0.07–$0.31 per minute for voice agents: its $0.055 voice infrastructure fee plus the model, voice, and telephony you choose. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Retell AI’s public pricing page](https://www.retellai.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Retell AI ### Choose InsertChat if - You want to set up an AI receptionist yourself from your website and documents, without writing prompts or choosing a speech stack. - You want one assistant for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, with every conversation in one inbox. - You want a monthly price you can plan around: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 credits, one phone number, 3 assistants, and 3 seats. - You want appointment booking with optional team approval, ready to switch on. ### Stay with Retell AI if - Your developers want to choose the model, voice, and telephony for each agent and pay by the second. - You run outbound campaigns and want batch calling or branded caller ID, which Retell lists as add-ons. - You need callers transferred to a person during the call. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Retell AI at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Retell 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)) | Pay as you go from $0 with $10 in free credits; Enterprise pricing is custom ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Call minutes, tracked to the second: $0.055 voice infrastructure plus model, voice, and $0.015 telephony per minute; chat agents per AI message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice agents and chat agents, with SMS at $0.01 per message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Call transfer to a person; after a transfer, only the telephony fee continues ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Knowledge bases at $0.005 per call minute; the first 10 are free, then $8 each per month ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Lists a Book Appointments feature that checks availability and books ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | $0 to start with $10 in free credits; voice agents from $0.07 per minute ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | 20 concurrent calls included, then $8 per call per month; billing covers silence and hold time; Retell numbers cost $2 per month ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Retell AI in a day Keep Retell AI answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your business knowledge.** Add the website pages, documents, and FAQs behind your Retell AI prompts and knowledge bases. InsertChat answers from them, so you test questions instead of editing prompts. 2. **Switch on calls, booking, and handoff.** Pick one of 10 voices and a greeting, connect your calendar, set handoff rules, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How does Retell AI’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Retell lists $0.07–$0.31 per minute for voice agents, made up of its $0.055 voice infrastructure fee plus the model, voice, and telephony you choose; concurrency past 20 calls is $8 per call per month. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 credits; calls round up to whole minutes. ## What does setting up InsertChat involve compared with building a Retell agent? Retell gives you agent templates, an API, webhooks, and a choice of models and voices to build with. InsertChat starts from your business: add your website pages, documents, and FAQs, choose one of 10 voices and a greeting, set handoff rules, and connect a calendar. Place a test call before routing customers. ## Does InsertChat handle website chat and messaging like Retell’s chat agents? Yes. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with one assistant, and every conversation lands in one shared inbox where your team takes over. Retell bills chat agents per AI message and SMS at $0.01 per message; InsertChat draws written conversations from the same monthly credits, and SMS and WhatsApp can carry connected-service charges. ## Retell AI compared with other vendors - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Bland AI Alternative for Inbound Calls: InsertChat vs Bland Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai > Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. InsertChat is a Bland AI alternative for small businesses that need an inbound AI receptionist with booking and a team inbox. Bland charges $0.14 per minute on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee, and lists its appointment scheduling node, SMS, and web chat on Enterprise. InsertChat includes booking from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Bland AI’s public pricing page](https://www.bland.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Bland AI ### Choose InsertChat if - You want calendar booking on your entry plan: Pro connects Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar. - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered with your calls from $98 per month. - You want a shared inbox where your team reads every call and takes over, with 3 seats on Pro. - You want 3 assistants on your entry plan, so each location or service line gets its own receptionist. ### Stay with Bland AI if - You want one per-minute rate that already covers the model, transcription, and voices. - You run high-volume or regulated calling and need Enterprise options such as on-prem or VPC deployment and a forward deployed engineer. - Your team wants to design call logic with Bland’s Conversational Pathways. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Bland AI at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Bland 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)) | Start: $0 platform fee; Build: $299 per month platform fee; Enterprise: custom contract ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Talk time at $0.14 (Start) or $0.12 (Build) per minute and transfer time at $0.05 or $0.04; LLM, speech-to-text, and voices included; telephony separate ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice calls on Start and Build; SMS, web chat, and iMessage listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Transfer time billed per minute; warm and live transfers listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | 10 knowledge bases on Start, 50 on Build, unlimited on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Appointment scheduling node listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | $0.14 per minute with no platform fee; 2 credits and an inbound number to start, no card required ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Start caps 100 calls a day and 10 concurrent calls; Build caps 2,000 calls a day and 50 concurrent ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Bland AI in a day Keep Bland AI answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your business knowledge.** Add the website pages, documents, and FAQs behind your Bland AI prompts and knowledge bases. InsertChat answers from them, so you test questions instead of editing prompts. 2. **Switch on calls, booking, and handoff.** Pick one of 10 voices and a greeting, connect your calendar, set handoff rules, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How does Bland AI’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Bland lists $0.14 per minute on Start with no platform fee, or $0.12 per minute on Build with a $299 monthly platform fee. Transfer time is billed separately, and telephony runs on your carrier or Bland’s at pass-through cost. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 credits and one phone number. ## Can InsertChat book appointments on its entry plan? Yes. Every InsertChat plan can book into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team approves. Bland’s pricing page lists its appointment scheduling node, SMS, and web chat on the Enterprise plan. ## Does InsertChat make outbound calls like Bland? No. InsertChat answers inbound calls and messages; it does not place AI outbound calls. Bland lists outbound sales among its solutions, so keep it for outbound campaigns if you need them. InsertChat is built to answer every customer who contacts you and hand the conversation to your team. ## Bland AI compared with other vendors - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Voiceflow Alternative: InsertChat vs Voiceflow Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow > Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. InsertChat is a Voiceflow alternative for businesses that want an AI receptionist without designing agent flows. Voiceflow is a platform for building voice and chat agents. Businesses request pricing, and its docs list $0.05 per phone minute plus model and speech credits. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Voiceflow’s public pricing page](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Voiceflow ### Choose InsertChat if - You want answers built from your website and documents instead of flows you design step by step. - You want published prices: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, 3 seats, and a phone number. - You want calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered in one shared inbox your team works from. - You run an agency and want white-label branding, with custom domains on Growth and above. ### Stay with Voiceflow if - Your team designs conversation flows and wants detailed control over every step. - You are an agency building agents for clients and want multi-client workspaces with white-labeling. - You want to choose among major model providers or bring your own model. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Voiceflow at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Voiceflow | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Agencies: usage-based billing with a free trial; businesses book a demo or request pricing ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Self-serve credits: $0.05 per phone minute and $0.005 per chat message, plus LLM, speech-to-text, and text-to-speech usage ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/account-management/billing/credits-pricing-table)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice and chat agents ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | A Call forward step sends calls to a live representative, another number, or a SIP address ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/build/steps/call-forward)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | Plan prices are not listed on the pricing page; agencies can start a free trial without a card ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | One Voiceflow phone number per workspace; extra numbers, editor seats, and concurrent calls are paid add-ons ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/account-management/billing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Voiceflow in a day Keep Voiceflow answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your business knowledge.** Add the website pages, documents, and FAQs behind your Voiceflow prompts and knowledge bases. InsertChat answers from them, so you test questions instead of editing prompts. 2. **Switch on calls, booking, and handoff.** Pick one of 10 voices and a greeting, connect your calendar, set handoff rules, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Voiceflow cost compared with InsertChat? Voiceflow’s pricing page does not list plan prices; businesses book a demo or request pricing. Its credits table lists $0.05 per phone minute and $0.005 per chat message on self-serve, plus LLM and speech usage. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 billed annually, with 5,000 credits. ## Do I have to design conversation flows in InsertChat? No. InsertChat answers from the knowledge you add: website pages, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information. You set the voice, greeting, handoff rules, and booking permissions in settings, then test real questions before going live. ## Can agencies run client assistants on InsertChat like on Voiceflow? Yes. Every plan includes your logo and assistant styling, and Growth and above add custom domains and branded email for a white-label setup. Pro includes 3 assistants; Growth, Scale, and Enterprise include more. Voiceflow’s pricing page lists multi-client workspaces and white-labeling for agencies. ## Voiceflow compared with other vendors - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # ElevenLabs Agents Alternative: InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents > Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. InsertChat is an ElevenLabs Agents alternative for businesses that want a complete AI front desk rather than a voice agent to build. ElevenAgents plans run from free with 15 call minutes to $990 for 12,375, then $0.08 per minute, with LLM usage billed separately. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [ElevenLabs’ ElevenAgents pricing page](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents ### Choose InsertChat if - You want receptionist features ready to switch on: answers from your knowledge, contact capture, booking, and handoff to your team. - You want calls, AI usage, and written conversations covered by one monthly credit allowance: 5,000 credits on Pro. - You want team seats on your entry plan: Pro includes 3, while ElevenAgents adds workspace seats from Scale at $299. - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in the same inbox as your calls. ### Stay with ElevenLabs Agents if - Voice comes first: you want ElevenLabs voices, and Professional Voice Clones (10 on the Business plan). - You want to start free with 15 call minutes and create as many agents as you like. - Your developers want to connect a custom LLM and wire up tools and workflows themselves. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | ElevenLabs Agents | | --- | --- | --- | | 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, Starter ($6), Creator ($22), Pro ($99), Scale ($299), and Business ($990) per month with included call minutes; Enterprise custom ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | | 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)) | Call minutes (15 to 12,375 included), then $0.08 per minute; text messages $0.003 each; LLM usage billed separately ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice calls with telephony included, a website widget, and text messages ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | A transfer-to-number tool hands phone calls to a phone number or SIP address ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/docs/eleven-agents/customization/tools/system-tools/transfer-to-number)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Knowledge bases with retrieval (RAG) on every plan ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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 with 15 call minutes; Starter at $6 per month with 75 minutes ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | | 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)) | 4 to 40 concurrent calls by plan; burst calls cost $0.16 per minute; workspace seats start on Scale; external carriers bill separately ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from ElevenLabs Agents in a day Keep ElevenLabs Agents answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your business knowledge.** Add the website pages, documents, and FAQs behind your ElevenLabs Agents prompts and knowledge bases. InsertChat answers from them, so you test questions instead of editing prompts. 2. **Switch on calls, booking, and handoff.** Pick one of 10 voices and a greeting, connect your calendar, set handoff rules, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How does ElevenLabs Agents pricing compare with InsertChat’s? ElevenAgents plans include call minutes, from 75 on Starter at $6 to 12,375 on Business at $990, then $0.08 per minute; LLM usage is billed separately, and burst calls cost $0.16 per minute. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 credits for calls and written conversations. ## Is ElevenLabs Agents the same as ElevenLabs Conversational AI? ElevenLabs sells its conversational AI platform as ElevenAgents: its Conversational AI page sits under ElevenAgents in the site navigation, and agent plans are priced on the ElevenAgents pricing page. This comparison covers those agent plans, not ElevenLabs’ text-to-speech subscriptions. ## Does InsertChat include team seats and a shared inbox? Yes. Pro includes 3 team seats and a shared inbox where your team reads each call transcript and takes over conversations. ElevenAgents lists workspace seats from its Scale plan at $299 per month, with 3 seats, and 10 seats on Business at $990. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Slang.ai Alternative: Slang.ai vs InsertChat Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai > AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. InsertChat is a Slang.ai alternative for businesses that want calls, website chat, and messages answered in one inbox at a published monthly price. Slang AI is a phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location: Core from $399 and Premium from $599, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. InsertChat starts at $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Slang.ai’s public pricing page](https://www.slang.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Slang.ai ### Choose InsertChat if - You want a published monthly price: Pro is $98 per month and includes 3 AI assistants, one per location if you need them. - You want guests who chat on your website, email, text, or message on WhatsApp answered from the same menu, hours, and allergen information as callers. - You want large-party, catering, and private-event inquiries captured with the date, headcount, and budget, then flagged for your manager. - You want to set it up yourself and test it today: Pro comes with a 7-day free trial with 500 credits. ### Stay with Slang.ai if - You run a restaurant on OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, or Resy and want reservations written straight into it. - You want restaurant tools in one product: VIP call handling, special-request capture, and reservation insights. - You want private-event leads sent to Tripleseat or Perfect Venue, which Slang AI’s Premium plan lists. - You want callers forwarded to a person whenever the AI can’t answer. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Slang.ai at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Slang.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)) | Core from $399 and Premium from $599 per location; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Locations; the pricing page lists no call or minute allowance ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice calls, with text links and confirmations ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Forwards callers to a person when needed, or texts your contact details ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Restaurant prompts on Core; Premium answers from the restaurant’s approved information ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Reservations in OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy; private events to Tripleseat and Perfect Venue on Premium ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Core from $399 per location; the billing period is not stated ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Built for restaurants; provides a new local or toll-free number, and keeping yours goes through onboarding ([source](https://www.slang.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Slang.ai in a day Keep Slang.ai answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Slang.ai setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Slang.ai cost compared with InsertChat? Slang AI’s pricing page lists Core from $399 per location and Premium from $599 per location, with custom Enterprise pricing; it does not state a billing period or a call allowance. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 per month billed annually, with 5,000 monthly AI credits and 3 AI assistants. ## Can InsertChat take restaurant reservations like Slang.ai? Yes, in two ways. It books a table into a supported calendar, such as Google Calendar or Outlook, or takes the name, party size, date, and time for your host to confirm. InsertChat does not connect to OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, or Resy, which Slang AI lists, so your host enters those requests in your reservation platform. ## Does InsertChat answer more than phone calls? Yes. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, and every conversation lands in one shared inbox your team can take over. Slang AI’s pricing page lists voice calls with text links and confirmations. ## What happens when a guest needs a person? Slang AI says it forwards the caller to a human when needed, or texts your contact details. InsertChat flags the conversation for your team in the shared inbox with the full transcript and can confirm a callback by text or email. It does not transfer live calls, so let your host’s phone ring first and have the AI answer when nobody picks up. ## Can I keep my restaurant’s phone number? In the US and Canada, yes: keep your number and forward calls to InsertChat, for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available; number porting is not offered. Slang AI provides a new local or toll-free number and discusses keeping an existing one during onboarding. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Trillet Alternative: Trillet vs InsertChat Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet > Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. InsertChat is a Trillet alternative for businesses that need more than one inbound phone agent. Trillet’s AI Receptionist costs $49 per month for 150 minutes, then $0.20 per minute, as a single Trillet-branded, inbound-only agent that books into your calendar. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Trillet’s public pricing page](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Trillet ### Choose InsertChat if - You want 3 AI assistants on one plan, for separate locations, brands, or departments. - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by the same assistant as your calls, from one knowledge base. - You want your team to take over any conversation in a shared inbox, with the customer’s contact record and full history. - You want booking in the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with reminders 72 and 24 hours before. - You want your own brand on the assistant: your logo is on every plan, and Growth adds a custom domain and branded email. ### Stay with Trillet if - You run a one-person business and only need inbound calls answered, at $49 for 150 minutes. - You want a published overage rate: $0.20 per minute after the included 150. - You prefer a 28-day money-back guarantee on real calls to a free trial. - You are an agency that wants Trillet’s white-label voice platform, from $99 per month. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Trillet at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Trillet | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | AI Receptionist at $49 per month; white-label Studio and Agency plans from $99 per month; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Minutes: 150 included on the AI Receptionist, then $0.20 per minute ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Inbound calls on your existing number; web chat and SMS are listed as a separate Messaging product ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Not verified | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Books appointments into your calendar; integrations are calendars only ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | $49 per month for 150 minutes, with a 28-day money-back guarantee ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Inbound only, with one Trillet-branded agent that is not for resale; outbound campaigns and multi-agent orchestration are not included ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Trillet in a day Keep Trillet answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Trillet setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How does Trillet’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Trillet’s AI Receptionist is $49 per month with 150 minutes, then $0.20 per minute, and its white-label Studio and Agency plans start at $99 per month. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 per month billed annually, with 5,000 monthly AI credits; calls use credits and round up to whole minutes. ## What does Trillet’s AI Receptionist leave out? Trillet’s pricing page describes the receptionist as inbound-only, with one Trillet-branded agent for your own business that is not for resale. Outbound calling campaigns, multi-agent orchestration, and reselling are not included, and integrations are limited to calendars. InsertChat Pro includes 3 assistants, 3 team seats, and a shared inbox for every channel. ## Can InsertChat answer website chat and texts as well as calls? Yes. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from one knowledge base, and every conversation reaches the same shared inbox. Trillet lists web chat and SMS under a separate Messaging product rather than in its AI Receptionist plan. ## Is there a free trial? Trillet offers a 28-day money-back guarantee on its AI Receptionist instead of a free trial; its Studio and Agency plans have a 7-day free trial with a card. InsertChat Pro comes with a 7-day free trial with 500 credits, and a card is required at checkout. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? In the US and Canada, yes: keep your number and forward calls to InsertChat, for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered, so place a test call before routing customers to the assistant. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Newo.ai Alternative: Newo.ai vs InsertChat Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai > AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. InsertChat is a Newo.ai alternative for businesses that want one plan across several locations and channels. Newo bills voice and text in units: $299 per month for 200 units, then $1.50 each, and each plan covers one agent at one location. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month, with 3 AI assistants. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Newo.ai’s public pricing page](https://newo.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Newo.ai ### Choose InsertChat if - You run more than one location: Pro includes 3 AI assistants, while a Newo plan covers one agent at one location. - You want email and WhatsApp answered with your calls and website chat, in one shared inbox your team works from. - You want calls metered by the minute: InsertChat rounds each call up to a whole minute, where Newo bills longer calls in 3-minute increments. - You want white label below Enterprise: your logo is on every plan, and a custom domain and branded email start on Growth. - You want answers from documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information as well as your website. ### Stay with Newo.ai if - You want to start without a monthly fee: Pay As You Go includes 50 free units once, then $1.75 per unit. - Most of your calls are short: one unit covers a call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, and spam and immediate hang-ups cost nothing. - You want social messaging handled by the same agent, which Newo lists on every plan. - You use Open Dental, Dentrix, ServiceM8, or Housecall Pro and want the agent working in it. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Newo.ai at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Newo.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)) | Pay As You Go from $0, AI Receptionist at $299 per month, and custom Enterprise ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Units shared by voice and text: 1 unit per call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, longer calls in 3-minute increments, 0.5 units per 15 agent messages ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Inbound voice, web chat, and social messaging on every plan; outbound voice on request ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Not verified | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Builds the agent from your website ([source](https://newo.ai/)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Books and updates records in connected tools such as Calendly, Square, Housecall Pro, ServiceM8, Open Dental, and Dentrix ([source](https://newo.ai/)) | | 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)) | $0 to start with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; AI Receptionist $299 for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | One agent at one location per plan; unused units don’t roll over; white label is Enterprise-only ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Newo.ai in a day Keep Newo.ai answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Newo.ai setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How does Newo.ai pricing work? Newo meters units shared by voice and text. A call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes is one unit, longer calls are billed in 3-minute increments, and a text session of up to 15 agent messages is half a unit. Pay As You Go starts at $0 with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; the AI Receptionist plan is $299 per month for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit. ## Is Newo.ai cheaper than InsertChat? It depends on how many conversations you have and how long they last. Newo’s AI Receptionist is $299 per month for 200 units. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits; calls use credits by the whole minute, and connected services such as SMS and WhatsApp can add charges. Run your own numbers in the usage estimate on InsertChat’s pricing page. ## Can one plan cover several locations? Newo says a plan covers one agent at one location and cannot be split, and points multi-location businesses to Enterprise. InsertChat Pro includes 3 AI assistants, so each location can have its own hours, knowledge, and number. Each paid plan includes one number, and additional numbers are $10 per month. ## Does Newo.ai offer white label? Newo lists white label, Director Mode, and custom reporting as Enterprise add-ons. InsertChat shows your logo and assistant styling on every plan, and Growth and above add a custom domain and branded email for client assistants. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? In the US and Canada, yes: keep your number and forward calls to InsertChat, for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered, so place a test call before routing customers to the assistant. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Quo (OpenPhone) Sona Alternative & Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona > AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. InsertChat is a Quo Sona alternative for businesses that want chat, email, and WhatsApp answered with their calls. Sona, the AI agent in Quo (formerly OpenPhone), is billed per call: 10 calls a month come with every Quo plan, then credit tiers from $25 for 40 calls. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Quo’s public pricing page](https://www.quo.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Quo Sona ### Choose InsertChat if - You want one AI front desk for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, with every conversation in a shared inbox. - You want a price that doesn’t grow with headcount: Pro is $98 per month with 3 team seats included. - You want to keep your current phone provider: in the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat. - You want the AI to book into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com during the conversation, with reminders 72 and 24 hours before. - You serve customers in more languages than English, Spanish, and French: InsertChat follows each customer’s language, with 58 business language options. ### Stay with Quo Sona if - Your team already calls and texts from Quo and wants AI answering in the same phone system. - You get few calls: every Quo plan includes 10 Sona calls a month, and calls under 15 seconds don’t count. - You prefer paying per call instead of per minute. - You want calls transferred to a teammate during the call, which Quo lists on Business and Scale. - You want Sona’s calls and texts synced to HubSpot, Salesforce, or Jobber. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Quo Sona at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Quo Sona | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Included with Quo phone plans at $19, $33, or $47 per user per month ($15, $23, or $35 billed annually), with call credits ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | | 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: 100 credits per call; 10 calls a month included, then $1.00 down to $0.45 per extra call by credit tier ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/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)) | Transfers the call to the right teammate when you instruct it to ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Your website URL, uploaded PDFs, or documents you write ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Books appointments and can text the caller a booking link before the call ends ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) | | 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)) | 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Credit tiers run from $25 for 40 calls to $199 for 600; call transfers are listed on Business and Scale ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Quo Sona in a day Keep Quo Sona answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Quo Sona setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Quo’s Sona AI agent cost? Sona is included on Quo’s Starter, Business, and Scale plans, which cost $19, $33, or $47 per user per month, or $15, $23, or $35 billed annually. Every plan includes 1,000 credits a month, which is 10 calls at 100 credits per call. More calls come in monthly tiers from $25 for 40 calls to $199 for 600, with extra calls from $1.00 down to $0.45. ## Is Sona billed per minute or per call? Per call. Quo counts 100 credits per Sona call, and calls under 15 seconds don’t count toward usage. InsertChat measures calls in AI credits, rounded up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum, from the same 5,000-credit monthly allowance on Pro that covers chat, email, and messaging. ## Do I have to leave Quo to use InsertChat? No. In the US and Canada, keep your number with your current provider and forward calls to InsertChat, for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls, if your provider supports forwarding. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Number porting is not offered, so place a test call before routing customers. ## Which channels does each product cover? Quo’s AI receptionist page describes Sona answering calls and texting callers booking links, confirmations, or next steps. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox. SMS, WhatsApp, and additional phone numbers can carry connected-service charges. ## Can InsertChat transfer calls to my team like Sona? InsertChat does not transfer live calls. Use routing instead: your team’s phone rings first, and the AI answers when nobody picks up within the ring time you set, after hours, or always. Conversations that need a person are flagged in the shared inbox with the full transcript, and the customer can get a callback confirmation by text or email. ## Quo Sona compared with other vendors - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Dialpad AI Receptionist Alternative: Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad > AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. InsertChat is a Dialpad AI Receptionist alternative for businesses that want a published price and one inbox for every channel. Dialpad’s AI receptionist runs on Dialpad AI Agents, sold as a pool of credits billed per conversation, with no dollar price on its pricing page. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialpad’s public pricing page](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist ### Choose InsertChat if - You want to see the price before talking to sales: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by the same assistant as your calls, in one shared inbox. - You want to keep your current phone provider and forward calls to InsertChat in the US and Canada. - You want to set it up yourself and test it today: Pro comes with a 7-day free trial with 500 credits. - You want answers from your website, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information. ### Stay with Dialpad AI Receptionist if - Your company already runs on Dialpad for calling or its contact center and wants AI answering inside it. - You want calls routed to people or departments by intent, with rules by time of day, day of week, department, or person. - You want to pay for AI only when it looks something up or takes an action. - You want business phones, contact center, and AI agents from one vendor. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Dialpad AI Receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Conversation-based: you buy a pool of AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Conversations, billable only when the AI retrieves information or takes an action ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Inbound calls; Dialpad AI Agents also cover digital channels ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-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)) | Routes calls to a person by intent, with the full conversation context ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Checks availability and books, reschedules, or confirms times during the call, where set up ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | | 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)) | Not published: the pricing page lists no price for AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Covers straightforward scheduling; involved cases often fall to a broader AI customer service agent ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Dialpad AI Receptionist in a day Keep Dialpad AI Receptionist answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Dialpad AI Receptionist setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Dialpad’s AI receptionist cost? Dialpad doesn’t publish a dollar price for it. Its pricing page describes conversation-based pricing: you buy a pool of AI Agent Credits, and a conversation is billable only when the AI retrieves information or takes an action. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 per month billed annually, with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## What can Dialpad’s AI receptionist do? Dialpad says its AI Agents greet callers, handle routine requests, and route calls that need a person by intent, passing along the full context. Where set up, they check availability and book, reschedule, or confirm times during the call; Dialpad notes that involved scheduling often falls to a broader AI customer service agent. ## Does InsertChat replace my phone system? No. InsertChat is an AI front desk, not a business phone system. In the US and Canada, keep your number with your current provider and forward calls to InsertChat; elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Each paid plan includes one number, and additional numbers are $10 per month. ## Can InsertChat route calls to my team like Dialpad? InsertChat routes before the AI answers instead of transferring mid-call. Set weekly hours, your time zone, and a ring time from 5 to 60 seconds: your team’s phone rings first, and the AI answers after hours or when nobody picks up. Conversations that need a person are flagged in the shared inbox with the full transcript. ## Which channels does each product cover? Dialpad’s AI receptionist page covers inbound calls, and Dialpad describes its AI Agents as voice and digital. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox, where your team takes over any conversation. ## Dialpad AI Receptionist compared with other vendors - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Nextiva AI Receptionist (XBert) vs InsertChat: Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva > XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. InsertChat is a Nextiva AI Receptionist alternative for businesses that want email and WhatsApp answered too, from one allowance shared by every channel. Nextiva’s XBert costs $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each, added to a Nextiva plan. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Nextiva’s XBert AI Receptionist page](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist ### Choose InsertChat if - You want email and WhatsApp answered by the same AI, in the shared inbox with your calls, texts, and website chat. - You want one credit allowance for every channel: Pro includes 5,000 credits a month, 3 assistants, and 3 seats. - You want to keep your current phone provider: in the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat. - You want answers from documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information as well as your website. - You want your team alerted to urgent and high-intent conversations as they happen. ### Stay with Nextiva AI Receptionist if - You already use Nextiva for business phones and want AI answering on the same account. - You want a per-conversation price: $99 covers up to 100, then $0.99 each, and calls under 30 seconds don’t count. - You want complex calls transferred to your team with context. - You use ServiceTitan, Square Bookings, or Salesforce and want Nextiva to connect it on request. - You want a 30-day money-back guarantee. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Nextiva AI Receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions, then $0.99 per conversation ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/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)) | Conversations: a call of 30 seconds or more, or a text or chat with 3 or more AI responses ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls, text messages, web chat, and messaging apps ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/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)) | Transfers complex requests to your team with full context ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Learns from your website, FAQs, and business details ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Live integrations include Google Calendar, Calendly, Cal.com, and Housecall Pro; Salesforce, HubSpot, Square Bookings, ServiceTitan, and others on request ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | | 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)) | $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions, with a 30-day money-back guarantee ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/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)) | Listed as an add-on to Nextiva’s Core, Engage, and Scale phone plans, which are priced per user ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Nextiva AI Receptionist in a day Keep Nextiva AI Receptionist answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Nextiva AI Receptionist setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does Nextiva’s AI receptionist cost? Nextiva’s XBert page lists $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chats, then $0.99 per additional conversation. A conversation counts when a call lasts 30 seconds or more, or a text or chat gets 3 or more AI responses. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## Do I need a Nextiva phone plan for XBert? Nextiva’s XBert page says to add XBert to your Nextiva plan, and its pricing page lists XBert as an add-on to the Core, Engage, and Scale plans. InsertChat works alongside your current phone provider: in the US and Canada, forward your existing number; elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. ## Which channels does each product cover? Nextiva lists phone calls, text messages, web chat, and messaging apps for XBert. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox. SMS, WhatsApp, and additional phone numbers can carry connected-service charges. ## Can InsertChat transfer calls to my team like XBert? Not during a live call. InsertChat lets your team’s phone ring first and has the AI answer when nobody picks up, after hours, or always. When a customer needs a person, the conversation is flagged in the shared inbox with the full transcript, and teammates can be alerted to urgent and high-intent requests. ## Can I try either product before paying? Nextiva offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on XBert. InsertChat Pro comes with a 7-day free trial with 500 credits; a card is required at checkout, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. ## Nextiva AI Receptionist compared with other vendors - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Marlie AI Alternative: Marlie AI vs InsertChat Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai > AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. InsertChat is a Marlie AI alternative for businesses that want every channel handled in one shared inbox. Marlie AI sells phone answering in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer from $99 and document knowledge from $199. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month, with document knowledge on every plan. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Marlie AI’s public pricing page](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Marlie AI ### Choose InsertChat if - You want your documents and website in the assistant’s knowledge from the first plan: Pro includes 1,000 knowledge sources. - You want customers who chat on your website, email, text, or message on WhatsApp answered by the same assistant that takes your calls. - You want booking, rescheduling, and cancellation in the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with reminders 72 and 24 hours before. - You want 3 team seats and a shared inbox where your team takes over any conversation with the full history. ### Stay with Marlie AI if - Phone is your only channel and you want a low entry price: $49 for 250 minutes. - You want calls transferred to your team, which Marlie AI includes from Standard at $99. - You handle high call volume and want overage that falls to $0.25 per minute on Premium. - You want a 14-day free trial. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Marlie AI at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Marlie 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)) | Basic $49, Standard $99, Pro $199, and Premium $399 per month by included minutes; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Minutes: 250 to 2,000 included, then $0.35 down to $0.25 per minute ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Voice, with SMS and email notifications and reports ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Call transfer to one number on Standard; to multiple people and departments from Pro ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Custom FAQs; document uploads and a knowledge base from Pro ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Calendar sync, availability checks, and rescheduling from Standard; cancellations from Pro ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | $49 per month for 250 minutes, with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Basic has no call transfer and one action per call; document uploads start at $199 ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Marlie AI in a day Keep Marlie AI answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Marlie AI setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How does Marlie AI’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Marlie AI lists Basic at $49 for 250 minutes, Standard at $99 for 500, Pro at $199 for 1,000, and Premium at $399 for 2,000, with overage from $0.35 down to $0.25 per minute. 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. ## Which Marlie AI plan includes call transfer and document uploads? Marlie AI’s Basic plan has no call transfer. Standard ($99) transfers to one number, while its Pro ($199) and Premium ($399) plans transfer to multiple people and departments and add document uploads and a knowledge base. InsertChat includes document, website, and Q&A knowledge on every plan; it does not transfer live calls and hands conversations to your team in the shared inbox instead. ## Does InsertChat handle website chat and messages as well as calls? Yes. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from one knowledge base, and your team sees every conversation in one shared inbox. Marlie AI’s pricing page lists voice answering with SMS and email notifications and reports. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? In the US and Canada, yes: keep your number and forward calls to InsertChat, for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered, so place a test call before routing customers to the assistant. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # CallRail Voice Assist Alternative: Pricing vs InsertChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail > AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. InsertChat is a CallRail Voice Assist alternative for businesses that want one AI front desk across every channel. CallRail lists Voice Assist from $95 per month plus Lead Tracking from $55, with $1 per call after 50 calls over 15 seconds. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [CallRail’s public pricing page](https://www.callrail.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by the same AI, with every conversation in one shared inbox. - You want one plan price: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, without a separate tracking plan underneath. - You want each lead’s source on the contact: landing page and referrer for chats, campaign and source from your tracking links, and the number a caller dialed. - You want answers from your website pages, documents, FAQs, audio and video files, and product information. - You want high-intent and urgent conversations flagged to your team as they happen. ### Stay with CallRail Voice Assist if - You already use CallRail to see which ads, keywords, and campaigns drive your calls, and want AI answering in the same account. - You want hands-on setup help from CallRail’s AI Expert Team. - You prefer paying per call, with calls of 15 seconds or less left out of the count. - You want a 14-day free trial without a credit card. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | CallRail Voice Assist | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Voice Assist from $95 per month, plus Lead Tracking from an additional $55 ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Voice Assist calls over 15 seconds, with $1 per call after 50 (55 in one footnote) ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Phone calls ([source](https://www.callrail.com/voice-assist)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Not verified | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Answers calls, qualifies leads, and books appointments ([source](https://www.callrail.com/voice-assist)) | | 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)) | $95 per month plus Lead Tracking from $55, with a 14-day free trial and no credit card ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Priced on top of Lead Tracking; call transfer and knowledge sources are not listed for Voice Assist ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from CallRail Voice Assist in a day Keep CallRail Voice Assist answering while you build and test InsertChat. When the answers sound right, point your call forwarding at InsertChat; you can change it back at any time. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your CallRail Voice Assist setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Set the voice and routing.** Pick a voice and greeting, and choose when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. 3. **Test, then forward your number.** Place test calls. In the US and Canada, forward your existing number to InsertChat; elsewhere, use an InsertChat number. Porting is not offered. ## How much does CallRail Voice Assist cost? CallRail’s pricing page lists Voice Assist from $95 per month, with Lead Tracking from an additional $55, and $1 per call after 50 Voice Assist calls over 15 seconds (one footnote says 55). Every account starts with a 14-day free trial without a credit card. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## Can InsertChat show where my calls and leads come from? Yes, for the conversations it handles. Each contact records the landing page and referrer for website chats, the campaign and source from your tracking links, and the phone number a caller dialed. InsertChat is not a call-tracking platform, so keep CallRail if you rely on its ad and keyword attribution. ## Which channels does each product cover? CallRail describes Voice Assist as an AI voice agent that answers calls, qualifies leads, and books appointments. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox, where your team takes over any conversation. ## Can I keep my business phone number if I switch to InsertChat? In the US and Canada, yes: keep your number and forward calls to InsertChat, for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered, so place a test call before routing customers to the assistant. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Zendesk Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs Zendesk Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk > Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. InsertChat is a Zendesk alternative for small businesses that want AI answering calls as well as messages. Zendesk prices per agent, from $19 a month billed annually, and bills AI agents per automated resolution beyond the included allowance. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one inbox from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Zendesk’s public pricing page](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Zendesk ### Choose InsertChat if - You want the AI to answer phone calls from your business knowledge, in the same inbox as chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. - You want a flat plan instead of per-agent pricing: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want the assistant to book appointments into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. - You want to keep Zendesk for tickets: InsertChat can create, look up, reply to, and update Zendesk tickets from a conversation. ### Stay with Zendesk if - Your support team works in tickets and wants AI agents inside that helpdesk. - You need IVR phone trees, skills-based routing, or several help centers, which Suite Professional lists. - You want to pay for AI per resolution: 5 to 10 automated resolutions per agent a month are included. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Zendesk at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Zendesk | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Per agent: Support Team $19, Suite Team $55, and Suite Professional $115 a month billed annually ($25, $69, and $149 monthly); Suite Enterprise through sales ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Agents, plus AI automated resolutions: 5 per agent a month included on Support Team and Suite Team and 10 on Suite Professional, then $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Email on every plan; messaging, live chat, and telephony from Suite Team; social channels and WhatsApp with additional fees; text messages as an add-on ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Ticket routing on every plan; omnichannel routing from Suite Team ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | AI Knowledge Base from Suite Team; 1 help center on Suite Team and up to 5 on Suite Professional ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $19 per agent a month billed annually (Support Team); Suite Team, with messaging and telephony, $55 ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Phone numbers, call minutes, text messages, and WhatsApp carry extra fees; Copilot is $50 per agent a month on Professional and above ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Zendesk in a day Keep Zendesk live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Zendesk setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Zendesk widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How much does Zendesk cost compared with InsertChat? Zendesk lists Support Team at $19, Suite Team at $55, and Suite Professional at $115 per agent a month billed annually, plus $1.50 to $2.00 per automated resolution beyond the included allowance. Three agents on Suite Team list at $165 a month. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## Can InsertChat work alongside Zendesk? Yes. Connect your Zendesk account and choose the actions your assistant can use: create tickets and requests, look up tickets and their comments, reply, and update them. InsertChat answers calls and messages first, and your support team keeps working tickets in Zendesk. ## Does Zendesk’s AI answer phone calls? Zendesk’s pricing page lists telephony from Suite Team, with voicemail and call routing, and generative AI for voice on Suite Enterprise; phone numbers and minutes are add-ons. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls on every paid plan, which includes one phone number, and calls use credits rounded up to whole minutes. ## What is a Zendesk automated resolution? Zendesk bills AI agent usage per automated resolution, a customer request the AI agent resolves without escalating to a person. Support Team and Suite Team include 5 per agent a month and Suite Professional 10; more cost $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go. InsertChat meters AI usage in credits from one monthly allowance instead. ## Zendesk compared with other vendors - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Crisp Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs Crisp Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp > Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. InsertChat is a Crisp alternative for businesses that want an AI receptionist answering calls next to their chat. Crisp prices per workspace, from a free plan to $45, $95, and $295 a month, with AI credits covering roughly 90 to 1,350 automated conversations. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Crisp’s public pricing page](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Crisp ### Choose InsertChat if - You want the AI to answer phone calls from your knowledge, with calls in the same inbox as chat. - You want calls and written conversations drawing on one allowance: Pro includes 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want booking into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with optional approval. - You want your logo and assistant styling on your entry plan. ### Stay with Crisp if - You want a free plan for website chat with two seats. - Your customers write on Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, Line, or Viber, which Crisp lists as channels. - You want many seats on one workspace price: Essentials includes 10 and Plus 20. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Crisp at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Crisp | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Per workspace: Free, Mini $45, Essentials $95, and Plus $295 a month; Enterprise custom ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | 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)) | AI credits: $5, $25, or $75 included (about 90, 450, or 1,350 automated conversations); conversations are not capped ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Chat widget and email; WhatsApp Business, Instagram, SMS, Line, and Viber in the omnichannel inbox from Essentials; Messenger, Telegram, X, and phone also listed ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Shared inbox on every plan, including Free; routing rules and assignment from Essentials ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Knowledge base (help center) from Essentials; AI knowledge training on your internal data ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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 plan with 2 seats and no AI credits; Mini $45 a month with 4 seats ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Extra seats are $10 a month each; removing the “We run on Crisp” watermark is a Plus feature ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Crisp in a day Keep Crisp live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Crisp setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Crisp widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How does Crisp’s pricing compare with InsertChat’s? Crisp charges per workspace: free, then $45 (Mini), $95 (Essentials), and $295 (Plus) a month, with $5, $25, or $75 of AI credits for roughly 90, 450, or 1,350 automated conversations. Extra seats cost $10. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, 3 seats, and 3 assistants. ## Does Crisp answer phone calls with AI? Crisp lists a phone channel for answering and placing calls from its inbox, plus voice-to-text transcription of recorded calls. Its pricing page does not say its AI agent answers calls. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your business number from your knowledge and books appointments; every paid plan includes one phone number. ## How many AI conversations do Crisp plans include? Crisp turns its included AI credits into an estimate: about 90 automated conversations on Mini, 450 on Essentials, and 1,350 on Plus. The Free plan has no AI credits, and human conversations are not capped. InsertChat credit use depends on the model, conversation length, knowledge processing, and tools. ## Can I move my Crisp chat widget to InsertChat? Yes. Add your website pages, help center articles, and documents as knowledge, test the answers, then replace the Crisp snippet with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin. Conversations from chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp then reach one shared inbox. ## Crisp compared with other vendors - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # LiveChat Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs LiveChat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat > Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. InsertChat is a LiveChat alternative for businesses that want AI answering phone calls as well as chat. LiveChat’s pricing page now sells Text plans at $19 or $79 per user a month billed annually, with 10 or 200 AI resolutions; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [LiveChat’s public pricing page](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs LiveChat ### Choose InsertChat if - You want the AI to answer phone calls, with calls in the same inbox as chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. - You want a flat plan for the team: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats, where Text prices each user. - You want AI usage drawn from one monthly allowance (5,000 monthly AI credits on Pro) rather than counted resolutions. - You want the assistant to book appointments into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ### Stay with LiveChat if - You sell online and want chat-based selling through Shopify, which every Text plan lists. - You want proactive chat campaigns and live visitor tracking on your site. - You want a 14-day trial without a credit card. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs LiveChat at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | LiveChat | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Text plans per user: Essential $19 and Growth $79 a month billed annually ($25 and $99 monthly); Enterprise custom ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Users, plus AI resolutions: 10 a month on Essential and 200 on Growth; 50 more cost $49.50 ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email in one inbox on every plan ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | | 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 takeover from the AI Agent; chat supervision and takeover on Growth ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Help articles, internal docs, URLs, and PDFs, up to 50 MB per file ([source](https://www.chatbot.com/pricing/)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $19 per user a month billed annually (Essential), with 1 AI Agent and 10 AI resolutions ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Essential keeps 60 days of chat history; existing LiveChat plans must move to Text for these features ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from LiveChat in a day Keep LiveChat live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your LiveChat setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the LiveChat widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How much does LiveChat cost compared with InsertChat? LiveChat’s pricing page lists Text plans at $19 per user a month billed annually ($25 monthly) for Essential and $79 ($99 monthly) for Growth. Three Growth users cost $237 a month billed annually. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 per month billed annually, with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## What happened to ChatBot.com pricing? ChatBot.com’s pricing page now lists the same Essential, Growth, and Enterprise plans, presented with Text’s AI Agent, at $19 and $79 per user a month billed annually. Its AI Agent learns from help articles, internal docs, URLs, and PDFs. InsertChat’s assistant learns from website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information, and it also answers phone calls. ## What counts as an AI resolution on LiveChat? LiveChat counts a resolution when the AI directly solves a customer question, and several questions in the same chat count once. Essential includes 10 a month and Growth 200, with 50 more for $49.50. InsertChat meters AI credits from one monthly allowance; use depends on the model, conversation length, knowledge processing, and tools. ## Does LiveChat answer phone calls? LiveChat’s pricing page lists website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email, and does not list a phone channel. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls on your business number. In the US and Canada you can forward an existing number; elsewhere you use an InsertChat local or toll-free number. ## LiveChat compared with other vendors - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Freshchat Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs Freshchat Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat > Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. InsertChat is a Freshchat alternative for businesses that want one AI answering calls and messages without per-agent pricing. Freshchat lists a free plan for up to 10 agents, then $19, $49, or $79 per agent a month billed annually, with Freddy AI Agent sessions at $49 per 100 after the first 500. InsertChat starts at $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Freshchat’s public pricing page](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Freshchat ### Choose InsertChat if - You want AI answering phone calls in the same product and inbox as chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. - You want a flat plan: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits, with no AI session packs to buy. - You want the assistant to book appointments, with optional approval by your team. - You want bilingual answering: the assistant follows the customer’s language, with 58 business languages to choose from. ### Stay with Freshchat if - You want a free plan for up to 10 agents with a chat widget, shared inbox, and email. - You want LINE and Google Business Messages alongside WhatsApp and SMS, which Growth lists. - You need conversations translated across more than 45 languages, which Freshchat lists on Pro and Enterprise. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Freshchat at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Freshchat | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Per agent: Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19, Pro $49, and Enterprise $79 a month billed annually ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Agents, plus Freddy AI Agent sessions: the first 500 included, then $49 per 100 ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Web and mobile chat and email on every plan; Messenger, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, LINE, and Google Business Messages from Growth; voice through Freshcaller ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Shared inbox on every plan, including Free ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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 up to 10 agents; Growth $19 per agent a month billed annually, with Freddy AI Agent ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Freddy AI Agent is not on Free; Freddy AI Copilot is $29 per agent a month on Pro and Enterprise; Freshcaller voice starts from $15 per agent a month ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Freshchat in a day Keep Freshchat live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Freshchat setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Freshchat widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How much does Freshchat cost compared with InsertChat? Freshchat lists Free for up to 10 agents, then Growth at $19, Pro at $49, and Enterprise at $79 per agent a month billed annually. Freddy AI Agent includes the first 500 sessions, then $49 per 100. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## Does Freshchat include phone support? Freshchat’s pricing page sells voice separately through Freshcaller, starting from $15, $39, or $69 per agent a month depending on the tier. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls on every paid plan, with one phone number included and calls drawn from the same credits as chat and email. ## Is Freddy AI included in Freshchat’s free plan? No. Freshchat’s pricing page lists Freddy AI Agent on Growth, Pro, and Enterprise, with the first 500 sessions included and $49 per 100 after that. Freddy AI Copilot is a separate $29 per agent a month add-on on Pro and Enterprise. InsertChat includes AI answers and team handoff on every plan. ## Can I try InsertChat before switching from Freshchat? Yes. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits; a card is required at checkout. Freshchat’s trial gives 14 days of its Enterprise plan. Test both on the same customer questions before you move your widget. ## Freshchat compared with other vendors - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Botpress Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs Botpress Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress > AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. InsertChat is a Botpress alternative for businesses that want a ready AI front desk instead of an agent-building platform. Botpress prices by conversations: 100 free, then $150 a month billed annually for 250 or $750 for 1,500, with voice on Enterprise. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Botpress’s public pricing page](https://botpress.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Botpress ### Choose InsertChat if - You want to set up from your website and documents in the app rather than design an agent from scratch. - You want AI phone answering on your entry plan; Botpress lists voice on Enterprise. - You want your team to take over in a shared inbox with the full conversation on every plan: Pro includes 3 seats. - You want booking into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ### Stay with Botpress if - You have developers who want to build custom AI agents with their own logic, tables, and integrations. - You want a free plan with 100 conversations and three AI agents to experiment. - You want Intercom, Zendesk, HubSpot, or Salesforce integrations, which Botpress lists. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Botpress at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Botpress | | --- | --- | --- | | 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; Plus $150 and Team $750 a month billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Conversations (100, 250, or 1,500 a month), with packs of 100 for $65 on Plus or $50 on Team; each conversation includes $0.10 of AI usage ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Webchat and WhatsApp; Slack deployment; voice on Enterprise ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Teams, routing, and assignment rules on Team; human-assisted conversations count the same as AI-only ones ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Knowledge bases with vector storage: 100 MB on Free, 1 GB on Plus, and 5 GB on Team ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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 100 conversations a month; Plus $150 a month billed annually ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Conversation packs are added automatically at 95% of quota and auto-recharge cannot be turned off; voice is listed on Enterprise ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Botpress in a day Keep Botpress live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Botpress setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Botpress widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How much does Botpress cost compared with InsertChat? Botpress lists a free plan with 100 conversations a month, Plus at $150 a month billed annually for 250 conversations, and Team at $750 for 1,500, with packs of 100 for $65 or $50. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month, or $81.67 per month billed annually, with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## How does Botpress count a conversation? Botpress counts any exchange with at least two messages from the end user in the billing month, counts a conversation spanning two months in both, and counts 3 voice minutes as one conversation. AI-only and human-assisted conversations count the same. InsertChat calls use credits and round up to whole minutes. ## Do I need a developer to switch from Botpress to InsertChat? No. Add your website pages, documents, and FAQs as knowledge, set handoff rules and the assistant’s look, then install the website widget or WordPress plugin. Connected actions such as HubSpot, Zendesk, and Stripe are enabled from the app catalog with the permissions you choose. ## Does Botpress answer phone calls? Botpress’s pricing page lists a voice channel on its Enterprise plan, counting 3 minutes as one conversation. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls on every paid plan, which includes one phone number, and calls reach the same shared inbox as chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. ## Botpress compared with other vendors - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # CustomGPT.ai Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs CustomGPT Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt > Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. InsertChat is a CustomGPT.ai alternative for businesses that want their knowledge answering phone calls and messages in one shared inbox. CustomGPT.ai prices by monthly queries: Standard is $99 a month, or $89 billed annually, for 1,000 queries and 10 agents. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [CustomGPT.ai’s public pricing page](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai ### Choose InsertChat if - You want customers answered on the phone, by email, by SMS, and on WhatsApp as well as in website chat. - You want your team to take over conversations in a shared inbox, with contacts and the full history. - You want the assistant to book appointments and run connected actions in HubSpot, Zoho, Stripe, or Zendesk. - You want your logo and styling on your entry plan; CustomGPT.ai removes its branding on Premium. ### Stay with CustomGPT.ai if - You want answers grounded in a large document library: Standard allows 5,000 documents per agent and 60 million words of storage. - You want many agents for different teams or knowledge sets: 10 on Standard and 25 on Premium. - You want connectors for Confluence, Google Drive, Notion, or SharePoint, or a RAG API for your own apps. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | CustomGPT.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)) | Standard $99 and Premium $499 a month, or $89 and $449 billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Queries: 1,000 a month on Standard and 5,000 on Premium, shared across agents; documents and word storage are also capped ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Slack deployment listed on every plan; other deployment channels are not itemized on the pricing page ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Not verified | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Websites, helpdesks, knowledge bases, 1,400+ document formats, YouTube, audio, and podcasts, with connectors such as Google Drive and Notion ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $99 a month, or $89 billed annually (Standard), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | | 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)) | Responses stop when the monthly query limit is reached; removing CustomGPT.ai branding needs Premium ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from CustomGPT.ai in a day Keep CustomGPT.ai live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your CustomGPT.ai setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the CustomGPT.ai widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How much does CustomGPT.ai cost compared with InsertChat? CustomGPT.ai lists Standard at $99 a month ($89 billed annually) with 1,000 queries and 10 agents, and Premium at $499 ($449 annually) with 5,000 queries and 25 agents. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats, and it answers phone calls. ## What happens when I hit CustomGPT.ai’s query limit? CustomGPT.ai’s pricing page says reaching the query limit stops responses to new queries, and reaching the word limit stops new indexing. Queries are counted per account across all agents. InsertChat draws calls and conversations from one monthly credit allowance, and its pricing page includes a usage estimator. ## Can InsertChat learn from the same content as CustomGPT.ai? InsertChat learns from website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information, with 1,000 sources on Pro. CustomGPT.ai lists more source types, including YouTube, podcasts, and many document formats, so check that your key sources are covered before switching. ## Does CustomGPT.ai offer live chat with a person? CustomGPT.ai’s pricing page does not list live chat or human handoff. In InsertChat, handoff rules pass a conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person or the assistant is unsure, and your team replies from the shared inbox with the full history. ## CustomGPT.ai compared with other vendors - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # SiteGPT Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs SiteGPT Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt > Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. InsertChat is a SiteGPT alternative for businesses whose customers call, email, and text as well as chat. SiteGPT’s Starter plan is $39 a month billed yearly, or $59 monthly, for one chatbot; WhatsApp and branding removal are add-ons at $39 a month each, billed yearly. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [SiteGPT’s public pricing page](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs SiteGPT ### Choose InsertChat if - You want phone calls, email, and SMS answered by the same assistant as your website chat. - You want WhatsApp and your own logo and styling on your entry plan; WhatsApp can carry connected-service charges. - You want a shared inbox for your team: Pro includes 3 seats, where SiteGPT’s Starter includes one member. - You want the assistant to book appointments into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ### Stay with SiteGPT if - You only need a website chatbot and want a low entry price: $39 a month billed yearly. - You want to pick between GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1-mini, which changes how many messages your plan covers. - You want the AI answering inside Crisp, Freshdesk Messaging, Zoho SalesIQ, or Zendesk, which SiteGPT lists as integrations. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs SiteGPT at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | SiteGPT | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Starter $39, Growth $79, and Scale $259 a month billed yearly ($59, $129, and $429 monthly); Enterprise custom ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Messages a month, which vary by model: up to 4,000 GPT-4.1-mini or 400 GPT-4.1 messages on Starter ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Website embed; Messenger, Slack, Google Chat, Crisp, Freshdesk Messaging, and Zoho SalesIQ from Growth; WhatsApp as an add-on ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | iOS app live inbox with alerts and one-tap takeover from Growth; Zendesk AI agent handoff from Scale ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | 1,000 pages and 10 files on Starter, 10,000 pages and 100 files on Growth (1 page = 2,500 characters) ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $39 a month billed yearly, or $59 monthly (Starter), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | No free plan; Starter includes 1 chatbot and 1 member; branding removal and WhatsApp are $39 a month add-ons billed yearly ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from SiteGPT in a day Keep SiteGPT live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your SiteGPT setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the SiteGPT widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How much does SiteGPT cost compared with InsertChat? SiteGPT lists Starter at $39, Growth at $79, and Scale at $259 a month billed yearly, or $59, $129, and $429 billed monthly; there is no free plan. Branding removal, WhatsApp, and extra messages are add-ons. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## How many messages does SiteGPT include? It depends on the model. SiteGPT’s Starter plan covers up to 4,000 GPT-4.1-mini messages or 400 GPT-4.1 messages a month, in any mix; Growth covers 10,000 or 1,000, and Scale 40,000 or 4,000. InsertChat credit use also depends on the model, plus conversation length, knowledge processing, and tools. ## Can SiteGPT hand a chat to a person? From Growth, SiteGPT lists an iOS app with a live inbox, push alerts when a visitor asks for a human, and one-tap takeover. InsertChat’s handoff rules route conversations to your team on every plan, and your team replies from the shared inbox with the full conversation. ## Does SiteGPT answer phone calls? SiteGPT’s pricing page lists website, messaging, and helpdesk integrations and does not list phone calls. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your business number from the same knowledge as your website chat; every paid plan includes one phone number, and calls round up to whole minutes. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Chatling Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs Chatling Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling > AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. InsertChat is a Chatling alternative for businesses that want calls answered by the same AI as their website chat. Chatling meters AI credits, with a free plan, Starter at $25 a month for 1,750 credits, and branding removal on Scale or as a $35 add-on. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Chatling’s public pricing page](https://chatling.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Chatling ### Choose InsertChat if - You want the AI to answer phone calls on your business number; Chatling’s voice minutes are speech-to-text input inside chat. - You want 3 assistants and 3 seats on your entry plan, with credits shared by calls and chat. - You want booking into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with optional approval. - You want email and SMS conversations answered in the same inbox as chat and calls. ### Stay with Chatling if - You want to start free and move to a low-cost paid plan: Starter is $25 a month. - You want Instagram, Messenger, or Telegram alongside website chat and WhatsApp. - You want a visual workflow builder with actions per agent, from 2 on Free to 12 on Scale. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Chatling at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Chatling | | --- | --- | --- | | 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; Starter $25, Growth $75, and Scale $295 a month, or $21, $63, and $246 billed annually ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | AI credits: 200, 1,750, 6,000, or 35,000 a month, with use per message set by the AI model; 1,000 more cost $10 ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Web on every plan; WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, and API on paid plans ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Live chat with canned responses; round-robin routing of handed-off conversations on Growth and Scale ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Knowledge base measured in characters: 500,000 on Free up to 100 million on Scale, with auto-sync from Starter ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | Cal.com listed among integrations ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | 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 plan with 200 AI credits; Starter $25 a month, or $21 billed annually ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | 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)) | Removing “Powered by Chatling” needs Scale or a $35 a month add-on; Free has 1 seat and 1 AI agent ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Chatling in a day Keep Chatling live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Chatling setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Chatling widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How much does Chatling cost compared with InsertChat? Chatling lists a free plan with 200 AI credits, Starter at $25 a month with 1,750, Growth at $75 with 6,000, and Scale at $295 with 35,000; annual billing lowers each. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. Each product defines credits differently, so compare by testing your real conversations. ## Does Chatling answer phone calls? Chatling lists voice input from Starter, which lets visitors speak a chat message that is transcribed to text. Its pricing page does not list phone call answering. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls on your business number, and every paid plan includes one phone number. ## Can I remove the Chatling branding? Chatling removes the “Powered by Chatling” branding on its Scale plan, or as a $35 a month add-on. InsertChat includes your logo and assistant styling on every plan, and white label options with a custom domain start on Growth. ## Can InsertChat book appointments like Chatling’s Cal.com integration? Yes. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team approves. Booking works in website chats, texts, and phone calls, and customers can get a text or email reminder 72 and 24 hours before the appointment. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. --- # Gorgias Alternative & Pricing: InsertChat vs Gorgias Source: https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias > Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. InsertChat is a Gorgias alternative for businesses that want AI answering phone calls and messages from one plan. Gorgias prices its ecommerce helpdesk by tickets, from $10 a month for 50, and bills its AI Agent per automated interaction, $0.85 to $1.00 depending on plan. InsertChat covers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Competitor details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Gorgias’s public pricing page](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Our verdict on InsertChat vs Gorgias ### Choose InsertChat if - You run a service business, such as a salon, law office, or contractor, and need calls answered and appointments booked. - You want AI phone answering in your plan rather than a voice add-on. - You want one monthly allowance (5,000 monthly AI credits on Pro) instead of per-ticket and per-interaction charges. - You sell on Shopify and want an AI chatbot on your storefront that answers from product information and store policies. ### Stay with Gorgias if - You run a Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Magento store, which Gorgias lists as integrations. - You want an AI agent that takes store actions such as cancellations and discounts, which Gorgias lists. - Your volume fits ticket pricing and you want up to 500 user seats from Basic. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. ## InsertChat vs Gorgias at a glance | Compared | InsertChat | Gorgias | | --- | --- | --- | | 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)) | Helpdesk by monthly tickets: Starter $10 (monthly only), Basic $60, Pro $360, and Advanced $900 a month, or $50, $300, and $750 billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Tickets (50 to 5,000 a month) and AI Agent automated interactions: $1.00 on Starter, $0.90 on Basic and Pro, $0.85 on Advanced ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | | Channels | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Email, chat, social, and help center; voice and SMS as add-ons priced by volume ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | | Human handoff | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | Helpdesk with 3 user seats on Starter and 500 on other plans ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | | Knowledge sources | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | Not verified | | Booking | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | 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)) | $10 a month for 50 tickets (Starter); with AI Agent, $40 a month including 30 automated interactions ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | | 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)) | Ticket overage is $0.40 each on Starter and $36 to $40 per 100 on other plans; voice and SMS cost extra ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## Switch from Gorgias in a day Keep Gorgias live while you build and test InsertChat, then swap the install code. Most of the day goes into adding your knowledge, and the 7-day free trial covers the testing. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Import the website pages, documents, and FAQs your Gorgias setup answers from, then test the common questions. 2. **Match your brand.** Set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, tone, and the moments when your team should take over. 3. **Swap the widget.** Replace the Gorgias widget with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin, then test a few conversations. ## How much does Gorgias cost compared with InsertChat? Gorgias lists Starter at $10 a month for 50 tickets, Basic at $60 ($50 billed annually) for 300, Pro at $360 ($300) for 2,000, and Advanced at $900 ($750) for 5,000. Its AI Agent adds $0.85 to $1.00 per automated interaction. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. ## Can InsertChat look up Shopify orders like Gorgias? No. InsertChat installs on your Shopify storefront as website chat and answers from the product information and store policies you add; the embed does not access live orders, refunds, or inventory. If order actions drive most of your tickets, Gorgias lists Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento integrations. ## Does Gorgias answer phone calls? Gorgias sells voice and SMS as add-ons priced by call and text volume, and its pricing page does not list its AI Agent answering calls. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls on every paid plan, with one phone number included, and books appointments into your calendar. ## When does Gorgias charge for its AI Agent? Gorgias says you pay when its AI Agent resolves a conversation: $1.00 per automated interaction on Starter, $0.90 on Basic and Pro, and $0.85 on Advanced. InsertChat meters AI usage in credits from one monthly allowance instead of per resolution. ## Gorgias compared with other vendors - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. ## Other comparisons - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk): AI receptionist with separate voice, chat, SMS, and email allowances on one $99 plan, plus overage credits. - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara): AI receptionist billed by the minute from $29, with an SMS agent and website chatbot on one knowledge base. - [InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst): AI phone answering sold by the call from $24.95, with warm transfers and calendar booking. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie): AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses, with prices quoted on a demo call. - [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 agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [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. - [InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect): Human receptionists around the clock, billed by whole minutes from $350 for 200, with live chat on Growth and Standard. - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa): Live virtual receptionists on Nexa 100, 300, and 500 voice-minute plans, with prices given on request. - [InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny): People and AI call answering in the US, with minute plans from $165 and call plans from $69; voicenation.com now redirects here. - [InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual): Live receptionist plans from $129 for 50 minutes, billed by the second, with scheduling on Premium plans. - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications): Answering service with 24/7 coverage on every plan, from $49 pay-as-you-go to $649 for 500 minutes. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents): Voice agent plans with included call minutes, $0.08 per extra minute, and LLM usage billed on top. - [InsertChat vs Slang.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/slang-ai): AI phone assistant for restaurants, priced per location from $399, with OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy integrations. - [InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet): Inbound AI receptionist at $49 for 150 minutes, from a voice platform that also sells white-label plans to agencies. - [InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai): AI receptionist billed in shared voice and text units: pay as you go, or $299 a month for 200 units, one location per plan. - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai): AI answering service in minute plans from $49 for 250 minutes, with call transfer and document knowledge on higher tiers. - [InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail): AI voice agent from the CallRail call-tracking platform, from $95 a month plus Lead Tracking, then $1 per extra call. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and a free plan. - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt): Website AI chatbot priced by plan and message volume, with WhatsApp and branding removal as add-ons. - [InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling): AI chatbot builder priced by monthly AI credits, with a free plan and branding removal on its top plan. --- # Free Phone Tools for Small Businesses Source: https://insertchat.com/tools > Free phone tools for small businesses: price your missed calls, compare receptionist and answering service costs, and write the greeting callers hear. InsertChat’s free tools help small businesses decide how to answer the phone. The missed call calculator estimates the revenue unanswered calls put at risk, the receptionist cost calculator compares staff, an answering service, and an AI receptionist, and the greeting generator writes copy-ready scripts. Every tool runs in your browser. ## Tools - [Missed call calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/missed-call-calculator): Estimate the bookings and revenue that ring out each month from calls your team can’t answer. - [Receptionist cost calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/receptionist-cost-calculator): Compare a hired receptionist, a human answering service, and InsertChat’s AI receptionist, and see which plan fits your calls. - [Phone greeting generator](https://insertchat.com/tools/phone-greeting-generator): Write main, after-hours, holiday, and busy greetings for your business line, plus an AI receptionist greeting. ## Use them in order 1. **Measure the leak.** Start with your call log. The missed call calculator turns your missed-call rate into jobs and revenue each month. 2. **Price the fix.** Compare a hired receptionist, a human answering service, and InsertChat for your call volume, with every source linked. 3. **Decide what callers hear.** Write the greetings for open hours, after hours, holidays, and busy times, and an AI receptionist greeting. ## Are these tools really free? Yes. All three are free to use with no signup or email address. They run in your browser, and the greeting generator builds scripts from templates instead of calling an AI model. ## Where do the default numbers come from? Defaults are examples to replace with your own. The receptionist wage and overhead come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the answering service plans from Ruby’s public pricing page, and InsertChat plans from our pricing page. Each source is linked on the tool page with the date we checked it. ## Is a calculator result a quote? No. Results are estimates from the numbers you enter. InsertChat’s credit use depends on your AI model, call length, and setup, and other providers set their own terms. Check each provider’s current pricing before you decide. ## How do I stop missing calls? Route the calls you can’t answer to an AI receptionist. InsertChat answers from your business knowledge, books appointments, and hands conversations to your team in one inbox. Keep your US or Canada number by forwarding it. Try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. --- # Missed Call Calculator: What Missed Calls Cost Source: https://insertchat.com/tools/missed-call-calculator > Free missed call calculator: enter weekly calls, missed-call rate, booking share, close rate, and job value to see the revenue at risk each month and year. The cost of missed calls is the revenue from callers who wanted to buy and never reached you. Multiply weekly calls by your missed-call rate, the share of those callers ready to book, your close rate, and your average job value. With the example inputs below, $3,250 a month is at risk. [Open the interactive missed call calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/missed-call-calculator#calculator). It runs in the browser, and every starting value is an editable assumption. ## How the missed call calculator works The calculator follows a missed call from your phone log to your revenue in four steps. No industry averages are built in: every input is an assumption you control, so the result reflects your business. 1. **Missed calls.** Weekly calls × your missed-call rate. Take both from your phone provider’s call log for a normal week, counting calls that rang out or went to voicemail. 2. **Callers ready to book.** Missed calls × the share who wanted to book or buy. Leave out spam, sales pitches, and vendors, and lower the share if many callers try again later. 3. **Jobs you would have won.** Callers ready to book × your close rate: the share of answered new-customer calls that turn into paid work. 4. **Revenue at risk.** Lost jobs × your average job value. Monthly figures use 52 weeks ÷ 12 months; yearly figures use 52 weeks. - The result is revenue, not profit. Multiply it by your gross margin to estimate lost profit. - Repeat visits, referrals, and reviews from a new customer aren’t counted, so the estimate can understate a customer’s full value. ## Worked example: a home service business These inputs are illustrative assumptions, not benchmarks. They’re the calculator’s starting values, so you can follow each step and then replace them with your own. | Step | Result | | --- | --- | | Calls a week | 50 | | Missed (20%) | 10 calls a week | | Ready to book (50%) | 5 callers a week | | Won at a 50% close rate | 2.5 jobs a week | | Revenue at $300 a job | $750 a week | | Revenue at risk each month | $3,250 | | Revenue at risk each year | $39,000 | That’s about 10.8 jobs a month from 43.3 missed calls. Compare it with InsertChat Pro at $98 a month. ## How do you stop losing revenue to missed calls? Make sure every call reaches someone who can help, even when your team can’t pick up. Route after-hours and unanswered calls to an AI receptionist that answers questions and books appointments, send urgent calls to your team, and rerun this calculator a month later with your new missed-call rate. ## Which calls should you count? Count inbound calls from people who might buy: new customers, booking requests, and questions about your services. Leave out spam, sales pitches, and vendors. Existing customers calling about a booking matter too, but this calculator values new work only, which keeps the result conservative. ## How do I find my missed-call rate? Open your phone provider’s call log or call reports and divide missed or unanswered inbound calls by total inbound calls for the same week. Count calls that rang out or reached voicemail. If your provider doesn’t report it, tally a typical week by hand. ## Should I count voicemails as missed calls? Yes. A voicemail is still a call nobody answered. If you return voicemails quickly and still win most of those jobs, lower the share of callers ready to book so the result matches what you see. ## What close rate should I use? Use the share of answered new-customer calls that turn into paid work, from your CRM or booking records. If you don’t track it, count last month’s new-customer calls and the jobs they produced. The calculator’s 50% is an example, not a benchmark. ## Is revenue at risk the same as lost profit? No. It’s the revenue those jobs would have brought in. To estimate lost profit, multiply the result by your gross margin. The calculator also leaves out repeat visits and referrals, so it can understate what a new customer is worth. ## How does an AI receptionist recover missed calls? It answers the calls your team can’t take, after hours or when the line is busy. InsertChat answers from your business knowledge, books appointments into your calendar, takes details for a callback, and alerts your team to urgent calls, with every conversation in one inbox. ## How much does InsertChat cost compared with the revenue at risk? InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 AI credits shared by calls and written conversations. Calls round up to whole minutes. Compare that with your monthly result, or use the receptionist cost calculator to estimate the credits your calls need. ## Related - [Keep your number with call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) - [AI receptionist for home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services) - [AI receptionist guide for small business](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-for-small-business) - [Compare plans and usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) --- # Receptionist Cost Calculator: In-House vs AI Source: https://insertchat.com/tools/receptionist-cost-calculator > Compare monthly costs of an in-house receptionist, an answering service, and an AI receptionist, with BLS wage data, Ruby’s listed plans, and InsertChat prices. A full-time receptionist at the BLS median wage of $18.27 an hour costs about $4,624 a month once you add 46% for benefits. A human answering service such as Ruby lists 500 minutes for $1,725 a month. InsertChat’s AI receptionist starts at $98 a month on Pro, with 5,000 credits shared by calls and chat. [Open the interactive receptionist cost calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/receptionist-cost-calculator#calculator). It runs in the browser, and every starting value is an editable assumption. ## How the receptionist cost calculator works Each option is priced the way it bills: wages for staff, minutes for an answering service, and credits for InsertChat. Defaults come from the sources below; change any of them to match your quotes. 1. **In-house receptionist.** Hourly wage × paid hours a week × 52 ÷ 12, plus overhead as a share of wages. Defaults: the BLS median receptionist wage, 40 hours, and 46% for benefits, from BLS employer cost data. 2. **Human answering service.** Calls × average minutes. With Ruby’s listed plans, the calculator picks the smallest plan that covers your minutes; above 500 minutes no price is listed. Or enter your own quote as a per-minute rate plus a monthly fee. 3. **InsertChat AI receptionist.** Each call rounds up to whole minutes, with a one-minute minimum, then uses credits at your AI model’s rate. The calculator recommends the lowest-priced plan whose monthly credits cover your calls. - The 12 credits per minute default is the pricing page estimator’s example rate. Your rate depends on the AI model you choose. - Answering service minutes aren’t rounded, because services set their own billing increments. That keeps the comparison from overstating their cost. - Left out: extra InsertChat phone numbers ($10 a month each), SMS and WhatsApp charges, recruiting and training, and taxes. ## Sources - [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Receptionists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm): Median hourly wage for receptionists: $18.27 in May 2025, checked October 13, 2026. - [BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, Table 4](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t04.htm): Private-industry office and administrative support workers, June 2026: $25.22 in wages and $11.51 in benefits per hour worked, so benefits add about 46% to wages. Checked October 13, 2026. - [Ruby pricing](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/): Virtual receptionist plans: 50 minutes for $250, 100 minutes for $395, 200 minutes for $720, 500 minutes for $1,725 a month, checked October 13, 2026. No overage rate is listed. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Plan prices and monthly credits: Pro $98 with 5,000 credits, Growth $198 with 10,000 credits, Scale $498 with 25,000 credits, Enterprise from $998 with 50,000 credits. ## Worked example: 120 calls a month 120 calls a month at 3 minutes each, with the default wage, overhead, Ruby plans, and credit rate. Swap in your own numbers above. | Step | Result | | --- | --- | | In-house receptionist, 40 hours a week | $4,624 a month ($3,167 in wages) | | Ruby, 360 minutes | $1,725 a month on the 500-minute plan | | InsertChat, 360 billable minutes | 4,320 credits: Pro at $98 a month | Pro leaves 680 credits for website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. These are example inputs, not a quote. ## What each option gives you | Compared | In-house receptionist | Human answering service | InsertChat AI receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Who answers | Your employee | The service’s receptionists | An AI assistant trained on your business knowledge, with your team taking over when needed | | Hours covered | The hours you schedule and pay for | Depends on the service and plan | Any hours you route to it: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up | | How it’s billed | Wages, benefits, and overhead, whether the phone rings or not | By minutes or calls; Ruby lists monthly minute plans | A monthly plan with AI credits; calls round up to whole minutes | | Other channels | Whatever else they handle between calls | Varies; Ruby lists separate live chat plans | Website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in the same inbox and credits | Ruby details from its public pricing page, checked October 13, 2026. ## Which option costs the least? In the worked example, InsertChat costs less than either alternative by a wide margin. A hired receptionist costs the same whether the phone rings or not, an answering service bill grows with your minutes, and InsertChat moves up a plan only when your calls outgrow its monthly credits. ## What does round-the-clock coverage cost with staff? A week has 168 hours, so covering all of them takes 4.2 full-time 40-hour schedules before breaks, sick days, and vacations. At the default wage and overhead, that’s about $19,419 a month. InsertChat answers any hours you route to it on the same plan. ## How much does an in-house receptionist cost per month? At the BLS median wage of $18.27 an hour (May 2025), 40 hours a week comes to about $3,167 a month in wages. Adding 46% for benefits, based on BLS employer cost data for office and administrative support workers, brings it to about $4,624. Recruiting, training, and equipment come on top. ## How much does a human answering service cost? It depends on the service and plan. Ruby’s pricing page lists receptionist plans from $250 for 50 minutes to $1,725 for 500 minutes (checked October 13, 2026), or $5.00 down to $3.45 a minute if you use every minute. Ask each service about overage and billing increments. ## How many calls does an InsertChat plan cover? It depends on call length and your AI model’s credits per minute. At the example rate of 12 credits a minute, Pro’s 5,000 monthly credits cover about 416 billable minutes, or 138 three-minute calls, before any chat or email. ## Can an AI receptionist replace a front-desk employee? It can take the calls a person can’t: after hours, during lunch, and when the line is busy. You can keep staff for in-person work and complex calls and route overflow and after-hours calls to InsertChat. Your team takes over in the shared inbox whenever a conversation needs a person. ## Why does the calculator round InsertChat minutes but not the answering service’s? InsertChat rounds each call up to a whole minute, with a one-minute minimum, so the calculator does too. Answering services set their own billing increments, which the calculator doesn’t assume. Leaving their minutes unrounded keeps it from overstating their cost. ## Does annual billing change the InsertChat price? Yes. Annual plans cost ten monthly payments, paid upfront, so Pro works out to $81.67 a month. The calculator shows monthly prices; the pricing page lists both. ## Related - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby) - [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) - [AI receptionist vs answering service](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) - [Pricing and usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) --- # Business Phone Greeting Generator & Scripts Source: https://insertchat.com/tools/phone-greeting-generator > Free business phone greeting generator: pick your industry, tone, and situation for copy-ready main, after-hours, holiday, and busy greetings and an AI script. A good business phone greeting names your business in the first sentence, says whether you’re open, and tells the caller what to do next. This generator writes three versions for each situation from templates in your browser, plus an AI receptionist greeting that fits InsertChat’s 200-character greeting field. [Open the interactive phone greeting generator](https://insertchat.com/tools/phone-greeting-generator#generator). It runs in the browser, and every starting value is an editable assumption. ## How the greeting generator writes your scripts Every script follows the same structure, so callers hear who you are and what happens next before they decide to hang up. 1. **Your name first.** Each greeting opens with your business name in the tone you pick: friendly, professional, or short and direct. 2. **One next step.** Callers get a single instruction: stay on the line, press a number, or leave a name, number, and reason for calling. 3. **Hours and closures.** After-hours and holiday versions name your hours or say when you’ll call back, so callers aren’t left guessing. 4. **Urgent calls.** Industries with urgent calls get an instruction for them, such as calling 911 for a medical emergency. 5. **An AI greeting that fits.** The AI version says it’s a virtual assistant, offers what it can do, and stays within 200 characters. - The generator fills templates in your browser. It doesn’t call an AI model or need an account. - Mention only what your team or assistant will actually do, and read each script aloud before you record it. ## Worked example: after-hours greetings for Northstar Home Services Northstar Home Services is a fictional business. These greetings use the plumbing, hvac, and home services templates, a friendly tone, and the hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Step | Result | | --- | --- | | After-hours message | Hi, thanks for calling Northstar Home Services. We’re closed right now. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Leave your name, number, and what you need, and we’ll call you back when we open. Thanks, and have a great day. | | With urgent-call instructions | Hi, thanks for calling Northstar Home Services. You’ve reached us after hours. If water is leaking or you have no heat, say so first so we can call you back sooner. Otherwise, leave your name, number, and what you need, and we’ll call you back during business hours. | | Short version | Hi, thanks for calling Northstar Home Services. We’re closed for the day. Leave a message and we’ll call you back when we open. | | AI receptionist greeting | Hi, thanks for calling Northstar Home Services. We’re closed right now, and I’m the virtual assistant. I can answer questions, help you book a service visit, or take a message. How can I help? | The AI receptionist greeting is 192 characters, within InsertChat’s 200-character limit. ## Where should each greeting go? Use the main greeting when someone answers or as your phone menu, the after-hours and holiday versions on your voicemail or closed-hours routing, and the busy version as hold or overflow messaging. Record the holiday greeting a few days before you close, and switch back when you reopen. ## Voicemail greeting or AI receptionist? A voicemail greeting asks the caller to wait for a callback. An AI receptionist greets them in your words, answers from your business knowledge, and can book the appointment during the call. InsertChat can answer always, only after hours, or only when your team doesn’t pick up, so you choose which calls it takes. ## What should a business phone greeting say? Your business name, a short welcome, and the next step. Add your hours when you’re closed, an emergency instruction if callers may need one, and a callback promise you can keep. Leave out long menus and marketing lines that make callers wait. ## What is a good after-hours greeting? Say you’re closed, give your hours, and ask for a name, number, and reason for calling. If urgent calls need a person, say how to reach one. With an AI receptionist, after-hours callers can get answers and book a time instead of waiting for a callback. ## How long should a phone greeting be? As short as it can be while still telling callers what to do next. Two or three sentences usually cover it. InsertChat’s caller greeting field takes up to 200 characters, so the generator keeps the AI receptionist version within that limit. ## Should an AI receptionist say it’s an AI? We recommend it. Callers know what to expect and can ask for a person. The generated AI greeting introduces itself as a virtual assistant. Check the disclosure rules that apply where you operate. ## Can I use these greetings for free? Yes. Copy, edit, and record them on any phone system. The generator builds them from templates in your browser, with no signup and no AI usage to pay for. ## How do I set my greeting in InsertChat? In your workspace, open the phone channel’s caller experience, pick one of 10 voices, and paste the greeting. Place a test call to hear it before you send customer calls to the assistant. ## Related - [What is an AI receptionist?](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist) - [Keep your number with call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) - [Answer in two languages](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) - [AI receptionist by industry](https://insertchat.com/industries) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) --- # AI Front Desk Glossary: Calls, Chat & AI Terms Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary > Plain-English definitions of AI receptionist, call forwarding, IVR, chatbot, and customer service terms, with small-business examples and how InsertChat handles each. This glossary defines the terms small businesses meet when they automate calls, website chat, texts, and email: answering services, call forwarding and routing, conversational AI, human handoff, customer service metrics, and the rules for business texting. Each entry gives a plain definition, an example, and how InsertChat handles it. ## AI front desk and answering The ways a business gets its phone answered, from a human receptionist to an AI one. - [After-hours answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/after-hours-answering-service): An after-hours answering service answers a business’s calls outside its opening hours, such as evenings, weekends, and holidays. - [AI answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-answering-service): An AI answering service answers a business’s phone calls with voice AI instead of call center staff. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist): An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. - [Answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/answering-service): An answering service is a company or system that answers a business’s phone calls when the business cannot, most often after hours or during busy periods. - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/virtual-receptionist): A virtual receptionist is a receptionist who answers your business calls remotely instead of sitting at your front desk. - [Voice AI agent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent): A voice AI agent is software that holds a spoken conversation and takes actions on someone’s behalf. ## Phone numbers and call handling Numbers, forwarding, routing, and what happens to a call before anyone says hello. - [Auto attendant](https://insertchat.com/glossary/auto-attendant): An auto attendant is a phone system feature that answers calls with a recorded greeting and a menu, such as “press 1 for sales, press 2 for support,” then routes the caller to an extension, department, or voicemail based on the key pressed. - [Call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding): Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls from one number to another. - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. - [Call screening](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-screening): Call screening is the practice of finding out who is calling and why before deciding how to handle the call. - [Conditional call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding): Conditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a condition is met: nobody answers within a set number of rings, the line is busy, or the phone is off or out of coverage. - [Full-duplex voice](https://insertchat.com/glossary/full-duplex-voice): Full-duplex voice means both sides of a conversation can speak and listen at the same time, as on a normal phone call. - [IVR (interactive voice response)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ivr): IVR, or interactive voice response, is an automated phone system that interacts with callers through recorded prompts, keypad tones, and limited speech recognition. - [Live call transfer](https://insertchat.com/glossary/live-call-transfer): A live call transfer moves an active call from whoever answered it, a receptionist, an agent, or an AI, to another person while the caller stays on the line. - [Local phone number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number): A local phone number is a standard number with an area code tied to a city or region, also called a geographic number. - [Missed call](https://insertchat.com/glossary/missed-call): A missed call is an incoming call that ends before anyone answers, because nobody picked up, the line was busy, or the caller hung up while ringing or on hold. - [Number porting](https://insertchat.com/glossary/number-porting): Number porting is moving a phone number from one service provider to another so the business or person keeps the same number. - [Overflow calls](https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls): Overflow calls are incoming calls that arrive when everyone who normally answers is busy or unavailable, so they would otherwise ring out, hit voicemail, or wait on hold. - [Toll-free number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/toll-free-number): A toll-free number is a phone number that callers can dial without being charged for the call, because the business that owns it pays instead. - [VoIP (voice over internet protocol)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voip): VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is technology that carries phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line. ## Conversational AI How an AI assistant understands a request and where its answers come from. - [AI hallucination](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-hallucination): An AI hallucination is a response from an AI system that sounds confident but is false, made up, or unsupported by its sources, such as an invented price, policy, or appointment time. - [Chatbot persona](https://insertchat.com/glossary/chatbot-persona): A chatbot persona is the consistent identity an AI assistant presents to customers: its name, tone of voice, level of formality, typical answer length, and, on the phone, its spoken voice and greeting. - [Conversational AI](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai): Conversational AI is technology that lets software hold a natural conversation with people by text or voice. - [Fallback intent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/fallback-intent): A fallback intent is the response a chatbot or voice assistant uses when it can’t match a message to anything it knows how to handle, or doesn’t have the answer. - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. - [Knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/glossary/knowledge-base): A knowledge base is an organized collection of information that people or software use to answer questions. - [Natural language understanding (NLU)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding): Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. - [Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/retrieval-augmented-generation): Retrieval-augmented generation, or RAG, is a technique where an AI system first searches a set of documents for passages relevant to a question, then writes its answer using those passages. - [Slot filling](https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling): Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. ## Website chat and conversation design The chat on your site and the shape of a conversation from greeting to resolution. - [Chat session](https://insertchat.com/glossary/chat-session): A chat session is a single conversation between a website visitor and a chatbot or support agent, from the first message until it is resolved or goes inactive. - [Clarification question](https://insertchat.com/glossary/clarification-question): A clarification question is a question an assistant asks when a customer’s request is ambiguous or a detail is unclear, instead of guessing. - [Conversation flow](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-flow): A conversation flow is the planned path a chatbot or voice assistant follows from the first greeting to an outcome, such as an answer, a booking, or a handoff. - [Conversation state](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-state): Conversation state is everything a system knows about a conversation at a given moment: what the customer wants, which details have been collected, what has already happened, and where the conversation stands, such as handled by AI, waiting on the customer, needing a person, or resolved. - [Follow-up question](https://insertchat.com/glossary/follow-up-question): A follow-up question is a question that depends on what was just said in a conversation, such as “how long does that take?” or “what about weekends?” after an answer. - [Iframe embedding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/iframe-embedding): Iframe embedding is placing one web page inside another using an HTML inline frame, so content hosted elsewhere, such as a chat window, map, or booking calendar, appears as part of your page. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. - [White-label chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/white-label-chatbot): A white-label chatbot is AI chat software that one company builds and another company rebrands and delivers to its own clients. ## Inbox and human handoff How your team shares customer conversations and steps in when a person is needed. - [Escalation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/escalation): Escalation is moving a customer issue to someone with more authority, expertise, or urgency than the first point of contact, such as from a chatbot to staff, or from staff to the owner. - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. - [Omnichannel communication](https://insertchat.com/glossary/omnichannel-communication): Omnichannel communication means a business serves customers across phone, website chat, SMS, email, and messaging apps as one connected experience. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox): A shared inbox is one workspace where a team sees and answers customer conversations together instead of in separate personal inboxes. ## Customer service metrics The numbers that show whether customers get answered quickly and completely. - [Average response time](https://insertchat.com/glossary/average-response-time): Average response time is the average time a customer waits for each reply from a business across a conversation, not just the first one. - [Call abandonment rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-abandonment-rate): Call abandonment rate is the percentage of incoming calls where the caller hangs up before reaching anyone, while ringing, during a phone menu, or on hold. - [First call resolution](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-call-resolution): First call resolution, or FCR, is the percentage of customer calls or contacts fully resolved during the first interaction, without a callback, transfer, or repeat contact. - [First response time](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-response-time): First response time, or FRT, is how long a customer waits between contacting a business and receiving the first real reply, whether by chat, email, text, or a returned call. - [No-show rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/no-show-rate): A no-show rate is the percentage of booked appointments where the customer neither arrives nor cancels in advance. - [Speed to lead](https://insertchat.com/glossary/speed-to-lead): Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect reaching out, by calling, chatting, filling in a form, or texting, and the business’s first meaningful response. ## Leads and appointments Turning a first inquiry into a contact, a qualified lead, and a kept appointment. - [Appointment reminders](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-reminders): Appointment reminders are messages a business sends before a scheduled appointment, usually by text or email, to remind the customer of the date, time, and location and make it easy to confirm or reschedule. - [Appointment scheduling software](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-scheduling-software): Appointment scheduling software is a tool that lets customers book, reschedule, or cancel time with a business based on its real availability. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-capture): Lead capture is recording a potential customer’s contact details and request when they first reach out, so the business can follow up and win the job. - [Lead qualification](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-qualification): Lead qualification is deciding whether a new inquiry is a good fit and how urgently to follow up, based on what the prospect needs, where they are, their timeline, and their readiness to buy. ## Compliance and messaging rules The rules behind business texting, automated calls, and health information. - [A2P 10DLC](https://insertchat.com/glossary/a2p-10dlc): A2P 10DLC is the US framework for business text messaging sent from standard 10-digit phone numbers. - [Business associate agreement (BAA)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/business-associate-agreement): A business associate agreement, or BAA, is a contract required by HIPAA between a healthcare provider or health plan and a vendor that creates, receives, stores, or transmits protected health information on its behalf. - [TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa): The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, is a 1991 US federal law that restricts telemarketing calls, autodialed calls and texts, and calls using prerecorded or artificial voices. --- # What Is an AI Receptionist? Definition & Uses Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist > An AI receptionist answers business calls with a natural voice, day or night. Learn how it works, what it can handle, and where a person still steps in. An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. It greets callers, answers questions from the business’s own information, collects names and reasons for calling, books appointments when allowed, and passes the call details to staff when a person is needed. It works around the clock without hold queues. ## How an AI receptionist works Calls reach the AI receptionist in one of two ways: customers dial a number the provider gives you, or your existing line forwards calls to it. A speech model turns the caller’s words into text, a language model decides what to say from your knowledge and instructions, and a voice model speaks the reply, all fast enough to hold a normal conversation. What separates a useful AI receptionist from a talking FAQ is what happens around the answer. It needs your services, prices, hours, and service area; rules for when to bring in a person; and a place where your team reads every call afterward. Connected to a calendar, it can offer real open times instead of promising a callback. Read the full [AI receptionist guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist) for setup and costs. ## Example: a plumber’s 2 a.m. call A two-truck plumbing company gets a call at 2 a.m. from a homeowner whose water heater is leaking. The AI receptionist reads the shut-off steps the owner wrote, takes the address and a callback number, books the first morning slot, and flags the call as urgent. At 7 a.m. the owner opens one summary instead of a voicemail. This scenario is illustrative. ## InsertChat’s AI receptionist InsertChat is built to answer every call a small business gets. Its [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers from your website pages, documents, and written answers, in one of 10 voices with a greeting you write. It asks for the caller’s name, number, and reason for calling, books on the calendar you connect, and saves each call with a transcript and an AI summary in the shared inbox. In the US and Canada you keep your business number and forward it; elsewhere you use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Paid plans start at $98 per month with one number included, and new customers can test it free for 7 days with 500 credits. See [industry examples for plumbers](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing) and other trades. ## Is an AI receptionist the same as a chatbot? They use similar language technology, but an AI receptionist works on the phone, so it has to listen, speak, and handle interruptions in real time. Many products, InsertChat included, run the same assistant on calls and website chat from one knowledge base. ## Can an AI receptionist transfer a call to me? Some can. InsertChat does not transfer during a call. Instead your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds, and when a caller needs a person the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation for your team, and emails them. ## What should an AI receptionist never do? It should not guess prices or policies it was not given, make promises outside your rules, or give advice that needs a licensed professional. Good setups hand those calls to a person and say plainly when information is missing. ## Related terms - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/virtual-receptionist): A virtual receptionist is a receptionist who answers your business calls remotely instead of sitting at your front desk. - [AI answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-answering-service): An AI answering service answers a business’s phone calls with voice AI instead of call center staff. - [Voice AI agent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent): A voice AI agent is software that holds a spoken conversation and takes actions on someone’s behalf. - [Call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding): Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls from one number to another. - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. - [After-hours answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/after-hours-answering-service): An after-hours answering service answers a business’s calls outside its opening hours, such as evenings, weekends, and holidays. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist for small business](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [What is an AI receptionist? Full guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist) - [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) - [AI receptionist for plumbers](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing) --- # What Is a Virtual Receptionist? Human vs AI Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/virtual-receptionist > A virtual receptionist answers your calls remotely, as a person at a service company or as AI. Compare the two, with costs and a solo law firm example. A virtual receptionist is a receptionist who answers your business calls remotely instead of sitting at your front desk. Traditionally that means trained people at a service company working from scripts you approve. Today the term also covers AI receptionists, which answer with a synthetic voice and can handle every call at once, at any hour. ## How a virtual receptionist works With a human virtual receptionist service, you forward your line to the service, give them a script and an escalation list, and pay by the minute, the call, or a monthly bundle. A receptionist answers in your business name, takes messages, and often patches important calls through to you. Coverage, hold times, and the depth of answers depend on staffing and how well the script anticipates questions. An AI virtual receptionist replaces the script with a knowledge base. Instead of reading a fixed answer, it answers the question the caller actually asked from your pages and documents, and every call is transcribed. The trade-off is judgment: people improvise better in unusual situations, while AI is consistent, never puts a caller on hold, and costs the same at 3 a.m. as at noon. ## Example: a solo attorney compares both A solo family-law attorney misses calls while in court. A human virtual receptionist service could take messages during business hours, billed per minute. An AI receptionist could answer every intake call, explain consultation fees from her own documents, and collect the caller’s situation for review, then mark anything that sounds like legal advice for her to handle. This scenario is illustrative. ## InsertChat as your virtual receptionist InsertChat is an AI virtual receptionist: it [answers calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) and website chats from your own knowledge, keeps a transcript and summary of every call, and routes anything sensitive to your team through handoff rules you write. Topics such as legal advice or billing disputes can be listed as always needing a person. It does not patch callers through to you mid-call. If you want people to answer first, its routing can ring your phone before the assistant picks up. Comparing human services? See how InsertChat stacks up against [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby) and [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai), and the [law firm setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal). ## Is a virtual receptionist a real person? It can be either. Traditional virtual receptionist services use remote staff. AI virtual receptionists use voice AI. Some services combine both, with AI answering first and people handling some calls. ## How is a virtual receptionist different from an answering service? The terms overlap. Answering services usually focus on taking messages, often after hours. Virtual receptionists usually act more like your own front desk: greeting callers by your business name, answering questions, and booking appointments. ## Which is cheaper, a human or AI virtual receptionist? Pricing varies by vendor, but human services generally charge per minute or per call because each call uses staff time. AI services usually charge a monthly plan plus usage. Compare with your real call volume and average call length. ## Related terms - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist): An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. - [Answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/answering-service): An answering service is a company or system that answers a business’s phone calls when the business cannot, most often after hours or during busy periods. - [Call screening](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-screening): Call screening is the practice of finding out who is calling and why before deciding how to handle the call. - [Live call transfer](https://insertchat.com/glossary/live-call-transfer): A live call transfer moves an active call from whoever answered it, a receptionist, an agent, or an AI, to another person while the caller stays on the line. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist vs answering service](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby) - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai) - [AI receptionist for law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal) --- # What Is an Answering Service? How It Works Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/answering-service > An answering service picks up your calls when you can’t and passes on messages. See how live services work, how they bill, and where AI changes the model. An answering service is a company or system that answers a business’s phone calls when the business cannot, most often after hours or during busy periods. It greets callers in the business’s name, takes messages, handles simple requests from a script, and relays urgent calls to an on-call person by phone, text, or email. ## How an answering service works You forward calls to the service’s number, either all the time or only when your line is busy, unanswered, or closed. Agents at a call center answer using your script: a greeting, a few questions to ask, and rules for what counts as urgent. Messages arrive by email, text, or a portal, and urgent ones trigger a call to whoever is on duty. Because people answer, quality depends on staffing levels and how often agents switch between clients. Most services bill per minute or per call, so busy months cost more. An [AI answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-answering-service) follows the same pattern but answers from your knowledge, so callers get answers instead of a promise that someone will call back. ## Example: an HVAC company’s overnight messages An HVAC company forwards its line to a call center at 6 p.m. Overnight, agents take nine messages, including two no-heat calls they relay to the on-call tech. In the morning, the office calls back the other seven, several of whom have already booked a competitor because nobody could give them a time. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat replaces message-taking InsertChat is an AI answering service that goes further than a message pad. It answers your [after-hours calls](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) from your own knowledge, books the visit on your connected calendar when you allow it, and saves the call with a transcript, summary, and contact details. Urgent calls get an alert and are marked for your team. It does not take voicemail and does not patch calls to an on-call phone mid-call. Read the side-by-side in [AI receptionist vs answering service](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service), or see the [HVAC setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac). ## What is the difference between an answering service and voicemail? Voicemail records a message and leaves the caller waiting. An answering service puts a live person or an AI on the line, so the caller can ask questions, describe the problem, and leave clear details. ## Do answering services work only after hours? No. Many businesses also use them for overflow during the day, when every line is busy or nobody can pick up. Your phone provider’s conditional forwarding decides which calls reach the service. ## Related terms - [AI answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-answering-service): An AI answering service answers a business’s phone calls with voice AI instead of call center staff. - [After-hours answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/after-hours-answering-service): An after-hours answering service answers a business’s calls outside its opening hours, such as evenings, weekends, and holidays. - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/virtual-receptionist): A virtual receptionist is a receptionist who answers your business calls remotely instead of sitting at your front desk. - [Overflow calls](https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls): Overflow calls are incoming calls that arrive when everyone who normally answers is busy or unavailable, so they would otherwise ring out, hit voicemail, or wait on hold. ## Related InsertChat pages - [After-hours answering with AI](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist vs answering service](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) - [AI receptionist for HVAC companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac) --- # What Is an AI Answering Service? Explained Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-answering-service > An AI answering service answers every business call with voice AI instead of a call center. Learn how it works, what it costs, and when it beats a live service. An AI answering service answers a business’s phone calls with voice AI instead of call center staff. It picks up every call immediately, answers questions from the business’s own information, captures the caller’s details and request, books appointments when connected to a calendar, and sends the team a transcript or summary. It can answer many calls at once. ## How an AI answering service works You point calls at the service by forwarding your number or publishing a number it provides. When a call arrives, the AI greets the caller, listens, and answers using the knowledge you gave it: services, prices, hours, service area, and policies. It follows your rules for what to collect and when to bring in a person. Because nobody has to be free to pick up, a surge of calls does not create a hold queue. Costs usually follow a monthly plan plus minutes, so they scale with talk time rather than staff. The quality question shifts from “who is on shift?” to “how good is the knowledge base and the handoff?” Our [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) breaks down the pricing models. ## Example: a roofer’s morning after a hailstorm After a hailstorm, a roofing contractor gets dozens of calls before 10 a.m. while the crew is on inspections. The AI answering service takes each one at once, explains how free inspections work, records the address and roof age, and books inspection slots until the calendar fills. The owner reviews the list at lunch. This scenario is illustrative. ## InsertChat’s AI answering service InsertChat answers calls with the same assistant that handles your website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp, so a caller and a chatter get the same answer. Calls land in one [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with a transcript and summary, and high-intent alerts tell you when a caller asks to book, buy, hire, or get a quote. Calls use your plan’s credits, rounded up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum. Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number; additional numbers are $10 per month each. See [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) for allowances and the [roofing setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing). ## Can an AI answering service handle several calls at once? Yes. Each call gets its own conversation, so there is no busy signal or hold queue when several customers call together. Your plan’s credits and minutes are the practical limit. ## Will callers know they are talking to AI? Many will, and you should not hide it. A natural voice and fast, accurate answers matter more to most callers than whether a person picked up. Your greeting can say it is an assistant. ## What happens when the AI cannot answer? A good service says the information is unavailable instead of guessing, collects the details, and hands the request to your team. In InsertChat the conversation is marked needs-you and the right teammates are notified. ## Related terms - [Answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/answering-service): An answering service is a company or system that answers a business’s phone calls when the business cannot, most often after hours or during busy periods. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist): An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. - [Overflow calls](https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls): Overflow calls are incoming calls that arrive when everyone who normally answers is busy or unavailable, so they would otherwise ring out, hit voicemail, or wait on hold. - [Speed to lead](https://insertchat.com/glossary/speed-to-lead): Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect reaching out, by calling, chatting, filling in a form, or texting, and the business’s first meaningful response. - [Missed call](https://insertchat.com/glossary/missed-call): A missed call is an incoming call that ends before anyone answers, because nobody picked up, the line was busy, or the caller hung up while ringing or on hold. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI answering service](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Pricing and plan limits](https://insertchat.com/pricing) - [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) - [AI receptionist for roofers](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing) --- # After-Hours Answering Service: What It Is Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/after-hours-answering-service > An after-hours answering service takes calls when your office is closed. Learn how routing by hours works, what callers should get, and how urgent calls go. An after-hours answering service answers a business’s calls outside its opening hours, such as evenings, weekends, and holidays. It tells callers when the business reopens, collects their details and request, books appointments when allowed, and alerts an on-call person when a call is urgent. Calls during business hours still ring the team. ## How after-hours answering works The switch between your team and the service happens by schedule. Some phone providers can forward calls on a schedule; otherwise the answering service’s own routing checks your weekly hours and time zone for each call. Overnight shifts and holiday closures need to be part of that schedule, or calls go to the wrong place. After hours, the service needs three things from you: answers to common questions, a clear definition of what counts as urgent, and instructions for urgent calls, such as safety steps or an emergency number to give. Everything else becomes a well-documented request your team handles when it opens, ideally already booked into a time slot. ## Example: a vet clinic at 11 p.m. At 11 p.m. a pet owner calls a veterinary clinic because their dog ate chocolate. The assistant reads the clinic’s after-hours instruction, which gives the nearby emergency animal hospital’s number, then records the dog’s weight and what it ate, and books a follow-up check for the morning. The 7 a.m. team sees the summary first. This scenario is illustrative. ## After-hours answering in InsertChat InsertChat’s [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) is built into its call routing. Set weekly opening hours, including overnight shifts, and your time zone, then choose a mode: the AI always, the AI after hours, the AI when your team doesn’t pick up, or your team only. During open hours your number rings for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant answers. Urgent calls trigger an alert and are marked needs-you so your team is emailed, and a caller who wants a callback gets a confirmation by text or email. In the morning, the Today view lists handoffs, missed calls, and items waiting for approval. See the [veterinary setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary). ## Can I keep my business number for after-hours answering? Usually, yes. With InsertChat, businesses in the US and Canada forward their existing number; elsewhere they use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Number porting is not offered. ## What counts as an urgent after-hours call? You decide. Typical examples are safety risks, active leaks, no heat in freezing weather, sick animals, and lockouts. Write them down along with what the caller should be told, and test them before going live. ## Related terms - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. - [Conditional call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding): Conditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a condition is met: nobody answers within a set number of rings, the line is busy, or the phone is off or out of coverage. - [Escalation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/escalation): Escalation is moving a customer issue to someone with more authority, expertise, or urgency than the first point of contact, such as from a chatbot to staff, or from staff to the owner. - [Answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/answering-service): An answering service is a company or system that answers a business’s phone calls when the business cannot, most often after hours or during busy periods. - [Missed call](https://insertchat.com/glossary/missed-call): A missed call is an incoming call that ends before anyone answers, because nobody picked up, the line was busy, or the caller hung up while ringing or on hold. ## Related InsertChat pages - [After-hours answering service with AI](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) - [AI receptionist for veterinary clinics](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary) --- # What Is a Voice AI Agent? How It Works Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent > A voice AI agent holds spoken conversations and takes actions such as booking. Learn its building blocks, where it fits in a business, and its limits. A voice AI agent is software that holds a spoken conversation and takes actions on someone’s behalf. It listens, understands the request, answers from approved information, and uses connected tools, such as a calendar or CRM, to complete tasks like booking an appointment. In business, voice AI agents most often answer inbound phone calls. ## How a voice AI agent works A voice agent combines speech recognition, a language model, and speech synthesis, or a single speech-to-speech model that does all three. The “agent” part is tool use: instead of only talking, it can check availability, create a booking, or look up a record, then report the verified result. Good agents wait for the tool’s answer before claiming anything happened. On a phone line, the agent also has to manage turn-taking: noticing when the caller has finished, stopping when interrupted, and handling line noise. Permissions matter as much as intelligence. A business decides which actions run automatically, which need approval, and which always go to a person. ## Example: an auto shop’s brake inspection call A caller asks an auto repair shop in Spanish whether they can bring a car in for squeaky brakes this week. The voice agent switches to Spanish, explains the inspection price from the shop’s price list, offers two open times, books Thursday at 9 a.m., and saves the caller’s name and vehicle. This scenario is illustrative. ## InsertChat’s voice agent InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) is a voice AI agent for inbound calls. It answers from your knowledge, follows the caller’s language with [bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual), and uses only the actions you enable: offering times, booking, rescheduling, and canceling on your connected calendar, plus actions in apps such as HubSpot, Zoho, or Zendesk. It does not place AI outbound calls. Each action can run automatically or wait for your approval, and every call is saved with a transcript in the shared inbox. See how it works for [auto repair shops](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair). ## Is a voice AI agent the same as an IVR? No. An IVR plays a fixed menu and reacts to keypresses or a few keywords. A voice AI agent understands open-ended speech, answers questions, and completes tasks in conversation. ## Can a voice AI agent make outbound calls? Some platforms do, subject to consent rules such as the TCPA in the US. InsertChat’s voice agent answers inbound calls only. ## Related terms - [Conversational AI](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai): Conversational AI is technology that lets software hold a natural conversation with people by text or voice. - [Full-duplex voice](https://insertchat.com/glossary/full-duplex-voice): Full-duplex voice means both sides of a conversation can speak and listen at the same time, as on a normal phone call. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist): An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. - [IVR (interactive voice response)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ivr): IVR, or interactive voice response, is an automated phone system that interacts with callers through recorded prompts, keypad tones, and limited speech recognition. - [Natural language understanding (NLU)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding): Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist for phone calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) - [Actions and approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [AI call center guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-call-center) - [AI receptionist for auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair) --- # What Is Call Forwarding? Types & Setup Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding > Call forwarding sends calls from your business number to another phone or service. Learn the forwarding types, dial codes, costs, and how to test it first. Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls from one number to another. Callers dial the number they already know, and the phone provider redirects the call, either every time or only under conditions such as no answer, busy, or outside business hours. Businesses use it to reach staff or an answering service. ## How call forwarding works Forwarding happens inside your phone provider’s network, not on the destination. On many mobile and landline services you turn it on with a dial code, such as Verizon’s *72 followed by the destination number; business phone systems usually have a settings page instead. Each provider documents its own codes and which conditions it supports. There are two broad types. Unconditional forwarding sends every call onward, so your phone never rings. [Conditional call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding) forwards only calls you miss or can’t take. Your provider may count forwarded calls as minutes on your plan, and the business number on your website, listings, and vans never changes. ## Example: a landscaper’s truck number A landscaping owner’s cell number is painted on three trucks. During mowing season he can’t answer while on a mower, so he forwards all calls to an AI receptionist from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and turns forwarding off in the evening. Customers keep calling the same number they always have. This scenario is illustrative. ## Forwarding your number to InsertChat In the US and Canada, InsertChat customers keep their existing number and forward it; elsewhere they use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and InsertChat creates a private routing number for your provider to forward to. A verification call confirms the setup before customer calls arrive. Our [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) list the exact steps and dial codes for providers such as [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), [AT&T](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att), and [T-Mobile](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile), with removal steps. The first active line is included with your plan. See it in use for [landscaping companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping). ## Does call forwarding cost extra? Many providers include it, but forwarded calls may use minutes on your phone plan. Check with your provider. On InsertChat, the first active line is included and additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. ## Will callers know their call was forwarded? Usually not. They dial your normal number and the provider redirects the call in its network. They may hear a short delay before the destination answers. ## How do I turn call forwarding off? Use your provider’s cancel code or settings page. On Verizon wireless, for example, dialing *73 stops forwarding. Each InsertChat forwarding guide lists the removal steps for that provider. ## Related terms - [Conditional call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding): Conditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a condition is met: nobody answers within a set number of rings, the line is busy, or the phone is off or out of coverage. - [Number porting](https://insertchat.com/glossary/number-porting): Number porting is moving a phone number from one service provider to another so the business or person keeps the same number. - [Local phone number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number): A local phone number is a standard number with an area code tied to a city or region, also called a geographic number. - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. - [VoIP (voice over internet protocol)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voip): VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is technology that carries phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Call forwarding guides by provider](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) - [Verizon call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon) - [AI receptionist for landscaping](https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping) --- # What Is Conditional Call Forwarding? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding > Conditional call forwarding sends only unanswered, busy, or unreachable calls to another number. See how it works, common dial codes, and how to test it. Conditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a condition is met: nobody answers within a set number of rings, the line is busy, or the phone is off or out of coverage. Your phone still rings first, and only the calls you can’t take move to another number, such as a colleague, an answering service, or an AI receptionist. ## How conditional call forwarding works Mobile carriers commonly support separate codes for each condition. On GSM-style networks, Rogers documents *61* for no reply and *67* for busy, each followed by the destination and #, while Verizon wireless uses *71 to forward unanswered calls. Business phone systems usually expose the same options as rules with a ring timeout. Testing needs care. If you answer your own test call, nothing forwards. Let it ring through, or call while the line is busy, to confirm the rule fires. Watch for your mobile voicemail: if voicemail picks up before the forward, the caller hears a mailbox instead. ## Example: an electrician between jobs An electrician wants to answer customers himself when he can. He sets no-answer and busy forwarding to his AI receptionist. When he’s on a ladder and lets a call ring, it forwards after a few rings, and the assistant books an estimate. When he’s free, he answers as usual. This scenario is illustrative. ## Conditional forwarding with InsertChat InsertChat’s forwarding setup supports three modes from its provider catalog: forward all calls, forward unanswered or busy calls, and forward calls after hours where the provider offers a schedule. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let InsertChat’s verification call ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. You can also skip carrier conditions entirely. Forward all calls, then use InsertChat’s own [call routing](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) to ring your mobile for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant answers, with staff voicemail sending the call back to the AI. Provider steps: [Rogers](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/rogers), [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), and others. See the [electrician setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician). ## How many rings before a conditional forward? It depends on the provider, and some let you change the timeout. If your voicemail answers before the forward, shorten the timeout or turn voicemail off on that line. ## Is conditional forwarding better than forwarding all calls? It is better when you want to answer first. Forwarding all calls is simpler and lets the answering system apply its own schedule and ring rules, which you can change without dial codes. ## Related terms - [Call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding): Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls from one number to another. - [Overflow calls](https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls): Overflow calls are incoming calls that arrive when everyone who normally answers is busy or unavailable, so they would otherwise ring out, hit voicemail, or wait on hold. - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. - [After-hours answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/after-hours-answering-service): An after-hours answering service answers a business’s calls outside its opening hours, such as evenings, weekends, and holidays. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) - [Rogers call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/rogers) - [After-hours call routing](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist for electricians](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician) --- # What Is an Auto Attendant? Phone Menu Basics Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/auto-attendant > An auto attendant greets callers with a recorded menu and routes them by keypress. Learn how it works, where callers get stuck, and what replaces the menu. An auto attendant is a phone system feature that answers calls with a recorded greeting and a menu, such as “press 1 for sales, press 2 for support,” then routes the caller to an extension, department, or voicemail based on the key pressed. It replaces a human operator for directing calls but does not answer questions itself. ## How an auto attendant works An administrator records a greeting and builds a menu tree in the phone system. Each keypress maps to a destination: an extension, a ring group, a sub-menu, a dial-by-name directory, or a mailbox. Business hours rules often swap in a different menu after closing. The weakness is that callers have to translate their problem into your menu. A caller who doesn’t fit an option presses 0, guesses, or hangs up. Every added option makes the menu longer, and nobody answers the actual question until a person picks up. An [IVR](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ivr) adds speech recognition and data lookups but keeps the menu shape. ## Example: an accounting firm in tax season An accounting firm’s menu says “press 1 for tax preparation, 2 for bookkeeping, 3 for payroll.” In March, most callers want to know whether they can still file on time and what documents to bring. They press 1, ring a busy extension, and land in voicemail. A conversational assistant could answer both questions directly. This scenario is illustrative. ## InsertChat answers without a menu InsertChat has no keypad menu. Callers say what they need, and the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers from your knowledge, collects details, or books a time. If a caller presses a key out of habit, the assistant tells them they can simply say what they need; pressing 0 makes it ask whether they want someone from your team. It does not route calls to extensions. Requests that need a person are marked needs-you in the shared inbox and assigned to the right teammate there. See the [accounting firm setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting). ## What is the difference between an auto attendant and an IVR? An auto attendant routes calls with a simple keypress menu. An IVR can also recognize spoken keywords and look up data, such as an account balance. Both guide callers through a fixed menu. ## Do customers dislike phone menus? Long or confusing menus frustrate callers, especially when no option fits. Short menus with a clear way to reach a person, or conversational answering without a menu, avoid most of that friction. ## Related terms - [IVR (interactive voice response)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ivr): IVR, or interactive voice response, is an automated phone system that interacts with callers through recorded prompts, keypad tones, and limited speech recognition. - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist): An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI receptionist for accounting firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting) --- # What Is IVR? Interactive Voice Response Guide Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/ivr > IVR is the automated phone menu that takes keypresses or short spoken answers. Learn how IVR works, where it fails callers, and how conversational AI compares. IVR, or interactive voice response, is an automated phone system that interacts with callers through recorded prompts, keypad tones, and limited speech recognition. It can route calls, collect information such as an account number, and read back data like an order status. Callers move through a predefined menu instead of a free conversation. ## How IVR works An IVR plays prompts and listens for keypad tones (DTMF) or recognized phrases. Each answer moves the caller down a decision tree to the next prompt, a data lookup, a self-service task, or a queue for an agent. Large organizations use IVR to handle high call volumes with predictable requests, like balance checks or appointment confirmations. IVR design is a trade-off between coverage and length. Every new branch makes the tree deeper, and anything the designer did not anticipate ends at “press 0 for an operator.” [Natural language understanding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding) lets modern systems accept spoken sentences, but a menu still decides what the caller is allowed to ask. ## Example: a property manager’s maintenance line A property management company’s IVR asks tenants to press 1 for rent, 2 for maintenance, and 3 for leasing. A tenant with a leaking ceiling presses 2, then must choose between “emergency” and “routine” without knowing which applies, and ends up in a voicemail box. A conversational line could ask where the water is coming from and decide. This scenario is illustrative. ## InsertChat: conversation instead of IVR InsertChat replaces the IVR tree with a conversation. The [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) understands open-ended speech, asks a clarifying question when a request is unclear, and treats urgent situations by your rules: it reads the safety steps you wrote, collects the address, and sends an urgent alert. There is no keypad menu and no self-service data lookup from your phone system. Keypresses are treated as a nudge to talk, and 0 as a likely request for a person. Customers can also reach the same assistant by text, chat, and email. See the [property management setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management). ## Is IVR the same as conversational AI? No. IVR follows a fixed menu, even when it accepts speech. Conversational AI understands free-form requests and replies in its own words from the business’s knowledge. ## What does DTMF mean? Dual-tone multi-frequency: the tones a phone sends when you press its keys. IVR systems listen for these tones to know which option a caller chose. ## Related terms - [Auto attendant](https://insertchat.com/glossary/auto-attendant): An auto attendant is a phone system feature that answers calls with a recorded greeting and a menu, such as “press 1 for sales, press 2 for support,” then routes the caller to an extension, department, or voicemail based on the key pressed. - [Natural language understanding (NLU)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding): Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. - [Call abandonment rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-abandonment-rate): Call abandonment rate is the percentage of incoming calls where the caller hangs up before reaching anyone, while ringing, during a phone menu, or on hold. - [Voice AI agent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent): A voice AI agent is software that holds a spoken conversation and takes actions on someone’s behalf. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI receptionist for property managers](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management) --- # What Is Call Routing? Rules, Types & Examples Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing > Call routing decides who answers each incoming call: by schedule, ring time, skill, or caller. Learn common routing rules and how AI answering fits into them. Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. Rules can depend on the time of day, whether a person picks up within a set ring time, the number dialed, the caller’s choice in a menu, or which team member is available. Good routing gets each caller to an answer quickly. ## How call routing works Routing runs on the phone system or service that receives the call. Time-based rules check opening hours and time zones. Ring rules try one phone or a group for a set number of seconds, then move on. Menu-based routing uses an [auto attendant](https://insertchat.com/glossary/auto-attendant) or IVR, and contact centers add skills-based routing that matches callers to qualified agents. For a small business, the routing question is usually simple: should a person or the answering system take this call right now? The most common pattern is “ring the team during open hours, send everything else to the answering service,” with a short ring time so callers aren’t left waiting. ## Example: a pest control office A pest control company’s office manager answers calls Monday to Friday, 8 to 5. Routing rings her desk phone for 20 seconds, then the AI receptionist answers if she’s busy. Evenings and weekends go straight to the assistant, which books inspections and flags anyone reporting a wasp nest near a doorway. This scenario is illustrative. ## Call routing in InsertChat InsertChat has [call routing](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) built in. Choose who answers: the AI receptionist always, the AI after hours, the AI when your team doesn’t pick up, or your team only. Set weekly opening hours, including overnight shifts, your time zone, the number to ring, and a ring time between 5 and 60 seconds. If a call reaches a staff voicemail box, it returns to the assistant so the caller still gets an answer. InsertChat does not route by menu or to extensions; requests are assigned to teammates in the shared inbox. See the [pest control setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/pest-control). ## What is AI call routing? It usually means an AI understands the caller’s request and decides where it should go, instead of a keypress menu. In InsertChat the assistant answers the request itself and marks anything that needs a person for your team. ## What ring time should I use before the AI answers? Long enough for your team to reach the phone, short enough that callers don’t give up. Start around 15 to 25 seconds, then adjust after a week of real calls. ## Related terms - [Overflow calls](https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls): Overflow calls are incoming calls that arrive when everyone who normally answers is busy or unavailable, so they would otherwise ring out, hit voicemail, or wait on hold. - [Conditional call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding): Conditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a condition is met: nobody answers within a set number of rings, the line is busy, or the phone is off or out of coverage. - [After-hours answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/after-hours-answering-service): An after-hours answering service answers a business’s calls outside its opening hours, such as evenings, weekends, and holidays. - [IVR (interactive voice response)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ivr): IVR, or interactive voice response, is an automated phone system that interacts with callers through recorded prompts, keypad tones, and limited speech recognition. - [Auto attendant](https://insertchat.com/glossary/auto-attendant): An auto attendant is a phone system feature that answers calls with a recorded greeting and a menu, such as “press 1 for sales, press 2 for support,” then routes the caller to an extension, department, or voicemail based on the key pressed. ## Related InsertChat pages - [After-hours and overflow routing](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI receptionist for pest control](https://insertchat.com/industries/pest-control) --- # What Are Overflow Calls? Handling Call Spikes Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls > Overflow calls are the calls your team can’t pick up because every line is busy. Learn what causes overflow, how overflow answering works, and how to size it. Overflow calls are incoming calls that arrive when everyone who normally answers is busy or unavailable, so they would otherwise ring out, hit voicemail, or wait on hold. Overflow answering sends those calls to a backup, such as another team, an answering service, or an AI receptionist, so peak times don’t turn into lost customers. ## How overflow call handling works Overflow is a routing condition, not a different kind of call. The phone system rings your team first; when nobody answers within the ring time, or every line is in use, the call moves to the overflow destination. Conditional forwarding on a carrier line does the same with “no answer” and “busy” rules. Overflow is predictable. It peaks on Monday mornings, month-end, after storms or heat waves, and whenever a marketing campaign lands. The useful question is not whether overflow happens but what the caller gets when it does: a voicemail greeting, a hold queue, or someone who can actually answer and book. ## Example: a mover at month-end In the last week of the month, a local moving company gets quote requests faster than two office staff can answer. Calls ring the office for 15 seconds, then overflow to the AI receptionist, which collects move dates, addresses, and home size and books estimate calls into open slots. The office works the list between calls. This scenario is illustrative. ## Overflow answering in InsertChat Use InsertChat’s “AI when unanswered” routing: every call rings your chosen number for 5 to 60 seconds, then the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) answers if nobody picks up. Because the assistant handles each call separately, a spike does not create a queue. Each overflow call lands in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with a transcript, summary, and contact details, and high-intent alerts flag callers who want to book or get a quote. See the [moving company setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/moving). ## Is overflow the same as after-hours answering? No. Overflow covers calls during open hours that nobody can take. After-hours answering covers calls when you’re closed. Many businesses use one routing setup for both. ## How do I know how many calls overflow? Check your phone provider’s missed-call or call-detail report for unanswered calls during open hours. Once an answering system takes them, its conversation log shows how many calls it handled. ## Related terms - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. - [Call abandonment rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-abandonment-rate): Call abandonment rate is the percentage of incoming calls where the caller hangs up before reaching anyone, while ringing, during a phone menu, or on hold. - [Missed call](https://insertchat.com/glossary/missed-call): A missed call is an incoming call that ends before anyone answers, because nobody picked up, the line was busy, or the caller hung up while ringing or on hold. - [AI answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-answering-service): An AI answering service answers a business’s phone calls with voice AI instead of call center staff. - [Conditional call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding): Conditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a condition is met: nobody answers within a set number of rings, the line is busy, or the phone is off or out of coverage. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Overflow and after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI receptionist for movers](https://insertchat.com/industries/moving) --- # What Is a Missed Call? Why They Cost Businesses Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/missed-call > A missed call is one that ends before anyone answers. Learn why missed calls matter for small businesses, what usually causes them, and how to stop them. A missed call is an incoming call that ends before anyone answers, because nobody picked up, the line was busy, or the caller hung up while ringing or on hold. For a small business, a missed call is often a customer who wanted to book or buy and may call a competitor instead of leaving a voicemail. ## Why calls get missed Most missed calls have ordinary causes: the owner is on a job, the front desk is serving someone in person, every line is busy at peak time, or the call comes in after hours. Voicemail technically catches the call, but many callers hang up rather than leave a message, and those who do still wait for a callback. Reducing missed calls is a routing problem first. Ring the right people for a sensible time, then send unanswered calls somewhere that can actually help. Measuring helps: compare your provider’s call log with the calls your team answered to see when and how often calls slip through. ## Example: an appliance repair tech in a crawlspace An appliance repair technician spends most of the day behind washers and inside crawlspaces with the phone on silent. His call log shows a cluster of missed calls between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., mostly first-time callers. Routing those calls to an AI receptionist after 20 seconds means each caller gets an answer and a booked visit instead of a ringtone. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat cuts missed calls InsertChat answers calls that would otherwise be missed: with “AI when unanswered,” your phone rings first and the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) picks up when nobody does. Any call that still ends without a conversation shows up as a missed call in the Today view, next to handoffs and other items that need a person. If a call to an InsertChat number that can text still reaches no one, InsertChat texts the caller once, about a minute later, from the number they dialed. Their reply opens an SMS conversation in the inbox that the AI answers like any other text. InsertChat does not take voicemail. Callers who share their details are saved as contacts with their [lead source](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture), including the number they dialed. See the [appliance repair setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/appliance-repair). ## Should I call back every missed call? Yes, as fast as you can, because a caller who didn’t reach you is often still deciding. Answering the call in the first place is better, since callbacks frequently reach voicemail too. ## Do missed calls show up if the caller didn’t leave a message? Your phone provider’s call log records them, usually with the caller’s number. Many people never check that log, which is why missed calls are easy to underestimate. ## Related terms - [Overflow calls](https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls): Overflow calls are incoming calls that arrive when everyone who normally answers is busy or unavailable, so they would otherwise ring out, hit voicemail, or wait on hold. - [Speed to lead](https://insertchat.com/glossary/speed-to-lead): Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect reaching out, by calling, chatting, filling in a form, or texting, and the business’s first meaningful response. - [Call abandonment rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-abandonment-rate): Call abandonment rate is the percentage of incoming calls where the caller hangs up before reaching anyone, while ringing, during a phone menu, or on hold. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-capture): Lead capture is recording a potential customer’s contact details and request when they first reach out, so the business can follow up and win the job. - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. ## Related InsertChat pages - [After-hours and overflow answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI receptionist for appliance repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/appliance-repair) --- # What Is Call Screening? Business Guide Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-screening > Call screening checks who is calling and why before a call reaches the right person. Learn the types, from spam labels to receptionist screening, and AI’s role. Call screening is the practice of finding out who is calling and why before deciding how to handle the call. It ranges from caller ID and carrier spam labels to a receptionist asking “May I ask what this is regarding?” Businesses screen calls to block spam, prioritize urgent customers, and keep staff focused on the calls that matter. ## How call screening works Automated screening happens in the network. In the US, the FCC requires voice providers to support [STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication](https://www.fcc.gov/call-authentication), which helps carriers label or block likely spoofed robocalls. Phones and carriers then show warnings such as “Spam likely.” The risk is false positives: a real customer’s call labeled spam. Conversational screening is what a good receptionist does: ask the caller’s name and reason for calling, then decide whether it is urgent, routine, a sales pitch, or for someone else. That kind of screening never rejects the caller outright; it sorts them, so customers always get somewhere. ## Example: an insurance agency’s front line An independent insurance agency gets claims calls, quote requests, and a steady stream of vendor pitches. A screening assistant asks each caller what they need: claims callers get the carrier’s claims number and a note for the agent, quote requests get their details captured for a producer, and sales pitches get a polite email address. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat screens calls InsertChat screens by conversation. The [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) asks for each caller’s name, number, and reason for calling, answers what it can, and sorts the rest: urgent situations trigger an alert, requests for a person are marked needs-you, and high-intent callers are flagged. Your team can move junk conversations to the Spam view in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox). InsertChat never rejects a call because it might be spam, so a wrongly flagged customer still gets answered. It does not record calls; every call has a transcript and summary instead. See the [insurance agency setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance). ## Does call screening block robocalls? Carrier tools based on caller ID authentication can label or block many robocalls. Conversational screening by a receptionist or AI sorts the calls that get through. ## Is it rude to screen business calls? Not when it helps the caller. Asking for a name and reason lets the business route the call or answer it faster. It feels rude only when it becomes a barrier with no path to a person. ## Related terms - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/virtual-receptionist): A virtual receptionist is a receptionist who answers your business calls remotely instead of sitting at your front desk. - [Escalation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/escalation): Escalation is moving a customer issue to someone with more authority, expertise, or urgency than the first point of contact, such as from a chatbot to staff, or from staff to the owner. - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. - [Live call transfer](https://insertchat.com/glossary/live-call-transfer): A live call transfer moves an active call from whoever answered it, a receptionist, an agent, or an AI, to another person while the caller stays on the line. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI receptionist for insurance agencies](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance) ## Sources - [FCC: Combating spoofed robocalls with caller ID authentication](https://www.fcc.gov/call-authentication) --- # What Is a Live Call Transfer? Warm vs Cold Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/live-call-transfer > A live call transfer moves a caller to another person without hanging up. Learn warm vs cold transfers, when they help, and what to do when none is available. A live call transfer moves an active call from whoever answered it, a receptionist, an agent, or an AI, to another person while the caller stays on the line. In a warm transfer the first person introduces the caller before handing over; in a cold transfer it passes directly. Either way, the caller doesn’t have to call again. ## How live call transfers work The phone system bridges the caller to a new destination, such as an extension, a mobile number, or a queue. A warm transfer briefly puts the caller on hold while the first person explains the situation to the next. A cold, or blind, transfer sends the call straight through, which is faster but makes the caller repeat themselves. Transfers only help when someone is available to take them. If the destination doesn’t answer, the caller lands in voicemail or loops back, which is worse than a clear promise of a callback. That’s why many businesses pair transfers with a fallback: collect the details and have the right person call back with context. ## Example: a locked-out caller who wants the tech A caller locked out of her house asks to speak to the locksmith who is on the road. The assistant explains it can’t put her through, takes her address and callback number, confirms the lockout fee from the price list, marks the request urgent, and tells her the technician will call within the time the owner set. This scenario is illustrative. ## Transfers and InsertChat InsertChat does not transfer callers to a person during a call. Instead, your phone can ring first: with “AI when unanswered,” calls ring your number for 5 to 60 seconds before the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails your team, and tells the caller your team will follow up. On website chat, a teammate can take over the same conversation from the shared inbox and reply live. Learn how to set the rules in [how to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff), or see the [locksmith setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/locksmith). ## What is the difference between a warm and cold transfer? In a warm transfer, the first person speaks to the next one before connecting the caller, so context carries over. In a cold transfer, the call is passed straight through and the caller explains again. ## What should happen if nobody can take the transfer? The caller should not end up in a loop or an unexplained voicemail. Collect their details and reason for calling, set a clear callback expectation, and alert the right person. ## Related terms - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. - [Escalation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/escalation): Escalation is moving a customer issue to someone with more authority, expertise, or urgency than the first point of contact, such as from a chatbot to staff, or from staff to the owner. - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. - [Virtual receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/virtual-receptionist): A virtual receptionist is a receptionist who answers your business calls remotely instead of sitting at your front desk. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [AI receptionist for locksmiths](https://insertchat.com/industries/locksmith) --- # What Is a Toll-Free Number? Business Guide Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/toll-free-number > A toll-free number lets customers call a business without paying for the call. Learn the prefixes, how numbers are assigned, and when local fits better. A toll-free number is a phone number that callers can dial without being charged for the call, because the business that owns it pays instead. In the US and Canada, toll-free numbers start with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833. Businesses use them to look national, invite calls from anywhere, and keep one number across locations. ## How toll-free numbers work According to the [FCC’s toll-free guide](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-toll-free-number-and-how-does-it-work), most toll-free numbers are assigned first come, first served through companies called Responsible Organizations, or RespOrgs. The prefixes are not interchangeable: 1-800 and 1-888 with the same seven digits reach different businesses. Calls to the number are routed to wherever the owner directs them. Toll-free numbers can also receive texts when they are text-enabled, and business texting from them follows carrier rules. For a business that serves one city, a [local phone number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number) often looks more familiar to callers. ## Example: a regional courier A courier company delivers across three states and wants one number on its trucks, invoices, and website. A toll-free number gives every customer the same number regardless of area code, and an AI receptionist on that number answers delivery-window and pickup questions around the clock. This scenario is illustrative. ## Toll-free numbers with InsertChat InsertChat offers local and toll-free numbers where available; each paid plan includes one, and additional numbers are $10 per month. The number answers calls with the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) and, where the country and carrier support it, replies to texts as well. Already have a toll-free number? US and Canadian businesses keep it and forward calls to InsertChat; number porting is not offered. See the [courier setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/couriers). ## Do toll-free numbers cost callers anything? No call charge applies to the caller. The number’s owner pays for the call through its provider plan. Mobile callers may still use plan minutes. ## Should a local business use a toll-free number? Usually a local number fits better, because local callers recognize the area code. Toll-free suits businesses that serve a wide area or want one number for several locations. ## Related terms - [Local phone number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number): A local phone number is a standard number with an area code tied to a city or region, also called a geographic number. - [Number porting](https://insertchat.com/glossary/number-porting): Number porting is moving a phone number from one service provider to another so the business or person keeps the same number. - [VoIP (voice over internet protocol)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voip): VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is technology that carries phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line. - [A2P 10DLC](https://insertchat.com/glossary/a2p-10dlc): A2P 10DLC is the US framework for business text messaging sent from standard 10-digit phone numbers. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist phone numbers](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Pricing: numbers and voice minutes](https://insertchat.com/pricing) - [AI receptionist for couriers](https://insertchat.com/industries/couriers) ## Sources - [FCC: What is a toll-free number and how does it work?](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-toll-free-number-and-how-does-it-work) --- # What Is a Local Phone Number for Business? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number > A local phone number uses the area code of the area you serve, so nearby customers recognize it. Learn when a local number beats toll-free and how to add one. A local phone number is a standard number with an area code tied to a city or region, also called a geographic number. For a business, it signals that the company is nearby, and nearby callers recognize the area code. Local numbers can live on a landline, a mobile plan, or a cloud phone service and still ring anywhere. ## How local business numbers work A local number is assigned from the pool for its area code by a phone provider. Once it’s yours, calls can be routed anywhere: a desk phone, a mobile, a VoIP app, or an answering system. Many businesses keep several local numbers, one per city they serve, all routed to the same team. The main reasons to choose local over toll-free are trust and answer rates. People are more likely to answer or call back a familiar area code, and a local number on a service van matches the neighborhood it drives through. ## Example: a garage door company in one metro A garage door repair company serves one metro area and lists a local number on its van wraps and online listings. Its AI receptionist answers on that same local number, so a homeowner with a stuck door calls a number that looks like a neighbor’s business and gets a same-day booking. This scenario is illustrative. ## Local numbers with InsertChat InsertChat provides local numbers where available, and each paid plan includes one; additional numbers are $10 per month. The number answers calls with the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) and can reply to texts where the country and carrier support SMS. UK numbers are voice-only. In the US and Canada, InsertChat customers keep their existing number and forward it; elsewhere they use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. The number a caller dialed is saved with their contact, so you can tell which city or campaign they called. See the [garage door setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/garage-door). ## Can a local number ring a mobile phone? Yes. A local number is just an address in the phone network; the provider can route it to a mobile, desk phone, app, or answering service. ## Should I get a local number in each city I serve? It can help if you advertise separately in each city, and it shows which market a call came from. One number is simpler if your brand and listings are shared. ## Related terms - [Toll-free number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/toll-free-number): A toll-free number is a phone number that callers can dial without being charged for the call, because the business that owns it pays instead. - [Call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding): Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls from one number to another. - [Number porting](https://insertchat.com/glossary/number-porting): Number porting is moving a phone number from one service provider to another so the business or person keeps the same number. - [VoIP (voice over internet protocol)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voip): VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is technology that carries phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist phone numbers](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [Lead sources and contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI receptionist for garage door companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/garage-door) --- # What Is Number Porting? Rules & Alternatives Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/number-porting > Number porting moves your phone number from one provider to another. Learn the FCC rules, how long porting takes, and when call forwarding is simpler. Number porting is moving a phone number from one service provider to another so the business or person keeps the same number. The new provider requests the port, the old provider releases the number, and calls start ringing on the new service. In the US, FCC rules let customers keep their number when switching providers in the same area. ## How number porting works You start with the new provider, not the old one. You give them the number, the account details exactly as the current provider has them, and usually a letter of authorization. The [FCC’s porting guide](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/porting-keeping-your-phone-number-when-you-change-providers) says the old company cannot refuse to port your number even if you owe a balance, and that simple ports must be processed in one business day. A port can be rejected when the account name, address, or PIN doesn’t match the current provider’s records. Don’t cancel the old service before the port completes, or the number can be lost. Porting is a provider change; if you only want a different service to answer your calls, [call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding) does that without moving the number. ## Example: a dental office changing phone providers A dental office moves its phones to a cloud provider and ports its main number so patients don’t notice. Separately, it wants an AI receptionist to answer overflow and after-hours calls. That doesn’t require another port: the new phone system forwards unanswered calls to the assistant, and the number stays with the office’s phone provider. This scenario is illustrative. ## Why InsertChat uses forwarding instead InsertChat does not offer number porting. In the US and Canada you keep your number with your current provider and [forward calls to InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding), which you can turn off at any time. Elsewhere, InsertChat provides a local or toll-free number where one is available. Forwarding keeps your phone service, texting, and directory listings where they are while the AI receptionist answers the calls you send it. Health practices handling patient information need Enterprise and a signed BAA. See the [dental setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental). ## How long does number porting take? Under FCC rules, simple ports must be processed in one business day. Complex ports with many lines, or moves from landline to wireless, can take longer. ## Can my old provider block a port? According to the FCC, your old company cannot refuse to port your number, even if you owe money. You may still owe the balance or any early termination fee. ## Related terms - [Call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding): Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls from one number to another. - [Local phone number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number): A local phone number is a standard number with an area code tied to a city or region, also called a geographic number. - [Toll-free number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/toll-free-number): A toll-free number is a phone number that callers can dial without being charged for the call, because the business that owns it pays instead. - [VoIP (voice over internet protocol)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voip): VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is technology that carries phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI receptionist for dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental) ## Sources - [FCC: Porting, keeping your phone number when you change providers](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/porting-keeping-your-phone-number-when-you-change-providers) --- # What Is VoIP? Voice Over IP for Business Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/voip > VoIP carries phone calls over the internet instead of a traditional line. Learn how VoIP works for a business, its trade-offs, and how it pairs with AI. VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is technology that carries phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line. Business VoIP services give companies phone numbers, desk and mobile apps, call routing, and voicemail from the cloud, and most can call or receive calls from any regular phone number. ## How VoIP works The [FCC describes VoIP](https://www.fcc.gov/general/voice-over-internet-protocol-voip) as converting your voice into a digital signal that travels over the internet. A VoIP provider connects those calls to the regular phone network, so customers can reach your number from any phone. You can use an app, a VoIP desk phone, or a traditional phone with an adapter. For businesses, the advantages are flexibility and features: the same number rings on a laptop at home and a phone in the shop, and routing rules are set in a web dashboard. The trade-offs are dependence on internet quality and power, and emergency calling details that you need to keep current with your provider. ## Example: a contractor on a cloud phone system A general contractor runs RingCentral on his crew leads’ phones. When everyone is on a site, the system’s answering rules send unanswered calls to his AI receptionist, which takes remodel inquiries and books site visits. No new hardware was needed; it’s one forwarding rule in the dashboard. This scenario is illustrative. ## VoIP and InsertChat InsertChat answers calls in the cloud, so you don’t need any phone hardware for the AI receptionist. If you already use a VoIP provider, forward calls from its dashboard; our [RingCentral forwarding guide](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral) walks through those steps, and the [other providers guide](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) covers the rest. You can also use an InsertChat number directly. Every call lands in the shared inbox with a transcript and summary, next to the customer’s chats and texts. See the [contractor setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors). ## Do I need VoIP to use an AI receptionist? No. An AI receptionist can answer forwarded calls from a landline, mobile, or VoIP line, or calls to a number it provides. ## Is VoIP reliable enough for a business? With a stable internet connection, VoIP quality is comparable to traditional lines. Plan for outages with mobile apps or forwarding rules that keep calls answered. ## Related terms - [Call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding): Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls from one number to another. - [Full-duplex voice](https://insertchat.com/glossary/full-duplex-voice): Full-duplex voice means both sides of a conversation can speak and listen at the same time, as on a normal phone call. - [Local phone number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number): A local phone number is a standard number with an area code tied to a city or region, also called a geographic number. - [Number porting](https://insertchat.com/glossary/number-porting): Number porting is moving a phone number from one service provider to another so the business or person keeps the same number. ## Related InsertChat pages - [RingCentral call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral) - [Call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) - [AI receptionist for contractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors) ## Sources - [FCC: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)](https://www.fcc.gov/general/voice-over-internet-protocol-voip) --- # What Is Full-Duplex Voice? Interruptions in AI Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/full-duplex-voice > Full-duplex voice lets both sides talk and listen at once, so a caller can interrupt an AI. Learn how it works, why it matters on calls, and common pitfalls. Full-duplex voice means both sides of a conversation can speak and listen at the same time, as on a normal phone call. For voice AI, it means the assistant keeps listening while it talks, so a caller can interrupt, correct a detail, or ask something new and the assistant stops to respond instead of finishing a scripted sentence. ## How full-duplex voice works Half-duplex systems, like a walkie-talkie or a classic phone menu, take turns: one side talks while the other waits. Full-duplex voice AI streams the caller’s audio continuously, uses voice activity detection to notice when the caller starts speaking, and cuts its own speech short when that happens. This is often called barge-in. The hard part is telling real interruptions from noise. A cough, a dog barking, or line static shouldn’t stop the assistant mid-word, while “wait, it’s Thursday, not Tuesday” should. Systems tune how long a pause counts as the end of a turn and how loud speech must be before it interrupts. ## Example: a restaurant reservation change A caller books a table for four at a restaurant. While the assistant reads back “four people on Friday at seven,” the caller interrupts: “Actually make that six.” The assistant stops, confirms six, checks the time still works, and finishes the booking without making the caller wait for the full read-back. This scenario is illustrative. ## Interruptions in InsertChat calls InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) is built for natural turn-taking. When a caller asks a question or corrects it, even during the greeting, it stops speaking, listens, and answers the latest question first. Coughs, background voices, and line noise are not treated as interruptions, and an interruption alone doesn’t cancel a task in progress. It follows a caller’s spoken corrections for the rest of the call, including how to pronounce a name. See how it handles bookings for [restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants). ## What is barge-in? Barge-in is when a caller speaks while the system is talking and the system stops to listen. It’s what makes full-duplex voice AI feel like a real conversation. ## Why do some voice bots talk over callers? Half-duplex systems don’t listen while speaking, and badly tuned full-duplex systems either ignore interruptions or stop at every noise. Both make conversations feel robotic. ## Related terms - [Voice AI agent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent): A voice AI agent is software that holds a spoken conversation and takes actions on someone’s behalf. - [Conversational AI](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai): Conversational AI is technology that lets software hold a natural conversation with people by text or voice. - [Natural language understanding (NLU)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding): Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. - [VoIP (voice over internet protocol)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voip): VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is technology that carries phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI receptionist for restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants) --- # What Is Conversational AI? Plain-English Guide Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai > Conversational AI lets software understand and answer people in plain language by chat or voice. See how it differs from rule-based bots and where it helps. Conversational AI is technology that lets software hold a natural conversation with people by text or voice. It understands what someone means, keeps track of the conversation, and replies in its own words, usually by combining language models with a business’s information and tools. Chatbots, voice assistants, and AI receptionists are common forms of it. ## How conversational AI works A conversational AI system takes in a message or speech, works out what the person wants with [natural language understanding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding), decides on a response, and produces it as text or synthesized speech. Modern systems use large language models for that middle step, guided by instructions and grounded in approved knowledge so answers stay specific to the business. The older alternative is the rule-based chatbot: a decision tree of buttons and keyword triggers. Rule-based bots are predictable but break as soon as someone phrases a question differently. Conversational AI handles open-ended questions, follow-ups, and changes of topic, which is why it now powers phone answering as well as chat. ## Example: a gym’s membership questions A gym gets the same questions by chat and phone: day-pass prices, how to freeze a membership, whether there is a beginner class on Saturdays. A conversational assistant answers each from the gym’s membership documents, handles “what about for my teenager?” as a follow-up, and books a trial class. A button bot would need a branch for every variation. This scenario is illustrative. ## Conversational AI in InsertChat InsertChat is a complete conversational AI front desk for small businesses: one assistant answers phone calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, and every conversation lands in one shared inbox. You shape it with plain settings, such as tone, answer length, topics that always need a person, and promises it must not make, rather than building flows. Read [how the InsertChat AI front desk works](https://insertchat.com/blog/meet-your-ai-front-desk), explore the [product overview](https://insertchat.com/product), or see the [gym setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym). ## Is conversational AI the same as a chatbot? A chatbot is one application of it. Conversational AI is the broader technology, which also powers voice assistants and AI receptionists. Some chatbots are rule-based and not conversational AI at all. ## What is a rule-based chatbot? A chatbot that follows predefined paths, buttons, and keyword triggers. It can only respond to what its designer anticipated, while conversational AI understands free-form questions. ## Does conversational AI need training data from my business? Modern systems don’t need custom model training. They answer from the documents, pages, and FAQs you add, plus your instructions. Keeping that knowledge current matters more than training. ## Related terms - [Natural language understanding (NLU)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding): Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. - [Voice AI agent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent): A voice AI agent is software that holds a spoken conversation and takes actions on someone’s behalf. - [Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/retrieval-augmented-generation): Retrieval-augmented generation, or RAG, is a technique where an AI system first searches a set of documents for passages relevant to a question, then writes its answer using those passages. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Product overview](https://insertchat.com/product) - [How the InsertChat AI front desk works](https://insertchat.com/blog/meet-your-ai-front-desk) - [AI front desk for gyms](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym) --- # What Is Natural Language Understanding (NLU)? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding > Natural language understanding is how AI works out what someone means from their own words. Learn what NLU does, where it fails, and why it matters on calls. Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. It identifies the request, key details like dates or addresses, and the context, even when the same thing is said different ways. It is what lets an assistant respond to free-form questions instead of menus. ## How natural language understanding works Classic NLU split understanding into two jobs: [intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition), which labels what the person wants, and entity extraction, which pulls out details such as a date or address. Designers had to list every intent and supply example phrases for each. Large language models fold both jobs into one step and read the whole conversation, so they understand indirect requests, corrections, and follow-ups without a predefined intent list. They still need guardrails: when speech is garbled or a request is ambiguous, a well-built assistant asks rather than guessing what the person meant. ## Example: “my pool turned green after the storm” A homeowner texts a pool service: “my pool turned green after the storm and the kids have a party Saturday.” Good NLU reads three things: an algae cleanup request, urgency tied to a date, and no mention of the address yet. The assistant explains the green-to-clean service from the company’s price list and asks for the address to offer a visit before Saturday. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat understands requests InsertChat uses language models to understand callers and writers in their own words, in the language they use. When the words don’t form a clear request, on a noisy call for example, the assistant asks the caller to repeat or rephrase instead of guessing, and it asks one clear question when an important name, date, or number is uncertain. The details it understands become structured information: contact fields, an appointment on your calendar, or a note for your team in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox). See the [pool service setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/pool-services). ## What is the difference between NLU and NLP? Natural language processing (NLP) is the whole field of computing with human language. NLU is the part focused on meaning: what the person wants and which details matter. ## Does NLU work on phone calls? Yes, after speech recognition turns audio into words. Line noise and accents make that step harder, which is why phone assistants should ask the caller to repeat unclear details. ## Related terms - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. - [Slot filling](https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling): Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. - [Conversational AI](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai): Conversational AI is technology that lets software hold a natural conversation with people by text or voice. - [Clarification question](https://insertchat.com/glossary/clarification-question): A clarification question is a question an assistant asks when a customer’s request is ambiguous or a detail is unclear, instead of guessing. - [IVR (interactive voice response)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ivr): IVR, or interactive voice response, is an automated phone system that interacts with callers through recorded prompts, keypad tones, and limited speech recognition. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI receptionist for pool services](https://insertchat.com/industries/pool-services) --- # What Is Intent Recognition in AI? Examples Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition > Intent recognition identifies what a customer wants from a message or call, such as booking, pricing, or an emergency. See how it works and why urgency matters. Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. The recognized intent decides what happens next: which answer to give, which details to collect, which action to take, or whether a person needs to step in. ## How intent recognition works Older chatbots used intent classifiers: a designer defined a list of intents, wrote training phrases for each, and the model picked the closest match with a confidence score. Anything below the threshold fell to a [fallback intent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/fallback-intent). Language models infer intent directly from the conversation, including when one message carries two intents at once. For a business, the intents that matter most are the ones that change priority: ready to buy, urgent, upset, or about to cancel. Recognizing those quickly is what lets an assistant alert a person at the right moment instead of treating every message the same. ## Example: two basement calls at a restoration company Two callers mention a basement to a water damage restoration company. One says water is coming through the wall right now; the other wants a quote for a mold inspection next month. Intent recognition separates an emergency, which gets safety steps and an urgent alert, from a routine estimate request, which gets booked. This scenario is illustrative. ## Intent signals in InsertChat InsertChat doesn’t make you build an intent list. Its assistant reads each request in context and acts on the signals that matter: high-intent alerts flag customers who explicitly ask to buy, book, hire, or get a quote; urgent alerts cover a caller in distress, a safety risk, or a serious service failure; and cancellation alerts flag customers who want to cancel. Requests for a person, upset customers, and topics you list as always needing a person are marked needs-you for your team. Learn more in [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture), or see the [restoration setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/restoration). ## What happens when the AI recognizes the wrong intent? It may answer the wrong question or skip a step. Asking a clarifying question when a request is ambiguous, and testing common phrasings before launch, reduces that risk. ## Do I need to train intents for a modern AI assistant? Usually not. Language-model assistants infer intent from the conversation. You still define which situations should trigger alerts or a handoff to a person. ## Related terms - [Natural language understanding (NLU)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding): Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. - [Slot filling](https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling): Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. - [Escalation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/escalation): Escalation is moving a customer issue to someone with more authority, expertise, or urgency than the first point of contact, such as from a chatbot to staff, or from staff to the owner. - [Lead qualification](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-qualification): Lead qualification is deciding whether a new inquiry is a good fit and how urgently to follow up, based on what the prospect needs, where they are, their timeline, and their readiness to buy. - [Fallback intent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/fallback-intent): A fallback intent is the response a chatbot or voice assistant uses when it can’t match a message to anything it knows how to handle, or doesn’t have the answer. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist for restoration companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/restoration) --- # What Is Slot Filling in Chatbots and Voice AI? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling > Slot filling is how an AI assistant collects the details a task needs, like a date, address, or service. Learn how it works and how to keep it conversational. Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. The assistant checks which slots the customer has already provided, asks only for the missing ones, and completes the task once every required slot is filled. ## How slot filling works Each task has a short list of required details. A booking might need a service, a date and time, a name, and a phone number. When a customer says “can someone clean my three-bedroom house on Friday?”, the assistant fills service, size, and date at once, then asks only for what’s left. Good slot filling feels like conversation, not a form. It accepts details in any order, lets the customer correct an earlier answer, confirms tricky values like email addresses, and doesn’t ask again for something already said. Poor slot filling asks every question in a fixed sequence regardless of what the customer just told it. ## Example: booking a house cleaning A customer messages a house cleaning company: “Need a deep clean for a 3 bed 2 bath before we move out on the 28th.” The assistant already has the service, home size, and date. It asks for the address and a contact number, quotes the deep-clean price from the company’s rate sheet, and books the 27th, the last open slot before the move. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat collects details InsertChat’s assistant collects missing details only when an action or an agreed follow-up needs them, and it answers questions first. It doesn’t ask customers to reconfirm a clear request, and it spells back email addresses on calls to confirm them. You choose the preferred contact method, phone or email, or let the customer choose. Filled details become a contact record and, with [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) enabled, a booked appointment. See the [cleaning company setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning). ## What is a slot in a chatbot? A slot is one piece of information a task needs, such as a date or an address. The assistant’s job is to fill each required slot during the conversation. ## How is slot filling different from a web form? A form asks for every field up front in a fixed order. Slot filling pulls details from whatever the customer says and asks only for what’s still missing. ## Related terms - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-capture): Lead capture is recording a potential customer’s contact details and request when they first reach out, so the business can follow up and win the job. - [Conversation state](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-state): Conversation state is everything a system knows about a conversation at a given moment: what the customer wants, which details have been collected, what has already happened, and where the conversation stands, such as handled by AI, waiting on the customer, needing a person, or resolved. - [Clarification question](https://insertchat.com/glossary/clarification-question): A clarification question is a question an assistant asks when a customer’s request is ambiguous or a detail is unclear, instead of guessing. - [Natural language understanding (NLU)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding): Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI receptionist for cleaning companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning) --- # What Is a Fallback Intent? Chatbot Fallbacks Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/fallback-intent > A fallback intent is what a chatbot or voice assistant does when it can’t understand or answer. Learn good fallback design and why guessing is the worst one. A fallback intent is the response a chatbot or voice assistant uses when it can’t match a message to anything it knows how to handle, or doesn’t have the answer. A good fallback admits the gap, asks the customer to rephrase or offers a person, and records the question so the business can fill the gap later. ## How fallbacks work In intent-based chatbots, the fallback fires when no intent scores above a confidence threshold. The classic reply, “Sorry, I didn’t get that,” repeated twice, is what makes customers hate bots. Better designs escalate after a second miss and log every fallback for review. Language-model assistants rarely fail to understand, so the modern fallback problem is missing information. When the knowledge base doesn’t cover a question, the right fallback is “I don’t have that information” plus a next step. The wrong one is a confident guess, which is how [AI hallucination](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-hallucination) reaches customers. ## Example: a pet groomer asked about cats A pet grooming salon’s website chat gets asked, “Do you groom Persian cats?” The salon’s knowledge only covers dogs. A good fallback says it doesn’t have information about cat grooming, offers to have the salon confirm, and takes the visitor’s contact details. The owner sees the question in a list of knowledge gaps and adds the answer. This scenario is illustrative. ## Fallbacks in InsertChat InsertChat’s assistant is set to say when information is not available, a setting you cannot turn off, and it is instructed never to invent business facts, prices, policies, or availability. By default it asks a person for help when an answer is uncertain, and after a customer says twice that an answer didn’t help. Unanswered or weak questions from real conversations appear under Knowledge gaps in [knowledge and answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge), with how many times each was asked. Read [how to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff), or see the [pet grooming setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming). ## What should a chatbot say when it doesn’t know? Say plainly that it doesn’t have the information, then offer a next step: a person, a callback, or a link. Never guess at prices, policies, or availability. ## How many fallbacks before handing off to a person? Two is a common limit. After that, repeating the same reply only frustrates the customer, so the conversation should go to a person. ## Related terms - [AI hallucination](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-hallucination): An AI hallucination is a response from an AI system that sounds confident but is false, made up, or unsupported by its sources, such as an invented price, policy, or appointment time. - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. - [Knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/glossary/knowledge-base): A knowledge base is an organized collection of information that people or software use to answer questions. - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. - [Escalation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/escalation): Escalation is moving a customer issue to someone with more authority, expertise, or urgency than the first point of contact, such as from a chatbot to staff, or from staff to the owner. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Knowledge and answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [AI receptionist for pet groomers](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming) --- # What Is a Knowledge Base for an AI Assistant? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/knowledge-base > A knowledge base is the business information an AI assistant answers from. Learn what to include, how to keep it current, and how gaps show up in conversations. A knowledge base is an organized collection of information that people or software use to answer questions. For an AI assistant, it is the business’s own content, such as web pages, documents, price lists, policies, and written answers, that the assistant searches before replying, so its answers reflect that business instead of general internet knowledge. ## How a knowledge base powers an AI assistant When you add sources, the system splits them into passages and indexes them for search. At answer time, the assistant retrieves the passages relevant to the question and writes a reply from them, a technique called [retrieval-augmented generation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/retrieval-augmented-generation). The quality of answers is capped by the quality of the sources. The best knowledge bases are specific: real prices or price ranges, service areas by town, what is and isn’t included, cancellation rules, and what to do in urgent situations. Contradictions between an old PDF and the current website are a common source of wrong answers, so remove or refresh outdated sources. ## Example: an interior design studio An interior design studio adds its services page, a PDF describing its three design packages, and written answers about consultation fees and travel radius. A visitor asks whether the studio does single-room refreshes outside the city. The assistant answers from the package PDF and the travel-radius answer, then offers a consultation slot. This scenario is illustrative. ## Knowledge in InsertChat InsertChat’s [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) accepts website pages by crawl or sitemap; PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, and ebook files; CSV and Excel spreadsheets; scanned PDFs and images read with text recognition; audio and video files, which are transcribed; and questions and answers you write. One knowledge base serves calls, chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp. Website sources can refresh on a schedule that depends on your plan, and Knowledge gaps lists real customer questions the assistant couldn’t answer well. Start with [how to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge), or see the [interior design setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/interior-design). ## What should I put in my AI assistant’s knowledge base? Services, prices or ranges, hours, service area, booking and cancellation rules, common questions with your real answers, and instructions for urgent situations. Specific beats long. ## How often should a knowledge base be updated? Whenever prices, services, hours, or policies change, and after reviewing questions the assistant couldn’t answer. A monthly review catches most drift. ## Related terms - [Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/retrieval-augmented-generation): Retrieval-augmented generation, or RAG, is a technique where an AI system first searches a set of documents for passages relevant to a question, then writes its answer using those passages. - [AI hallucination](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-hallucination): An AI hallucination is a response from an AI system that sounds confident but is false, made up, or unsupported by its sources, such as an invented price, policy, or appointment time. - [Fallback intent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/fallback-intent): A fallback intent is the response a chatbot or voice assistant uses when it can’t match a message to anything it knows how to handle, or doesn’t have the answer. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. - [Conversational AI](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai): Conversational AI is technology that lets software hold a natural conversation with people by text or voice. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [How to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) - [AI front desk for interior designers](https://insertchat.com/industries/interior-design) --- # What Is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/retrieval-augmented-generation > Retrieval-augmented generation lets an AI look up your documents before answering, so replies use your facts. Learn how RAG works, its limits, and an example. Retrieval-augmented generation, or RAG, is a technique where an AI system first searches a set of documents for passages relevant to a question, then writes its answer using those passages. It lets a general language model answer with a specific business’s facts, and makes it easier to update answers by changing documents rather than retraining a model. ## How retrieval-augmented generation works The approach was named in a 2020 paper by Lewis and colleagues, [Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Knowledge-Intensive NLP Tasks](https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.11401), which paired a language model with a retriever over an indexed document collection. Business assistants follow the same pattern: documents are split into passages and indexed, the question is matched against them, and the best passages go to the model with instructions to answer from them. RAG reduces made-up answers but doesn’t eliminate them. If retrieval misses the right passage, or two sources disagree, the model can still produce a wrong answer. That’s why good systems also tell the model to admit when the sources don’t cover a question. ## Example: a therapy practice’s cancellation policy A therapy practice uploads its intake packet, which includes a 24-hour cancellation policy and fee schedule. When a client asks by chat what happens if they cancel the morning of a session, the assistant retrieves the policy passage and quotes the fee correctly instead of guessing. No client health information is involved in answering this. This scenario is illustrative. ## RAG in InsertChat InsertChat answers from your [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) using retrieval: your website pages, documents, spreadsheets, and written answers are processed and searched before each reply on every channel. You can let the assistant mention where an answer came from when helpful, and it says when the information isn’t available. Check a source’s processing status before relying on it, and refresh it when your policies change. Practices that need to handle protected health information require Enterprise and a signed [business associate agreement](https://insertchat.com/glossary/business-associate-agreement). See the [therapy practice setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/therapy). ## Is RAG the same as training an AI on my data? No. Training changes the model itself. RAG leaves the model unchanged and looks up your documents at answer time, so updates take effect as soon as a source is refreshed. ## Does RAG stop AI hallucinations? It reduces them by giving the model the right facts, but retrieval can miss or sources can conflict. Instructions to admit gaps and a human handoff are still needed. ## Related terms - [Knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/glossary/knowledge-base): A knowledge base is an organized collection of information that people or software use to answer questions. - [AI hallucination](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-hallucination): An AI hallucination is a response from an AI system that sounds confident but is false, made up, or unsupported by its sources, such as an invented price, policy, or appointment time. - [Conversational AI](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai): Conversational AI is technology that lets software hold a natural conversation with people by text or voice. - [Fallback intent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/fallback-intent): A fallback intent is the response a chatbot or voice assistant uses when it can’t match a message to anything it knows how to handle, or doesn’t have the answer. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [AI front desk for therapists](https://insertchat.com/industries/therapy) ## Sources - [Lewis et al., Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Knowledge-Intensive NLP Tasks (NeurIPS 2020)](https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.11401) --- # What Is an AI Hallucination? Causes & Fixes Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-hallucination > An AI hallucination is a confident answer that is false or unsupported. Learn why language models hallucinate, what it costs a business, and how to prevent it. An AI hallucination is a response from an AI system that sounds confident but is false, made up, or unsupported by its sources, such as an invented price, policy, or appointment time. It happens because language models generate plausible text rather than looking facts up. For a business assistant, a hallucination is a promise the business never made. ## Why AI hallucinations happen The US National Institute of Standards and Technology calls this risk confabulation in its [Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600-1)](https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ai/NIST.AI.600-1.pdf): confidently stated but erroneous or false content. Models produce the most likely next words, and when the facts are missing, the most likely words can still be wrong. For customer-facing assistants, the main causes are gaps in the knowledge base, outdated or conflicting sources, and instructions that reward always having an answer. The fixes are equally practical: answer only from approved sources, say when information isn’t available, list promises the assistant must never make, and send uncertain questions to a person. ## Example: an invented delivery fee A party rental company’s chatbot is asked whether delivery to a nearby town is free. Its knowledge lists delivery fees only for the home city. An unguarded bot answers “Yes, delivery is free within 30 miles,” a policy the company never had. A guarded assistant says it doesn’t have the delivery fee for that town and asks the owner to confirm. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat guards against hallucinations InsertChat’s assistant is instructed never to invent business facts, prices, policies, availability, or commitments, and to say so when information is missing or conflicting; that setting can’t be turned off. You can list promises or decisions it must not make, and by default it asks a person for help when an answer is uncertain. On calls, it waits for a verified result before saying anything was booked. Knowledge gaps in [knowledge and answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) show which real questions need better sources. See the [party rental setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/party-rentals). ## Can AI hallucinations be completely eliminated? Not entirely with today’s models. They can be made rare with grounded answers, clear instructions to admit gaps, testing, and human handoff for uncertain questions. ## Who is responsible when a business chatbot gives a wrong answer? Customers generally treat the chatbot as speaking for the business. That is why businesses should limit what it can promise and review conversations regularly. ## Related terms - [Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/retrieval-augmented-generation): Retrieval-augmented generation, or RAG, is a technique where an AI system first searches a set of documents for passages relevant to a question, then writes its answer using those passages. - [Fallback intent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/fallback-intent): A fallback intent is the response a chatbot or voice assistant uses when it can’t match a message to anything it knows how to handle, or doesn’t have the answer. - [Knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/glossary/knowledge-base): A knowledge base is an organized collection of information that people or software use to answer questions. - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) - [How to build your assistant’s knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) - [AI front desk for party rentals](https://insertchat.com/industries/party-rentals) ## Sources - [NIST AI 600-1, Generative Artificial Intelligence Profile (July 2024)](https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ai/NIST.AI.600-1.pdf) --- # What Is a Chatbot Persona? Name, Tone & Voice Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/chatbot-persona > A chatbot persona is the name, tone, and voice your AI assistant uses with customers. Learn what to define, what to avoid, and how persona settings work. A chatbot persona is the consistent identity an AI assistant presents to customers: its name, tone of voice, level of formality, typical answer length, and, on the phone, its spoken voice and greeting. A clear persona makes an assistant sound like the business it represents and keeps every channel consistent, without pretending to be a person. ## How a chatbot persona is defined A persona is a short set of decisions, not a character backstory. Pick a name customers will see or hear, a tone that fits your brand (warm, professional, or formal), how long answers should be, and how the assistant introduces itself on each channel. Add words you like to use and words or claims to avoid. The persona should be honest about being an assistant and never override safety or accuracy. A bubbly tone that promises things the business can’t deliver is worse than a plain one. Test the persona on real questions, including complaints, because tone matters most when a customer is unhappy. ## Example: a med spa’s assistant voice A med spa names its assistant “Mia,” chooses a warm tone and brief answers, and adds “results vary” to its preferred phrases. It lists “guaranteed” and “painless” as words to avoid, and sets treatment complications as a topic that always needs a person. On calls, Mia greets callers by the spa’s name in a calm voice. This scenario is illustrative. ## Persona settings in InsertChat InsertChat’s response settings cover the persona directly: a customer-facing name, how it introduces itself on each channel, tone (warm and conversational, professional and direct, or formal and reserved), answer length, preferred words, and words or claims to avoid. On calls, choose one of 10 voices and write a greeting of up to 200 characters. Every saved change creates a version you can compare and restore. For the visual side, set the assistant’s name, logo, colors, and avatar, or brand each client separately with [white label](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label). See the [med spa setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa). ## Should a chatbot have a human name? It can, as long as it doesn’t claim to be a person. A friendly name with an honest introduction, such as “I’m Mia, the spa’s assistant,” works well on chat and phone. ## Does the persona change what the AI knows? No. Persona shapes how answers sound; the knowledge base and rules decide what the assistant says and does. ## Related terms - [White-label chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/white-label-chatbot): A white-label chatbot is AI chat software that one company builds and another company rebrands and delivers to its own clients. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. - [Voice AI agent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent): A voice AI agent is software that holds a spoken conversation and takes actions on someone’s behalf. - [Conversation flow](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-flow): A conversation flow is the planned path a chatbot or voice assistant follows from the first greeting to an outcome, such as an answer, a booking, or a handoff. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist voices and greeting](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [White-label AI assistants](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) - [AI front desk for med spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa) --- # What Is a Website Chatbot? How AI Chat Works Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot > A website chatbot answers visitors’ questions in a chat window. Learn how AI chatbots differ from live chat and button bots, and what makes one useful. A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. Modern AI chatbots answer in natural language from the business’s own pages and documents, collect contact details, book appointments, and hand the chat to a person when needed, at any hour and without a staffed live chat desk. ## How a website chatbot works A short script added to your site loads the chat, usually as a bubble in a bottom corner, or embedded inside a page. When a visitor types, the assistant reads the message, searches the business’s [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/glossary/knowledge-base), and replies. Website builders like WordPress, Shopify, Wix, and Webflow accept these scripts, often through a plugin or custom code block. Three things separate a useful chatbot from an annoying one: answers specific to your business rather than generic AI text, an easy path to a person, and a team view of every conversation. Button-only bots that can’t handle typed questions, or AI bots that guess, both send visitors away. ## Example: a roofing company’s evening visitors A roofing company’s website gets most of its visits in the evening, when homeowners are back from work. Its chatbot answers whether the company handles insurance claims, explains the inspection process from the company’s FAQ, accepts a photo of the damage, and books an inspection. The owner reviews the conversations with breakfast. This scenario is illustrative. ## InsertChat’s website chatbot InsertChat’s [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) answers from your pages, documents, and FAQs. Install it with the [WordPress plugin](https://insertchat.com/integration/wordpress) or paste the install code into Shopify, Wix, Webflow, WooCommerce, or any builder that accepts custom code. Visitors can ask questions, attach files, send voice messages, book appointments, and ask for a person. The same assistant answers your phone, texts, email, and WhatsApp, and every chat lands in the shared inbox with the visitor’s landing page and referrer. Set the name, logo, colors, and tone to match your brand. ## What is the difference between a chatbot and live chat? Live chat is staffed by people, so it only works when someone is available. A chatbot answers automatically. Many businesses combine them: the bot answers first and a person takes over when needed. ## Will a chatbot slow down my website? A well-built widget loads its script asynchronously and has little effect on page speed. Test your key pages after installing. ## Do I need a developer to add a chatbot? Usually not. Plugins and copy-and-paste install codes work on most website builders. A developer helps only with custom placements or sites that restrict scripts. ## Related terms - [Iframe embedding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/iframe-embedding): Iframe embedding is placing one web page inside another using an HTML inline frame, so content hosted elsewhere, such as a chat window, map, or booking calendar, appears as part of your page. - [Chat session](https://insertchat.com/glossary/chat-session): A chat session is a single conversation between a website visitor and a chatbot or support agent, from the first message until it is resolved or goes inactive. - [White-label chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/white-label-chatbot): A white-label chatbot is AI chat software that one company builds and another company rebrands and delivers to its own clients. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-capture): Lead capture is recording a potential customer’s contact details and request when they first reach out, so the business can follow up and win the job. - [Conversational AI](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai): Conversational AI is technology that lets software hold a natural conversation with people by text or voice. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI chatbot for your website](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [WordPress plugin](https://insertchat.com/integration/wordpress) - [Shopify installation](https://insertchat.com/integration/shopify) - [AI receptionist for roofers](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing) --- # What Is a White-Label Chatbot? For Agencies Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/white-label-chatbot > A white-label chatbot is AI chat software an agency rebrands and sells to clients as its own. Learn what gets branded, how custom domains work, and pricing. A white-label chatbot is AI chat software that one company builds and another company rebrands and delivers to its own clients. Agencies and consultants use white-label chatbots to offer AI chat, and often AI phone answering, under their own brand, with each client’s assistant showing that client’s name, logo, and colors instead of the software vendor’s. ## How white-label chatbots work The agency holds the account with the vendor and creates a separate assistant per client, each with its own knowledge, branding, and install code. Deeper white-labeling moves the widget, shared links, and emails onto the agency’s own domain so the vendor’s name doesn’t appear anywhere the client or their customers look. Commercially, the agency sets its own prices: a setup fee for building the knowledge base and testing, plus a monthly fee per client that covers the platform cost and ongoing improvements. The vendor bills the agency, not the end client. ## Example: an agency serving local dentists A small marketing agency builds websites for dental practices. It adds a branded assistant to each client’s site, trained on that practice’s services and insurance list, with the practice’s logo and colors. Widgets load from the agency’s own domain, and the agency bills each practice monthly. This scenario is illustrative. ## White label in InsertChat With InsertChat’s [white label](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label), each client assistant gets its own display name, accent color, avatar, logos, browser icon, knowledge, tone, and phone number. On Growth, Scale, and Enterprise, widgets, shared links, sign-in, and customer emails can run on your own verified domain, set up with a DNS TXT and CNAME record. Paid plans let your business serve its own customers within plan limits, and you decide how to package and price your services. See the [agency use case](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies). ## Do clients see the software vendor’s name? Not on a fully white-labeled setup. The client’s branding appears on the widget, and a custom domain removes the vendor’s domain from widgets, links, and emails. ## Can a white-label chatbot also answer phone calls? Some platforms include voice. InsertChat client assistants can answer calls on their own number, and US and Canadian clients can forward their existing number. ## Related terms - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. - [Chatbot persona](https://insertchat.com/glossary/chatbot-persona): A chatbot persona is the consistent identity an AI assistant presents to customers: its name, tone of voice, level of formality, typical answer length, and, on the phone, its spoken voice and greeting. - [Iframe embedding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/iframe-embedding): Iframe embedding is placing one web page inside another using an HTML inline frame, so content hosted elsewhere, such as a chat window, map, or booking calendar, appears as part of your page. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist): An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. ## Related InsertChat pages - [White-label AI receptionist and chatbot](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) - [InsertChat for agencies](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies) - [Pricing and plan limits](https://insertchat.com/pricing) --- # What Is Iframe Embedding? Chat Embeds Explained Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/iframe-embedding > Iframe embedding places one web page inside another, such as a chat window on your site. Learn when to use an iframe or an install script, and the trade-offs. Iframe embedding is placing one web page inside another using an HTML inline frame, so content hosted elsewhere, such as a chat window, map, or booking calendar, appears as part of your page. For website chat, an iframe shows the assistant in a fixed area of the page and works on site builders that block custom scripts. ## How iframe embedding works An iframe is an HTML element with a source address; the browser loads that address in a rectangle on your page. The embedded content runs in its own isolated context, which is safer for both sites but means it can’t easily react to the rest of your page or float over it like a chat bubble. Chat vendors usually offer three install options. A script adds a floating bubble that follows visitors across pages. An inline embed places the chat inside a specific section and fills its container. An iframe is the fallback for builders that only allow embed blocks, with a fixed width and height you set. ## Example: a tutoring center on a site builder A tutoring center runs its website on a builder whose free plan doesn’t allow custom scripts but does accept embed blocks. It places its assistant in an iframe on the “Book a session” page, where parents ask about subjects and schedules and book an assessment without leaving the page. This scenario is illustrative. ## Embedding InsertChat InsertChat offers four ways to put the assistant on a site: a chat bubble that floats in a bottom corner, embedded chat that appears inside a page and fills its container, an iframe fallback for sites that can’t run the install script, and a direct link to a standalone chat page with no install. Platform guides cover WordPress, Wix, Google Tag Manager, and Google Sites. Whichever you choose, conversations land in the same shared inbox. Find install options on the [developers page](https://insertchat.com/developers) and in [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website). ## Is an iframe bad for SEO? Content inside an iframe is generally attributed to its source page, not yours, so it won’t add to your page’s content. For a chat widget that doesn’t matter. ## Should I use a script or an iframe for website chat? Use the install script when your site allows it, because it supports the floating bubble and page-wide behavior. Use an iframe only when scripts are blocked. ## Related terms - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. - [Chat session](https://insertchat.com/glossary/chat-session): A chat session is a single conversation between a website visitor and a chatbot or support agent, from the first message until it is resolved or goes inactive. - [White-label chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/white-label-chatbot): A white-label chatbot is AI chat software that one company builds and another company rebrands and delivers to its own clients. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Embeds and developer resources](https://insertchat.com/developers) - [AI chatbot for your website](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [WordPress plugin](https://insertchat.com/integration/wordpress) --- # What Is a Chat Session? Start, End & History Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/chat-session > A chat session is one conversation between a visitor and a chatbot or agent, from first message to close. Learn how sessions start, end, and keep history. A chat session is a single conversation between a website visitor and a chatbot or support agent, from the first message until it is resolved or goes inactive. The session holds the messages, the visitor’s details, and context such as the page they came from, so the assistant and the team can follow the conversation and pick it up later. ## How chat sessions work A session usually starts when a visitor sends a first message, and the chat software stores an identifier in the browser so the conversation survives page changes. It ends when the request is resolved, when the visitor stays inactive past a time limit, or when the browser loses the identifier. Returning visitors are the tricky part. Anonymous visitors on a new device start fresh. If the website passes a stable user ID, such as for logged-in customers, the chat can link sessions to the same person so history carries over. Pricing pages that mention “sessions” or “conversations” usually count these units. ## Example: a returning online shopper A shopper chats with an online store about sizing on Monday, then logs in on Thursday to ask whether the jacket is back in stock. Because the store passes its customer ID to the chat, the conversation history is still there, and the assistant can answer without asking her to repeat which jacket she meant. This scenario is illustrative. ## Chat sessions in InsertChat Every InsertChat website chat is a conversation in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), with the visitor’s landing page and referrer saved to their contact. Your site can pass a user identifier so returning, signed-in visitors keep their chat history, and an email to prefill their details. Clearly finished conversations are marked resolved automatically: website chats and texts after 24 hours of inactivity, emails after 72 hours, and calls at call end when no follow-up is promised. Conversations that need you are never resolved automatically. See the [online store setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce). ## How long does a chat session last? Until the conversation is resolved or goes inactive for the software’s time limit. Inactivity limits vary by product, from minutes to a day or more. ## What is the difference between a chat session and a conversation? They’re often used interchangeably. Some tools count a new session each time a visitor returns, even when the conversation history continues. ## Related terms - [Conversation state](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-state): Conversation state is everything a system knows about a conversation at a given moment: what the customer wants, which details have been collected, what has already happened, and where the conversation stands, such as handled by AI, waiting on the customer, needing a person, or resolved. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. - [Iframe embedding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/iframe-embedding): Iframe embedding is placing one web page inside another using an HTML inline frame, so content hosted elsewhere, such as a chat window, map, or booking calendar, appears as part of your page. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox): A shared inbox is one workspace where a team sees and answers customer conversations together instead of in separate personal inboxes. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI chatbot for your website](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [AI front desk for online stores](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce) --- # What Is a Conversation Flow? Chatbot Design Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-flow > A conversation flow is the path a chatbot or voice assistant follows from greeting to outcome. Learn scripted vs AI-guided flows and how to design them. A conversation flow is the planned path a chatbot or voice assistant follows from the first greeting to an outcome, such as an answer, a booking, or a handoff. It covers what the assistant asks, in what order, how it branches based on the customer’s answers, and what happens when the customer goes off script. ## How conversation flows work In a scripted chatbot, the flow is literally a diagram: each node is a message or question, and each branch is a button or keyword. Designers map every path. That gives control but breaks when customers answer in ways the diagram didn’t anticipate. With an AI assistant, the flow becomes goals and rules instead of a diagram: answer questions first, collect only the details a booking needs, confirm before saving, and hand off on certain topics. The assistant chooses the order naturally, so a customer who gives everything in one message isn’t walked through five questions anyway. ## Example: an HVAC tune-up booking An HVAC company’s booking flow for a spring tune-up has four goals: confirm the service area, explain the tune-up price, find a time, and save contact details. A caller who opens with “I’m in Maplewood, can you do my AC tune-up Tuesday?” covers two goals at once, so the assistant quotes the price and offers Tuesday times right away. This scenario is illustrative. ## Flows in InsertChat InsertChat doesn’t use a flow builder. You set the rules: which [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) actions it may take and whether to confirm appointment details before saving; when to collect contact details; topics that always need a person; promises it must not make; and whether to ask a clarifying question when a request is unclear. The assistant follows those rules on every channel and asks one question at a time on calls. Preview and test changes before saving. See the [HVAC setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac). ## Do AI chatbots still need conversation flows? They need goals and boundaries rather than full diagrams: what to collect, what to confirm, and when to hand off. Fixed scripts still help for legally required wording. ## What is conversation branching? Branching is when a flow splits based on the customer’s answer, such as residential versus commercial. AI assistants branch implicitly by understanding the answer. ## Related terms - [Conversation state](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-state): Conversation state is everything a system knows about a conversation at a given moment: what the customer wants, which details have been collected, what has already happened, and where the conversation stands, such as handled by AI, waiting on the customer, needing a person, or resolved. - [Slot filling](https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling): Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. - [Chatbot persona](https://insertchat.com/glossary/chatbot-persona): A chatbot persona is the consistent identity an AI assistant presents to customers: its name, tone of voice, level of formality, typical answer length, and, on the phone, its spoken voice and greeting. - [Clarification question](https://insertchat.com/glossary/clarification-question): A clarification question is a question an assistant asks when a customer’s request is ambiguous or a detail is unclear, instead of guessing. - [Follow-up question](https://insertchat.com/glossary/follow-up-question): A follow-up question is a question that depends on what was just said in a conversation, such as “how long does that take?” or “what about weekends?” after an answer. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Actions and approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [AI receptionist for HVAC companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac) --- # What Is Conversation State? Tracking Chats Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-state > Conversation state is what a system knows about a conversation right now: details collected, progress, and status. Learn why it matters for teams. Conversation state is everything a system knows about a conversation at a given moment: what the customer wants, which details have been collected, what has already happened, and where the conversation stands, such as handled by AI, waiting on the customer, needing a person, or resolved. It keeps the assistant consistent and tells the team what needs attention. ## How conversation state works Inside the assistant, state tracking is memory: remembering that the customer already gave an address, corrected a date, or chose a time, so it doesn’t ask again or act on stale details. Researchers call this dialogue state tracking. For the team, state is a status. A conversation might be open, waiting on the customer, handled by the AI, flagged for a person, resolved, or spam. Clear statuses let a small team share one inbox without double-replying or letting a request sit unanswered. ## Example: a garage door text thread A homeowner texts a garage door company about a broken spring. The assistant quotes the repair range and asks for the address; the thread shows as waiting on the customer. When the homeowner asks whether a technician can come before 8 a.m., outside the booking rules, the thread is flagged for a person, and the office resolves it after booking. This scenario is illustrative. ## Conversation states in InsertChat Every conversation in InsertChat’s [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) has a state: needs-you, open, resolved, or spam. Queues show what is unassigned, assigned to you, waiting on the customer, handled by AI, or needing attention, and teammates can assign, tag, snooze, and add internal notes. Clearly finished conversations resolve automatically, but needs-you work, failed sends, open tickets, and pending appointment actions are never resolved automatically. A short AI summary keeps each conversation’s context readable. See the [garage door setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/garage-door). ## What is dialogue state tracking? The AI technique of keeping a running record of the user’s goals and details across turns, so the assistant’s next move reflects everything said so far. ## Why do inbox statuses matter for small teams? They show at a glance what still needs a reply and who owns it, which prevents two people answering the same customer or nobody answering at all. ## Related terms - [Chat session](https://insertchat.com/glossary/chat-session): A chat session is a single conversation between a website visitor and a chatbot or support agent, from the first message until it is resolved or goes inactive. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox): A shared inbox is one workspace where a team sees and answers customer conversations together instead of in separate personal inboxes. - [Conversation flow](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-flow): A conversation flow is the planned path a chatbot or voice assistant follows from the first greeting to an outcome, such as an answer, a booking, or a handoff. - [Slot filling](https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling): Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI receptionist for garage door companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/garage-door) --- # What Is a Follow-Up Question in AI Chat? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/follow-up-question > A follow-up question builds on what was just said, like “how long does it take?” Learn how AI handles follow-ups and how suggested ones help visitors. A follow-up question is a question that depends on what was just said in a conversation, such as “how long does that take?” or “what about weekends?” after an answer. Handling follow-ups requires the assistant to remember context. In chat, follow-up questions are also suggested prompts the visitor can tap to keep the conversation going. ## How follow-up questions work In a follow-up, the meaning of words like “that,” “it,” or “the second one” comes from earlier messages. Language-model assistants read the whole conversation, so they resolve those references naturally, while keyword bots treat each message alone and often answer the wrong thing. Suggested follow-ups are a design tool: after an answer, the chat shows two or three short questions visitors commonly ask next. They help visitors who don’t know what to ask and steer the conversation toward useful outcomes, like booking. ## Example: a salon’s balayage questions A visitor asks a hair salon’s website chat how much balayage costs and gets the price range. She then asks, “How long does it take?” and later, “Can I book that with Jen?” The assistant knows “it” and “that” mean balayage, answers from the salon’s service list, and offers Jen’s open times. This scenario is illustrative. ## Follow-ups in InsertChat InsertChat’s assistant reads the full conversation, so follow-up questions work on chat, calls, texts, and email; on calls it interprets short follow-ups in the context of what it just said. In [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), Smart Suggestions, on by default, show context-aware suggested replies, and you can add your own suggestion messages for visitors to tap. Greeting messages set the first thing visitors see. See the [salon setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon). ## Why do some chatbots fail at follow-up questions? Keyword and button bots handle each message on its own, without the conversation’s context. Questions like “what about Saturdays?” have no meaning without the previous answer. ## Do suggested follow-up questions help? They help visitors who aren’t sure what to ask and make common next steps one tap away. Keep them short and relevant to the answer just given. ## Related terms - [Clarification question](https://insertchat.com/glossary/clarification-question): A clarification question is a question an assistant asks when a customer’s request is ambiguous or a detail is unclear, instead of guessing. - [Conversation flow](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-flow): A conversation flow is the planned path a chatbot or voice assistant follows from the first greeting to an outcome, such as an answer, a booking, or a handoff. - [Conversation state](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-state): Conversation state is everything a system knows about a conversation at a given moment: what the customer wants, which details have been collected, what has already happened, and where the conversation stands, such as handled by AI, waiting on the customer, needing a person, or resolved. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI chatbot for your website](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [AI front desk for salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon) --- # What Is a Clarification Question in AI? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/clarification-question > A clarification question is when an AI asks what you meant instead of guessing. Learn when assistants should clarify, when they shouldn’t, and an example. A clarification question is a question an assistant asks when a customer’s request is ambiguous or a detail is unclear, instead of guessing. For example: “Is that for your home or your business?” or “Did you say the 15th or the 50th?” Asking at the right moment prevents wrong answers and wrong bookings, while asking too often frustrates customers. ## How clarification questions work An assistant should clarify when the answer or action would change depending on the interpretation: two locations, two services with similar names, or a garbled number on a phone line. It should not clarify what is already clear, such as asking a customer to reconfirm a time they just chose. Good clarifications are one short question with the likely options, asked once. On calls, they matter even more, because speech recognition can mishear names, numbers, and email addresses, so spelling back critical details is a form of clarification. ## Example: “I have no hot water” A caller tells a plumbing company, “I have no hot water.” The fix depends on the heater type, so the assistant asks one question: “Is your water heater gas or electric?” The caller says gas and mentions a pilot light, so the assistant reads the company’s relighting safety note and books a visit for a technician. This scenario is illustrative. ## Clarifying in InsertChat InsertChat’s response settings include “Ask a clarifying question when the request is unclear,” on by default. Turn it off and the assistant asks only what the next approved action requires. Either way, it clarifies only missing or ambiguous details and doesn’t ask customers to reconfirm a clear request, chosen time, or name. On calls, the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) asks one short clarification when words are unclear, never guesses values from unclear audio, and spells back email addresses for confirmation. See the [plumbing setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing). ## Should an AI ask clarifying questions or just answer? Answer when the request is clear; clarify when a wrong guess would give a wrong answer or a wrong booking. One short question is better than a guess. ## How many clarifying questions is too many? More than one in a row usually feels like an interrogation. If one clarification doesn’t resolve it, offer options or bring in a person. ## Related terms - [Follow-up question](https://insertchat.com/glossary/follow-up-question): A follow-up question is a question that depends on what was just said in a conversation, such as “how long does that take?” or “what about weekends?” after an answer. - [Natural language understanding (NLU)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding): Natural language understanding, or NLU, is the part of AI that works out what a person means from the words they use. - [Slot filling](https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling): Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. - [Conversation flow](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-flow): A conversation flow is the planned path a chatbot or voice assistant follows from the first greeting to an outcome, such as an answer, a booking, or a handoff. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI receptionist for plumbers](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing) --- # What Is a Shared Inbox? Team Inbox Explained Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox > A shared inbox lets a team see and answer customer messages from one place. Learn how assignment, statuses, and notes work, and why it beats forwarding. A shared inbox is one workspace where a team sees and answers customer conversations together instead of in separate personal inboxes. Everyone can see which conversations are open, who owns each one, and what has been said, so nothing is answered twice or forgotten. Modern shared inboxes include email, chat, texts, and calls. ## How a shared inbox works Messages from connected channels arrive in one list. Teammates assign a conversation to an owner, change its status as it progresses, leave internal notes the customer never sees, and use saved replies for common answers. Filters and queues show what is unassigned, mine, or waiting on the customer. The alternative, a shared login to one mailbox or forwarding messages between personal accounts, loses ownership and history. A shared inbox also gives an AI assistant somewhere to put its work: every conversation it handles is visible, and the ones it can’t finish are clearly flagged for a person. ## Example: a dental office front desk Two coordinators run a dental office’s front desk. Calls the AI answered overnight, website chats, and patient texts arrive in one inbox. One coordinator owns new-patient requests and the other owns rescheduling, so each opens only their queue and leaves notes for the dentist on insurance questions. This scenario is illustrative. ## InsertChat’s shared inbox InsertChat’s [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) holds calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp next to each customer’s contact record. Teammates assign conversations, add tags and internal notes, snooze, and answer with saved replies; every call appears with a transcript and AI summary. Open, resolved, spam, and needs-you states show what still needs attention, and team roles decide who can approve the assistant’s actions. Staff notifications arrive immediately or as a daily summary. Patient information requires Enterprise and a signed BAA; see the [dental setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental). ## What is the difference between a shared inbox and a shared mailbox? A shared mailbox is one email account several people log into. A shared inbox adds assignment, statuses, internal notes, and often more channels than email. ## Does a shared inbox work for a one-person business? Yes. Even solo, it keeps every channel in one place and makes it obvious which customers still need a reply. ## Related terms - [Omnichannel communication](https://insertchat.com/glossary/omnichannel-communication): Omnichannel communication means a business serves customers across phone, website chat, SMS, email, and messaging apps as one connected experience. - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. - [Conversation state](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-state): Conversation state is everything a system knows about a conversation at a given moment: what the customer wants, which details have been collected, what has already happened, and where the conversation stands, such as handled by AI, waiting on the customer, needing a person, or resolved. - [Chat session](https://insertchat.com/glossary/chat-session): A chat session is a single conversation between a website visitor and a chatbot or support agent, from the first message until it is resolved or goes inactive. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [Customer contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [AI receptionist for dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental) --- # What Is Omnichannel Communication? Examples Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/omnichannel-communication > Omnichannel communication links calls, chat, texts, and email so customers get one continuous conversation. Learn how it differs from multichannel. Omnichannel communication means a business serves customers across phone, website chat, SMS, email, and messaging apps as one connected experience. Each channel shares the same customer record, history, and answers, so a customer who texts after calling doesn’t have to repeat themselves, and the team sees the whole relationship in one place. ## How omnichannel communication works The difference from multichannel is integration. A multichannel business offers several channels, but each runs separately: the phone notes live in one place, emails in another, chats in a third. Omnichannel links them through a shared contact record and a [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox), so context follows the customer. For AI assistants, omnichannel also means one knowledge base. Update a price once and every channel gives the new answer, instead of a website bot and a phone script drifting apart. ## Example: a property manager’s residents A resident calls a property management office about a broken dishwasher, then texts a photo an hour later and emails the lease question that came up. With an omnichannel setup, all three land on the same resident’s contact, so whoever picks it up sees the call summary, the photo, and the email together. This scenario is illustrative. ## Omnichannel in InsertChat InsertChat runs one assistant across phone calls, website chat, [SMS](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), [email](https://insertchat.com/product/email), and WhatsApp, answering from one knowledge base with the same handoff rules. Every conversation lands in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) and on the customer’s contact record with notes, tasks, and appointments. Each channel has its own setup, and SMS and WhatsApp can carry their own charges. InsertChat doesn’t support Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram. See the [property management setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management). ## What is the difference between omnichannel and multichannel? Multichannel means offering several channels. Omnichannel means those channels share one customer record and history, so the conversation continues across them. ## Which channels should a small business start with? The ones customers already use to reach you, usually phone and website chat, then texting. Adding a channel nobody uses only creates another inbox to watch. ## Related terms - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox): A shared inbox is one workspace where a team sees and answers customer conversations together instead of in separate personal inboxes. - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist): An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. ## Related InsertChat pages - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [AI receptionist for property managers](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management) --- # What Is Human Handoff in Chatbots and AI? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff > Human handoff is when an AI assistant passes a conversation to a person with its context intact. Learn the common triggers and what a good handoff includes. Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. It happens when the customer asks for someone, the AI can’t answer confidently, the customer is upset, or the request needs human judgment. A good handoff tells the customer what happens next and spares them from repeating themselves. ## How human handoff works Handoff has three parts. A trigger decides when it happens: an explicit request, low confidence, repeated failure, negative sentiment, or a listed sensitive topic. A notification tells the right person: an inbox flag, an email, or a push alert. And a takeover lets that person continue with the history, a summary, and any details the assistant collected. The most common mistake is a handoff to nobody: the bot says “connecting you to an agent” when no one is available. Outside staffed hours, the honest version is collecting details and promising a follow-up by a specific route. ## Example: a law firm intake call A caller to a law firm describes a car accident, then asks whether she should accept the insurer’s offer. That is legal advice, which the firm listed as always needing a person. The assistant says an attorney will review it, collects the accident date and her contact details, and the firm sees the conversation flagged with a summary. This scenario is illustrative. ## Human handoff in InsertChat InsertChat hands a conversation to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure of an answer, a customer says twice that an answer didn’t help, a customer is upset, or a request needs an action outside its permissions. Add topics that always need a person and the message customers see while a person is asked to help. The conversation is marked needs-you and the teammates you choose are notified. On website chat, a teammate can take over in the same window and reply in real time while the AI steps back. On calls, InsertChat does not transfer live; the assistant collects details and your team follows up. Set it up with [how to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff), or see the [law firm setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal). ## What triggers a chatbot to hand off to a human? Common triggers are a direct request for a person, low confidence or missing information, repeated failed answers, an upset customer, and topics the business marks as sensitive. ## What should the customer see during a handoff? A clear message that a person will help and how: reply in the chat, a callback, or an email. Don’t promise an instant connection unless someone is actually available. ## Related terms - [Escalation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/escalation): Escalation is moving a customer issue to someone with more authority, expertise, or urgency than the first point of contact, such as from a chatbot to staff, or from staff to the owner. - [Live call transfer](https://insertchat.com/glossary/live-call-transfer): A live call transfer moves an active call from whoever answered it, a receptionist, an agent, or an AI, to another person while the caller stays on the line. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox): A shared inbox is one workspace where a team sees and answers customer conversations together instead of in separate personal inboxes. - [Fallback intent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/fallback-intent): A fallback intent is the response a chatbot or voice assistant uses when it can’t match a message to anything it knows how to handle, or doesn’t have the answer. - [AI hallucination](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-hallucination): An AI hallucination is a response from an AI system that sounds confident but is false, made up, or unsupported by its sources, such as an invented price, policy, or appointment time. ## Related InsertChat pages - [How to set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI receptionist for law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal) --- # What Is Escalation in Customer Service? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/escalation > Escalation moves a customer issue to someone with more authority or urgency. Learn the types of escalation, common triggers, and how AI should escalate. Escalation is moving a customer issue to someone with more authority, expertise, or urgency than the first point of contact, such as from a chatbot to staff, or from staff to the owner. Issues escalate because of urgency, like a safety risk; complexity, like a billing dispute; or emotion, like an angry customer threatening to leave. ## How escalation works Support teams usually describe two types. Functional escalation moves an issue to someone with the right skills, like a technician. Hierarchical escalation moves it up to someone with more authority, like a manager who can approve a refund. Urgent escalation adds speed: someone is alerted now, not at the next shift. Escalation rules work best written down: which situations escalate, to whom, by what route, and what the customer is told in the meantime. For an AI assistant, those rules decide when it stops trying to help and brings a person in, with the details already collected. ## Example: an upset customer at an auto shop A customer emails an auto repair shop that his bill is higher than the estimate and he wants it fixed today. The assistant recognizes an upset customer and a payment dispute, doesn’t argue or promise a refund, tells him the manager will review the invoice, and flags the conversation for the owner with the estimate and invoice details noted. This scenario is illustrative. ## Escalation in InsertChat InsertChat escalates on its own rules and yours. Urgent alerts fire for a caller in distress, a safety risk, or a serious service failure; the assistant reads the safety steps you wrote and collects details for whoever responds. Upset customers, with threats, severe frustration, or repeated complaints, are brought to a person by default. Emails about complaints, payments, or legal matters are held for your team even when automatic replies are on. Escalated conversations are marked needs-you and chosen teammates are emailed. See [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) for urgent calls and the [auto repair setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair). ## When should a customer issue be escalated? When it involves safety, money disputes, legal questions, a customer threatening to leave, or anything the first contact isn’t allowed to decide. Repeated failed attempts are another signal. ## What is the difference between escalation and handoff? A handoff passes a conversation from AI to a person. Escalation is broader: moving an issue to someone with more authority or urgency, whether the first contact was a bot or a person. ## Related terms - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. - [After-hours answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/after-hours-answering-service): An after-hours answering service answers a business’s calls outside its opening hours, such as evenings, weekends, and holidays. - [Call screening](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-screening): Call screening is the practice of finding out who is calling and why before deciding how to handle the call. ## Related InsertChat pages - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [AI receptionist for auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair) --- # What Is First Response Time (FRT)? Formula Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-response-time > First response time measures how long a customer waits for the first reply. Learn the formula, what counts as a response, and how to shorten it. First response time, or FRT, is how long a customer waits between contacting a business and receiving the first real reply, whether by chat, email, text, or a returned call. It is usually reported as an average or median over a period. Auto-acknowledgments like “we got your message” generally don’t count as a response. ## How to measure first response time For each conversation, subtract the time the customer’s first message arrived from the time of the first reply that addresses it. Then take the median, which is less distorted by a few very slow replies than the average. Decide whether you measure around the clock or only during business hours, and report it the same way every time. First response time matters most where customers compare businesses quickly: quote requests, bookings, and urgent problems. It is different from [average response time](https://insertchat.com/glossary/average-response-time), which covers every reply in the conversation, and from resolution time, which ends when the issue is solved. ## Example: a pest control company’s web inquiries A pest control company finds that website inquiries sent after 5 p.m. wait until the next morning for a reply, so their median first response time is over 12 hours, while daytime inquiries get answers within the hour. An AI assistant answering on the website and phone brings the evening first reply down to the moment the customer writes. This scenario is illustrative. ## First response with InsertChat InsertChat answers calls, website chat, texts, and WhatsApp the moment they arrive, from your own knowledge, so the first reply is a real answer rather than an acknowledgment. Email can reply automatically too, after a delay you set of up to 10 minutes, or draft replies for your team to approve. The Today view on every plan shows daily activity and what the assistant handled; conversation analytics are included on Scale and Enterprise. See [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) and the [pest control setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/pest-control). ## Does an automatic “we received your message” reply count? Usually not. Most teams measure the first reply that actually addresses the request, because an acknowledgment doesn’t help the customer. ## Should first response time include nights and weekends? Measure both if you can. Business-hours FRT shows team performance; around-the-clock FRT shows what customers actually experience. ## Related terms - [Average response time](https://insertchat.com/glossary/average-response-time): Average response time is the average time a customer waits for each reply from a business across a conversation, not just the first one. - [Speed to lead](https://insertchat.com/glossary/speed-to-lead): Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect reaching out, by calling, chatting, filling in a form, or texting, and the business’s first meaningful response. - [First call resolution](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-call-resolution): First call resolution, or FCR, is the percentage of customer calls or contacts fully resolved during the first interaction, without a callback, transfer, or repeat contact. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI chatbot for your website](https://insertchat.com/product/website) - [Customer conversation reports](https://insertchat.com/product/reports) - [AI receptionist for pest control](https://insertchat.com/industries/pest-control) --- # What Is Average Response Time? How to Measure Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/average-response-time > Average response time is how long customers wait for each reply in a conversation. Learn the formula, how it differs from first response time, and pitfalls. Average response time is the average time a customer waits for each reply from a business across a conversation, not just the first one. It is calculated by adding up the wait before every business reply and dividing by the number of replies. It shows whether conversations keep moving after the first answer. ## How to calculate average response time For every customer message that gets a reply, measure the gap until that reply, then average all the gaps for the period. A conversation with a two-minute first reply that then waits a day for the second answer has a fast [first response time](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-response-time) but a poor average response time. Averages are skewed by outliers, so many teams also look at the median. Exclude internal notes and automatic acknowledgments, and decide whether nights and weekends count. Email usually runs slower than chat or text, so compare each channel against itself. ## Example: an accounting firm in tax season In March, an accounting firm’s email threads with clients get slower with each exchange as staff juggle returns. The first reply comes the same day, but follow-up answers about which documents to send take two or three days. Tracking average response time per thread reveals the slowdown that first response time alone hides. This scenario is illustrative. ## Keeping replies moving in InsertChat InsertChat’s assistant replies to every message in a conversation, not only the first, on calls, chat, texts, and WhatsApp. For [email](https://insertchat.com/product/email), it can draft each reply for review or send automatically with a delay and a business-hours option, while complaints, payments, and legal topics wait for your team. Conversations waiting on a person are marked needs-you, and queues show what is waiting for your reply. See the [accounting firm setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting). ## What is the difference between first response time and average response time? First response time measures only the wait for the first reply. Average response time includes every reply in the conversation, so it shows whether follow-ups stall. ## Is average or median response time better? Median is more robust when a few conversations wait unusually long. Track both, and investigate the slow outliers rather than letting them hide in an average. ## Related terms - [First response time](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-response-time): First response time, or FRT, is how long a customer waits between contacting a business and receiving the first real reply, whether by chat, email, text, or a returned call. - [First call resolution](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-call-resolution): First call resolution, or FCR, is the percentage of customer calls or contacts fully resolved during the first interaction, without a callback, transfer, or repeat contact. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox): A shared inbox is one workspace where a team sees and answers customer conversations together instead of in separate personal inboxes. - [Omnichannel communication](https://insertchat.com/glossary/omnichannel-communication): Omnichannel communication means a business serves customers across phone, website chat, SMS, email, and messaging apps as one connected experience. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email) - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) - [AI front desk for accounting firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting) --- # What Is First Call Resolution (FCR)? Formula Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-call-resolution > First call resolution is the share of customer issues solved on the first call or contact, with no follow-up. Learn the formula, pitfalls, and how to raise it. First call resolution, or FCR, is the percentage of customer calls or contacts fully resolved during the first interaction, without a callback, transfer, or repeat contact. It is calculated by dividing issues resolved on first contact by total issues, then multiplying by 100. High FCR means customers get what they need in one try. ## How to measure first call resolution The hard part is defining “resolved.” Common methods are asking the customer at the end of the call, checking whether the same customer contacts you again about the same issue within a set window such as seven days, or having staff mark the outcome. Each gives a different number, so pick one and keep it consistent. FCR goes up when the first contact can actually act: answer the specific question, book the appointment, or take the payment link, instead of taking a message. Calls that end in “someone will call you back” are, by definition, not first-call resolved. ## Example: a vet clinic’s booking calls A veterinary clinic notices many callers phone twice: first to ask whether their cat is due for vaccines, then again to book once the front desk checks. When the first call can answer from the clinic’s vaccine schedule and offer open times immediately, most of those calls end with a booked appointment and no second call. This scenario is illustrative. ## First-contact resolution with InsertChat InsertChat raises the share of calls and chats settled the first time by letting the assistant act, not just answer: it answers from your knowledge, books, reschedules, or cancels on your calendar, and can use connected actions such as sending a Stripe payment link or creating a Zendesk ticket when you allow it. When a person is needed, the conversation arrives with a transcript and summary so the follow-up doesn’t start from zero. See [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) and the [veterinary setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary). ## How do you calculate first call resolution? Divide the number of issues resolved on the first contact by the total number of issues in the period, then multiply by 100. Define “resolved” clearly before you start. ## Is first call resolution only for phone calls? No. Many teams measure first contact resolution across chat, email, and text, using the same idea: solved in the first interaction, with no repeat contact. ## Related terms - [First response time](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-response-time): First response time, or FRT, is how long a customer waits between contacting a business and receiving the first real reply, whether by chat, email, text, or a returned call. - [Call abandonment rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-abandonment-rate): Call abandonment rate is the percentage of incoming calls where the caller hangs up before reaching anyone, while ringing, during a phone menu, or on hold. - [Appointment scheduling software](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-scheduling-software): Appointment scheduling software is a tool that lets customers book, reschedule, or cancel time with a business based on its real availability. - [Human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff): Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant passes a customer conversation to a person, along with everything said so far. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Actions and approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) - [AI receptionist for veterinary clinics](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary) --- # What Is Call Abandonment Rate? Formula & Fixes Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-abandonment-rate > Call abandonment rate is the share of callers who hang up before reaching anyone. Learn the formula, what drives abandonment, and how to bring it down. Call abandonment rate is the percentage of incoming calls where the caller hangs up before reaching anyone, while ringing, during a phone menu, or on hold. It is calculated by dividing abandoned calls by total incoming calls and multiplying by 100. A high rate usually means callers wait too long or can’t find the right option. ## How to measure call abandonment Most phone systems report abandoned calls directly. Many teams exclude very short abandons, a few seconds, because those are often misdials. Compare the rate by hour of day: abandonment usually clusters at peaks, such as lunch, Monday mornings, or right after a promotion. The causes are almost always time and friction: long hold queues, menus that don’t fit the caller’s problem, and calls ringing with nobody free. The fixes follow from that: shorter menus or none, a sensible ring time, and an [overflow](https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls) destination that answers instead of queuing. ## Example: a restaurant on Friday evening A busy restaurant puts callers on hold during the Friday dinner rush while staff seat guests. Its phone report shows many calls abandoned between 6 and 8 p.m., mostly reservation and takeout-hours questions. Sending unanswered calls to an AI assistant after a short ring turns those hold queues into answered calls and booked tables. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat removes hold queues InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers every call it receives without a hold queue or a keypad menu, because each call gets its own conversation. Use “AI when unanswered” to ring your team for 5 to 60 seconds first, then let the assistant answer. Calls that end before a conversation starts show up as missed calls in the Today view. See the [restaurant setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants). ## How do you calculate call abandonment rate? Divide abandoned calls by total incoming calls for the period and multiply by 100. State whether you exclude very short abandons, so the number is comparable over time. ## Is a call abandoned if it goes to voicemail? Definitions vary. Many teams count a caller who hangs up at the voicemail greeting as abandoned, since they never reached anyone and left nothing. ## Related terms - [Overflow calls](https://insertchat.com/glossary/overflow-calls): Overflow calls are incoming calls that arrive when everyone who normally answers is busy or unavailable, so they would otherwise ring out, hit voicemail, or wait on hold. - [Missed call](https://insertchat.com/glossary/missed-call): A missed call is an incoming call that ends before anyone answers, because nobody picked up, the line was busy, or the caller hung up while ringing or on hold. - [IVR (interactive voice response)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ivr): IVR, or interactive voice response, is an automated phone system that interacts with callers through recorded prompts, keypad tones, and limited speech recognition. - [First call resolution](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-call-resolution): First call resolution, or FCR, is the percentage of customer calls or contacts fully resolved during the first interaction, without a callback, transfer, or repeat contact. - [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [After-hours and overflow answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) - [AI receptionist for restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants) --- # What Is Speed to Lead? Why Minutes Matter Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/speed-to-lead > Speed to lead is how quickly a business responds to a new inquiry. Learn how to measure it, why delays cost jobs, and how to answer leads while they decide. Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect reaching out, by calling, chatting, filling in a form, or texting, and the business’s first meaningful response. A shorter speed to lead means the business engages the prospect while their need is fresh and before they contact a competitor. It is tracked as an average or median. ## How speed to lead works Measure from the moment the inquiry arrives to the first response that moves it forward: an answer, a quote range, or an offered appointment. For phone leads, an answered call is a speed to lead of zero; a missed call is measured until the callback connects, not until it is attempted. Speed matters most for urgent and comparison-shopped services, where customers contact several businesses at once. The usual bottleneck is not effort but availability: leads arrive while the team is on jobs, with customers, or off for the night. Covering those gaps beats asking staff to check their phones more often. ## Example: a kitchen remodel inquiry A homeowner fills in contact requests with three remodeling contractors on a Sunday evening. Two reply on Monday afternoon. The third has an AI assistant on its website chat and phone, which answers her questions about timelines and budget ranges that evening and books a Tuesday site visit. By Monday she has a meeting on the calendar. This scenario is illustrative. ## Speed to lead with InsertChat InsertChat answers new inquiries on calls, website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp as they arrive, books visits on your calendar when you allow it, and saves each inquiry as a contact with its source. High-intent alerts tell chosen teammates when a customer explicitly asks to buy, book, hire, or get a quote. InsertChat does not place outbound AI calls to leads; it makes sure inbound leads are answered immediately. See [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) and the [contractor setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors). ## What is a good speed to lead? As fast as possible, ideally while the customer is still on your website or the phone. Answering immediately removes the question of how many minutes is too many. ## How do I measure speed to lead? Record when each inquiry arrived and when the first meaningful response happened, then track the median. Measure separately by channel and by time of day. ## Related terms - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-capture): Lead capture is recording a potential customer’s contact details and request when they first reach out, so the business can follow up and win the job. - [First response time](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-response-time): First response time, or FRT, is how long a customer waits between contacting a business and receiving the first real reply, whether by chat, email, text, or a returned call. - [Missed call](https://insertchat.com/glossary/missed-call): A missed call is an incoming call that ends before anyone answers, because nobody picked up, the line was busy, or the caller hung up while ringing or on hold. - [Lead qualification](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-qualification): Lead qualification is deciding whether a new inquiry is a good fit and how urgently to follow up, based on what the prospect needs, where they are, their timeline, and their readiness to buy. - [AI answering service](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-answering-service): An AI answering service answers a business’s phone calls with voice AI instead of call center staff. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI receptionist for contractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/contractors) --- # What Is a No-Show Rate? Formula & Fixes Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/no-show-rate > No-show rate is the share of booked appointments where the customer doesn’t arrive or cancel. Learn the formula, common causes, and ways to bring no-shows down. A no-show rate is the percentage of booked appointments where the customer neither arrives nor cancels in advance. It is calculated by dividing no-shows by total booked appointments for a period and multiplying by 100. No-shows leave empty slots that could have gone to other customers, so they directly cost appointment-based businesses revenue. ## How to measure and reduce no-shows Count only appointments that were still on the books at the start time; late cancellations are usually tracked separately. Break the rate down by booking channel, lead time, and appointment type, since appointments booked weeks ahead tend to be forgotten more often than next-day ones. The common fixes target forgetting and friction: [appointment reminders](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-reminders) by text or email, an easy way to reschedule instead of skipping, and clear confirmation details at booking. Deposit and cancellation-fee policies help for longer appointments, but they need to be explained when the customer books. ## Example: a chiropractic clinic’s Monday gaps A chiropractic clinic sees several empty Monday-morning slots each week from patients who booked the previous week and forgot. Adding a reminder 24 hours ahead with an easy way to move the visit turns many silent no-shows into reschedules, which the front desk can fill. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat helps reduce no-shows Appointments InsertChat’s assistant books can get a reminder by text or email 72 hours and 24 hours before. If the time no longer works, the customer can reply or call, and the assistant moves the appointment to another open time on your calendar. Booking rules, such as minimum notice of up to 48 hours, buffers, and how far ahead customers can book, keep slots realistic, and teammates can be notified of every new booking. See [AI scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) and the [chiropractic setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/chiropractic). ## How do you calculate a no-show rate? Divide the number of no-shows by the total number of booked appointments in the period, then multiply by 100. Track late cancellations separately. ## Do appointment reminders reduce no-shows? Reminders address the most common cause, forgetting, and give customers an easy way to reschedule instead. Track your own rate before and after adding them. ## Related terms - [Appointment reminders](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-reminders): Appointment reminders are messages a business sends before a scheduled appointment, usually by text or email, to remind the customer of the date, time, and location and make it easy to confirm or reschedule. - [Appointment scheduling software](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-scheduling-software): Appointment scheduling software is a tool that lets customers book, reschedule, or cancel time with a business based on its real availability. - [First call resolution](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-call-resolution): First call resolution, or FCR, is the percentage of customer calls or contacts fully resolved during the first interaction, without a callback, transfer, or repeat contact. - [Conversation state](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversation-state): Conversation state is everything a system knows about a conversation at a given moment: what the customer wants, which details have been collected, what has already happened, and where the conversation stands, such as handled by AI, waiting on the customer, needing a person, or resolved. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI receptionist for chiropractors](https://insertchat.com/industries/chiropractic) --- # What Is Lead Capture? Calls, Chat & Texts Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-capture > Lead capture records who a new inquiry is from and what they want so you can follow up. Learn how it works across calls, chat, and texts, and what to capture. Lead capture is recording a potential customer’s contact details and request when they first reach out, so the business can follow up and win the job. It happens on calls, website chat, texts, emails, and forms, and works best when every inquiry is saved in one place with its source and the customer’s own words. ## How lead capture works A captured lead has three parts: who the person is (name and a way to reach them), what they want (the request in their own words, plus details like address or date), and where they came from (the page, ad, campaign, or phone number that brought them in). Missing any one makes follow-up slower or attribution guesswork. The weak point is usually the moment of contact. A call that goes to voicemail or a chat nobody answers captures nothing. Capturing well also means not demanding details too early: answer the question first, then ask for contact information when there’s a reason, such as a booking or a quote. ## Example: a moving company’s quote requests A moving company gets quote inquiries by phone and website chat. Each one is captured with the move date, origin and destination, home size, and the customer’s phone number, plus whether they came from a search ad or a referral. The estimator calls back with everything in front of him, and the owner sees which ads bring in real moves. This scenario is illustrative. ## Lead capture in InsertChat InsertChat’s [lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) works on calls, website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp. The assistant answers questions first, asks for a name, phone number, or email when a booking or follow-up needs one, and saves the lead as a contact with the conversation, notes, and any appointment. Each contact records the landing page and referrer for website chats, the campaign and source from your tracking links, and the number a caller dialed. HubSpot and Zoho connect as assistant actions without background sync. InsertChat does not offer web forms. See the [moving company setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/moving). ## What information should lead capture collect? A name, a reliable way to reach the person, their request in their own words, and the details needed to quote or book, plus the lead’s source. Ask only for what the next step needs. ## Is lead capture the same as lead generation? No. Lead generation brings prospects to you, through ads, search, or referrals. Lead capture records them when they reach out, so none slip away. ## Related terms - [Lead qualification](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-qualification): Lead qualification is deciding whether a new inquiry is a good fit and how urgently to follow up, based on what the prospect needs, where they are, their timeline, and their readiness to buy. - [Speed to lead](https://insertchat.com/glossary/speed-to-lead): Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect reaching out, by calling, chatting, filling in a form, or texting, and the business’s first meaningful response. - [Slot filling](https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling): Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. - [Missed call](https://insertchat.com/glossary/missed-call): A missed call is an incoming call that ends before anyone answers, because nobody picked up, the line was busy, or the caller hung up while ringing or on hold. - [Website chatbot](https://insertchat.com/glossary/website-chatbot): A website chatbot is a chat window on a business’s website where an automated assistant answers visitors’ questions in real time. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [Customer contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) - [AI receptionist for movers](https://insertchat.com/industries/moving) --- # What Is Lead Qualification? Questions to Ask Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-qualification > Lead qualification decides whether a new inquiry is a good fit and how soon to follow up. Learn common criteria, questions to ask, and how AI can help. Lead qualification is deciding whether a new inquiry is a good fit and how urgently to follow up, based on what the prospect needs, where they are, their timeline, and their readiness to buy. It separates ready customers from early researchers and poor fits, so the team spends its time on the leads most likely to become jobs. ## How lead qualification works Sales teams often use frameworks like BANT: budget, authority, need, and timeline. Local businesses usually need simpler checks: Do we serve that area? Do we offer that service? When do they need it? Are they ready to book, or just pricing out options? A few questions asked naturally answer most of them. Qualification should guide priority, not turn people away rudely. A lead outside your area still deserves a clear answer, and an early researcher may book next month. The goal is that ready buyers get a fast response and a person’s attention right away. ## Example: a real estate team’s buyer inquiries A real estate team gets chat inquiries about listings. The assistant answers listing questions, then asks the buyer’s timeline, preferred neighborhoods, and whether they already have mortgage pre-approval. A pre-approved buyer moving in 60 days who asks for a showing is flagged for an agent immediately; a browser six months out is saved as a contact for follow-up. This scenario is illustrative. ## Qualifying leads with InsertChat InsertChat’s assistant asks the questions you put in its instructions and knowledge, such as service area, timeline, or project type, and saves the answers on the contact. High-intent alerts flag conversations where a customer explicitly asks to buy, book, hire, or get a quote, so your team sees ready buyers first. With HubSpot or Zoho connected, the assistant can create or update CRM records during the conversation, within the permissions you choose. See [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) and the [real estate setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate). ## What questions qualify a lead for a local business? Location or service area, the service needed, timeline, and whether they want to book or are comparing options. Add budget for larger projects. ## Can AI qualify leads? Yes, by asking your qualifying questions in conversation and recording the answers. Keep the final judgment on borderline leads with your team. ## Related terms - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-capture): Lead capture is recording a potential customer’s contact details and request when they first reach out, so the business can follow up and win the job. - [Speed to lead](https://insertchat.com/glossary/speed-to-lead): Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect reaching out, by calling, chatting, filling in a form, or texting, and the business’s first meaningful response. - [Intent recognition](https://insertchat.com/glossary/intent-recognition): Intent recognition is the step where an AI system identifies what a person is trying to do, such as book an appointment, ask a price, cancel, complain, or report an emergency. - [Appointment scheduling software](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-scheduling-software): Appointment scheduling software is a tool that lets customers book, reschedule, or cancel time with a business based on its real availability. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) - [HubSpot integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/hubspot) - [AI front desk for real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate) --- # What Is Appointment Scheduling Software? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-scheduling-software > Appointment scheduling software lets customers book time based on real availability. Learn how it works, which booking rules to set, and where AI fits. Appointment scheduling software is a tool that lets customers book, reschedule, or cancel time with a business based on its real availability. It applies rules like appointment length, buffers, and notice periods, prevents double-booking, and sends confirmations and reminders. Newer AI tools also book appointments during phone calls, chats, and texts. ## How appointment scheduling software works The software reads availability from a calendar and your rules, such as opening hours, 30-minute slots, 15-minute buffers, and no same-day bookings, and shows only times that fit. A booking creates a calendar event with the customer’s details and triggers confirmations and reminders. Classic tools rely on a self-service booking page. That works for customers who prefer to click, but many still call or message first. AI scheduling closes that gap by offering times inside the conversation, then writing to the same calendar. ## Example: a massage studio’s booking calls A massage studio has a booking page, but regulars still call to ask which therapist is free on Saturday. With AI scheduling on the phone line, the assistant checks the calendar, offers two Saturday times for a 60-minute session with a 15-minute buffer for room turnover, and books the one the caller picks. This scenario is illustrative. ## Scheduling with InsertChat InsertChat books appointments during calls, chats, and texts on its built-in calendar, [Google Calendar](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar), Outlook, [Calendly](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly), or Cal.com. Set appointment length from 15 to 120 minutes, buffers before and after, minimum notice of up to 48 hours, how far ahead customers can book (up to 90 days), and how many times it offers. Choose which actions run automatically: offering times, booking, rescheduling, and canceling appointments the assistant booked. Reminders go out by text or email 72 and 24 hours before. See [AI scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) and [beauty and wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness). ## Do I need separate scheduling software if I use an AI receptionist? Not necessarily. InsertChat has a built-in calendar, and it can also book on Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com if you already use one. ## Can customers still book online themselves? Yes, keep any booking page you have. AI scheduling adds booking inside calls and chats and writes to the same calendar, so availability stays consistent. ## Related terms - [Appointment reminders](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-reminders): Appointment reminders are messages a business sends before a scheduled appointment, usually by text or email, to remind the customer of the date, time, and location and make it easy to confirm or reschedule. - [No-show rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/no-show-rate): A no-show rate is the percentage of booked appointments where the customer neither arrives nor cancels in advance. - [Slot filling](https://insertchat.com/glossary/slot-filling): Slot filling is how a conversational assistant gathers the specific details a task requires, called slots, such as a name, phone number, address, service type, or preferred date. - [Lead qualification](https://insertchat.com/glossary/lead-qualification): Lead qualification is deciding whether a new inquiry is a good fit and how urgently to follow up, based on what the prospect needs, where they are, their timeline, and their readiness to buy. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [Google Calendar integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar) - [Calendly integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly) - [AI front desk for beauty and wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness) --- # What Are Appointment Reminders? Timing & Tips Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-reminders > Appointment reminders are messages sent before a booking to confirm the time and cut no-shows. Learn when to send them, what to include, and texting rules. Appointment reminders are messages a business sends before a scheduled appointment, usually by text or email, to remind the customer of the date, time, and location and make it easy to confirm or reschedule. They reduce no-shows caused by forgetting and free up slots when customers who can’t make it reschedule instead of skipping. ## How appointment reminders work Most systems send reminders automatically from the calendar: one a few days ahead to allow rescheduling, and one the day before as a final prompt. A good reminder includes the service, date and time with time zone, address or meeting link, any preparation, and a simple way to reply. Texting rules apply. In the US, consent and opt-out handling matter for business texts under the [TCPA](https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa), replies like STOP must be honored, and the reminder should come from a number the customer recognizes. ## Example: a pet groomer’s Saturday appointments A pet grooming salon books Saturdays weeks in advance. Three days before each appointment, owners get a text reminder; the day before, another. One owner replies that her dog is sick, and the assistant moves the appointment to the following Saturday, opening the slot for another customer. This scenario is illustrative. ## Reminders in InsertChat Appointments InsertChat’s assistant books can get a reminder by text or email 72 hours and 24 hours before. If the time doesn’t work, the customer replies or calls and the assistant offers another open time on your calendar. Opt-out keywords such as STOP are honored for texts, and START opts back in. Texting depends on your number’s country and carrier; UK numbers are voice-only. See [AI scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), and the [pet grooming setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming). ## When should appointment reminders be sent? A common pattern is two reminders: a few days ahead so customers can reschedule, and the day before as a final prompt. Very early appointments may need an evening-before reminder. ## Should reminders go by text or email? Text is read quickly and suits short notices; email suits details like preparation instructions. Offering both covers customers who prefer one or the other. ## Related terms - [No-show rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/no-show-rate): A no-show rate is the percentage of booked appointments where the customer neither arrives nor cancels in advance. - [Appointment scheduling software](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-scheduling-software): Appointment scheduling software is a tool that lets customers book, reschedule, or cancel time with a business based on its real availability. - [A2P 10DLC](https://insertchat.com/glossary/a2p-10dlc): A2P 10DLC is the US framework for business text messaging sent from standard 10-digit phone numbers. - [TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa): The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, is a 1991 US federal law that restricts telemarketing calls, autodialed calls and texts, and calls using prerecorded or artificial voices. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI receptionist for pet groomers](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming) --- # What Is A2P 10DLC? Business Texting Rules Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/a2p-10dlc > A2P 10DLC is the US system for registering businesses that text from regular 10-digit numbers. Learn who must register, how it works, and what it means. A2P 10DLC is the US framework for business text messaging sent from standard 10-digit phone numbers. A2P means application-to-person: texts sent by software rather than typed person to person. 10DLC means 10-digit long code. Carriers require the business, called the brand, and its texting use case, called the campaign, to be registered and verified. ## How A2P 10DLC registration works According to [The Campaign Registry](https://www.campaignregistry.com/), which runs the registry carriers use, brands and campaign service providers are verified before they can send, and businesses can’t register directly; they register through an approved provider. The campaign describes what the texts are for, such as customer care or appointment reminders, with sample messages and how people opt in and out. Unregistered or mismatched traffic can be filtered or blocked by carriers, and registration and campaign fees may apply through the provider. Toll-free numbers use a separate verification process, and short codes have their own. The practical takeaway: business texting from software needs a registered setup before you rely on it. ## Example: a cleaning company starts texting A house cleaning company wants an assistant to answer customer texts and send booking confirmations from its business number. Before launch, its texting provider registers the company as a brand and a customer-care campaign, with sample messages and opt-out wording. Texts sent before approval risk being filtered by carriers. This scenario is illustrative. ## Texting with InsertChat InsertChat’s [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) replies to customers who text your InsertChat number, honors STOP and START, and sends picture messages to your team. Follow-up texts the assistant proposes always need approval from an owner, admin, or manager and the customer’s consent before they are sent; InsertChat does not run marketing or bulk text campaigns. Texting depends on the number’s country and carrier, and SMS can carry its own charges on top of your plan. Registration details for your number are not listed on this site, so confirm them with support before relying on texting. See the [cleaning company setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning). ## Does every business that texts need 10DLC registration? Businesses sending texts through software from standard US 10-digit numbers are expected to register. Toll-free and short-code numbers follow their own verification rules. ## What happens if I text without registering? Carriers can filter or block unregistered application-to-person traffic, so messages may never arrive. Providers may also suspend sending until registration is complete. ## Related terms - [TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa): The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, is a 1991 US federal law that restricts telemarketing calls, autodialed calls and texts, and calls using prerecorded or artificial voices. - [Toll-free number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/toll-free-number): A toll-free number is a phone number that callers can dial without being charged for the call, because the business that owns it pays instead. - [Appointment reminders](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-reminders): Appointment reminders are messages a business sends before a scheduled appointment, usually by text or email, to remind the customer of the date, time, and location and make it easy to confirm or reschedule. - [Local phone number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number): A local phone number is a standard number with an area code tied to a city or region, also called a geographic number. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI receptionist for cleaning companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning) ## Sources - [The Campaign Registry: 10DLC](https://www.campaignregistry.com/) --- # What Is the TCPA? Calls, Texts & AI Voices Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa > The TCPA is the US law on robocalls, autodialed calls, and texts. Learn its consent rules, how the FCC applies it to AI voices, and what it means for you. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, is a 1991 US federal law that restricts telemarketing calls, autodialed calls and texts, and calls using prerecorded or artificial voices. Under FCC rules, it requires prior consent for many of these calls, backs the National Do Not Call Registry, and lets consumers sue for violations. ## How the TCPA applies to businesses The [FCC’s robocall rules](https://www.fcc.gov/general/telemarketing-and-robocalls) require prior written consent before prerecorded telemarketing calls to home or wireless numbers, and oral or written consent before autodialed or prerecorded calls or texts to wireless numbers, with exceptions such as emergency calls. On February 8, 2024, the FCC [ruled that AI-generated voices are “artificial”](https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-makes-ai-generated-voices-robocalls-illegal) under the TCPA, bringing AI voice calls under the same rules. The rules focus on outbound contact: calls and texts a business initiates. Answering calls customers place to you is a different situation, but follow-up texts and calls still need the right consent. This page is general information, not legal advice; check with counsel for your situation. ## Example: an insurance agency’s lead list An insurance agency buys a list of quote leads and considers having an AI voice call each one. Under the FCC’s 2024 ruling, those AI-voice calls are subject to the TCPA’s consent requirements, so the agency would need prior consent from each person. Instead, it answers inbound quote calls with AI and follows up only with people who asked. This scenario is illustrative. ## How InsertChat fits the rules InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers calls customers place to you; InsertChat does not make AI outbound calls. Texts and emails the assistant proposes on its own wait for approval from an owner, admin, or manager; automatic follow-ups, such as appointment reminders or an after-visit thank-you, send only when you switch them on. Texts honor opt-out keywords such as STOP, and START opts back in. You remain responsible for how your business contacts customers. See the [insurance agency setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance). ## Does the TCPA apply to AI voice calls? Yes. In February 2024 the FCC ruled that calls using AI-generated voices are “artificial” under the TCPA, so the law’s consent rules apply to them. ## Does the TCPA apply to answering inbound calls? The TCPA’s consent rules target calls and texts a business initiates. Answering a call a customer placed is different, but any follow-up calls or texts you send still need the right consent. ## Related terms - [A2P 10DLC](https://insertchat.com/glossary/a2p-10dlc): A2P 10DLC is the US framework for business text messaging sent from standard 10-digit phone numbers. - [Voice AI agent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent): A voice AI agent is software that holds a spoken conversation and takes actions on someone’s behalf. - [Appointment reminders](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-reminders): Appointment reminders are messages a business sends before a scheduled appointment, usually by text or email, to remind the customer of the date, time, and location and make it easy to confirm or reschedule. - [Call screening](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-screening): Call screening is the practice of finding out who is calling and why before deciding how to handle the call. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) - [AI receptionist for insurance agencies](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance) ## Sources - [FCC: Telemarketing and robocalls](https://www.fcc.gov/general/telemarketing-and-robocalls) - [FCC: FCC makes AI-generated voices in robocalls illegal (February 8, 2024)](https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-makes-ai-generated-voices-robocalls-illegal) - [47 CFR 64.1200, delivery restrictions](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-L/section-64.1200) --- # What Is a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)? Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/business-associate-agreement > A business associate agreement is the HIPAA contract between a health practice and vendors handling patient data. Learn what it covers and when AI needs one. A business associate agreement, or BAA, is a contract required by HIPAA between a healthcare provider or health plan and a vendor that creates, receives, stores, or transmits protected health information on its behalf. The BAA requires the vendor to safeguard that information, limits how it can be used, and sets duties such as reporting breaches. ## How a business associate agreement works HIPAA defines a business associate in [45 CFR 160.103](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-160/subpart-A/section-160.103), and [45 CFR 164.504(e)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-E/section-164.504) sets what the contract must contain, such as permitted uses of the information, safeguards, breach reporting, and returning or destroying data at the end of the relationship. For a medical, dental, or therapy practice, any tool that hears or stores patient details, including an AI receptionist taking appointment requests with symptoms, is likely a business associate. Without a signed BAA, the practice should keep protected health information out of that tool entirely. A BAA is a contract, not a certification; there is no official “HIPAA certified” label. ## Example: a family medicine practice A family medicine practice wants an AI receptionist to book visits and collect the reason for the appointment. Because callers will describe symptoms, the assistant will handle protected health information, so the practice signs a BAA with the vendor before going live and limits what the assistant collects to what scheduling needs. This scenario is illustrative. ## BAAs and InsertChat InsertChat can sign a business associate agreement on its Enterprise plan, which starts at $998 per month, for healthcare organizations that handle protected health information. On other plans, do not add patient health information to the assistant’s knowledge or workflows. InsertChat does not claim HIPAA certification. Healthcare setups are covered for [medical practices](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare), [dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental), and [therapists](https://insertchat.com/industries/therapy); compare plans on [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing). ## Does an AI receptionist need a BAA? If it will create, receive, store, or transmit protected health information for a covered healthcare provider, yes. Check with your compliance advisor about your specific use. ## Is a BAA the same as being HIPAA compliant? No. A BAA is a required contract between a practice and a vendor. Compliance also depends on how the practice and vendor actually handle information. ## Which InsertChat plan includes a BAA? Enterprise. Healthcare organizations that need to handle protected health information should start on Enterprise and sign the BAA before adding patient information. ## Related terms - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-receptionist): An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls with a natural, conversational voice. - [Knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/glossary/knowledge-base): A knowledge base is an organized collection of information that people or software use to answer questions. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/glossary/shared-inbox): A shared inbox is one workspace where a team sees and answers customer conversations together instead of in separate personal inboxes. - [TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa): The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, is a 1991 US federal law that restricts telemarketing calls, autodialed calls and texts, and calls using prerecorded or artificial voices. ## Related InsertChat pages - [AI front desk for medical practices](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare) - [AI receptionist for dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental) - [Pricing and plans](https://insertchat.com/pricing) ## Sources - [45 CFR 160.103, definition of business associate](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-160/subpart-A/section-160.103) - [45 CFR 164.504(e), business associate contracts](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-E/section-164.504) --- # Head-to-Head AI Receptionist Comparisons Source: https://insertchat.com/compare > Smith.ai vs Ruby, Vapi vs Retell AI, Intercom vs Zendesk, and more: pricing math, channels, and handoff from dated vendor sources, plus a stronger third option. These head-to-head comparisons put two AI receptionists, answering services, voice agent platforms, or support chatbots side by side, using each vendor’s own public pages and a dated check. Every page adds InsertChat as the third option: one AI front desk for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 per month. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026; each comparison shows both vendors’ check dates and links their sources. ## AI receptionists and answering services - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. ## AI receptionists in business phone systems - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. ## AI voice agent and chatbot builders - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. ## Chatbots and support desks - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. ## One vendor at a time [Every InsertChat alternative](https://insertchat.com/alternatives), each with its own sources and switch steps. --- # Smith.ai vs Ruby: Pricing, Channels, Handoff Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby > Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. Smith.ai suits businesses that want an AI receptionist billed per call, with human agents as backup. Ruby suits firms that want people answering every call and website chat, billed by the minute. InsertChat is the stronger third option: one AI front desk for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 per month. Smith.ai details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Smith.ai’s public pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist); Ruby details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Ruby’s public pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Smith.ai vs Ruby vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Smith.ai | Ruby | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans priced by calls per month ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Receptionist plans by included minutes, and separate live chat plans by included chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Human service: people answer calls and chats; optional AI enhancements are free ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | Not verified | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Scheduling is listed among the receptionist plan features ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Listed receptionist plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes, and chat plans to $520 for 50 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Smith.ai and Ruby compare ### Two different products behind one search Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist answers calls with AI and lists human-agent backup; this page uses the per-call plans on its AI Receptionist pricing page. Ruby is a human service: its receptionists answer calls and live chats, and its pricing page lists optional AI enhancements at no extra cost. The real decision is who picks up first, software or a person. ### What 100 calls a month costs Take 100 calls a month at about three minutes each, or 300 minutes. Smith.ai’s Pro plan covers 75 to 300 calls from $150, and each call past your plan costs $2.17 to $2.50, however long it lasts. Ruby sells receptionist minutes: $250 buys 50 ($5.00 a minute) and $1,725 buys 500 ($3.45 a minute). Even at that lowest listed rate, 300 minutes comes to $1,035. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits shared by calls and written conversations, and calls round up to whole minutes. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Phone first, or every channel Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist covers voice and adds SMS and email on Pro. Ruby covers calls and website chat, with chat sold as its own plans from $143 for 10 chats. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, and every conversation lands in one shared inbox. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ### When a caller needs a person Smith.ai lists human-agent backup behind its AI. Ruby’s callers reach a person from the first ring. InsertChat hands off to your own team: rules send a conversation to people when a customer asks for one or the assistant is unsure, with the transcript and an AI summary attached. InsertChat does not transfer live calls, so let your phone ring first and have the AI answer when nobody picks up. [Set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) ### Booking and setup Our check of both pricing pages did not confirm how either service books appointments, so booking reads “Not verified” in the table; ask each vendor. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team approves, with reminders 72 and 24 hours before. Setup is self-serve: add your website and documents, pick a voice, and forward your number in the US or Canada. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Smith.ai, Ruby, or InsertChat? ### Choose Smith.ai if - You want to start free: Smith.ai lists 25 calls at no cost, then $3 per extra call. - You want a bill that counts calls, so a ten-minute intake costs the same as a quick question. - You want human agents as backup to the AI receptionist. ### Choose Ruby if - Every caller should hear a person, never software. - Your volume fits a minute bundle, from 50 to 500 minutes on Ruby’s listed plans. - You want people on your website chat too, from $143 for 10 chats. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want one assistant answering calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, instead of a phone product plus a chat plan. - You want a flat starting price: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats. - You want appointments booked into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with reminders before each one. - You want to try it on real calls first: Pro comes with a 7-day free trial with 500 credits. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): Human receptionists and live chat agents, priced by minutes and by chats. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Smith.ai cheaper than Ruby? On their listed entry prices, yes. Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist is free for 25 calls and its Pro plan starts at $150 for 75 to 300 calls, while Ruby’s receptionist plans start at $250 for 50 minutes and reach $1,725 for 500. Ruby prices a person on every call; Smith.ai prices an AI answer with human backup. ## Does Ruby use AI to answer calls? Ruby’s pricing page describes a human service where people answer calls and chats, with optional AI enhancements at no extra cost. Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist answers with AI first and lists human-agent backup. InsertChat answers with AI from your business knowledge and hands conversations to your own team. ## Can InsertChat replace both Smith.ai and Ruby? If you want AI to answer first, yes: InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, books appointments, and routes conversations to your team in a shared inbox. It does not provide human receptionists or transfer live calls, so keep a live service if every caller must reach a person. ## Which one answers website chat? Ruby sells live chat staffed by people, from $143 for 10 chats to $520 for 50. Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist pricing lists voice, with SMS and email from Pro. InsertChat’s AI answers website chat on every plan, in the same inbox as calls. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Posh vs Ruby: Receptionist Pricing Compared Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby > Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. Posh suits small offices that want live receptionists from a low entry price, with transfers based on their app status. Ruby suits businesses that want people on calls and website chat. InsertChat is the stronger third option when AI should answer calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp first, from $98 per month. Posh details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Posh’s public pricing page](https://www.posh.com/pricing); Ruby details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Ruby’s public pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Posh vs Ruby vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Posh | Ruby | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Seven plans by receptionist minutes, from Chïc ($65, no minutes included) to Exclusive ($1,900 for 1,000 minutes) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | Receptionist plans by included minutes, and separate live chat plans by included chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Receptionist minutes; extra minutes cost $2.30 down to $1.90 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Human service: receptionists transfer calls to you based on the status you set in the app ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | Human service: people answer calls and chats; optional AI enhancements are free ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | Not verified | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Appointment scheduling through integrations with your software ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | Scheduling is listed among the receptionist plan features ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Month-to-month; the free trial lasts seven days or 250 receptionist minutes, whichever comes first ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | Listed receptionist plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes, and chat plans to $520 for 50 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Posh and Ruby compare ### The same 50 minutes, three prices Both services bill receptionist minutes, so compare them at one volume. For 50 minutes a month, Posh’s Vogue plan is $130, and its Chïc plan is $65 plus $2.30 a minute, or $180. Ruby’s entry plan is $250 for the same 50 minutes. Higher up, Ruby lists $1,725 for 500 minutes ($3.45 a minute) and Posh $1,900 for 1,000 ($1.90 a minute). InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits; calls draw on those credits by the whole minute. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### How calls reach you Posh receptionists transfer calls to you based on the status you set in the Posh app, and you can call and text from your business number in that app. Ruby’s people answer your calls and chats. InsertChat routes before the AI answers: your phone rings for 5 to 60 seconds, and the AI picks up when nobody does, or after hours. [After-hours and overflow answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) ### Website chat Ruby sells live chat as its own plans, from $143 for 10 chats to $520 for 50. Posh’s pricing page lists phone answering and app messaging but not website chat. InsertChat includes website chat on every plan, answered by the same assistant that takes your calls. [AI website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ### Booking Posh schedules appointments through integrations with your software. Our check of Ruby’s pricing page did not confirm how it books, so ask Ruby. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com during the call or chat, and sends reminders 72 and 24 hours before. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ### Trials and commitment Posh is month-to-month, with a free trial of seven days or 250 receptionist minutes, whichever comes first. InsertChat Pro comes with a 7-day free trial with 500 credits; a card is required, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. ## Posh, Ruby, or InsertChat? ### Choose Posh if - You get only a few calls and want the lowest listed entry: Chïc is $65 a month plus $2.30 a minute. - You want receptionists to transfer calls to you when your app status says you’re free. - You need English and Spanish speaking receptionists. - Your volume reaches 1,000 minutes, where Posh’s Exclusive plan works out to $1.90 a minute. ### Choose Ruby if - You want people answering your website chat as well as your phone. - You want a human service with optional AI enhancements at no extra cost. - Your volume fits between Ruby’s 50-minute and 500-minute plans. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want AI to answer every call, chat, email, text, and WhatsApp message, with your team taking over when needed. - You want booking built in, with reminders 72 and 24 hours before each appointment. - You want 3 team seats and 3 assistants for $98 per month. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh): Live receptionists billed by the minute, from $65 a month with no minutes included to $1,900 for 1,000. - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): Human receptionists and live chat agents, priced by minutes and by chats. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Which is cheaper, Posh or Ruby? On their entry plans, Posh: Chïc is $65 a month plus $2.30 a minute, and Vogue is $130 for 50 minutes, while Ruby starts at $250 for 50 minutes. At the top of their listed plans, Ruby is $1,725 for 500 minutes and Posh $1,900 for 1,000. ## Do Posh and Ruby use AI? Both are live receptionist services. Ruby lists optional AI enhancements at no extra cost, and Posh points to separate plans for AI-enabled live receptionists without listing their prices on its pricing page. InsertChat is AI-first: its assistant answers from your business knowledge, and your team takes over in a shared inbox. ## Can InsertChat work alongside a live receptionist service? Yes. Forward unanswered or after-hours calls to InsertChat while your receptionists keep the rest, then compare the conversations in the shared inbox. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Abby Connect vs Ruby: Plans and Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby > Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. Abby Connect suits businesses that want US-based receptionists with an AI option that stretches their minutes. Ruby suits firms that want people on every call and website chat. InsertChat is the stronger third option when AI should answer calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp first, from $98 per month. Abby Connect details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Abby Connect’s public pricing page](https://www.abby.com/pricing/); Ruby details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Ruby’s public pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Abby Connect vs Ruby vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Abby Connect | Ruby | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Starter $165 (50 Abby Minutes), Essential $329 (100), Professional $599 (200), Growth $1,380 (500), and custom Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | Receptionist plans by included minutes, and separate live chat plans by included chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | US-based receptionists and an AI receptionist; each call goes to a person or the AI based on call type ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | Human service: people answer calls and chats; optional AI enhancements are free ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | Not verified | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Scheduling is listed among the receptionist plan features ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Overage is billed at the plan’s Abby Minute rate; HIPAA compliance options are for human answering only ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | Listed receptionist plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes, and chat plans to $520 for 50 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Abby Connect and Ruby compare ### Same entry volume, different math Both start at 50 minutes. Abby Connect’s Starter plan is $165 for 50 Abby Minutes; Ruby’s entry plan is $250 for 50 receptionist minutes. At 500, Abby’s Growth plan is $1,380 and Ruby’s top listed plan $1,725. Abby counts an AI-answered minute as half an Abby Minute, so 50 Abby Minutes cover up to 100 minutes of AI-answered calls. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for AI calls and messages. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Who answers the phone Abby sends each call to its receptionists or its AI based on call type, and you set the mix. Ruby’s people answer calls and chats, with optional AI enhancements included. InsertChat answers every channel with AI first and passes conversations that need a person to your own team, with the full transcript. [AI receptionist vs answering service](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) ### Follow-up and chat Abby’s AbbyGO app places follow-up calls and texts. Ruby sells website chat staffed by people, from $143 for 10 chats. InsertChat answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp itself, and can confirm a callback by text or email after the conversation. [Two-way SMS answering](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ### Patient information Abby lists HIPAA compliance options for human answering only. Our check of Ruby’s pricing page did not confirm HIPAA terms. On InsertChat, protected health information requires the Enterprise plan, from $998 per month, and a signed BAA; on other plans, keep health details out of conversations. [AI front desk for medical practices](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare) ## Abby Connect, Ruby, or InsertChat? ### Choose Abby Connect if - You want receptionists and AI on one account, with the split set by call type. - You want AI-answered calls to use half as many minutes, from $165 for 50 Abby Minutes. - You need HIPAA compliance options on human-answered calls. ### Choose Ruby if - You want people on every call, with no routing between AI and humans to manage. - You want staffed website chat from the same provider, from $143 for 10 chats. - You prefer a human-first service with optional AI enhancements at no extra cost. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want AI on every channel, not only the phone: calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. - You want to start below both entry plans: Pro is $98 per month. - You want your own team, with 3 seats on Pro, to take over in one shared inbox. - You want appointments booked into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com while the customer is still on the line. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect): US-based receptionists with an AI option, priced in Abby Minutes from $165 for 50; AI calls use half the minutes. - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): Human receptionists and live chat agents, priced by minutes and by chats. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## How much do Abby Connect and Ruby cost? Abby Connect lists Starter at $165 for 50 Abby Minutes, Essential at $329 for 100, Professional at $599 for 200, and Growth at $1,380 for 500. Ruby lists receptionist plans from $250 for 50 minutes to $1,725 for 500, and chat from $143 for 10 chats. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## What is an Abby Minute? It is Abby’s billing unit. One minute of human answering uses one Abby Minute, and one minute of AI answering uses half. Overage bills at your plan’s Abby Minute rate. InsertChat meters AI credits instead, with calls rounded up to whole minutes. ## Is InsertChat a receptionist service like Abby or Ruby? No. InsertChat is software: an AI front desk that answers from your knowledge, books appointments, and sends conversations that need a person to your team. It suits businesses that want AI to answer first; keep a receptionist service if every caller must reach a person. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Ruby vs PATLive: Answering Service Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive > Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. Ruby suits businesses that want people on calls and website chat from one human service. PATLive suits businesses that want a person on every call at a lower entry price, with screening and outbound plans. InsertChat is the stronger third option when AI should answer calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 per month. Ruby details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Ruby’s public pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/); PATLive details checked on October 13, 2026 from [PATLive’s public pricing page](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Ruby vs PATLive vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Ruby | PATLive | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Receptionist plans by included minutes, and separate live chat plans by included chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Live call answering plans from $49 pay-as-you-go to $6,899 for 5,000 minutes, with separate live chat and outbound call plans ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Minutes receptionists are live on your calls (after-call notes and wrap-up are not charged); extra minutes cost $2.99 down to $1.49 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Human service: people answer calls and chats; optional AI enhancements are free ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Human only: PATLive does not use AI to answer calls; call screening and transfers on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | Not verified | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Scheduling is listed among the receptionist plan features ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Appointment scheduling on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Listed receptionist plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes, and chat plans to $520 for 50 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | Prices are plus taxes and fees; outbound calls run 8 am to 6 pm ET on weekdays; texting activation is a one-time $50 fee ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Ruby and PATLive compare ### 50 minutes a month on each PATLive lists $99 for 50 minutes, or $49 a month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 a minute, which is $198.50 for 50 minutes. Ruby’s entry plan is $250 for 50. PATLive continues to $349 for 200 minutes and $6,899 for 5,000, with extra minutes from $2.99 down to $1.49, plus taxes and fees; Ruby’s listed plans stop at $1,725 for 500. PATLive counts the minutes its receptionists are live on your calls, not after-call notes. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Chat and outbound calls Ruby sells staffed website chat from $143 for 10 chats. PATLive also staffs web chat with people and sells live chat and outbound calls as separate plans; outbound calls run 8 am to 6 pm ET on weekdays. InsertChat’s AI answers website chat on every plan, with email, SMS, and WhatsApp in the same inbox. It does not place outbound calls. [AI website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ### Screening, transfers, and scheduling PATLive lists call screening, transfers, and appointment scheduling on every plan. Ruby’s pricing page, as checked, doesn’t detail transfers or booking, so ask Ruby. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com; it doesn’t transfer live calls, so ring your team first and let the AI answer when nobody picks up. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ### Texting PATLive adds business texting through its free phone system add-on, with a one-time $50 activation fee. InsertChat answers texts with AI from the same knowledge as your calls; SMS can carry connected-service charges. [Two-way SMS answering](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) ## Ruby, PATLive, or InsertChat? ### Choose Ruby if - You want people answering both calls and website chat from one human service. - You want optional AI enhancements, which Ruby lists at no extra cost. - Your volume fits a bundle between 50 and 500 minutes. ### Choose PATLive if - You want a person on every call: PATLive says it does not use AI to answer calls. - Your volume is low or uneven: pay-as-you-go is $49 a month plus $2.99 a minute. - You need calls screened and transferred, and appointments scheduled, on every plan. - You want outbound callbacks handled by people, sold as their own plan. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want AI to answer calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, with your team stepping in. - You want a fixed plan price: Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want every conversation, with its transcript and AI summary, in one inbox your team shares. - You want to test it on real calls first: forward unanswered or after-hours calls during the 7-day trial. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): Human receptionists and live chat agents, priced by minutes and by chats. - [InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive): Human-only US receptionists around the clock, from $49 pay-as-you-go, with live chat and outbound calls as separate plans. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is PATLive cheaper than Ruby? At 50 minutes, yes: PATLive lists $99 for 50 minutes and Ruby $250. PATLive’s prices are plus taxes and fees, and its extra minutes cost $2.99 down to $1.49. Ruby’s listed plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes. ## Do Ruby or PATLive offer AI answering? PATLive’s pricing page says it does not use AI to answer calls. Ruby lists optional AI enhancements at no extra cost on a human service. InsertChat answers with AI first and sends conversations that need a person to your team in a shared inbox. ## Which one includes website chat? Both offer chat staffed by people: Ruby from $143 for 10 chats, and PATLive as a separate live chat plan. InsertChat’s AI answers website chat on every plan, in the same inbox as calls, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Goodcall vs Rosie: AI Phone Answering Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie > Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. Goodcall suits phone-only businesses whose calls run long, since it prices unique callers, not minutes. Rosie suits businesses that want low-cost minute bundles and occasional web texting. InsertChat is the stronger third option for answering calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one inbox, from $98 per month. Goodcall details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Goodcall’s public pricing page](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing); Rosie details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Goodcall vs Rosie vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Goodcall | Rosie | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Starter $79, Growth $129, or Scale $299 a month, priced by unique customers; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Unique customers (100, 500, or 2,000 a month), then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ each; minutes are not metered ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | 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)) | | Channels | Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Transfers calls to the people you choose; transfers do not count toward limits ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | Your Google profile and website, custom FAQ answers, and uploaded documents on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Plans cap workers (5 to 20), external tools (1 to 15), team members (1 to 10), and call history (30 days to unlimited) ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Goodcall and Rosie compare ### A month of 150 calls Say 150 calls come from 120 different customers and average three minutes, about 450 minutes. Goodcall’s $79 plan covers 100 unique customers, and the other 20 cost $0.50 each, for $89. On Rosie, 450 minutes outgrows the $49 bundle of 250, so you’d buy $149 for 1,000; Rosie’s page lists no overage rate. Repeat callers and long calls favor Goodcall; a quiet month under 250 minutes favors Rosie. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and written conversations. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Phone only, or phone plus web Goodcall’s pricing page lists voice only. Rosie covers voice and SMS and sells web chat as a web texting add-on: $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each. InsertChat includes website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with calls, in one shared inbox. [AI website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) ### More than one location Goodcall prices each agent separately. InsertChat Pro includes 3 assistants, so each location can have its own hours, knowledge, and number; each paid plan includes one number, and additional numbers are $10 per month. [Compare InsertChat plans](https://insertchat.com/pricing) ### Booking and handoff Our check of both pricing pages did not confirm booking or handoff details, so they read “Not verified” above; ask each vendor. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com and routes conversations to your team when a caller asks for a person. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ## Goodcall, Rosie, or InsertChat? ### Choose Goodcall if - You only need the phone answered. - Your callers talk a long time or call back often: Goodcall meters unique customers, not minutes. - You can forecast how many different customers call each month: 100, 250, or 500 on its plans. ### Choose Rosie if - You want a low entry price: $49 for 250 minutes. - You need big minute bundles, up to 2,000 minutes for $299. - You want occasional web texting as an add-on rather than a full chat channel. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by one assistant from the same knowledge. - You want 3 assistants on one plan for separate locations or service lines. - You want your team to take over any conversation in a shared inbox, with contacts and history. - You want bookings in the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with optional approval by your team. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall): AI phone agent billed by unique callers, not minutes, from $79 a month. - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Goodcall or Rosie cheaper? It depends on call length and repeat callers. Goodcall charges $79, $129, or $249 per agent per month for 100, 250, or 500 unique customers, then $0.50 each, and doesn’t meter minutes. Rosie sells 250 minutes for $49, 1,000 for $149, and 2,000 for $299. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Does Goodcall or Rosie answer website chat? Goodcall’s pricing page lists voice only. Rosie offers web texting as a $50 add-on for 25 conversations, then $1 per conversation. InsertChat answers website chat on every plan, in the same inbox as calls. ## Can I switch from Goodcall or Rosie without changing my number? In the US and Canada, yes: forward your existing number to InsertChat for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls, then place a test call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Number porting is not offered. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Rosie vs Smith.ai: AI Receptionist Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai > Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. Rosie suits phone-first businesses that want many AI minutes for a low monthly price. Smith.ai suits businesses that want to start free, pay per call, and keep human agents as backup. InsertChat is the stronger third option for one AI front desk across calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 per month. Rosie details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing); Smith.ai details checked on October 13, 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. ## Rosie vs Smith.ai vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Rosie | Smith.ai | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans priced by calls per month ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | 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)) | | Channels | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Your Google profile and website, custom FAQ answers, and uploaded documents on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Not verified | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Rosie and Smith.ai compare ### 80 calls a month on each Eighty calls at three minutes each is 240 minutes, which fits Rosie’s $49 bundle of 250. On Smith.ai, the free plan covers 25 calls and each extra call costs $3, so 80 calls would come to $165 on Free; its Pro plan starts at $150 for 75 to 300 calls. Short calls favor Rosie, while Smith.ai’s per-call price ignores call length. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### What happens on hard calls Smith.ai lists human-agent backup behind its AI Receptionist. Our check of Rosie’s pricing page did not confirm a handoff option. InsertChat flags conversations that need a person, emails your team, and keeps the transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox; it does not transfer live calls. [Set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) ### Texts, email, and web Rosie covers voice and SMS, with web chat through its $50 web texting add-on. Smith.ai adds SMS and email from Pro. InsertChat answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp alongside calls on every plan. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ### Room to grow Rosie’s largest listed bundle is 2,000 minutes for $299, and Smith.ai’s Enterprise plan starts at $500. InsertChat’s plans step up through Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise, adding assistants, seats, and credits at each level. [Compare InsertChat plans](https://insertchat.com/pricing) ## Rosie, Smith.ai, or InsertChat? ### Choose Rosie if - You want 250 AI minutes for $49 a month. - Your calls are short and frequent, which minute bundles reward. - You only need web texting now and then, as an add-on. ### Choose Smith.ai if - You want a free plan to start: 25 calls a month. - Your calls run long, and you’d rather pay per call. - You want human agents as backup to the AI. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, and WhatsApp answered by the same assistant as your calls. - You want 3 team seats and a shared inbox on your first plan. - You want bookings in the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with reminders before the appointment. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie): AI phone answering sold by the minute from $49, with a website chat widget on every plan. - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): AI receptionist billed per call, with a 25-call free plan and live-receptionist backup. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Rosie cheaper than Smith.ai? For short calls, usually: Rosie lists 250 minutes for $49, 1,000 for $149, and 2,000 for $299. Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist is free for 25 calls, then $3 per call, with Pro from $150 for 75 to 300 calls. Long calls narrow the gap because Smith.ai charges per call. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Does Rosie have human backup like Smith.ai? Smith.ai’s pricing page lists human-agent backup for its AI Receptionist. Our check of Rosie’s pricing page did not confirm one. InsertChat routes conversations that need a person to your own team, in a shared inbox with the full transcript. ## Which one answers email? Smith.ai lists SMS and email from its Pro plan, and Rosie’s pricing page lists voice and SMS plus web texting. InsertChat answers email as drafts or automatic replies, with topics you can hold back for your team. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Dialpad vs RingCentral: AI Receptionist Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral > AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. Dialpad suits companies already on Dialpad that want AI calls routed by intent and billed per conversation. RingCentral suits RingEX users who want a $39 AI receptionist add-on with 100 minutes. InsertChat is the stronger third option: it works with either phone system and answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 per month. Dialpad AI Receptionist details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialpad’s public pricing page](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/); RingCentral AI Receptionist details checked on October 13, 2026 from [RingCentral AI Receptionist’s public pricing page](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Dialpad vs RingCentral vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Dialpad AI Receptionist | RingCentral AI Receptionist | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Conversation-based: you buy a pool of AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | $49 per month standalone, or $39 per month as a RingEX add-on, each with 100 minutes included ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Conversations, billable only when the AI retrieves information or takes an action ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | Minutes: after the included 100, $0.50 per minute, billed in 30-second increments ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | 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)) | | Channels | Inbound calls; Dialpad AI Agents also cover digital channels ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | Voice calls and texts ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Routes calls to a person by intent, with the full conversation context ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | Routes calls by name, location, or keyword, and passes complex requests to a team member with context ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | Website, FAQs, or uploaded documents ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Checks availability and books, reschedules, or confirms times during the call, where set up ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | Schedules or reschedules appointments through a connected calendar ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | Not published: the pricing page lists no price for AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | $39 per month as a RingEX add-on; $49 per month standalone; 14-day free trial on both ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Covers straightforward scheduling; involved cases often fall to a broader AI customer service agent ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | Usage past the included 100 minutes is billed at $0.50 per minute; extra minute bundles are sold separately ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Dialpad and RingCentral compare ### This page covers the AI receptionists Dialpad and RingCentral both sell full business phone systems. This comparison covers only their AI receptionists: Dialpad’s, built on Dialpad AI Agents, and RingCentral AI Receptionist, sold standalone or as a RingEX add-on. If you’re choosing a phone system, compare those plans separately. ### Pricing at 300 minutes A hundred calls a month at three minutes each is 300 minutes. RingCentral includes 100 minutes and charges $0.50 for each one after, billed in 30-second increments: $149 standalone, or $139 as a RingEX add-on. Dialpad sells a pool of AI Agent Credits and bills a conversation only when the AI looks something up or takes an action, but it publishes no dollar price. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Routing and handoff Dialpad routes calls to people by intent, with rules by time of day, day of week, department, or person. RingCentral lists call routing and transfers with context. InsertChat routes before it answers: your team’s phone rings first, the AI picks up after hours or when nobody answers, and anything that needs a person is flagged in the shared inbox. [After-hours and overflow answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) ### Booking Dialpad checks availability and books, reschedules, or confirms times where set up, and notes that involved scheduling often falls to a broader AI agent. RingCentral schedules and reschedules through a connected calendar. InsertChat books, reschedules, and cancels in the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ### Keep your phone system InsertChat is not a phone system, so you don’t replace Dialpad or RingCentral to use it. In the US and Canada, forward your number to InsertChat for all calls, missed calls, or after-hours calls; on RingCentral, that is a call handling rule. [RingCentral call forwarding steps](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral) ## Dialpad, RingCentral, or InsertChat? ### Choose Dialpad if - Your company already runs on Dialpad for calling or its contact center. - You want calls routed by intent, with rules by time, day, department, or person. - You want to pay only for conversations where the AI looks something up or acts. ### Choose RingCentral if - You use RingEX and want AI answering for $39 a month with 100 minutes. - You want calls transferred to people or departments during the call. - You want a published per-minute rate, $0.50 after the included 100, and a 14-day free trial. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want website chat, email, and WhatsApp answered with your calls, in one inbox. - You want a published plan price that doesn’t depend on your phone vendor: Pro is $98 per month. - You want to keep Dialpad or RingCentral as your phone system and forward calls to the AI. - You want 3 assistants for different numbers, brands, or departments. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## How much does each AI receptionist cost? RingCentral lists $49 a month standalone or $39 as a RingEX add-on, each with 100 minutes, then $0.50 a minute. Dialpad prices its AI receptionist through a pool of AI Agent Credits billed per conversation, and its pricing page lists no dollar amount. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Can I use InsertChat with Dialpad or RingCentral? Yes, where your plan supports call forwarding. Keep your number on either system and forward calls to InsertChat, for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls, in the US and Canada. Place a test call to confirm the forwarding before routing customers. ## Do these AI receptionists handle text channels? RingCentral lists voice calls and text messaging (SMS). Dialpad’s AI receptionist page covers inbound calls, and Dialpad says its AI Agents also cover digital channels. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with one assistant. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Nextiva vs RingCentral: AI Receptionist Costs Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral > Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. Nextiva’s XBert suits Nextiva customers who want calls, texts, and chat billed per resolved conversation. RingCentral AI Receptionist suits RingEX users who want per-minute AI answering from $39. InsertChat is the stronger third option, adding email and WhatsApp on one credit allowance, from $98 per month. Nextiva AI Receptionist details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Nextiva’s XBert AI Receptionist page](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist); RingCentral AI Receptionist details checked on October 13, 2026 from [RingCentral AI Receptionist’s public pricing page](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Nextiva vs RingCentral vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Nextiva AI Receptionist | RingCentral AI Receptionist | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions, then $0.99 per conversation ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | $49 per month standalone, or $39 per month as a RingEX add-on, each with 100 minutes included ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Conversations: a call of 30 seconds or more, or a text or chat with 3 or more AI responses ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | Minutes: after the included 100, $0.50 per minute, billed in 30-second increments ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | 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)) | | Channels | Phone calls, text messages, web chat, and messaging apps ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | Voice calls and texts ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Transfers complex requests to your team with full context ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | Routes calls by name, location, or keyword, and passes complex requests to a team member with context ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Learns from your website, FAQs, and business details ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | Website, FAQs, or uploaded documents ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Live integrations include Google Calendar, Calendly, Cal.com, and Housecall Pro; Salesforce, HubSpot, Square Bookings, ServiceTitan, and others on request ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | Schedules or reschedules appointments through a connected calendar ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions, with a 30-day money-back guarantee ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | $39 per month as a RingEX add-on; $49 per month standalone; 14-day free trial on both ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Listed as an add-on to Nextiva’s Core, Engage, and Scale phone plans, which are priced per user ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/pricing)) | Usage past the included 100 minutes is billed at $0.50 per minute; extra minute bundles are sold separately ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Nextiva and RingCentral compare ### Per conversation vs per minute XBert costs $99 a month for up to 100 resolutions, then $0.99 per conversation; a call counts once it lasts 30 seconds, and a text or chat once the AI sends 3 responses. RingCentral includes 100 minutes for $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, then charges $0.50 a minute in 30-second increments. ### A 150-call month Take 150 calls averaging two minutes, or 300 minutes. XBert costs $99 plus 50 extra conversations at $0.99, or $148.50. RingCentral charges for 200 minutes over the included 100 at $0.50: $149 standalone or $139 as a RingEX add-on. XBert sits on a per-user Nextiva plan, and RingCentral’s $39 price needs RingEX. Longer calls tip the math toward XBert. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Channels XBert lists phone calls, text messages, web chat, and messaging apps. RingCentral lists voice calls and SMS. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with one assistant, in one shared inbox. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ### Knowledge and booking XBert learns from your website, FAQs, and business details; RingCentral from your website, FAQs, or uploaded documents. XBert connects to Google Calendar, Calendly, Cal.com, and Housecall Pro, with more on request, and RingCentral books through a connected calendar. InsertChat learns from website pages, documents, Q&A, audio and video files, and product information, and books into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or its built-in calendar. [What InsertChat learns from](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ### Handoff XBert transfers complex requests to your team with full context, and RingCentral transfers calls with context. InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls: it rings your team first, then flags conversations that need a person and alerts your team to urgent requests. [Set up human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) ## Nextiva, RingCentral, or InsertChat? ### Choose Nextiva if - You already use Nextiva and want AI answering on the same account. - Your calls run long, so paying per resolved conversation beats paying per minute. - You want ServiceTitan, Square Bookings, or Salesforce connected on request. - You want a 30-day money-back guarantee. ### Choose RingCentral if - You use RingEX and want AI answering for $39 a month with 100 minutes. - Your calls are short, which per-minute billing in 30-second increments rewards. - You want a 14-day free trial. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want email and WhatsApp answered by the same AI as your calls and texts. - You want 5,000 monthly AI credits shared across every channel instead of per-resolution or per-minute overage. - You want to keep your phone provider and forward calls to the AI in the US and Canada. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva): XBert AI receptionist for Nextiva plans: $99 a month for 100 resolutions across calls, texts, and chat, then $0.99 each. - [InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral): AI receptionist for any phone system, $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX, with 100 minutes included. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Which is cheaper, Nextiva XBert or RingCentral AI Receptionist? It depends on call length. XBert is $99 for up to 100 resolutions, then $0.99 each. RingCentral is $49 standalone or $39 on RingEX with 100 minutes, then $0.50 a minute. At 150 two-minute calls, both land between $139 and $149 before phone plan costs. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Do I need a Nextiva or RingCentral phone plan? XBert is listed as an add-on to Nextiva’s Core, Engage, and Scale plans, which are priced per user. RingCentral AI Receptionist is sold standalone at $49 or as a $39 RingEX add-on. InsertChat works with your current provider through call forwarding in the US and Canada. ## What counts as an XBert resolution? Nextiva counts a conversation when a call lasts 30 seconds or more, or when a text or chat gets 3 or more AI responses. InsertChat measures AI credits instead, with calls rounded up to whole minutes. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Quo (OpenPhone) vs Dialpad: AI Agents Compared Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad > Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. Quo’s Sona suits small teams on Quo, formerly OpenPhone, that want a few AI-answered calls included and simple per-call pricing. Dialpad suits companies on Dialpad that want intent-based routing and pay-per-action AI. InsertChat is the stronger third option for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one inbox, from $98 per month. Quo Sona details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Quo’s public pricing page](https://www.quo.com/pricing); Dialpad AI Receptionist details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialpad’s public pricing page](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Quo Sona vs Dialpad vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Quo Sona | Dialpad AI Receptionist | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Included with Quo phone plans at $19, $33, or $47 per user per month ($15, $23, or $35 billed annually), with call credits ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | Conversation-based: you buy a pool of AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Calls: 100 credits per call; 10 calls a month included, then $1.00 down to $0.45 per extra call by credit tier ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | Conversations, billable only when the AI retrieves information or takes an action ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) | Inbound calls; Dialpad AI Agents also cover digital channels ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Transfers the call to the right teammate when you instruct it to ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) | Routes calls to a person by intent, with the full conversation context ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Your website URL, uploaded PDFs, or documents you write ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) | Not verified | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Books appointments and can text the caller a booking link before the call ends ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) | Checks availability and books, reschedules, or confirms times during the call, where set up ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | Not published: the pricing page lists no price for AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Credit tiers run from $25 for 40 calls to $199 for 600; call transfers are listed on Business and Scale ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | Covers straightforward scheduling; involved cases often fall to a broader AI customer service agent ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Quo Sona and Dialpad compare ### A three-person team taking 50 AI calls On Quo’s Starter plan billed annually, three users cost $45 a month. Sona’s 10 included calls plus Quo’s $25 tier of 40 calls cover 50 calls, for $70 a month. Call transfers need Business or Scale, at $23 or $35 per user billed annually. Dialpad publishes no price for the AI Agent Credits behind its AI receptionist, so ask for a quote. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats included. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Seats or one price Quo prices each user, so a new teammate adds $15 to $35 a month billed annually. Dialpad sells AI Agent Credits as their own pool. InsertChat Pro includes 3 seats and 3 assistants in one price. [Compare InsertChat plans](https://insertchat.com/pricing) ### What each AI does on a call Sona answers from your website, PDFs, or documents you write, books appointments, and can text a booking link before the call ends. Dialpad’s AI greets callers, routes by intent with context, and books, reschedules, or confirms times where set up. InsertChat answers from your knowledge, books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, and sends reminders 72 and 24 hours before. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ### Beyond the phone Sona answers calls and texts callers booking links, confirmations, or next steps. Dialpad’s receptionist covers inbound calls, and Dialpad says its AI Agents also cover digital channels. InsertChat answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with the same assistant as calls. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Quo Sona, Dialpad, or InsertChat? ### Choose Quo Sona if - Your team already calls and texts from Quo and wants AI in the same app. - You get few calls: every Quo plan includes 10 Sona calls a month, and calls under 15 seconds don’t count. - You want Sona’s calls and texts synced to HubSpot, Salesforce, or Jobber. ### Choose Dialpad if - You run Dialpad for phones or contact center and want AI agents from the same vendor. - You want routing by intent with time, day, department, and person rules. - You want to pay only for conversations where the AI looks something up or acts. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want a price that doesn’t grow with headcount: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats. - You want website chat, email, and WhatsApp answered with your calls. - You want to keep your phone provider and forward calls in the US and Canada. - You want to test it yourself today with a 7-day free trial with 500 credits. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona): AI agent in the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) phone system, billed per call: 10 calls a month included, then monthly credit tiers. - [InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad): AI receptionist built on Dialpad AI Agents, priced by conversation from a pool of credits whose price is not published. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## How do Quo Sona and Dialpad price AI calls? Quo bills Sona per call: 10 calls a month come with every plan, and more come in tiers from $25 for 40 calls to $199 for 600. Dialpad sells a pool of AI Agent Credits, billing a conversation only when the AI retrieves information or takes an action, with no dollar price published. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Is Quo the same as OpenPhone? Yes. Quo is the new name of OpenPhone, and Sona is the AI agent included in its phone plans. This page compares Sona with Dialpad’s AI receptionist, not the two phone systems as a whole. ## Can InsertChat answer calls for a Quo or Dialpad number? In the US and Canada, yes, if your plan supports call forwarding: forward all calls, missed calls, or after-hours calls to InsertChat and place a test call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Number porting is not offered. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Vapi vs Retell AI: Pricing and Features Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai > Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. Vapi suits developers who want to pick every provider and pay each at cost on top of $0.05 a minute. Retell AI suits teams that want per-second billing, built-in booking, and chat agents. InsertChat is the stronger third option for businesses that want a finished AI receptionist, from $98 per month. Vapi details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Vapi’s public pricing page](https://vapi.ai/pricing); Retell AI details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Retell AI’s public pricing page](https://www.retellai.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Vapi vs Retell AI vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Vapi | Retell AI | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Prepaid usage with no package, or a Success Package: Core at $29 per month, Pro at 10% of hosting fees with a $999 monthly minimum, Premier custom ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | Pay as you go from $0 with $10 in free credits; Enterprise pricing is custom ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Minutes: $0.05 per minute Vapi hosting, plus transcriber, model, and voice at provider cost and carrier fees (Twilio inbound $0.008 per minute) ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | Call minutes, tracked to the second: $0.055 voice infrastructure plus model, voice, and $0.015 telephony per minute; chat agents per AI message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | 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)) | | Channels | Voice agents over Vapi telephony and SIP, Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, WebSockets, and WebRTC ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | Voice agents and chat agents, with SMS at $0.01 per message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | A transfer call tool routes live calls to a phone number or SIP address, with warm transfer modes ([source](https://docs.vapi.ai/tools/transfer-call)) | Call transfer to a person; after a transfer, only the telephony fee continues ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Uploaded files such as .txt, .pdf, .docx, .csv, and .md, searched by a query tool ([source](https://docs.vapi.ai/knowledge-base)) | Knowledge bases at $0.005 per call minute; the first 10 are free, then $8 each per month ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Lists a Book Appointments feature that checks availability and books ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $0 to start with $5 in free credits; Vapi’s calculator estimates $82–$129 a month for 1,000 minutes ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | $0 to start with $10 in free credits; voice agents from $0.07 per minute ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Without a package: 4 concurrent calls and 1 Vapi number; extra lines cost $10 per month; HIPAA is a $2,000 monthly add-on ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | 20 concurrent calls included, then $8 per call per month; billing covers silence and hold time; Retell numbers cost $2 per month ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Vapi and Retell AI compare ### 1,000 minutes a month Vapi’s own calculator estimates $82 to $129 a month for 1,000 minutes, covering its $0.05 hosting fee plus transcription, model, and voice at provider cost. Retell lists $0.07 to $0.31 a minute, or $70 to $310 for 1,000 minutes, depending on the model and voice. Numbers add $2 a month each on Retell, and extra Vapi lines are $10. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits and one phone number included. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Concurrency and add-ons Without a Success Package, Vapi allows 4 concurrent calls and 1 Vapi number, and HIPAA is a $2,000 monthly add-on. Retell includes 20 concurrent calls, then charges $8 per call per month, and bills silence and hold time. ### Building vs configuring Both are toolkits: you write prompts, wire tools, and test flows, or pay someone to. Vapi searches uploaded files through a query tool; Retell adds $0.005 per call minute for knowledge bases, with the first 10 free and $8 a month for each after that. InsertChat starts from your business: add website pages and documents, pick one of 10 voices, set handoff rules, and connect a calendar. [What InsertChat learns from](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ### Transfers and booking Vapi’s transfer tool routes live calls to a number or SIP address, including warm transfers. Retell transfers to a person, charging only telephony after the handoff, and lists a Book Appointments feature. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com and hands conversations to your team in a shared inbox; it does not transfer live calls. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ### Channels Vapi’s pricing page lists voice agents over its telephony and SIP, Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, WebSockets, and WebRTC. Retell adds chat agents billed per AI message and SMS at $0.01 a message. InsertChat answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from one setup. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Vapi, Retell AI, or InsertChat? ### Choose Vapi if - Your developers want to choose the transcriber, model, and voice per agent and pay each provider at cost. - You need warm transfers to a phone number or SIP address. - You’re building voice AI into your own product. ### Choose Retell AI if - You want billing to the second, with a published per-minute range for voice agents. - You want chat agents and SMS from the same platform. - You run outbound campaigns and want batch calling or branded caller ID add-ons. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want an AI receptionist working today without a developer. - You want one monthly price: Pro is $98 per month with a phone number, 3 assistants, and 3 seats. - You want every call in a shared inbox your team works from, next to chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Vapi cheaper than Retell AI? At 1,000 minutes, Vapi’s calculator estimates $82 to $129 a month, and Retell’s listed $0.07 to $0.31 a minute works out to $70 to $310. The model and voice you choose decide where you land on both. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Do I need a developer for Vapi or Retell AI? Both are built for teams that write prompts, connect tools, and test agents, and both offer APIs. InsertChat is set up in the app: add your website and documents, choose a voice and greeting, connect a calendar, and place a test call. Growth and above add API access. ## Can either platform answer website chat? Retell offers chat agents billed per AI message. Vapi’s pricing page lists voice agents over phone and web connections. InsertChat answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with the same assistant as calls. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Bland AI vs Vapi: Pricing at 1,000 Minutes Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi > Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. Bland AI suits teams that want one per-minute rate covering the model, transcription, and voice, with room for high call volume. Vapi suits developers who want to choose each provider and pay at cost. InsertChat is the stronger third option for an inbound AI receptionist with booking, from $98 per month. Bland AI details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Bland AI’s public pricing page](https://www.bland.ai/pricing); Vapi details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Vapi’s public pricing page](https://vapi.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Bland AI vs Vapi vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Bland AI | Vapi | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Start: $0 platform fee; Build: $299 per month platform fee; Enterprise: custom contract ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Prepaid usage with no package, or a Success Package: Core at $29 per month, Pro at 10% of hosting fees with a $999 monthly minimum, Premier custom ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Talk time at $0.14 (Start) or $0.12 (Build) per minute and transfer time at $0.05 or $0.04; LLM, speech-to-text, and voices included; telephony separate ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Minutes: $0.05 per minute Vapi hosting, plus transcriber, model, and voice at provider cost and carrier fees (Twilio inbound $0.008 per minute) ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | 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)) | | Channels | Voice calls on Start and Build; SMS, web chat, and iMessage listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Voice agents over Vapi telephony and SIP, Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, WebSockets, and WebRTC ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Transfer time billed per minute; warm and live transfers listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | A transfer call tool routes live calls to a phone number or SIP address, with warm transfer modes ([source](https://docs.vapi.ai/tools/transfer-call)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | 10 knowledge bases on Start, 50 on Build, unlimited on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Uploaded files such as .txt, .pdf, .docx, .csv, and .md, searched by a query tool ([source](https://docs.vapi.ai/knowledge-base)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Appointment scheduling node listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $0.14 per minute with no platform fee; 2 credits and an inbound number to start, no card required ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | $0 to start with $5 in free credits; Vapi’s calculator estimates $82–$129 a month for 1,000 minutes ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Start caps 100 calls a day and 10 concurrent calls; Build caps 2,000 calls a day and 50 concurrent ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Without a package: 4 concurrent calls and 1 Vapi number; extra lines cost $10 per month; HIPAA is a $2,000 monthly add-on ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Bland AI and Vapi compare ### What 1,000 minutes costs On Bland’s Start plan, 1,000 minutes of talk time at $0.14 is $140, with telephony on top; Build drops the rate to $0.12 but adds a $299 platform fee, for $419. Vapi’s calculator estimates $82 to $129 for the same 1,000 minutes. Bland bills transfer time separately, at $0.05 or $0.04 a minute. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits and a phone number. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Daily and concurrent caps Bland’s Start plan caps 100 calls a day and 10 at once; Build allows 2,000 a day and 50 at once. Vapi allows 4 concurrent calls without a Success Package, with extra lines at $10 a month. ### Scheduling, SMS, and chat Bland lists its appointment scheduling node, SMS, web chat, and iMessage on Enterprise. Our check of Vapi’s sources did not confirm a built-in booking feature, so it reads “Not verified” above. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com on every plan, from a call, chat, or text. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ### Designing the call Bland builds call logic in Conversational Pathways; Vapi gives developers a transfer tool and a query tool over uploaded files. InsertChat answers from your website, documents, and FAQs, with settings for the voice, greeting, handoff, and booking. [What InsertChat learns from](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ### Outbound or inbound Bland lists outbound sales among its solutions. InsertChat answers inbound calls and messages only; it does not place AI outbound calls. [AI receptionist for calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Bland AI, Vapi, or InsertChat? ### Choose Bland AI if - You want one rate that already includes the LLM, transcription, and voices. - You need high daily volume: Build allows 2,000 calls a day. - You need Enterprise options such as on-prem or VPC deployment. ### Choose Vapi if - Your developers want to choose and pay each provider at cost. - You want to start at $0 with $5 in free credits. - You connect over SIP, Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, WebSockets, or WebRTC. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want booking on your entry plan, in the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. - You want website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered alongside calls. - You want a shared inbox where 3 teammates read transcripts and take over. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): Developer voice AI platform: $0.05 per minute for hosting, plus models and carrier fees at provider cost. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Bland AI or Vapi cheaper? At 1,000 minutes, Bland Start costs $140 in talk time plus telephony, Bland Build $419 with its $299 platform fee, and Vapi’s calculator estimates $82 to $129. Vapi’s figure depends on the providers you choose. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Which one books appointments? Bland lists an appointment scheduling node on its Enterprise plan. Our check of Vapi’s pricing and docs did not confirm a built-in booking feature. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com on every plan, automatically or after your team approves. ## Can InsertChat run outbound calls like Bland? No. InsertChat answers inbound calls and messages and does not place AI outbound calls. Keep Bland for outbound campaigns if you need them, and use InsertChat for the customers who contact you. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Retell AI vs Bland AI: Costs, Limits, Booking Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai > Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. Retell AI suits teams that want per-second billing, booking, and chat agents without a platform fee. Bland AI suits high-volume calling with all-in rates and Enterprise deployment options. InsertChat is the stronger third option for small businesses that want an inbound AI receptionist ready to run, from $98 per month. Retell AI details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Retell AI’s public pricing page](https://www.retellai.com/pricing); Bland AI details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Bland AI’s public pricing page](https://www.bland.ai/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Retell AI vs Bland AI vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Retell AI | Bland AI | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Pay as you go from $0 with $10 in free credits; Enterprise pricing is custom ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Start: $0 platform fee; Build: $299 per month platform fee; Enterprise: custom contract ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Call minutes, tracked to the second: $0.055 voice infrastructure plus model, voice, and $0.015 telephony per minute; chat agents per AI message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Talk time at $0.14 (Start) or $0.12 (Build) per minute and transfer time at $0.05 or $0.04; LLM, speech-to-text, and voices included; telephony separate ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | 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)) | | Channels | Voice agents and chat agents, with SMS at $0.01 per message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Voice calls on Start and Build; SMS, web chat, and iMessage listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Call transfer to a person; after a transfer, only the telephony fee continues ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Transfer time billed per minute; warm and live transfers listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Knowledge bases at $0.005 per call minute; the first 10 are free, then $8 each per month ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | 10 knowledge bases on Start, 50 on Build, unlimited on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Lists a Book Appointments feature that checks availability and books ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Appointment scheduling node listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $0 to start with $10 in free credits; voice agents from $0.07 per minute ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | $0.14 per minute with no platform fee; 2 credits and an inbound number to start, no card required ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | 20 concurrent calls included, then $8 per call per month; billing covers silence and hold time; Retell numbers cost $2 per month ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | Start caps 100 calls a day and 10 concurrent calls; Build caps 2,000 calls a day and 50 concurrent ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Retell AI and Bland AI compare ### Platform fees and per-minute rates Retell is pay-as-you-go from $0, with $10 in free credits. Bland’s Start plan has no platform fee, and Build costs $299 a month. Run 1,000 minutes through each: Retell lands between $70 and $310 depending on the model and voice, and Bland Start at $140 plus telephony. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Booking without an Enterprise contract Retell lists a Book Appointments feature that checks availability and books. Bland lists its appointment scheduling node on Enterprise. InsertChat books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com on every plan, with optional approval and reminders. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ### Concurrency Retell includes 20 concurrent calls, then charges $8 per extra call a month. Bland’s Start plan allows 10 concurrent calls and 100 a day; Build allows 50 and 2,000. ### Transfers Retell transfers to a person and keeps only telephony running after the handoff. Bland bills transfer time per minute and lists warm and live transfers on Enterprise. InsertChat rings your team before the AI answers and flags handoffs in a shared inbox. [After-hours and overflow answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) ### Text channels Retell offers chat agents billed per AI message, and SMS at $0.01 a message. Bland lists SMS, web chat, and iMessage on Enterprise. InsertChat answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp on every plan. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ## Retell AI, Bland AI, or InsertChat? ### Choose Retell AI if - You want billing to the second with no platform fee. - You want appointment booking without an Enterprise contract. - You want chat agents and SMS next to voice. ### Choose Bland AI if - You want talk time that includes the model, transcription, and voices. - You design calls in Conversational Pathways. - You need on-prem or VPC deployment and a forward deployed engineer on Enterprise. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want to set up an AI receptionist from your website and documents, without prompts. - You want one plan for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 per month. - You want your team to take over any conversation from one shared inbox. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Pay-as-you-go voice and chat agent platform, from $0.07 to $0.31 per minute depending on the model and voice. - [InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai): Voice agent platform with all-in per-minute rates: $0.14 on Start, or $0.12 on Build with a $299 monthly fee. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Retell AI cheaper than Bland AI? At 1,000 minutes, Retell’s listed $0.07 to $0.31 a minute comes to $70 to $310, and Bland Start’s $0.14 comes to $140 plus telephony. Bland Build lowers talk time to $0.12 with a $299 monthly fee. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Which one includes appointment booking? Retell lists a Book Appointments feature. Bland lists its scheduling node on Enterprise. InsertChat books appointments on every plan into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com. ## Do I need to write prompts in InsertChat? No. InsertChat answers from the knowledge you add, such as website pages, documents, and FAQs. You set the voice, greeting, handoff rules, and booking permissions in settings, then test real questions. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Voiceflow vs Botpress: Pricing and Fit Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress > Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. Voiceflow suits teams and agencies that design detailed voice and chat flows and are ready to talk to sales. Botpress suits developers who want a free tier and conversation-based plans for chat agents. InsertChat is the stronger third option for businesses that want a finished AI front desk, from $98 per month. Voiceflow details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Voiceflow’s public pricing page](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing); Botpress details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Botpress’s public pricing page](https://botpress.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Voiceflow vs Botpress vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Voiceflow | Botpress | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Agencies: usage-based billing with a free trial; businesses book a demo or request pricing ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | Free; Plus $150 and Team $750 a month billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Self-serve credits: $0.05 per phone minute and $0.005 per chat message, plus LLM, speech-to-text, and text-to-speech usage ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/account-management/billing/credits-pricing-table)) | Conversations (100, 250, or 1,500 a month), with packs of 100 for $65 on Plus or $50 on Team; each conversation includes $0.10 of AI usage ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | 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)) | | Channels | Voice and chat agents ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | Webchat and WhatsApp; Slack deployment; voice on Enterprise ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | A Call forward step sends calls to a live representative, another number, or a SIP address ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/build/steps/call-forward)) | Teams, routing, and assignment rules on Team; human-assisted conversations count the same as AI-only ones ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | Knowledge bases with vector storage: 100 MB on Free, 1 GB on Plus, and 5 GB on Team ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | Plan prices are not listed on the pricing page; agencies can start a free trial without a card ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | Free for 100 conversations a month; Plus $150 a month billed annually ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | One Voiceflow phone number per workspace; extra numbers, editor seats, and concurrent calls are paid add-ons ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/account-management/billing)) | Conversation packs are added automatically at 95% of quota and auto-recharge cannot be turned off; voice is listed on Enterprise ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Voiceflow and Botpress compare ### Published prices Botpress lists Free with 100 conversations a month, Plus at $150 a month billed annually for 250, and Team at $750 for 1,500. Voiceflow’s pricing page lists no plan prices for businesses; agencies get usage-based billing and a free trial. Its credits table lists $0.05 per phone minute and $0.005 per chat message, plus model and speech usage. ### 500 chat conversations a month On Botpress Plus, 500 conversations means 250 included plus three packs of 100 at $65, which Botpress adds automatically: $345 a month billed annually. On Voiceflow, 500 conversations of ten messages each is 5,000 chat messages, or $25 in message credits before model usage and the plan price you’re quoted. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for chat and calls. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Voice Voiceflow builds voice agents, with one phone number per workspace and a Call forward step to people. Botpress lists voice on Enterprise, counting 3 minutes as one conversation. InsertChat answers calls on every paid plan, with one number included. [AI receptionist for calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ### Handoff to people Botpress adds teams, routing, and assignment rules on Team, and counts human-assisted conversations the same as AI-only ones. Voiceflow forwards calls to a live representative, another number, or a SIP address. InsertChat routes conversations to your team in a shared inbox on every plan. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ### Who builds it Both platforms expect someone to design the agent. InsertChat answers from your website, documents, and FAQs, so setup means adding knowledge and testing questions. [What InsertChat learns from](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ## Voiceflow, Botpress, or InsertChat? ### Choose Voiceflow if - Your team designs every step of the conversation and wants that control. - You’re an agency that wants multi-client workspaces with white-labeling. - You want to choose among major model providers or bring your own model. ### Choose Botpress if - You want to experiment free: 100 conversations a month and three AI agents. - You want Intercom, Zendesk, HubSpot, or Salesforce integrations. - Your developers want custom logic, tables, and integrations. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want answers from your website and documents instead of flows you design. - You want phone answering on your entry plan, not only on Enterprise. - You want booking into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com and a shared inbox for 3 teammates. - You run an agency and want white-label branding, with custom domains from Growth. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow): Platform for building voice and chat agents, billed in usage credits, with business pricing on request. - [InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress): AI agent platform priced by conversations, with a free plan and AI usage included per conversation. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## How much do Voiceflow and Botpress cost? Botpress lists Free, then Plus at $150 and Team at $750 a month billed annually, with packs of 100 extra conversations for $65 or $50. Voiceflow’s pricing page lists no business plan prices; its credits table lists $0.05 per phone minute and $0.005 per chat message. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## How does Botpress count a conversation? Botpress counts an exchange with at least two end-user messages in the billing month, counts a conversation spanning two months in both, and treats 3 voice minutes as one conversation. AI-only and human-assisted conversations count the same. ## Can agencies use InsertChat instead? Yes. Every plan shows your logo and assistant styling, and Growth and above add custom domains and branded email for white-label client assistants. Pro includes 3 assistants, and higher plans include more. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai: Pricing and Limits Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt > Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. Chatbase suits businesses that want to start free and reach customers on Slack, Messenger, Instagram, or WhatsApp. CustomGPT.ai suits teams with large document libraries that want many knowledge agents. InsertChat is the stronger third option when customers also call, email, and text, from $98 per month. Chatbase details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Chatbase’s public pricing page](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing); CustomGPT.ai details checked on October 13, 2026 from [CustomGPT.ai’s public pricing page](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Chatbase | CustomGPT.ai | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Hobby ($40), Standard ($150), and Pro ($500) a month, plus custom Enterprise; 20% off yearly ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | Standard $99 and Premium $499 a month, or $89 and $449 billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Message credits (700, 4,000, or 15,000 a month); an extra 1,000 cost $40 ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | Queries: 1,000 a month on Standard and 5,000 on Premium, shared across agents; documents and word storage are also capped ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Chat, email, and voice, with voice from Standard; WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger, and Instagram integrations ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | Slack deployment listed on every plan; other deployment channels are not itemized on the pricing page ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Helpdesk from the $150 Standard plan ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | Not verified | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | Websites, helpdesks, knowledge bases, 1,400+ document formats, YouTube, audio, and podcasts, with connectors such as Google Drive and Notion ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Calendly integration ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $40 a month (Hobby) with a 7-day trial; no free plan is listed ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | $99 a month, or $89 billed annually (Standard), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | One AI agent per plan ($25 a month per extra agent); removing Chatbase branding is $99 a month ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | Responses stop when the monthly query limit is reached; removing CustomGPT.ai branding needs Premium ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Chatbase and CustomGPT.ai compare ### Plan prices Chatbase lists a free plan, then Hobby at $40, Standard at $150, and Pro at $500 a month, metered by message credits; 1,000 extra credits cost $40. CustomGPT.ai lists Standard at $99 a month, or $89 billed annually, with 1,000 queries and 10 agents, and Premium at $499 with 5,000 queries and 25 agents. ### When you hit the limit CustomGPT.ai stops answering new queries at the monthly limit, counted across all agents. Chatbase sells more message credits at $40 per 1,000. InsertChat draws calls and conversations from one allowance, 5,000 credits a month on Pro, and its pricing page includes a usage estimator. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Knowledge sources CustomGPT.ai lists websites, helpdesks, 1,400+ document formats, YouTube, audio, and podcasts, with connectors such as Google Drive and Notion. Our check of Chatbase’s pricing page did not confirm its source types. InsertChat learns from website URLs, documents, Q&A, audio and video files, and product information, with 1,000 sources on Pro. [What InsertChat learns from](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) ### Branding Chatbase removes its branding for $99 a month; CustomGPT.ai removes it on Premium. InsertChat shows your logo and assistant styling on every plan. [White-label options](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) ### Phone and handoff Chatbase lists voice among its channels. CustomGPT.ai’s pricing page lists Slack and doesn’t itemize other channels or human handoff. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your business number, and your team takes over in a shared inbox. [AI receptionist for calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Chatbase, CustomGPT.ai, or InsertChat? ### Choose Chatbase if - You want to start on a free plan. - You want Slack, Messenger, or Instagram as channels. - You prefer paying for message credits. ### Choose CustomGPT.ai if - You have a large document library: Standard allows 5,000 documents per agent. - You want 10 to 25 agents for different teams or knowledge sets. - You want connectors for Confluence, Google Drive, Notion, or SharePoint, or a RAG API. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want calls, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by the same assistant as chat. - You want your team to take over in a shared inbox with contacts and history. - You want the assistant to book appointments and run actions in HubSpot, Zoho, Stripe, or Zendesk. - You want your logo on your entry plan without a branding add-on. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase): AI agent builder metered by message credits, from $40 a month. - [InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt): Knowledge-based AI agent builder priced by monthly queries, with 10 agents on its entry plan. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Chatbase cheaper than CustomGPT.ai? Chatbase’s paid plans start lower, at $40 for Hobby, against CustomGPT.ai’s $99 Standard ($89 billed annually). The two meter different units, message credits and queries, so compare them on your real volume. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## What happens when CustomGPT.ai hits its query limit? Its pricing page says responses to new queries stop at the monthly query limit, and new indexing stops at the word limit. Queries are counted per account across all agents. ## Can either one answer phone calls? Chatbase lists voice among its channels. CustomGPT.ai’s pricing page does not list phone calls. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your business number on every paid plan, with calls in the same inbox as chat. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Tidio vs Intercom Fin: Pricing for Small Teams Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin > Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. Tidio suits small businesses that want a free start and chat across Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Intercom Fin suits support teams that want AI paid per resolved outcome inside Intercom. InsertChat is the stronger third option when calls matter as much as chat, covering calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Tidio details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Tidio’s public pricing page](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/); Intercom Fin details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Intercom Fin’s public pricing page](https://www.intercom.com/pricing). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Tidio vs Intercom vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Tidio | Intercom Fin | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Free; Starter $24.17; Growth from $49.17; Plus from $300 plus usage; Premium custom ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Per-seat plans at $29, $85, or $132 (billed annually), plus $0.99 per Fin outcome; a Fin-only plan has a monthly minimum ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Billable human conversations (50 on Free, 100 on Starter, up to 2,000 on Growth) and Lyro AI conversations ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Fin outcomes ($0.99 each) and seats ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | 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)) | | Channels | Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Live chat, support email, and in-app chat included; SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Lyro AI Agent hands conversations to your team ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Fin hands conversations to agents in your preferred inbox ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | FAQ upload, FAQ and website scrapers, and Zendesk article import ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Not verified | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | Free plan; Starter $24.17 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | $29 per seat (billed annually) plus $0.99 per outcome; 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Free and Starter include 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations; more need the Lyro add-on, from $32.50 a month for 50 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are paid add-ons; the Fin-only plan has a minimum monthly commitment, such as 50 outcomes ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Tidio and Intercom compare ### 300 AI answers with two agents On Intercom, two seats at $29 billed annually plus 300 Fin outcomes at $0.99 come to $355 a month. Tidio’s Free and Starter plans include 50 Lyro conversations for life, so steady AI use means a larger plan: Growth from $49.17 or Plus from $300 plus usage. Our check did not confirm Growth’s Lyro allowance. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Channels Tidio’s pricing page lists chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Intercom includes chat and email, with SMS, WhatsApp, and phone as pay-as-you-go. InsertChat includes calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one plan; SMS and WhatsApp can carry connected-service charges. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ### How AI is metered Tidio meters billable human conversations and Lyro AI conversations. Intercom charges $0.99 each time Fin resolves a conversation. InsertChat meters AI credits from one allowance, 5,000 a month on Pro. ### Phone answering Intercom sells phone as a pay-as-you-go channel, and Tidio’s pricing page does not list phone. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your business number on every paid plan and books appointments. [AI receptionist for calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Tidio, Intercom, or InsertChat? ### Choose Tidio if - You want a free plan for website chat, then Starter at $24.17. - You want Messenger and Instagram in the same inbox as chat, email, and WhatsApp. - You want AI replies included to start: Free and Starter come with 50 lifetime Lyro conversations. ### Choose Intercom if - Your support team already works in Intercom. - You prefer paying for AI by outcome, at $0.99 each. - Chat and email are your main channels. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want an AI receptionist answering calls in the same inbox as chat. - You want a flat plan: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want bookings in the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with optional approval. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [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. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Tidio cheaper than Intercom? At entry, yes: Tidio lists a free plan and Starter at $24.17, while Intercom starts at $29 per seat billed annually plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. As AI volume grows, Tidio moves you to Growth or Plus, and Intercom adds $0.99 per outcome. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## How many AI conversations does Tidio include? Tidio’s pricing page lists 50 lifetime Lyro AI conversations on its Free and Starter plans; check Tidio for the Growth and Plus allowances. InsertChat Pro includes 5,000 monthly AI credits, and how many conversations they cover depends on your model, conversation length, and tools. ## Does Intercom include phone support? Intercom lists phone as a pay-as-you-go channel, next to SMS and WhatsApp. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls on every paid plan, with one phone number included and calls drawn from the same credits as chat. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Intercom vs Zendesk: AI Agent Pricing Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk > Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. Intercom suits teams that want Fin AI billed per outcome on top of low-cost seats. Zendesk suits support teams that run on tickets and need telephony, IVR, and several help centers. InsertChat is the stronger third option when the AI must answer phone calls too, from $98 per month. Intercom Fin details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Intercom Fin’s public pricing page](https://www.intercom.com/pricing); Zendesk details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Zendesk’s public pricing page](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Intercom vs Zendesk vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Intercom Fin | Zendesk | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Per-seat plans at $29, $85, or $132 (billed annually), plus $0.99 per Fin outcome; a Fin-only plan has a monthly minimum ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Per agent: Support Team $19, Suite Team $55, and Suite Professional $115 a month billed annually ($25, $69, and $149 monthly); Suite Enterprise through sales ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Fin outcomes ($0.99 each) and seats ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Agents, plus AI automated resolutions: 5 per agent a month included on Support Team and Suite Team and 10 on Suite Professional, then $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Live chat, support email, and in-app chat included; SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Email on every plan; messaging, live chat, and telephony from Suite Team; social channels and WhatsApp with additional fees; text messages as an add-on ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Fin hands conversations to agents in your preferred inbox ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Ticket routing on every plan; omnichannel routing from Suite Team ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | AI Knowledge Base from Suite Team; 1 help center on Suite Team and up to 5 on Suite Professional ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $29 per seat (billed annually) plus $0.99 per outcome; 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | $19 per agent a month billed annually (Support Team); Suite Team, with messaging and telephony, $55 ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are paid add-ons; the Fin-only plan has a minimum monthly commitment, such as 50 outcomes ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | Phone numbers, call minutes, text messages, and WhatsApp carry extra fees; Copilot is $50 per agent a month on Professional and above ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Intercom and Zendesk compare ### Three agents and 200 AI resolutions Intercom: three seats at $29 billed annually plus 200 Fin outcomes at $0.99 is $285 a month. Zendesk Suite Team: three agents at $55 billed annually is $165, with 15 automated resolutions included; the other 185 cost $1.50 each committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go, for $442.50 to $535. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Phone Zendesk lists telephony from Suite Team, with phone numbers and minutes as add-ons and generative AI for voice on Suite Enterprise. Intercom sells phone as pay-as-you-go. InsertChat’s AI answers calls on every paid plan, with one number included. [AI receptionist for calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ### Keep your ticket queue If your team lives in Zendesk tickets, keep them there: InsertChat connects to Zendesk to create, look up, reply to, and update tickets from a conversation, while its AI answers calls and messages first. [InsertChat’s Zendesk actions](https://insertchat.com/integration/zendesk) ### Copilots and add-ons Zendesk’s Copilot is $50 per agent a month on Professional and above, and social channels, WhatsApp, and texts carry extra fees. Intercom’s Fin-only plan has a monthly minimum. InsertChat Pro includes 3 seats; SMS, WhatsApp, and extra numbers can carry connected-service charges. ## Intercom, Zendesk, or InsertChat? ### Choose Intercom if - Your support team already works in Intercom. - You want AI billed per outcome at $0.99, with seats from $29. - Chat and email are your main channels. ### Choose Zendesk if - Your team works in tickets and wants AI agents inside that helpdesk. - You need IVR phone trees, skills-based routing, or several help centers. - You want 5 to 10 automated resolutions per agent included each month. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want the AI to answer phone calls from your knowledge, in the same inbox as chat and email. - You want a flat plan instead of seats: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats. - You want to keep Zendesk tickets and let the AI create and update them. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin): AI agent priced at $0.99 per outcome, alongside Intercom’s per-seat plans. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Intercom cheaper than Zendesk? Zendesk’s Support Team starts lower, at $19 per agent billed annually, but messaging and telephony start on Suite Team at $55; Intercom seats start at $29. On AI, Intercom charges $0.99 per Fin outcome, while Zendesk includes 5 to 10 automated resolutions per agent and charges $1.50 to $2.00 after that. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## How do Intercom and Zendesk charge for AI? Intercom charges $0.99 per Fin outcome. Zendesk includes automated resolutions, 5 per agent a month on Support Team and Suite Team and 10 on Suite Professional, then charges $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go. InsertChat meters AI credits from one monthly allowance. ## Can InsertChat work with Zendesk? Yes. Connect Zendesk and choose the actions your assistant may take: create tickets and requests, look up tickets and comments, reply, and update them. Your team keeps working in Zendesk while InsertChat answers calls and messages first. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Crisp vs Tidio: Pricing, Seats, and AI Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio > Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. Crisp suits teams that want many seats on one workspace price and a long list of messaging channels. Tidio suits small businesses that want a cheap entry plan and AI replies tried in small doses. InsertChat is the stronger third option when calls need answering too, covering calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. Crisp details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Crisp’s public pricing page](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/); Tidio details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Tidio’s public pricing page](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Crisp vs Tidio vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Crisp | Tidio | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Per workspace: Free, Mini $45, Essentials $95, and Plus $295 a month; Enterprise custom ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | Free; Starter $24.17; Growth from $49.17; Plus from $300 plus usage; Premium custom ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | AI credits: $5, $25, or $75 included (about 90, 450, or 1,350 automated conversations); conversations are not capped ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | Billable human conversations (50 on Free, 100 on Starter, up to 2,000 on Growth) and Lyro AI conversations ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Chat widget and email; WhatsApp Business, Instagram, SMS, Line, and Viber in the omnichannel inbox from Essentials; Messenger, Telegram, X, and phone also listed ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Shared inbox on every plan, including Free; routing rules and assignment from Essentials ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | Lyro AI Agent hands conversations to your team ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Knowledge base (help center) from Essentials; AI knowledge training on your internal data ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | FAQ upload, FAQ and website scrapers, and Zendesk article import ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | Free plan with 2 seats and no AI credits; Mini $45 a month with 4 seats ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | Free plan; Starter $24.17 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Extra seats are $10 a month each; removing the “We run on Crisp” watermark is a Plus feature ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | Free and Starter include 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations; more need the Lyro add-on, from $32.50 a month for 50 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Crisp and Tidio compare ### A four-person team Crisp prices per workspace: Mini is $45 a month with 4 seats and about 90 automated conversations, and Essentials is $95 with 10 seats and about 450. Tidio’s Starter is $24.17, but Free and Starter include only 50 lifetime Lyro AI conversations; Growth starts at $49.17. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits for chat and calls. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Channels Crisp lists its chat widget and email, adds WhatsApp Business, Instagram, SMS, Line, and Viber from Essentials, and also lists Messenger, Telegram, X, and phone. Tidio’s list is shorter: chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. InsertChat adds AI phone answering to website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ### Phone Crisp lists a phone channel for answering and placing calls from its inbox; its pricing page doesn’t say its AI agent answers calls. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your number and books appointments. [AI receptionist for calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ### Branding Removing Crisp’s “We run on Crisp” watermark is a Plus feature, at $295 a month. InsertChat shows your logo and assistant styling on every plan. [White-label options](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) ## Crisp, Tidio, or InsertChat? ### Choose Crisp if - You want a free plan with 2 seats and a shared inbox. - You want many seats on one price: 10 on Essentials and 20 on Plus. - Your customers write on Telegram, Line, or Viber. ### Choose Tidio if - You want a lower paid entry: Starter is $24.17, against $45 for Crisp’s Mini. - You only need a little AI for now: Free and Starter include 50 lifetime Lyro conversations. - You want a plan priced by conversations rather than by workspace. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want the AI to answer phone calls from the same knowledge as chat. - You want 5,000 monthly AI credits shared by calls and written conversations. - You want booking into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with optional approval. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp): Customer messaging suite priced per workspace, with AI credits for automated conversations and 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 pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Crisp or Tidio cheaper? Tidio’s entry is lower: a free plan and Starter at $24.17. Crisp’s paid plans run $45, $95, and $295 a month per workspace, with seats and AI credits included. Tidio meters human and Lyro AI conversations; Crisp meters AI credits and doesn’t cap conversations. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Do Crisp and Tidio include AI? Crisp includes $5, $25, or $75 of AI credits on its paid plans, about 90, 450, or 1,350 automated conversations; its free plan has none. Tidio’s Lyro AI is limited to 50 lifetime conversations on Free and Starter. ## Which one answers calls? Crisp lists a phone channel for calls handled from its inbox, and Tidio’s pricing page does not list phone. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls on every paid plan, with one number included. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # LiveChat vs Tidio: Pricing and AI Limits Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio > LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. LiveChat suits sales-minded teams that want proactive chat, visitor tracking, and Shopify selling. Tidio suits small businesses that want a free plan and a low-cost start with AI. InsertChat is the stronger third option when phone calls need answering too, covering calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from $98 per month. LiveChat details checked on October 13, 2026 from [LiveChat’s public pricing page](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/); Tidio details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Tidio’s public pricing page](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## LiveChat vs Tidio vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | LiveChat | Tidio | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Text plans per user: Essential $19 and Growth $79 a month billed annually ($25 and $99 monthly); Enterprise custom ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | Free; Starter $24.17; Growth from $49.17; Plus from $300 plus usage; Premium custom ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Users, plus AI resolutions: 10 a month on Essential and 200 on Growth; 50 more cost $49.50 ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | Billable human conversations (50 on Free, 100 on Starter, up to 2,000 on Growth) and Lyro AI conversations ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email in one inbox on every plan ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Human takeover from the AI Agent; chat supervision and takeover on Growth ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | Lyro AI Agent hands conversations to your team ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Help articles, internal docs, URLs, and PDFs, up to 50 MB per file ([source](https://www.chatbot.com/pricing/)) | FAQ upload, FAQ and website scrapers, and Zendesk article import ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $19 per user a month billed annually (Essential), with 1 AI Agent and 10 AI resolutions ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | Free plan; Starter $24.17 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Essential keeps 60 days of chat history; existing LiveChat plans must move to Text for these features ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | Free and Starter include 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations; more need the Lyro add-on, from $32.50 a month for 50 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How LiveChat and Tidio compare ### Three agents, 150 AI resolutions LiveChat’s Text plans price each user. On Essential, three users at $19 billed annually cost $57 with 10 AI resolutions, so 140 more means three packs of 50 at $49.50, or $205.50 a month. On Growth, three users at $79 cost $237 with 200 resolutions included. Tidio’s Starter is $24.17 with 50 lifetime Lyro conversations. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Channels LiveChat lists website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email on every plan. Tidio lists Instagram where LiveChat lists SMS, alongside chat, email, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Neither pricing page lists a phone channel; InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your number in the same inbox as chat. [AI receptionist for calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ### History and plan changes LiveChat’s Essential plan keeps 60 days of chat history, and existing LiveChat plans must move to Text for these features. ChatBot.com’s pricing page now lists the same plans. ### Selling on Shopify LiveChat lists chat-based selling through Shopify and proactive chat campaigns. InsertChat installs on a Shopify storefront and answers from product information and store policies; it does not access live orders. [InsertChat on Shopify](https://insertchat.com/integration/shopify) ## LiveChat, Tidio, or InsertChat? ### Choose LiveChat if - You want proactive chat campaigns and live visitor tracking. - You sell through Shopify and want chat-based selling. - You want 200 AI resolutions included on Growth. ### Choose Tidio if - You want to start free and move up to Growth, from $49.17, when you need more. - You want Instagram in your inbox; LiveChat’s pricing page lists Messenger but not Instagram. - You prefer paying by conversations rather than by user. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want an AI receptionist on your business number, in the same inbox as chat. - You want a team price instead of paying per user: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats. - You want AI usage drawn from one monthly allowance rather than counted resolutions. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat): Live chat sold as Text plans per user, with AI Agent resolutions included; ChatBot.com lists the same plans. - [InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio): Customer chat with the Lyro AI agent, priced by human and Lyro conversations. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is LiveChat more expensive than Tidio? LiveChat prices each user: $19 or $79 a month billed annually, with 10 or 200 AI resolutions. Tidio lists a free plan, Starter at $24.17, Growth from $49.17, and Plus from $300 plus usage, with 50 lifetime Lyro conversations on Free and Starter. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## What is LiveChat Text? LiveChat’s pricing page now sells Text plans, Essential and Growth, with an AI Agent, and existing LiveChat plans must move to Text for these features. ChatBot.com lists the same plans. ## Can InsertChat replace LiveChat or Tidio on my website? Yes. Add your website pages and documents as knowledge, test the answers, then replace the chat snippet with the InsertChat install code or WordPress plugin. Calls, email, SMS, and WhatsApp then reach the same inbox. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Zendesk vs Freshchat: Pricing and AI Costs Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat > Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. Zendesk suits support teams that need tickets, telephony, IVR, and several help centers in one suite. Freshchat suits teams that want a free plan for up to 10 agents and low-cost messaging with Freddy AI. InsertChat is the stronger third option when AI must answer calls too, from $98 per month. Zendesk details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Zendesk’s public pricing page](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/); Freshchat details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Freshchat’s public pricing page](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Zendesk vs Freshchat vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Zendesk | Freshchat | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Per agent: Support Team $19, Suite Team $55, and Suite Professional $115 a month billed annually ($25, $69, and $149 monthly); Suite Enterprise through sales ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Per agent: Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19, Pro $49, and Enterprise $79 a month billed annually ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Agents, plus AI automated resolutions: 5 per agent a month included on Support Team and Suite Team and 10 on Suite Professional, then $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Agents, plus Freddy AI Agent sessions: the first 500 included, then $49 per 100 ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Email on every plan; messaging, live chat, and telephony from Suite Team; social channels and WhatsApp with additional fees; text messages as an add-on ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Web and mobile chat and email on every plan; Messenger, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, LINE, and Google Business Messages from Growth; voice through Freshcaller ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Ticket routing on every plan; omnichannel routing from Suite Team ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Shared inbox on every plan, including Free ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | AI Knowledge Base from Suite Team; 1 help center on Suite Team and up to 5 on Suite Professional ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Not verified | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $19 per agent a month billed annually (Support Team); Suite Team, with messaging and telephony, $55 ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19 per agent a month billed annually, with Freddy AI Agent ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Phone numbers, call minutes, text messages, and WhatsApp carry extra fees; Copilot is $50 per agent a month on Professional and above ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Freddy AI Agent is not on Free; Freddy AI Copilot is $29 per agent a month on Pro and Enterprise; Freshcaller voice starts from $15 per agent a month ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Zendesk and Freshchat compare ### Five agents and 300 AI conversations Zendesk Suite Team: five agents at $55 billed annually is $275, with 25 automated resolutions included; the other 275 at $1.50 committed add $412.50, for $687.50. Freshchat Growth: five agents at $19 is $95, and 300 sessions fit inside the first 500 Freddy AI Agent sessions it lists as included. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Messaging channels Freshchat adds Messenger, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, LINE, and Google Business Messages from Growth. Zendesk includes email on every plan, with messaging and live chat from Suite Team, and social channels and WhatsApp at extra fees. InsertChat covers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with calls. [How the shared inbox works](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) ### AI add-ons Freddy AI Copilot is $29 per agent a month on Pro and Enterprise, and Zendesk’s Copilot is $50 per agent a month on Professional and above. InsertChat includes AI answers and team handoff on every plan. ### Keep your helpdesk A team on Zendesk can keep its queue: InsertChat creates, looks up, replies to, and updates Zendesk tickets while its AI answers first. [InsertChat’s Zendesk actions](https://insertchat.com/integration/zendesk) ## Zendesk, Freshchat, or InsertChat? ### Choose Zendesk if - Your team runs on tickets and needs IVR, skills-based routing, or several help centers. - You want telephony inside your helpdesk. - You want 5 to 10 automated resolutions per agent included each month. ### Choose Freshchat if - You want a free plan for up to 10 agents. - You want LINE and Google Business Messages next to WhatsApp and SMS. - You need conversations translated across more than 45 languages, listed on Pro and Enterprise. ### Choose InsertChat if - You want AI answering phone calls in the same product as chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. - You want one flat plan: Pro is $98 per month with 3 seats and 5,000 monthly AI credits. - You want the assistant to book appointments, with optional approval. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat): Messaging helpdesk priced per agent, with Freddy AI Agent sessions sold in packs of 100. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Freshchat cheaper than Zendesk? On listed prices, yes: Freshchat is free for up to 10 agents, then $19, $49, or $79 per agent billed annually, while Zendesk runs $19, $55, or $115 per agent billed annually. Zendesk charges $1.50 to $2.00 per automated resolution past its allowance; Freshchat sells Freddy sessions at $49 per 100 after the first 500. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Which one includes voice? Zendesk lists telephony from Suite Team, with phone numbers and minutes as add-ons. Freshchat sells voice through Freshcaller, from $15 per agent a month. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your number on every paid plan. ## Is Freddy AI on Freshchat’s free plan? No. Freshchat lists Freddy AI Agent on Growth, Pro, and Enterprise, with the first 500 sessions included and $49 per 100 after that. Freddy AI Copilot is a separate $29 per agent a month on Pro and Enterprise. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Gorgias vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. --- # Gorgias vs Zendesk: Pricing for Support Teams Source: https://insertchat.com/compare/gorgias-vs-zendesk > Gorgias prices tickets and AI interactions for online stores; Zendesk prices agents and automated resolutions. Gorgias suits online stores on Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Magento that want support priced by tickets. Zendesk suits support teams that price by agent and need telephony, IVR, and several help centers. InsertChat is the stronger third option for service businesses that need calls answered and appointments booked, from $98 per month. Gorgias details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Gorgias’s public pricing page](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing); Zendesk details checked on October 13, 2026 from [Zendesk’s public pricing page](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/). Prices are in USD as listed; vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with each linked source. ## Gorgias vs Zendesk vs InsertChat at a glance | Compared | Gorgias | Zendesk | InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pricing model | Helpdesk by monthly tickets: Starter $10 (monthly only), Basic $60, Pro $360, and Advanced $900 a month, or $50, $300, and $750 billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | Per agent: Support Team $19, Suite Team $55, and Suite Professional $115 a month billed annually ($25, $69, and $149 monthly); Suite Enterprise through sales ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits included. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, paid upfront. ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | What is metered | Tickets (50 to 5,000 a month) and AI Agent automated interactions: $1.00 on Starter, $0.90 on Basic and Pro, $0.85 on Advanced ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | Agents, plus AI automated resolutions: 5 per agent a month included on Support Team and Suite Team and 10 on Suite Professional, then $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | | Channels | Email, chat, social, and help center; voice and SMS as add-ons priced by volume ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | Email on every plan; messaging, live chat, and telephony from Suite Team; social channels and WhatsApp with additional fees; text messages as an add-on ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Human handoff | Helpdesk with 3 user seats on Starter and 500 on other plans ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | Ticket routing on every plan; omnichannel routing from Suite Team ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) | | Knowledge sources | Not verified | AI Knowledge Base from Suite Team; 1 help center on Suite Team and up to 5 on Suite Professional ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information (1,000 sources on Pro) ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge)) | | Booking | Not verified | Not verified | Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) | | Entry price | $10 a month for 50 tickets (Starter); with AI Agent, $40 a month including 30 automated interactions ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | $19 per agent a month billed annually (Support Team); Suite Team, with messaging and telephony, $55 ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats ([details](https://insertchat.com/pricing)) | | Notable limits | Ticket overage is $0.40 each on Starter and $36 to $40 per 100 on other plans; voice and SMS cost extra ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | Phone numbers, call minutes, text messages, and WhatsApp carry extra fees; Copilot is $50 per agent a month on Professional and above ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | 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)) | “Not verified” means our check did not confirm this detail. Ask the vendor before deciding. ## How Gorgias and Zendesk compare ### 300 tickets, 100 handled by AI Gorgias Basic is $60 a month, or $50 billed annually, for 300 tickets, and its AI Agent adds $0.90 per automated interaction: 100 of them add $90, for $140 to $150. On Zendesk Suite Team, three agents at $55 billed annually is $165 with 15 automated resolutions; 85 more at $1.50 committed add $127.50, for $292.50. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits. [Estimate your InsertChat usage](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) ### Seats Gorgias includes 500 user seats from Basic, so adding teammates costs nothing extra, while Zendesk prices every agent. InsertChat Pro includes 3 seats in its $98 per month price. ### Store actions or appointments Gorgias lists AI actions such as cancellations and discounts for connected stores. InsertChat installs on a Shopify storefront and answers from product information and store policies, without live order access. Where InsertChat leads is service work: answering calls and booking appointments. [Appointment booking in InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) ### Voice Gorgias sells voice and SMS as add-ons priced by volume. Zendesk starts telephony on Suite Team, bills numbers and minutes on top, and lists generative AI for voice on Suite Enterprise. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers your number on every paid plan, with one number included. [AI receptionist for calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) ## Gorgias, Zendesk, or InsertChat? ### Choose Gorgias if - You run a Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Magento store. - You want the AI to take store actions such as cancellations and discounts. - You want many teammates: 500 user seats from Basic. ### Choose Zendesk if - You support customers across products or services, not only a store. - You need IVR, skills-based routing, or several help centers. - You want automated resolutions included per agent each month. ### Choose InsertChat if - You run a service business, such as a salon, clinic, or contractor, and need calls answered and appointments booked. - You want AI phone answering in your plan rather than a voice add-on. - You want one monthly allowance, 5,000 credits on Pro, instead of per-ticket and per-resolution fees. ## Compare each one with InsertChat - [InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias): Ecommerce helpdesk priced by monthly tickets, with an AI Agent billed per automated interaction. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Helpdesk suite priced per agent, with AI agents billed per automated resolution. - [InsertChat pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise plans with monthly AI credits, from $98 per month, plus a usage estimator for your own call and chat volume. ## Is Gorgias cheaper than Zendesk? For a small store, usually: Gorgias starts at $10 a month for 50 tickets and Basic is $60 for 300, with seats included, while Zendesk prices each agent from $19 billed annually, or $55 on Suite Team with messaging and telephony. ## What do Gorgias and Zendesk charge for AI? Gorgias charges per AI Agent automated interaction: $1.00 on Starter, $0.90 on Basic and Pro, and $0.85 on Advanced. Zendesk includes 5 automated resolutions per agent a month on Support Team and Suite Team and 10 on Suite Professional, then charges $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go. InsertChat Pro is $98 per month with 5,000 monthly AI credits for calls and messages. ## Is InsertChat built for online stores? InsertChat installs on Shopify storefronts and answers from your product information and store policies, but it does not access live orders, refunds, or inventory. It fits stores whose questions are about products and policies, and service businesses that take calls and bookings. ## Other head-to-head comparisons - [Smith.ai vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/smith-ai-vs-ruby): Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with human backup, against Ruby’s human receptionists billed by the minute. - [Posh vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/posh-vs-ruby): Two human receptionist services billed by the minute: Posh from $65 a month, Ruby from $250 for 50 minutes. - [Abby Connect vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/compare/abby-connect-vs-ruby): Receptionists plus an AI option priced in Abby Minutes, against Ruby’s human receptionists and chat agents. - [Ruby vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive): Two human answering services billed by the minute: Ruby from $250 for 50, PATLive from $49 pay-as-you-go. - [Goodcall vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/compare/goodcall-vs-rosie): Goodcall prices per unique caller with unmetered minutes; Rosie sells minute bundles from $49 for 250. - [Rosie vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/rosie-vs-smith-ai): Rosie’s minute bundles from $49 against Smith.ai’s per-call AI receptionist with a free plan and human backup. - [Dialpad vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/dialpad-vs-ringcentral): AI receptionists inside two phone platforms: Dialpad’s credit-based AI Agents and RingCentral’s per-minute add-on. - [Nextiva vs RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/compare/nextiva-vs-ringcentral): Nextiva’s XBert at $99 for 100 resolutions against RingCentral’s AI Receptionist at $39–$49 with 100 minutes. - [Quo Sona vs Dialpad](https://insertchat.com/compare/quo-sona-vs-dialpad): Quo’s Sona, billed per call with 10 a month included, against Dialpad’s credit-based AI receptionist. - [Vapi vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/vapi-vs-retell-ai): Two developer voice platforms billed per minute: Vapi’s $0.05 hosting plus providers, Retell’s $0.07–$0.31 range. - [Bland AI vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/compare/bland-ai-vs-vapi): Bland’s all-in per-minute talk time against Vapi’s $0.05 hosting fee plus providers at cost. - [Retell AI vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/compare/retell-ai-vs-bland-ai): Retell’s per-second voice agents with chat and SMS, against Bland’s all-in talk time with Enterprise scheduling. - [Voiceflow vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/compare/voiceflow-vs-botpress): Two agent-building platforms: Voiceflow’s usage credits with business pricing on request, and Botpress’s conversation plans. - [Chatbase vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/compare/chatbase-vs-customgpt): Chatbase’s message-credit plans from free, against CustomGPT.ai’s query-capped agents from $99. - [Tidio vs Intercom](https://insertchat.com/compare/tidio-vs-intercom-fin): Tidio’s conversation-based plans with Lyro AI, against Intercom’s per-seat plans plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. - [Intercom vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/compare/intercom-fin-vs-zendesk): Intercom’s seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, against Zendesk’s per-agent suites with included automated resolutions. - [Crisp vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp’s per-workspace plans with AI credits, against Tidio’s plans metered by human and Lyro AI conversations. - [LiveChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/compare/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat’s per-user Text plans with counted AI resolutions, against Tidio’s plans with a free tier and Lyro AI. - [Zendesk vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/compare/zendesk-vs-freshchat): Zendesk’s per-agent suites with paid automated resolutions, against Freshchat’s per-agent plans with Freddy AI session packs. --- # Best AI Front Desk Software: Buyer’s Guides Source: https://insertchat.com/best > Ranked buyer’s guides to AI receptionists, answering services, phone agents, chatbots, and AI agents for small businesses, with every competitor price sourced and dated. These guides rank AI receptionists, answering services, AI phone agents, chatbots, and AI agents for the way small businesses actually buy. Our pick on every list is InsertChat: one AI front desk that answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your own knowledge, books appointments, and hands off in one shared inbox, from $98 a month. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 15, 2026. ## Phone answering - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist): AI receptionists ranked for small businesses: what each meters, which channels it answers, and how callers reach a person. - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service): AI answering services ranked, from AI-only to AI with people behind it, with what each charges per minute, call, or credit. - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services): Human and AI virtual receptionists ranked: per-minute rates, hours covered, call transfers, and what each adds beyond the phone. - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business): Answering services ranked for small budgets: what a normal month costs, who answers, and what you get after each call. - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service): Night and weekend answering ranked: who covers which hours, how urgent calls reach you, and what each costs. - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent): Ready-made AI phone agents and developer voice platforms ranked by setup effort, per-minute cost, and what you still have to build. ## By industry - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services): AI receptionists for the trades ranked: emergency calls, job intake, booking into field service software, and monthly cost. - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms): AI and human receptionists for law firms ranked: intake by practice area, conflict details, transfers, and legal software. - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices): AI receptionists and answering services for practices ranked: BAAs, EHR and practice software, triage, and monthly cost. - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate): AI receptionists for agents, teams, and property managers ranked: lead qualification, showings, maintenance calls, and CRMs. ## Chat and customer service - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business): Website AI chatbots ranked for small businesses: what each meters, which channels it covers, and how a person takes over. - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business): Helpdesks and AI support tools ranked for small teams: per-seat and per-resolution pricing, channels, and phone coverage. ## AI agents and automation - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business): Customer-facing and workflow AI agents ranked for small businesses: the jobs each takes on, how it’s metered, and which actions wait for approval. ## Why is InsertChat first on every list? We make InsertChat, and we built it to be the one AI front desk a small business needs: it answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, books appointments, and hands conversations to your team in one inbox. Each guide explains that case with checkable facts and shows where another product fits a buyer better. ## Where do the competitor prices come from? From each vendor’s own public pricing or product page. Every fact links the page it came from, and every pick shows the date we read it. When a vendor doesn’t publish a price or detail, we leave it out rather than estimate it. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms before you buy. ## Do you rate or score the products? No. We don’t publish star ratings, scores, or reviews, and the lists are not based on customer reviews. Each list is an editorial ranking for one kind of buyer, with the documented facts next to every pick so you can decide for yourself. ## Which guide should I start with? If calls are your problem, start with the best AI receptionists or, if you want people answering, the best virtual receptionist services. If you run a trade, law firm, medical practice, or real estate business, start with your industry’s list. If website visitors are the problem, start with the best AI chatbots for small business. If you want AI taking on tasks as well as conversations, start with the best AI agents for small business. --- # 10 Best AI Receptionists in 2026, Ranked Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist > The best AI receptionists of 2026 compared on price, metering, channels, booking, and handoff, with every competitor price sourced. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI receptionist in 2026 is InsertChat. It answers your calls from your own website and documents, books appointments into your calendar, and logs every call in one shared inbox with website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 a month. Smith.ai suits buyers who want human backup; Goodcall suits voice-only lines. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-insertchat): Best overall AI receptionist 2. [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-smith-ai): Best for human backup behind the AI 3. [My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-my-ai-front-desk): Best for fixed per-channel allowances 4. [Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-goodcall): Best for long or repeat callers 5. [Rosie](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-rosie): Best for low-cost minute bundles 6. [Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-dialzara): Best for a cheap phone-first start 7. [Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-marlie-ai): Best for call transfer on a budget 8. [Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-upfirst): Best for low call volume 9. [RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-ringcentral): Best for RingEX phone customers 10. [Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist#pick-newo-ai): Best for pay-as-you-go ## Compare the AI receptionists side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best overall AI receptionist | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Smith.ai | Best for human backup behind the AI | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | 3. My AI Front Desk | Best for fixed per-channel allowances | $99 per month ($79 per month billed annually), with a 7-day free trial | Voice calls, a web voicebot, web chat, two-way SMS, email drafts, website forms, and outbound calls | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | 4. Goodcall | Best for long or repeat callers | $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number | Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | 5. Rosie | Best for low-cost minute bundles | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | 6. Dialzara | Best for a cheap phone-first start | $29 a month for 60 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls, an AI SMS agent, and a website chatbot | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | 7. Marlie AI | Best for call transfer on a budget | $49 per month for 250 minutes, with a 14-day free trial | Voice, with SMS and email notifications and reports | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | 8. Upfirst | Best for low call volume | $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), with a 14-day free trial | Phone calls, with texts sent during calls and call summaries by text or email | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | 9. RingCentral AI Receptionist | Best for RingEX phone customers | $39 per month as a RingEX add-on; $49 per month standalone; 14-day free trial on both | Voice calls and texts | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) | | 10. Newo.ai | Best for pay-as-you-go | $0 to start with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; AI Receptionist $299 for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit | Inbound voice, web chat, and social messaging on every plan; outbound voice on request | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best overall AI receptionist InsertChat is the most complete AI receptionist a small business can set up itself. It answers your number from your website pages, documents, and FAQs, books into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar, and saves a transcript and AI summary of every call to the shared inbox where website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp land too. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - Answers always, after hours, or only when your team doesn’t pick up within the 5 to 60 seconds you set. - Books, reschedules, and cancels appointments, automatically or after your team approves, with reminders 72 and 24 hours before. - One knowledge base and one credit allowance cover calls and written conversations, so a caller who texts later gets the same answers. - Keep your US or Canadian number by forwarding it, and test everything first with a 7-day free trial with 500 credits. **Watch out for:** - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. - Number porting isn’t offered. In the US and Canada you forward your existing number; elsewhere you answer on an InsertChat local or toll-free number. - SMS, WhatsApp, and extra phone numbers ($10 a month each) can carry charges beyond the plan. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Smith.ai **Best for:** Best for human backup behind the AI Smith.ai prices its AI Receptionist per call and lists human-agent backup, so a person can step in when the AI can’t finish a call. It’s the closest thing on this list to a hybrid receptionist service. **Pick it if:** - You want live receptionists to take over transferred calls: Smith.ai routes them to its North America-based team, day or night. - You want to try AI answering on real calls for free: its Free plan covers 25 calls a month. - You prefer a per-call bill, and your calls run long enough that per-minute pricing would cost more. **Watch out for:** - SMS and email start on its paid Pro plan. - Per-call pricing charges a 30-second hours question the same as a ten-minute intake. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Pricing model: Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans priced by calls per month ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - What is metered: Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Channels: AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Booking: AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Smith.ai’s public pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist). [Compare InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai). ## 3. My AI Front Desk **Best for:** Best for fixed per-channel allowances My AI Front Desk bundles voice minutes, chats, texts, and email drafts into one plan with published overage rates, so it’s easy to see what a month will cost. **Pick it if:** - You want AI outbound calls and website forms in the same plan: Business-in-a-Box lists 20 outbound calls a day and 300 form submissions a month. - You want fixed allowances per channel, with overage rates published in credits. - You want the built-in CRM and sequence automations on its plan. **Watch out for:** - Each channel has its own allowance, so a busy phone line can run into overage while chat allowance sits unused. - WhatsApp isn’t among its listed channels. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $99 per month ($79 per month billed annually), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Business-in-a-Box at $99 per month, or $79 per month billed annually, with per-channel allowances; Partner and Enterprise are custom ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Per-channel allowances: 200 voice minutes, 100 chatbot conversations, 400 SMS, and 500 email drafts a month; overage draws a 1,000-credit pool at 25 credits per minute and 4 per SMS (1 credit = $0.01) ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Channels: Voice calls, a web voicebot, web chat, two-way SMS, email drafts, website forms, and outbound calls ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Call transfer is one of its agent actions; Business-in-a-Box includes 2 of each ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Booking: Booking and appointments; calendars connect through Zapier ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Business-in-a-Box allows 2 editor seats, 3 notification recipients, 20 outbound calls a day, and the last 200 logs ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [My AI Front Desk’s public pricing page](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk). ## 4. Goodcall **Best for:** Best for long or repeat callers Goodcall meters unique customers instead of minutes, so a caller who rings five times or talks for twenty minutes counts once. Businesses with long consultations get the most from that model. **Pick it if:** - The phone is your only channel and you want a dedicated AI phone agent. - Your calls run long or callers ring back often: Goodcall bills each caller once a month and never meters minutes. - You want calls transferred to the people you choose during the call. **Watch out for:** - Voice only: website chat, email, and messaging aren’t included. - Each agent is priced separately, which adds up across locations. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter $79, Growth $129, or Scale $299 a month, priced by unique customers; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Unique customers (100, 500, or 2,000 a month), then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ each; minutes are not metered ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to the people you choose; transfers do not count toward limits ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Plans cap workers (5 to 20), external tools (1 to 15), team members (1 to 10), and call history (30 days to unlimited) ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Goodcall’s public pricing page](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall). ## 5. Rosie **Best for:** Best for low-cost minute bundles Rosie sells phone answering in prepaid minute bundles with a low entry price and large top tiers, which suits owner-operators whose main problem is unanswered calls. **Pick it if:** - You want warm or live call transfers to your team: Rosie lists both from its $149 Scale plan. - Phone is your main channel and you want a $49 entry price for 250 minutes. - You want native iOS and Android apps, which Rosie lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - Web chat is an add-on billed per conversation. - Its pricing page lists no overage rate, so ask what happens when a bundle runs out. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Booking: Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie). ## 6. Dialzara **Best for:** Best for a cheap phone-first start Dialzara’s smallest minute plan is among the lowest entry prices we found, and voice, SMS, and web chat share one knowledge base. **Pick it if:** - You get few calls and want a $29 entry price for 60 minutes. - You want published per-minute overage, from $0.48 down to $0.35. - You want AI outbound calling, which Dialzara sells from $750 a month. **Watch out for:** - SMS is a paid add-on with a per-message fee. - Email and WhatsApp aren’t among its channels. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $29 a month for 60 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Pricing model: Business Lite $29, Pro $99, Plus $199, or Elite $349 a month by included minutes ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - What is metered: Call minutes (60 to 1,000 a month), with overage from $0.48 down to $0.35 per minute; AI texts at $0.05 each ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Channels: Phone calls, an AI SMS agent, and a website chatbot ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Booking: Appointment booking with CRM and calendar integration, including in-chat booking ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Notable limits: With a voice plan, the chatbot is free for 100 sessions a month, then $0.15 each; SMS carrier fees pass through at $0.0083 per segment ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialzara’s public pricing page](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md). [Compare InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara). ## 7. Marlie AI **Best for:** Best for call transfer on a budget Marlie AI adds call transfer from its second tier and lowers its per-minute overage as plans grow, which suits busy phone lines that still need a person on some calls. **Pick it if:** - Phone is your only channel and you want a low entry price: $49 for 250 minutes. - You want calls transferred to your team, which Marlie AI includes from Standard at $99. - You handle high call volume and want overage that falls to $0.25 per minute on Premium. **Watch out for:** - Document uploads and a knowledge base start on its higher tiers. - Voice only; SMS and email carry notifications and reports. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month for 250 minutes, with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Basic $49, Standard $99, Pro $199, and Premium $399 per month by included minutes; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Minutes: 250 to 2,000 included, then $0.35 down to $0.25 per minute ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Voice, with SMS and email notifications and reports ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Call transfer to one number on Standard; to multiple people and departments from Pro ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Calendar sync, availability checks, and rescheduling from Standard; cancellations from Pro ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Basic has no call transfer and one action per call; document uploads start at $199 ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Marlie AI’s public pricing page](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai). ## 8. Upfirst **Best for:** Best for low call volume Upfirst sells calls in small bundles, so a business that gets a handful of calls a week pays for little more than that. **Pick it if:** - You get few calls and want a $24.95 entry price for 30 calls. - You want live, warm call transfers, which Upfirst lists on every plan. - You need a BAA and can use Upfirst’s Custom plan, where it is offered. **Watch out for:** - Voice only, with texting during calls. - A BAA is offered only on its Custom plan. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter, Premium, Pro, and Scale plans by included calls; annual billing saves 20% ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Calls (30 to 600 a month), with extra calls from $1.50 down to $0.70; spam and calls under 15 seconds are not billed ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, with texts sent during calls and call summaries by text or email ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Live, warm call transfers to you or your team on every plan ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Books into Google, Outlook, Clio, Acuity, Calendly, Square, and more ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Each additional AI agent is $9.95 a month; a BAA is offered only on the Custom plan ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Upfirst’s public pricing page](https://upfirst.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst). ## 9. RingCentral AI Receptionist **Best for:** Best for RingEX phone customers RingCentral’s AI Receptionist adds AI answering to a RingCentral phone system, with routing and transfers that keep the call’s context. **Pick it if:** - You already use RingEX and want AI answering added to it for $39 a month. - You want callers routed by name, location, or keyword to people in your phone system. - You prefer per-minute billing in 30-second increments, with a 14-day free trial. **Watch out for:** - Minutes beyond the included allowance are billed per minute. - Website chat, email, and WhatsApp aren’t part of it. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $39 per month as a RingEX add-on; $49 per month standalone; 14-day free trial on both ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) - Pricing model: $49 per month standalone, or $39 per month as a RingEX add-on, each with 100 minutes included ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) - What is metered: Minutes: after the included 100, $0.50 per minute, billed in 30-second increments ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) - Channels: Voice calls and texts ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) - Human handoff: Routes calls by name, location, or keyword, and passes complex requests to a team member with context ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) - Booking: Schedules or reschedules appointments through a connected calendar ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) - Notable limits: Usage past the included 100 minutes is billed at $0.50 per minute; extra minute bundles are sold separately ([source](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [RingCentral AI Receptionist’s public pricing page](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html). [Compare InsertChat vs RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral). ## 10. Newo.ai **Best for:** Best for pay-as-you-go Newo.ai lets you start without a monthly fee and bills calls and texts from one pool of units, which suits seasonal or unpredictable call volume. **Pick it if:** - You want to start without a monthly fee: Pay As You Go includes 50 free units once, then $1.75 per unit. - Most of your calls are short: one unit covers a call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, and spam and immediate hang-ups cost nothing. - You want social messaging handled by the same agent, which Newo lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - Each plan covers one agent at one location. - Calls longer than three minutes bill in 3-minute increments. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $0 to start with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; AI Receptionist $299 for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Pay As You Go from $0, AI Receptionist at $299 per month, and custom Enterprise ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Units shared by voice and text: 1 unit per call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, longer calls in 3-minute increments, 0.5 units per 15 agent messages ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Inbound voice, web chat, and social messaging on every plan; outbound voice on request ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Books and updates records in connected tools such as Calendly, Square, Housecall Pro, ServiceM8, Open Dental, and Dentrix ([source](https://newo.ai/)) - Notable limits: One agent at one location per plan; unused units don’t roll over; white label is Enterprise-only ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Newo.ai’s public pricing page](https://newo.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai receptionist”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Answers from your knowledge.** Can it answer pricing, hours, and service questions from your website and documents, or does it only take messages? - **Books appointments.** Which calendars it writes to, whether it reschedules and cancels, and whether your team can approve bookings first. - **Reaches a person.** How a caller gets to your team: a live transfer, a callback, or a flagged conversation with the full transcript. - **Covers more than calls.** Whether website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp share the same answers, or need separate tools. - **Publishes its price.** Whether pricing is public, and what is metered: minutes, calls, callers, units, or credits. - **Keeps your number.** Whether you can forward your existing number and set everything up without a sales call. ## How to choose an AI receptionist Start with your calls, not the feature list. Pull two weeks of call logs and note how many calls came in, how long they lasted, how many arrived after hours, and what callers wanted. Those four numbers tell you which pricing model is cheapest and which features you’ll use. ### Match the pricing model to your calls Per-minute plans favor short calls; per-call and per-caller plans favor long ones. Credit plans such as InsertChat’s share one allowance across calls and written conversations. Check the rounding too: InsertChat rounds each call up to a whole minute, RingCentral bills in 30-second increments, and Newo.ai bills longer calls in 3-minute steps. ### Test it on your real questions Give every trial the ten questions your callers ask most, plus two it shouldn’t answer. A good AI receptionist answers from your information, takes a clean message when it can’t, and never invents a price. Call at night and on a weekend, the way customers do. ### Decide how a caller reaches a person Some products transfer live calls; others flag the call for a fast callback. If live transfer matters, confirm which plan includes it. If you’d rather keep the context, look for a transcript and summary your team can act on, which InsertChat saves for every call. ### Check how deep booking goes Ask which calendar it writes to, whether it can reschedule and cancel, how it handles buffers and appointment lengths, and whether your team can approve a booking first. InsertChat supports all of that, plus reminders 72 and 24 hours before the appointment. ### Count every channel your customers use Callers text back, email photos, and message on WhatsApp. A receptionist that only answers the phone leaves those conversations to you; one front desk for every channel keeps the answers consistent. ### Plan the number switch Forwarding keeps your number with your phone provider; porting moves it. InsertChat uses forwarding in the US and Canada, and you can start with after-hours or unanswered calls before forwarding everything. The call forwarding guides list the steps for each carrier. ## What is the best AI receptionist for a small business? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: it answers calls from your own knowledge, books appointments, and puts every call in one shared inbox with website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 a month. Smith.ai fits buyers who want human-agent backup, and Goodcall fits voice-only lines with long calls. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost? It depends on what the vendor meters. This list includes minute bundles (Rosie, Dialzara, Marlie AI), call bundles (Upfirst, Smith.ai), per-caller pricing (Goodcall), units (Newo.ai), and InsertChat’s credit allowance. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, and each pick above shows its sourced entry price. ## Can an AI receptionist transfer calls to my phone? Some can: RingCentral lists routing and transfers with context, and Marlie AI includes call transfer from its Standard plan. InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds, and when the AI answers, it flags anyone who needs a person and confirms a callback by text or email. ## Can I keep my business number with an AI receptionist? Usually, by forwarding. With InsertChat, US and Canadian businesses forward their existing number for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls; elsewhere you answer on a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Porting isn’t offered. Check each vendor’s number options before you switch. ## How do I test an AI receptionist before switching? Start a trial, add your website and FAQs, and place test calls with your most common questions. With InsertChat, the 7-day free trial with 500 credits lets you forward only after-hours or unanswered calls first, then compare the transcripts with how your team handles the same calls. ## Keep researching - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): How InsertChat answers calls, books appointments, and logs every call. - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours): Answer only when you’re closed or busy, on your own schedule. - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling): Booking into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar. - [Pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Plans, credits, and a usage estimate for your call volume. - [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost): Per-minute, per-call, and flat pricing explained with examples. - [Keep your number](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding): Carrier steps to forward your existing number to InsertChat. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # 10 Best AI Answering Services in 2026 Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service > The best AI answering services of 2026, from AI-only to AI with human backup, compared on price, metering, and channels, with sources. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI answering service in 2026 is InsertChat. It answers every call from your business knowledge instead of reading a script, takes the caller’s details, books appointments, and sends your team a transcript and summary in one shared inbox that also covers chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from $98 a month. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-insertchat): Best AI answering service overall 2. [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-smith-ai): Best AI-first service with people behind it 3. [Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-abby-connect): Best for mixing people and AI by call type 4. [Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-moneypenny): Best for people and AI on one account 5. [Go Answer](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-go-answer): Best for AI now, people later 6. [Rosie](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-rosie): Best prepaid minutes for phone-first businesses 7. [Trillet](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-trillet): Best for a single inbound line 8. [Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-upfirst): Best per-call pricing for quiet lines 9. [Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-quo-sona): Best for teams already on Quo 10. [Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service#pick-goodcall): Best when callers talk for a long time ## Compare the AI answering services side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best AI answering service overall | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Smith.ai | Best AI-first service with people behind it | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | 3. Abby Connect | Best for mixing people and AI by call type | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | 4. Moneypenny | Best for people and AI on one account | $69 per month for 25 calls; $165 per month for 50 minutes | Phone calls; call summaries arrive by email, text, or both | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | | 5. Go Answer | Best for AI now, people later | $95 a month for 100 minutes, with a 14-day trial of up to 500 minutes (card required) and a 30-day money-back guarantee | Phone calls, with caller summaries by email or SMS | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.goanswer.io/ai-receptionist/pricing)) | | 6. Rosie | Best prepaid minutes for phone-first businesses | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | 7. Trillet | Best for a single inbound line | $49 per month for 150 minutes, with a 28-day money-back guarantee | Inbound calls on your existing number; web chat and SMS are listed as a separate Messaging product | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) | | 8. Upfirst | Best per-call pricing for quiet lines | $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), with a 14-day free trial | Phone calls, with texts sent during calls and call summaries by text or email | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | 9. Quo Sona | Best for teams already on Quo | 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 | Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | | 10. Goodcall | Best when callers talk for a long time | $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number | Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best AI answering service overall A typical answering service takes a message when you can’t pick up. InsertChat answers the caller’s question from your own information, books the appointment if you allow it, and then passes the conversation to your team with a transcript and AI summary. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - Answers in the caller’s language and follows them if they switch, with 58 business languages to choose from. - Alerts your team to urgent and high-intent calls as they happen, instead of leaving them in a morning message list. - Saves each caller as a contact with the number they dialed and what they asked for, ready for a callback. - Answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, so you don’t need a second service for messages. **Watch out for:** - It’s AI only: InsertChat doesn’t employ receptionists, so your own team handles the conversations it hands off. - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. - SMS, WhatsApp, and extra phone numbers ($10 a month each) can carry charges beyond the plan. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Smith.ai **Best for:** Best AI-first service with people behind it Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist answers first and lists human-agent backup, which suits businesses that want an answering service’s safety net at AI prices. **Pick it if:** - You want live receptionists to take over transferred calls: Smith.ai routes them to its North America-based team, day or night. - You want to try AI answering on real calls for free: its Free plan covers 25 calls a month. - You prefer a per-call bill, and your calls run long enough that per-minute pricing would cost more. **Watch out for:** - The free plan covers a small number of calls before per-call charges start. - SMS and email arrive with the Pro plan. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Pricing model: Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans priced by calls per month ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - What is metered: Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Channels: AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Booking: AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Smith.ai’s public pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist). [Compare InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai). ## 3. Abby Connect **Best for:** Best for mixing people and AI by call type Abby Connect sends each call to a US-based receptionist or its AI based on call type, and an AI minute uses half an Abby Minute, so routine calls cost less than personal ones. **Pick it if:** - You want trained US-based receptionists on the calls that need a personal touch, with AI on the rest. - You want to set the human and AI mix by call type and change it month to month. - You need HIPAA compliance options, which Abby offers on human answering. **Watch out for:** - Its entry plan costs more than most AI-only services on this list. - Website chat, email, and WhatsApp aren’t part of the service. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Starter $165 (50 Abby Minutes), Essential $329 (100), Professional $599 (200), Growth $1,380 (500), and custom Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: US-based receptionists and an AI receptionist; each call goes to a person or the AI based on call type ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Overage is billed at the plan’s Abby Minute rate; HIPAA compliance options are for human answering only ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Abby Connect’s public pricing page](https://www.abby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect). ## 4. Moneypenny **Best for:** Best for people and AI on one account Moneypenny’s US plans offer People Answering and AI Answering, with warm transfers on every plan and AI calls that can escalate to its receptionists. **Pick it if:** - You want receptionists and AI on one account, with AI calls escalating to people. - You need warm call transfers to your team during the call. - You prefer paying per call: plans run from $69 for 25 calls to $435 for 250. **Watch out for:** - Plans are metered by minutes or calls, with overage on both. - Canceling takes 30 days’ notice. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $69 per month for 25 calls; $165 per month for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Minute plans from $165 for 50 to $985 for 500, and call plans from $69 for 25 to $435 for 250, with People Answering and AI Answering options ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) - What is metered: Minutes or calls, by plan: extra minutes cost $2.28 down to $1.67, extra calls $2.49 down to $1.89 ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone calls; call summaries arrive by email, text, or both ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Warm call transfer on every plan; call plans list human escalation ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) - Booking: Its AI receptionist books appointments directly into your calendar ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: No long-term contract; canceling takes 30 days’ notice, effective from your next billing date ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Moneypenny’s US pricing page](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny). ## 5. Go Answer **Best for:** Best for AI now, people later Go Answer sells AI answering in minute bundles with a stated overage rate on every plan, and runs a separate live receptionist service you can add when some calls need a person. **Pick it if:** - You want AI answering now and the option to add human receptionists from the same provider later. - You want published minute bundles with a stated overage rate on every plan. - You want a long trial: 14 days with up to 500 minutes, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. **Watch out for:** - Its booking covers simple flows and basic calendar requests. - Live receptionists cost more and are billed as a separate service. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $95 a month for 100 minutes, with a 14-day trial of up to 500 minutes (card required) and a 30-day money-back guarantee ([source](https://www.goanswer.io/ai-receptionist/pricing)) - Pricing model: Monthly minute bundles: $95 for 100, $270 for 300, $425 for 500, or $800 for 1,000 minutes; month to month ([source](https://www.goanswer.io/ai-receptionist/pricing)) - What is metered: Minutes, with overage from $0.95 down to $0.80 per minute by plan ([source](https://www.goanswer.io/ai-receptionist/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, with caller summaries by email or SMS ([source](https://www.goanswer.io/ai-receptionist/pricing)) - Human handoff: Call routing and warm transfers where applicable; VIP numbers can bypass the AI to a person ([source](https://www.goanswer.io/ai-receptionist/pricing)) - Booking: Handles simple booking flows and basic calendar requests ([source](https://www.goanswer.io/ai-receptionist/pricing)) - Notable limits: Live receptionists are a separate service, from $175 a month for 100 minutes with $1.75 per extra minute ([source](https://www.goanswer.io/pricing/live-receptionist)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Go Answer’s AI receptionist pricing page](https://www.goanswer.io/ai-receptionist/pricing). ## 6. Rosie **Best for:** Best prepaid minutes for phone-first businesses Rosie keeps AI answering simple: buy a bundle of minutes and it answers your calls, with web texting available when you need it. **Pick it if:** - You want warm or live call transfers to your team: Rosie lists both from its $149 Scale plan. - Phone is your main channel and you want a $49 entry price for 250 minutes. - You want native iOS and Android apps, which Rosie lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - No overage rate is listed on its pricing page. - Web texting costs extra per conversation. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Booking: Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie). ## 7. Trillet **Best for:** Best for a single inbound line Trillet’s AI Receptionist is one inbound agent with a published per-minute overage and a money-back guarantee, which suits a one-person business trying AI answering. **Pick it if:** - You run a one-person business and only need inbound calls answered, at $49 for 150 minutes. - You want a published overage rate: $0.20 per minute after the included 150. - You prefer a 28-day money-back guarantee on real calls to a free trial. **Watch out for:** - Inbound only, with one Trillet-branded agent. - Web chat and SMS are sold as a separate Messaging product. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month for 150 minutes, with a 28-day money-back guarantee ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: AI Receptionist at $49 per month; white-label Studio and Agency plans from $99 per month; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Minutes: 150 included on the AI Receptionist, then $0.20 per minute ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Inbound calls on your existing number; web chat and SMS are listed as a separate Messaging product ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Books appointments into your calendar; integrations are calendars only ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Inbound only, with one Trillet-branded agent that is not for resale; outbound campaigns and multi-agent orchestration are not included ([source](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Trillet’s public pricing page](https://www.trillet.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Trillet](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/trillet). ## 8. Upfirst **Best for:** Best per-call pricing for quiet lines Upfirst sells small call bundles with overage that falls as plans grow, so a business that gets a few calls a day knows its cost per call up front. **Pick it if:** - You get few calls and want a $24.95 entry price for 30 calls. - You want live, warm call transfers, which Upfirst lists on every plan. - You need a BAA and can use Upfirst’s Custom plan, where it is offered. **Watch out for:** - Phone only, with texting during calls. - A BAA is available only on its Custom plan. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter, Premium, Pro, and Scale plans by included calls; annual billing saves 20% ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Calls (30 to 600 a month), with extra calls from $1.50 down to $0.70; spam and calls under 15 seconds are not billed ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, with texts sent during calls and call summaries by text or email ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Live, warm call transfers to you or your team on every plan ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Books into Google, Outlook, Clio, Acuity, Calendly, Square, and more ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Each additional AI agent is $9.95 a month; a BAA is offered only on the Custom plan ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Upfirst’s public pricing page](https://upfirst.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst). ## 9. Quo Sona **Best for:** Best for teams already on Quo Sona is the AI agent inside Quo, formerly OpenPhone. Every Quo plan includes a small monthly allowance of Sona calls, which makes it an easy add for teams already calling and texting from Quo. **Pick it if:** - Your team already calls and texts from Quo and wants AI answering in the same phone system. - You get few calls: every Quo plan includes 10 Sona calls a month, and calls under 15 seconds don’t count. - You prefer paying per call instead of per minute. **Watch out for:** - Quo plans are priced per user, so the base cost grows with headcount. - Call transfers are listed only on its Business and Scale plans. **Key facts:** - Entry price: 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Included with Quo phone plans at $19, $33, or $47 per user per month ($15, $23, or $35 billed annually), with call credits ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Calls: 100 credits per call; 10 calls a month included, then $1.00 down to $0.45 per extra call by credit tier ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers the call to the right teammate when you instruct it to ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Booking: Books appointments and can text the caller a booking link before the call ends ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Notable limits: Credit tiers run from $25 for 40 calls to $199 for 600; call transfers are listed on Business and Scale ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Quo’s public pricing page](https://www.quo.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona). ## 10. Goodcall **Best for:** Best when callers talk for a long time Goodcall charges by unique customer instead of by minute, so long or repeat calls don’t raise your bill. **Pick it if:** - The phone is your only channel and you want a dedicated AI phone agent. - Your calls run long or callers ring back often: Goodcall bills each caller once a month and never meters minutes. - You want calls transferred to the people you choose during the call. **Watch out for:** - Phone only. - Pricing is per agent, so each extra line or location adds a plan. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter $79, Growth $129, or Scale $299 a month, priced by unique customers; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Unique customers (100, 500, or 2,000 a month), then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ each; minutes are not metered ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to the people you choose; transfers do not count toward limits ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Plans cap workers (5 to 20), external tools (1 to 15), team members (1 to 10), and call history (30 days to unlimited) ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Goodcall’s public pricing page](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai answering service”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Answers, not just messages.** Does it resolve common questions from your information, or only take a name and number for a callback? - **After-hours and overflow.** Whether you can choose when it answers: all the time, after hours, or only when your team is busy. - **Urgent call handling.** How urgent calls reach you: a live transfer, an immediate alert, or a message you read later. - **Call records.** Where call details land: a transcript and summary, an email, a text, or an app. - **Billing unit.** Minutes, calls, callers, or credits, plus how each vendor rounds and charges overage. - **People on call.** Whether human receptionists stand behind the AI, and on which plans. ## How to choose an AI answering service An AI answering service should do more than take messages. Before you compare prices, decide which calls it should resolve on its own, which it should pass to you, and how fast your team needs to hear about them. ### List what it may answer Write down your hours, service area, the prices you publish, your booking rules, and the ten questions callers ask most. Anything on that list is something an AI service should answer outright instead of turning it into a callback. ### Define urgent Name the calls that can’t wait: a burst pipe, a court date tomorrow, a patient in pain. Then check how each service escalates them. InsertChat flags them as needs-you and emails the teammates you choose; services with live receptionists may transfer instead. ### Compare the real monthly cost Multiply your monthly calls by your average call length, then price that on each plan, including overage and rounding. Human answering services usually bill per receptionist minute; AI services bill minutes, calls, callers, or credits. ### Read the call record Ask for a sample of what you receive after a call. A full transcript with a summary and the caller’s details saves your team a callback that starts with “Sorry, what was this about?” ### Check the languages If your callers speak Spanish or another language, test it. InsertChat follows the caller’s language and offers 58 business languages; some human services sell bilingual answering as an add-on. ## What is an AI answering service? An AI answering service answers your business calls with an AI voice agent instead of a human operator. The better ones answer questions from your own information, take the caller’s details, book appointments, and send your team a record of each call. InsertChat does all of that and also answers chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. ## Is an AI answering service better than a human one? For routine calls, an AI service answers instantly at any hour for a monthly plan instead of a per-minute receptionist rate. Human services still suit callers who need empathy or a live transfer. Abby Connect and Moneypenny offer both; InsertChat is AI-first at $98 a month, with your own team taking over. ## How much does an AI answering service cost? Prices on this list range from free or low-cost call bundles to per-user phone plans and per-agent pricing. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits shared by calls and written conversations; calls round up to whole minutes. Each pick above shows its sourced entry price. ## Can an AI answering service handle emergencies? It can recognize them and escalate within the rules you write. InsertChat flags urgent calls to your team right away, reads the safety steps you provide, and tells a caller in danger to call 911 when you add that instruction. It doesn’t transfer live calls, so keep an on-call phone for true emergencies. ## Can I use an AI answering service only after hours? Yes. InsertChat can answer always, after hours on your weekly schedule and time zone, or only when your team doesn’t pick up. Many businesses start with after-hours calls, read the transcripts for a week, then widen it. ## Keep researching - [AI answering service](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): Calls answered from your knowledge, with a transcript for your team. - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours): Weekly hours, time zone, and overnight shifts for the AI. - [Shared inbox and handoff](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox): Where your team picks up calls that need a person. - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual): Answers in the caller’s language, with 58 business languages. - [AI receptionist vs answering service](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service): When a human service still makes sense, and when it doesn’t. - [Pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Plans, credits, and a usage estimate for your calls. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # 10 Best Virtual Receptionist Services (2026) Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services > The best virtual receptionist services of 2026, AI and human, compared on minute pricing, hours, transfers, and channels, with sources. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best virtual receptionist service in 2026 is InsertChat, an AI virtual receptionist that answers every call from your own knowledge, books appointments, and hands your team a transcript, from $98 a month. If you want a person on every call, Ruby, AnswerConnect, and PATLive are the strongest human services, billed by the minute. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-insertchat): Best AI virtual receptionist 2. [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-ruby): Best for human receptionists plus live chat 3. [AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-answerconnect): Best for people on every call, 24/7 4. [PATLive](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-patlive): Best for screening and transferring calls 5. [Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-abby-connect): Best hybrid of people and AI 6. [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-smith-ai): Best for AI with human backup 7. [Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-davinci-virtual): Best for billing by the second 8. [Posh](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-posh): Best for a few calls a month 9. [Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-moneypenny): Best for per-call receptionist plans 10. [Nexa](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services#pick-nexa): Best for intake and sales calls ## Compare the virtual receptionist services side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best AI virtual receptionist | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Ruby | Best for human receptionists plus live chat | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | 3. AnswerConnect | Best for people on every call, 24/7 | $350 per month for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee; Growth is $395 for 300 minutes with no setup fee | Phone answering, plus live chat staffed by people on Growth and Standard; notifications by app, SMS, and email | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | 4. PATLive | Best for screening and transferring calls | $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes | Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | 5. Abby Connect | Best hybrid of people and AI | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | 6. Smith.ai | Best for AI with human backup | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | 7. Davinci Virtual | Best for billing by the second | $129 per month for 50 live answer minutes (Business 50) | Phone: live answering, voicemail, an auto receptionist, and online faxing | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists)) | | 8. Posh | Best for a few calls a month | $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) | Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | 9. Moneypenny | Best for per-call receptionist plans | $69 per month for 25 calls; $165 per month for 50 minutes | Phone calls; call summaries arrive by email, text, or both | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) | | 10. Nexa | Best for intake and sales calls | Not listed; plan buttons lead to a contact form | Phone, with a local and toll-free number; live chat is a separate service | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best AI virtual receptionist Human virtual receptionists bill for every minute a person spends on your calls. InsertChat answers the same calls with AI from your website and documents, at any hour, and handles website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in the same inbox. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats, so routine calls stop using up receptionist minutes. **Why it’s our pick:** - No per-minute receptionist rate: calls and messages draw on one monthly credit allowance. - Answers at 3 a.m. and on holidays the same way it does at noon, from information you keep up to date. - Your team sees every call as a transcript with an AI summary and takes over from the shared inbox. - Set it up yourself: add your website, pick one of 10 voices, choose when it answers, and place a test call. **Watch out for:** - It’s AI only: InsertChat doesn’t employ receptionists, so your own team handles the conversations it hands off. - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. - A caller who insists on a person hears that your team will follow up, rather than reaching one immediately. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Ruby **Best for:** Best for human receptionists plus live chat Ruby’s receptionists answer calls and website chats, priced in minute and chat bundles, and Ruby lists its optional AI enhancements at no extra cost. **Pick it if:** - You want people, not AI, answering your calls and website chats. - Your call volume fits a bundle of minutes, from 50 to 500 on Ruby’s listed plans. - You want a human service with optional AI enhancements, which Ruby lists at no extra cost. **Watch out for:** - Its smallest receptionist bundle includes only 50 minutes. - Email, SMS, and WhatsApp aren’t part of the plans. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Receptionist plans by included minutes, and separate live chat plans by included chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human service: people answer calls and chats; optional AI enhancements are free ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Booking: Scheduling is listed among the receptionist plan features ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Listed receptionist plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes, and chat plans to $520 for 50 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Ruby’s public pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby). ## 3. AnswerConnect **Best for:** Best for people on every call, 24/7 AnswerConnect staffs real people around the clock and says it uses no AI agents, with live chat staffed by people on its Growth and Standard plans. **Pick it if:** - You want every caller to reach a person, day or night: AnswerConnect’s guide says it uses no AI agents. - Callers need live transfers, on-call routing, or complex call flows handled by a receptionist. - You want people on your website chat as well, which AnswerConnect includes on Growth and Standard. **Watch out for:** - Every interaction rounds up to a whole minute, and Entry adds a setup fee. - Spanish answering, transcriptions, and HIPAA compliance are paid add-ons. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $350 per month for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee; Growth is $395 for 300 minutes with no setup fee ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Pricing model: Monthly plans by receptionist minutes: Entry $350 for 200, Growth $395 for 300, Standard $575 for 400, and larger plans up to 100,000 minutes ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes, rounded up and billed in 1-minute increments; the first 30 interactions under 30 seconds each billing cycle are free ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Channels: Phone answering, plus live chat staffed by people on Growth and Standard; notifications by app, SMS, and email ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Human handoff: Human service: the guide says it uses no AI agents; receptionists transfer calls using your call flows ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Booking: Appointments booked into your calendar with its free scheduling software ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Notable limits: Extra minutes cost $2.50 on Entry and $1.85 on Growth and Standard; transcriptions, HIPAA compliance, Spanish answering, and live operator relay are add-ons from $30 to $40 a month ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [AnswerConnect’s published US pricing guide (PDF)](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf). [Compare InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect). ## 4. PATLive **Best for:** Best for screening and transferring calls PATLive’s US receptionists screen and transfer calls on every plan and schedule appointments, with pay-as-you-go pricing for low volume. **Pick it if:** - You want every call answered by a person: PATLive says it does not use AI to answer calls. - You need calls screened and transferred to your team while the caller waits. - Your volume is low and uneven: pay-as-you-go is $49 a month plus $2.99 a minute. **Watch out for:** - Prices are plus taxes and fees. - Live chat and outbound calls are separate plans. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Live call answering plans from $49 pay-as-you-go to $6,899 for 5,000 minutes, with separate live chat and outbound call plans ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Minutes receptionists are live on your calls (after-call notes and wrap-up are not charged); extra minutes cost $2.99 down to $1.49 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human only: PATLive does not use AI to answer calls; call screening and transfers on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Prices are plus taxes and fees; outbound calls run 8 am to 6 pm ET on weekdays; texting activation is a one-time $50 fee ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [PATLive’s public pricing page](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive). ## 5. Abby Connect **Best for:** Best hybrid of people and AI Abby Connect routes each call to a US-based receptionist or its AI by call type, and AI minutes cost half, so you decide where a person matters. **Pick it if:** - You want trained US-based receptionists on the calls that need a personal touch, with AI on the rest. - You want to set the human and AI mix by call type and change it month to month. - You need HIPAA compliance options, which Abby offers on human answering. **Watch out for:** - Its Starter plan includes 50 Abby Minutes. - HIPAA compliance options apply to human answering only. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Starter $165 (50 Abby Minutes), Essential $329 (100), Professional $599 (200), Growth $1,380 (500), and custom Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: US-based receptionists and an AI receptionist; each call goes to a person or the AI based on call type ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Overage is billed at the plan’s Abby Minute rate; HIPAA compliance options are for human answering only ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Abby Connect’s public pricing page](https://www.abby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect). ## 6. Smith.ai **Best for:** Best for AI with human backup Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist lists human-agent backup and a free plan, a low-cost way into a service that still has people behind it. **Pick it if:** - You want live receptionists to take over transferred calls: Smith.ai routes them to its North America-based team, day or night. - You want to try AI answering on real calls for free: its Free plan covers 25 calls a month. - You prefer a per-call bill, and your calls run long enough that per-minute pricing would cost more. **Watch out for:** - Calls past the included allowance are charged per call. - SMS and email start on Pro. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Pricing model: Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans priced by calls per month ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - What is metered: Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Channels: AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Booking: AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Smith.ai’s public pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist). [Compare InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai). ## 7. Davinci Virtual **Best for:** Best for billing by the second Davinci bills live receptionist time by the second instead of rounding up, and forwards calls to up to 99 people or numbers at no extra charge. **Pick it if:** - You want live receptionists billed by the second: Davinci’s FAQ says it does not round calls up to the minute. - You need calls forwarded to up to 99 employees or numbers, which Davinci includes at no extra charge. - You also want online faxing or a virtual office address from the same provider. **Watch out for:** - Its FAQ lists live answering on weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm EST. - A one-time setup fee applies, and scheduling is on Premium plans only. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $129 per month for 50 live answer minutes (Business 50) ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists)) - Pricing model: Business 50 ($129), Business 100 ($239), Premium 50 ($249), and Premium 100 ($319) plans by live answer minutes ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists)) - What is metered: Live receptionist time, billed by the second; extra time costs $1.75 per minute on Business and $2.50 on Premium ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq)) - Channels: Phone: live answering, voicemail, an auto receptionist, and online faxing ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists/details)) - Human handoff: Human service: receptionists forward calls to up to 99 employees or numbers at no extra charge ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling on Premium plans only ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists/details)) - Notable limits: $95 one-time setup fee; its FAQ lists live answering from 8 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday; 30 days’ written notice to cancel ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Davinci’s live receptionist plans page](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists). [Compare InsertChat vs Davinci Virtual](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/davinci-virtual). ## 8. Posh **Best for:** Best for a few calls a month Posh’s smallest plan has no minutes included and a per-minute rate, so a business with a few calls a month pays for what it uses, with unlimited users. **Pick it if:** - You want receptionists who transfer calls to you when your status in the Posh app says you’re free. - You get only a few calls: Chïc is $65 a month, with each minute at $2.30. - You need English and Spanish speaking receptionists. **Watch out for:** - Per-minute rates are highest on the smallest plans. - AI-enabled plans are priced separately from its main pricing page. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Seven plans by receptionist minutes, from Chïc ($65, no minutes included) to Exclusive ($1,900 for 1,000 minutes) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes; extra minutes cost $2.30 down to $1.90 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Human service: receptionists transfer calls to you based on the status you set in the app ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling through integrations with your software ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Month-to-month; the free trial lasts seven days or 250 receptionist minutes, whichever comes first ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Posh’s public pricing page](https://www.posh.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh). ## 9. Moneypenny **Best for:** Best for per-call receptionist plans Moneypenny’s US call plans charge by the call rather than the minute, with warm transfers on every plan; voicenation.com now redirects to it. **Pick it if:** - You want receptionists and AI on one account, with AI calls escalating to people. - You need warm call transfers to your team during the call. - You prefer paying per call: plans run from $69 for 25 calls to $435 for 250. **Watch out for:** - Overage applies per call or per minute, depending on the plan. - Canceling takes 30 days’ notice. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $69 per month for 25 calls; $165 per month for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Minute plans from $165 for 50 to $985 for 500, and call plans from $69 for 25 to $435 for 250, with People Answering and AI Answering options ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) - What is metered: Minutes or calls, by plan: extra minutes cost $2.28 down to $1.67, extra calls $2.49 down to $1.89 ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone calls; call summaries arrive by email, text, or both ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Warm call transfer on every plan; call plans list human escalation ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) - Booking: Its AI receptionist books appointments directly into your calendar ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: No long-term contract; canceling takes 30 days’ notice, effective from your next billing date ([source](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Moneypenny’s US pricing page](https://www.moneypenny.com/us/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Moneypenny](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/moneypenny). ## 10. Nexa **Best for:** Best for intake and sales calls Nexa’s live virtual receptionists answer around the clock, with client intake and inbound or outbound sales calls listed on its larger plans. **Pick it if:** - You want live virtual receptionists answering around the clock, every day of the year. - You need client or patient intake and inbound or outbound sales calls, listed on Nexa 300 and 500. - You prefer a plan quoted by a sales team over self-serve signup. **Watch out for:** - Prices aren’t published; plans are quoted by sales. - Work time includes after-call follow-up, not just talk time. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Not listed; plan buttons lead to a contact form ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Nexa 100, Nexa 300, and Nexa 500 plans by voice minutes; prices are not listed ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Receptionist work time: talk time plus after-call follow-up, email, scheduling, dispatching, and other time on your behalf; extra minutes bill at your base rate ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone, with a local and toll-free number; live chat is a separate service ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Human service: live virtual receptionists answer 24 hours a day, every day ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling on every plan ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: A setup fee covers programming, onboarding, and training (amount not listed); CRM integration is listed on Nexa 500 only ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Nexa’s public pricing page](https://www.nexa.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best virtual receptionist services”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Who answers.** A trained person, an AI voice agent, or a mix, and whether you decide which calls go where. - **Hours covered.** Whether live answering runs 24/7 or only during business hours on the plan you buy. - **How time is billed.** Per minute, per call, or per credit, and whether calls round up, bill by the second, or include after-call work. - **Transfers and messages.** How calls reach you: warm transfer, screening, a message by text or email, or a transcript in an inbox. - **Scheduling.** Whether appointments are booked on every plan or only on premium tiers. - **Beyond the phone.** Live chat, texting, email, and WhatsApp: included, or sold as separate plans. ## How to choose a virtual receptionist service Virtual receptionist services come in three kinds: human receptionists billed by the minute, AI receptionists on a monthly plan, and hybrids that route calls between the two. Pick the kind first, then compare providers within it. ### Price a normal month, not the entry plan Entry plans look cheap until overage starts. Take last month’s total talk time, add your after-hours calls, and price it on each plan, including setup fees, rounding, and add-ons such as bilingual answering or transcriptions. ### Check how time is counted Providers measure differently: AnswerConnect rounds each interaction up to a whole minute, Davinci bills by the second, and Nexa counts after-call work as well as talk time. The same call can cost noticeably different amounts. ### Confirm the hours you’re buying Some plans include people around the clock; others cover business hours and hand nights to automation. If after-hours calls are why you’re buying, read the hours on the exact plan. ### Write the call flow before the demo List who gets transferred, who gets a message, and what counts as urgent. Human services follow your script; an AI receptionist like InsertChat follows your knowledge and handoff rules. Either way, a clear flow is what makes the service sound like your own front desk. ### Decide whether you need a person at all If most calls ask about hours, prices, availability, and booking, an AI receptionist answers them instantly on a flat plan. Keep a human service, or your own team, for calls that need judgment or a live transfer. ## What is a virtual receptionist service? A virtual receptionist service answers your business calls remotely, with trained receptionists or an AI voice agent. It greets callers in your business name, answers common questions, takes messages, books appointments, and passes urgent calls to your team. InsertChat is an AI virtual receptionist that also answers chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. ## How much does a virtual receptionist cost? Human services on this list bill per receptionist minute or per call, with entry plans that include a set number of minutes and overage after that. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits for calls and messages. Compare each pick’s sourced entry price and how it counts time. ## Are AI virtual receptionists as good as human ones? For routine calls such as hours, prices, availability, and booking, an AI receptionist answers instantly and consistently at any hour. Human receptionists are better for emotionally difficult calls and live transfers. Many businesses put AI first and keep their own team, or a human service, for the rest. ## Can a virtual receptionist book appointments? Most can, but not always on every plan: Davinci lists scheduling on Premium plans only. InsertChat books into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar on every plan, automatically or after your team approves, with reminders 72 and 24 hours before. ## Can I move from a human receptionist service to InsertChat gradually? Yes. Keep your current service for business hours and forward only after-hours or unanswered calls to InsertChat during the 7-day free trial with 500 credits. Compare the transcripts, then decide how much to move. In the US and Canada you keep your number by forwarding. ## Keep researching - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): The AI virtual receptionist behind this list’s top pick. - [AI receptionist vs answering service](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service): How AI and human answering compare on cost and coverage. - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): A head-to-head with the human receptionist service. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox): Transcripts, summaries, and handoff for your team. - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual): Answer callers in their language without an add-on. - [Pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): What a month of calls and messages costs on each plan. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best Answering Service for Small Business 2026 Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business > Compare the best answering services for small businesses in 2026, human and AI, by monthly cost, coverage, and channels, with sources. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best answering service for a small business in 2026 is InsertChat. For $98 a month, its AI answers every call from your own information, books appointments, and puts each call, chat, email, text, and WhatsApp message in one inbox your team shares. MAP Communications and PATLive have the lowest entry prices for human answering here. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business#pick-insertchat): Best answering service for small business 2. [MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business#pick-map-communications): Best low-cost 24/7 human answering 3. [PATLive](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business#pick-patlive): Best for people-only answering 4. [Posh](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business#pick-posh): Best for a handful of calls a month 5. [Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business#pick-abby-connect): Best for a person on the calls that matter 6. [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business#pick-smith-ai): Best free starting point 7. [Rosie](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business#pick-rosie): Best for solo tradespeople 8. [Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business#pick-dialzara): Best low-cost AI start ## Compare the answering services for small businesses side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best answering service for small business | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. MAP Communications | Best low-cost 24/7 human answering | $49 per month with no minutes included, then $1.37 per minute | Phone answering with a toll-free number and free message delivery | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | 3. PATLive | Best for people-only answering | $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes | Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | 4. Posh | Best for a handful of calls a month | $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) | Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | 5. Abby Connect | Best for a person on the calls that matter | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | 6. Smith.ai | Best free starting point | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | 7. Rosie | Best for solo tradespeople | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | 8. Dialzara | Best low-cost AI start | $29 a month for 60 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls, an AI SMS agent, and a website chatbot | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best answering service for small business Small businesses lose the most when a call goes unanswered, and can least afford receptionist minutes. InsertChat answers every call with AI from your website and documents, takes the details, books the appointment, and costs one monthly plan: Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - A predictable monthly plan, with credits shared by calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. - Pro includes three AI assistants, so a second location or service line can have its own hours and knowledge. - High-intent and urgent calls trigger an alert to your team, so a hot lead doesn’t wait until tomorrow. - Your logo and assistant styling on every plan, and you can bring your own AI keys. **Watch out for:** - It’s AI only: InsertChat doesn’t employ receptionists, so your own team handles the conversations it hands off. - Number porting isn’t offered. In the US and Canada you forward your existing number; elsewhere you answer on an InsertChat local or toll-free number. - SMS, WhatsApp, and extra phone numbers ($10 a month each) can carry charges beyond the plan. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. MAP Communications **Best for:** Best low-cost 24/7 human answering MAP Communications includes 24/7 answering on every plan, starts with pay-as-you-go, and has some of the lowest per-minute overage on this list. **Pick it if:** - You want people answering around the clock, with English and Spanish fluency on every plan. - You need the HIPAA, PCI-DSS, HITRUST, and SOC 2 assurances MAP lists on its plans. - Your call volume is high and overage near $1.28 per minute fits your budget. **Watch out for:** - Setup fees and billing increments aren’t listed on its pricing page. - Phone only, with message delivery. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month with no minutes included, then $1.37 per minute ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Pay As You Go ($49), Business ($179 for 125 minutes), Enterprise ($339 for 250), and Premium ($649 for 500) ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Minutes; extra minutes cost $1.37 on Pay As You Go and $1.30 to $1.28 on other plans ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering with a toll-free number and free message delivery ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human service: virtual receptionists answer, with 24/7 coverage on every plan ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: No long-term contracts; setup fees and billing increments are not listed; every plan lists HIPAA compliance plus PCI-DSS, HITRUST, and SOC 2 certification ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [MAP Communications’s public pricing page](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications). ## 3. PATLive **Best for:** Best for people-only answering PATLive says it doesn’t use AI to answer calls, and its US receptionists screen calls, transfer them, and schedule appointments on every plan. **Pick it if:** - You want every call answered by a person: PATLive says it does not use AI to answer calls. - You need calls screened and transferred to your team while the caller waits. - Your volume is low and uneven: pay-as-you-go is $49 a month plus $2.99 a minute. **Watch out for:** - Pay-as-you-go minutes get expensive as call volume grows. - Live chat and outbound calls are sold as separate plans. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Live call answering plans from $49 pay-as-you-go to $6,899 for 5,000 minutes, with separate live chat and outbound call plans ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Minutes receptionists are live on your calls (after-call notes and wrap-up are not charged); extra minutes cost $2.99 down to $1.49 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human only: PATLive does not use AI to answer calls; call screening and transfers on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Prices are plus taxes and fees; outbound calls run 8 am to 6 pm ET on weekdays; texting activation is a one-time $50 fee ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [PATLive’s public pricing page](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive). ## 4. Posh **Best for:** Best for a handful of calls a month Posh’s smallest plan has a low monthly fee with no minutes included, so you pay per minute only when calls come in, and every plan allows unlimited users. **Pick it if:** - You want receptionists who transfer calls to you when your status in the Posh app says you’re free. - You get only a few calls: Chïc is $65 a month, with each minute at $2.30. - You need English and Spanish speaking receptionists. **Watch out for:** - The per-minute rate on small plans adds up quickly. - AI-enabled plans are priced separately. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Seven plans by receptionist minutes, from Chïc ($65, no minutes included) to Exclusive ($1,900 for 1,000 minutes) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes; extra minutes cost $2.30 down to $1.90 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Human service: receptionists transfer calls to you based on the status you set in the app ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling through integrations with your software ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Month-to-month; the free trial lasts seven days or 250 receptionist minutes, whichever comes first ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Posh’s public pricing page](https://www.posh.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh). ## 5. Abby Connect **Best for:** Best for a person on the calls that matter Abby Connect sends personal calls to US-based receptionists and routine ones to its AI at half the minute cost, and lets you change the mix month to month. **Pick it if:** - You want trained US-based receptionists on the calls that need a personal touch, with AI on the rest. - You want to set the human and AI mix by call type and change it month to month. - You need HIPAA compliance options, which Abby offers on human answering. **Watch out for:** - The Starter plan includes 50 Abby Minutes. - Calls only; online messages need another tool. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Starter $165 (50 Abby Minutes), Essential $329 (100), Professional $599 (200), Growth $1,380 (500), and custom Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: US-based receptionists and an AI receptionist; each call goes to a person or the AI based on call type ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Overage is billed at the plan’s Abby Minute rate; HIPAA compliance options are for human answering only ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Abby Connect’s public pricing page](https://www.abby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect). ## 6. Smith.ai **Best for:** Best free starting point Smith.ai lists a free AI Receptionist plan with a small call allowance and human-agent backup, so a small business can try AI answering before committing. **Pick it if:** - You want live receptionists to take over transferred calls: Smith.ai routes them to its North America-based team, day or night. - You want to try AI answering on real calls for free: its Free plan covers 25 calls a month. - You prefer a per-call bill, and your calls run long enough that per-minute pricing would cost more. **Watch out for:** - Past the free calls, each extra call is charged. - SMS and email require the Pro plan. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Pricing model: Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans priced by calls per month ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - What is metered: Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Channels: AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Booking: AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Smith.ai’s public pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist). [Compare InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai). ## 7. Rosie **Best for:** Best for solo tradespeople Rosie’s minute bundles start low and answer every call while you’re on a job, with web texting available as an add-on. **Pick it if:** - You want warm or live call transfers to your team: Rosie lists both from its $149 Scale plan. - Phone is your main channel and you want a $49 entry price for 250 minutes. - You want native iOS and Android apps, which Rosie lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - No overage rate is listed on its pricing page. - Email and WhatsApp aren’t covered. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Booking: Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie). ## 8. Dialzara **Best for:** Best low-cost AI start Dialzara’s first plan is among the lowest monthly prices on this list, with published per-minute overage that falls as plans grow. **Pick it if:** - You get few calls and want a $29 entry price for 60 minutes. - You want published per-minute overage, from $0.48 down to $0.35. - You want AI outbound calling, which Dialzara sells from $750 a month. **Watch out for:** - SMS is an add-on with a per-message fee. - Team seats and a shared inbox aren’t listed. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $29 a month for 60 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Pricing model: Business Lite $29, Pro $99, Plus $199, or Elite $349 a month by included minutes ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - What is metered: Call minutes (60 to 1,000 a month), with overage from $0.48 down to $0.35 per minute; AI texts at $0.05 each ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Channels: Phone calls, an AI SMS agent, and a website chatbot ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Booking: Appointment booking with CRM and calendar integration, including in-chat booking ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Notable limits: With a voice plan, the chatbot is free for 100 sessions a month, then $0.15 each; SMS carrier fees pass through at $0.0083 per segment ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialzara’s public pricing page](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md). [Compare InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best answering service for small business”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Real monthly cost.** The price of a typical month at your call volume, including setup fees, rounding, and overage. - **Coverage hours.** Whether nights, weekends, and holidays are included on the plan, or cost extra. - **Small-team fit.** Seats, apps, and how easily one or two people can follow up on calls. - **Call outcome.** What you get after a call: a transcript, a message, a booked appointment, or a transfer. - **Contract terms.** Month-to-month plans, notice periods, and free trials or money-back guarantees. - **Room to grow.** Whether the same service covers chat, texts, and email when customers move there. ## How to choose an answering service for a small business A small business doesn’t need a call center. It needs every call answered, the right details captured, and a bill that doesn’t jump when the phone gets busy. Use these checks to find the service that fits your volume and budget. ### Start from your missed calls Look at your phone’s missed-call log for a normal month. If most missed calls come after hours, you need overnight coverage; if they come while you’re on a job, you need overflow answering that picks up when you don’t. ### Pick a billing model you can predict Per-minute human plans are cheap at low volume and expensive when calls run long. Per-call plans are the reverse. A flat AI plan with an allowance, like InsertChat’s, stays steady while you grow, as long as you keep an eye on credit use. ### Make every call produce something A message slip isn’t enough. Ask for the caller’s details, the reason for the call, and a booked appointment where possible. InsertChat saves all three to a contact record in your inbox. ### Keep a person where it counts Upset customers, complex quotes, and anything that needs judgment should reach you. Make sure the service flags those calls clearly and quickly. ### Try before you commit Many providers offer a trial, a money-back guarantee, or month-to-month terms. InsertChat’s 7-day free trial with 500 credits lets you forward unanswered calls first and compare the results with your current setup. ## What is the best answering service for a small business? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: for $98 a month, its AI answers every call from your information, books appointments, and keeps calls and messages in one shared inbox. For a person on every call, MAP Communications and PATLive have the lowest entry prices for human answering on this list. ## How much does a small business answering service cost? Human answering services on this list charge a monthly fee plus receptionist minutes, or bundle minutes or calls with overage after that. AI services bill minutes, calls, or credits. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits; each pick above shows its sourced entry price. ## Is an AI answering service good enough for a small business? For the calls most small businesses get, such as hours, prices, availability, service area, and booking, yes. An AI service answers instantly at any hour and never puts a caller on hold. Keep your own team or a human service for calls that need judgment; InsertChat flags those for you. ## Do I need a separate service for website chat and texts? With most answering services, yes: live chat and texting are separate plans or not offered. InsertChat answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with the same AI and knowledge as your calls, in one inbox, on every plan. SMS and WhatsApp can carry connected-service charges. ## Can a small business keep its phone number? In the US and Canada, yes: forward your existing number to InsertChat for every call, missed calls, or after-hours calls. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Porting isn’t offered, so place a test call before routing customers. ## Keep researching - [AI receptionist for small business](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-for-small-business): A practical guide to setting one up. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture): Turn calls and chats into contacts with the details attached. - [Business use cases](https://insertchat.com/industries): How InsertChat works in trades, health, legal, and more. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): Calls answered and booked from your knowledge. - [AI receptionist vs answering service](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service): Cost and coverage compared for small teams. - [Pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Plans and a usage estimate for your volume. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best After-Hours Answering Services in 2026 Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service > The best after-hours answering services of 2026, AI and human, compared on overnight coverage, urgent calls, and price, with sources. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best after-hours answering service in 2026 is InsertChat. It answers only when you’re closed, on your weekly hours and time zone, from your own knowledge, books the next open appointment, and flags urgent calls to your team with a transcript, from $98 a month. For people overnight, AnswerConnect and MAP Communications staff every hour. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service#pick-insertchat): Best after-hours answering overall 2. [AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service#pick-answerconnect): Best for real people all night 3. [MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service#pick-map-communications): Best low-cost 24/7 coverage 4. [PATLive](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service#pick-patlive): Best for screened overnight transfers 5. [Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service#pick-abby-connect): Best for overnight people plus AI 6. [Rosie](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service#pick-rosie): Best budget after-hours AI 7. [Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service#pick-marlie-ai): Best for overnight calls that need a transfer 8. [Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service#pick-goodcall): Best when night calls run long ## Compare the after-hours answering services side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best after-hours answering overall | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. AnswerConnect | Best for real people all night | $350 per month for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee; Growth is $395 for 300 minutes with no setup fee | Phone answering, plus live chat staffed by people on Growth and Standard; notifications by app, SMS, and email | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | 3. MAP Communications | Best low-cost 24/7 coverage | $49 per month with no minutes included, then $1.37 per minute | Phone answering with a toll-free number and free message delivery | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | 4. PATLive | Best for screened overnight transfers | $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes | Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) | | 5. Abby Connect | Best for overnight people plus AI | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | 6. Rosie | Best budget after-hours AI | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | 7. Marlie AI | Best for overnight calls that need a transfer | $49 per month for 250 minutes, with a 14-day free trial | Voice, with SMS and email notifications and reports | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) | | 8. Goodcall | Best when night calls run long | $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number | Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best after-hours answering overall InsertChat’s after-hours mode follows your weekly schedule, time zone, and overnight shifts, so the AI answers only when your team is off. It answers from your knowledge, books into your calendar, and leaves each night’s calls in the shared inbox with transcripts and summaries for the morning. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - Set the hours: weekly schedule, time zone, and overnight shifts, or answer only when nobody picks up within 5 to 60 seconds. - Books the next open slot overnight, so the morning starts with appointments instead of voicemails to return. - Urgent and high-intent calls are flagged and emailed to your team right away, with the safety steps you wrote. - The same assistant answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp after hours too. **Watch out for:** - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. - It doesn’t page an on-call person or run an on-call rotation; urgent calls arrive as alerts to the teammates you choose. - Number porting isn’t offered. In the US and Canada you forward your existing number; elsewhere you answer on an InsertChat local or toll-free number. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. AnswerConnect **Best for:** Best for real people all night AnswerConnect staffs receptionists 24/7 and books appointments with its own scheduling software, for businesses that want a person on every overnight call. **Pick it if:** - You want every caller to reach a person, day or night: AnswerConnect’s guide says it uses no AI agents. - Callers need live transfers, on-call routing, or complex call flows handled by a receptionist. - You want people on your website chat as well, which AnswerConnect includes on Growth and Standard. **Watch out for:** - Every interaction rounds up to a whole minute, and Entry adds a setup fee. - Its guide says it uses no AI agents, so every call is billed at receptionist rates. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $350 per month for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee; Growth is $395 for 300 minutes with no setup fee ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Pricing model: Monthly plans by receptionist minutes: Entry $350 for 200, Growth $395 for 300, Standard $575 for 400, and larger plans up to 100,000 minutes ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes, rounded up and billed in 1-minute increments; the first 30 interactions under 30 seconds each billing cycle are free ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Channels: Phone answering, plus live chat staffed by people on Growth and Standard; notifications by app, SMS, and email ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Human handoff: Human service: the guide says it uses no AI agents; receptionists transfer calls using your call flows ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Booking: Appointments booked into your calendar with its free scheduling software ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Notable limits: Extra minutes cost $2.50 on Entry and $1.85 on Growth and Standard; transcriptions, HIPAA compliance, Spanish answering, and live operator relay are add-ons from $30 to $40 a month ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [AnswerConnect’s published US pricing guide (PDF)](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf). [Compare InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect). ## 3. MAP Communications **Best for:** Best low-cost 24/7 coverage MAP includes 24/7 coverage on every plan, from pay-as-you-go up, with English and Spanish answering. **Pick it if:** - You want people answering around the clock, with English and Spanish fluency on every plan. - You need the HIPAA, PCI-DSS, HITRUST, and SOC 2 assurances MAP lists on its plans. - Your call volume is high and overage near $1.28 per minute fits your budget. **Watch out for:** - Setup fees and billing increments aren’t listed. - Calls only: overnight chats and texts still need another tool. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month with no minutes included, then $1.37 per minute ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Pay As You Go ($49), Business ($179 for 125 minutes), Enterprise ($339 for 250), and Premium ($649 for 500) ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Minutes; extra minutes cost $1.37 on Pay As You Go and $1.30 to $1.28 on other plans ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering with a toll-free number and free message delivery ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human service: virtual receptionists answer, with 24/7 coverage on every plan ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: No long-term contracts; setup fees and billing increments are not listed; every plan lists HIPAA compliance plus PCI-DSS, HITRUST, and SOC 2 certification ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [MAP Communications’s public pricing page](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications). ## 4. PATLive **Best for:** Best for screened overnight transfers PATLive’s receptionists answer around the clock and screen and transfer calls on every plan, so a real emergency can reach your on-call phone. **Pick it if:** - You want every call answered by a person: PATLive says it does not use AI to answer calls. - You need calls screened and transferred to your team while the caller waits. - Your volume is low and uneven: pay-as-you-go is $49 a month plus $2.99 a minute. **Watch out for:** - Its outbound callbacks run only during weekday business hours. - Prices are plus taxes and fees. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month pay-as-you-go at $2.99 per minute; $99 for 50 minutes ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Live call answering plans from $49 pay-as-you-go to $6,899 for 5,000 minutes, with separate live chat and outbound call plans ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Minutes receptionists are live on your calls (after-call notes and wrap-up are not charged); extra minutes cost $2.99 down to $1.49 ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone, live web chat staffed by people, and outbound calls; business texting through its free phone system add-on ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human only: PATLive does not use AI to answer calls; call screening and transfers on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling on every plan ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Prices are plus taxes and fees; outbound calls run 8 am to 6 pm ET on weekdays; texting activation is a one-time $50 fee ([source](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [PATLive’s public pricing page](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs PATLive](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/patlive). ## 5. Abby Connect **Best for:** Best for overnight people plus AI Abby Connect answers at any hour in English and Spanish and lets you send routine overnight calls to its AI at half the minute cost. **Pick it if:** - You want trained US-based receptionists on the calls that need a personal touch, with AI on the rest. - You want to set the human and AI mix by call type and change it month to month. - You need HIPAA compliance options, which Abby offers on human answering. **Watch out for:** - Overage bills at the plan’s Abby Minute rate. - Website chat and messaging aren’t included. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Starter $165 (50 Abby Minutes), Essential $329 (100), Professional $599 (200), Growth $1,380 (500), and custom Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: US-based receptionists and an AI receptionist; each call goes to a person or the AI based on call type ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Overage is billed at the plan’s Abby Minute rate; HIPAA compliance options are for human answering only ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Abby Connect’s public pricing page](https://www.abby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect). ## 6. Rosie **Best for:** Best budget after-hours AI Rosie’s minute bundles make a low-cost overnight safety net for owner-operators who just need every call answered. **Pick it if:** - You want warm or live call transfers to your team: Rosie lists both from its $149 Scale plan. - Phone is your main channel and you want a $49 entry price for 250 minutes. - You want native iOS and Android apps, which Rosie lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - No overage rate is listed. - Web texting is an add-on. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Booking: Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie). ## 7. Marlie AI **Best for:** Best for overnight calls that need a transfer From its Standard plan, Marlie AI transfers calls to a number you choose and syncs with your calendar, so an urgent overnight call can still reach someone. **Pick it if:** - Phone is your only channel and you want a low entry price: $49 for 250 minutes. - You want calls transferred to your team, which Marlie AI includes from Standard at $99. - You handle high call volume and want overage that falls to $0.25 per minute on Premium. **Watch out for:** - Its Basic plan has no call transfer. - Voice only. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month for 250 minutes, with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Basic $49, Standard $99, Pro $199, and Premium $399 per month by included minutes; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Minutes: 250 to 2,000 included, then $0.35 down to $0.25 per minute ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Voice, with SMS and email notifications and reports ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Call transfer to one number on Standard; to multiple people and departments from Pro ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Calendar sync, availability checks, and rescheduling from Standard; cancellations from Pro ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Basic has no call transfer and one action per call; document uploads start at $199 ([source](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Marlie AI’s public pricing page](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Marlie AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/marlie-ai). ## 8. Goodcall **Best for:** Best when night calls run long Goodcall charges by unique customer, not by minute, so a long late-night call costs the same as a short one. **Pick it if:** - The phone is your only channel and you want a dedicated AI phone agent. - Your calls run long or callers ring back often: Goodcall bills each caller once a month and never meters minutes. - You want calls transferred to the people you choose during the call. **Watch out for:** - Phone only. - Priced per agent. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter $79, Growth $129, or Scale $299 a month, priced by unique customers; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Unique customers (100, 500, or 2,000 a month), then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ each; minutes are not metered ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to the people you choose; transfers do not count toward limits ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Plans cap workers (5 to 20), external tools (1 to 15), team members (1 to 10), and call history (30 days to unlimited) ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Goodcall’s public pricing page](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best after hours answering service”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Hours on your schedule.** Whether it covers nights, weekends, and holidays, and whether you can set exactly when it takes over. - **Urgent call path.** How an emergency reaches you overnight: a live transfer, a page, or an immediate alert with the details. - **Overnight booking.** Whether it can book the next open appointment instead of leaving a message for the morning. - **Morning handover.** What your team finds at opening time: transcripts, summaries, messages, or a list of callbacks. - **Night pricing.** Whether overnight calls cost more, and how minutes or calls are counted. - **Night messages.** Whether chats and texts that arrive overnight get answered too. Checked and left out: Davinci Virtual, because its FAQ lists live answering from 8 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday ([source](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq)). ## How to choose an after-hours answering service After-hours calls are a different job from daytime overflow. Fewer of them come in, more of them are urgent, and nobody is around to pick up a transfer. Choose a service for what happens between closing and opening. ### Write your emergency rules first Decide what counts as urgent for your business and who should hear about it. A burst pipe, a lockout, a court date tomorrow, or a sick pet is an emergency; a quote request is not. Give the service those rules word for word. ### Prefer a booking to a message A caller at 10 p.m. who gets an appointment is a customer; one who leaves a message may call a competitor. Choose a service that books into your calendar overnight, with your approval if you want it. ### Match coverage to your real hours Set the service to take over at closing, including lunch breaks, weekends, and holidays. InsertChat follows a weekly schedule and time zone, with overnight shifts, or answers whenever your team doesn’t pick up. ### Check the morning handover Your team should open one place and see every overnight call, with what the caller wanted and what was promised. Transcripts and summaries beat a pile of voicemails. ### Don’t forget chat and texts Customers who can’t get through often text or use your website chat instead. An after-hours service that answers those too keeps the night from turning into a backlog. ## What is an after-hours answering service? An after-hours answering service picks up your business calls when you’re closed: nights, weekends, holidays, and lunch breaks. It answers questions, takes the caller’s details, books appointments, and alerts you to urgent calls. InsertChat does this with AI on your own schedule, from the same knowledge your team uses. ## How much does after-hours answering cost? Human services on this list charge per receptionist minute or call, and some include 24/7 coverage on every plan. AI services bill minutes, calls, or credits. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits; after-hours calls use credits and round up to whole minutes, like daytime calls. ## Can an after-hours service reach me in an emergency? Human services such as PATLive transfer calls to your phone. InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls: it flags urgent calls and emails the teammates you choose right away, with the transcript and the safety steps you wrote, and tells the caller what happens next. ## Can I use AI only after hours and keep my team during the day? Yes. Set InsertChat to answer after hours on your weekly schedule and time zone, or only when nobody picks up within 5 to 60 seconds. Your team keeps answering during the day, and every AI call lands in the same inbox. ## Will the AI book appointments overnight? If you connect a calendar and allow it. InsertChat offers open times from Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar, books automatically or holds the booking for your team’s approval, and sends reminders 72 and 24 hours before. ## Keep researching - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours): How InsertChat takes over when your team is off. - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling): Overnight booking with optional approval and reminders. - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): Emergency calls and overnight bookings for the trades. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): Voices, routing modes, and call records. - [Call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding): Forward only after-hours or unanswered calls. - [Pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): What after-hours calls cost on each plan. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # 9 Best AI Phone Agents in 2026, Compared Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent > The best AI phone agents of 2026, from ready-made receptionists to developer voice platforms, compared on cost and setup, with sources. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI phone agent for a business in 2026 is InsertChat: a ready-made agent you set up from your website and documents, with booking, handoff, and a shared inbox built in, from $98 a month. If you have developers and want to build your own, Vapi and Retell AI are the most flexible platforms. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-insertchat): Best ready-to-run AI phone agent 2. [Vapi](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-vapi): Best for developers who want control 3. [Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-retell-ai): Best for per-second billing 4. [Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-bland-ai): Best all-in per-minute rate 5. [ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-elevenlabs-agents): Best for custom and cloned voices 6. [Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-voiceflow): Best for designing conversation flows 7. [Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-goodcall): Best no-code agent priced per caller 8. [Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-dialpad): Best inside a contact center 9. [Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent#pick-quo-sona): Best for small teams on a business phone app ## Compare the AI phone agents side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best ready-to-run AI phone agent | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Vapi | Best for developers who want control | $0 to start with $5 in free credits; Vapi’s calculator estimates $82–$129 a month for 1,000 minutes | Voice agents over Vapi telephony and SIP, Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, WebSockets, and WebRTC | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) | | 3. Retell AI | Best for per-second billing | $0 to start with $10 in free credits; voice agents from $0.07 per minute | Voice agents and chat agents, with SMS at $0.01 per message | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | | 4. Bland AI | Best all-in per-minute rate | $0.14 per minute with no platform fee; 2 credits and an inbound number to start, no card required | Voice calls on Start and Build; SMS, web chat, and iMessage listed on Enterprise | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) | | 5. ElevenLabs Agents | Best for custom and cloned voices | Free with 15 call minutes; Starter at $6 per month with 75 minutes | Voice calls with telephony included, a website widget, and text messages | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) | | 6. Voiceflow | Best for designing conversation flows | Plan prices are not listed on the pricing page; agencies can start a free trial without a card | Voice and chat agents | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) | | 7. Goodcall | Best no-code agent priced per caller | $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number | Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | 8. Dialpad AI Receptionist | Best inside a contact center | Not published: the pricing page lists no price for AI Agent Credits | Inbound calls; Dialpad AI Agents also cover digital channels | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | | 9. Quo Sona | Best for small teams on a business phone app | 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 | Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best ready-to-run AI phone agent With a developer platform, you assemble the voice stack and the business logic yourself. InsertChat is a working phone agent: add your knowledge, pick one of 10 voices, set when it answers and when it hands off, connect a calendar, and place a test call. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats, with one phone number included. **Why it’s our pick:** - Nothing to code: it answers from your website pages, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information. - Booking, handoff rules, staff alerts, and call transcripts are built in rather than tools you wire up. - Calls draw on one monthly credit allowance instead of separate hosting, model, voice, and carrier bills. - Growth, Scale, and Enterprise add API access when you want to build on top. **Watch out for:** - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. - It answers inbound calls and messages; it doesn’t place AI outbound calls or run call campaigns. - You choose from InsertChat’s 10 voices rather than wiring in any voice provider you like. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Vapi **Best for:** Best for developers who want control Vapi lets developers choose the transcriber, model, and voice for every agent and pay each provider at cost on top of Vapi’s hosting fee, with telephony options from SIP to WebRTC. **Pick it if:** - Your developers want to pick the transcriber, model, and voice for every agent and pay each provider at cost. - You need callers transferred live to a phone number or SIP address, including warm transfers with a summary. - You are building voice AI into your own product and want unlimited agents on usage pricing. **Watch out for:** - You build and maintain the agent yourself, including booking and handoff logic. - Several bills stack up: hosting, model, voice, and carrier fees. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $0 to start with $5 in free credits; Vapi’s calculator estimates $82–$129 a month for 1,000 minutes ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Prepaid usage with no package, or a Success Package: Core at $29 per month, Pro at 10% of hosting fees with a $999 monthly minimum, Premier custom ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Minutes: $0.05 per minute Vapi hosting, plus transcriber, model, and voice at provider cost and carrier fees (Twilio inbound $0.008 per minute) ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Voice agents over Vapi telephony and SIP, Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, WebSockets, and WebRTC ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: A transfer call tool routes live calls to a phone number or SIP address, with warm transfer modes ([source](https://docs.vapi.ai/tools/transfer-call)) - Notable limits: Without a package: 4 concurrent calls and 1 Vapi number; extra lines cost $10 per month; HIPAA is a $2,000 monthly add-on ([source](https://vapi.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Vapi’s public pricing page](https://vapi.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi). ## 3. Retell AI **Best for:** Best for per-second billing Retell AI tracks call time to the second and publishes a per-minute range that depends on the model and voice you choose, with voice and chat agents and a book-appointments feature. **Pick it if:** - Your developers want to choose the model, voice, and telephony for each agent and pay by the second. - You run outbound campaigns and want batch calling or branded caller ID, which Retell lists as add-ons. - You need callers transferred to a person during the call. **Watch out for:** - Billing covers silence and hold time. - Extra concurrency and phone numbers are monthly add-ons. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $0 to start with $10 in free credits; voice agents from $0.07 per minute ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Pay as you go from $0 with $10 in free credits; Enterprise pricing is custom ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Call minutes, tracked to the second: $0.055 voice infrastructure plus model, voice, and $0.015 telephony per minute; chat agents per AI message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) - Channels: Voice agents and chat agents, with SMS at $0.01 per message ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Call transfer to a person; after a transfer, only the telephony fee continues ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) - Booking: Lists a Book Appointments feature that checks availability and books ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: 20 concurrent calls included, then $8 per call per month; billing covers silence and hold time; Retell numbers cost $2 per month ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Retell AI’s public pricing page](https://www.retellai.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai). ## 4. Bland AI **Best for:** Best all-in per-minute rate Bland AI folds the model, transcription, and voices into one per-minute talk-time rate and lets teams design call logic with its Conversational Pathways. **Pick it if:** - You want one per-minute rate that already covers the model, transcription, and voices. - You run high-volume or regulated calling and need Enterprise options such as on-prem or VPC deployment and a forward deployed engineer. - Your team wants to design call logic with Bland’s Conversational Pathways. **Watch out for:** - Its appointment scheduling node, SMS, and web chat are listed on Enterprise. - Daily call caps apply on its Start and Build plans. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $0.14 per minute with no platform fee; 2 credits and an inbound number to start, no card required ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Start: $0 platform fee; Build: $299 per month platform fee; Enterprise: custom contract ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Talk time at $0.14 (Start) or $0.12 (Build) per minute and transfer time at $0.05 or $0.04; LLM, speech-to-text, and voices included; telephony separate ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Voice calls on Start and Build; SMS, web chat, and iMessage listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Transfer time billed per minute; warm and live transfers listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling node listed on Enterprise ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Start caps 100 calls a day and 10 concurrent calls; Build caps 2,000 calls a day and 50 concurrent ([source](https://www.bland.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Bland AI’s public pricing page](https://www.bland.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Bland AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/bland-ai). ## 5. ElevenLabs Agents **Best for:** Best for custom and cloned voices ElevenLabs Agents comes from a voice company: plans include call minutes and a knowledge base, with Professional Voice Clones on its Business plan. **Pick it if:** - Voice comes first: you want ElevenLabs voices, and Professional Voice Clones (10 on the Business plan). - You want to start free with 15 call minutes and create as many agents as you like. - Your developers want to connect a custom LLM and wire up tools and workflows themselves. **Watch out for:** - LLM usage is billed separately from call minutes. - Workspace seats start on its Scale plan. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free with 15 call minutes; Starter at $6 per month with 75 minutes ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) - Pricing model: Free, Starter ($6), Creator ($22), Pro ($99), Scale ($299), and Business ($990) per month with included call minutes; Enterprise custom ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) - What is metered: Call minutes (15 to 12,375 included), then $0.08 per minute; text messages $0.003 each; LLM usage billed separately ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) - Channels: Voice calls with telephony included, a website widget, and text messages ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) - Human handoff: A transfer-to-number tool hands phone calls to a phone number or SIP address ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/docs/eleven-agents/customization/tools/system-tools/transfer-to-number)) - Notable limits: 4 to 40 concurrent calls by plan; burst calls cost $0.16 per minute; workspace seats start on Scale; external carriers bill separately ([source](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [ElevenLabs’ ElevenAgents pricing page](https://elevenlabs.io/pricing/agents). [Compare InsertChat vs ElevenLabs Agents](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/elevenlabs-agents). ## 6. Voiceflow **Best for:** Best for designing conversation flows Voiceflow is built for teams that design voice and chat agents step by step, with agency workspaces and a choice of model providers. **Pick it if:** - Your team designs conversation flows and wants detailed control over every step. - You are an agency building agents for clients and want multi-client workspaces with white-labeling. - You want to choose among major model providers or bring your own model. **Watch out for:** - Business prices aren’t published; you book a demo. - Extra numbers, editor seats, and concurrent calls are paid add-ons. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Plan prices are not listed on the pricing page; agencies can start a free trial without a card ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Agencies: usage-based billing with a free trial; businesses book a demo or request pricing ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Self-serve credits: $0.05 per phone minute and $0.005 per chat message, plus LLM, speech-to-text, and text-to-speech usage ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/account-management/billing/credits-pricing-table)) - Channels: Voice and chat agents ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: A Call forward step sends calls to a live representative, another number, or a SIP address ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/build/steps/call-forward)) - Notable limits: One Voiceflow phone number per workspace; extra numbers, editor seats, and concurrent calls are paid add-ons ([source](https://www.voiceflow.com/docs/documentation/account-management/billing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Voiceflow’s public pricing page](https://www.voiceflow.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Voiceflow](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/voiceflow). ## 7. Goodcall **Best for:** Best no-code agent priced per caller Goodcall is a ready-made voice agent priced by unique customers, which keeps long calls cheap without any building. **Pick it if:** - The phone is your only channel and you want a dedicated AI phone agent. - Your calls run long or callers ring back often: Goodcall bills each caller once a month and never meters minutes. - You want calls transferred to the people you choose during the call. **Watch out for:** - Voice only. - Each agent is priced separately. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter $79, Growth $129, or Scale $299 a month, priced by unique customers; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Unique customers (100, 500, or 2,000 a month), then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ each; minutes are not metered ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to the people you choose; transfers do not count toward limits ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Plans cap workers (5 to 20), external tools (1 to 15), team members (1 to 10), and call history (30 days to unlimited) ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Goodcall’s public pricing page](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall). ## 8. Dialpad AI Receptionist **Best for:** Best inside a contact center Dialpad’s AI receptionist runs on its AI Agents, routes calls by intent with full context, and bills only conversations where the AI looks something up or takes an action. **Pick it if:** - Your company already runs on Dialpad for calling or its contact center and wants AI answering inside it. - You want calls routed to people or departments by intent, with rules by time of day, day of week, department, or person. - You want to pay for AI only when it looks something up or takes an action. **Watch out for:** - No dollar price is published for AI Agent credits. - It makes most sense if your company already runs on Dialpad. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Not published: the pricing page lists no price for AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Conversation-based: you buy a pool of AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Conversations, billable only when the AI retrieves information or takes an action ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Inbound calls; Dialpad AI Agents also cover digital channels ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) - Human handoff: Routes calls to a person by intent, with the full conversation context ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) - Booking: Checks availability and books, reschedules, or confirms times during the call, where set up ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) - Notable limits: Covers straightforward scheduling; involved cases often fall to a broader AI customer service agent ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialpad’s public pricing page](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad). ## 9. Quo Sona **Best for:** Best for small teams on a business phone app Sona, the AI agent in Quo, answers calls, texts callers booking links, and syncs with HubSpot, Salesforce, or Jobber, with a few calls a month included on every Quo plan. **Pick it if:** - Your team already calls and texts from Quo and wants AI answering in the same phone system. - You get few calls: every Quo plan includes 10 Sona calls a month, and calls under 15 seconds don’t count. - You prefer paying per call instead of per minute. **Watch out for:** - Quo’s base plans are priced per user. - More calls are bought in monthly credit tiers. **Key facts:** - Entry price: 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Included with Quo phone plans at $19, $33, or $47 per user per month ($15, $23, or $35 billed annually), with call credits ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Calls: 100 credits per call; 10 calls a month included, then $1.00 down to $0.45 per extra call by credit tier ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers the call to the right teammate when you instruct it to ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Booking: Books appointments and can text the caller a booking link before the call ends ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Notable limits: Credit tiers run from $25 for 40 calls to $199 for 600; call transfers are listed on Business and Scale ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Quo’s public pricing page](https://www.quo.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai phone agent”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Time to first call.** How much you must build before the agent answers a real call: nothing, a flow, or code. - **Full cost per minute.** Platform fees plus model, voice, transcription, and carrier costs, or one all-in rate. - **Business features built in.** Knowledge answers, booking, handoff, alerts, and call records, or tools you have to wire up. - **Telephony.** Numbers included, bring-your-own carrier or SIP, and whether you can keep your existing number. - **Handoff to people.** Live transfer tools, or a flagged conversation with a transcript for your team. - **Beyond voice.** Whether the same agent answers chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp. Checked and left out: Synthflow, because its pricing page lists enterprise plans only, from $30,000 per year ([source](https://synthflow.ai/pricing)). ## How to choose an AI phone agent The phrase covers two different products. Some AI phone agents are finished receptionists you configure; others are developer platforms you build on. Decide which you need before you compare prices, because the lowest per-minute rate rarely includes the work of building. ### Build or buy If you have developers and an unusual call flow, a platform such as Vapi, Retell AI, or Bland AI gives you control over every step. If you need the phone answered next week, a ready-made agent such as InsertChat or Goodcall gets you there without code. ### Add up the whole stack Platform rates often exclude the model, voice, transcription, and carrier. Price a thousand minutes with all of them, then compare that with an all-in plan. Vapi publishes a calculator that shows how the parts add up. ### Check what happens after the call An agent that answers well but leaves no record makes work for your team. Look for transcripts, summaries, contact capture, and one place your team can follow up. ### Test interruptions, not just the voice Call the agent and interrupt it, change your mind mid-sentence, and ask something off-script. Natural turn-taking matters as much as how the voice sounds. ### Plan the handoff Decide whether you need live transfer. Developer platforms provide transfer tools you configure; InsertChat rings your team first and flags the calls that need a person instead. ## What is an AI phone agent? An AI phone agent is software that answers or makes phone calls with a natural-sounding AI voice. Business-ready agents answer from your information, book appointments, and hand calls to your team; developer platforms provide the voice, model, and telephony building blocks to create your own. InsertChat is a business-ready agent for inbound calls and messages. ## What is the cheapest AI phone agent? Per-minute platform rates look cheapest, but they often exclude models, voices, or telephony, and you pay to build. Compare the full monthly cost at your volume. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits and a phone number included. ## Do I need a developer to use an AI phone agent? Not for a ready-made agent: InsertChat and Goodcall are set up in the app. Vapi, Retell AI, Bland AI, and Voiceflow are built for teams that design agents, flows, or tools themselves. ## Can an AI phone agent make outbound calls? Some platforms support outbound calling: Retell AI lists batch calling as an add-on, and Bland lists outbound sales among its solutions. InsertChat answers inbound calls and messages only and doesn’t place AI outbound calls. ## Can an AI phone agent book appointments? Yes, if it connects to your calendar. InsertChat books, reschedules, and cancels in Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar. On developer platforms, booking is usually a tool you configure; Bland lists its scheduling node on Enterprise. ## Keep researching - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): The ready-made phone agent behind this list’s top pick. - [InsertChat vs Vapi](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/vapi): A finished agent compared with a developer voice platform. - [InsertChat vs Retell AI](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/retell-ai): Monthly credits compared with per-minute agent pricing. - [Developers](https://insertchat.com/developers): Embeds and API access for building on InsertChat. - [Best AI agents for small business](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business): AI agents beyond the phone, from support to workflow automation. - [What is an AI receptionist?](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist): How AI phone answering works, and what it costs. - [Pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Plans, credits, and a usage estimate. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best AI Receptionist for Home Services (2026) Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services > The best AI receptionists for plumbers, HVAC, electricians, and other home services in 2026, compared on emergencies, booking, and price. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI receptionist for home services in 2026 is InsertChat. It answers every call while you’re on a job, sorts emergencies from routine work, collects the address and job details, books into your calendar, and confirms the callback by text or email, from $98 a month. Jobber Receptionist suits shops already running on Jobber. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-insertchat): Best AI receptionist for home services 2. [Jobber Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-jobber-receptionist): Best if you already run on Jobber 3. [Sameday AI](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-sameday): Best for larger shops on ServiceTitan 4. [OnCrew](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-oncrew): Best per-call pricing for contractors 5. [Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-sophiie): Best for quotes and invoices in one assistant 6. [Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-goodcall): Best for long service calls 7. [Rosie](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-rosie): Best for solo tradespeople 8. [Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-newo-ai): Best for Housecall Pro and ServiceM8 users 9. [CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services#pick-callrail): Best for contractors who track ad calls ## Compare the AI receptionists for home services side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best AI receptionist for home services | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Jobber Receptionist | Best if you already run on Jobber | $29 a month on top of a Jobber plan; Jobber Core starts at $29 a month billed annually, or $49 a month with no commitment | Calls and texts, around the clock, switched on separately | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.getjobber.com/pricing/)) | | 3. Sameday AI | Best for larger shops on ServiceTitan | $449 a month (Launch) with 500 minutes | Phone calls | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://sameday.ai/pricing)) | | 4. OnCrew | Best per-call pricing for contractors | $49 a month for 100 calls, with a 14-day free trial and no credit card | Phone calls answered 24/7, with job summaries and alerts sent to your team by text and email | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://oncrew.ai/pricing)) | | 5. Sophiie | Best for quotes and invoices in one assistant | Not published | Calls, 24/7 web chat, and an email responder | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) | | 6. Goodcall | Best for long service calls | $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number | Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) | | 7. Rosie | Best for solo tradespeople | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | | 8. Newo.ai | Best for Housecall Pro and ServiceM8 users | $0 to start with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; AI Receptionist $299 for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit | Inbound voice, web chat, and social messaging on every plan; outbound voice on request | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | | 9. CallRail Voice Assist | Best for contractors who track ad calls | $95 per month plus Lead Tracking from $55, with a 14-day free trial and no credit card | Phone calls | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best AI receptionist for home services Home service calls come in while your hands are full. InsertChat answers them from your services, service area, and prices, asks the intake questions you set, books the visit into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar, and flags burst pipes and no-heat calls to your team right away. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - Rings your crew first for 5 to 60 seconds, then the AI answers, so no call goes to voicemail on a busy day. - Collects the address, job type, urgency, and best callback time, and saves the caller as a contact with the full transcript. - Answers website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, so every lead lands in one inbox. - Pro includes three assistants, so separate trades or locations can each have their own hours and knowledge. **Watch out for:** - It doesn’t create quotes, invoices, or jobs, and it doesn’t connect to field service software; the job details land in your inbox instead. - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. - Number porting isn’t offered. In the US and Canada you forward your existing number; elsewhere you answer on an InsertChat local or toll-free number. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Jobber Receptionist **Best for:** Best if you already run on Jobber Jobber Receptionist answers calls and texts from the services and booking settings already in your Jobber account, and books visits into your Jobber schedule. **Pick it if:** - You already run your business on Jobber and want the AI answering from your Jobber services and booking into your Jobber schedule. - You want urgent calls such as a burst pipe transferred to you, or texted to you, by keyword. - You want a low add-on price and the option to pause at your conversation limit instead of paying overage. **Watch out for:** - It’s an add-on to a Jobber plan, with a small conversation allowance before overage outside the Plus plan. - Website chat, email, and WhatsApp aren’t part of it. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $29 a month on top of a Jobber plan; Jobber Core starts at $29 a month billed annually, or $49 a month with no commitment ([source](https://www.getjobber.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: A $29 monthly add-on to a Jobber plan, included on the Plus plan; Jobber plans are priced per plan and user tier ([source](https://www.getjobber.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Conversations: 30 included, then $0.79 each; texts within 24 hours count as one conversation, and spam calls don’t count ([source](https://help.getjobber.com/en/articles/receptionistpowered-by-jobber-ai/)) - Channels: Calls and texts, around the clock, switched on separately ([source](https://www.getjobber.com/features/ai-receptionist/)) - Human handoff: Urgent keywords you choose, such as a burst pipe, transfer the call to you or send you a text alert ([source](https://www.getjobber.com/features/ai-receptionist/)) - Booking: Books jobs with your Jobber online booking settings, and lets clients reschedule or cancel when you enable it ([source](https://help.getjobber.com/en/articles/receptionistpowered-by-jobber-ai/)) - Notable limits: You can pause Receptionist at the 30-conversation limit instead of paying overage; usage is unlimited on the Plus plan ([source](https://help.getjobber.com/en/articles/receptionistpowered-by-jobber-ai/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Jobber’s public pricing page and Receptionist help article](https://www.getjobber.com/pricing/). ## 3. Sameday AI **Best for:** Best for larger shops on ServiceTitan Sameday AI books calls into ServiceTitan and other field service software and routes handoffs by job value or time of day, for multi-truck operations. **Pick it if:** - You run a larger trade business on ServiceTitan and want calls booked straight into it. - You want unlimited users and several locations on the entry plan. - You want handoff rules based on job value or time of day. **Watch out for:** - Its entry plan costs several times more than most picks here. - The overage rate isn’t published. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $449 a month (Launch) with 500 minutes ([source](https://sameday.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Launch from $449 and Scale from $789 a month; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://sameday.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Minutes: Launch starts with 500 and Scale with 1,000; the overage rate is not published ([source](https://sameday.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls ([source](https://sameday.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Hands callers to a person by intent, keyword, job value, or time of day, with a summary already gathered ([source](https://sameday.ai/features/ai-csrs)) - Booking: Schedules into field service software; its integrations page lists ServiceTitan, Jobber, Service Fusion, and FieldRoutes ([source](https://sameday.ai/integrations)) - Notable limits: Launch covers 3 locations with unlimited users; multilingual voices and API access are listed on Enterprise ([source](https://sameday.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Sameday AI’s public pricing page](https://sameday.ai/pricing). ## 4. OnCrew **Best for:** Best per-call pricing for contractors OnCrew charges per call with no per-minute meter, announces the caller before a live transfer, and sends job summaries and alerts to your crew by text and email. **Pick it if:** - You want per-call pricing with no per-minute meter, so a long emergency call costs the same as a short one. - You want live transfers that announce the caller before connecting you. - You want a low entry price and a 14-day trial without a credit card. **Watch out for:** - It captures appointment requests rather than booking them. - It answers in English and Spanish only. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 a month for 100 calls, with a 14-day free trial and no credit card ([source](https://oncrew.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter $49, Pro $149, and Multi-Truck $349 a month, month to month with no setup fee; annual pricing on request ([source](https://oncrew.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Calls: 100, 400, or 1,000 included, then $0.99 per call with no per-minute billing; alert texts beyond the allowance cost $0.05 each ([source](https://oncrew.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls answered 24/7, with job summaries and alerts sent to your team by text and email ([source](https://oncrew.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Live transfers that announce the caller before connecting ([source](https://oncrew.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Captures appointment requests ([source](https://oncrew.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Starter includes one AI phone number, alerts to you and 3 people, and 4 live transfer destinations; English and Spanish only ([source](https://oncrew.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [OnCrew’s public pricing page](https://oncrew.ai/pricing). ## 5. Sophiie **Best for:** Best for quotes and invoices in one assistant Sophiie is an AI receptionist and office manager for trade businesses that books jobs on the call and lists integrations such as ServiceM8 and simPRO. **Pick it if:** - You run a trade business and want quotes, invoices, and job management from the same product. - You use ServiceM8, simPRO, Xero, or QuickBooks and want those connections. - You want callers transferred to the right person during the call. **Watch out for:** - Plan prices aren’t published; pricing comes on a demo call. - SMS and WhatsApp aren’t among its listed channels. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Not published ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) - Pricing model: Plan prices are not published; pricing is provided on a demo call ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) - What is metered: Not published ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) - Channels: Calls, 24/7 web chat, and an email responder ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/solutions)) - Human handoff: Call transfers, so callers reach the right person ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/solutions)) - Booking: Checks calendars and confirms jobs on the call; connects to ServiceM8, simPRO, Google Calendar, and Outlook ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) - Notable limits: Pricing requires booking a demo; no self-serve price list ([source](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Sophiie’s published AI reference](https://www.sophiie.ai/llms.txt). [Compare InsertChat vs Sophiie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sophiie). ## 6. Goodcall **Best for:** Best for long service calls Goodcall bills unique customers instead of minutes, so a homeowner who calls three times about the same job, or talks through a long problem, counts once. **Pick it if:** - The phone is your only channel and you want a dedicated AI phone agent. - Your calls run long or callers ring back often: Goodcall bills each caller once a month and never meters minutes. - You want calls transferred to the people you choose during the call. **Watch out for:** - Voice only. - Each agent is priced separately, which adds up across locations. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $79 a month for 100 unique customers, with a free demo agent before you connect a number ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter $79, Growth $129, or Scale $299 a month, priced by unique customers; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Unique customers (100, 500, or 2,000 a month), then 79¢, 26¢, or 15¢ each; minutes are not metered ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, answered by an AI phone agent ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to the people you choose; transfers do not count toward limits ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Plans cap workers (5 to 20), external tools (1 to 15), team members (1 to 10), and call history (30 days to unlimited) ([source](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Goodcall’s public pricing page](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall). ## 7. Rosie **Best for:** Best for solo tradespeople Rosie answers calls while you’re up a ladder, with low-cost minute bundles and web texting available as an add-on. **Pick it if:** - You want warm or live call transfers to your team: Rosie lists both from its $149 Scale plan. - Phone is your main channel and you want a $49 entry price for 250 minutes. - You want native iOS and Android apps, which Rosie lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - No overage rate is listed. - Email and WhatsApp aren’t covered. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Booking: Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie). ## 8. Newo.ai **Best for:** Best for Housecall Pro and ServiceM8 users Newo.ai builds its agent from your website and works in tools such as Housecall Pro and ServiceM8, with pay-as-you-go pricing for seasonal call volume. **Pick it if:** - You want to start without a monthly fee: Pay As You Go includes 50 free units once, then $1.75 per unit. - Most of your calls are short: one unit covers a call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, and spam and immediate hang-ups cost nothing. - You want social messaging handled by the same agent, which Newo lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - Each plan covers one agent at one location. - Longer calls bill in 3-minute increments. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $0 to start with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; AI Receptionist $299 for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Pay As You Go from $0, AI Receptionist at $299 per month, and custom Enterprise ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Units shared by voice and text: 1 unit per call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, longer calls in 3-minute increments, 0.5 units per 15 agent messages ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Inbound voice, web chat, and social messaging on every plan; outbound voice on request ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Books and updates records in connected tools such as Calendly, Square, Housecall Pro, ServiceM8, Open Dental, and Dentrix ([source](https://newo.ai/)) - Notable limits: One agent at one location per plan; unused units don’t roll over; white label is Enterprise-only ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Newo.ai’s public pricing page](https://newo.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai). ## 9. CallRail Voice Assist **Best for:** Best for contractors who track ad calls CallRail Voice Assist answers, qualifies, and books calls inside CallRail’s call-tracking platform, so the calls your ads drive are answered in the account that tracks them. **Pick it if:** - You already use CallRail to see which ads, keywords, and campaigns drive your calls, and want AI answering in the same account. - You want hands-on setup help from CallRail’s AI Expert Team. - You prefer paying per call, with calls of 15 seconds or less left out of the count. **Watch out for:** - It’s priced on top of a Lead Tracking plan. - Phone calls only. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $95 per month plus Lead Tracking from $55, with a 14-day free trial and no credit card ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Voice Assist from $95 per month, plus Lead Tracking from an additional $55 ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Voice Assist calls over 15 seconds, with $1 per call after 50 (55 in one footnote) ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls ([source](https://www.callrail.com/voice-assist)) - Booking: Answers calls, qualifies leads, and books appointments ([source](https://www.callrail.com/voice-assist)) - Notable limits: Priced on top of Lead Tracking; call transfer and knowledge sources are not listed for Voice Assist ([source](https://www.callrail.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [CallRail’s public pricing page](https://www.callrail.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs CallRail Voice Assist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/callrail). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai receptionist for home services”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Emergency triage.** Whether it separates burst pipes, gas smells, and no-heat calls from routine work, and how fast your team hears about them. - **Job intake.** Address, job type, urgency, equipment, and callback time captured on every call. - **Service area.** Whether it checks the caller’s location against the area you serve. - **Booking.** Into a calendar, or straight into field service software such as Jobber or ServiceTitan. - **Busy-season cost.** What a heat wave or a freeze week costs on per-minute, per-call, and flat pricing. - **Texts and chats.** Whether texts and website chats reach the same place as calls. ## How to choose an AI receptionist for a home service business A home service business lives on the calls it answers between jobs. Choose an AI receptionist for the calls that matter most: emergencies that need a truck tonight, new customers ready to book, and the routine questions that eat your day. ### Write your emergency list Name the calls that need a tech now: burst pipes, gas smells, no heat in a freeze, sewage backups, lockouts. Give the receptionist that list and the safety steps you want read out, and decide who gets the alert. ### Set your service area and prices Add the towns or zip codes you cover, your trip or diagnostic fee, and the jobs you don’t take. A good receptionist turns away out-of-area calls politely instead of booking a wasted drive. ### Decide where bookings land If you run Jobber or ServiceTitan, native booking saves re-entry; Jobber Receptionist and Sameday AI offer it. If you schedule from Google Calendar or Outlook, InsertChat books there with the job details attached. ### Price your busiest week Calls spike in a heat wave or a freeze. Price that week on per-minute, per-call, and flat plans before you choose, and check what happens when you hit a limit. ### Keep the crew in the loop Decide who hears about new leads and emergencies, and how. InsertChat notifies the teammates you choose, immediately or as a daily summary, and marks anything that needs a person in the shared inbox. ## What is the best AI receptionist for home services? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: it answers every call while you’re on a job, sorts emergencies from routine work, collects the job details, and books into your calendar, from $98 a month. If your shop runs on Jobber, Jobber Receptionist books straight into it; larger ServiceTitan shops can look at Sameday AI. ## Can an AI receptionist handle emergency calls for plumbers or HVAC? It can recognize them from the words you list, read the safety steps you provide, and alert your team at once. InsertChat flags emergencies and emails the teammates you choose with the transcript. It doesn’t transfer live calls, so keep an on-call phone for the truck that goes out tonight. ## Does InsertChat book jobs into Jobber, ServiceTitan, or Housecall Pro? No. InsertChat books into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar and saves the job details to the customer’s contact and transcript in your inbox. It doesn’t create quotes, invoices, or jobs. If native booking into field service software matters most, Jobber Receptionist, Sameday AI, and Newo.ai list those connections. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost for a contractor? It depends on how the vendor bills: per conversation (Jobber Receptionist), per call (OnCrew), per unique caller (Goodcall), by minutes (Rosie, Sameday AI), or by credits (InsertChat). InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits; each pick above shows its sourced entry price. ## Can I keep my business number? In the US and Canada, yes: forward your existing number to InsertChat for every call, only missed calls, or after hours. You can start with missed calls only, so the AI answers when your crew can’t. Porting isn’t offered. ## Keep researching - [Home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services): How InsertChat answers for every trade. - [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing): Emergency triage and booking for plumbers. - [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac): No-heat and no-cooling calls handled day and night. - [Electricians](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician): Job intake and safety steps for electrical calls. - [After-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours): Answer only when the crew is off or busy. - [Keep your number](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding): Forward missed or after-hours calls to InsertChat. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best AI Receptionist for Law Firms in 2026 Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms > The best AI receptionists and legal answering services for law firms in 2026, compared on intake, transfers, practice software, and price. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI receptionist for a law firm in 2026 is InsertChat. It answers prospective clients from your practice areas and fees, asks your intake questions, records names for your conflict check, books consultations, and holds every legal question for an attorney, from $98 a month. LEX Reception and Ruby lead for live human receptionists. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-insertchat): Best AI receptionist for law firms 2. [LEX Reception](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-lex-reception): Best human receptionists built for law firms 3. [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-ruby): Best for people on calls and website chat 4. [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-smith-ai): Best AI with human backup for intake 5. [LegalClerk.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-legalclerk-ai): Best flat-priced AI legal intake 6. [Lexidesk](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-lexidesk): Best done-for-you multichannel intake 7. [Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-abby-connect): Best mix of people and AI for small firms 8. [Posh](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-posh): Best for solo attorneys with few calls 9. [Nexa](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms#pick-nexa): Best for client intake at volume ## Compare the AI receptionists for law firms side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best AI receptionist for law firms | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. LEX Reception | Best human receptionists built for law firms | Not published: the plans page asks for your details or a phone call | Phone answered 24/7 by live receptionists, live chat for website visitors, and a mobile app to follow calls | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.lexreception.com/register)) | | 3. Ruby | Best for people on calls and website chat | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | 4. Smith.ai | Best AI with human backup for intake | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | 5. LegalClerk.ai | Best flat-priced AI legal intake | $400 per seat a month with no setup fee, and a 7-day free trial | Phone: 24/7 call answering, intake, overflow, and after-hours calls | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://legalclerk.ai/pricing)) | | 6. Lexidesk | Best done-for-you multichannel intake | Not published | Phone, website chat, forms, and ads, with SMS and email follow-up and outbound calling | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing)) | | 7. Abby Connect | Best mix of people and AI for small firms | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | 8. Posh | Best for solo attorneys with few calls | $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) | Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) | | 9. Nexa | Best for client intake at volume | Not listed; plan buttons lead to a contact form | Phone, with a local and toll-free number; live chat is a separate service | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best AI receptionist for law firms A missed call to a law firm is often a client who calls the next firm. InsertChat answers every call and chat with your practice areas, consultation fee, and office hours, runs your intake questions, and books the consultation, while anything that sounds like a request for legal advice waits for an attorney. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - Intake questions for each practice area, with the other parties’ names recorded for your own conflict check. - Court dates within days, arrests, and requests for legal advice are flagged to your team right away, with the intake attached. - Answers prospective clients on website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp as well as the phone, in one inbox. - Follows each caller’s language, with 58 business languages, for firms with Spanish-speaking or multilingual clients. **Watch out for:** - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. - It doesn’t connect to Clio, MyCase, or other practice management software; intake lands as a contact and transcript, and the CRMs it connects are HubSpot, Zoho, and Microsoft Dynamics 365. - It doesn’t run conflict checks; it collects the names your team checks. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. LEX Reception **Best for:** Best human receptionists built for law firms LEX Reception answers only for law firms, with live receptionists around the clock, free transfers to the attorneys in your call flow, and consultations booked into your calendar. **Pick it if:** - You want a person, not AI, on every intake call: LEX says it does not use AI to answer phones. - You want calls transferred to named attorneys or staff, which LEX does at no extra cost. - You want live receptionists around the clock plus live chat for website visitors. **Watch out for:** - Plan prices aren’t published; you request them. - Calls are billed by the minute, rounded up. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Not published: the plans page asks for your details or a phone call ([source](https://www.lexreception.com/register)) - Pricing model: Monthly plans by receptionist minutes, with overage charged per minute ([source](https://www.lexreception.com/faqs)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes from pickup to hang-up, rounded up to the next minute; 30 calls under 30 seconds are free each month ([source](https://www.lexreception.com/faqs)) - Channels: Phone answered 24/7 by live receptionists, live chat for website visitors, and a mobile app to follow calls ([source](https://www.lexreception.com/faqs)) - Human handoff: People only: its FAQ says it does not use AI to answer phones; transfers to the team members in your call flow at no extra cost ([source](https://www.lexreception.com/faqs)) - Booking: Books consultations into your calendar ([source](https://www.lexreception.com/faqs)) - Notable limits: Email alerts at 80% and 100% of plan minutes; changing plans costs nothing ([source](https://www.lexreception.com/faqs)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [LEX Reception’s plans page and FAQ](https://www.lexreception.com/register). ## 3. Ruby **Best for:** Best for people on calls and website chat Ruby’s receptionists answer calls and live chats in your firm’s name, priced in minute and chat bundles, for firms that want a person on every first impression. **Pick it if:** - You want people, not AI, answering your calls and website chats. - Your call volume fits a bundle of minutes, from 50 to 500 on Ruby’s listed plans. - You want a human service with optional AI enhancements, which Ruby lists at no extra cost. **Watch out for:** - Minute bundles get expensive when intake calls run long. - Texts and email aren’t part of the plans. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Receptionist plans by included minutes, and separate live chat plans by included chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human service: people answer calls and chats; optional AI enhancements are free ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Booking: Scheduling is listed among the receptionist plan features ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Listed receptionist plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes, and chat plans to $520 for 50 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Ruby’s public pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby). ## 4. Smith.ai **Best for:** Best AI with human backup for intake Smith.ai lists human-agent backup behind its AI Receptionist, which suits firms that want a person available when an intake call gets complicated. **Pick it if:** - You want live receptionists to take over transferred calls: Smith.ai routes them to its North America-based team, day or night. - You want to try AI answering on real calls for free: its Free plan covers 25 calls a month. - You prefer a per-call bill, and your calls run long enough that per-minute pricing would cost more. **Watch out for:** - Calls past the included allowance are charged per call. - SMS and email start on Pro. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Pricing model: Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans priced by calls per month ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - What is metered: Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Channels: AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Booking: AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Smith.ai’s public pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist). [Compare InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai). ## 5. LegalClerk.ai **Best for:** Best flat-priced AI legal intake LegalClerk.ai is an AI receptionist built for legal intake, with practice-area qualification, unlimited calls per seat, and leads synced to Clio or Lawmatics. **Pick it if:** - You want a flat, published price with unlimited calls for a busy intake line. - You want intake flows built for legal practice areas, with each lead qualified before it reaches you. - You want leads, appointments, and intake summaries synced to Clio or Lawmatics. **Watch out for:** - Priced per seat, which adds up for larger intake teams. - Multilingual intake and live-agent escalation are listed on its custom Enterprise plan. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $400 per seat a month with no setup fee, and a 7-day free trial ([source](https://legalclerk.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Per seat per month on its Unlimited Calls plan; Enterprise is custom, with volume discounts ([source](https://legalclerk.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Seats; calls are unlimited ([source](https://legalclerk.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Phone: 24/7 call answering, intake, overflow, and after-hours calls ([source](https://legalclerk.ai/)) - Human handoff: Warm-transfers priority calls, screens calls, takes messages, or escalates urgent ones ([source](https://legalclerk.ai/)) - Booking: Schedules appointments and syncs leads and intake summaries with Clio, Lawmatics, Google Calendar, and Calendly ([source](https://legalclerk.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Multilingual intake, multi-location management, custom scripts, and live-agent escalation are listed on the custom-priced Enterprise plan ([source](https://legalclerk.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [LegalClerk.ai’s public pricing page](https://legalclerk.ai/pricing). ## 6. Lexidesk **Best for:** Best done-for-you multichannel intake Lexidesk builds a legal intake agent for you that covers phone, website chat, and forms, with live warm transfer and paid-consultation booking. **Pick it if:** - You want one intake flow across phone, website chat, and forms, with text and email follow-up until the lead books. - You want live warm transfer to your attorneys on every plan. - You’d rather have the agent built for you than set it up yourself. **Watch out for:** - Prices aren’t published; a fit call sets your fee. - The price depends on your volume, channels, and integrations. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Not published ([source](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: One flat monthly fee that scales with call and chat volume, set on a fit assessment call ([source](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Monthly call and chat volume; spam and duplicate contacts are not counted ([source](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Phone, website chat, forms, and ads, with SMS and email follow-up and outbound calling ([source](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Live warm transfer on every plan ([source](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Books consultations, including paid ones, on your calendar, with retainer signing ([source](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Month to month with no long-term contract; the price depends on volume, channels, and integrations ([source](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Lexidesk’s public pricing page](https://lexidesk.ai/pricing). ## 7. Abby Connect **Best for:** Best mix of people and AI for small firms Abby Connect lets a small firm send intake calls to US-based receptionists and routine calls to its AI at half the minute cost. **Pick it if:** - You want trained US-based receptionists on the calls that need a personal touch, with AI on the rest. - You want to set the human and AI mix by call type and change it month to month. - You need HIPAA compliance options, which Abby offers on human answering. **Watch out for:** - The Starter plan includes 50 Abby Minutes. - Calls only; website chat needs another tool. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Starter $165 (50 Abby Minutes), Essential $329 (100), Professional $599 (200), Growth $1,380 (500), and custom Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: US-based receptionists and an AI receptionist; each call goes to a person or the AI based on call type ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Overage is billed at the plan’s Abby Minute rate; HIPAA compliance options are for human answering only ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Abby Connect’s public pricing page](https://www.abby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect). ## 8. Posh **Best for:** Best for solo attorneys with few calls Posh’s receptionists transfer calls to you when your app status says you’re free, and its smallest plan charges only for the minutes you use. **Pick it if:** - You want receptionists who transfer calls to you when your status in the Posh app says you’re free. - You get only a few calls: Chïc is $65 a month, with each minute at $2.30. - You need English and Spanish speaking receptionists. **Watch out for:** - Per-minute rates are highest on the small plans. - AI-enabled plans are priced separately. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $65 per month plus $2.30 per minute (Chïc); $130 for 50 minutes (Vogue) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Seven plans by receptionist minutes, from Chïc ($65, no minutes included) to Exclusive ($1,900 for 1,000 minutes) ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes; extra minutes cost $2.30 down to $1.90 ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone answering; calls and texts from your business number in the Posh app; messages by email or text ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Human service: receptionists transfer calls to you based on the status you set in the app ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling through integrations with your software ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Month-to-month; the free trial lasts seven days or 250 receptionist minutes, whichever comes first ([source](https://www.posh.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Posh’s public pricing page](https://www.posh.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Posh](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/posh). ## 9. Nexa **Best for:** Best for client intake at volume Nexa’s live virtual receptionists answer around the clock, with client intake listed on its larger plans for firms that take many new-matter calls. **Pick it if:** - You want live virtual receptionists answering around the clock, every day of the year. - You need client or patient intake and inbound or outbound sales calls, listed on Nexa 300 and 500. - You prefer a plan quoted by a sales team over self-serve signup. **Watch out for:** - Prices aren’t published. - Work time includes after-call follow-up as well as talk time. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Not listed; plan buttons lead to a contact form ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Nexa 100, Nexa 300, and Nexa 500 plans by voice minutes; prices are not listed ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Receptionist work time: talk time plus after-call follow-up, email, scheduling, dispatching, and other time on your behalf; extra minutes bill at your base rate ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone, with a local and toll-free number; live chat is a separate service ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Human service: live virtual receptionists answer 24 hours a day, every day ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Booking: Appointment scheduling on every plan ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: A setup fee covers programming, onboarding, and training (amount not listed); CRM integration is listed on Nexa 500 only ([source](https://www.nexa.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Nexa’s public pricing page](https://www.nexa.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Nexa](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nexa). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai receptionist for law firms”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Intake by practice area.** Whether it asks different questions for family, injury, criminal, or estate matters, and captures what your team needs to call back. - **Conflict details.** Whether it records the other parties’ names so your team can run a conflict check before the consultation. - **No legal advice.** How it holds legal questions for an attorney instead of answering them. - **Urgent matters.** How arrests, court dates, and emergencies reach an attorney: a transfer or an immediate alert. - **Consultation booking.** Whether it books consultations, and into which calendar or practice software. - **Cost of intake.** What a month of intake calls costs per minute, per call, per seat, or on a flat plan. ## How to choose an AI receptionist for a law firm For a law firm, the receptionist is the first voice a prospective client hears. Choose one that takes a clean intake, never gives legal advice, and gets urgent matters to an attorney fast. ### Write intake questions for each practice area List what you need before a consultation for each matter type: dates, court and county, opposing parties, injuries, deadlines. The receptionist should ask those questions and nothing it can’t act on. ### Collect conflict names on every call Have it record the full names of spouses, opposing parties, and companies involved, so your team can run a conflict check before anyone shares confidential details. InsertChat records them; your practice software runs the check. ### Draw the line on legal advice Tell the receptionist to share fees, hours, and process, and to hold every question about rights, strategy, or outcomes for an attorney. Test it by asking, “Do I have a case?” ### Plan the urgent path Arrests, court dates within days, and protective orders can’t wait for the morning. Decide whether you need a live transfer, which LEX Reception, LegalClerk.ai, and Lexidesk list, or an immediate alert, which InsertChat sends. ### Check where intake lands If you run Clio or Lawmatics, a receptionist that syncs intake there saves re-entry; LegalClerk.ai lists both. InsertChat keeps intake as a contact and transcript in its inbox and books consultations into your calendar. ## What is the best AI receptionist for a law firm? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: it answers calls and chats from your practice areas and fees, runs your intake questions, records conflict names, books consultations, and holds legal questions for an attorney, from $98 a month. For live human receptionists, LEX Reception and Ruby are the strongest options on this list. ## Can an AI receptionist give legal advice? It shouldn’t, and a well-configured one won’t. InsertChat shares only what you add, such as practice areas, fees, and office hours, and holds every question about rights, strategy, or outcomes for an attorney, with the caller’s intake attached. ## Can an AI receptionist run a conflict check? Not by itself. It can collect the names of everyone involved so your team runs the check in your own system before the consultation. InsertChat records those names on the contact and in the transcript. ## Does InsertChat integrate with Clio or MyCase? No. InsertChat books consultations into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar and connects HubSpot, Zoho, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 as CRMs. Intake stays on the contact and transcript in your inbox. LegalClerk.ai lists Clio and Lawmatics sync if that matters most. ## What happens to urgent legal calls after hours? InsertChat flags court dates within days, arrests, and emergencies to the teammates you choose right away, with the intake and transcript, and tells a caller in danger to call 911 when you add that instruction. It doesn’t transfer live calls, so keep an attorney on call for true emergencies. ## Keep researching - [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal): Intake, conflict names, and consultations with InsertChat. - [Professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services): Accounting, insurance, and legal front desks. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture): Every prospective client saved as a contact with details. - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual): Intake in your clients’ languages. - [InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai): A head-to-head with the AI and human receptionist service. - [InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby): AI intake compared with human receptionists. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best AI Receptionist for Medical Practices 2026 Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices > The best AI receptionists and answering services for medical and dental practices in 2026, compared on BAAs, EHR booking, and price. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI receptionist for a medical practice in 2026 is InsertChat. It answers patient calls and messages about hours, locations, accepted insurance, and new-patient steps, books appointments, and routes clinical questions to your staff. Practices that handle protected health information use Enterprise, from $998 a month, with a signed BAA. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-insertchat): Best AI receptionist for medical practices 2. [Weave](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-weave): Best for dental practices 3. [DeepCura](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-deepcura): Best for EHR-connected clinics 4. [Freed Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-freed-front-desk): Best for overflow and after-hours patient calls 5. [MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-map-communications): Best for 24/7 human answering with HIPAA listed 6. [Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-abby-connect): Best people-and-AI mix for practices 7. [AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-answerconnect): Best for 24/7 people with a HIPAA add-on 8. [Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-upfirst): Best low-volume AI with a BAA option 9. [Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices#pick-newo-ai): Best for Open Dental and Dentrix offices ## Compare the AI receptionists for medical practices side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best AI receptionist for medical practices | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Weave | Best for dental practices | Plans start from $199 a month; the AI Receptionist’s own price is not published | Calls, texts, and website chats, answered around the clock | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.getweave.com/pricing/)) | | 3. DeepCura | Best for EHR-connected clinics | $129 a month per provider seat (seats 1–2), or $999 a year per seat | Phone, with a free number included; texts intake forms and payment links to callers during the call | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.deepcura.com/pricing)) | | 4. Freed Front Desk | Best for overflow and after-hours patient calls | $149 a month per block of 250 calls | Phone calls, summarized in its inbox, with two-way SMS built in | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk)) | | 5. MAP Communications | Best for 24/7 human answering with HIPAA listed | $49 per month with no minutes included, then $1.37 per minute | Phone answering with a toll-free number and free message delivery | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) | | 6. Abby Connect | Best people-and-AI mix for practices | $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee | Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) | | 7. AnswerConnect | Best for 24/7 people with a HIPAA add-on | $350 per month for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee; Growth is $395 for 300 minutes with no setup fee | Phone answering, plus live chat staffed by people on Growth and Standard; notifications by app, SMS, and email | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) | | 8. Upfirst | Best low-volume AI with a BAA option | $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), with a 14-day free trial | Phone calls, with texts sent during calls and call summaries by text or email | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) | | 9. Newo.ai | Best for Open Dental and Dentrix offices | $0 to start with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; AI Receptionist $299 for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit | Inbound voice, web chat, and social messaging on every plan; outbound voice on request | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best AI receptionist for medical practices Front desks miss the most calls at opening time, at lunch, and after hours. InsertChat answers those calls and your website chat from your practice information, collects new-patient details, offers or records appointment requests, and sends clinical questions to your staff. Pro is $98 a month for use without patient health information; Enterprise, from $998 a month, can sign a Business Associate Agreement. **Why it’s our pick:** - Answers hours, locations, parking, accepted insurance plans, and new-patient questions from the information you add. - Routes symptoms, medication questions, and anything clinical to your staff, and tells a caller to call 911 when you add that instruction. - Follows each patient’s language, with 58 business languages to choose from. - Enterprise includes 100 AI assistants, so each office or provider can have its own hours and knowledge. **Watch out for:** - Protected health information needs Enterprise, from $998 a month, with a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). - It doesn’t connect to EHR or practice management software; appointments go into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar. - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Weave **Best for:** Best for dental practices Weave pairs its AI Receptionist with phones, texting, reminders, online scheduling, and payments, and books directly into qualified dental practice management systems. **Pick it if:** - You run a dental practice on a qualified practice management system and want the AI to book and reschedule directly into it. - You want phones, two-way texting, reminders, online scheduling, forms, and text-to-pay from one vendor. - You want calls, texts, and website chats answered, with a summary when the AI hands off. **Watch out for:** - The AI Receptionist’s own price isn’t published. - Outside qualified dental systems, it captures requests for staff to schedule. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Plans start from $199 a month; the AI Receptionist’s own price is not published ([source](https://www.getweave.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Pro, Elite, and Ultimate platform plans, quoted on request, starting from $199 a month ([source](https://www.getweave.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Platform plans; the pricing page lists no AI Receptionist usage rate ([source](https://www.getweave.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Calls, texts, and website chats, answered around the clock ([source](https://www.getweave.com/ai-receptionist/)) - Human handoff: Routes the call or message to your team with a conversation summary when unsure ([source](https://www.getweave.com/ai-receptionist/)) - Booking: Books directly for qualified dental practice management systems; otherwise captures requests for staff to schedule ([source](https://www.getweave.com/ai-receptionist/)) - Notable limits: Direct booking is for qualified dental systems only; real-time language switching is listed as coming soon ([source](https://www.getweave.com/ai-receptionist/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Weave’s public pricing page](https://www.getweave.com/pricing/). ## 3. DeepCura **Best for:** Best for EHR-connected clinics DeepCura’s per-provider seat bundles an AI receptionist with a scribe, intake, and coding, and its calendar mirrors your EHR’s schedule every 15 minutes. **Pick it if:** - You want one per-provider price that bundles the AI receptionist with a scribe, intake, coding, and free EHR integration. - You run an EHR DeepCura names on its pricing page, such as Epic, athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, AdvancedMD, or Practice Fusion. - You want callers warm-transferred to your staff during the call. **Watch out for:** - Every user of the AI needs their own seat. - The credits a call uses aren’t stated. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $129 a month per provider seat (seats 1–2), or $999 a year per seat ([source](https://www.deepcura.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Per provider seat: $129 a month, or $999 a year billed annually; volume discounts apply to monthly plans ([source](https://www.deepcura.com/pricing)) - What is metered: 1,000 monthly credits per seat, shared across its AI agents; the credits a call uses are not stated ([source](https://www.deepcura.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone, with a free number included; texts intake forms and payment links to callers during the call ([source](https://www.deepcura.com/)) - Human handoff: Warm-transfers calls to a person with a whisper only your staff hears, or takes a message ([source](https://www.deepcura.com/)) - Booking: Books, checks, and cancels in its own calendar, which mirrors your EHR’s schedule every 15 minutes ([source](https://www.deepcura.com/)) - Notable limits: Every user of the AI needs their own seat; doubling credits to 2,000 is a $59 monthly add-on; lists HIPAA and PIPEDA compliance with each seat ([source](https://www.deepcura.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [DeepCura’s public pricing page](https://www.deepcura.com/pricing). ## 4. Freed Front Desk **Best for:** Best for overflow and after-hours patient calls Freed Front Desk covers a single-site practice’s overflow and after-hours calls in blocks of calls, with an inbox, two-way texting, and spam calls left off the bill. **Pick it if:** - You run a single-site practice and want overflow and after-hours calls covered at a published $149 a month per 250 calls. - You want spam calls and empty calls kept off the bill. - You want calls held in each patient’s preferred language, which Freed lists. **Watch out for:** - It captures requests for staff rather than booking directly. - The plan is labeled beta, and the overage rate isn’t stated. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $149 a month per block of 250 calls ([source](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk)) - Pricing model: Front Desk Starter (beta): $149 a month per block of 250 calls ([source](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk)) - What is metered: Calls; spam and calls with no one on the line are not billed ([source](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk)) - Channels: Phone calls, summarized in its inbox, with two-way SMS built in ([source](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk)) - Human handoff: Warm transfer to your team during business hours, with escalation rules ([source](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk)) - Booking: Captures new-patient details, visit reasons, refills, and referrals for your staff; direct calendar or EHR booking is not stated ([source](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk)) - Notable limits: Described as ideal for single-site practices with one or two phone numbers; the overage rate is not stated ([source](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Freed’s Front Desk page](https://www.getfreed.ai/front-desk). ## 5. MAP Communications **Best for:** Best for 24/7 human answering with HIPAA listed MAP Communications lists HIPAA compliance on every plan, with people answering around the clock in English and Spanish, for practices that want a person on after-hours calls. **Pick it if:** - You want people answering around the clock, with English and Spanish fluency on every plan. - You need the HIPAA, PCI-DSS, HITRUST, and SOC 2 assurances MAP lists on its plans. - Your call volume is high and overage near $1.28 per minute fits your budget. **Watch out for:** - Calls only, with message delivery. - Setup fees and billing increments aren’t listed. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 per month with no minutes included, then $1.37 per minute ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Pay As You Go ($49), Business ($179 for 125 minutes), Enterprise ($339 for 250), and Premium ($649 for 500) ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Minutes; extra minutes cost $1.37 on Pay As You Go and $1.30 to $1.28 on other plans ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering with a toll-free number and free message delivery ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human service: virtual receptionists answer, with 24/7 coverage on every plan ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: No long-term contracts; setup fees and billing increments are not listed; every plan lists HIPAA compliance plus PCI-DSS, HITRUST, and SOC 2 certification ([source](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [MAP Communications’s public pricing page](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs MAP Communications](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/map-communications). ## 6. Abby Connect **Best for:** Best people-and-AI mix for practices Abby Connect sends sensitive patient calls to US-based receptionists, with HIPAA compliance options on human answering, and routine calls to its AI at half the minute cost. **Pick it if:** - You want trained US-based receptionists on the calls that need a personal touch, with AI on the rest. - You want to set the human and AI mix by call type and change it month to month. - You need HIPAA compliance options, which Abby offers on human answering. **Watch out for:** - HIPAA compliance options cover human answering only. - The Starter plan includes 50 Abby Minutes. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $165 per month for 50 Abby Minutes, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Starter $165 (50 Abby Minutes), Essential $329 (100), Professional $599 (200), Growth $1,380 (500), and custom Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Abby Minutes: one per minute of human answering, half per minute of AI answering ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone answering by people or AI; follow-up calls and texts from the AbbyGO app ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: US-based receptionists and an AI receptionist; each call goes to a person or the AI based on call type ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Overage is billed at the plan’s Abby Minute rate; HIPAA compliance options are for human answering only ([source](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Abby Connect’s public pricing page](https://www.abby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Abby Connect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/abby-connect). ## 7. AnswerConnect **Best for:** Best for 24/7 people with a HIPAA add-on AnswerConnect staffs people around the clock and sells HIPAA compliance, transcriptions, and Spanish answering as add-ons. **Pick it if:** - You want every caller to reach a person, day or night: AnswerConnect’s guide says it uses no AI agents. - Callers need live transfers, on-call routing, or complex call flows handled by a receptionist. - You want people on your website chat as well, which AnswerConnect includes on Growth and Standard. **Watch out for:** - Each interaction rounds up to a whole minute. - Add-ons raise the monthly price. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $350 per month for 200 minutes plus a $49.99 setup fee; Growth is $395 for 300 minutes with no setup fee ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Pricing model: Monthly plans by receptionist minutes: Entry $350 for 200, Growth $395 for 300, Standard $575 for 400, and larger plans up to 100,000 minutes ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes, rounded up and billed in 1-minute increments; the first 30 interactions under 30 seconds each billing cycle are free ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Channels: Phone answering, plus live chat staffed by people on Growth and Standard; notifications by app, SMS, and email ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Human handoff: Human service: the guide says it uses no AI agents; receptionists transfer calls using your call flows ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Booking: Appointments booked into your calendar with its free scheduling software ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) - Notable limits: Extra minutes cost $2.50 on Entry and $1.85 on Growth and Standard; transcriptions, HIPAA compliance, Spanish answering, and live operator relay are add-ons from $30 to $40 a month ([source](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [AnswerConnect’s published US pricing guide (PDF)](https://assets.answerconnect.com/answerconnect/us/pdf/AnswerConnectUS_Pricing.pdf). [Compare InsertChat vs AnswerConnect](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/answerconnect). ## 8. Upfirst **Best for:** Best low-volume AI with a BAA option Upfirst sells AI phone answering in small call bundles and offers a BAA on its Custom plan. **Pick it if:** - You get few calls and want a $24.95 entry price for 30 calls. - You want live, warm call transfers, which Upfirst lists on every plan. - You need a BAA and can use Upfirst’s Custom plan, where it is offered. **Watch out for:** - The BAA is offered only on its Custom plan. - Voice only, with texting during calls. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter, Premium, Pro, and Scale plans by included calls; annual billing saves 20% ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Calls (30 to 600 a month), with extra calls from $1.50 down to $0.70; spam and calls under 15 seconds are not billed ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, with texts sent during calls and call summaries by text or email ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Live, warm call transfers to you or your team on every plan ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Books into Google, Outlook, Clio, Acuity, Calendly, Square, and more ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Each additional AI agent is $9.95 a month; a BAA is offered only on the Custom plan ([source](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Upfirst’s public pricing page](https://upfirst.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst). ## 9. Newo.ai **Best for:** Best for Open Dental and Dentrix offices Newo.ai works in tools such as Open Dental and Dentrix and bills calls and texts in shared units, with a pay-as-you-go start. **Pick it if:** - You want to start without a monthly fee: Pay As You Go includes 50 free units once, then $1.75 per unit. - Most of your calls are short: one unit covers a call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, and spam and immediate hang-ups cost nothing. - You want social messaging handled by the same agent, which Newo lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - Each plan covers one agent at one location. - Longer calls bill in 3-minute increments. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $0 to start with 50 free units, then $1.75 per unit; AI Receptionist $299 for 200 units, then $1.50 per unit ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Pay As You Go from $0, AI Receptionist at $299 per month, and custom Enterprise ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Units shared by voice and text: 1 unit per call of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, longer calls in 3-minute increments, 0.5 units per 15 agent messages ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Inbound voice, web chat, and social messaging on every plan; outbound voice on request ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Books and updates records in connected tools such as Calendly, Square, Housecall Pro, ServiceM8, Open Dental, and Dentrix ([source](https://newo.ai/)) - Notable limits: One agent at one location per plan; unused units don’t roll over; white label is Enterprise-only ([source](https://newo.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Newo.ai’s public pricing page](https://newo.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Newo.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/newo-ai). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai receptionist for medical practices”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **BAA and patient data.** Whether the vendor signs a Business Associate Agreement, on which plan, and what it covers. - **Scheduling.** Booking directly into your EHR or practice software, a separate calendar, or requests for staff. - **Clinical boundaries.** How symptoms and medication questions reach clinical staff, and how emergencies are handled. - **New-patient intake.** Contact details, reason for visit, insurance, and referral collected before the first visit. - **Languages.** Whether patients are answered in their own language, and at what cost. - **Cost per provider or call.** Per-provider seats, call blocks, minutes, or credits at your practice’s call volume. ## How to choose an AI receptionist for a medical practice A medical practice needs an AI receptionist that handles the routine calls (hours, directions, insurance, scheduling) and never pretends to be clinical. Settle patient-data compliance first, then compare how each option books and what it costs. ### Settle the BAA before the demo If the receptionist will hear symptoms, visit reasons, or insurance details, that’s protected health information, and you need a signed BAA on the plan you buy. InsertChat signs one on Enterprise; Upfirst lists one on its Custom plan. Ask each vendor what its BAA covers, including transcripts. ### Decide where appointments go Direct booking into your EHR or practice software saves staff time; Weave lists it for qualified dental systems, and DeepCura mirrors your EHR schedule. A separate calendar or a request queue works when your scheduling rules are complex. ### Write the clinical line Tell the receptionist which questions it may answer and which go to a nurse or provider: symptoms, medications, results, and anything urgent. Add the exact words for emergencies, such as calling 911. ### Plan new-patient intake List what you need from a new patient: name, contact details, reason for visit, insurance carrier, and referral. Collect only what your BAA status allows. ### Test after hours and in every language Call at 7 p.m. and on a Saturday, and call in each language your patients use. Listen for whether the receptionist books, records a request, or only takes a message. ## What is the best AI receptionist for a medical practice? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: it answers patient calls and website chat about hours, locations, insurance, and new-patient steps, books appointments, and routes clinical questions to your staff. Practices that handle protected health information use Enterprise, from $998 a month, with a signed BAA. Dental offices on a qualified system can also look at Weave. ## Is InsertChat HIPAA compliant? InsertChat Enterprise, from $998 a month, can sign a Business Associate Agreement for practices that handle protected health information. We don’t claim a HIPAA certification. On other plans, keep patient health information out of the assistant’s knowledge, conversations, and connected workflows. ## Can an AI receptionist book into my EHR? Some can: DeepCura mirrors your EHR’s schedule, and Weave books directly for qualified dental practice management systems. InsertChat books into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or its built-in calendar, or records the request for your staff; it doesn’t connect to EHRs. ## How does an AI receptionist handle urgent patient calls? Within the rules you write. InsertChat routes symptoms and clinical questions to your staff, flags urgent calls right away, and tells a caller to call 911 when you add that instruction. It doesn’t transfer live calls, so keep your on-call process for after-hours emergencies. ## How much does an AI receptionist for a doctor’s office cost? Pricing on this list ranges from per-provider seats (DeepCura) and call blocks (Freed) to receptionist minutes (MAP, AnswerConnect) and platform plans (Weave). InsertChat Pro is $98 a month without patient health information, and Enterprise, which can sign a BAA, starts at $998 a month. ## Keep researching - [Medical practices](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare): Patient calls, new-patient intake, and the BAA on Enterprise. - [Dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental): Appointment requests and new-patient questions. - [Chiropractic](https://insertchat.com/industries/chiropractic): Booking and intake for chiropractic offices. - [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual): Patients answered in their own language. - [Scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling): Appointment lengths, buffers, approvals, and reminders. - [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): Routing, voices, and call records. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best AI Receptionist for Real Estate in 2026 Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate > The best AI receptionists for real estate agents and property managers in 2026, compared on lead intake, showings, CRM sync, and price. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI receptionist for real estate in 2026 is InsertChat. It answers buyer, seller, and renter calls and messages around the clock, qualifies each lead with your questions, books showings into your calendar, and alerts you to hot leads in one shared inbox, from $98 a month. Property managers should also look at Super. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-insertchat): Best AI receptionist for real estate 2. [Super](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-super): Best for property managers 3. [Structurely](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-structurely): Best for teams on Follow Up Boss 4. [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-smith-ai): Best for agents who want human backup 5. [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-ruby): Best for a person on every call 6. [Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-quo-sona): Best for agents who call and text from Quo 7. [My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-my-ai-front-desk): Best fixed allowances for a solo agent 8. [Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-dialzara): Best low-cost start 9. [Rosie](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate#pick-rosie): Best prepaid minutes for busy seasons ## Compare the AI receptionists for real estate side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best AI receptionist for real estate | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Super | Best for property managers | $250 a month (After hours) with 500 minutes | Phone, email, and SMS on 24/7 and Concierge; rollover phone and SMS on After hours | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.hiresuper.com/pricing)) | | 3. Structurely | Best for teams on Follow Up Boss | The platform fee is not published; voice usage from $0.07 a minute | Inbound and outbound voice, SMS, and email workflows | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.structurely.com/pricing)) | | 4. Smith.ai | Best for agents who want human backup | Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls | AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | 5. Ruby | Best for a person on every call | Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats | Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | 6. Quo Sona | Best for agents who call and text from Quo | 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 | Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) | | 7. My AI Front Desk | Best fixed allowances for a solo agent | $99 per month ($79 per month billed annually), with a 7-day free trial | Voice calls, a web voicebot, web chat, two-way SMS, email drafts, website forms, and outbound calls | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) | | 8. Dialzara | Best low-cost start | $29 a month for 60 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls, an AI SMS agent, and a website chatbot | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) | | 9. Rosie | Best prepaid minutes for busy seasons | $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best AI receptionist for real estate Real estate leads call, text, email, and message on WhatsApp, often from a sign or a portal at night. InsertChat answers all of them from the listing pages and FAQs you add, asks your qualification questions, books showings and consultations into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar, and alerts you to high-intent leads as they happen. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - Asks your questions for buyers, sellers, and renters: budget, timeline, financing, area, and property type. - High-intent leads trigger an alert to your team right away, with the conversation and contact details. - Records each lead’s source: the page and referrer for website chats, the campaign from your tracking links, and the number a caller dialed. - Property managers can take repair requests with unit details, read your emergency steps, and flag urgent ones to on-call staff. **Watch out for:** - It doesn’t connect to Follow Up Boss, kvCORE, or other real estate CRMs; the CRMs it connects are HubSpot, Zoho, and Microsoft Dynamics 365. - It doesn’t read MLS or IDX feeds; it answers about listings from the pages and documents you add. - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Super **Best for:** Best for property managers Super answers property management calls, emails, and texts, and sends work orders, guest cards, and showings into property software such as AppFolio and Buildium. **Pick it if:** - You manage rentals and want maintenance requests written as work orders in AppFolio, Buildium, Rent Manager, or Yardi. - Your team answers by day and you want a lower-cost after-hours plan. - You want month-to-month billing with no setup fee. **Watch out for:** - Its per-minute overage rate isn’t published. - The after-hours plan covers rollover calls and texts only. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $250 a month (After hours) with 500 minutes ([source](https://www.hiresuper.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: After hours $250, 24/7 $415, and Concierge $515 a month by included minutes; monthly or annual billing, with no setup fee ([source](https://www.hiresuper.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Minutes: 500, 1,000, or 1,300 included, then priced by minute or volume; unlimited email and SMS on 24/7 and Concierge ([source](https://www.hiresuper.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone, email, and SMS on 24/7 and Concierge; rollover phone and SMS on After hours ([source](https://www.hiresuper.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: AI transfers and routing on 24/7 and Concierge ([source](https://www.hiresuper.com/pricing)) - Booking: Sends work orders, guest cards, and showings to property software such as AppFolio, Buildium, Rent Manager, and Yardi ([source](https://www.hiresuper.com/integrations)) - Notable limits: The After hours plan covers rollover phone and SMS only; the per-minute overage rate is not published ([source](https://www.hiresuper.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Super’s public pricing page](https://www.hiresuper.com/pricing). ## 3. Structurely **Best for:** Best for teams on Follow Up Boss Structurely runs inbound and outbound voice, text, and email lead follow-up, and names Follow Up Boss and BoomTown among its integrations. **Pick it if:** - You run a real estate team on Follow Up Boss or BoomTown and want the AI working leads inside it. - You want outbound lead follow-up by call, text, and email as well as inbound answering. - You handle high lead volume and want low per-minute and per-message usage rates. **Watch out for:** - Its platform fee isn’t published. - Usage is billed per minute, message, and email on top of the platform fee. **Key facts:** - Entry price: The platform fee is not published; voice usage from $0.07 a minute ([source](https://www.structurely.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: A platform fee plus token-based usage, on Small Team, Large Team, and Enterprise plans ([source](https://www.structurely.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Usage across voice, SMS, and email: voice from $0.07 a minute, SMS and AI emails from $0.02 each ([source](https://www.structurely.com/pricing)) - Channels: Inbound and outbound voice, SMS, and email workflows ([source](https://www.structurely.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Live transfers and appointment scheduling on Small Team ([source](https://www.structurely.com/pricing)) - Booking: Schedules appointments; names Follow Up Boss, BoomTown, HubSpot, Salesforce, and Bonzo integrations ([source](https://www.structurely.com/)) - Notable limits: Small Team is self-serve with basic reporting; volume discounts and custom integrations start on Large Team ([source](https://www.structurely.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Structurely’s public pricing page](https://www.structurely.com/pricing). ## 4. Smith.ai **Best for:** Best for agents who want human backup Smith.ai’s AI Receptionist answers first and lists human-agent backup, so a person can step in on a complicated buyer or seller call. **Pick it if:** - You want live receptionists to take over transferred calls: Smith.ai routes them to its North America-based team, day or night. - You want to try AI answering on real calls for free: its Free plan covers 25 calls a month. - You prefer a per-call bill, and your calls run long enough that per-minute pricing would cost more. **Watch out for:** - Calls past the included allowance are charged per call. - SMS and email start on Pro. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for 25 calls a month; Pro from $150 for 75 calls; Enterprise from $500 for 300 calls ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Pricing model: Free, Pro, and Enterprise plans priced by calls per month ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - What is metered: Calls: $1.60 to $2.00 per included call on paid tiers; extra calls cost $3.00 on Free and $2.10 to $2.50 on paid tiers ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Channels: AI call answering; custom SMS branding on Pro ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers calls to a live North America-based receptionist, day or night ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Booking: AI scheduling with Calendly and other calendars, from the Free plan ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: Every answered call counts, with up to 10% removable as spam; cancelling takes 30 days’ notice ([source](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Smith.ai’s public pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist). [Compare InsertChat vs Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai). ## 5. Ruby **Best for:** Best for a person on every call Ruby’s receptionists answer calls and website chats in your brokerage’s name, for teams that want every lead greeted by a person. **Pick it if:** - You want people, not AI, answering your calls and website chats. - Your call volume fits a bundle of minutes, from 50 to 500 on Ruby’s listed plans. - You want a human service with optional AI enhancements, which Ruby lists at no extra cost. **Watch out for:** - Minute bundles add up during busy listing seasons. - Texts and email aren’t covered. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Receptionist from $250 for 50 minutes; chat from $143 for 10 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Receptionist plans by included minutes, and separate live chat plans by included chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Receptionist minutes (50 to 500 on listed plans) and chats (10 to 50) ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Phone calls and website live chat, with calls and texts from your business number ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human service: people answer calls and chats; optional AI enhancements are free ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Booking: Scheduling is listed among the receptionist plan features ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Listed receptionist plans run to $1,725 for 500 minutes, and chat plans to $520 for 50 chats ([source](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Ruby’s public pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby). ## 6. Quo Sona **Best for:** Best for agents who call and text from Quo Sona answers calls inside Quo, texts callers booking links, and syncs calls and texts to HubSpot or Salesforce. **Pick it if:** - Your team already calls and texts from Quo and wants AI answering in the same phone system. - You get few calls: every Quo plan includes 10 Sona calls a month, and calls under 15 seconds don’t count. - You prefer paying per call instead of per minute. **Watch out for:** - Quo’s plans are priced per user. - Calls beyond the monthly allowance are bought in credit tiers. **Key facts:** - Entry price: 10 Sona calls a month on any Quo plan, from $15 per user per month billed annually; more calls from $25 for 40 ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Included with Quo phone plans at $19, $33, or $47 per user per month ($15, $23, or $35 billed annually), with call credits ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Calls: 100 credits per call; 10 calls a month included, then $1.00 down to $0.45 per extra call by credit tier ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls, plus texts with booking links, confirmations, or next steps ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers the call to the right teammate when you instruct it to ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Booking: Books appointments and can text the caller a booking link before the call ends ([source](https://www.quo.com/product/ai/receptionist)) - Notable limits: Credit tiers run from $25 for 40 calls to $199 for 600; call transfers are listed on Business and Scale ([source](https://www.quo.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Quo’s public pricing page](https://www.quo.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Quo Sona](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/quo-sona). ## 7. My AI Front Desk **Best for:** Best fixed allowances for a solo agent My AI Front Desk bundles voice minutes, chats, texts, and email drafts with a CRM in one plan, with published overage. **Pick it if:** - You want AI outbound calls and website forms in the same plan: Business-in-a-Box lists 20 outbound calls a day and 300 form submissions a month. - You want fixed allowances per channel, with overage rates published in credits. - You want the built-in CRM and sequence automations on its plan. **Watch out for:** - Allowances are set per channel. - WhatsApp isn’t listed. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $99 per month ($79 per month billed annually), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Business-in-a-Box at $99 per month, or $79 per month billed annually, with per-channel allowances; Partner and Enterprise are custom ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Per-channel allowances: 200 voice minutes, 100 chatbot conversations, 400 SMS, and 500 email drafts a month; overage draws a 1,000-credit pool at 25 credits per minute and 4 per SMS (1 credit = $0.01) ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Channels: Voice calls, a web voicebot, web chat, two-way SMS, email drafts, website forms, and outbound calls ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Call transfer is one of its agent actions; Business-in-a-Box includes 2 of each ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Booking: Booking and appointments; calendars connect through Zapier ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Business-in-a-Box allows 2 editor seats, 3 notification recipients, 20 outbound calls a day, and the last 200 logs ([source](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [My AI Front Desk’s public pricing page](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk). ## 8. Dialzara **Best for:** Best low-cost start Dialzara answers calls, texts, and web chat from one knowledge base, starting from a small minute plan. **Pick it if:** - You get few calls and want a $29 entry price for 60 minutes. - You want published per-minute overage, from $0.48 down to $0.35. - You want AI outbound calling, which Dialzara sells from $750 a month. **Watch out for:** - SMS is an add-on with per-message fees. - Email and WhatsApp aren’t covered. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $29 a month for 60 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Pricing model: Business Lite $29, Pro $99, Plus $199, or Elite $349 a month by included minutes ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - What is metered: Call minutes (60 to 1,000 a month), with overage from $0.48 down to $0.35 per minute; AI texts at $0.05 each ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Channels: Phone calls, an AI SMS agent, and a website chatbot ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Booking: Appointment booking with CRM and calendar integration, including in-chat booking ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) - Notable limits: With a voice plan, the chatbot is free for 100 sessions a month, then $0.15 each; SMS carrier fees pass through at $0.0083 per segment ([source](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialzara’s public pricing page](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md). [Compare InsertChat vs Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara). ## 9. Rosie **Best for:** Best prepaid minutes for busy seasons Rosie’s large minute bundles cover a busy listing season without per-call charges, with web texting as an add-on. **Pick it if:** - You want warm or live call transfers to your team: Rosie lists both from its $149 Scale plan. - Phone is your main channel and you want a $49 entry price for 250 minutes. - You want native iOS and Android apps, which Rosie lists on every plan. **Watch out for:** - No overage rate is listed. - Email and WhatsApp aren’t covered. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $49 a month for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Professional $49, Scale $149, or Growth $299 a month by included minutes; annual billing gives 2 months free ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Call minutes (250, 1,000, or 2,000 a month); the website texting add-on counts conversations ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Channels: Phone calls and a website chat widget on every plan, texts to callers, and website texting as an add-on ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Warm and live call transfers from Scale; waterfall transfers on Growth ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Booking: Texts appointment links on Professional; books directly on your calendar from Scale ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: No minute overage rate is listed; website texting is $50 for 25 conversations, then $1 each ([source](https://heyrosie.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Rosie’s public pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai receptionist for real estate”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Lead qualification.** Budget, timeline, financing, area, and property type asked of every buyer, seller, and renter. - **Showings and consultations.** Whether it books into your calendar, avoids double-booking, and confirms. - **Speed to lead.** How fast a hot lead reaches an agent: a live transfer or an immediate alert. - **CRM sync.** Which CRMs it connects: Follow Up Boss, BoomTown, HubSpot, Salesforce, or others. - **Every channel.** Calls, texts, portal emails, website chat, and WhatsApp from the same assistant. - **Property management.** Maintenance intake, emergency triage, and resident versus prospect calls. Checked and left out: Ylopo, because its AI page describes following up with leads by text and outbound calls rather than answering inbound calls, and it publishes no prices ([source](https://www.ylopo.com/ylopo-ai)). ## How to choose an AI receptionist for real estate Real estate leads go cold fast and arrive on every channel: sign calls, portal emails, website chats, and texts. Choose an AI receptionist that answers all of them, qualifies the lead, and gets the hot ones to an agent while they’re still hot. ### Write the qualification questions Decide what you need to know before you call back: buying or selling, budget, timeline, financing, area, and whether they’re working with another agent. The receptionist should ask those and record the answers on the contact. ### Decide how hot leads reach you Some tools live-transfer a ready buyer to an agent; Structurely lists live transfers, and Smith.ai lists human backup. InsertChat alerts your team the moment a high-intent lead comes in, with the conversation attached. ### Keep listing answers honest An AI receptionist should answer from the listing details you give it and never guess at price, status, or availability. Add your active listings as pages or documents and update them when a status changes. ### Check the CRM path If your team lives in Follow Up Boss or BoomTown, native sync matters; Structurely lists both. If you use HubSpot or Zoho, InsertChat connects them. ### Property managers: separate repairs from leasing Maintenance calls need triage, with floods and no-heat calls going straight to on-call staff; leasing calls need showings. Super writes work orders into property software; InsertChat takes the details, reads your emergency steps, and flags urgent calls. ## What is the best AI receptionist for real estate agents? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: it answers calls, texts, emails, website chat, and WhatsApp from your listings and FAQs, qualifies each lead, books showings, and alerts you to hot leads, from $98 a month. Teams on Follow Up Boss can also look at Structurely, and property managers at Super. ## Can an AI receptionist qualify real estate leads? Yes. Give it your questions for buyers, sellers, and renters, such as budget, timeline, financing, and area, and it asks them on every call or chat and saves the answers to the contact. InsertChat also flags high-intent leads to your team right away. ## Does InsertChat connect to Follow Up Boss or kvCORE? No. InsertChat connects HubSpot, Zoho CRM, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, and keeps every lead as a contact with the conversation and its source in its own inbox. Structurely lists Follow Up Boss and BoomTown integrations if that sync matters most. ## Can an AI receptionist answer questions about my listings? It can answer from the listing details you add, such as pages, documents, or questions and answers, and should never guess at price or availability. InsertChat doesn’t read MLS or IDX feeds, so update the listing pages it learns from when a status changes. ## Is there an AI receptionist for property management? Yes. Super is built for property managers and writes work orders and showings into property software. InsertChat answers resident and renter calls and messages, takes repair requests with unit details, flags emergencies to on-call staff, and books showings into your calendar. ## Keep researching - [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate): Lead intake and showings for agents and brokerages. - [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management): Repair requests, emergencies, and showings. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture): Lead sources and details saved on every contact. - [Contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm): Every lead’s conversations and details in one record. - [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms): Two-way texts answered from the same knowledge. - [HubSpot integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/hubspot): CRM actions your assistant can take in HubSpot. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best AI Chatbot for Small Business in 2026 Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business > The best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026, compared on price, AI limits, channels, handoff, and phone answering, with sources. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI chatbot for a small business in 2026 is InsertChat. It answers website visitors from your own pages and documents, books appointments, hands chats to your team in a shared inbox, and answers phone calls, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with the same AI, from $98 a month. Tidio and Chatbase are the strongest free starts. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-insertchat): Best AI chatbot for small business 2. [Tidio](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-tidio): Best free plan for website chat 3. [Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-chatbase): Best for building a chatbot from your content 4. [Crisp](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-crisp): Best for many seats on one price 5. [Chatling](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-chatling): Best low-cost paid plan 6. [SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-sitegpt): Best for a website-only chatbot 7. [LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-livechat): Best for chat-based selling 8. [Botpress](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-botpress): Best for building custom agents 9. [CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-customgpt): Best for large document libraries 10. [Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business#pick-freshchat): Best free plan for a growing team ## Compare the AI chatbots for small businesses side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best AI chatbot for small business | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Tidio | Best free plan for website chat | Free plan; Starter $24.17 | Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | 3. Chatbase | Best for building a chatbot from your content | $40 a month (Hobby) with a 7-day trial; no free plan is listed | Chat, email, and voice, with voice from Standard; WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger, and Instagram integrations | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | 4. Crisp | Best for many seats on one price | Free plan with 2 seats and no AI credits; Mini $45 a month with 4 seats | Chat widget and email; WhatsApp Business, Instagram, SMS, Line, and Viber in the omnichannel inbox from Essentials; Messenger, Telegram, X, and phone also listed | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | 5. Chatling | Best low-cost paid plan | Free plan with 200 AI credits; Starter $25 a month, or $21 billed annually | Web on every plan; WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, and API on paid plans | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) | | 6. SiteGPT | Best for a website-only chatbot | $39 a month billed yearly, or $59 monthly (Starter), with a 7-day free trial | Website embed; Messenger, Slack, Google Chat, Crisp, Freshdesk Messaging, and Zoho SalesIQ from Growth; WhatsApp as an add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) | | 7. LiveChat | Best for chat-based selling | $19 per user a month billed annually (Essential), with 1 AI Agent and 10 AI resolutions | Website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email in one inbox on every plan | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | | 8. Botpress | Best for building custom agents | Free for 100 conversations a month; Plus $150 a month billed annually | Webchat and WhatsApp; Slack deployment; voice on Enterprise | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) | | 9. CustomGPT.ai | Best for large document libraries | $99 a month, or $89 billed annually (Standard), with a 7-day free trial | Slack deployment listed on every plan; other deployment channels are not itemized on the pricing page | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) | | 10. Freshchat | Best free plan for a growing team | Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19 per agent a month billed annually, with Freddy AI Agent | Web and mobile chat and email on every plan; Messenger, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, LINE, and Google Business Messages from Growth; voice through Freshcaller | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best AI chatbot for small business Most chatbots stop at the website. InsertChat answers your visitors from your website pages, documents, questions and answers, and product information, then answers the same customer when they call, email, text, or message on WhatsApp, all in one shared inbox your team can take over. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - Learns from up to 1,000 knowledge sources on Pro: website URLs, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information. - Your team takes over any chat in the shared inbox, with contacts, internal notes, and the full history, on every plan. - Books appointments from the chat into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar. - Your logo and assistant styling on every plan, with a WordPress plugin and a Shopify storefront embed. **Watch out for:** - There’s no free plan; new customers get a 7-day free trial with 500 credits, and a card is required at checkout. - Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram aren’t among its channels. - On Shopify it answers from the product information and policies you add; it doesn’t look up live orders. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Tidio **Best for:** Best free plan for website chat Tidio combines live chat with its Lyro AI agent and a free plan, and covers Messenger and Instagram as well as chat, email, and WhatsApp. **Pick it if:** - You want a free plan for website live chat. - You want Messenger and Instagram alongside chat, email, and WhatsApp. - You want no-code Flows that react to visitor behavior, sold as an add-on from $24.17. **Watch out for:** - Free and Starter include a small lifetime allowance of Lyro AI conversations. - Phone calls aren’t among its channels. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free plan; Starter $24.17 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Free; Starter $24.17; Growth from $49.17; Plus from $300 plus usage; Premium custom ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Billable human conversations (50 on Free, 100 on Starter, up to 2,000 on Growth) and Lyro AI conversations ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Lyro AI Agent hands conversations to your team ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Free and Starter include 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations; more need the Lyro add-on, from $32.50 a month for 50 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Tidio’s public pricing page](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio). ## 3. Chatbase **Best for:** Best for building a chatbot from your content Chatbase prices by message credits with a free plan, and lists a wide range of channels, including Slack, Messenger, and Instagram. **Pick it if:** - You want Slack, Messenger, or Instagram connections, which Chatbase lists among its integrations. - You prefer paying by message credits, with 1,000 extra for $40. - You want to choose among AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others. **Watch out for:** - Removing Chatbase branding is a paid monthly add-on. - Extra message credits are sold in blocks. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $40 a month (Hobby) with a 7-day trial; no free plan is listed ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Pricing model: Hobby ($40), Standard ($150), and Pro ($500) a month, plus custom Enterprise; 20% off yearly ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - What is metered: Message credits (700, 4,000, or 15,000 a month); an extra 1,000 cost $40 ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Channels: Chat, email, and voice, with voice from Standard; WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger, and Instagram integrations ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Human handoff: Helpdesk from the $150 Standard plan ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Booking: Calendly integration ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Notable limits: One AI agent per plan ($25 a month per extra agent); removing Chatbase branding is $99 a month ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Chatbase’s public pricing page](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase). ## 4. Crisp **Best for:** Best for many seats on one price Crisp prices per workspace rather than per seat, includes a shared inbox even on its free plan, and adds AI credits on paid plans. **Pick it if:** - You want a free plan for website chat with two seats. - Your customers write on Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, Line, or Viber, which Crisp lists as channels. - You want many seats on one workspace price: Essentials includes 10 and Plus 20. **Watch out for:** - The free plan has no AI credits. - Removing the Crisp watermark is a Plus feature. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free plan with 2 seats and no AI credits; Mini $45 a month with 4 seats ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Per workspace: Free, Mini $45, Essentials $95, and Plus $295 a month; Enterprise custom ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - What is metered: AI credits: $5, $25, or $75 included (about 90, 450, or 1,350 automated conversations); conversations are not capped ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - Channels: Chat widget and email; WhatsApp Business, Instagram, SMS, Line, and Viber in the omnichannel inbox from Essentials; Messenger, Telegram, X, and phone also listed ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Shared inbox on every plan, including Free; routing rules and assignment from Essentials ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Extra seats are $10 a month each; removing the “We run on Crisp” watermark is a Plus feature ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Crisp’s public pricing page](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp). ## 5. Chatling **Best for:** Best low-cost paid plan Chatling has a free plan, a low-priced Starter plan, a visual workflow builder, and Instagram, Messenger, and Telegram on paid plans. **Pick it if:** - You want to start free and move to a low-cost paid plan: Starter is $25 a month. - You want Instagram, Messenger, or Telegram alongside website chat and WhatsApp. - You want a visual workflow builder with actions per agent, from 2 on Free to 12 on Scale. **Watch out for:** - Removing “Powered by Chatling” needs its top plan or a paid add-on. - Its voice feature turns speech into chat messages; it doesn’t answer phone calls. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free plan with 200 AI credits; Starter $25 a month, or $21 billed annually ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Free; Starter $25, Growth $75, and Scale $295 a month, or $21, $63, and $246 billed annually ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: AI credits: 200, 1,750, 6,000, or 35,000 a month, with use per message set by the AI model; 1,000 more cost $10 ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Web on every plan; WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, and API on paid plans ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Live chat with canned responses; round-robin routing of handed-off conversations on Growth and Scale ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Cal.com listed among integrations ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: Removing “Powered by Chatling” needs Scale or a $35 a month add-on; Free has 1 seat and 1 AI agent ([source](https://chatling.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Chatling’s public pricing page](https://chatling.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Chatling](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatling). ## 6. SiteGPT **Best for:** Best for a website-only chatbot SiteGPT is a focused website chatbot with a low yearly price and integrations into helpdesks such as Crisp, Freshdesk Messaging, and Zoho SalesIQ. **Pick it if:** - You only need a website chatbot and want a low entry price: $39 a month billed yearly. - You want to pick between GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1-mini, which changes how many messages your plan covers. - You want the AI answering inside Crisp, Freshdesk Messaging, Zoho SalesIQ, or Zendesk, which SiteGPT lists as integrations. **Watch out for:** - Starter includes one chatbot and one team member. - WhatsApp and branding removal are paid add-ons. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $39 a month billed yearly, or $59 monthly (Starter), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Starter $39, Growth $79, and Scale $259 a month billed yearly ($59, $129, and $429 monthly); Enterprise custom ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Messages a month, which vary by model: up to 4,000 GPT-4.1-mini or 400 GPT-4.1 messages on Starter ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Website embed; Messenger, Slack, Google Chat, Crisp, Freshdesk Messaging, and Zoho SalesIQ from Growth; WhatsApp as an add-on ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: iOS app live inbox with alerts and one-tap takeover from Growth; Zendesk AI agent handoff from Scale ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) - Notable limits: No free plan; Starter includes 1 chatbot and 1 member; branding removal and WhatsApp are $39 a month add-ons billed yearly ([source](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [SiteGPT’s public pricing page](https://sitegpt.ai/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs SiteGPT](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/sitegpt). ## 7. LiveChat **Best for:** Best for chat-based selling LiveChat’s Text plans put website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email in one inbox, with an AI Agent and Shopify selling tools. **Pick it if:** - You sell online and want chat-based selling through Shopify, which every Text plan lists. - You want proactive chat campaigns and live visitor tracking on your site. - You want a 14-day trial without a credit card. **Watch out for:** - Priced per user, with AI resolutions counted against a monthly allowance. - Essential keeps 60 days of chat history. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $19 per user a month billed annually (Essential), with 1 AI Agent and 10 AI resolutions ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Text plans per user: Essential $19 and Growth $79 a month billed annually ($25 and $99 monthly); Enterprise custom ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Users, plus AI resolutions: 10 a month on Essential and 200 on Growth; 50 more cost $49.50 ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email in one inbox on every plan ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human takeover from the AI Agent; chat supervision and takeover on Growth ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Essential keeps 60 days of chat history; existing LiveChat plans must move to Text for these features ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [LiveChat’s public pricing page](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat). ## 8. Botpress **Best for:** Best for building custom agents Botpress gives developers a platform to build AI agents with their own logic, tables, and integrations, with a free plan to experiment on. **Pick it if:** - You have developers who want to build custom AI agents with their own logic, tables, and integrations. - You want a free plan with 100 conversations and three AI agents to experiment. - You want Intercom, Zendesk, HubSpot, or Salesforce integrations, which Botpress lists. **Watch out for:** - Conversation packs are added automatically near your quota. - Voice is listed on its Enterprise plan. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for 100 conversations a month; Plus $150 a month billed annually ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Free; Plus $150 and Team $750 a month billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Conversations (100, 250, or 1,500 a month), with packs of 100 for $65 on Plus or $50 on Team; each conversation includes $0.10 of AI usage ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) - Channels: Webchat and WhatsApp; Slack deployment; voice on Enterprise ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Teams, routing, and assignment rules on Team; human-assisted conversations count the same as AI-only ones ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Conversation packs are added automatically at 95% of quota and auto-recharge cannot be turned off; voice is listed on Enterprise ([source](https://botpress.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Botpress’s public pricing page](https://botpress.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Botpress](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/botpress). ## 9. CustomGPT.ai **Best for:** Best for large document libraries CustomGPT.ai is built to answer from big knowledge sets, with many document formats, connectors such as Google Drive and Notion, and several agents per plan. **Pick it if:** - You want answers grounded in a large document library: Standard allows 5,000 documents per agent and 60 million words of storage. - You want many agents for different teams or knowledge sets: 10 on Standard and 25 on Premium. - You want connectors for Confluence, Google Drive, Notion, or SharePoint, or a RAG API for your own apps. **Watch out for:** - Responses stop when the monthly query limit is reached. - Removing its branding needs Premium. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $99 a month, or $89 billed annually (Standard), with a 7-day free trial ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Standard $99 and Premium $499 a month, or $89 and $449 billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) - What is metered: Queries: 1,000 a month on Standard and 5,000 on Premium, shared across agents; documents and word storage are also capped ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) - Channels: Slack deployment listed on every plan; other deployment channels are not itemized on the pricing page ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Responses stop when the monthly query limit is reached; removing CustomGPT.ai branding needs Premium ([source](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [CustomGPT.ai’s public pricing page](https://customgpt.ai/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs CustomGPT.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/customgpt). ## 10. Freshchat **Best for:** Best free plan for a growing team Freshchat offers a free plan for up to 10 agents with a shared inbox, and adds Freddy AI and more messaging channels on paid plans. **Pick it if:** - You want a free plan for up to 10 agents with a chat widget, shared inbox, and email. - You want LINE and Google Business Messages alongside WhatsApp and SMS, which Growth lists. - You need conversations translated across more than 45 languages, which Freshchat lists on Pro and Enterprise. **Watch out for:** - Freddy AI Agent isn’t on the free plan and is metered in session packs. - Phone support is a separate Freshcaller product. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19 per agent a month billed annually, with Freddy AI Agent ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Per agent: Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19, Pro $49, and Enterprise $79 a month billed annually ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - What is metered: Agents, plus Freddy AI Agent sessions: the first 500 included, then $49 per 100 ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - Channels: Web and mobile chat and email on every plan; Messenger, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, LINE, and Google Business Messages from Growth; voice through Freshcaller ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Shared inbox on every plan, including Free ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Freddy AI Agent is not on Free; Freddy AI Copilot is $29 per agent a month on Pro and Enterprise; Freshcaller voice starts from $15 per agent a month ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Freshchat’s public pricing page](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai chatbot for small business”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Answers from your content.** Which sources it learns from, such as pages, documents, and FAQs, and how many you can add on an entry plan. - **AI limits.** How AI use is metered: credits, messages, conversations, or resolutions, and what happens at the limit. - **Human takeover.** Whether your team can step into a chat from a shared inbox, and on which plan. - **Channels.** Website, WhatsApp, SMS, email, social, and phone calls from the same assistant. - **Branding.** Whether your logo and styling are included, or the vendor’s badge stays unless you pay. - **Booking and actions.** Whether the chatbot books appointments or takes actions in your tools. Checked and left out: Drift, because Salesloft’s Drift page describes a transition from Drift to 1mind ([source](https://www.salesloft.com/platform/drift)). ## How to choose an AI chatbot for a small business A chatbot for a small business has one job: answer the questions visitors ask before they buy or book, and pass the rest to you. Judge every option on how well it does that with your own content, then on price. ### Feed it your real content Add your service pages, prices, policies, and FAQ, then ask the questions customers actually send. The right chatbot answers from those sources and says so when it doesn’t know. ### Know how AI use is counted Vendors meter AI differently: Tidio counts Lyro conversations, LiveChat counts resolutions, Chatbase and Chatling count credits, and CustomGPT.ai counts queries. Estimate a busy month before you compare entry prices. ### Make takeover easy Some chats need a person. Check that your team gets notified, sees the whole conversation, and can reply from one inbox without moving to a pricier plan. ### Think beyond the website Customers who chat on your site also call, email, and text. A chatbot that answers only the website leaves those to you; InsertChat answers all of them from one knowledge base. ### Check the branding Several chatbots keep their badge on your site unless you pay to remove it. If the chat represents your business, budget for your own branding or choose a plan that includes it. ## What is the best AI chatbot for a small business? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: it answers website visitors from your own content, books appointments, hands chats to your team, and answers calls, email, SMS, and WhatsApp too, from $98 a month. For a free start with website chat only, Tidio and Chatbase are good options. ## Is there a free AI chatbot for small businesses? Several picks have free plans: Tidio, Chatbase, Crisp, Chatling, Freshchat, and Botpress, each with limits on AI use, seats, or branding. InsertChat has no free plan; new customers get a 7-day free trial with 500 credits, and a card is required at checkout. ## Can an AI chatbot answer phone calls? Most website chatbots can’t. InsertChat’s AI answers your business number from the same knowledge as your chat, and every call lands in the same shared inbox. Each paid plan includes one phone number; calls use credits and round up to whole minutes. ## How does a chatbot hand a conversation to a person? Handoff rules pass the chat to your team when a customer asks for a person, the assistant is unsure, or the customer is upset. In InsertChat, the conversation is marked needs-you, the teammates you choose are notified, and whoever replies sees the full history. ## Will an AI chatbot work on WordPress or Shopify? Most install with a snippet. InsertChat also has a WordPress plugin, and it installs on a Shopify storefront as website chat that answers from your product information and policies; it doesn’t look up live Shopify orders. ## Keep researching - [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website): The AI chat widget behind this list’s top pick. - [Knowledge & answers](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge): The sources your assistant learns from, and how to test them. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox): Where your team takes over chats with the full history. - [WordPress plugin](https://insertchat.com/integration/wordpress): Install the chat on a WordPress site. - [Shopify storefront chat](https://insertchat.com/integration/shopify): Answer shoppers from your product information and policies. - [Human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff): How to set up chatbot handoff to your team. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best Small Business AI Customer Service Tools Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business > The best AI customer service software for small businesses in 2026, compared on seat and AI pricing, channels, and phone support. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI customer service software for a small business in 2026 is InsertChat. One AI answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, and your team works every conversation in one shared inbox, on a flat $98 a month plan with three seats. Zendesk and Intercom Fin suit larger ticket-based teams. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 13, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-insertchat): Best for small teams that answer every channel 2. [Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-zendesk): Best for ticket-based support teams 3. [Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-intercom-fin): Best for pay-per-outcome AI 4. [Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-freshchat): Best free plan for a support team 5. [Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-gorgias): Best for ecommerce stores 6. [Crisp](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-crisp): Best for a small team on a budget 7. [LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-livechat): Best for chat and messaging in one inbox 8. [Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-dialpad): Best for phone-heavy support teams 9. [Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business#pick-nextiva): Best per-conversation AI on a phone plan ## Compare the AI customer service tools for small businesses side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best for small teams that answer every channel | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Zendesk | Best for ticket-based support teams | $19 per agent a month billed annually (Support Team); Suite Team, with messaging and telephony, $55 | Email on every plan; messaging, live chat, and telephony from Suite Team; social channels and WhatsApp with additional fees; text messages as an add-on | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) | | 3. Intercom Fin | Best for pay-per-outcome AI | $29 per seat (billed annually) plus $0.99 per outcome; 14-day free trial | Live chat, support email, and in-app chat included; SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | | 4. Freshchat | Best free plan for a support team | Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19 per agent a month billed annually, with Freddy AI Agent | Web and mobile chat and email on every plan; Messenger, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, LINE, and Google Business Messages from Growth; voice through Freshcaller | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) | | 5. Gorgias | Best for ecommerce stores | $10 a month for 50 tickets (Starter); with AI Agent, $40 a month including 30 automated interactions | Email, chat, social, and help center; voice and SMS as add-ons priced by volume | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) | | 6. Crisp | Best for a small team on a budget | Free plan with 2 seats and no AI credits; Mini $45 a month with 4 seats | Chat widget and email; WhatsApp Business, Instagram, SMS, Line, and Viber in the omnichannel inbox from Essentials; Messenger, Telegram, X, and phone also listed | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) | | 7. LiveChat | Best for chat and messaging in one inbox | $19 per user a month billed annually (Essential), with 1 AI Agent and 10 AI resolutions | Website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email in one inbox on every plan | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) | | 8. Dialpad AI Receptionist | Best for phone-heavy support teams | Not published: the pricing page lists no price for AI Agent Credits | Inbound calls; Dialpad AI Agents also cover digital channels | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) | | 9. Nextiva AI Receptionist | Best per-conversation AI on a phone plan | $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions, with a 30-day money-back guarantee | Phone calls, text messages, web chat, and messaging apps | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best for small teams that answer every channel Helpdesks charge per agent seat and then again for AI. InsertChat charges one monthly plan: Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats, covering AI answers on calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, with your team taking over in a shared inbox. **Why it’s our pick:** - AI answers phone calls on every paid plan, which most helpdesks sell as an add-on or not at all. - Assign conversations, add tags and internal notes, snooze, and reply with saved replies in one inbox. - Email drafts or automatic replies with a delay, business-hours rules, and topics the AI always holds for a person. - Connects Zendesk, HubSpot, Zoho, Dynamics 365, Stripe, and Square as actions the assistant can take, each with optional approval. **Watch out for:** - It isn’t a ticketing helpdesk: there’s no public help center or SLA tracking, so teams that live in tickets can connect Zendesk and keep it. - Conversation analytics and analysis reports start on the Scale plan. - SMS, WhatsApp, and extra phone numbers ($10 a month each) can carry charges beyond the plan. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Zendesk **Best for:** Best for ticket-based support teams Zendesk is a full helpdesk with ticket routing, help centers, and AI agents billed per automated resolution, for teams that already work in tickets. **Pick it if:** - Your support team works in tickets and wants AI agents inside that helpdesk. - You need IVR phone trees, skills-based routing, or several help centers, which Suite Professional lists. - You want to pay for AI per resolution: 5 to 10 automated resolutions per agent a month are included. **Watch out for:** - Priced per agent, plus automated resolutions beyond the included allowance. - Phone numbers, call minutes, texts, and WhatsApp carry extra fees. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $19 per agent a month billed annually (Support Team); Suite Team, with messaging and telephony, $55 ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Per agent: Support Team $19, Suite Team $55, and Suite Professional $115 a month billed annually ($25, $69, and $149 monthly); Suite Enterprise through sales ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Agents, plus AI automated resolutions: 5 per agent a month included on Support Team and Suite Team and 10 on Suite Professional, then $1.50 committed or $2.00 pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Email on every plan; messaging, live chat, and telephony from Suite Team; social channels and WhatsApp with additional fees; text messages as an add-on ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Ticket routing on every plan; omnichannel routing from Suite Team ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Phone numbers, call minutes, text messages, and WhatsApp carry extra fees; Copilot is $50 per agent a month on Professional and above ([source](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Zendesk’s public pricing page](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk). ## 3. Intercom Fin **Best for:** Best for pay-per-outcome AI Intercom charges for its Fin AI agent per outcome on top of per-seat plans, which suits teams that only want to pay when the AI resolves something. **Pick it if:** - Your support team already works in Intercom and wants AI inside it. - You prefer to pay for AI by outcome ($0.99 each) rather than by usage. - Chat and email are your main channels. **Watch out for:** - Seats and outcomes are billed separately. - SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go extras. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $29 per seat (billed annually) plus $0.99 per outcome; 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Per-seat plans at $29, $85, or $132 (billed annually), plus $0.99 per Fin outcome; a Fin-only plan has a monthly minimum ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Fin outcomes ($0.99 each) and seats ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - Channels: Live chat, support email, and in-app chat included; SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Fin hands conversations to agents in your preferred inbox ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are paid add-ons; the Fin-only plan has a minimum monthly commitment, such as 50 outcomes ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Intercom Fin’s public pricing page](https://www.intercom.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin). ## 4. Freshchat **Best for:** Best free plan for a support team Freshchat’s free plan covers up to 10 agents with a shared inbox, and paid plans add Freddy AI and channels such as WhatsApp, SMS, and LINE. **Pick it if:** - You want a free plan for up to 10 agents with a chat widget, shared inbox, and email. - You want LINE and Google Business Messages alongside WhatsApp and SMS, which Growth lists. - You need conversations translated across more than 45 languages, which Freshchat lists on Pro and Enterprise. **Watch out for:** - Freddy AI Agent sessions are sold in packs after the first allowance. - Voice is a separate Freshcaller product. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19 per agent a month billed annually, with Freddy AI Agent ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Per agent: Free for up to 10 agents; Growth $19, Pro $49, and Enterprise $79 a month billed annually ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - What is metered: Agents, plus Freddy AI Agent sessions: the first 500 included, then $49 per 100 ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - Channels: Web and mobile chat and email on every plan; Messenger, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, LINE, and Google Business Messages from Growth; voice through Freshcaller ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Shared inbox on every plan, including Free ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Freddy AI Agent is not on Free; Freddy AI Copilot is $29 per agent a month on Pro and Enterprise; Freshcaller voice starts from $15 per agent a month ([source](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Freshchat’s public pricing page](https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Freshchat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/freshchat). ## 5. Gorgias **Best for:** Best for ecommerce stores Gorgias is a helpdesk built for online stores, with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento integrations and an AI Agent that takes store actions. **Pick it if:** - You run a Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Magento store, which Gorgias lists as integrations. - You want an AI agent that takes store actions such as cancellations and discounts, which Gorgias lists. - Your volume fits ticket pricing and you want up to 500 user seats from Basic. **Watch out for:** - Priced by monthly tickets, plus a fee per automated AI interaction. - Voice and SMS are add-ons. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $10 a month for 50 tickets (Starter); with AI Agent, $40 a month including 30 automated interactions ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Helpdesk by monthly tickets: Starter $10 (monthly only), Basic $60, Pro $360, and Advanced $900 a month, or $50, $300, and $750 billed annually; Enterprise custom ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Tickets (50 to 5,000 a month) and AI Agent automated interactions: $1.00 on Starter, $0.90 on Basic and Pro, $0.85 on Advanced ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) - Channels: Email, chat, social, and help center; voice and SMS as add-ons priced by volume ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Helpdesk with 3 user seats on Starter and 500 on other plans ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: Ticket overage is $0.40 each on Starter and $36 to $40 per 100 on other plans; voice and SMS cost extra ([source](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Gorgias’s public pricing page](https://www.gorgias.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Gorgias](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/gorgias). ## 6. Crisp **Best for:** Best for a small team on a budget Crisp prices per workspace, with a shared inbox on every plan, so adding teammates doesn’t multiply the bill, and paid plans include AI credits. **Pick it if:** - You want a free plan for website chat with two seats. - Your customers write on Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, Line, or Viber, which Crisp lists as channels. - You want many seats on one workspace price: Essentials includes 10 and Plus 20. **Watch out for:** - Its AI credits cover a set number of automated conversations. - Seats beyond the plan’s allowance cost extra. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free plan with 2 seats and no AI credits; Mini $45 a month with 4 seats ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Per workspace: Free, Mini $45, Essentials $95, and Plus $295 a month; Enterprise custom ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - What is metered: AI credits: $5, $25, or $75 included (about 90, 450, or 1,350 automated conversations); conversations are not capped ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - Channels: Chat widget and email; WhatsApp Business, Instagram, SMS, Line, and Viber in the omnichannel inbox from Essentials; Messenger, Telegram, X, and phone also listed ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Shared inbox on every plan, including Free; routing rules and assignment from Essentials ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Extra seats are $10 a month each; removing the “We run on Crisp” watermark is a Plus feature ([source](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Crisp’s public pricing page](https://crisp.chat/en/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Crisp](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/crisp). ## 7. LiveChat **Best for:** Best for chat and messaging in one inbox LiveChat’s Text plans bring website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email into one inbox, with an AI Agent and human takeover. **Pick it if:** - You sell online and want chat-based selling through Shopify, which every Text plan lists. - You want proactive chat campaigns and live visitor tracking on your site. - You want a 14-day trial without a credit card. **Watch out for:** - Priced per user. - AI resolutions are capped by plan, with packs sold beyond that. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $19 per user a month billed annually (Essential), with 1 AI Agent and 10 AI resolutions ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Text plans per user: Essential $19 and Growth $79 a month billed annually ($25 and $99 monthly); Enterprise custom ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Users, plus AI resolutions: 10 a month on Essential and 200 on Growth; 50 more cost $49.50 ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Website chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and email in one inbox on every plan ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human takeover from the AI Agent; chat supervision and takeover on Growth ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Essential keeps 60 days of chat history; existing LiveChat plans must move to Text for these features ([source](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [LiveChat’s public pricing page](https://www.livechat.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs LiveChat](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/livechat). ## 8. Dialpad AI Receptionist **Best for:** Best for phone-heavy support teams Dialpad combines business phones, a contact center, and AI Agents that route calls by intent, for support teams where the phone is the main channel. **Pick it if:** - Your company already runs on Dialpad for calling or its contact center and wants AI answering inside it. - You want calls routed to people or departments by intent, with rules by time of day, day of week, department, or person. - You want to pay for AI only when it looks something up or takes an action. **Watch out for:** - No dollar price is published for AI Agent credits. - It fits best if your company already runs its phones on Dialpad. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Not published: the pricing page lists no price for AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Conversation-based: you buy a pool of AI Agent Credits ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Conversations, billable only when the AI retrieves information or takes an action ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Inbound calls; Dialpad AI Agents also cover digital channels ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) - Human handoff: Routes calls to a person by intent, with the full conversation context ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) - Booking: Checks availability and books, reschedules, or confirms times during the call, where set up ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) - Notable limits: Covers straightforward scheduling; involved cases often fall to a broader AI customer service agent ([source](https://www.dialpad.com/features/virtual-receptionist/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Dialpad’s public pricing page](https://www.dialpad.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Dialpad AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialpad). ## 9. Nextiva AI Receptionist **Best for:** Best per-conversation AI on a phone plan Nextiva’s XBert answers calls, texts, web chat, and messaging apps for a monthly price with a set number of resolutions, added to a Nextiva phone plan. **Pick it if:** - You already use Nextiva for business phones and want AI answering on the same account. - You want a per-conversation price: $99 covers up to 100, then $0.99 each, and calls under 30 seconds don’t count. - You want complex calls transferred to your team with context. **Watch out for:** - It’s an add-on to Nextiva’s per-user phone plans. - Each conversation past the included resolutions is billed. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions, with a 30-day money-back guarantee ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) - Pricing model: $99 per month for up to 100 resolutions, then $0.99 per conversation ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) - What is metered: Conversations: a call of 30 seconds or more, or a text or chat with 3 or more AI responses ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) - Channels: Phone calls, text messages, web chat, and messaging apps ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) - Human handoff: Transfers complex requests to your team with full context ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) - Booking: Live integrations include Google Calendar, Calendly, Cal.com, and Housecall Pro; Salesforce, HubSpot, Square Bookings, ServiceTitan, and others on request ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist)) - Notable limits: Listed as an add-on to Nextiva’s Core, Engage, and Scale phone plans, which are priced per user ([source](https://www.nextiva.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Nextiva’s XBert AI Receptionist page](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist). [Compare InsertChat vs Nextiva AI Receptionist](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/nextiva). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai customer service software for small business”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 13, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **Total cost for a small team.** Seats, AI resolutions or outcomes, and channel add-ons for a three-person team in a busy month. - **AI on every channel.** Whether the AI answers calls, chat, email, and messaging, or only one of them. - **Phone support.** Whether phone is included, an add-on, or a separate product. - **Team inbox.** Assignment, notes, takeover, and how the AI hands a conversation off. - **Integrations.** Helpdesk, CRM, store, and calendar connections the AI can act on. - **Setup effort.** Whether a small team can set it up from its own content without a consultant. ## How to choose AI customer service software for a small business Customer service software built for large support teams prices by agent seat and AI resolution, and assumes someone manages tickets full time. A small business usually needs the opposite: AI that answers most questions wherever customers ask, and a simple inbox for the rest. ### Price your real team, not one seat Multiply the per-seat price by everyone who answers customers, then add AI resolutions, outcomes, or sessions at your volume, plus any channel add-ons. Compare that total with a flat plan such as InsertChat’s, which includes three seats on Pro. ### Count the phone For many small businesses the phone is still the busiest channel. Check whether the AI answers calls, or whether voice is a separate product with its own price. ### Decide whether you need tickets Tickets, SLAs, and help centers suit structured support teams. If you mostly need questions answered and appointments booked, a shared inbox is simpler. InsertChat can create and update Zendesk tickets if you want both. ### Check what the AI can do, not just say Answering is half the job. Look for booking, lookups, and actions in your CRM or helpdesk, each with an approval step you control. ### Start with your top twenty questions Export last month’s emails and chats, pick the twenty most common questions, and make sure each tool answers them from your content before you compare anything else. ## What is the best AI customer service software for a small business? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: one AI answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, and your team works every conversation in one inbox, from $98 a month with three seats. Zendesk and Intercom Fin suit teams that already run ticket-based support. ## How much does AI customer service software cost? Helpdesks on this list charge per agent seat, then again for AI by resolution, outcome, session, or interaction. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with three seats and 5,000 monthly credits shared across every channel. Each pick above shows its sourced entry price. ## Can AI customer service software answer phone calls? Few helpdesks do it on an entry plan: Zendesk sells telephony on Suite plans with numbers and minutes as extras, and Freshchat sells voice through Freshcaller. InsertChat’s AI answers calls on every paid plan, with one phone number included. ## Can InsertChat work with Zendesk or HubSpot? Yes. Connect them and choose the actions your assistant can take, such as creating, looking up, and updating Zendesk tickets, or the supported HubSpot CRM actions. Each action runs automatically or waits for your team’s approval. ## Does a small business need a ticketing system? Not always. Tickets help when several agents work a queue against deadlines. If your team mostly answers questions and books appointments, a shared inbox with assignment, notes, and handoff is enough, and the AI handles routine questions first. ## Keep researching - [AI customer service agent](https://insertchat.com/product/ai-customer-service): One agent that answers and resolves on every channel. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox): Assignment, notes, saved replies, and handoff. - [AI email responder](https://insertchat.com/product/email): Drafts or automatic replies with hold-back topics. - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations): What the assistant can do in your tools, and who approves it. - [Zendesk integration](https://insertchat.com/integration/zendesk): Create and update tickets from a conversation. - [InsertChat vs Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/zendesk): Per-agent helpdesk pricing compared with a flat plan. - [Best AI agents for small business](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business): Support agents ranked alongside workflow agents that act in your apps. - [Pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing): Seats, credits, and features on each plan. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 10 best AI agents for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business) --- # Best AI Agents for Small Business in 2026 Source: https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business > The best AI agents for small businesses in 2026, from customer-facing agents to workflow tools, compared on price, approvals, and setup. Our pick: InsertChat. Our pick for the best AI agent for a small business in 2026 is InsertChat: the agent your customers talk to, answering calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, booking appointments, and acting in your CRM with your approval, from $98 a month. For back-office work, Lindy and Zapier Agents are the easiest to start with. **Disclosure:** We make InsertChat, and we rank it first. Our case for it uses product facts you can check on our pricing and product pages. Every other pick’s prices, metering, channels, and limits come from that vendor’s own public pages, linked next to each fact with the date we read them. Competitor details last checked on October 15, 2026. ## Our picks at a glance 1. [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-insertchat): Best AI agent for customer conversations 2. [Lindy](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-lindy): Best AI assistant for your inbox and meetings 3. [Zapier Agents](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-zapier-agents): Best for automating work across your apps 4. [HubSpot Customer Agent](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-hubspot-customer-agent): Best if your business runs on HubSpot 5. [Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-intercom-fin): Best support agent priced per outcome 6. [Tidio](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-tidio): Best free start for a website chat agent 7. [Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-chatbase): Best for a website agent built from your content 8. [Gumloop](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-gumloop): Best for teams building their own agents 9. [n8n](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-n8n): Best for technical teams and self-hosting 10. [Microsoft Copilot Studio](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-agents-for-small-business#pick-copilot-studio): Best for businesses on Microsoft 365 ## Compare the AI agents for small businesses side by side | Pick | Best for | Starting price | Channels | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. InsertChat | Best AI agent for customer conversations | Pro at $98/month, or $81.67/month billed annually, with 5,000 credits, 3 assistants, and 3 seats | Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox | [Our pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | | 2. Lindy | Best AI assistant for your inbox and meetings | $29.99 a month per user for 3,000 credits, after $50 in free credits that last 7 days, with no card required | Slack threads and mentions, 2 to 5 connected email inboxes depending on plan, and iMessage | October 15, 2026 ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing)) | | 3. Zapier Agents | Best for automating work across your apps | Free for 400 activities a month; Pro $33.33 a month billed annually | Works across 9,000+ connected apps, when you chat with it or on its own, and on the web | October 15, 2026 ([source](https://zapier.com/pricing)) | | 4. HubSpot Customer Agent | Best if your business runs on HubSpot | $0.50 per resolution on a HubSpot Professional or Enterprise subscription, which is required | Live chat, email, forms, WhatsApp, Facebook, and calling (in beta) | October 15, 2026 ([source](https://www.hubspot.com/products/artificial-intelligence/ai-customer-service-agent)) | | 5. Intercom Fin | Best support agent priced per outcome | $29 per seat (billed annually) plus $0.99 per outcome; 14-day free trial | Live chat, support email, and in-app chat included; SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) | | 6. Tidio | Best free start for a website chat agent | Free plan; Starter $24.17 | Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) | | 7. Chatbase | Best for a website agent built from your content | $40 a month (Hobby) with a 7-day trial; no free plan is listed | Chat, email, and voice, with voice from Standard; WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger, and Instagram integrations | October 13, 2026 ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) | | 8. Gumloop | Best for teams building their own agents | $37 a month (Pro), with a 14-day free trial | Its own chat, Slack @mentions, Microsoft Teams chats and channels, and Gmail, plus app triggers and recurring schedules | October 15, 2026 ([source](https://www.gumloop.com/pricing)) | | 9. n8n | Best for technical teams and self-hosting | €20 a month billed annually (Starter), with a free trial and no credit card | Workflows triggered by webhooks or queues and connected to every integration, plus hosted and embedded chat | October 15, 2026 ([source](https://n8n.io/pricing/)) | | 10. Microsoft Copilot Studio | Best for businesses on Microsoft 365 | $200 a month for 25,000 Copilot Credits, or pay as you go with no upfront commitment | Microsoft 365 for internal agents; websites, apps, and social platforms with a standalone license; it also lists interactive voice response (IVR) agents | October 15, 2026 ([source](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/pricing/copilot-studio)) | Prices are as each vendor lists them, in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Vendors change plans, so confirm current terms with the linked source before you buy. ## 1. InsertChat **Best for:** Best AI agent for customer conversations InsertChat is the agent your customers reach: it answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from your knowledge, books appointments, captures leads, and takes actions in apps such as HubSpot, Zoho, Zendesk, and Stripe, with your team approving the ones you choose. Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. **Why it’s our pick:** - Ready without code: it learns from your website pages, documents, questions and answers, audio and video files, and product information. - Books, moves, and cancels appointments in Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com, or the built-in calendar, automatically or after your team approves. - Each connected action, in HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Dynamics 365, Zendesk, Stripe, or Square, runs on its own or waits for review; texts and emails it proposes wait for approval, and only the follow-ups you switch on send by themselves. - Every conversation lands in one shared inbox where your team takes over with the full history, on every plan. **Watch out for:** - It’s built for customer conversations. Internal work such as research, reports, meeting notes, or jobs that span hundreds of apps needs one of the workflow agents below. - It answers inbound calls and messages; it doesn’t place AI outbound calls. - It doesn’t transfer live calls. Your phone can ring first for 5 to 60 seconds; after that, the AI answers and flags anyone who needs a person, with the details attached. - There’s no free plan; new customers get a 7-day free trial with 500 credits, and a card is required at checkout. **Key facts:** - 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)) - 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)) - 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)) - Channels: Website chat, phone, email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one shared inbox ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Human handoff: Your own team takes over in the shared inbox with the full conversation, on every plan ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox)) - Booking: Books into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, automatically or after your team’s approval ([details](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)) - 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)) InsertChat facts come from our [pricing](https://insertchat.com/pricing) and [product](https://insertchat.com/product) pages. ## 2. Lindy **Best for:** Best AI assistant for your inbox and meetings Lindy is an AI teammate in Slack, your email inboxes, and iMessage. It drafts replies in your voice, schedules and preps meetings, runs routines on a schedule, and has a receptionist role that answers calls. Anything that leaves your business waits for approval. **Pick it if:** - You want an AI assistant for your own inbox, meetings, and Slack that drafts replies in your voice. - You want scheduled routines, such as daily briefs and follow-ups, running without a prompt. - You want anything that leaves your business, such as an email, held for your approval. **Watch out for:** - Every active user is billed, from $29.99 a month each, and monthly credits don’t roll over. - Its pages don’t state how many credits a phone call uses. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $29.99 a month per user for 3,000 credits, after $50 in free credits that last 7 days, with no card required ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing)) - Pricing model: Per user: every active user is billed, from $29.99 a month for 3,000 credits each, pooled across the team; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing)) - What is metered: Credits: 2 to 250 for everyday asks, 250 to 1,000 for deep work, and 1,000 to 2,500 for big builds; top-ups cost $10 per 1,000 ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing)) - Channels: Slack threads and mentions, 2 to 5 connected email inboxes depending on plan, and iMessage ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing)) - Human handoff: Anything with outside impact, such as sending an email or updating a ticket, waits for your approval ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing)) - Booking: Its receptionist role answers calls, books the appointment, and texts the confirmation; the credits a call uses are not stated ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/hire/receptionist)) - Notable limits: Credit-using actions pause when the shared pool runs out until the next cycle; monthly credits don’t roll over; HIPAA with a signed BAA is on Enterprise ([source](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing)) Checked on October 15, 2026 from [Lindy’s pricing and receptionist pages](https://www.lindy.ai/pricing). ## 3. Zapier Agents **Best for:** Best for automating work across your apps Zapier Agents run on Zapier’s app connections: describe the job, attach your knowledge, and the agent works in your connected apps when you chat with it or on its own, with a free plan to try it. **Pick it if:** - You already automate with Zapier and want agents on the same 9,000+ app connections. - You want to start free: the Agents Free plan includes 400 activities a month. - You want agents that research leads, draft support emails, or answer Slack questions from your own knowledge. **Watch out for:** - Every action, web browse, and knowledge lookup counts as an activity against the monthly allowance. - Customer-facing website chat is a separate Zapier Chatbots add-on. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free for 400 activities a month; Pro $33.33 a month billed annually ([source](https://zapier.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: A separate Agents plan: Free with 400 activities a month, Pro at $33.33 a month billed annually with 1,500, and Enterprise on request ([source](https://zapier.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Activities: each action an agent takes in a behavior or chat, each web browse, and each lookup in attached knowledge ([source](https://zapier.com/pricing)) - Channels: Works across 9,000+ connected apps, when you chat with it or on its own, and on the web ([source](https://zapier.com/agents)) - Notable limits: Agents act only in apps you’ve connected, with the triggers and actions you set up; website chatbots are a separate add-on ([source](https://zapier.com/pricing)) Checked on October 15, 2026 from [Zapier Agents’s public pricing page](https://zapier.com/pricing). ## 4. HubSpot Customer Agent **Best for:** Best if your business runs on HubSpot HubSpot’s customer agent answers from your knowledge base, website, CRM data, and past conversations, acts in your CRM, and escalates to your team in the help desk they already use. **Pick it if:** - Your contacts, deals, and tickets already live in HubSpot and you want the agent working inside them. - You want to pay only for resolved conversations, at $0.50 each. - You want one agent on live chat, email, forms, WhatsApp, and Facebook. **Watch out for:** - A HubSpot Professional or Enterprise subscription is required before the $0.50 per resolution applies. - Calling is in beta and billed at $0.50 a minute. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $0.50 per resolution on a HubSpot Professional or Enterprise subscription, which is required ([source](https://www.hubspot.com/products/artificial-intelligence/ai-customer-service-agent)) - Pricing model: $0.50 per resolved messaging conversation and $0.50 per voice minute, paid in HubSpot Credits; some subscriptions include monthly credits ([source](https://www.hubspot.com/products/artificial-intelligence/ai-customer-service-agent)) - What is metered: Resolutions: the agent helped and the conversation wasn’t handed to a person for 72 hours, or it qualified a lead; voice is billed per minute ([source](https://www.hubspot.com/products/artificial-intelligence/ai-customer-service-agent)) - Channels: Live chat, email, forms, WhatsApp, Facebook, and calling (in beta) ([source](https://knowledge.hubspot.com/customer-agent/deploy-the-customer-agent-to-channels)) - Human handoff: Escalates complex issues to your team with full context, and transfers calls when a person needs to step in ([source](https://www.hubspot.com/products/artificial-intelligence/ai-customer-service-agent)) - Notable limits: When HubSpot Credits run out, the agent stops taking new conversations on every channel until the next reset or until you buy more ([source](https://knowledge.hubspot.com/customer-agent/deploy-the-customer-agent-to-channels)) Checked on October 15, 2026 from [HubSpot’s customer agent page and channel help article](https://www.hubspot.com/products/artificial-intelligence/ai-customer-service-agent). ## 5. Intercom Fin **Best for:** Best support agent priced per outcome Fin is Intercom’s AI support agent: it answers chat and email, hands conversations to your agents, and charges $0.99 per outcome on top of Intercom seats. **Pick it if:** - Your support team already works in Intercom and wants AI inside it. - You prefer to pay for AI by outcome ($0.99 each) rather than by usage. - Chat and email are your main channels. **Watch out for:** - Seats and outcomes are billed separately, from $29 per seat billed annually. - Phone, SMS, and WhatsApp cost extra on top of seats and outcomes. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $29 per seat (billed annually) plus $0.99 per outcome; 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Per-seat plans at $29, $85, or $132 (billed annually), plus $0.99 per Fin outcome; a Fin-only plan has a monthly minimum ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Fin outcomes ($0.99 each) and seats ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - Channels: Live chat, support email, and in-app chat included; SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are pay-as-you-go ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - Human handoff: Fin hands conversations to agents in your preferred inbox ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) - Notable limits: SMS, WhatsApp, and phone are paid add-ons; the Fin-only plan has a minimum monthly commitment, such as 50 outcomes ([source](https://www.intercom.com/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Intercom Fin’s public pricing page](https://www.intercom.com/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Intercom Fin](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/intercom-fin). ## 6. Tidio **Best for:** Best free start for a website chat agent Tidio’s Lyro AI agent answers website chat and hands off to your team in the same live chat tool, alongside email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with a free plan to start. **Pick it if:** - You want a free plan for website live chat. - You want Messenger and Instagram alongside chat, email, and WhatsApp. - You want no-code Flows that react to visitor behavior, sold as an add-on from $24.17. **Watch out for:** - Free and Starter include 50 one-off Lyro conversations; more AI is an add-on from $32.50 a month for 50. - Phone calls aren’t among its channels. **Key facts:** - Entry price: Free plan; Starter $24.17 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Free; Starter $24.17; Growth from $49.17; Plus from $300 plus usage; Premium custom ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - What is metered: Billable human conversations (50 on Free, 100 on Starter, up to 2,000 on Growth) and Lyro AI conversations ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - Channels: Live chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Lyro AI Agent hands conversations to your team ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Free and Starter include 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations; more need the Lyro add-on, from $32.50 a month for 50 ([source](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Tidio’s public pricing page](https://www.tidio.com/pricing/). [Compare InsertChat vs Tidio](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/tidio). ## 7. Chatbase **Best for:** Best for a website agent built from your content Chatbase builds an AI agent from your content for your website, with WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger, and Instagram integrations, a Calendly connection, and voice from its Standard plan. **Pick it if:** - You want Slack, Messenger, or Instagram connections, which Chatbase lists among its integrations. - You prefer paying by message credits, with 1,000 extra for $40. - You want to choose among AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others. **Watch out for:** - The $40 Hobby plan includes one AI agent and 700 message credits. - Removing Chatbase branding costs $99 a month. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $40 a month (Hobby) with a 7-day trial; no free plan is listed ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Pricing model: Hobby ($40), Standard ($150), and Pro ($500) a month, plus custom Enterprise; 20% off yearly ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - What is metered: Message credits (700, 4,000, or 15,000 a month); an extra 1,000 cost $40 ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Channels: Chat, email, and voice, with voice from Standard; WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger, and Instagram integrations ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Human handoff: Helpdesk from the $150 Standard plan ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Booking: Calendly integration ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) - Notable limits: One AI agent per plan ($25 a month per extra agent); removing Chatbase branding is $99 a month ([source](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing)) Checked on October 13, 2026 from [Chatbase’s public pricing page](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing). [Compare InsertChat vs Chatbase](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/chatbase). ## 8. Gumloop **Best for:** Best for teams building their own agents Gumloop lets the people who know a task build the agent for it, then use it from Slack, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, or Gumloop’s own chat, with 400+ connectors and a browser the agent drives on sites without an API. **Pick it if:** - You want unlimited seats and agents on one plan from $37 a month. - You want agents your team can @mention in Slack or bring into Microsoft Teams. - You want agents that work in websites without an API, through a real browser. **Watch out for:** - Credits pass through model, compute, and tool costs plus an 8% fee, so each task costs a different amount. - Agents stop at the 20,000 monthly credits unless you switch on pay as you go. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $37 a month (Pro), with a 14-day free trial ([source](https://www.gumloop.com/pricing)) - Pricing model: Pro from $37 a month with 20,000 credits (7,400 plus 12,600 bonus), unlimited agents, and unlimited seats; Enterprise is custom ([source](https://www.gumloop.com/pricing)) - What is metered: Credits at $0.005 each for model tokens, compute, and paid tool calls at list price, plus an 8% orchestration fee (16% with your own model keys) ([source](https://www.gumloop.com/pricing)) - Channels: Its own chat, Slack @mentions, Microsoft Teams chats and channels, and Gmail, plus app triggers and recurring schedules ([source](https://www.gumloop.com/)) - Human handoff: Hands you its live browser when a site needs you to sign in or approve, then picks up where it left off ([source](https://www.gumloop.com/)) - Notable limits: Agents stop when the 20,000 monthly credits run out unless you turn on pay as you go; unused credits don’t roll over; 25 concurrent agent chats on Pro ([source](https://www.gumloop.com/pricing)) Checked on October 15, 2026 from [Gumloop’s pricing page and homepage](https://www.gumloop.com/pricing). ## 9. n8n **Best for:** Best for technical teams and self-hosting n8n is a workflow automation platform with AI agent nodes, human approval for tool calls, and chat you can host or embed. It charges per full workflow run rather than per step, and its Community Edition can be self-hosted. **Pick it if:** - You have someone technical who wants control over every step an agent takes. - You want to pay per workflow run, however many steps it has. - You want the option to self-host your automations. **Watch out for:** - You build each agent as a workflow, which suits someone comfortable with logic, APIs, and testing. - Prices are listed in euros, and Starter limits runs to 5 minutes with 5 at once. **Key facts:** - Entry price: €20 a month billed annually (Starter), with a free trial and no credit card ([source](https://n8n.io/pricing/)) - Pricing model: Billed annually in euros: Starter €20, Pro €50, and self-hosted Business €667 a month; Enterprise on request; a Community Edition can be self-hosted from GitHub ([source](https://n8n.io/pricing/)) - What is metered: Workflow executions, one per full run regardless of steps: 2,500 on Starter, 10,000 on Pro, and 40,000 on Business ([source](https://n8n.io/pricing/)) - Channels: Workflows triggered by webhooks or queues and connected to every integration, plus hosted and embedded chat ([source](https://n8n.io/pricing/)) - Human handoff: Human approval for tool calls on every cloud plan ([source](https://n8n.io/pricing/)) - Notable limits: Starter allows 5 concurrent executions, 5-minute runs, and 7 days of execution logs; Starter and Pro get forum support ([source](https://n8n.io/pricing/)) Checked on October 15, 2026 from [n8n’s public pricing page](https://n8n.io/pricing/). ## 10. Microsoft Copilot Studio **Best for:** Best for businesses on Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio builds agents for Microsoft 365. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license covers internal agents; a standalone license publishes agents to your website, apps, or social platforms, billed in Copilot Credits. **Pick it if:** - Your team already pays for Microsoft 365 Copilot and wants internal agents at no extra cost. - You want agents that draw on knowledge in Microsoft Foundry or Azure AI Search. - You want to design phone menu (IVR) agents alongside chat agents. **Watch out for:** - The standalone plans need an Azure subscription to run agents. - Each action or response uses a varying number of credits, so test before you estimate a monthly cost. **Key facts:** - Entry price: $200 a month for 25,000 Copilot Credits, or pay as you go with no upfront commitment ([source](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/pricing/copilot-studio)) - Pricing model: Copilot Credits: packs of 25,000 for $200 a month, a pay-as-you-go meter, or a prepaid plan saving up to 20%; Microsoft 365 Copilot ($30 per user a month, paid yearly) includes building internal agents ([source](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/pricing/copilot-studio)) - What is metered: Copilot Credits, billed in varying amounts each time an agent completes an action or response ([source](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/pricing/copilot-studio)) - Channels: Microsoft 365 for internal agents; websites, apps, and social platforms with a standalone license; it also lists interactive voice response (IVR) agents ([source](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/pricing/copilot-studio)) - Notable limits: An Azure subscription is required to use agents on the prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans; publishing outside your organization needs the standalone license ([source](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/pricing/copilot-studio)) Checked on October 15, 2026 from [Microsoft Copilot Studio’s public pricing page](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/pricing/copilot-studio). ## How we evaluated We read the pages that rank for “best ai agents for small business”, kept the products a small business can actually buy, and read each vendor’s own pricing and product pages, most recently on October 15, 2026. We don’t give star ratings or scores, and we didn’t buy every plan: these are documented facts, not hands-on test results. Anything a vendor doesn’t publish is left out rather than guessed. InsertChat is first because we build it for this job; the others are ordered by how well they fit the buyer this page is for. - **The jobs it takes on.** Answering customers, booking, and qualifying leads, or back-office work such as email, meetings, research, and data entry. - **Setup without code.** Whether you describe the job and connect apps, or design workflows, prompts, and tools yourself. - **Pricing you can predict.** A published entry price, and the unit the AI is metered in: credits, activities, executions, resolutions, or outcomes. - **Human approval.** Which actions wait for a person before they run, and who can approve them. - **Handoff to your team.** How a customer or a stuck task reaches a person, with the context attached. - **Integrations.** The apps it can act in, such as your calendar, CRM, help desk, email, and payments. Checked and left out: Relevance AI, because its pricing page lists only an Enterprise plan, with no published prices ([source](https://relevanceai.com/pricing)). ## How to choose an AI agent for a small business An AI agent takes a goal, works out the steps, and acts in your tools: answering a customer, booking a visit, updating a CRM record, or drafting a reply. The products split into agents your customers talk to and agents that work behind the scenes for your team, so decide which job you’re handing over first. ### Start with one job Pick the task that costs you the most time or revenue, such as unanswered calls, slow replies to new leads, or copying data between apps. Judge each agent on that job before you compare anything else. ### Decide who talks to it InsertChat, HubSpot’s customer agent, Fin, Tidio, and Chatbase answer your customers. Zapier Agents, Gumloop, n8n, and Copilot Studio work for your team, and Lindy does mostly team work with a receptionist role on the side. Many small businesses end up with one of each. ### Keep a person on risky actions Require approval for anything that leaves your business, such as sending an email, changing a booking, or updating a customer record. InsertChat, Lindy, and n8n each let you hold actions for review until you trust the results. ### Price a real month Agents meter work in different units: Lindy and Gumloop use credits, Zapier counts activities, n8n counts workflow runs, HubSpot and Intercom charge per resolution or outcome, and Copilot Studio bills Copilot Credits. Run a week of your real tasks in a trial and multiply it out. ### Check where the work lands An agent that acts without leaving a record creates work for someone else. Make sure every conversation, booking, and action shows up where your team already looks, whether that’s a shared inbox, your CRM, or Slack. ## What is the best AI agent for a small business? We rank InsertChat first, and we make it: it’s the AI agent your customers talk to, answering calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, booking appointments, and handing off to your team, from $98 a month. For back-office work such as email, meetings, and app-to-app tasks, Lindy and Zapier Agents are the easiest workflow agents to start with. ## What can an AI agent do for a small business? Customer-facing agents answer questions, book appointments, qualify leads, and pass conversations to your team. Workflow agents draft emails, prepare for meetings, update your CRM, research leads, and move data between apps. Results are best when each agent has one clear job and approval on anything that leaves your business. ## How much do AI agents cost? Zapier Agents and Tidio have free plans. Paid entry points on this list include Lindy from $29.99 per user a month, Gumloop from $37 a month, Chatbase from $40 a month, Copilot Studio at $200 a month for 25,000 credits, and HubSpot at $0.50 per resolution on a Professional or Enterprise subscription. InsertChat Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 monthly credits. ## Do I need to code to use an AI agent? Not for most of this list. InsertChat, Lindy, Zapier Agents, HubSpot’s customer agent, Tidio, Chatbase, and Gumloop are set up by describing the job, adding knowledge, and connecting apps. n8n suits someone comfortable designing workflows, and it can be self-hosted. ## Can an AI agent answer my business phone? Some can. InsertChat answers calls on every paid plan, with one phone number included, from the same knowledge as chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. HubSpot lists calling for its customer agent in beta at $0.50 a minute, Lindy’s receptionist role answers calls, and Intercom sells phone as a pay-as-you-go extra. ## Is it safe to let an AI agent act on its own? Start with approval on and loosen it as you trust the results. In InsertChat, each connected action runs automatically or waits for review, and follow-up texts and emails always need approval from an owner, admin, or manager, plus the customer’s consent. Lindy and n8n also list approval steps. ## Keep researching - [Actions & approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations): What this list’s top pick can do in your apps, and who approves it. - [AI voice agent](https://insertchat.com/product/voice-agent): The phone side of the agent your customers talk to. - [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture): How the agent records new leads for your team. - [Shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox): Where your team takes over from the agent. - [Integrations](https://insertchat.com/integrations): Every app the agent can act in, with its actions. - [Developers](https://insertchat.com/developers): API keys and signed webhooks for connecting your own systems. ## More buyer’s guides - [The 10 best AI receptionists for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist) - [The 10 best AI answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-answering-service) - [The 10 best virtual receptionist services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-virtual-receptionist-services) - [The 8 best answering services for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-answering-service-for-small-business) - [The 8 best after-hours answering services in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-after-hours-answering-service) - [The 9 best AI phone agents for businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-phone-agent) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for home service businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-home-services) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for law firms in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-law-firms) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for medical practices in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-medical-practices) - [The 9 best AI receptionists for real estate in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-receptionist-for-real-estate) - [The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-chatbot-for-small-business) - [The 9 best AI customer service tools for small businesses in 2026](https://insertchat.com/best/best-ai-customer-service-software-for-small-business) --- # AI Call Center: What It Is and How It Works Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-call-center > An AI call center answers calls with voice AI that talks, books, and logs every call. How it works, use cases, costs, risks, and what a small business needs. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-15 An AI call center uses voice AI to answer and handle phone calls the way a trained agent would. The AI agent listens to the caller, works out what they need, answers from approved business information, and completes tasks such as booking an appointment or updating a record. Calls that need judgment go to people with a transcript and summary. The term covers two different setups. In a large contact center, AI mostly works next to human agents: it transcribes calls, suggests answers, scores quality, and routes callers. For a small business, an AI call center usually means one AI agent that answers every inbound call, several at a time, at any hour. InsertChat details are current as of October 15, 2026. ## What is an AI call center? An AI call center is a phone operation where AI agents answer some or all calls, or support the people who do. The AI understands speech, replies in a natural voice, and acts in connected business tools. Where a phone menu sorts callers into queues, an AI agent handles the request in conversation. You’ll see several names for the same idea: - **AI call center or AI call centre:** the broad term, for fully automated answering and for AI added to a staffed center. - **AI contact center or contact center AI:** the same technology across phone, chat, email, and messaging, usually the tools large support teams buy. - **AI call center agent or AI voice agent:** the software that holds the conversation. The [voice AI agent](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voice-ai-agent) glossary entry explains its building blocks. - **Conversational AI contact center:** a contact center that uses [conversational AI](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conversational-ai) in place of keypad menus. - **AI receptionist:** an AI call center agent with a front-desk job at a smaller business. See [what an AI receptionist is](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist). When you compare products, check two things. Inbound AI answers the calls customers place to you; outbound AI places calls, such as reminders or sales campaigns, under stricter rules. And some products replace the first person a caller reaches, while others only assist human agents. ## How does an AI call center work? A call reaches the AI through a phone number or a forwarding rule. Speech recognition turns the caller’s words into text, a language model works out the request and finds the answer in your knowledge, and a synthetic voice replies. When the caller wants something done, the agent uses connected apps, then saves a transcript and summary. Every call runs through the same stages: 1. **Telephony.** The call arrives on a number the AI service provides, or your phone system forwards it there: every call, after-hours calls, or the ones nobody picks up. 2. **Speech recognition.** The caller’s audio becomes text in real time. A noisy line can garble a name or address at this step. 3. **Understanding and knowledge.** A language model works out the intent, such as booking, a price question, or a complaint, and looks up the answer in the information you approved. This grounding, called [retrieval-augmented generation](https://insertchat.com/glossary/retrieval-augmented-generation), keeps replies tied to your facts. 4. **Actions in connected apps.** The agent checks open times in a calendar, creates a booking, or updates a CRM contact. A well-built agent waits for the app to confirm before telling the caller it’s done. 5. **Voice reply.** Speech synthesis reads the answer back, and the agent manages turn-taking: noticing when the caller has finished and stopping when interrupted. 6. **Handoff and records.** When a call needs a person, the agent collects the details and alerts the team. Every call ends with a transcript and summary on the caller’s contact record. Older systems chain separate speech-to-text, language, and text-to-speech models. Newer realtime voice models listen and speak within one model, which can shorten the pause before each reply. InsertChat’s [AI voice agent](https://insertchat.com/product/voice-agent) uses a realtime voice model and answers in the language the caller speaks. ### What does one busy minute look like? Bayview Heating and Air is a fictional HVAC company with both technicians on jobs and nobody at the desk. At 2:14 p.m., three calls arrive within the same minute, and the AI agent answers all three. - **Caller 1** wants a furnace tune-up. The AI offers Thursday at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m., the caller picks 9, and the AI repeats the date, time, and address back before booking it. - **Caller 2** asks whether the company services heat pumps and what a diagnostic visit costs. The AI answers from the service list and the price the owner published, then offers a time. - **Caller 3** says water is pooling under the furnace. The AI reads the safety steps the owner wrote, takes the address and phone number, marks the conversation urgent, and the team gets an alert. A single receptionist could take one of those calls; the other two would ring out or reach voicemail. Here, each call ends with a transcript, a summary, and a contact record in one inbox. This scenario is illustrative, not a customer result. ## How does an AI call center compare with a call center, answering service, or IVR? An AI call center agent answers each call it receives, several at once, from approved information, and finishes routine tasks. A traditional call center uses trained people, one call per agent. An answering service takes messages from a shared operator pool. An IVR plays a recorded menu and routes callers without answering their questions. | | AI call center agent | Traditional call center | Answering service | IVR phone menu | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Who answers | Software, from your knowledge and rules | Trained agents on scheduled shifts | A shared pool of operators following your script | A recording | | Calls at once | Several at a time, up to the platform’s limit | One per agent on shift | As many as operators are free | As many as your phone lines carry | | Hours | Any hours you route to it | Staffed hours | Often around the clock, depending on the plan | Always on | | Answers questions | Yes, from approved information | Yes, with training and a knowledge system | Basic scripted answers | Recorded messages only | | Completes tasks | Books, updates records, and captures leads within your permissions | Yes, in the tools agents use | Takes messages; some book or dispatch | Only the self-service flows you build | | Reaching a person | Depends on the product: live transfer or a flagged handoff | Escalation to a supervisor or specialist | A relayed message or a patched call | Transfer to an extension | | Record of each call | Transcript, summary, and contact record | Agent notes, often a recording | Message notes | Call log | | Typical pricing | Monthly plan plus usage, or per seat | Hourly or per-seat staffing | Minutes or calls in monthly bundles | Often included with phone service | | Best for | Routine calls, overflow, and after hours | Complex, high-volume support | Message taking and urgent dispatch | Routing to departments | The lines blur in practice: many contact centers keep an IVR for routing and put an AI agent behind one branch. The [AI receptionist vs IVR guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-ivr) follows the same call through a menu and a conversation, and the [virtual receptionist vs answering service guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/virtual-receptionist-vs-answering-service) covers the human options. ## What does AI handle well, and where do people still matter? AI handles calls with a known answer or a defined task: questions about hours, services, and published prices; booking and rescheduling; intake; and order or appointment lookups. People still matter wherever a call needs judgment, authority, or empathy: complaints, exceptions to policy, custom quotes, emergencies, and upset callers. What AI agents do well: - **Repeat questions:** the same approved answer at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. - **Booking and changes:** open times from the real calendar, booked after the caller confirms. - **Intake:** name, number, address, and request collected in a consistent order. - **Volume spikes:** several callers answered at once instead of queued. - **Language:** answers in the caller’s language from the same knowledge. - **Records:** a transcript and summary for every call, so you can review all of them rather than a sample. Where people still matter: - **Judgment calls:** refund exceptions, disputes, custom quotes, and anything your policies don’t cover. - **Emotion:** an angry or distressed caller should reach a person quickly. - **Emergencies:** the AI can read your safety steps and alert the on-call person, but a person owns the response. - **Professional advice:** medical, legal, and financial questions belong with qualified staff. The split that works is routine calls to AI and everything else to people. The AI collects the details first, and that depends on clear [human handoff](https://insertchat.com/glossary/human-handoff) rules. ## Will AI replace call center agents? AI is taking over routine calls, though not every call center job. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of customer service representatives to decline 5% from 2025 to 2035 as their tasks are automated, and it still projects about 289,500 openings a year. All of them replace workers who change occupations or retire. The [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/customer-service-representatives.htm) counted 2,666,000 customer service representative jobs in 2025 and notes that many of these workers are in call centers. It ties the projected decline to automation and to self-service systems that let customers handle simple tasks without a representative. It also expects some companies to keep in-house service centers for complex issues, such as processing refunds or verifying insurance coverage. For a small business, the question looks different, because most never had a call center to replace. The AI takes calls that used to ring out, reach voicemail, or interrupt someone mid-job. If you keep a receptionist, point the AI at after-hours and overflow calls first, so the two work together. ## How do enterprise contact centers use AI? Large contact centers use AI in two places. In front of agents, AI virtual agents and smarter routing handle or sort calls. Alongside agents, AI transcribes calls, suggests answers, drafts after-call notes, and scores quality. Forecasting and scheduling tools also use AI to plan staffing across shifts. Common enterprise uses: - **Virtual agents:** AI resolves common requests, such as order status, before a person is needed. - **Intent-based routing:** the caller states the reason instead of pressing 1, and the call reaches the right queue. - **Agent assist:** live transcription with suggested answers on the agent’s screen. - **After-call summaries:** drafted notes, aimed at shortening wrap-up time between calls. - **Quality assurance:** automated scoring of every call for script adherence, required disclosures, and sentiment, where a supervisor would otherwise sample a few. - **Workforce management:** call volume forecasts that drive shift planning. These platforms assume agents, queues, supervisors, and an IT team to integrate them, and they are sold that way, often per agent seat or per minute through a sales process. Metrics such as [first call resolution](https://insertchat.com/glossary/first-call-resolution) and [call abandonment rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-abandonment-rate) usually anchor the business case. ## What does a small business actually need from an AI call center? A small business needs an AI agent that answers the calls the team can’t take, books appointments, captures caller details, and flags what needs a person. Queues, seats, and workforce planning don’t apply. The job is closer to a front desk than a call center, and small-business products are often sold as AI receptionists. - **Inbound answering:** every call you route to it answered from your website pages, documents, and FAQs. - **Booking:** appointments in the calendar you already use, within your rules for length, buffers, and notice. See [AI scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). - **Intake:** the caller’s name, contact details, and request saved as a contact. See [lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture). - **After-hours and overflow coverage:** your team answers first when it can, and the AI takes the rest. See [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours). - **Several calls at once:** a second caller isn’t sent to voicemail while the first one is booking. - **Other channels:** customers who text, email, or use your website chat get the answers they would hear on the phone. - **A clear handoff:** calls that need a person arrive with a transcript and summary, so nobody calls back cold. | | Enterprise contact center AI | Small-business AI call answering | | --- | --- | --- | | Main job | Help many agents handle high volume | Answer the calls a small team misses | | Who answers first | Often an IVR or virtual agent, then a person | The AI agent, or your team with the AI as backup | | Core features | Routing, agent assist, quality scoring, forecasting | Answers, booking, intake, handoff, after-hours coverage | | Setup | An integration project with IT | Knowledge, a calendar connection, and call forwarding | | Pricing | Per seat or per minute, often through sales | Monthly plan plus usage | | Success measure | Handle time, first call resolution, service levels | Calls answered, bookings made, leads captured | The [small business guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-for-small-business) covers which calls to hand over first and what to measure in the first weeks. ## How much does an AI call center cost? For a small business, AI call answering costs a monthly plan plus usage, metered by the minute, by the call, or in credits. InsertChat starts at $98 a month for Pro with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits. A staffed call center costs far more, because each agent is a salary that covers one call at a time. Here is how InsertChat prices calls: - **Plans:** Pro at $98, Growth at $198, Scale at $498, and Enterprise from $998 per month, each with monthly credits. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments. - **Calls:** each call rounds up to whole minutes, with a one-minute minimum. At the usage estimator’s rate of 12 credits per billable minute, Pro’s 5,000 credits cover about 416 call minutes, roughly 138 three-minute calls, or about 71 cents of the Pro price per call, if you spend them only on calls. - **Numbers and channels:** one phone number is included, and additional numbers cost $10 per month. Website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp use the same credits; SMS, WhatsApp, and other connected services can carry their own charges. - **Trial:** new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout. On the human side, the [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/customer-service-representatives.htm) puts the median customer service representative wage at $44,770 a year ($21.53 an hour, May 2025). Wages and salaries were 70.0% of private-industry employer compensation costs in June 2026, according to the BLS [Employer Costs for Employee Compensation](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) release, so one full-time agent costs roughly $64,000 a year before software, training, and supervision. For a front-desk comparison, the [median receptionist wage](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm) is $38,010 a year ($18.27 an hour, May 2025). | | Full-time call center agent | InsertChat Pro | | --- | --- | --- | | Yearly cost | About $64,000 ($44,770 ÷ 0.70) | $1,176 billed monthly, or $980 billed annually | | Calls at once | One | Several per assistant | | Hours covered | About 40 of the week’s 168, minus breaks and time off | Whatever hours you route to it | | Strengths | Judgment, empathy, complex cases | Routine questions, booking, intake, after hours | The loaded figure is an estimate from national averages, not a quote for your area. Enterprise contact center AI pricing varies by vendor and contract, so get written quotes. The [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) compares 10 small-business providers at the same call volume, and the [receptionist cost calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/receptionist-cost-calculator) runs the comparison with your own numbers. ## What are the risks of an AI call center, and which rules apply? The main risks are wrong answers, callers who feel misled, mishandled sensitive data, and outbound calls placed without consent. The fixes: ground answers in approved knowledge, disclose the AI in the greeting, keep sensitive data on plans and agreements built for it, and get consent before calls you place. - **Hallucination.** A language model can state something plausible and wrong, known as [AI hallucination](https://insertchat.com/glossary/ai-hallucination). Limit the agent to approved knowledge and send unknowns to a person. InsertChat is set to say when information is unavailable instead of guessing, and an uncertain answer triggers a handoff. - **Misheard details.** Have the agent repeat names, dates, and addresses back before saving a booking. - **Identity.** Caller ID can be spoofed, so an agent shouldn’t treat it as proof of identity. InsertChat’s voice agent doesn’t. - **Disclosure.** Tell callers they’re speaking with an AI assistant. In the EU, Article 50 of the [AI Act](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj) requires AI systems that interact directly with people to be designed so those people are informed, unless that is obvious from the context. A one-line greeting covers it: “Thanks for calling Bayview Heating and Air. I’m the team’s AI assistant.” - **Outbound calls.** In February 2024 the FCC [ruled that AI-generated voices count as “artificial”](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-400393A1.pdf) under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, so AI-voice calls a business places are held to the same robocall rules, including prior express written consent for telemarketing. The ruling targets calls you place; answering calls customers make to you is a different situation. The [TCPA glossary entry](https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa) has more. - **Health information.** If the agent will handle protected health information, HIPAA generally requires a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with the vendor. A BAA is a contract, not a certification. InsertChat Enterprise plans can sign a BAA; on other plans, keep patient health information out of the agent’s knowledge and intake questions. HHS publishes [sample business associate agreement provisions](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/sample-business-associate-agreement-provisions/index.html), and the [HIPAA guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/is-an-ai-receptionist-hipaa-compliant) goes further. - **Payments.** Keep card numbers off AI calls unless the platform is built for secure phone payments. Rules vary by country, state, and industry. This is general information, not legal advice, so check with your advisor before you go live in a regulated field. ## How do you set up an AI call center, step by step? Set one up in eight steps: list why people call, write the knowledge, connect your calendar and apps, set permissions and handoff rules, choose routing, pick a voice and greeting, test, and go live on one slice of calls. Start with after-hours or overflow calls, then widen once the transcripts look right. 1. **List why people call.** Read your phone provider’s call log and group calls into questions, bookings, changes, quotes, complaints, and emergencies. 2. **Write the knowledge.** Add website pages, documents, and questions and answers on services, published prices, hours, service area, and policies. The [knowledge guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) covers what to include. 3. **Connect your calendar and apps.** InsertChat books into its built-in calendar, [Google Calendar](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar), [Outlook](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook), [Calendly](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly), or [Cal.com](https://insertchat.com/integration/cal-com), and acts in apps such as [HubSpot](https://insertchat.com/integration/hubspot) and [Zendesk](https://insertchat.com/integration/zendesk). 4. **Set permissions and handoff rules.** Switch on only the actions the agent needs, choose which wait for approval, and add handoff topics such as emergencies and billing disputes. The [handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) explains each rule. 5. **Choose routing.** The AI on every call, the AI after hours, or your team first, with the AI taking calls nobody picks up within 5 to 60 seconds. 6. **Pick a voice and greeting.** Choose one of 10 voices and write a short greeting that names the business and says an AI assistant is answering. 7. **Test like a customer.** Ask a routine question and one your knowledge doesn’t cover, book and change an appointment, ask for a person, and report an emergency. Read each transcript. 8. **Go live on one slice.** Forward after-hours or unanswered calls first. In the US and Canada, keep your number by forwarding it, using the [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding); elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Number porting is not offered. Review conversations weekly and fill gaps in the knowledge. The [setup guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-set-up-an-ai-receptionist) walks through all 11 steps in the InsertChat app. ## What should you check before you buy? Test the agent on your own calls, and get direct answers on call direction, concurrency, handoff, actions, billing, and data. Run five test calls that mirror your real ones to hear how it will treat your customers. | Question to ask | Why it matters | InsertChat’s answer | | --- | --- | --- | | Does it answer inbound calls, place outbound calls, or both? | Outbound AI calls carry consent rules | Inbound only | | How many calls can it take at once? | Spikes are when callers hang up | Several at once per assistant | | How does a caller reach a person? | The hard calls shape your reputation | Handoff rules mark the conversation needs-you and email your team; your phone can ring first; no live transfer | | What can it do in my apps? | Answers alone don’t book jobs | Booking in five calendar options; actions in HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Dynamics 365, Zendesk, Square, and Stripe, within your permissions | | What unit do you bill, and how do you round? | Rounding changes the real price | Monthly credits; calls round up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum | | Can I keep my number? | Customers already know it | Forwarding in the US and Canada; local or toll-free numbers elsewhere; no porting | | What record do I get? | You need to check its work | Transcript, AI summary, and contact record in a shared inbox; no call recording or voicemail | | Which languages does it speak? | Callers won’t switch language for you | Answers in the caller’s language | | What reporting is included? | You need to see what it resolved | Reports for the last 30 days on every plan; topic and sentiment analysis on Scale and Enterprise | | Will you sign a BAA? | Required for protected health information | On Enterprise | | Can I try it first? | Test calls beat demos | 7-day free trial with 500 credits; card required | ## Where does InsertChat fit? InsertChat is an AI front desk for small and local businesses rather than a contact center platform. One assistant answers inbound calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, books into your calendar, and hands your team the conversations that need a person, each with a transcript and summary. What it does: - **Answers calls** in one of 10 voices, in the caller’s language, several at once per assistant. - **Books appointments** after the caller confirms, moves or cancels the ones it booked, and customers can get reminders 72 and 24 hours before. - **Saves every caller** as a contact with their request, and updates connected apps such as HubSpot, Zoho CRM, and Zendesk within your permissions. - **Hands off with context:** conversations that need your team are marked needs-you, the teammates you choose get an email, and the transcript and summary are waiting. A caller who asks for a callback gets a confirmation by text or email. - **Lets your team go first:** your phone rings for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI picks up, or the AI takes only after-hours calls. What it doesn’t do: InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls, place outbound calls, take voicemail, or record calls, and it doesn’t replace your phone system. It has no agent desktop, call queues, workforce management, or per-agent quality scoring. Large support teams need contact center software for those. ## See it answer your calls An AI call center for a small business comes down to one agent that answers every call you route to it and hands your team the rest. [Explore the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) with a fictional business and sample data, compare plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing), or [start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and route your after-hours calls to the AI first. The [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) page covers routing modes and keeping your number in detail. ## What is an AI call center? An AI call center uses voice AI to answer and handle phone calls. The AI agent listens to the caller, works out the request, answers from approved business information, and completes tasks such as booking an appointment or updating a record. Calls that need judgment go to people with a transcript and summary. ## Will AI replace call center agents? Not entirely. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of customer service representatives to decline 5% from 2025 to 2035 as their tasks are automated, yet it still projects about 289,500 openings a year. AI takes over routine calls, while people keep complaints, exceptions, and calls that need judgment. ## How much does an AI call center cost? For a small business, AI call answering is a monthly plan plus usage, metered by the minute, by the call, or in credits. InsertChat starts at $98 a month for Pro with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, which cover about 416 call minutes at 12 credits per billable minute if calls are the only usage. Enterprise contact center AI pricing varies by vendor and contract. ## Can a small business have an AI call center? Yes. A small business doesn’t need seats or queues: one AI agent can answer every call you route to it, take several at once, book appointments, and capture caller details. InsertChat does this across phone, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from one knowledge base, from $98 a month. ## Is an AI call center the same as an IVR? No. An IVR plays a recorded menu and routes callers by keypad presses or a few spoken keywords. An AI call center agent lets callers say what they need in their own words, answers from your information, and completes tasks such as booking. Many contact centers keep an IVR for routing and add an AI agent behind it. ## Can AI call center agents make outbound calls? Some platforms place outbound AI calls, and in the US those calls fall under the TCPA: in February 2024 the FCC ruled that AI-generated voices count as “artificial,” so robocall consent rules apply. InsertChat answers inbound calls only. Follow-ups go out as texts or emails that wait for your team’s approval and the customer’s consent, or your team calls back. --- # After-Hours Message Examples: 34 Scripts Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/after-hours-message-examples > 34 after-hours phone message examples for voicemail, emergencies, weekends, and 10 industries, plus text, chat, and email replies and AI receptionist greetings. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 An after-hours phone message should tell callers four things in about 20 to 30 seconds: that they reached the right business, that you’re closed, when you reopen, and what to do now. Give the emergency option first if you have one, then ask for a name, number, and reason for calling, and promise a specific callback time you can keep. Below are 34 after-hours messages you can copy: standard voicemails, messages with an emergency option, weekend and lunch messages, 10 industry versions, replies for texts, chat, and email, and greetings for an AI receptionist that answers instead of a voicemail box. Replace anything in brackets. ## What should an after-hours message include? An after-hours message should include your business name, a clear statement that you’re closed, the reopening day and time, an emergency path if you offer one, what the caller should leave, and when you’ll call back. Put them in that order, because many callers hang up as soon as they hear the reopening time. - **Business name:** confirms the caller dialed the right number. - **Closed, plainly stated:** “Our office is closed for the day.” - **Reopening time:** “We open again tomorrow at 8 a.m.” Say a time, not “soon.” - **Emergency path:** a keypad option or a separate number, given before the routine details. - **What to leave:** name, number, and the reason for the call. - **Callback promise:** “We return after-hours calls by 10 a.m.” Only promise what you can do. - **Self-service option:** a website for booking or answers, if callers can use it now. ## Standard after-hours voicemail messages These six messages suit most businesses without an emergency service. Choose the one that matches how you follow up, and record it in the same voice as your daytime greeting. 1. **Basic:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is closed for the day. Please leave your name, number, and a short message, and we’ll call you back the next business day.” 2. **With hours:** “You’ve reached [Business Name]. We’re open Monday through Friday, [Open Time] to [Close Time], and we’re closed right now. Leave your name and number after the tone, and we’ll call you back when we open.” 3. **With a callback time:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed for the evening. Leave your name, number, and what you need, and we’ll call you back by [Time] tomorrow morning.” 4. **With online booking:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed right now, but you can book an appointment any time at [Website]. To leave a message instead, stay on the line.” 5. **With email:** “You’ve reached [Business Name] after hours. Leave a message after the tone, or email us at [Email Address] and we’ll reply when the office opens at [Time].” 6. **Short:** “[Business Name]. We’re closed and back at [Time] tomorrow. Leave your name and number, and we’ll call you first thing.” ## After-hours messages with an emergency option If you offer emergency service, the emergency option goes right after the business name. Routine callers can wait for the rest of the message; someone with water on the floor can’t. 7. **Keypad option:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. If this is an emergency, such as flooding, no heat, or a gas smell, press 9 now to reach our on-call technician. For everything else, leave a message, and we’ll call you back by [Time] tomorrow.” 8. **Separate emergency number:** “You’ve reached [Business Name] after hours. For emergencies, call our on-call line at [Emergency Number]. That’s [Emergency Number]. For anything else, leave your name and number after the tone.” 9. **Medical:** “Thank you for calling [Practice Name]. If this is a medical emergency, hang up and call 911. If you need the doctor on call, press 1. For appointments and other questions, leave a message, and we’ll return your call when we open at [Time].” 10. **Property maintenance:** “You’ve reached [Company Name] Property Management. If you have a maintenance emergency, such as no heat, a major leak, or a lockout, press 1 for the on-call team. For routine requests, leave your name, unit number, and the issue, and we’ll call you during business hours.” 11. **Veterinary referral:** “Thank you for calling [Clinic Name]. We’re closed now. If your pet needs urgent care, please call [Emergency Animal Hospital] at [Number], open 24 hours at [Address]. To leave a message for our team, stay on the line.” If you send emergencies to a person, test the option yourself once a month, and update the on-call number whenever the rotation changes. ## Weekend, lunch, and seasonal messages Short closures need their own message so callers don’t assume you’re gone for the night. Each of these gives a specific time to call back. 12. **Weekend:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed for the weekend and back on Monday at [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll call you Monday morning.” 13. **Lunch break:** “Hi, you’ve reached [Business Name]. The team is at lunch until [Time]. Leave a message, and we’ll call you back this afternoon.” 14. **Closing early:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We closed early today at [Time] and reopen tomorrow at [Time]. Please leave a message, and we’ll call you first thing.” 15. **Seasonal hours:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. Our [Season] hours are [Days], [Open Time] to [Close Time]. We’re closed right now, so leave your name and number, and we’ll call you back when we open.” 16. **Overnight with a booking link:** “You’ve reached [Business Name]. We’re closed overnight and open at [Time]. You can book an appointment right now at [Website], or leave a message after the tone.” For one-off closures such as Thanksgiving or the end-of-year break, the [holiday phone greeting guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/holiday-phone-greeting-examples) has dated versions. ## After-hours messages by industry Industry messages work best when they ask for the one detail your team needs to call back well, such as a unit number, a vehicle, or the type of legal matter. 17. **Dental office:** “Thank you for calling [Practice Name]. Our office is closed. If you have a dental emergency, such as severe pain, swelling, or a knocked-out tooth, call [Emergency Number]. Otherwise, leave your name and number, and we’ll call you when we open at [Time].” See [dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental). 18. **Law firm:** “You’ve reached [Firm Name]. Our office is closed. Please leave your name, phone number, and the type of legal matter, and say whether you’re a current client. We return calls by [Time] the next business day.” See [law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal). 19. **Accounting firm in tax season:** “Thank you for calling [Firm Name]. We’re closed for the evening. During tax season, we return calls within one business day. Leave your name, number, and whether you’re a current client, and we’ll be in touch.” See [accounting firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting). 20. **Salon or spa:** “Hi, you’ve reached [Salon Name]. We’re closed now and open tomorrow at [Time]. Book anytime at [Website], or leave your name, number, and the service you’d like, and we’ll call you back.” See [salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon). 21. **Auto repair shop:** “Thanks for calling [Shop Name]. The shop is closed. If you’re dropping off after hours, use the key drop by the front door and leave your name and number on the envelope. For anything else, leave a message, and we’ll call you when we open at [Time].” See [auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair). 22. **Restaurant:** “Thank you for calling [Restaurant Name]. We’re closed now and open tomorrow at [Time]. You can make a reservation at [Website]. For large parties or events, leave your name and number, and we’ll call you back.” See [restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants). 23. **Real estate agent:** “You’ve reached [Agent Name] with [Brokerage Name]. I’m away from the phone. If you’re calling about a listing, leave the address and your number, and I’ll call you back tonight or first thing tomorrow.” See [real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate). 24. **Online store:** “Thanks for calling [Store Name]. Our customer care team is available [Days], [Open Time] to [Close Time]. You can track your order at [Website]. To leave a message, say your name, order number, and phone number after the tone.” See [ecommerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce). 25. **Gym or studio:** “Hi, you’ve reached [Gym Name]. The front desk is closed. Members can book classes in the app. If you’re interested in joining, leave your name and number, and we’ll call you tomorrow.” See [gyms](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym). 26. **Insurance agency:** “Thank you for calling [Agency Name]. Our office is closed. To report a claim now, call your carrier’s claims line on your insurance card. For policy questions, leave your name, number, and policy number, and we’ll call you back by [Time].” See [insurance agencies](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance). ## After-hours replies for texts, chat, and email Customers who can’t call often text, chat, or email instead. If a person answers those channels, use a short reply that sets the same expectations as your voicemail. 27. **Text auto-reply:** “Thanks for texting [Business Name]. We’re closed and will reply after [Time] tomorrow. For emergencies, call [Emergency Number].” 28. **Website chat away message:** “Thanks for reaching out. Our team is offline until [Time]. Leave your question and your email or phone number, and we’ll get back to you then.” 29. **Email auto-reply:** “Thanks for your email. Our office is closed, and we reply to messages within one business day. If your request is urgent, call [Emergency Number].” 30. **Booking request:** “Thanks for your booking request. We confirm requests during business hours, so expect a confirmation by [Time] tomorrow.” InsertChat answers these channels instead of only replying with a holding message. The same assistant that answers your phone can answer [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), [text messages](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), and [email](https://insertchat.com/product/email) at any hour from the same knowledge. For email, you can choose automatic replies with a short delay, limit sending to business hours, and hold back topics such as complaints or payment questions for your team. ## AI receptionist greetings for after hours An AI receptionist answers after-hours calls with a greeting instead of a beep, then helps the caller. These four greetings fit InsertChat’s 200-character limit and tell callers they’re speaking with an AI. 31. **General:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. The office is closed, and I’m the AI assistant. I can answer questions, book an appointment, or take a message for the team. How can I help?” 32. **Home services:** “Hi, you’ve reached [Business Name] after hours. I’m the AI receptionist. Tell me what’s happening, and I’ll book a visit or get the details to our team.” 33. **Professional office:** “Thank you for calling [Firm Name]. The office is closed, and I’m the firm’s AI assistant. I can take details about your matter and set up a call with the team. What can I do for you?” 34. **Appointment business:** “Hi, thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed, but I’m the AI assistant and I can book, move, or cancel an appointment for you. What would you like to do?” ## Voicemail, answering service, or AI receptionist after hours? A voicemail records a message, an answering service has a person take one, and an AI receptionist answers questions and books within your rules. The right choice depends on what after-hours callers need and how quickly your team can follow up. | | Voicemail | Answering service | AI receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | What the caller gets | A recording and a beep | A person who follows your script | An answer from your knowledge, a booking, or a handoff | | Bookings | None | Depends on the service and calendar access | Books within your calendar rules | | Emergencies | Only if the message gives a number | The operator follows your instructions | Reads your safety steps and raises an urgent alert | | Record of the call | An audio message | Message notes | Transcript and summary in your inbox | | Typical cost model | Included with most phone service | Per minute or per call | Monthly plan with usage | The [AI receptionist vs answering service guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) compares the options in more depth, and the [cost of missed calls guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/cost-of-missed-calls) shows how to work out what unanswered after-hours calls cost your business. ## How do you set up after-hours call handling? Set up after-hours call handling by deciding what callers should get, writing the message or rules, routing the calls, and testing every path. Do it once, then review it whenever your hours or on-call rotation change. 1. **Decide your hours** and what counts as an emergency for your business. 2. **Write the message** using the examples above, with a reopening time and a callback promise. 3. **Set the routing.** With InsertChat’s “AI after hours” mode, calls ring your team during the weekly hours you set, in your time zone, and the AI answers outside them. Overnight shifts are supported. 4. **Keep your number.** In the US and Canada, forward your business line to InsertChat with your provider’s [call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) settings; elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. 5. **Write the emergency steps** into the assistant’s knowledge, including any emergency number callers should hear. 6. **Test after closing time:** call as a routine customer and as an emergency, then check what your team received. ## Let InsertChat answer your after-hours calls InsertChat’s [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) replaces the voicemail box with an [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) that picks up, answers from your services, hours, and prices, books appointments on your calendar, and takes complete details when a person needs to follow up. Your team starts the morning with every call in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), each with a transcript, a summary, and the caller’s contact details. Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, and new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and test it after closing time tonight, or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see after-hours calls in a sample workspace. ## What should an after-hours phone message say? Name the business, say you’re closed, give the day and time you reopen, ask for the caller’s name, number, and reason for calling, and say when you’ll call back. If you handle emergencies, give the emergency number or keypad option early in the message, before the details callers can skip. ## How long should an after-hours message be? Aim for 20 to 30 seconds. After-hours messages can run a little longer than a daytime greeting because they give hours and a callback time, but callers stop listening if the useful part comes after a long introduction. Put the reopening time and emergency option first. ## Should an after-hours message list business hours? Yes, briefly. “We’re open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.” answers the question many after-hours callers have. If your hours are complicated, give the reopening time and point callers to your website for the full schedule. ## Is an AI receptionist better than an after-hours voicemail? An AI receptionist can do things a voicemail can’t, such as answering questions from your knowledge, booking an appointment within your rules, and flagging urgent calls for your team. A voicemail only records a message. Many businesses use the AI after hours and keep people on the phone during the day. ## What should a medical office after-hours message include? Start with the emergency instruction: if this is a medical emergency, hang up and call 911. Then give the on-call or nurse line if you have one, your reopening time, and how to leave a non-urgent message. Ask callers not to leave detailed health information on voicemail if your process doesn’t protect it. --- # AI Receptionist Prompt Examples by Industry Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-prompt-examples > 70+ AI receptionist prompt examples: a full prompt template, copy-ready rules for tone, boundaries, handoff, and emergencies, and setups for six industries. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 An AI receptionist prompt tells the assistant who it is, what it should help callers do, how it should sound, what it must never do, and when to hand the call to a person. The best setups keep those instructions short and specific, and keep the facts, such as hours, services, and prices, in a separate knowledge base the assistant answers from. This guide gives you a complete prompt template, more than 70 copy-ready rules for tone, boundaries, handoff, missing information, and emergencies, and full setups for six industries. It also shows where each piece goes in InsertChat, which was checked against the app in October 2026. ## What goes into an AI receptionist prompt? An AI receptionist prompt has eight parts: identity, goal, tone, things to always do, things to never do, handoff rules, what to do when information is missing, and emergency steps. The facts it answers from belong in knowledge, and the first words callers hear belong in the greeting. | Part | What it decides | Example | Where it goes in InsertChat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Identity | Who the assistant is | “You are Alex, the AI receptionist for Northside Plumbing.” | Identity (assistant name) and Business details | | Goal | What a good call ends with | “Book a visit or take complete details for the team.” | Guidance: Always do | | Tone | How it sounds | “Friendly, calm, and brief.” | Guidance: Always do | | Always do | Required steps | “Read the phone number back before ending the call.” | Guidance: Always do | | Never do | Boundaries | “Never quote a price for work that needs an inspection.” | Guidance: Never do | | Handoff | When a person takes over | “A caller disputes a bill.” | Guidance: Hand off to a person when | | Missing information | What to do instead of guessing | “Say what you couldn’t confirm and offer a callback.” | Guidance: Always do | | Emergencies | Safety steps and urgency | “If a caller smells gas, tell them to leave and call 911.” | Knowledge, plus a handoff rule | ## How does InsertChat structure an AI receptionist prompt? InsertChat splits the prompt into setup areas instead of one long block of text, so each instruction has an obvious home. Rules you write in Guidance apply to website chat, phone, email, SMS, and messaging, and InsertChat’s built-in safety, source, and action rules still take priority over them. - **Business details:** the company profile the assistant uses, prefilled from your website: name, description, address, time zone, opening hours, services, areas served, payment methods, and contact and booking pages. - **Identity:** the assistant’s name, which it uses to introduce itself and answer “Who am I speaking with?” - **Guidance:** three lists, Always do, Never do, and Hand off to a person when. Each rule can be up to 500 characters, with up to 50 rules per list. You can test a draft privately before applying it, and earlier versions are kept in a revision history. - **Knowledge:** website pages, documents, and questions and answers. Knowledge also collects questions to improve, so you can add answers the assistant didn’t have. - **Caller experience:** a phone greeting of up to 200 characters and one of 10 voices, which you can test in a browser call. - **Handoff:** five default reasons to bring in a person (the customer asks for one, an uncertain answer, repeated failed attempts, an upset customer, and a sensitive action), plus your own topics and the teammates who get emailed. - **Actions:** booking, contact capture, and connected tools, each allowed to run automatically or wait for your approval. ## A complete AI receptionist prompt template Use this template for any AI receptionist tool that takes one block of instructions. In InsertChat, split it across the areas above: the rules go into Guidance, the facts into Knowledge, and the opening line into the greeting. ```text IDENTITY You are [Assistant Name], the AI receptionist for [Business Name], a [type of business] in [City] serving [service area]. Tell callers you are an AI assistant if they ask. GOAL Help each caller get an answer, a booked appointment, or a clear next step. Every call should end with the caller's name, callback number, and reason for calling. TONE Friendly, calm, and brief. Use short sentences. Ask one question at a time. ALWAYS - Answer only from the business information provided. - Offer two specific appointment times instead of asking when the caller is free. - Read back names, phone numbers, addresses, dates, and times before confirming. - Tell callers when the team will follow up: [follow-up promise]. NEVER - Never quote prices that are not in the business information. - Never promise same-day service or arrival times. - Never give medical, legal, or financial advice. - Never ask for card numbers or passwords. HAND OFF TO A PERSON WHEN - The caller asks for a person. - The caller is upset, complains, or disputes a charge. - The caller asks for a custom quote or anything you are not sure about. MISSING INFORMATION If the business information does not answer a question, say what you could not confirm, share related information you do have, and offer to pass the question to the team. EMERGENCIES If the caller describes [emergency situations], read these steps first: [safety steps and emergency number]. Then collect the address and a callback number. ``` ## Copy-ready AI receptionist rules These rules are written to paste straight into an Always do, Never do, or handoff list. Pick the ones that match how your business works, change the details in brackets, and leave out anything you wouldn’t want a new receptionist to do on their first day. ### Goal rules 1. Help every caller leave with an answer, a booked appointment, or a clear next step. 2. Book an appointment whenever a caller asks about availability and a matching service is offered. 3. Collect the caller’s name, callback number, and reason for calling on every call. 4. Ask new callers how they heard about [Business Name] after their question is answered. ### Tone rules 5. Keep answers to two or three short sentences unless the caller asks for more detail. 6. Ask one question at a time and wait for the answer. 7. Use plain words instead of trade terms, and explain any term the caller might not know. 8. Use the caller’s first name once you have it. 9. Stay calm and polite with upset callers, and acknowledge the problem before asking questions. ### Always-do rules 10. Read back phone numbers digit by digit before ending the call. 11. Repeat the date, time, service, and address back before booking. 12. Offer two specific appointment times instead of asking when the caller is free. 13. Ask whether the caller is a new or existing customer. 14. For service visits, collect the full address, including unit number and gate or parking notes. 15. Mention our [Warranty or Guarantee] when callers ask about repairs. 16. Tell callers we return messages by [Follow-up Promise]. 17. Offer to text or email a confirmation after booking. ### Never-do rules 18. Never quote a price that isn’t in the knowledge base. 19. Never promise same-day service, arrival times, or completion dates. 20. Never give medical, legal, tax, or financial advice. 21. Never ask for card numbers, bank details, passwords, or Social Security numbers. 22. Never discuss other customers or confirm whether someone is a customer. 23. Never offer discounts, refunds, or exceptions to policy. 24. Never criticize competitors or other businesses. 25. Never book outside the services listed in the knowledge base. ### Handoff rules 26. The caller asks for a person, the owner, or a specific team member. 27. The caller wants a custom quote, estimate, or bid. 28. The caller disputes a charge or asks about a refund. 29. The caller is upset, complains, or mentions a review. 30. The caller mentions a lawyer, an insurance claim, or damage caused by our work. 31. The caller is a contractor, vendor, or business partner. 32. The caller asks about a job application. 33. The caller needs an exception to a policy. ### Missing-information rules 34. If the knowledge base doesn’t answer a question, say what you couldn’t confirm, share related information you do have, and offer to pass the question to the team. 35. Don’t guess at prices, availability, or policies. 36. If a caller corrects a fact, thank them and pass the correction to the team instead of agreeing. 37. If you don’t understand the caller after two tries, offer to take a message. ### Emergency rules 38. If a caller describes [Emergency Situations], read the safety steps from the knowledge base before anything else. 39. For emergencies, collect the address and a callback number first, then any other details. 40. If a caller describes a medical emergency, tell them to hang up and call 911. ## AI receptionist prompt examples by industry Each setup below has a greeting under 200 characters, five rules, and one knowledge entry to write. They’re starting points: edit them to match your services, policies, and the way your team actually works. Each links to the page on how InsertChat works in that industry. ### Plumbing and HVAC Greeting: “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. I’m [Assistant Name], the AI receptionist. I can book a visit or get your details to the team. What’s going on?” 41. If a caller reports active leaking, flooding, no heat in freezing weather, or a gas smell, treat it as an emergency. 42. Ask whether the caller owns or rents the home, and if they rent, collect the property manager’s contact. 43. Ask for the age and brand of the water heater or system when the caller knows it. 44. Never diagnose the problem or tell callers it’s safe to keep using a system. 45. Hand off to a person when the caller asks for a quote on a replacement or a new installation. Knowledge to add: “What do you charge for a service call?” with your published fee and what it covers. See [plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing) and [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac). ### Dental office Greeting: “Thank you for calling [Practice Name]. I’m [Assistant Name], the office’s AI assistant. I can book or move appointments and answer questions. How can I help?” 46. Ask whether the caller is a current patient or a new patient. 47. For new patients, ask which insurance they have and tell them what to bring to the first visit. 48. If a caller reports severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or a knocked-out tooth, give the emergency instructions from the knowledge base. 49. Never give treatment advice or say whether a treatment is covered by insurance. 50. Hand off to a person when the caller asks about a bill, a treatment plan, or test results. Knowledge to add: “Do you take my insurance?” with the plans you accept. On InsertChat, protected health information requires the Enterprise plan with a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA); on other plans, keep it out of the assistant. See [dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental). ### Law firm Greeting: “Thanks for calling [Firm Name]. I’m the firm’s AI assistant. I can take details about a new matter and set up a consultation. How can I help today?” 51. Ask whether the caller is a current client or calling about a new matter. 52. For new matters, collect the type of matter, the other party’s name for a conflict check, and any deadlines the caller mentions. 53. Never give legal advice, predict outcomes, or say whether the caller has a case. 54. Tell callers that speaking with the assistant doesn’t make them a client of the firm. 55. Hand off to a person when the caller mentions a court date in the next seven days. Knowledge to add: “How much does a consultation cost?” with your consultation fee and length. See [law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal). ### Salon or spa Greeting: “Hi, thanks for calling [Salon Name]. I’m [Assistant Name], the salon’s AI assistant. Would you like to book, change an appointment, or ask a question?” 56. Ask which service the caller wants and whether they have a preferred stylist. 57. For color services, ask whether the caller has had color done in the last eight weeks. 58. Mention the cancellation policy when booking: [Cancellation Policy]. 59. Never promise a specific result or recommend treatments for skin or scalp conditions. 60. Hand off to a person when the caller is unhappy with a recent service. Knowledge to add: a service menu with prices and durations. See [salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon) and [med spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa). ### Property management Greeting: “Thank you for calling [Company Name]. I’m the AI assistant. Are you a resident, an owner, or looking for a place to rent?” 61. Ask residents for their name, address, and unit number before anything else. 62. Treat no heat, no water, flooding, gas smells, lockouts, and security problems as emergencies. 63. For routine maintenance, collect the issue, the location in the unit, and permission to enter. 64. Never discuss rent balances, lease terms, or other residents. 65. Hand off to a person when the caller mentions eviction, a legal notice, or a lease dispute. Knowledge to add: “How do I submit a maintenance request?” with your process and response times. See [property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management). ### Auto repair shop Greeting: “Thanks for calling [Shop Name]. I’m the shop’s AI assistant. I can book service, check what we offer, or take a message. What are you driving?” 66. Ask for the year, make, and model of the vehicle and what it’s doing. 67. Ask whether the vehicle is drivable or needs a tow. 68. Mention the diagnostic fee when booking a diagnosis: [Diagnostic Fee]. 69. Never estimate repair costs or say whether a vehicle is safe to drive. 70. Hand off to a person when the caller asks about a car that’s already in the shop. Knowledge to add: “Do you work on my make?” with the makes you service and any you don’t. See [auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair). ## How do you write knowledge an AI receptionist can use? Write knowledge the way you’d answer a customer: a direct answer first, then the details that change it. Vague marketing copy gives the assistant nothing to say, while a specific answer with its exceptions lets it answer the follow-up question too. | Weak knowledge | Better knowledge | | --- | --- | | “Contact us for pricing.” | “Drain cleaning is $189 for one drain, including the first hour. Extra drains are $75 each.” | | “We serve the greater metro area.” | “We serve Springfield, Riverton, and Oak Hill. We don’t travel north of Route 9.” | | “Flexible scheduling available.” | “We book Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Evening visits are for emergencies only.” | | “Call us about cancellations.” | “Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours ahead to avoid a $50 fee.” | The amounts in the table are examples. The [knowledge base guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) covers which sources to add, and InsertChat’s [knowledge](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) reads website pages, PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, and questions and answers. ## How do you test an AI receptionist prompt? Test an AI receptionist prompt by calling it the way your customers do and reading every transcript. Change one rule or knowledge entry at a time, then repeat the same call, so you know which change fixed the answer. 1. Ask your three most common questions in your own words. 2. Ask the same question phrased differently. 3. Ask about a service you don’t offer. 4. Ask something your knowledge doesn’t cover. 5. Book an appointment, then call back and move it. 6. Ask for a person by name. 7. Act upset about a late technician or a bill. 8. Describe an emergency. 9. Ask for a price that requires a quote. 10. Speak in a second language if your customers do. In InsertChat, place test calls from the browser before your number goes live, and use the private test for Guidance drafts before applying them. Every test call appears in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with a transcript and summary. ## What are common AI receptionist prompt mistakes? The most common mistakes are rules that contradict each other, facts written as rules, and promises the business can’t keep. Each one makes answers less predictable. - **Contradictions:** “Always book the first available time” next to “Never book same-day appointments.” - **Facts in rules:** hours and prices written into instructions go stale. Keep them in knowledge, where one update changes every answer. - **Vague goals:** “Be helpful” gives the assistant nothing to act on. “Book a visit or take complete details” does. - **Unkeepable promises:** “Someone will call you within 10 minutes” at 2 a.m. - **No handoff path:** without handoff rules, the assistant keeps trying when a person should step in. - **Too many rules:** if a rule never comes up in testing, delete it. ## Let InsertChat turn your prompt into a working receptionist InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) uses your business details, guidance, and knowledge on every call, and the same setup answers [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), [texts](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), and email. It books within your [scheduling rules](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), follows your handoff rules, and leaves a transcript and summary of every conversation for your team. The [receptionist phone scripts](https://insertchat.com/blog/receptionist-phone-scripts) are a good source of rules if you’re starting from how your front desk handles calls today. Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, and new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and paste in your first rules, or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see a configured assistant in a sample workspace. ## What is an AI receptionist prompt? An AI receptionist prompt is the set of instructions that tells the assistant who it is, what it should help callers do, how it should sound, what it must never do, and when to hand a call to a person. Facts such as hours, services, and prices work better in a separate knowledge base the assistant answers from. ## How long should an AI receptionist prompt be? Long enough to cover your goals, boundaries, handoff rules, and emergencies, and no longer. Write each instruction as one short rule, keep facts in the knowledge base instead of the prompt, and remove rules that never come up in test calls. Contradictory or vague rules cause more mistakes than missing ones. ## Do I write a prompt in InsertChat? Not one long prompt. InsertChat splits the setup into business details, the assistant’s name, a greeting of up to 200 characters, knowledge sources, and three rule lists in Guidance: Always do, Never do, and Hand off to a person when. Each rule can be up to 500 characters, with up to 50 rules per list. ## How do I stop an AI receptionist from making things up? Give it complete knowledge, add a rule that it should say what it couldn’t confirm instead of guessing, and add handoff rules for questions it can’t answer. In InsertChat, uncertain answers are one of the default reasons to bring in a person, and built-in source rules take priority over your own rules. ## How do I test an AI receptionist prompt? Call it the way your customers do. Ask common questions, ask something your knowledge doesn’t cover, book and move an appointment, ask for a person, describe an emergency, and act upset. Read each transcript, fix the rule or knowledge behind any wrong answer, and repeat the same test call. --- # AI Receptionist Pros and Cons: Honest Guide Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-pros-and-cons > AI receptionist pros and cons, including our own limits: coverage, cost, and booking against no live transfer, upkeep, and callers who want a person. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 The main advantages of an AI receptionist are coverage at any hour, no hold queue during a rush, consistent answers, and bookings without staff time. The main disadvantages are that it follows rules instead of judgment, needs accurate knowledge to work, and, in some products, can’t transfer a live call. Most of the downsides can be managed with setup. Most pros-and-cons lists are written by vendors who skip the cons. This one comes from a vendor too, so it names InsertChat’s own limits alongside the general ones, with the fix for each. Details are current as of October 2026. ## What are the pros of an AI receptionist? An AI receptionist answers every call routed to it, at any hour, with the same approved information, and can book appointments without anyone stopping work. It also keeps a written record of every call, which most small businesses never had. ### It answers when you can’t A business with one person on the phones covers about 40 of the 168 hours in a week. The AI receptionist can take the rest: evenings, weekends, holidays, lunch breaks, and the minutes you spend with a customer. With [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours), you choose exactly which hours it covers, in your time zone, including overnight shifts. ### Rushes don’t create a hold queue A person can take one call at a time. The AI receptionist isn’t limited to one caller, so a Monday-morning rush or a storm that sends every customer to the phone at once doesn’t leave people listening to hold music or voicemail. ### Answers are consistent The AI answers from the website pages, documents, and questions and answers you approve in [Knowledge](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge). Update a source, let it finish processing, and every caller gets the new answer. Nobody has to remember that the price changed last week. ### It books without your time With [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) turned on, it offers open times from your calendar, books after the caller confirms, and can reschedule or cancel appointments it booked. Customers can get text or email reminders 72 and 24 hours before the appointment. ### It captures leads you would have missed A caller who reaches voicemail may hang up and call the next business on the list. The AI receptionist answers their questions first, then collects the name, contact details, and request when a booking or follow-up needs them. Teammates you choose can be notified the first time a new contact is captured, immediately or in a daily summary, so the lead reaches someone while it is still warm. See [lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture). ### Every call is written down Each call becomes a transcript and short summary in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), attached to the caller’s contact record. You can see what was asked, what was promised, and what still needs a person. ### It speaks your callers’ languages The AI receptionist follows the language the caller speaks, and you can set your business language from 58 options. See [bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual). ### One assistant covers every channel The same knowledge answers [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), [SMS](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), [email](https://insertchat.com/product/email), and WhatsApp, so a caller who texts later gets the same answer they heard on the phone. ### Cost is a plan, not a payroll InsertChat plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits. There is no recruiting, training, or cover for sick days, and you can keep your existing number in the US and Canada by forwarding it. ## What are the cons of an AI receptionist? The honest cons fall into four groups: it follows rules rather than judgment, it depends on the knowledge you give it, some callers want a person, and every product has feature limits. Here are the ones that matter most, including InsertChat’s own. ### It follows rules, not judgment An AI receptionist doesn’t bend a policy for a regular, read frustration between the lines the way an experienced receptionist does, or decide that today is the day to squeeze someone in. It books within your appointment length, buffers, notice, and booking window, and hands the rest to your team. ### No live transfer in InsertChat InsertChat does not transfer live calls. When a caller needs a person, the AI collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails your team, and tells the caller your team will follow up. If your business depends on putting callers straight through, this is a real limit. ### It’s only as good as its knowledge If your hours, services, or prices are wrong or missing, the AI can’t answer correctly. InsertChat’s default rule tells it not to guess when approved information is missing or conflicts, which turns gaps into handoffs rather than wrong answers, but handoffs still cost your team time. ### Some callers want a person Callers with complaints, emergencies, or complicated situations often want a human from the first second. An AI receptionist can collect their details and flag them, but it can’t replace the reassurance of a person. ### No voicemail, recording, or outbound AI calls InsertChat doesn’t take voicemail, record calls, or make outbound AI calls. Each call is kept as a transcript and summary instead, and follow-up texts and emails the assistant proposes wait for approval from an owner, admin, or manager. ### Usage costs follow talk time Calls use credits by the minute, and each call rounds up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum. Spam calls and quick hang-ups that reach the AI count as at least a minute. SMS and WhatsApp can carry their own charges, and additional numbers cost $10 per month each. ### It needs upkeep Expect to review transcripts weekly at first, add answers when callers ask something new, and update hours before holidays. The work is small, but it never reaches zero. ### Some limits depend on where you are Keeping your number by forwarding works for US and Canadian numbers; elsewhere you use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available, and number porting is not offered. Healthcare practices that handle protected health information need the Enterprise plan, which can sign a Business Associate Agreement. The [HIPAA guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/is-an-ai-receptionist-hipaa-compliant) explains why. ### It can’t give professional advice An AI receptionist shouldn’t give medical, legal, or financial advice, quote custom prices it can’t verify, or promise anything your team hasn’t approved. Those requests belong in your handoff rules. ## How do the pros and cons stack up? Here they are side by side, with what each depends on. The pros are strongest when calls are routine; the cons are strongest when calls need a person. | Pro | Con | What decides which wins | | --- | --- | --- | | Answers any hours you route to it | Follows rules, not judgment | How many calls need judgment | | No hold queue during rushes | Some callers want a person | How emotional your calls are | | Same approved answer every time | Only as good as its knowledge | How well you maintain sources | | Books within your calendar rules | Won’t make exceptions | How often you bend the schedule | | Transcript and summary of every call | No recording or voicemail | Whether you need audio records | | One assistant for calls, chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp | Texts can carry their own charges | Which channels your customers use | | A monthly plan instead of payroll | Usage follows talk time | Call volume and length | | Keeps your number in the US and Canada | No live transfer in InsertChat | Whether callers need to be put through | ## How do you reduce each downside? Most cons have a setup answer. The table lists the practical fix for each, using settings InsertChat already has. | Downside | How to reduce it | | --- | --- | | No live transfer | Use “AI when unanswered” so your team’s phone rings for 5 to 60 seconds first; publish a separate emergency line | | Callers who want a person | Say it’s an AI assistant in the greeting; keep the rule that flags anyone who asks for a person | | Missing or wrong knowledge | Review transcripts daily for the first week and add answers where the AI handed off | | Rigid booking | Set realistic buffers and notice; route exceptions to your team as a handoff topic | | Upset callers | Keep the default rule for threats, severe frustration, or repeated complaints | | Emergencies | Write safety steps, including the number to call, for the AI to read out | | Spam and short calls | Use caller scope to answer only unknown numbers or saved contacts where that fits | | Usage surprises | Estimate with the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) and check usage after the first week | | Upkeep | Make one person the owner of knowledge updates and holiday hours | The [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) covers the rules in detail, and the [setup guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-set-up-an-ai-receptionist) walks through every setting. ## Who is an AI receptionist a good fit for? It fits businesses that miss calls because they are busy, closed, or on site, and whose callers mostly ask routine questions or want appointments. It fits less well where most calls need negotiation, specialist advice, or a live transfer. Strong fits: - **Trades and home services** where the owner is on a job. See [home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services) and [plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing). - **Appointment businesses** such as [salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon), [gyms](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym), and [veterinary clinics](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary), where booking drives most calls. - **Professional services** that need a consistent intake before a consultation. See [legal](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal) and [accounting](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting). - **Any business with an after-hours gap,** even one with a great receptionist during the day. Weaker fits: - Businesses where most calls are negotiations, escalations, or complaints. - Departments that depend on live transfers between people. - Practices handling protected health information that aren’t ready to move to a plan with a Business Associate Agreement. ## How do you decide for your business? Score your own calls. Take two weeks of your call log and mark each call as routine, booking, needs a person, or urgent. If routine and booking calls make up most of the list, the pros will dominate. If most calls need a person, keep people on the phone and use the AI only after hours. Then answer five questions: 1. Which hours do calls go unanswered today? 2. What share of calls could be answered from written information? 3. Do callers need to be put through to someone live? 4. Who will own the AI’s knowledge and review conversations? 5. Do any calls involve protected health information? If the answers point to coverage gaps, routine questions, and a person who can own the upkeep, an AI receptionist is likely worth it. The [AI vs human receptionist guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-human-receptionist) compares the options on cost and fit. ## Weigh it on your own calls The fastest test is a week of real after-hours calls. [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding), route only after-hours calls to the AI, and read every transcript. Or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see the inbox with sample data, and check plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing). ## What is the biggest disadvantage of an AI receptionist? It follows rules instead of reading the room. Emotional, unusual, or high-stakes calls still need a person, and some products, including InsertChat, don’t transfer live calls. Plan for that: ring your team first, write clear handoff rules, and return needs-you conversations quickly. ## Do customers dislike talking to an AI receptionist? Some do, especially when they have a complaint or an urgent problem. Most routine callers want a fast, correct answer or an appointment. Tell callers up front that they are speaking with an AI assistant and keep the rule that lets anyone ask for a person. ## Can an AI receptionist give wrong answers? Yes, if its knowledge is wrong, missing, or contradictory. InsertChat’s default rules tell the AI not to guess when approved information is missing or conflicts and to ask your team instead. Reviewing transcripts in the first weeks catches most gaps. ## Is an AI receptionist worth it for a small business? It is usually worth it when you miss calls because you are busy, closed, or on site, and most callers ask routine questions or want appointments. It is a weaker fit when most calls need negotiation, specialist advice, or a live transfer. ## What can’t an AI receptionist do? It can’t do in-person work, make judgment calls outside your rules, or give medical, legal, or financial advice. InsertChat also doesn’t transfer live calls, take voicemail, record calls, or make outbound AI calls; each call is kept as a transcript and summary instead. --- # AI Receptionist vs Human Receptionist: Compared Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-human-receptionist > AI receptionist vs human receptionist: cost from BLS wage data, coverage hours, judgment, in-person work, and the hybrid setup most small businesses need. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 An AI receptionist answers your phone in a natural voice from your business information, at any hour you route to it, and isn’t limited to one caller at a time. A human receptionist brings judgment, empathy, and in-person work that software can’t do. Most small businesses get the best result by combining them rather than choosing one. This guide compares the two on cost, coverage, call quality, and fit. The human side uses wage and benefit data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics; the AI side uses InsertChat’s published pricing and the way InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) actually works. Details are current as of October 2026. ## What does each one actually do? A human receptionist runs the front desk: phones, visitors, scheduling, payments, mail, and the small judgment calls that keep a day on track. An AI receptionist covers the phone part of that job. It answers questions from your knowledge, collects caller details, books within your rules, and hands anything unusual to your team. ### The human receptionist’s job - **Phones:** answering, screening, taking messages, and putting callers through to the right person. - **Visitors:** greeting people, checking them in, and managing the waiting area. - **Scheduling:** booking, confirming, and reshuffling the day when someone runs late. - **Admin:** payments at the desk, forms, mail, deliveries, and supplies. - **Relationships:** knowing the regulars, their preferences, and when to make an exception. ### The AI receptionist’s job In InsertChat, the AI receptionist: - **Answers questions** about services, hours, service area, published prices, and policies from the website pages, documents, and questions and answers in your [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge). - **Captures leads** by collecting the caller’s name, contact details, and request when an action or follow-up needs them. - **Books appointments** with [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) turned on: it offers open times, books after the caller confirms, and can move or cancel appointments it booked. - **Brings in your team** when a caller asks for a person, the answer is uncertain, or the caller is upset. The conversation is marked needs-you and the teammates you choose are emailed. - **Keeps a record** of every call as a transcript and short summary in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), attached to the caller’s contact. The same assistant also answers website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge. The overlap between the two roles is the phone. Everything that happens at the physical desk stays with a person. ## How do they compare side by side? The table shows the pattern for a typical small business. Individual people and products vary, so treat it as a starting point for your own comparison. | | AI receptionist | Human receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | | Hours | Any hours you route to it, including nights, weekends, and holidays | Their scheduled shift, minus breaks, leave, and sick days | | Calls at once | Not limited to one caller at a time | One call at a time; the rest hold or ring out | | Cost structure | Monthly plan plus usage; InsertChat starts at $98 per month | Wages plus benefits, payroll taxes, hiring, and equipment | | Routine answers | The same approved answer every time | Depends on training, memory, and how busy the desk is | | Judgment and empathy | Follows rules and hands upset or unusual callers to your team | A core strength | | In-person work | None | Visitors, check-in, payments, and paperwork | | Booking | Within your calendar rules, after the caller confirms | Any booking, including exceptions | | Live transfer | Varies by product; InsertChat does not transfer live calls | Yes | | Languages | Follows the caller’s language; InsertChat supports 58 business languages | The languages they speak | | Record of each call | Transcript and AI summary in the shared inbox | Whatever gets written down | | Getting started | Add knowledge, set rules, and run test calls | Recruit, hire, and train | ## How much does a human receptionist cost? The median US receptionist earned $38,010 a year, or $18.27 an hour, in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Add benefits at the rate private employers pay for office and administrative support workers and the employer’s cost rises to about $55,400 a year, before hiring, equipment, and cover for time off. The wage figures come from the BLS [Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for receptionists and information clerks](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434171.htm), May 2025: | Wage percentile | Annual wage | | --- | --- | | 10th percentile | $28,760 | | 25th percentile | $33,960 | | Median | $38,010 | | Mean | $39,460 | | 75th percentile | $45,130 | | 90th percentile | $49,950 | Wages are only part of the bill. In the BLS [Employer Costs for Employee Compensation](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t04.htm) release for June 2026, private employers spent $36.73 per hour worked on office and administrative support workers. Wages and salaries were $25.22 of that, and benefits were $11.51, or 31.3% of total compensation. That works out to about 46 cents in benefits for every dollar of wages. Applied to the median receptionist wage, $38,010 becomes roughly $55,400 a year in wages and benefits. This is an estimate built from national averages, so your local wage, hours, and benefits package will move it up or down. Several costs sit outside that figure: recruiting and interviewing, training time, a workstation and phone, overtime, and temporary cover when your receptionist is out. The [receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-much-does-a-receptionist-cost) breaks each of these down with a worksheet. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost? InsertChat sells monthly plans with included credits: Pro at $98, Growth at $198, Scale at $498, and Enterprise from $998 per month. Calls use credits by the minute, rounded up per call with a one-minute minimum, and each paid plan includes one phone number. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments. On Pro, that is $1,176 a year billed monthly, or $980 billed annually. Heavier call volume uses more credits, so a busy line may need Growth or Scale; additional phone numbers cost $10 per month each, and SMS or WhatsApp can carry their own charges. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits; a card is required at checkout, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. The two figures don’t buy the same thing. The salary buys phones plus everything at the desk. The plan buys phone coverage across every hour you choose, plus chat, email, and messaging from the same knowledge. Run your own call volume through the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate), and read the [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) for how other vendors meter usage. ## Where does a human receptionist clearly win? A person wins wherever the job needs a body at the desk, a live connection to a colleague, or a decision that no written rule anticipated. If your calls regularly need those things, keep a person on them. - **In-person work:** greeting visitors, checking people in, taking payments, and handing over paperwork. Software can’t do any of it. - **Emotional calls:** a distressed pet owner, a tenant locked out at night, a client upset about a bill. A good receptionist reads the tone and adjusts. - **Live transfers:** putting a caller straight through to the colleague who can help. InsertChat does not transfer live calls; it takes the details and alerts your team. - **Exceptions:** squeezing in a regular, waiving a fee, or bending a policy for good reason. An AI receptionist follows your booking rules exactly. - **Relationships:** knowing that the caller on line two always books the 8 a.m. slot and prefers a text reminder. ## Where does an AI receptionist clearly win? The AI wins on coverage, consistency, and record keeping. It answers the hours a person can’t, handles a rush without putting anyone on hold, and gives the same approved answer every time, with a transcript of what was said. - **Hours:** a 40-hour schedule covers 40 of the 168 hours in a week, about 24%. The AI can answer the rest, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, or only the hours you choose with [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours). - **Rush moments:** when three people call at once during the morning rush, the AI isn’t limited to one caller at a time. - **Consistency:** answers come from your approved sources. Update a source, let it finish processing, and every caller gets the new answer. - **Languages:** the AI receptionist follows the language the caller speaks. See [bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) for how it switches and how to set your business language. - **Record keeping:** every call becomes a transcript and summary attached to the caller’s contact, so nothing depends on a sticky note. - **Every channel:** the same assistant answers [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), [SMS](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), [email](https://insertchat.com/product/email), and WhatsApp. ## What does a hybrid setup look like? The most common hybrid rings your receptionist first and lets the AI take what they can’t: calls that ring out, calls after hours, and new callers while the desk is busy. Routing settings on each phone number decide which side answers which call. InsertChat offers four routing modes per number: | Routing mode | What happens | Good fit when | | --- | --- | --- | | AI when unanswered | Calls ring your team’s number for 5 to 60 seconds, then the AI answers | Your receptionist is often with a visitor or on another call | | AI after hours | Calls ring your team during the weekly hours you set, in your time zone, and the AI answers outside them | The desk is staffed during opening hours only | | AI always | The AI answers every call and your team works the needs-you queue | Your receptionist should focus on the people in front of them | | Team only | The AI doesn’t answer that number | You keep a direct line that only people answer | Caller scope adds a second dial. You can let the AI answer everyone, only unknown numbers, or only saved contacts. A dental office, for example, might keep regular patients with the front desk and let the AI take new callers who want to know about insurance, location, and openings. Opening hours can include overnight shifts, so a business that closes at 2 a.m. can still hand the early morning to the AI. Whatever the split, decide who works the needs-you queue and how fast callbacks happen, and put that promise in the AI’s knowledge so callers hear a realistic next step. The [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) walks through the setup. ## How do you decide which you need? Decide from your own calls, not from a feature list. Pull two weeks of your call log, sort each call by what the caller needed, and count. The mix tells you whether a person, an AI receptionist, or both should answer. Use these buckets: | Call type | Example | Who should answer | | --- | --- | --- | | Routine question | Hours, location, services, published prices | AI receptionist | | New booking | A new customer wants the next opening | AI receptionist within your rules | | Change or cancellation | Moving an appointment the AI booked | AI receptionist after the caller confirms | | Lead intake | A new job, matter, or project that needs details | AI receptionist collects; your team follows up | | Existing problem | A complaint, a billing question, an issue in progress | Person | | Urgent or emotional | A burst pipe, a sick pet, a safety risk | Person, with AI safety steps as the backstop | | In-person related | Someone at the door, a delivery, a walk-in | Person | Then apply three rules: 1. **If most calls are routine and you have no physical desk,** an AI receptionist alone can cover the phone, with your team on the needs-you queue. This fits trades, mobile services, and home-based businesses. 2. **If you need someone at the desk anyway,** keep the person and give them AI backup for overflow and after-hours calls. This fits clinics, salons, gyms, and offices with walk-ins. 3. **If most calls are emotional, high-stakes, or need a live transfer,** keep people on the phone and use AI only for after-hours intake, if at all. The [industry pages](https://insertchat.com/industries) show illustrative call flows for [home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services), [healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare), [beauty and wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness), and [professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services). ## What changes for your receptionist when you add AI? Their phone load drops and their attention moves to the work that needs a person. Instead of answering the same five questions all day, they work the needs-you queue, return callbacks, and spend more time with the people in front of them. Give your receptionist ownership of the AI, too. They know which answers callers need, so they are the right person to: - Review new conversations each morning in the inbox and the Today view. - Fix gaps by adding or updating knowledge when a caller asks something the AI couldn’t answer. - Approve actions that wait for review, if your setup requires approval. - Adjust routing when the schedule changes, such as a holiday closure or a short-staffed week. Teams that treat the AI as the receptionist’s assistant get better answers faster, because the person closest to the callers keeps its knowledge current. ## What should callers hear? Tell callers they are speaking with an AI assistant. It sets expectations, and callers who would rather speak with a person can say so. InsertChat lets you write a greeting of up to 200 characters and pick one of 10 voices. A greeting such as “Thanks for calling Riverside Dental, this is the clinic’s AI assistant. I can answer questions or book a visit. How can I help?” fits that limit. The default handoff rule already flags any caller who asks for a person. The guide to [whether AI receptionists sound human](https://insertchat.com/blog/do-ai-receptionists-sound-human) covers voice choice and disclosure in detail. ## Try the hybrid on your own calls The fastest way to compare is to hear your own business answered. [Explore the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) with a fictional workspace, check plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing), or [start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and route only after-hours calls to the AI first. Your receptionist keeps the day, and nothing rings out at night. ## Can an AI receptionist replace a human receptionist? It can take over most routine phone work: common questions, bookings within your rules, and collecting caller details. It can’t greet visitors, take payments at the desk, or make judgment calls, so a business with a physical front desk usually keeps a person and adds AI for overflow and after-hours calls. ## Is an AI receptionist cheaper than hiring a receptionist? For phone work, usually. The median US receptionist earned $38,010 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and benefits push the employer’s cost to about $55,400. InsertChat plans start at $98 per month, with calls drawn from monthly credits. AI doesn’t cover in-person tasks, so compare like with like. ## Can an AI receptionist transfer calls to my receptionist? InsertChat does not transfer live calls. Instead, the “AI when unanswered” mode rings your receptionist first for 5 to 60 seconds, and the AI answers only when nobody picks up. When a caller needs a person, the conversation is marked needs-you, your team is emailed, and the caller hears that someone will follow up. ## Will customers mind talking to an AI receptionist? Some will, especially callers with an upset or unusual request. Say in the greeting that callers are speaking with an AI assistant, keep the default rule that lets customers ask for a person, and make sure someone follows up on needs-you conversations quickly. ## What does a human receptionist do that AI can’t? In-person work, live transfers, and judgment. A person greets visitors, checks people in, takes payments, handles paperwork, recognizes regulars, and decides when to bend a rule. An AI receptionist follows the rules you set and hands those moments to your team. --- # AI Receptionist vs IVR and Auto Attendant Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-ivr > AI receptionist vs IVR and auto attendant: how each handles the same call, where phone trees still win, how to layer them, and how to retire a menu safely. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 An IVR or auto attendant greets callers with a recorded menu and routes them by keypad press or a few spoken keywords. An AI receptionist lets callers say what they need in their own words, then answers from your business information, books appointments within your rules, or flags the call for your team. The difference shows up in what callers get. A phone tree sends people somewhere; an AI receptionist tries to finish the request. This guide compares the two on the same call, explains where menus still make sense, and shows how to layer them or retire a tree without losing calls. InsertChat details are current as of October 2026. ## What is the difference between an auto attendant, an IVR, and an AI receptionist? An auto attendant is a recorded greeting with a routing menu. An IVR, or interactive voice response system, adds self-service flows, such as checking a balance by entering an account number. An AI receptionist replaces the menu with a conversation and answers or acts on the request itself. - **Auto attendant:** “Thanks for calling. For sales, press 1. For service, press 2. For a company directory, press 9.” It routes calls to people, departments, or voicemail. - **IVR:** a menu plus scripted flows that read or write data, such as account lookups, order status, or keypad payments. Many recognize a short list of spoken keywords. - **Phone tree:** the everyday name for either one, especially a menu with several levels. - **AI receptionist:** a voice AI that listens to an open request, asks follow-up questions, and responds from your [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) or with the actions you enabled, such as [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). ## How does each one handle the same call? Take one realistic call: “Hi, I have a cleaning on Thursday but I need to move it to next week, ideally early morning. Also, are you in network with my dental plan?” Here is what happens in each system, step by step. ### With an auto attendant 1. The caller hears the greeting and a list of four or five options. 2. They guess that scheduling is option 2 and press it. 3. The call rings the front desk. If nobody answers, it goes to voicemail. 4. The insurance question waits until someone calls back. ### With an IVR 1. The caller hears the menu and chooses appointments. 2. The IVR may ask for a patient number or date of birth by keypad, if the practice built that flow. 3. If the practice built a reschedule flow connected to its scheduling system, the caller can pick a new slot from read-out options. Many small businesses never build that flow, so the call routes to the desk. 4. The insurance question either has its own menu branch or goes to a person. ### With an AI receptionist 1. The caller hears a short greeting and says the whole request in one breath. 2. The AI asks for the name the appointment is under, finds the open early-morning times next week, and offers a few. 3. The caller picks one. The AI recaps the date, time, and service, and moves the appointment after the caller confirms. In InsertChat, it can reschedule appointments it booked; others go to your team. 4. It answers the insurance question from your knowledge, if you listed accepted plans, or flags it for your team if the answer isn’t there. 5. The conversation lands in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with a transcript and summary. The example is illustrative. It shows the structural difference: the menu routes, and the conversation resolves. ## How do they compare side by side? The table compares a typical small-business auto attendant, a custom IVR, and InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone). | | Auto attendant | IVR | AI receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | How callers ask | Keypad presses | Keypad presses and a few keywords | Their own words, in their own language | | Answers questions | No; routes to someone who can | Only flows you built in advance | Yes, from your knowledge sources | | Books appointments | No | Only with a custom scheduling flow | Yes, within your calendar rules | | Routes to departments | Yes | Yes | InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls; it flags the conversation for your team | | After hours | Voicemail or a closed message | Self-service flows, otherwise voicemail | Answers, books, and collects details | | Keeping it current | Re-record prompts when options change | Developer or vendor changes | Update knowledge sources and rules | | When it fails | Callers press 0 or hang up | Callers get stuck in a loop | The AI says it isn’t sure and hands off to your team | | Record of the call | Call log | Call log and flow data | Transcript, summary, and contact record | | Typical cost | Often included with business phone service | Setup and maintenance on top of phone service | Monthly plan with usage; InsertChat from $98 per month | ## When does an IVR or auto attendant still win? Menus still win when the main job is routing, not answering. If your callers need to reach one of many departments or people, or must enter numbers securely by keypad, a menu does that predictably and cheaply. - **Many departments or extensions:** a hospital, a multi-location dealership, or an office with a staff directory needs routing first. - **Keypad-only flows:** account numbers, PINs, and card payments by keypad are built for IVR systems with the right security controls. - **Fixed, high-volume tasks:** if most calls are “check my order status” and you already have the integration, a short self-service flow is efficient. - **Live transfer requirements:** if callers must reach a person during the call, keep routing in your phone system. InsertChat does not transfer live calls. ## When does an AI receptionist win? An AI receptionist wins when callers mostly want answers or appointments and you have no departments to route between. That describes most small and local businesses, where a phone tree adds steps without adding information. - **Questions vary:** callers ask about services, prices you publish, hours, parking, insurance, or service areas in a hundred different ways. A menu can’t list them all; the AI answers from your sources. - **Booking matters:** the AI offers open times and books after the caller confirms, within your appointment length, buffers, notice, and booking window. - **After-hours calls:** instead of voicemail, the caller gets an answer or a booking. See [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours). - **Mixed languages:** the AI follows the caller’s language, with 58 business languages to choose from. See [bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual). - **Small teams:** without a receptionist, every menu option ends at the same busy phone. The AI takes the call instead. ## Can you use an IVR and an AI receptionist together? Yes. Keep the auto attendant for routing and send the calls it handles badly to the AI: the scheduling option, the after-hours branch, and calls nobody answers. Your phone system decides where calls go; the AI answers the ones it receives. Three common layouts: 1. **One menu option goes to the AI.** “For appointments and questions, press 1” forwards to an InsertChat number. Get a new local or toll-free InsertChat number for this, and keep the other options routing to your team. 2. **After-hours and no-answer rules go to the AI.** Your phone system keeps the menu during the day and forwards after-hours or unanswered calls to the private routing number InsertChat gives you. With [RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral), a call handling rule can forward all calls, missed calls, or after-hours calls this way. 3. **The AI replaces the menu, and your team rings first.** Forward your main number to InsertChat and use the “AI when unanswered” mode: calls ring your team’s number for 5 to 60 seconds, then the AI answers. In the US and Canada, keep your existing number by forwarding it; the [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) list steps for each supported provider, and a verification call confirms that forwarding works. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Number porting is not offered. ## How do you retire a phone tree without losing calls? Map every menu option to something the AI knows or a rule it follows, test each one, then switch during quiet hours first. Most options turn into a knowledge source, a booking rule, or a handoff topic. | Old menu option | Where it goes in the AI receptionist | | --- | --- | | Hours and directions | Knowledge: opening hours, address, parking, and holiday closures | | Appointments | Scheduling: calendar connection and booking rules | | Pricing or services | Knowledge: services and the prices you publish | | Billing | Handoff topic: billing disputes go to a person | | Emergencies | Safety steps you write, plus an urgent alert to your team | | Speak to the operator | The default rule that flags any caller who asks for a person | | Company directory | Knowledge: team names and the best way to reach each one, or keep a direct line | | Leave a message | Lead capture: the AI collects name, contact details, and the request | Then work through the switch: 1. **Export your call reasons.** Listen to a sample of calls or read your call log to confirm which options callers actually use. 2. **Write the knowledge.** Add the answers behind each option as website pages, documents, or questions and answers. The [knowledge guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) covers what to include. 3. **Set handoff rules.** Review the five default rules and add topics that must reach a person. The [handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) explains each one. 4. **Test every old option as a sentence.** Call in and say what each menu option was for, in your customers’ words, and check the transcript. 5. **Switch after hours first.** Route only after-hours calls to the AI for a week, review every conversation, then widen. ## What does each one cost? A basic auto attendant is often bundled with business phone service, so the cash cost can be zero. Custom IVR flows cost setup and maintenance time. AI receptionists charge a monthly plan plus usage, so the bill follows how many calls the AI answers and how long they last. InsertChat plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits. Calls use credits by the minute, rounded up per call with a one-minute minimum, and additional numbers cost $10 per month each. The [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing) has a usage estimator, and the [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) compares how vendors meter usage. The fairer comparison includes what a menu costs you in missed outcomes: callers who hang up in the tree, after-hours voicemails nobody returns, and staff time answering questions a recording could not. Measure those from your own call log before you decide. ## How do you choose? Use the menu for routing and the AI for answering. If your business has departments and live transfers, keep the auto attendant and add the AI to its weakest branches. If your business is a small team where every option ends at the same phone, replace the tree. A quick rule of thumb: - **Keep the IVR** if callers need many destinations, keypad security, or live transfer. - **Layer both** if you route by department during the day but miss calls after hours or at lunch. - **Replace the tree** if most calls are questions or bookings and your team is small. Before switching, listen to how the AI sounds on your line. The guide to [whether AI receptionists sound human](https://insertchat.com/blog/do-ai-receptionists-sound-human) covers voices, greetings, and disclosure, and the [setup guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-set-up-an-ai-receptionist) walks through the full InsertChat flow. ## Hear the difference on your own number Menus make callers do the work. [Explore the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see a conversation resolve end to end, check plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing), or [start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and point your after-hours rule at the AI first. ## Is an AI receptionist the same as an IVR? No. An IVR plays recorded prompts and reacts to keypad presses or a few spoken keywords, then routes the call or runs a fixed self-service flow. An AI receptionist holds an open conversation: the caller says what they need in their own words, and it answers from your business knowledge or books within your rules. ## Can an AI receptionist replace my phone tree? For a small business without departments, usually yes. Most phone-tree options exist to answer common questions or reach scheduling, which an AI receptionist handles directly. Keep the tree if you route callers to many departments or extensions, because InsertChat does not transfer live calls. ## Can an AI receptionist route callers to extensions or departments? Some products can. InsertChat does not transfer live calls. Instead, the “AI when unanswered” mode rings your team’s number first for 5 to 60 seconds, and when a caller needs a specific person, the AI collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, and emails your team. ## Can I keep my auto attendant and add an AI receptionist? Yes. Point one menu option, your after-hours rule, or your no-answer rule at the AI receptionist. With RingCentral, for example, a call handling rule can forward all calls, missed calls, or after-hours calls to the private routing number InsertChat gives you. ## Is an IVR cheaper than an AI receptionist? A basic auto attendant is often included with a business phone plan, so it can cost nothing extra. Custom IVR flows cost design and maintenance time. InsertChat plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and monthly credits, and each call rounds up to whole minutes. --- # Answering Service Pricing: Rates Compared Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/answering-service-pricing > Answering service pricing compared: per-minute bundles, pay-as-you-go, and per-call plans from nine vendors’ own pages, with a worked month and hidden fees. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 Answering services charge in three ways: monthly bundles of minutes with overage, a small base fee plus a per-minute rate, or bundles of calls with a per-call overage. On vendors’ own pricing pages checked October 13, 2026, 200-minute bundles cost $349 to $720 a month, and per-call plans started at $300 for 30 calls. This guide lays out those models with published prices from nine providers, shows the cost per minute each plan really works out to, prices one hypothetical month on every plan, and lists the fees that don’t make the headline. For AI receptionist pricing models, read the [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost); this page covers human answering services. ## How do answering services charge? Most answering services sell a monthly bundle of operator minutes and charge an overage rate for each minute past it. Some offer pay as you go, a low base fee plus a per-minute rate. A few bill per call instead of per minute, which suits longer calls. | Pricing model | What you pay | Easiest to predict when | Watch for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Minute bundle | A monthly fee for included minutes, then overage per minute | Volume is steady month to month | Unused minutes, overage rates, billing increments | | Pay as you go | A small base fee plus every minute used | Volume is low or irregular | A higher per-minute rate | | Call bundle | A monthly fee for included calls, then overage per call | Calls are long or vary a lot | Whether spam and hang-ups count | Two details change the real price more than the headline: how time is counted, and what happens past the bundle. A service that bills by the second charges a 20-second hang-up as 20 seconds; one that rounds up charges it as a minute. ## What do answering services cost? Published prices compared Here are the published plans as listed on each vendor’s pricing page on October 13, 2026. Prices change often, so check the linked page before you compare. Overage is listed where the page states it. ### Minute bundles | Provider | Entry bundle | 200 minutes | 500 minutes | Overage per minute | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [PATLive](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/) | $99 for 50 | $349 | $759 | $2.29 down to $1.49 by plan | | [Specialty Answering Service](https://www.specialtyansweringservice.net/pricing/) | $159 for 100 | $269 for 220 | $649 | $1.44 down to $1.09 by plan | | [MAP Communications](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/) | $179 for 125 | $339 for 250 | $649 | $1.30 to $1.28 | | [Posh](https://posh.com/pricing/) | $130 for 50 | $420 | $975 | $2.20 down to $1.90 by plan | | [Abby Connect](https://www.abby.com/pricing/) | $165 for 50 | $599 | $1,380 | Billed at the plan’s minute rate | | [Ruby](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/) | $250 for 50 | $720 | $1,725 | Not stated on the page | | [Davinci Virtual](https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists) | $129 for 50 | Not offered as a listed plan | Not offered as a listed plan | Not stated on the page | ### Pay as you go | Provider | Base fee per month | Per minute | | --- | --- | --- | | [AnswerFirst](https://answerfirst.com/pricing/) | $30 | $1.60 to $1.95, falling with volume | | [Specialty Answering Service](https://www.specialtyansweringservice.net/pricing/) | $44 (Economy) | $1.54 | | [MAP Communications](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/) | $49 | $1.37 | | [PATLive](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/) | $49 | $2.99 | | [Posh](https://posh.com/pricing/) | $65 | $2.30 | ### Call bundles | Provider | Plans | Overage per call | | --- | --- | --- | | [Smith.ai](https://smith.ai/pricing/receptionists) live receptionists | $300 for 30 calls, $810 for 90, $2,100 for 300 | $11.50, $10.50, and $8.50 | Davinci lists Premium plans at $249 for 50 minutes and $319 for 100 minutes alongside its Business plans. Abby Connect states that AI answering uses half an Abby Minute per minute, so the same plan covers twice as much AI time as human time. ## What does each plan cost per minute? Divide the plan price by its included minutes to get the effective rate. On the plans above, effective rates run from about $1.30 per minute on 500-minute plans to $5.00 per minute on the smallest bundle. Bigger bundles cost less per minute, but only if you use the minutes. | Plan | Effective rate per included minute | | --- | --- | | Specialty Answering Service, 500 minutes | $1.30 | | MAP Communications, 500 minutes | $1.30 | | MAP Communications, 125 minutes | $1.43 | | PATLive, 500 minutes | $1.52 | | Specialty Answering Service, 100 minutes | $1.59 | | PATLive, 200 minutes | $1.75 | | Posh, 500 minutes | $1.95 | | Davinci Virtual, Business 50 | $2.58 | | Posh, 50 minutes | $2.60 | | Abby Connect, 500 minutes | $2.76 | | Abby Connect, 50 minutes | $3.30 | | Ruby, 500 minutes | $3.45 | | Ruby, 50 minutes | $5.00 | For per-call plans, the same division gives a cost per call: Smith.ai works out to $10 per call on the 30-call plan, $9 on the 90-call plan, and $7 on the 300-call plan. These rates measure price, not service. Providers on the right side of the table often do more on each call, such as booking, transfers, or detailed intake, so compare scope as well as rate. The [virtual receptionist vs answering service guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/virtual-receptionist-vs-answering-service) explains the difference. ## What would one month cost on each plan? Take a hypothetical month: 200 calls averaging 2.5 minutes each, or 500 minutes of operator time. Priced on each provider’s published plan that fits, the month ranges from $649 to $1,965. Your own call count and length will change the order, so redo this with your numbers. | Provider and plan | How the month is priced | Monthly cost | | --- | --- | --- | | Specialty Answering Service, 500 minutes | Fits the bundle | $649 | | MAP Communications, Premium | Fits the 500-minute bundle | $649 | | PATLive, 500 minutes | Fits the bundle | $759 | | AnswerFirst, pay as you go | $30 plus 500 minutes at $1.60 to $1.95 | $830 to $1,005 | | Posh, Lavish | Fits the 500-minute bundle | $975 | | Abby Connect, Growth | Fits the 500-minute bundle | $1,380 | | Ruby, 500 minutes | Fits the bundle | $1,725 | | Smith.ai, Basic | 90 calls included, then 110 calls at $10.50 | $1,965 | The table assumes every second is billable and nothing else is added. In practice, billing increments, wrap-up time, add-ons, and taxes move the total, which is why the next sections matter. ### What about a low-volume month? At low volume, pay as you go usually wins. For 30 minutes of operator time in a month, the published pay-as-you-go rates work out to about $78 to $89 at AnswerFirst, $90 at MAP Communications or Specialty Answering Service, $134 at Posh, and $139 at PATLive. ## Is per-call or per-minute pricing cheaper? Divide the per-call price by the per-minute price. The result is the call length at which the two cost the same. At $7 per call against $1.30 per minute, the break-even is about 5.4 minutes, so per-call pricing wins only when your calls average longer than that. - **Short calls favor per-minute plans,** especially those billed by the second. Message-taking calls are usually short. - **Long calls favor per-call plans.** Detailed intake, troubleshooting, or legal and medical screening calls can run long. - **Spam matters more under per-call pricing** unless the provider excludes it. Smith.ai states that wrong numbers and spam calls aren’t charged when the forwarded line passes caller ID. Check your phone provider’s call log for the average call length before you choose. It is the single number that decides the comparison. ## What fees don’t show up in the headline price? Look past the plan price at seven things: how time is counted, overage, add-ons, setup or customization, taxes and fees, nights and holidays, and contract terms. Here is what the pages checked on October 13, 2026 say about each. - **How time is counted:** Specialty Answering Service and AnswerFirst state one-second billing. PATLive says you pay only for time receptionists are live on calls, with after-call notes and wrap-up not billed. Other pages don’t state increments, so ask. - **Overage:** where listed, overage ran from $1.28 per minute at MAP Communications to $2.99 at PATLive’s pay-as-you-go tier. A busy month on a small bundle can cost more than the next bundle up. - **Add-ons:** Specialty Answering Service lists sub accounts at $10 per month, its own IVR at $0.15 per minute, voicemail at $0.15 per minute, and patching at $0.10 per minute. Smith.ai lists appointment booking at $1.50 per call, a dedicated Spanish line at $1.00 per call, and each additional CRM at $0.50 per call. AnswerFirst charges $3 per month for each additional forwarding number. - **Setup and customization:** Specialty Answering Service lists a $0 setup fee and Abby Connect lists no setup fee. AnswerFirst says a one-time customization charge may apply for complex needs. - **Taxes and fees:** PATLive states that government taxes and fees are added to plan prices. - **Nights, weekends, and holidays:** PATLive and AnswerFirst state no extra fees for nights, weekends, or holidays, and Ruby lists coverage on weekends and holidays on its receptionist plans. - **Contracts:** most pages state month-to-month terms or no long-term contract. Smith.ai lists a 10% discount for a 12-month subscription. ## What should you ask before you sign? Ask every provider the same questions in writing. The answers turn a headline price into a comparable monthly cost. 1. **What is billable?** Talk time only, or hold, wrap-up, and transfers too? What are the billing increments? 2. **Do spam calls, wrong numbers, and hang-ups count?** 3. **What happens past my bundle?** The exact overage rate, and whether my plan changes automatically. 4. **Which tasks cost extra?** Booking, transfers, patching, Spanish, CRM entry, or message delivery by text. 5. **What are the one-time fees?** Setup, scripting, and changes to call instructions later. 6. **What taxes and fees are added?** 7. **What is the notice period to cancel or change plans?** ## How does an AI receptionist compare on price? An AI receptionist bills differently: a monthly plan with usage, rather than operator minutes. InsertChat plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, shared by calls and written conversations. Calls round up to whole minutes per call, with a one-minute minimum. The bigger difference is what the money buys. An answering service buys people on the line, which matters for emotional calls and live transfers. InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers from your knowledge at any hour you route to it, books within your calendar rules, and records a transcript and summary of every call, but it doesn’t transfer live calls. Many businesses use both: the AI for routine and after-hours calls and a service or on-call line for emergencies. The [AI receptionist vs answering service guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) explains how to split calls between them. To compare costs on your own volume, use the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) and the [channel costs](https://insertchat.com/pricing#channel-costs) summary on the pricing page. The [alternatives pages](https://insertchat.com/alternatives) compare InsertChat with [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby) and [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai) using dated sources. ## Compare on your own calls Pull last month’s call log, note the number of calls and the average length, and price that month on two or three plans above. Then [explore the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) or [start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and route only after-hours calls to the AI to compare a real month side by side. ## How much does an answering service cost per month? On vendors’ own pricing pages checked October 13, 2026, entry plans ranged from a $30 monthly base plus per-minute charges at AnswerFirst to $300 for 30 calls at Smith.ai. Bundles of 200 minutes ranged from $349 at PATLive to $720 at Ruby. Your bill depends on minutes or calls used and overage. ## How much does an answering service cost per minute? Dividing each plan’s price by its included minutes, published plans checked October 13, 2026 worked out from about $1.30 per minute on 500-minute plans at Specialty Answering Service and MAP Communications to $5.00 per minute on Ruby’s 50-minute plan. Overage rates ranged from $1.28 to $2.99 per minute where listed. ## Is per-call or per-minute answering service pricing cheaper? Divide the per-call price by the per-minute price to find the break-even call length. At $7 per call against $1.30 per minute, per-call pricing only wins when calls average more than about 5.4 minutes. Short message-taking calls favor per-minute plans, especially those billed by the second. ## Do answering services charge for spam calls and hang-ups? It depends on the provider. Smith.ai states that wrong numbers and spam calls aren’t charged when the forwarded line passes caller ID. Specialty Answering Service and AnswerFirst bill by the second, so a short hang-up costs seconds. Many pages don’t say, so ask before you sign. ## Are there hidden fees with answering services? Check taxes and fees, add-ons, and customization. PATLive adds government taxes and fees to plan prices, Specialty Answering Service lists add-ons such as patching at $0.10 per minute, Smith.ai lists appointment booking at $1.50 per call, and AnswerFirst says a one-time customization charge may apply for complex needs. --- # 34 Appointment Reminder Text Templates Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/appointment-reminder-text-templates > 34 appointment reminder text templates for confirmations, 72-hour and same-day reminders, 12 industries, and no-shows, with consent and STOP wording done right. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 An appointment reminder text should name your business first, give the day, date, and time, say where to go or how to join, and offer one simple way to confirm or reschedule. Send it only to customers who agreed to receive texts, include an opt-out line, and keep it under 160 characters so it arrives as a single message. Below are 34 copy-ready templates: opt-in and opt-out messages, booking confirmations, reminders for three days, one day, and two hours before, policy reminders, 12 industry versions, and follow-ups for no-shows and open slots. They’re written without apostrophes or emoji, which keeps most of them to one text. Replace anything in brackets and paste them without the surrounding quotation marks. ## What should an appointment reminder text include? An appointment reminder text should include your business name, the appointment day, date, and time, the location or video link, and how to confirm or change it. Everything else is optional. Customers read reminders in a second or two, so the date and time should be easy to find. - **Business name first:** customers decide whether to open a text from the first few words. - **Day, date, and time:** “Tue Oct 20 at 2:30 PM” avoids confusion between this Tuesday and next. - **Where:** an address, a suite number, or a video link for virtual visits. - **One action:** reply C to confirm, reply R to reschedule, or call a number. - **Opt-out line:** “Reply STOP to opt out” in the first text and periodically after that. - **Only the details needed:** leave out the reason for the visit, prices, and account details. ## What rules apply to appointment reminder texts? Text only customers who gave you permission, identify your business, honor opt-out requests, and keep sensitive details out. In the US, the FCC’s rules also list the reply words that revoke consent, and one of them is a word many reminder templates ask customers to use. This is general information, not legal advice. - **Get and record consent.** Ask customers whether you can text them about their appointments when they book, and keep a record of how and when they agreed. Promotional texts generally need stronger written consent, so keep offers out of reminders. - **Honor opt-outs in any reasonable form.** Under [47 CFR 64.1200(a)(10)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-L/section-64.1200), a text reply of “stop,” “quit,” “end,” “revoke,” “opt out,” “cancel,” or “unsubscribe” revokes consent, and requests must be honored within a reasonable time, not exceeding ten business days. - **Never ask customers to reply CANCEL to cancel an appointment.** That reply can opt them out of every text you send, including the reminder for their next visit. Use “Reply R to reschedule” or “Call [Phone] to cancel.” - **Identify yourself.** Start every message with your business name, because customers may not have your number saved. - **Keep sensitive details out.** Leave out diagnoses, treatment names, balances, and account numbers. - **Send at reasonable hours.** Schedule reminders for daytime hours in the customer’s time zone. Message length matters too. A standard text holds 160 characters. Emoji and typographic characters, such as curly apostrophes and quotation marks, switch the message to an encoding that holds 70 characters per segment, so a 120-character reminder with one emoji can arrive as two texts. ## When should you send appointment reminders? Send a confirmation when the appointment is booked, a reminder a few days before, and another the day before. Add a short same-day reminder for appointments that are easy to forget. More reminders than that tend to annoy customers more than they help. | When | Purpose | Template | | --- | --- | --- | | At booking | Confirms the details while the customer still remembers booking | 4 to 6 | | About 72 hours before | Leaves time to reschedule and refill the slot | 7 | | 24 hours before | The main reminder, with a confirm option | 8 and 10 | | 2 hours before | Same-day nudge for short or early appointments | 9 | | After a missed visit | Invites a rebooking the same day | 31 | The evidence behind reminders is solid. A [Cochrane review](https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD007458_mobile-phone-messaging-reminders-attendance-healthcare-appointments) of randomized trials found that text reminders increased attendance at healthcare appointments compared with no reminders, with attendance of 78.6% in the text reminder groups and 67.8% with no reminders, and worked about as well as phone call reminders. The reviewers rated the evidence low to moderate quality. ## Opt-in and opt-out templates Send these at the start and end of the texting relationship. The first text sets expectations, and the replies to HELP and STOP keep you on the right side of the rules. 1. **Opt-in confirmation:** “[Business Name]: You are signed up for appointment texts. Msg frequency varies. Msg and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to opt out.” 2. **Reply to HELP:** “[Business Name] appointment texts. For help, call [Phone] or email [Email]. Reply STOP to opt out.” 3. **Reply to STOP:** “[Business Name]: You will no longer receive texts from us. Reply START to sign up again.” ## Booking confirmation templates A confirmation right after booking catches wrong dates and wrong numbers early, while the customer still remembers the conversation. 4. **Standard:** “[Business Name]: You are booked for [Service] on [Day Date] at [Time]. Reply R to reschedule. Reply STOP to opt out.” 5. **With address:** “[Business Name]: See you [Day Date] at [Time] at [Address]. Need to change it? Call [Phone].” 6. **With a calendar link:** “[Business Name]: Your appointment is confirmed for [Day Date] at [Time]. Add it to your calendar: [Link]” ## Standard reminder templates These cover the reminders most businesses send. Pick one for each step of your schedule. 7. **Three days before:** “[Business Name]: Reminder of your appointment on [Day Date] at [Time]. Need a different time? Reply R or call [Phone].” 8. **One day before:** “[Business Name]: See you tomorrow, [Day], at [Time]. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.” 9. **Two hours before:** “[Business Name]: See you today at [Time]. We are at [Address].” 10. **Confirmation request:** “[Business Name]: Please confirm your appointment on [Day Date] at [Time]. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.” 11. **Video appointment:** “[Business Name]: Your video appointment is [Day Date] at [Time]. Join here: [Link]. Reply R to reschedule.” 12. **Parking and arrival:** “[Business Name]: See you [Day] at [Time]. Park at [Parking Info] and check in at the front desk 10 minutes early.” ## Reminder templates with your policies Policy reminders work best when they state the policy once, plainly, and early enough for the customer to act on it. 13. **Cancellation policy:** “[Business Name]: Reminder of your visit on [Day Date] at [Time]. Changes need [Hours] hours notice to avoid a [Fee] fee. Reply R to reschedule.” 14. **Deposit due:** “[Business Name]: Your appointment on [Day Date] is held with a deposit. Please complete it here by [Deadline]: [Link]” 15. **Stating the cost of a missed slot:** “[Business Name]: We are expecting you on [Day Date] at [Time]. A missed appointment costs us about [Amount]. Call [Phone] to change it.” The third template is based on research. In a [randomized trial at a London hospital](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0137306), reminders that stated the specific cost of a missed appointment produced a missed-appointment rate of 8.4%, compared with 11.1% for the hospital’s existing message. The hospital was stating its cost to the public health service, so test the wording with your own customers before adopting it. ## Appointment reminder templates by industry Industry reminders add the one detail that makes the visit go smoothly, such as what to bring, an arrival window, or a document checklist. See how InsertChat books appointments for [dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental), [salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon), and [home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services). 16. **Dental office:** “[Practice Name]: Reminder of your dental visit on [Day Date] at [Time]. Please bring your insurance card. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.” 17. **Medical clinic:** “[Practice Name]: You have an appointment on [Day Date] at [Time]. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Call [Phone] with questions.” 18. **Therapy or counseling:** “Reminder: your appointment is [Day Date] at [Time]. Reply R to reschedule.” Leave out the practice type if the name reveals it. 19. **Hair salon:** “[Salon Name]: See you [Day] at [Time] with [Stylist]. Running late or need to move it? Reply R or call [Phone].” 20. **Spa or med spa:** “[Spa Name]: Your [Service] is [Day Date] at [Time]. Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in. Reply R to reschedule.” 21. **Auto repair:** “[Shop Name]: Reminder to drop off your [Vehicle] on [Day] at [Time]. Plan for about [Hours] hours. Reply R to reschedule.” 22. **Home services:** “[Business Name]: Your technician arrives [Day] between [Start Time] and [End Time]. Please make sure someone 18 or older is home. Reply R to reschedule.” 23. **Law firm consultation:** “[Firm Name]: Your consultation is [Day Date] at [Time]. Please bring any documents about your matter. Call [Phone] to reschedule.” 24. **Accounting or tax preparer:** “[Firm Name]: Your tax appointment is [Day Date] at [Time]. Bring your W-2s, 1099s, and your return from last year. Reply R to reschedule.” 25. **Fitness or personal training:** “[Gym Name]: Your session with [Trainer] is [Day] at [Time]. Bring water and a towel. Reply R to reschedule.” 26. **Veterinary clinic:** “[Clinic Name]: [Pet Name] has an appointment on [Day Date] at [Time]. Please bring any medications [Pet Name] takes. Reply R to reschedule.” 27. **Real estate showing:** “[Agent Name], [Brokerage]: Confirming our showing at [Address] on [Day] at [Time]. Reply C to confirm.” ## Follow-up templates for missed and open appointments Follow-ups recover the visits that reminders didn’t save. Send them the same day, while the customer still remembers the appointment. 28. **Waitlist slot open:** “[Business Name]: A spot just opened on [Day Date] at [Time]. Want it? Reply YES and we will book you.” 29. **Earlier time available:** “[Business Name]: We can see you sooner, on [Day] at [Time]. Reply YES to move your appointment or ignore this text to keep it.” 30. **Rebooking after a cancellation:** “[Business Name]: Sorry we will miss you this week. Reply R and we will find you a new time.” 31. **Missed appointment:** “[Business Name]: We missed you today at [Time]. We hope everything is okay. Reply R to book a new time.” 32. **Next visit due:** “[Business Name]: It is time for your next [Service]. Reply R to book, or call [Phone].” Check that this counts as a reminder for your business, since some follow-ups read as promotions. ## Replies when customers text back Customers reply in their own words, so prepare short answers for the common ones. 33. **When they want a new time:** “[Business Name]: No problem. We have [Day] at [Time] or [Day] at [Time]. Which works better?” 34. **When they confirm:** “[Business Name]: Thanks, you are confirmed for [Day] at [Time]. See you then.” If a customer replies with an opt-out word such as STOP or CANCEL, treat it as an opt-out and stop texting them. If they meant to cancel an appointment, they can call you. ## How InsertChat sends reminders and handles replies InsertChat sends reminders by text or email 72 and 24 hours before the appointments its AI receptionist books. Each text starts with your business name and points customers back to your number, where the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) can move or cancel the appointments it booked, at any hour, within your [scheduling rules](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). Texts to your InsertChat number get two-way replies from the same assistant, and STOP and START keywords are honored. Every reply lands in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) on the customer’s contact record, next to their calls and chats. See [SMS](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) for setup and the [channel costs](https://insertchat.com/pricing#channel-costs) on the pricing page for messaging charges. For healthcare, protected health information requires the Enterprise plan with a signed Business Associate Agreement. The [guide to reducing no-shows](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-reduce-appointment-no-shows) covers the rest of the system: booking rules, deposits, waitlists, and how to measure your no-show rate. ## Let InsertChat book the appointment and send the reminders Reminders work best when booking is easy to begin with. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers calls, website chat, and texts, offers open times from your connected calendar (built-in, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com), books after the customer confirms, and then sends the reminders for you. Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, and new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding), or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see bookings and reminders in a sample workspace. ## What should an appointment reminder text say? Start with your business name, then the day, date, and time, the location or video link, and one simple way to confirm or change the appointment. Add a line such as “Reply STOP to opt out” in the first message and periodically after that. Keep it under 160 characters when you can. ## When should I send appointment reminder texts? A common schedule is a confirmation when the appointment is booked, a reminder about three days before, another the day before, and an optional short one a couple of hours before for same-day visits. InsertChat sends reminders by text or email 72 and 24 hours before the appointments it books. ## Do I need permission to send appointment reminder texts? In the US, you need the customer’s consent before texting them with an automated system, and you must honor opt-outs. Keep a record of how each customer agreed, keep promotions out of reminders, and stop texting anyone who opts out. Check with counsel for the rules that apply to your business. ## Should customers reply CANCEL to cancel an appointment? No. Under the FCC’s rules, a text reply of “cancel” is one of the words that revokes consent to receive texts, so a customer who replies CANCEL may be opting out of all your texts. Ask customers to reply R to reschedule, or to call you to cancel. ## Can I include health information in a reminder text? Keep it to the minimum. A reminder needs the business name, date, and time, not the reason for the visit or a diagnosis. Healthcare providers covered by HIPAA should follow their own privacy policies. In InsertChat, protected health information requires the Enterprise plan with a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). ## Why do my reminder texts get split into two messages? A standard text holds 160 characters. Emoji and some typographic characters, such as curly apostrophes, switch the message to a different encoding that holds 70 characters per segment, so a short reminder can become two or three messages. The templates in this guide avoid both. --- # Business Phone Greeting Examples: 52 Scripts Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/business-phone-greeting-examples > 52 copy-ready business phone greetings by style, industry, and situation, plus the four-part formula, AI receptionist greetings, and the mistakes to avoid. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 A good business phone greeting does four things in a few seconds: it says hello, names the business, tells the caller who is speaking, and invites them to say what they need. “Thanks for calling Harbor Dental, this is Maya. How can I help you today?” covers all four, and it works for almost any business. Below are 52 greetings you can copy, grouped by style, industry, and situation, with a short note on when each one fits. Replace anything in brackets with your own details. The last set is written for an AI receptionist: each one fits InsertChat’s 200-character greeting limit and tells callers they’re speaking with an AI. ## What should a business phone greeting include? A business phone greeting should include a hello, the business name, the name of the person answering, and an offer to help. Those four parts confirm the caller dialed the right number, give them someone to talk to, and hand the conversation back to them quickly. Everything else is optional. | Part | Example | Why it matters | | --- | --- | --- | | Hello | “Thanks for calling” or “Good morning” | Signals that a person picked up on purpose | | Business name | “Harbor Dental” | Confirms the caller reached the right place | | Who is speaking | “this is Maya” | Gives the caller a name to use and remember | | Offer to help | “How can I help you today?” | Lets the caller explain why they called | Two optional parts are worth adding in the right business. A department or location helps when you have more than one, as in “Harbor Dental, Eastside office.” A question that sorts the call, such as “Is this a new problem or an existing job?”, saves time when callers usually need one of two things. Leave out taglines, long legal names, and anything the caller has to sit through before they can speak. A live greeting should take three to five seconds to say. A recorded greeting can run longer because it also has to give hours or a callback time. ## Professional greetings for any business These six greetings suit almost any business with a person answering the phone. Pick one and have everyone on the team use it, so callers hear the same greeting every time. - **Standard:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name], this is [Your Name]. How can I help you today?” - **Time of day:** “Good morning, [Business Name], [Your Name] speaking. How may I help you?” Switch to “Good afternoon” after noon, or use the standard greeting all day. - **With a department:** “[Business Name] billing, this is [Your Name]. What can I help you with?” - **With a location:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name] on [Street or Neighborhood], this is [Your Name]. How can I help?” Useful for businesses with more than one location. - **Formal:** “Good afternoon, you’ve reached the offices of [Business Name]. This is [Your Name]. How may I direct your call?” Suits law, finance, and corporate offices. - **Owner answering:** “[Business Name], this is [Your Name], the owner. How can I help?” Callers like knowing they reached the person in charge. ## Short greetings for busy phone lines Short greetings work when calls come in fast and callers already know who they called. Keep the business name in every version, because it’s the part that confirms the caller dialed correctly. - **Name and name:** “[Business Name], this is [Your Name].” - **Name and offer:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. How can I help?” - **Shortest complete greeting:** “[Business Name], how can I help you?” - **Casual:** “Hi, [Business Name], [Your Name] here.” - **Dispatch desk:** “[Business Name] dispatch, this is [Your Name]. What’s going on?” Gets a caller with a problem talking right away. ## Warm and friendly phone greetings Friendly greetings fit neighborhood shops, salons, studios, and any business that relies on regulars. Warmth comes from the words and the tone of voice, so smile while you say them. - **Welcoming:** “Hi there, thanks for calling [Business Name]. This is [Your Name]. What can I do for you?” - **From the whole team:** “Good morning from everyone at [Business Name]. This is [Your Name]. What can I help you with?” - **Helpful:** “Hello and welcome to [Business Name]. This is [Your Name]. How can I make your day easier?” - **Signature product:** “Hi, you’ve reached [Business Name], home of [Signature Product]. This is [Your Name]. How can I help?” - **Regulars:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name], this is [Your Name]. Have you been in to see us before?” The question tells you whether to explain the basics. ## Business phone greetings by industry Industry greetings work best when they include a question that sorts the call. A plumber needs to know about leaks, a practice needs to know if the caller is a patient, and a property manager needs to know if the caller is a resident. Each set below links to a page on how InsertChat answers calls in that industry. ### Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical Trades callers often have a problem in progress. Ask the question that tells you how urgent it is. See how this works for [plumbers](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing), [HVAC companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac), and [electricians](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician). - **Sort the job:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name] Plumbing and Heating, this is [Your Name]. Is this about a new problem or a job we’re already working on?” - **Safety first:** “[Business Name], this is [Your Name]. If you have water or gas where it shouldn’t be, tell me that first. Otherwise, how can I help?” ### Dental and medical practices Practices sort new patients from current ones in the first question. Recorded and AI greetings should also point emergencies to 911. See [dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental) and [healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare). - **Patient status:** “Good morning, [Practice Name], this is [Your Name]. Are you a current patient or hoping to become one?” - **Recorded or AI greeting:** “Thank you for calling [Practice Name]. If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911. Otherwise, how can we help you today?” ### Law firms and accounting firms Professional firms usually separate current clients from new matters, because each goes to a different person. See [law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal) and [accounting firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting). - **Direct the call:** “Good afternoon, [Firm Name], this is [Your Name]. How may I direct your call?” - **New or current client:** “Thank you for calling [Firm Name]. This is [Your Name]. Are you a current client, or calling about a new matter?” ### Salons and spas Most salon calls are about booking, so offer it in the greeting. See [salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon) and [med spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa). - **Booking first:** “Hi, thanks for calling [Salon Name], this is [Your Name]. Are you looking to book, or can I help with something else?” - **Spa:** “Thank you for calling [Spa Name], this is [Your Name]. Would you like to book a treatment, or do you have a question?” ### Auto repair shops Shop callers are either checking on a car that’s already in or describing a new problem. See [auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair). - **Car in the shop:** “[Shop Name] Auto, this is [Your Name]. Are you calling about a car that’s here with us, or a new repair?” - **Service desk:** “Thanks for calling [Shop Name] service desk, this is [Your Name]. What are you driving, and what’s it doing?” ### Property management and real estate Property managers hear from residents, owners, and prospective renters, and each needs something different. See [property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management) and [real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate). - **Who’s calling:** “Thank you for calling [Company Name] Property Management, this is [Your Name]. Are you a resident, an owner, or looking for a place to rent?” - **Listings:** “[Brokerage Name], this is [Your Name]. Are you calling about a specific listing?” ### Restaurants Restaurant calls are mostly reservations and takeout, and the phone often rings during a rush. See [restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants). - **Two choices:** “Thanks for calling [Restaurant Name], this is [Your Name]. Is this for a reservation or a takeout order?” - **During a rush:** “[Restaurant Name], this is [Your Name]. We’re in the middle of service. May I put you on a short hold?” Wait for the caller to say yes. ### Veterinary clinics and pet care Pet owners calling a clinic may be worried, so ask about an emergency first. See [veterinary clinics](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary) and [pet grooming](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming). - **Clinic:** “[Clinic Name] Animal Hospital, this is [Your Name]. Is your pet having an emergency, or would you like to book a visit?” - **Grooming:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name] Grooming, this is [Your Name]. Who are we getting cleaned up today?” ### Gyms and fitness studios Gyms field calls from members and from people thinking about joining. See [gyms and fitness studios](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym). - **Members and prospects:** “Thanks for calling [Gym Name], this is [Your Name]. Are you a member, or thinking about joining?” - **Class studio:** “[Studio Name], [Your Name] here. Can I help you book a class?” ### Retail stores and online shops Store callers usually ask about an order or a product, and order calls go faster when the number is ready. See [ecommerce](https://insertchat.com/industries/ecommerce). - **Order or product:** “Thank you for calling [Store Name], this is [Your Name]. Are you calling about an order or a product?” - **Customer care:** “[Store Name] customer care, this is [Your Name]. Do you have your order number handy?” ## Phone greetings for special situations Special situations need their own message, and most of these are recorded. Update them on the day things change and set a reminder to switch them back. - **Queue or overflow:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. Everyone is helping other customers right now. Please stay on the line, and the next person will be right with you.” - **Standard voicemail:** “You’ve reached [Business Name]. We can’t take your call right now. Leave your name, number, and what you need, and we’ll call you back by [Time].” - **After hours:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed for the day and open again tomorrow at [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll call you first thing.” The [after-hours message guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/after-hours-message-examples) has 30 more. - **Holiday closure:** “Happy holidays from [Business Name]. We’re closed from [Start Date] through [End Date] and back on [Day] at [Time]. Leave a message, and we’ll call you when we return.” See the [holiday greeting guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/holiday-phone-greeting-examples) for dated versions. - **Lunch break:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. The team is at lunch until [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll call you back this afternoon.” - **Busy season:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. This is our busiest week of the year, so if you’re calling to book, the fastest way is online at [Website].” - **Bilingual:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Gracias por llamar a [Business Name]. How can I help you? ¿Cómo puedo ayudarle?” - **Emergency line:** “You’ve reached the [Business Name] emergency line. Tell me your name, the address, and what’s happening, and I’ll get the on-call technician moving.” - **Returning a call:** “Hi, this is [Your Name] from [Business Name], returning your call from [Time]. Is now a good time?” - **New address:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’ve moved to [New Address] as of [Date]. This is [Your Name]. How can I help?” ## AI receptionist greetings under 200 characters An AI receptionist greeting should name the business, say the caller is speaking with an AI assistant, and say what it can do. These six fit within InsertChat’s 200-character limit with a typical business name, and they end with a question so the caller knows it’s their turn. - **General:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. I’m [Assistant Name], the AI assistant. I can answer questions, book an appointment, or take a message for the team. How can I help?” - **Home services:** “Hi, you’ve reached [Business Name]. I’m the AI receptionist. I can book a visit or pass your details to the team. What’s going on at your place?” - **Dental or medical:** “Thank you for calling [Practice Name]. I’m [Assistant Name], the office’s AI assistant. I can book or move appointments and answer questions. What can I do for you?” - **Law firm:** “Thanks for calling [Firm Name]. I’m the firm’s AI assistant. I can take details about a new matter and set up a consultation. How can I help today?” - **Salon:** “Hi, thanks for calling [Salon Name]. I’m [Assistant Name], the salon’s AI assistant. Would you like to book, change an appointment, or ask a question?” - **After hours:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. The team is off for the night, and I’m the AI assistant. I can book you in or pass a message along. What do you need?” In InsertChat, the greeting lives in the phone settings under caller experience. Callers hear it before the conversation starts, and you can pick one of 10 voices and test both in a browser call before any customer hears them. The assistant introduces itself by the name you give it and answers in the language the caller speaks, so one greeting covers bilingual callers too. ## What phone greeting mistakes should you avoid? The most common greeting mistakes waste the caller’s first seconds or leave them unsure they called the right place. Most are easy to fix once you hear your own greeting the way a caller does. - **Answering with “Hello?”** The caller can’t tell whether they reached a business, a wrong number, or someone’s personal phone. - **Rushing the business name.** It’s the part callers listen for, so say it slowly and clearly. - **Stacking a tagline, a promotion, and a menu** before the caller can speak. - **Promising a callback “as soon as possible.”** Give a time you can keep, like “by 10 a.m. tomorrow.” - **Leaving an old message up.** A holiday greeting in January tells callers nobody is minding the phones. - **Putting callers on hold before they speak.** Ask first and wait for a yes. - **Letting every person answer differently.** Agree on one greeting and post it next to the phone. ## How do you test a new phone greeting? Test a new greeting by calling your own number the way a customer would and listening for the four parts. Then check every path a caller can take, because a greeting that works live can sound wrong on voicemail or after hours. 1. **Read it aloud and time it.** A live greeting should take three to five seconds. 2. **Call from a mobile phone.** Listen to the name and the offer to help from the caller’s side. 3. **Ask someone outside the business** what they learned from the greeting alone. 4. **Check every route:** live answer, voicemail, after hours, holidays, and your AI receptionist if you use one. 5. **Set reminders** to update seasonal greetings before holidays and after they end. For the rest of the call, the [receptionist phone scripts](https://insertchat.com/blog/receptionist-phone-scripts) cover bookings, price questions, upset callers, and emergencies, and the guide on [how to answer a business phone professionally](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-answer-a-business-phone-professionally) covers tone, holds, and messages. ## Let InsertChat say your greeting on every call InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) says your greeting at the start of every call it answers, then keeps going: it answers from your services, hours, and prices, books appointments within your [scheduling rules](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), and passes calls that need a person to your team with the details already written down. Every call lands in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with a transcript and a summary. You decide when it answers. With “AI when unanswered,” your team’s phone rings for 5 to 60 seconds first and the AI picks up only if nobody does. With “AI after hours,” it covers evenings and weekends using your weekly hours and time zone. In the US and Canada you keep your business number with [call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding); elsewhere you can use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, and you can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding), paste your greeting, and place a test call, or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see answered calls in a sample workspace first. ## What is a good business phone greeting? A good business phone greeting says hello, names the business, tells the caller who is speaking, and asks how you can help, in that order. For example: “Thanks for calling Harbor Dental, this is Maya. How can I help you today?” It takes a few seconds and confirms the caller reached the right place. ## How long should a business phone greeting be? A live greeting should take about three to five seconds to say, usually 10 to 15 words. Recorded messages can run longer because they also give hours or a callback time, but keep them under about 30 seconds. If an AI receptionist answers, InsertChat allows a greeting of up to 200 characters. ## Should I say “good morning” or “thank you for calling”? Either works. “Thank you for calling” is safer for a team because it never needs to change with the time of day. “Good morning” sounds a little warmer, but someone has to remember to switch to “good afternoon” after noon, and recorded greetings can’t switch at all. ## Should an AI receptionist say it is an AI? Yes. Telling callers they’re speaking with an AI assistant sets expectations and builds trust. Name your business, give the assistant’s name, say it’s an AI assistant, and list what it can do, such as booking an appointment or taking details for the team. ## What should a business voicemail greeting say? Name the business, say you can’t take the call right now, ask for the caller’s name, number, and reason for calling, and give a realistic callback time, such as “by 10 a.m. the next business day.” If you offer emergency service, give the emergency number or option before the beep. --- # The Cost of Missed Calls: How to Calculate It Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/cost-of-missed-calls > Calculate what missed calls cost your business with a six-step method, a worked example with labeled assumptions, a sensitivity table, and a spreadsheet layout. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 The cost of a missed call is the profit you lose from callers who never reach you and book elsewhere, plus the time spent chasing them. To calculate it, take your missed calls from potential new customers, multiply by the share you never reach later, your booking rate, and your gross profit per first job, then add repeat business if you want the fuller picture. There’s no honest single number for every business, because job values, booking rates, and caller behavior differ widely. This guide gives you a six-step method you can run on your own phone log, a worked example with every assumption labeled, a table showing how much the assumptions matter, and a spreadsheet layout you can copy. ## What does a missed call cost? A missed call costs the gross profit of the work that caller would have booked, multiplied by the chance they would have booked and the chance you never reach them again. For businesses with repeat customers, add the profit from their future visits. The core formula: Monthly cost of missed calls = missed calls from new prospects × share never reached × booking rate × gross profit per first job Each input comes from your own records: the call log, your callback notes, your booking history, and your job costs. The steps below show where to find each one. ## Why is there no single cost-of-a-missed-call number? Published figures for the cost of a missed call vary enormously, and most come from vendors selling call answering. The cost really does vary: a missed call is worth far more to a roofer than to a coffee shop, and a business that calls back within minutes recovers more callers than one that calls back tomorrow. Your own numbers are the only ones that matter for your decision. Two weeks of call logs and a few notes on what happened to each caller will tell you more than any industry average. ## How to calculate the cost of missed calls Calculate the cost in six steps: count missed calls, remove the ones that weren’t opportunities, estimate how many you never reached, apply your booking rate, apply your gross profit per job, and optionally add repeat value and callback time. The free [missed call calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/missed-call-calculator) runs the core math with your own numbers. ### Step 1: Count your missed calls Pull a call log for a recent month from your phone provider or phone system. Most business phone services show answered and unanswered calls; with a basic line, ask your provider for a call detail report. If you can’t get a log, tally answered and missed calls by hand for two weeks. Include calls that went to voicemail, calls during lunch, and calls after hours and on weekends. After-hours calls are easy to forget and often the ones nobody returns until the next day. ### Step 2: Remove calls that weren’t opportunities Take out robocalls and spam, wrong numbers, vendors and sales calls, and calls from existing customers. Count existing customers separately; they matter, but they behave differently from new prospects. What’s left is the number of missed calls from potential new customers. If you can’t identify every number, look up a sample of 20 or 30 and apply the proportions to the rest. ### Step 3: Estimate how many callers you never reached Some missed callers call back, answer your return call, or text you later. Others call the next business on the list. For each missed prospect in your sample, check whether you eventually spoke to them. The share you never reached is your loss rate. Your loss rate depends heavily on how fast you return calls, which is why the [speed-to-lead guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/speed-to-lead) is worth reading alongside this one. ### Step 4: Apply your booking rate Your booking rate is the share of answered calls from new prospects that turn into a booked job or appointment. Use the rate from calls you did answer, over the same period. If you don’t track it, count a sample of answered new-customer calls and how many booked. ### Step 5: Apply gross profit per first job Use gross profit, not revenue: the average first-job price minus the direct costs to deliver it, such as materials, parts, and the technician’s time. Revenue overstates the loss, because some of that money would have been spent doing the work. ### Step 6: Add repeat value and callback time (optional) For businesses with repeat customers, add the profit from the share of new customers who come back within a year. Then add the time your team spends returning calls: callback attempts × minutes per attempt × hourly labor cost. ## Worked example: a plumbing company This example uses a fictional plumbing company. Every number is an assumption chosen to show the method, not a benchmark or a measured result. Replace each one with your own. | Input | Assumption | Source to use for your business | | --- | --- | --- | | Missed calls in the month | 60 | Phone provider call log | | Spam, wrong numbers, and vendors | 16 | Sample of looked-up numbers | | Existing customers | 14 | Contact list match | | Missed calls from new prospects | 30 | 60 − 16 − 14 | | Share never reached | 60% | Callback notes | | Prospects never reached | 18 | 30 × 60% | | Booking rate on answered prospect calls | 45% | Booking history | | Average first-job price | $350 | Invoices | | Direct costs per first job | $140 | Materials and labor | | Gross profit per first job | $210 | $350 − $140 | The core calculation: - **Lost bookings:** 18 prospects × 45% = 8.1 jobs a month. - **Lost first-job profit:** 8.1 × $210 = $1,701 a month. The optional additions, with their own assumptions: - **Repeat value:** if 30% of new customers come back within a year with $150 of gross profit each, that’s 8.1 × 30% × $150 = about $365 a month of future profit. - **Callback time:** if the team makes 42 callback attempts a month at 4 minutes each, that’s 2.8 hours. At $18.27 an hour, the May 2025 median hourly pay for receptionists from the [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm), that’s about $51 a month before payroll costs. Total: about $2,117 a month, or about $25,400 a year, for this fictional company under these assumptions. The first-job profit alone is about $20,400 a year. ## How much do the assumptions matter? The two assumptions that move the result most are the share of callers you never reach and your booking rate. The table keeps the fictional company’s 30 prospect calls a month and $210 gross profit per first job, and changes only those two inputs. | Share never reached | 30% booking rate | 45% booking rate | 60% booking rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 40% | $756 a month | $1,134 a month | $1,512 a month | | 60% | $1,134 a month | $1,701 a month | $2,268 a month | | 80% | $1,512 a month | $2,268 a month | $3,024 a month | The share never reached is the input you control most directly. Returning calls faster, or answering calls that would have been missed, moves you up the table. ## Copy-ready spreadsheet layout Set up a sheet with these rows, enter your own numbers in column B, and the formulas fill in the rest. Row numbers assume you start in row 1. | Row | Label (column A) | Value or formula (column B) | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Missed calls this month | Your number | | 2 | Spam, wrong numbers, vendors | Your number | | 3 | Existing customers | Your number | | 4 | Missed calls from new prospects | =B1-B2-B3 | | 5 | Share never reached | Your percentage | | 6 | Booking rate | Your percentage | | 7 | Gross profit per first job | Your number | | 8 | Lost first-job profit per month | =B4\*B5\*B6\*B7 | | 9 | Share of customers who return | Your percentage | | 10 | Repeat profit per returning customer | Your number | | 11 | Lost repeat profit per month | =B4\*B5\*B6\*B9\*B10 | | 12 | Callback attempts per month | Your number | | 13 | Minutes per attempt | Your number | | 14 | Hourly labor cost | Your number | | 15 | Callback time cost per month | =B12\*B13/60\*B14 | | 16 | Total monthly cost | =B8+B11+B15 | | 17 | Total yearly cost | =B16\*12 | ## What does it cost to answer those calls instead? Compare your monthly missed-call cost with what it costs to cover the hours you miss. The options are more staff time, an answering service, or an AI receptionist, and each fits a different pattern of missed calls. - **More staff time:** a part-time receptionist working 20 hours a week at the BLS median of $18.27 an hour costs about $1,583 a month in wages before payroll taxes and benefits, and covers only those 20 hours. - **An answering service:** usually billed per minute or per call. The [AI receptionist vs answering service guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) compares how they work. - **An AI receptionist:** InsertChat starts at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits; calls round up to whole minutes. The [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) explains the pricing models, and the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) gives an estimate for your call volume. If your losses are concentrated after hours, coverage for evenings and weekends may be enough. If calls slip through during the day, ringing your team first with a backup for unanswered calls fixes the problem without replacing anyone. ## How do you reduce missed calls? Reduce missed calls by deciding in advance who or what answers each call your team can’t get to, during busy hours, breaks, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Then return the calls you still miss within minutes, not hours. 1. **Find the pattern.** Use the call log from step 1 to see when calls are missed. 2. **Ring your team first, with a backup.** Forward unanswered or busy calls instead of sending them to voicemail. 3. **Cover after hours.** The [after-hours message examples](https://insertchat.com/blog/after-hours-message-examples) include voicemail scripts and AI greetings. 4. **Return calls fast.** Give missed calls an owner and a target time. 5. **Answer well.** The guide on [how to answer a business phone professionally](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-answer-a-business-phone-professionally) covers greetings, messages, and follow-up. 6. **Recalculate monthly** with the same spreadsheet. ## Stop paying for missed calls with InsertChat InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers the calls your team can’t: it answers from your services, hours, and prices, books jobs within your [scheduling rules](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), and takes complete details when a person needs to follow up, with every call in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox). With “AI when unanswered,” your phone rings for 5 to 60 seconds first; with “AI after hours,” it covers the hours outside your weekly schedule. In the US and Canada, you keep your number with [call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding), including forwarding only unanswered or busy calls where your provider supports it. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding), then rerun the spreadsheet after a month, or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see answered calls in a sample workspace. ## How much does a missed call cost a small business? It depends on your numbers, so calculate it rather than borrowing someone else’s figure. Multiply the missed calls from potential new customers by the share you never reach later, your booking rate, and your gross profit per first job. Add repeat business and callback time if you want the fuller cost. ## How do I find out how many calls I miss? Check your phone provider’s call log or call detail report, which lists answered and unanswered calls. If your system doesn’t show that, tally answered and missed calls by hand for two weeks, including evenings, weekends, and calls that went to voicemail. ## Should I use revenue or profit to calculate missed call cost? Use gross profit, meaning the job’s revenue minus the direct costs of doing it, such as materials and labor. Revenue overstates the loss, because you would have spent money to deliver the work. Compare the result with what it costs to answer more calls. ## Do missed calls from existing customers count? Count them separately. An existing customer who can’t reach you may still call back, but repeated missed calls can push them to a competitor. Track how many you miss and whether they call again, rather than mixing them into new-customer losses. ## What is the cheapest way to stop missing calls? It depends on when you miss them. If calls slip through during busy hours, ring your team first and send unanswered calls to a backup. For evenings and weekends, an AI receptionist or answering service covers the hours your team doesn’t. InsertChat plans start at $98 per month. --- # Do AI Receptionists Sound Human? What to Expect Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/do-ai-receptionists-sound-human > Do AI receptionists sound human? What research says, what makes a call feel natural, voice and greeting choices, and why you should tell callers it’s an AI. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 Modern AI receptionists sound close to human on routine calls: natural voices, normal pacing, and replies that follow what the caller just said. They are not indistinguishable in every situation. Long, emotional, or noisy calls expose the difference more often, which is why the best practice is to tell callers they are speaking with an AI assistant. This guide covers what research says about synthetic voices, what actually makes a phone call feel natural, how InsertChat’s voices and greetings work, and how to test yours before customers call. It avoids invented statistics; the one study cited is linked. ## Do AI receptionists really sound human? On a short call about hours, prices, or a booking, many callers won’t notice an AI receptionist until it tells them. On longer or harder calls, small things give it away: a pause before an answer, a reply that’s slightly too complete, or a moment where a person would have read the mood differently. Voice quality is rarely the problem anymore. The gap shows up in conversation: timing, interruptions, and judgment. That is why the rest of this guide spends more time on those than on the voice itself. ## What does research say about AI voices? The clearest recent evidence comes from a 2025 study in PLOS ONE, [Voice clones sound realistic but not (yet) hyperrealistic](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332692), by Lavan, Irvine, Rosi, and McGettigan. Listeners judged short voice clips and labeled each as human or AI. Cloned voices came close to real ones; generic AI voices less so. The study ran several experiments with 50 participants each: | Experiment | Voices compared | Judged human | | --- | --- | --- | | 1a | Real human voices vs generic AI voices | 81% of human voices; 41% of generic AI voices | | 1b | Real human voices vs voice clones of real people | 62% of human voices; 58% of voice clones | Two cautions apply. The clips were short recordings, not live phone calls, so they say nothing about timing or turn-taking. And business receptionists use designed voices, not clones of a specific person, which is closer to the generic AI voices in the study. The fair reading: a good AI voice can pass as human in a short clip, but a call is more than a clip. ## What makes an AI receptionist sound natural on a call? Five things matter more than the voice itself: how quickly it replies, whether it stops when the caller talks, how it handles silence, how long its answers are, and how it pronounces names, numbers, and addresses. Get these right and a caller hears a conversation rather than a recording. ### Response timing People notice gaps. A reply that starts promptly feels natural; a long silence feels like a machine. Expect a short pause when the AI checks a calendar or looks something up, and listen for it in your test calls. Answers it can give from your knowledge should come back without a noticeable wait. ### Interruptions Callers talk over receptionists all the time, especially during a greeting they’ve heard before. If a caller starts speaking during the welcome, InsertChat’s receptionist stops the greeting and responds to what they said instead of finishing a script. ### Silence Real callers get distracted, mute themselves, or lose signal. When the line goes quiet, InsertChat’s receptionist briefly checks whether the caller is still there. If there is still no answer, it explains that it can’t hear them and ends the call, rather than talking into the void. ### Answer length Spoken answers need to be shorter than written ones. A receptionist that reads a paragraph of policy sounds robotic even in a perfect voice. Write your knowledge for the ear: short sentences, one fact at a time, and the most common answer first. ### Names, numbers, and addresses Dates, prices, phone numbers, and street names are where callers listen hardest. For bookings, InsertChat’s receptionist recaps the date, time, time zone, service, and contact details once before saving, so the caller can correct a misheard detail before it becomes a wrong appointment. ## Why do some AI receptionists still sound robotic? When an AI receptionist sounds robotic, the cause is usually the setup around the voice. The same voice sounds natural with short, spoken-style answers and stiff when it reads long written policies or recites a menu of options. Common causes and fixes: - **Answers written for a web page:** rewrite the knowledge callers hear most into short spoken sentences. - **Reading lists aloud:** a list of twelve services sounds like a menu. Add a short summary answer and let callers ask for detail. - **A greeting that sounds like a phone tree:** “Please state the reason for your call” invites robotic replies. Ask “How can I help?” instead. - **Local names:** street names, suburbs, and product names may be mispronounced. Test them and add a phonetic hint in your knowledge if needed. - **A voice that doesn’t fit:** a voice that suits a law firm may sound out of place for a surf shop. Preview a few with your own greeting. ## How do you choose a voice and greeting? Choose a voice that suits your callers, then write a greeting that names your business, says it’s an AI assistant, and invites the request. In InsertChat, you preview and pick one of 10 voices and write a greeting of up to 200 characters in the Caller experience settings. ### Picking a voice InsertChat’s voices cover several English accents and two Portuguese ones: - **North American English:** four voices, including the default, described as clear and balanced. - **British-influenced English:** one voice. - **Irish-influenced English:** two voices. - **Australian-influenced English:** one voice. - **Brazilian Portuguese-influenced:** two voices. Pick the accent your callers expect from a local business, then preview two or three options with your own greeting. You can change the voice at any time. ### Writing the greeting Callers hear the greeting before the conversation starts, so it does three jobs in one or two sentences: confirm they reached the right business, set expectations, and invite the request. If you leave it blank, the receptionist answers with a simple “Hi, thanks for calling” followed by your business name, which doesn’t mention AI, so write your own. Examples that fit within 200 characters: - **Home services:** “Thanks for calling Northside Plumbing. You’re speaking with our AI assistant. I can answer questions, book a visit, or get your details to the team. How can I help?” - **Salon:** “Hi, you’ve reached Willow Hair Studio’s AI assistant. I can book appointments and answer questions about services and prices. What can I do for you?” - **Law office:** “Thank you for calling Reyes Law. This is the firm’s AI assistant. I can take your details for a consultation and answer general questions. How can I help?” - **Clinic front desk:** “Thanks for calling Lakeside Physio. You’re speaking with our AI assistant for bookings and general questions. For emergencies, hang up and call 911.” The business names are fictional examples. ## Should you tell callers they are talking to an AI? Yes. Disclosure sets expectations, gives callers who want a person an easy way to say so, and avoids the trust problem of a caller realizing halfway through. It also keeps you on the right side of rules that require AI systems to identify themselves. Two rules show where regulation is heading: - **In the EU,** the [AI Act](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj) includes a transparency obligation in Article 50: AI systems intended to interact directly with people must be designed so those people are informed they are interacting with an AI system, unless that is obvious from the context. - **In the US,** the Federal Communications Commission’s [2024 declaratory ruling](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-17A1.pdf) confirmed that AI-generated voices count as “artificial” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which restricts outbound calls that use them. That ruling targets calls a business places; an AI receptionist answering calls customers make to you is a different situation. InsertChat’s receptionist answers incoming calls and doesn’t place outbound AI calls. Rules vary by country and state, so check with your advisor if you operate in a regulated field, and disclose by default either way. ## How do callers react when they know it’s an AI? Most routine callers care more about getting a correct answer or a booking than about who gives it. Callers with a complaint, an emergency, or a complicated situation are more likely to want a person from the start, and some will ask for one immediately. Plan for both groups: - **Make it easy to reach a person.** InsertChat’s default rule flags any caller who clearly asks for one; the conversation is marked needs-you and your team is emailed. - **Ring your team first if you can.** The “AI when unanswered” mode rings your team’s number for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI answers. - **Keep promises realistic.** Write your actual callback time into the AI’s knowledge so it doesn’t promise more than your team can deliver. - **Hand off upset callers.** The default rule for threats, severe frustration, or repeated complaints brings in a person. The [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) explains how to set these up and test them. ## Does it speak your callers’ language? InsertChat’s receptionist starts in your business language and follows the caller. When a caller speaks another language or asks for one, it switches and keeps that language for the rest of the conversation. A one-word greeting in another language doesn’t switch it. You can set your business language from 58 options, or turn off replying in the customer’s language so it stays in your business language unless a caller explicitly asks. Test each language your customers use, because the same voice can sound more natural in some languages than in others. See [bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual). ## How do you test whether yours sounds right? Call it the way your customers will: from a mobile phone, in a noisy place, with a real question. Then read the transcript. Most problems that make an AI sound robotic show up within ten calls and come from the greeting or the knowledge, not the voice. | Test | What to do | What to listen for | | --- | --- | --- | | Interruption | Start talking during the greeting | It stops and responds to you | | Noise | Call from a car or a busy street | It asks you to repeat rather than guessing | | Silence | Say nothing for a while after the greeting | It checks in, then ends the call politely | | Spelling | Spell an unusual surname and email address | The recap matches what you said | | Numbers | Ask about a price and a date | It reads them clearly and correctly | | Long question | Ask two things in one breath | It answers both, briefly | | Direct question | Ask, “Am I talking to a robot?” | It says it’s an AI assistant | | Person | Ask to speak with someone | It explains the follow-up and flags the call | In InsertChat, Test saved greeting and voice runs a browser call with your current settings, and calls to your real number appear in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with a transcript and summary. The [setup guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-set-up-an-ai-receptionist) has a full launch checklist. ## Hear it for yourself Reading about voices only goes so far. [Explore the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo), see what the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) can do, or [start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) to build a phone receptionist demo from your website and hear it answer with your own greeting. ## Can callers tell they are talking to an AI receptionist? Often not on short routine calls, and more often on long, emotional, or unusual ones. In a 2025 PLOS ONE study, listeners judged some AI voices human almost as often as real voices, but the clips were short recordings, not phone conversations. Tell callers up front instead of relying on them not noticing. ## Should I tell callers they are speaking with an AI? Yes. It sets expectations, lets callers ask for a person, and avoids the trust problem of being found out mid-call. Some rules also require it, such as the EU AI Act’s transparency obligation for AI systems that interact with people. A short line in your greeting is enough. ## Can I choose the voice of my AI receptionist? In InsertChat, yes. Preview and pick one of 10 voices, including North American, British-influenced, Irish-influenced, and Australian-influenced English and two Brazilian Portuguese-influenced voices, then write a greeting of up to 200 characters and test both in a browser call. ## Does an AI receptionist speak other languages? InsertChat’s AI receptionist starts in your business language and follows the caller. When a caller speaks another language or asks for one, it switches and keeps that language for the rest of the call. You can set the business language from 58 options or keep it fixed. ## What happens if a caller interrupts or goes quiet? If a caller starts talking during the greeting, the InsertChat receptionist stops and responds to what they said. If the line goes silent, it briefly checks whether the caller is still there; if there is still no answer, it explains it can’t hear them and ends the call. --- # Holiday Phone Greeting Examples: 33 Scripts Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/holiday-phone-greeting-examples > 33 holiday phone greetings for closures, each US federal holiday, end-of-year shutdowns, and emergencies, plus 2026 and 2027 dates and a switch-over checklist. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 A holiday phone greeting tells callers that you’re closed for the holiday, exactly when you reopen, and what to do if something can’t wait. The best ones take about 20 seconds: business name, closure dates, reopening day and time, an urgent contact, and a request to leave a message. A short seasonal wish at the end is optional. Below are 33 holiday greetings you can copy, including versions for every US federal holiday, end-of-year shutdowns, businesses that stay open, and AI receptionists. The 2026 and 2027 holiday dates are listed so you can plan when to switch your greeting. Replace anything in brackets. ## What should a holiday phone greeting say? A holiday greeting should say the business name, that you’re closed for a named holiday or dates, the reopening day and time, how to reach someone for urgent matters, and what the caller should leave. Callers mainly want to know when you’re back, so say the reopening time early and say it clearly. - **Name the closure:** “We’re closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday.” Dates beat “for the holiday.” - **Give the return:** “We reopen Monday, November 30, at 8 a.m.” - **Offer an urgent path:** an on-call number, a keypad option, or an email that someone checks. - **Ask for a message:** name, number, and what they need. - **Keep the wish short:** one line at the end, after the useful information. ## US federal holiday dates for 2026 and 2027 Many businesses close on some or all federal holidays. The dates below are the federal observed dates published by the [US Office of Personnel Management](https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/), checked October 13, 2026. Private businesses choose their own closures, so use these as a planning list. | Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | | --- | --- | --- | | New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 | Friday, January 1 | | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Monday, January 19 | Monday, January 18 | | Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) | Monday, February 16 | Monday, February 15 | | Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | Monday, May 31 | | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Friday, June 19 | Friday, June 18 (observed) | | Independence Day | Friday, July 3 (observed) | Monday, July 5 (observed) | | Labor Day | Monday, September 7 | Monday, September 6 | | Columbus Day | Monday, October 12 | Monday, October 11 | | Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11 | Thursday, November 11 | | Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26 | Thursday, November 25 | | Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 | Friday, December 24 (observed) | Observed dates apply when the holiday falls on a weekend. If your business is open on Saturdays, decide whether you close on the actual day, the observed day, or both, and say which in your greeting. ## General holiday closure greetings These six greetings work for any holiday. Swap in the holiday name and dates. 1. **Standard:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed for [Holiday] and will reopen on [Day, Date] at [Time]. Please leave your name, number, and a short message, and we’ll call you back when we return.” 2. **With an urgent number:** “You’ve reached [Business Name]. Our office is closed for [Holiday]. For urgent matters, call [Urgent Number]. Otherwise, leave a message, and we’ll return your call on [Day] when we reopen.” 3. **With email:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed from [Start Date] through [End Date] for the holiday. Leave a message, or email [Email Address], and we’ll reply when we’re back on [Day].” 4. **With online booking:** “Happy [Holiday] from [Business Name]. We’re closed today, but you can book your next appointment anytime at [Website]. We reopen on [Day] at [Time].” 5. **Short:** “[Business Name]. We’re closed for [Holiday] and back on [Day] at [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll call you.” 6. **From the team:** “Hello, and happy holidays from all of us at [Business Name]. We’re taking a few days off to spend with family and will be back on [Day, Date]. Leave a message, and we’ll call you as soon as we return.” ## Phone greetings for specific holidays These 12 greetings cover each federal holiday plus New Year’s Eve. Each one names the holiday and gives the return day, which is the detail callers listen for. 7. **New Year’s Day:** “Happy New Year from [Business Name]. We’re closed on [Day], January 1, and back on [Day], January [Date], at [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll start the year by calling you back.” 8. **Martin Luther King Jr. Day:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is closed on Monday, January [Date], in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We reopen Tuesday at [Time]. Please leave a message.” 9. **Presidents’ Day:** “You’ve reached [Business Name]. We’re closed Monday for Presidents’ Day and back Tuesday at [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll call you then.” 10. **Memorial Day:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed Monday, May [Date], for Memorial Day, and we’ll reopen Tuesday at [Time]. Please leave a message, and we’ll call you back.” 11. **Juneteenth:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed on [Day], June [Date], in observance of Juneteenth, and back on [Day] at [Time]. Please leave a message after the tone.” 12. **Independence Day:** “Happy Fourth of July from [Business Name]. We’re closed on [Day], July [Date], and back on [Day] at [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll call you when we return.” 13. **Labor Day:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed Monday for Labor Day and reopen Tuesday at [Time]. Leave a message, and enjoy the long weekend.” 14. **Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day:** “You’ve reached [Business Name]. Our office is closed on Monday, October [Date], for the holiday. We’re back Tuesday at [Time]. Please leave a message.” 15. **Veterans Day:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is closed on [Day], November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. We reopen on [Day] at [Time]. Thank you to everyone who has served.” 16. **Thanksgiving:** “Happy Thanksgiving from [Business Name]. We’re closed Thursday and Friday, November [Date] and [Date], and back on Monday at [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll call you when we return.” 17. **Christmas:** “Merry Christmas from all of us at [Business Name]. We’re closed on [Day], December 25, and reopen on [Day] at [Time]. For urgent matters, call [Urgent Number]. Otherwise, please leave a message.” 18. **New Year’s Eve, closing early:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closing early today, December 31, at [Time], and we’re closed New Year’s Day. We’ll be back on [Day] at [Time]. Happy New Year.” ## End-of-year and extended closure greetings Longer closures need the full date range and, ideally, a way to reach someone. These four cover the week between the holidays and other planned shutdowns. 19. **Holiday shutdown:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is closed from [Start Date] through [End Date] for the holidays. We reopen on [Day], January [Date], at [Time]. For urgent matters, email [Email Address]. Happy holidays.” 20. **Limited holiday hours:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. Between [Start Date] and [End Date], we’re open [Days] from [Open Time] to [Close Time]. We’re closed right now. Leave a message, and we’ll call you during our next open hours.” 21. **Christmas Eve, closing early:** “You’ve reached [Business Name]. We closed early today for Christmas Eve and reopen on [Day], December [Date], at [Time]. Leave your name and number, and we’ll be in touch. Season’s greetings.” 22. **Inventory or staff closure:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed on [Date] for our annual [Inventory or Team Day] and reopen on [Day] at [Time]. Please leave a message after the tone.” ## Holiday greetings when you’re open If you stay open on a holiday, or your hours change, say so. Callers often assume businesses are closed on holidays and won’t try again. 23. **Open on the holiday:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. Yes, we’re open today, [Holiday], until [Time]. This is [Your Name]. How can I help?” 24. **Extended hours:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name]. During the holidays, we’re open late, until [Time], every night through [Date]. How can I help you today?” 25. **Limited staff:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re open today with a small holiday team, so there may be a short wait. Stay on the line, or leave a message, and we’ll call you back today.” 26. **Busy season:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. Holiday appointments are filling up fast, so book now at [Website], or stay on the line, and we’ll help you find a time.” ## Holiday greetings with an emergency option Businesses that handle emergencies should give the emergency option first, even on a holiday message. See how InsertChat handles urgent calls for [home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services), [dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental), and [property managers](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management). 27. **Home services:** “Happy holidays from [Business Name]. If you have an emergency, such as no heat, a burst pipe, or a gas smell, press 9 now for our on-call technician. For everything else, leave a message, and we’ll call you when we reopen on [Day].” 28. **Medical or dental practice:** “Thank you for calling [Practice Name]. If this is a medical emergency, hang up and call 911. Our office is closed for [Holiday] and reopens on [Day] at [Time]. For urgent needs, call [On-Call Number].” 29. **Property management:** “You’ve reached [Company Name] Property Management. Our office is closed for [Holiday]. For maintenance emergencies, press 1 for the on-call team. For routine requests, leave your name, unit, and the issue, and we’ll call you on [Day].” ## AI receptionist holiday greetings An AI receptionist can answer holiday calls instead of a voicemail box. These four greetings fit InsertChat’s 200-character limit and tell callers they’re speaking with an AI. 30. **General:** “Happy holidays from [Business Name]. The team is off until [Day], and I’m the AI assistant. I can answer questions, book a time after we reopen, or take a message. How can I help?” 31. **Thanksgiving:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed for Thanksgiving and back on [Day]. I’m the AI assistant, and I can book your visit or pass a message to the team.” 32. **End-of-year shutdown:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. The office is closed until [Date]. I’m the AI assistant, and I can help with questions and bookings. What can I do for you?” 33. **Emergency services:** “Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We’re closed for [Holiday], and I’m the AI assistant. If this is an emergency, tell me now and I’ll alert our on-call team.” ## When should you switch your holiday greeting? Switch to your holiday greeting at closing time on your last working day before the holiday, and switch back before you open again. Most greeting mistakes happen on the way back, when last week’s holiday message keeps playing to customers who called during business hours. 1. **Write the greeting a week ahead,** with the exact dates and reopening time. 2. **Update your other channels too:** website hours, your business listings, email auto-replies, and any chat or text messages. 3. **Set two reminders:** one to switch the greeting on, one to switch it off. 4. **Call your own number** after switching, and again after switching back. 5. **Tell your on-call person** which number or option the greeting gives out. For ordinary evenings and weekends, use the [after-hours message examples](https://insertchat.com/blog/after-hours-message-examples), and when you switch back, the [business phone greeting examples](https://insertchat.com/blog/business-phone-greeting-examples) cover your everyday greeting. ## How does InsertChat handle holiday calls? InsertChat answers holiday calls with your assistant’s greeting and the holiday hours you add to its knowledge. Before a closure, add a question and answer such as “Are you open on Thanksgiving?” with your dates and reopening time, and the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) will give the same answer on calls, [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), [texts](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), and email. Routing in InsertChat follows your weekly hours, so for a holiday when nobody will answer, switch the routing mode to “AI always” for the closure and back to your usual mode when you reopen. Block the closure days on your connected calendar so they aren’t offered, and callers can still book appointments for after you return within your [scheduling rules](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). Anyone who describes an emergency hears the safety steps you wrote while your team gets an urgent alert. The [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) page explains the routing modes in detail. ## Let InsertChat cover the holidays for you Holidays are when a missed call stays missed the longest. InsertChat’s AI receptionist picks up every call you route to it, answers from your knowledge, books within your rules, and leaves your team a transcript and summary of each call in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), ready for the day you reopen. In the US and Canada, you keep your business number with [call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding). Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, and new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) before your next closure, or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see how calls are handled in a sample workspace. ## What should a holiday voicemail greeting say? Name the business, say you’re closed for the holiday, give the exact day and time you reopen, explain how to reach someone for urgent matters, and ask callers to leave a name, number, and message. A short seasonal wish at the end is optional. ## When should I change my phone greeting for a holiday? Switch to the holiday greeting at closing time on your last working day before the holiday, and switch back before you open on the first day you return. Set two calendar reminders when you plan the closure, so the old message never stays up after you reopen. ## Should I say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy holidays” on a business greeting? Use the wording that fits your customers and your brand. “Happy holidays” and “Season’s greetings” work for a mixed audience and cover the whole end-of-year period. If you name a specific holiday, keep the rest of the message focused on your closure dates and reopening time. ## Do I need a holiday greeting if I’m open on the holiday? Yes, if your hours change. Callers often assume businesses are closed on holidays, so a greeting that says “We’re open today, Labor Day, until 2 p.m.” keeps those calls coming. If your hours are normal, a holiday greeting is optional. ## Can an AI receptionist give holiday hours? Yes. Add your holiday closure dates and reopening time to the assistant’s knowledge before the holiday, and it will tell callers, website visitors, and people who text or email. In InsertChat, routing follows your weekly hours, so also change the routing mode for the closure days if your team won’t be answering. --- # How AI Receptionists Book Appointments Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/how-ai-receptionists-book-appointments > How AI receptionists book appointments: calendar connections, booking rules, confirmations, approvals, reminders 72 and 24 hours before, and what goes to staff. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 An AI receptionist books an appointment by working out that the caller wants one, collecting the details a booking needs, checking your calendar for open times within your rules, offering a few options, and creating the event once the caller confirms. Good systems then send a confirmation and reminders, and hand exceptions to your team. This guide follows that flow step by step in InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): which calendars it uses, every booking rule you control, how approvals and reminders work, and what still goes to a person. Settings and defaults are taken from the app as of October 2026. ## How does an AI receptionist book an appointment, step by step? A booking follows the same seven steps on every call, chat, or text. The AI only offers times your calendar says are open, and it creates nothing until the customer confirms the details. 1. **Recognize the request.** The caller says they want to book, move, or cancel, in their own words. 2. **Collect the details.** The service or purpose, the customer’s name, one contact method that works for the channel, and a location if the appointment needs one. 3. **Check availability.** It asks your calendar for open slots that fit your appointment length, buffers, notice, booking window, and hours. 4. **Offer options.** It offers a few open times, three by default, and lets the caller pick or ask for another day. 5. **Recap.** It repeats the date, time, time zone, service, location, and contact method once, so the caller can correct anything. 6. **Book.** After the caller confirms, it creates the calendar event with the customer’s details and a link to the conversation. 7. **Follow up.** The customer can get a confirmation now and reminders 72 and 24 hours before, and your team can be notified. If the slot is taken between offering and booking, the AI lets the caller pick another available time without asking again for details that haven’t changed. ## Which calendars can it book into? InsertChat books into five calendars: its own built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, Calendly, and Cal.com. The built-in calendar needs no outside connection; the others connect from the app catalog, and you choose which booking actions the assistant may take in each. | Calendar | How it connects | Good fit when | | --- | --- | --- | | Built-in calendar | Nothing to connect | You don’t keep a calendar elsewhere, or want to start fast | | [Google Calendar](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar) | Connect your Google account | Your team already lives in Google Workspace | | [Outlook](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook) | Connect your Microsoft account | Your team uses Microsoft 365 | | [Calendly](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly) | Connect your Calendly account | You already publish Calendly event types | | [Cal.com](https://insertchat.com/integration/cal-com) | Connect your Cal.com account | You use Cal.com event types, including ones that need your confirmation | Whichever you choose, the AI can only respect what is on the calendar. If your team keeps commitments somewhere else, add them to the connected calendar or they won’t block bookings. ## What booking rules can you set? You control appointment length, buffers, minimum notice, how far ahead customers can book, how many times the AI offers, and when you’re available. InsertChat applies these rules on the server when it checks availability, so the AI can’t offer a slot that breaks them. | Rule | Options | Default | | --- | --- | --- | | Appointment length | 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, or 120 minutes | 30 minutes | | Buffer before | 0, 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes | None | | Buffer after | 0, 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes | None | | Minimum notice | None, 2, 4, 12, 24, or 48 hours | 4 hours | | Booking window | 7, 14, 30, 60, or 90 days ahead | 30 days | | Times offered | 2, 3, 4, or 5 per request | 3 | | Availability | Your business hours, or custom weekly windows | Business hours | ### Choosing the right values - **Length:** match your most common appointment. The AI never asks the caller how long the appointment should be. - **Buffers:** add time for travel, cleanup, or notes. A mobile service might use 30 minutes after each visit; a consultation practice might use 5. - **Minimum notice:** stop same-hour bookings you can’t prepare for. Four hours suits most services; 24 or 48 hours suits work that needs parts or preparation. - **Booking window:** a shorter window keeps your calendar flexible; a longer one suits annual check-ups or seasonal work. - **Times offered:** three is easy to remember on a phone call. Offer more in chat, where customers can read the options. - **Availability:** custom weekly windows let you keep bookable hours narrower than opening hours, for example mornings only for new-customer visits. ## Where does the appointment take place? You can let the AI ask the customer where the appointment should happen, or fix the location. The options are your business address, by phone, an online meeting link, or another location you describe. By default, the AI asks the customer and allows your business address or a phone appointment. The calendar event can include the customer’s contact details, their note, and a link to the conversation, so whoever takes the appointment knows who is coming and why. Those fields are on by default. ## What actions can the AI take, and when does it need your approval? The AI’s booking permissions are four actions you can turn on or off: offer available times, book appointments, reschedule appointments, and cancel appointments. Rescheduling and canceling apply only to appointments the AI booked, and each change happens only after the customer confirms. Two extra settings tighten the flow: - **Confirm appointment details before saving:** the AI repeats the date, time, time zone, service, and contact details before saving. It is off by default; turn it on if misheard details would be costly. - **Send confirmation in the same conversation:** after a successful change, the AI sends the final appointment details and calendar status in the same chat or text thread. Also off by default. Actions can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval in the Today view. If you use a Cal.com event type that requires you to confirm requests, the customer hears that the request was received and will be confirmed once approved. InsertChat checks the request with Cal.com, sends the confirmation and schedules reminders once you accept it, and marks the request canceled if you decline. ## What does the customer receive after booking? Customers can receive a booking confirmation, notices when an appointment changes or is canceled, and reminders 72 hours and 24 hours before the start time. Messages go by text, email, or both, depending on the contact details the customer gave and whether your number can send texts. How reminders behave in practice: - **Two reminders:** one 72 hours before and one 24 hours before the appointment. - **Late bookings:** a reminder whose send time has already passed is skipped. An appointment booked 30 hours ahead gets only the 24-hour reminder. - **Texts need an SMS-capable number:** if your InsertChat number can’t send texts, reminders go by email when the customer gave one. - **Changes reset reminders:** when an appointment moves, the old reminders are replaced so customers don’t get a reminder for the wrong time. - **Pending requests wait:** a request awaiting your approval gets no reminders until it is confirmed. Texts and WhatsApp messages are connected services that can carry their own charges; the [channel costs](https://insertchat.com/pricing#channel-costs) summary explains them. ## How is your team kept in the loop? Your team can be notified whenever an appointment is booked, with the confirmed time, customer, and appointment details, either immediately or in a daily summary at a time you choose. The Today view lists appointments and tasks for the next seven days alongside the needs-you queue. Each booking stays attached to the customer’s contact record and the conversation transcript in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), so whoever takes the appointment can read exactly what the caller asked for. ## What does a booking sound like on a call? Here is an illustrative call, written to show the flow rather than quoted from a customer: - Caller: “Hi, can I get a men’s haircut sometime Thursday afternoon?” - AI receptionist: “Sure. I have 2:00, 3:30, or 4:15 on Thursday. Which works best?” - Caller: “3:30.” - AI receptionist: “Great. Can I get your name and the best number to text a confirmation to?” - Caller: “Sam Ortiz, and this number is fine.” - AI receptionist: “Thanks, Sam. That’s a men’s haircut on Thursday at 3:30 p.m., Eastern time, at our Main Street salon, with a text to this number. Shall I book it?” - Caller: “Yes, please.” - AI receptionist: “You’re booked. You’ll get a reminder before your appointment.” The recap is the step that prevents most wrong bookings: the caller hears every detail once before anything is saved. ## What still goes to a person? Anything outside your booking rules, any appointment the AI didn’t book, and anything that needs judgment goes to your team. The conversation is marked needs-you and the teammates you chose are emailed, so a person picks up where the AI stopped. Typical examples: - A customer wants a time outside your bookable hours or inside the minimum notice. - A customer wants to move an appointment your team booked by hand. - A booking needs approval of a price, a deposit, or a special arrangement. - A request is urgent, such as an emergency repair, and needs a person to decide. - The customer asks for a person. Your safety steps and handoff rules apply during booking as on any other call. The [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) explains how to set them up. ## Can customers book by chat and text, too? Yes. The same booking rules apply when customers book through [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) or [SMS](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), because the same assistant and calendar sit behind every channel. In text, the AI keeps messages short; in chat, customers can read the offered times instead of remembering them. That consistency matters for reschedules. A customer who booked by phone can reply to a reminder text to move the appointment, and the AI moves it to another open time after they confirm. ## How do you set up and test AI booking? Connect a calendar, set your rules, choose which actions run automatically, then test a booking, a reschedule, a cancellation, and an exception before customers call. Most booking problems show up in those four tests. 1. **Connect your calendar** in [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), or start with the built-in calendar. 2. **Set the rules:** length, buffers, notice, booking window, times offered, and availability. 3. **Choose the location** behavior and which details go on the calendar event. 4. **Decide approvals:** which actions run automatically and which wait for review. 5. **Check customer messages:** confirmations, change notices, and reminders are on when booking is enabled. Confirm your number can send texts. 6. **Test four calls:** book, reschedule, cancel, and ask for a time outside your rules. Check each event in your calendar and each transcript in the inbox. 7. **Delete test appointments** and go live, starting with after-hours calls if you want a gentle launch. Common fixes after testing: if offered times look wrong, check the calendar’s time zone, your availability windows, and buffers; if the AI books into a busy slot, check that the busy event is on the connected calendar; if customers don’t get texts, check that your number supports SMS. The [setup guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-set-up-an-ai-receptionist) covers the rest of the launch. ## Let the AI fill your calendar Booking is where an AI receptionist pays for itself fastest, because every after-hours booking is one you would otherwise call back for. See the [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) features, [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to watch a booking land in the calendar, or [start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and connect your calendar in minutes. Plans and channel costs are on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing). ## How does an AI receptionist book an appointment? It recognizes that the caller wants an appointment, collects the service, name, and a contact method, checks your connected calendar for open times within your rules, offers a few options, recaps the one the caller picks, and creates the calendar event after the caller confirms. A confirmation and reminders can follow. ## Which calendars can an AI receptionist book into? InsertChat books into its built-in calendar, which needs no outside connection, or into Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com once connected. You choose which booking actions the assistant may take: offering times, booking, rescheduling, and canceling. ## Can the AI double-book or offer times I’m not available? InsertChat’s receptionist offers only the open slots its availability check returns, and the server applies your appointment length, buffers, minimum notice, booking window, and working hours. Keep the calendar you connect up to date, because the AI can’t see commitments that aren’t on it. ## Do customers get appointment reminders? Yes. Appointments the assistant books can get a text or email reminder 72 hours and 24 hours before the start time. A reminder whose send time has already passed when the appointment is booked is skipped, and texts need a phone number that can send SMS. ## Can I approve bookings before they are confirmed? Actions can run automatically or wait for your team’s approval. If your Cal.com event type requires you to confirm requests, the customer is told the request was received and will be confirmed once approved, and reminders wait until you accept it. ## Can the AI reschedule or cancel appointments? Yes, for appointments it booked. It recaps the existing booking and the requested change, then moves or cancels it after the customer confirms. Requests about appointments it didn’t book go to your team as needs-you conversations. --- # How Much Does a Receptionist Cost in 2026? Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/how-much-does-a-receptionist-cost > Receptionist cost in 2026: BLS wages by percentile and industry, employer benefit costs, hidden hiring costs, and how outsourced and AI options compare. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 A full-time receptionist in the US costs about $38,000 a year in wages at the median, or $18.27 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Once you add benefits at the rate private employers pay for office and administrative support staff, the cost rises to roughly $55,400 a year, before recruiting, training, equipment, and cover for time off. This guide shows where those numbers come from, what pushes them up or down, and how a receptionist compares with virtual receptionist services, answering services, and an AI receptionist. Government figures link to their source. Vendor prices come from each vendor’s own pricing page, as listed on October 13, 2026. ## What does a receptionist earn? The median receptionist earned $38,010 a year, or $18.27 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half of receptionists earned between $33,960 and $45,130. These figures come from the BLS [Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for receptionists and information clerks](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434171.htm), which covered 910,180 jobs nationwide. | Wage measure, May 2025 | Annual wage | | --- | --- | | 10th percentile | $28,760 | | 25th percentile | $33,960 | | Median | $38,010 | | Mean | $39,460 | | 75th percentile | $45,130 | | 90th percentile | $49,950 | Wages differ by industry. BLS industry estimates for the same period show the mean annual wage for receptionists in the industries that employ many of them: | Industry | Receptionists employed | Mean annual wage | | --- | --- | --- | | Offices of physicians | 135,030 | $41,080 | | Offices of dentists | 69,930 | $46,430 | | Personal care services, such as salons and spas | 69,770 | $34,290 | | Offices of other health practitioners | 60,490 | $39,130 | | Legal services | 25,020 | $42,950 | | Building equipment contractors, such as HVAC and electrical | 5,510 | $42,030 | Location matters as much as industry. Large metro areas pay more than the national figures, and rural areas less, so check the state and metro tables on the BLS page for your area before you budget. ## What do benefits and payroll taxes add? Benefits add about 46 cents for every dollar of wages for office and administrative support workers in private industry. In June 2026, employers spent $36.73 per hour worked on these workers: $25.22 in wages and salaries and $11.51 in benefits, which was 31.3% of total compensation. That comes from the BLS [Employer Costs for Employee Compensation](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t04.htm) release, which breaks benefits into five groups. Receptionists fall within this occupational group, so it is the closest published benchmark. | Cost per hour worked, June 2026 | Amount | Share of compensation | | --- | --- | --- | | Wages and salaries | $25.22 | 68.7% | | Paid leave | $2.77 | 7.5% | | Supplemental pay, such as overtime and bonuses | $1.06 | 2.9% | | Insurance | $4.05 | 11.0% | | Retirement and savings | $1.05 | 2.9% | | Legally required benefits, such as Social Security and unemployment insurance | $2.58 | 7.0% | | Total compensation | $36.73 | 100% | Applying the same ratio to the median receptionist wage of $38,010 gives roughly $55,400 a year in wages and benefits, or about $4,600 a month. Treat it as an estimate: the employer cost data measures cost per hour worked and counts paid leave as a benefit, while the wage data covers paid hours, and your own benefits package may be richer or leaner than the average. ## What costs don’t show up on the payslip? The biggest hidden costs are hiring, ramp-up, and coverage. None of them appear in wage or benefit statistics, so estimate them from your own experience and add them to the annual figure. - **Recruiting:** job-board posts, agency fees if you use one, and the hours you spend screening and interviewing. - **Ramp-up:** the weeks before a new receptionist knows your services, prices, regulars, and systems, plus the time a colleague spends training them. - **Equipment and software:** a workstation, a phone or headset, a seat on your phone system, and licenses for your scheduling or practice software. - **Coverage:** someone has to answer during lunch, breaks, vacations, and sick days, whether that is a colleague, a temp, or an overflow service. - **Turnover:** when a receptionist leaves, the recruiting and ramp-up costs start again. ## How do you calculate your own receptionist cost? Start from the wage you would actually pay, multiply it by 1.46 to add benefits at the national ratio, then add your own estimates for hiring, equipment, and coverage. The result is your annual cost per receptionist, which you can divide by 12 to compare with monthly services. Here is the worksheet with a hypothetical dental office that pays the industry’s mean wage. Replace each line with your own figures, or run them through the free [receptionist cost calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/receptionist-cost-calculator), which puts an in-house hire, an answering service, and InsertChat side by side. | Line | How to estimate it | Hypothetical dental office | | --- | --- | --- | | Annual wage | Your offer, or the BLS figure for your industry and area | $46,430 | | Benefits and payroll taxes | Wage × 0.46, or your actual package | About $21,190 | | Recruiting | Job posts, agency fees, interview hours | Your estimate | | Ramp-up | Weeks of reduced output plus trainer time | Your estimate | | Equipment and software | Workstation, phone seat, licenses | Your estimate | | Coverage for time off | Temp, overflow service, or colleague hours | Your estimate | | Annual total | Sum of the lines above | About $67,600 plus your estimates | The hypothetical office lands at about $5,600 a month before the lines only you can estimate. If its phones are the main reason it is hiring, that is the number to compare with a service or an AI receptionist. ## How many hours does one receptionist cover? One full-time receptionist covers about 40 of the 168 hours in a week, roughly 24%. Covering longer hours takes more people. A front desk open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., six days a week, needs 72 staffed hours, which is 1.8 full-time schedules before anyone takes leave. Phone coverage has the same math. If you want every call answered, including evenings and weekends, in-house staffing alone gets expensive quickly. That is why many businesses keep a receptionist for the hours the desk is open and use an answering service or an [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) for the rest. A part-time receptionist changes the math, too. At the median wage, 20 hours a week for 52 weeks comes to about $19,000 in wages before benefits, payroll taxes, or training. ## How do outsourced receptionists compare? Outsourced services bill for the time or calls they handle instead of a salary. Virtual receptionist and answering service plans on public pricing pages start from a few hundred dollars a month for a set bundle of minutes or calls, with overage beyond the bundle. As listed on vendors’ own pricing pages on October 13, 2026: | Provider | Type | Published plans | | --- | --- | --- | | [Ruby](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/) | Virtual receptionist | $250 for 50 minutes, $395 for 100, $720 for 200, $1,725 for 500 | | [Smith.ai](https://smith.ai/pricing/receptionists) | Live receptionists, billed per call | $300 for 30 calls, $810 for 90, $2,100 for 300 | | [PATLive](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/) | Live call answering | $99 for 50 minutes, $189 for 100, $349 for 200, $759 for 500 | | [Specialty Answering Service](https://www.specialtyansweringservice.net/pricing/) | Answering service, billed per second | $159 for 100 minutes, $269 for 220, $649 for 500 | The cheapest plan is rarely the cheapest month. Overage rates, what counts as a billable minute or call, and add-ons for booking or transfers decide the final bill. The [answering service pricing guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/answering-service-pricing) compares more providers and works through a sample month on each. A service covers your phones, not your front desk. If people walk in, a service doesn’t replace the person who greets them. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost? InsertChat plans start at $98 per month for Pro, with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits shared by calls and written conversations. Growth is $198, Scale $498, and Enterprise starts at $998. Annual billing costs ten monthly payments, so Pro is $980 a year paid upfront. Calls use credits by the minute, rounded up per call with a one-minute minimum. How many credits a minute uses depends on the AI model you select, so estimate your volume in the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) rather than converting credits to a fixed number of minutes. Additional phone numbers are $10 per month each, and SMS or WhatsApp can carry their own charges. The [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) compares how other AI vendors meter usage, and the [alternatives pages](https://insertchat.com/alternatives) compare InsertChat with specific vendors using dated sources. ## How do the options compare side by side? The table puts the options on one monthly footing. The in-house figure is the estimate from BLS data above; the other figures are entry prices as published, so your real monthly cost depends on your call volume. | Option | Monthly cost | What it covers | | --- | --- | --- | | Full-time receptionist at the median wage, with benefits | About $4,600 | Phones and the front desk, during one shift | | Part-time receptionist, 20 hours a week, wages only | About $1,580 | Phones and the desk, during those hours | | Virtual receptionist | From $250 for 50 minutes on Ruby’s published plans | Phones, with overage beyond the bundle | | Answering service | From $99 for 50 minutes on PATLive’s published plans | Phones, mostly messages and dispatch | | AI receptionist | From $98 on InsertChat Pro, plus usage beyond included credits | Phones, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, at any hours you route to it | Each row buys something different. The in-house rows buy judgment and in-person work. The service rows buy human phone coverage by the minute or call. The AI row buys round-the-clock coverage from your approved knowledge, with booking and a transcript of every call, but no live transfers and no one at the desk. ## When is an in-house receptionist worth the cost? An in-house receptionist is worth it when the job is more than the phone. If people walk in, payments happen at the desk, or callers regularly need someone to read the situation, a person earns their salary in ways no service can match. Strong signals you need a person: - **Walk-ins and check-ins** happen through the day, as in clinics, salons, gyms, and offices. - **Payments and paperwork** happen at the desk. - **Calls are emotional or high-stakes** and often need a live transfer. - **Relationships matter:** regulars expect to be recognized. Strong signals you can cover the phone another way: - **Most calls are routine:** hours, location, services, published prices, and availability. - **Nobody is at a desk:** you work on site, on the road, or from home. - **The problem is hours, not volume:** calls arrive evenings, weekends, or while you are with a customer. ## Can you combine a receptionist with an AI receptionist? Yes, and it is often the best use of the salary you already pay. Keep the receptionist on the desk and let the AI take the calls they can’t: overflow during busy moments, lunch breaks, and after-hours calls. With InsertChat, the “AI when unanswered” mode rings your receptionist first for 5 to 60 seconds and the AI answers only if nobody picks up. The “AI after hours” mode keeps your team on the phone during the weekly hours you set and lets the AI answer outside them. Calls that need a person are marked needs-you so your receptionist can return them first thing. The [AI vs human receptionist guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-human-receptionist) covers the hybrid setup in detail. ## Price your own front desk Run your own numbers: your local wage, your benefits, and your call log. Then compare with the plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing), [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see the workspace with sample data, or [start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding). New customers get 7 days of Pro with 500 credits; a card is required, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. ## How much does a receptionist cost per hour? The median US receptionist wage was $18.27 an hour in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employers also pay benefits: in June 2026, private employers spent $36.73 per hour worked on office and administrative support workers, of which $25.22 was wages and $11.51 benefits. ## What is the full cost of a receptionist including benefits? At the May 2025 median wage of $38,010 a year, adding benefits at the ratio private employers pay for office and administrative support workers gives roughly $55,400 a year. Recruiting, training, equipment, and cover for time off come on top, and local wages vary widely. ## Is a virtual receptionist cheaper than hiring one? For phone coverage alone, usually. On pricing pages checked October 13, 2026, Ruby listed virtual receptionist plans from $250 for 50 minutes and PATLive listed 200 minutes for $349. A virtual service covers calls only, though, so a business that needs someone at the desk still needs a person. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost compared with a human receptionist? InsertChat plans start at $98 per month, with one phone number and monthly credits that calls use by the minute. That is $1,176 a year billed monthly, or $980 billed annually. An AI receptionist covers phone and messaging work, not in-person tasks, so compare it with the phone share of the job. ## How much does a part-time receptionist cost? At the May 2025 median wage of $18.27 an hour, 20 hours a week for 52 weeks comes to about $19,000 in wages before any benefits, payroll taxes, or training. Part-time benefits vary more than full-time ones, so price your own package. --- # How to Add an AI Chatbot to Your Website Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-add-an-ai-chatbot-to-your-website > Add an AI chatbot to your website in seven steps: train it on your content, set its rules, install it on HTML, WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or Webflow, and verify. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 To add an AI chatbot to your website, create an assistant, train it on your website pages and documents, set its name, look, and rules, then paste its install code into your site, before the closing body tag or in your platform’s custom code setting. Publish the change, verify the installation, and test it the way a visitor would. This guide walks through those steps with InsertChat, including the exact settings for HTML sites, WordPress, Shopify, Wix, and Webflow, the choice between a floating chat bubble and a chat embedded in the page, and fixes for the problems people run into. Installation details were checked against the InsertChat app in October 2026. ## What do you need before you add a chatbot? You need your website address, a list of the questions customers ask most, access to your site’s editor or someone who has it, and a plan for who answers when the chatbot hands a conversation to a person. Everything else gets set up in the steps below. - **Website address:** the assistant learns from your pages. - **Extra content:** price lists, policies, service menus, and FAQs that aren’t on the site. - **Site access:** admin access to WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or Webflow, or a developer. - **A handoff owner:** the person who gets notified when a visitor needs your team. ## Step 1: Create the assistant from your website Start by giving InsertChat your website address. During setup, it builds your company profile from the site, including your services, hours, contact details, and areas served, and you can check and edit each field. Then add knowledge. The [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) can crawl your website or sitemap, read PDFs, Word files, and spreadsheets, and take questions and answers you write for anything the site doesn’t cover. Wait for each source to finish processing before you test answers that depend on it. The [knowledge guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) explains what to add first. ## Step 2: Set the name, look, and greeting Give the assistant a name visitors will see, an image or logo, and an accent color that matches your site. You can also set a chat title for the widget header and a separate logo for dark backgrounds. Website chat has its own greetings, which you edit in InsertChat and which update on your site without reinstalling the code. For the floating bubble, choose the button color, whether it sits on the left or right, and how much space to leave at the bottom and side of the screen. Leave room for cookie notices, checkout buttons, and your own contact buttons, especially on phones. ## Step 3: Write the assistant’s rules and handoff Rules decide how the chatbot behaves when the answer isn’t just a fact. In InsertChat’s Guidance, you write three lists: things it should always do, things it should never do, and when to hand off to a person. Each rule can be up to 500 characters, and you can test a draft privately before applying it. Useful first rules for a website chatbot: - Always ask for the visitor’s name and email or phone before ending a conversation about a booking or a quote. - Always offer to book an appointment when a visitor asks about availability. - Never quote prices that aren’t in the knowledge base. - Never ask for card numbers or passwords. - Hand off to a person when a visitor asks for one, disputes an order, or asks for a custom quote. The [AI receptionist prompt examples](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-prompt-examples) have more than 70 rules to choose from, and the [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) covers how handoffs reach your team. ## Step 4: Choose a floating bubble or an embedded chat InsertChat installs website chat two ways: a floating bubble that opens a chat window from the corner of every page, or an embedded chat that sits inside a section of one page. Most businesses use the bubble; the embedded chat suits a dedicated help or contact page. | | Floating bubble | Embedded chat | | --- | --- | --- | | Where it appears | A launcher button in the corner of each page with the code | Inside a container you place on the page | | How visitors open it | They click the launcher; it stays closed until then | It’s visible as part of the page | | Best for | Answering questions anywhere on the site | A help center, contact page, or booking page | | What you install | One snippet on each page, or in a shared footer | A container where the chat appears, plus the script once on that page | The floating launcher doesn’t pop up on its own. It stays closed until a visitor opens it, remembers when a visitor closes it, and doesn’t add repeated welcome pop-ups. For the embedded chat, the container looks like this, and the chat fills it: ```html
``` An iframe version exists as a fallback for sites that can’t run the install script. Use the script when you can. ## Step 5: Install the code on your website platform Copy the install code from your assistant’s website installation settings and add it to your site using your platform’s instructions below. The code is two short script tags: the first sets your assistant’s ID and display options, and the second loads the chat widget. The first part looks like this, with your own ID and settings: ```js ICG_BOT_ID = "your-assistant-id"; ICG_BOT_TYPE = "bubble"; ICG_BOT_BUBBLE_COLOR = "#E0E7FF"; ICG_BOT_BOTTOM_POSITION = "right"; ``` Always copy the full code from InsertChat rather than retyping it. If someone else manages your website, use the option to email the code to a developer; they don’t need your InsertChat login to install it. ### Any HTML or custom website Paste the code before the closing body tag in your page or in the shared layout or footer template that every page uses, then deploy the changed files. For the embedded chat, put the container where the chat should appear and load the script once on that page. ### WordPress and WooCommerce You have two options. Install the [InsertChat plugin](https://insertchat.com/integration/wordpress) from WordPress.org and enter your assistant’s ID, which is the ICG_BOT_ID value in the install code. The plugin’s listing requires WordPress 4.7 or later and PHP 7.0 or later. Or paste the full code with your site’s header and footer code tool, or a script-insertion plugin, and place it in the footer. Sites on WordPress.com need a plan that supports custom JavaScript; see WordPress.com’s guide to [adding code to headers](https://wordpress.com/support/adding-code-to-headers/). WooCommerce stores run on WordPress, so either option adds the chat to your store pages. ### Shopify Open the theme code editor for the theme you want to change, add the code before the closing body tag in the storefront layout file, then save and publish that theme. Shopify’s help center explains [how to edit theme code](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/customizing-themes/edit-code/edit-theme-code). The code shows chat on your storefront pages, but it doesn’t install chat in checkout. Add your product details and store policies to the assistant’s knowledge, and send order changes and refunds to your support team. The [Shopify page](https://insertchat.com/integration/shopify) covers the storefront workflow. ### Wix In your site dashboard, open Settings, then Custom Code. Add the code to Body – end, select the pages where chat should appear, then publish and check the live site. Wix explains the setting in its guide to [embedding custom code](https://support.wix.com/en/article/wix-editor-embedding-custom-code-on-your-site). ### Webflow Open Site settings, then Custom code, and paste the code into Footer code. Save, then publish to the domain you’ll verify. Webflow’s help center covers [custom code in head and body tags](https://help.webflow.com/hc/en-us/articles/33961357265299-Custom-code-in-head-and-body-tags). ### Other site builders Any site builder that lets you add custom code to the footer or before the closing body tag works the same way. Look for a setting named custom code, code injection, tracking code, or footer scripts. ## Step 6: Verify the installation After publishing, use Verify on your website in InsertChat. Enter the exact public page URL where the chat should appear, and InsertChat checks that page’s published HTML for the install code. The result tells you whether the code was found for this assistant, points to a different assistant, or isn’t in the page at all. The check also shows whether the assistant is set to public, because a private assistant can’t start conversations with visitors. It reads the published HTML without running scripts, so if you load the code through a tag manager, a consent tool, or a login-protected page, confirm it in a real browser as well. ## Step 7: Test it like a visitor Open the published page on a computer and on a phone, and work through the conversations your customers will have. Fix the knowledge or the rules behind any wrong answer, then test the same question again. 1. Ask your three most common questions in your own words. 2. Ask about something you don’t offer. 3. Ask something the knowledge doesn’t cover and check that the chatbot doesn’t guess. 4. Book an appointment, if you’ve connected a calendar. 5. Ask for a person and check that the conversation reaches your team in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox). 6. On a phone-sized screen, check that the chat doesn’t cover checkout, contact, or cookie buttons. 7. If you use a consent screen, check that the chat still opens after accepting or declining. ## Why isn’t my website chatbot working? Most installation problems come from code that isn’t on the published page, an assistant that isn’t public, or a launcher hidden behind other page elements. Use this table to find the fix. | Problem | Likely cause | Fix | | --- | --- | --- | | The chat doesn’t appear | Code saved but not published, or added to another theme or page | Publish the change and run Verify on your website with the exact URL | | Verify says the code points to another assistant | Code copied from a different assistant | Copy the code from the right assistant and replace it | | The launcher appears but visitors can’t start a chat | The assistant is private | Make the assistant public | | The launcher covers a button | Bottom or side clearance too small | Increase the clearance and replace the code on your site | | A color or position change didn’t apply | Appearance is stored in the installed code | Copy the updated code and replace it | | A new answer isn’t showing up | The knowledge source is still processing | Wait for processing to finish; knowledge and greetings update without new code | | No chat in Shopify checkout | Theme code doesn’t reach checkout | Expected; the chat covers storefront pages | ## What should a website chatbot do besides answer questions? A website chatbot should capture the visitor’s contact details, book appointments when they’re ready, and hand the conversation to a person when it should, with the whole conversation saved for your team. Answers alone don’t turn a visitor into a customer. InsertChat’s [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) collects contact details as [leads](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture), books within your [scheduling rules](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), lets visitors attach files and send voice messages, and passes conversations that need a person to your team. The same assistant can also answer [phone calls](https://insertchat.com/product/phone), [text messages](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), email, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, so a visitor who chats on Monday and calls on Tuesday gets the same answers. Replying while the visitor is still on the page is the fastest possible [speed to lead](https://insertchat.com/blog/speed-to-lead). ## Add InsertChat to your website today InsertChat plans start at $98 per month with 5,000 monthly credits shared across chat, calls, and other channels, and every paid plan includes one phone number for the AI receptionist. Credit use depends on the AI model you choose and the length of each conversation; the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing) has the details. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) with your website address, or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see website chats in a sample workspace. ## How do I add an AI chatbot to my website? Create an assistant, train it on your website pages and documents, set its name, look, and rules, then paste its install code into your site before the closing body tag, or use your platform’s custom code setting. On WordPress, you can use the InsertChat plugin instead. Publish, verify, and test it. ## Do I need to know how to code to add a chatbot? No. You copy the install code from your assistant’s website settings and paste it into your site builder’s custom code area, such as WordPress’s footer code tool, Wix Custom Code, or Webflow’s footer code. If someone else manages your site, InsertChat can email them the code, and no workspace login is needed to install it. ## Where do I paste the chatbot code in WordPress? Install the InsertChat plugin from WordPress.org and enter your assistant’s ID, which is the ICG_BOT_ID value in its install code. Or paste the full code into your theme’s header and footer code tool, in the footer. WordPress.com sites need a plan that supports custom JavaScript. ## Will the chatbot work in Shopify checkout? No. Code added to your Shopify theme shows the chat on your storefront pages but doesn’t install it in checkout. Add the code before the closing body tag in your theme’s layout, then save and publish that theme. ## Why isn’t my chatbot showing on my website? The most common causes are code saved but not published, code added to a different theme or page than the one you’re viewing, an assistant that isn’t set to public, or a tag manager or consent tool that delays scripts. Use InsertChat’s Verify on your website check with the exact page URL, then check the page in a browser. ## How much does an AI website chatbot cost? InsertChat plans start at $98 per month and include monthly credits shared by chat, calls, and other channels. Credit use depends on the AI model you choose and the length of conversations. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits; a card is required. --- # How to Answer a Business Phone Professionally Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-answer-a-business-phone-professionally > How to answer a business phone professionally: the greeting, listening, holds, transfers, messages, closing the call, mobile etiquette, and a team checklist. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 To answer a business phone professionally, pick up promptly, greet the caller with the business name, your name, and an offer to help, then listen without interrupting and take notes. Confirm the important details back, agree on a clear next step, and close by thanking the caller by name. The whole approach fits on one card next to the phone. This guide walks through each part of the call, from the moment before you pick up to the last sentence, with the exact words to use, phrases to avoid, a checklist for your team, and what to do when nobody can get to the phone. ## The 9 steps of a professional business call A professional business call follows the same nine steps whatever the business. The sections below explain each one. 1. **Get ready before it rings:** calendar open, price list and notes within reach. 2. **Answer promptly:** pick up quickly, in a quiet place, with your attention on the call. 3. **Greet the caller:** hello, business name, your name, and an offer to help. 4. **Get their name early:** and use it during the call. 5. **Listen and take notes:** let the caller finish before you respond. 6. **Confirm the details:** read back numbers, dates, times, and addresses. 7. **Handle holds and transfers politely:** ask first, give a time, pass on the context. 8. **Agree the next step:** a booking, an answer, or a callback with a time. 9. **Close the call:** summarize, thank them by name, and let them hang up first. ## How do you prepare to answer business calls? Prepare by having everything a caller might ask about within reach: your calendar, services and prices, opening hours, and a place to take notes. A receptionist who has to search for information sounds unsure, even when the answer is right. - **Open the tools you need:** your calendar or booking system, your contact list, and the price list. - **Keep a call card next to the phone:** the greeting, the details to collect, and who handles what. - **Find a quiet spot:** close the door, mute other devices, and use a headset if the room is noisy. - **Avoid speakerphone:** it makes you sound distant and picks up background noise. - **Know the handoff:** who takes billing questions, complaints, and emergencies, and how to reach them. ## What should you say when you answer? Say a short greeting, the business name, your name, and an offer to help, in that order: “Thank you for calling [Business Name], this is [Your Name]. How can I help you today?” It takes a few seconds and tells the caller they reached the right place and who they’re talking to. Speak a little slower than normal for the business name, because it’s the part callers listen for. Smile while you speak; callers hear it in your voice. Use the same greeting as everyone else on the team, so callers get the same experience whoever picks up. The [business phone greeting examples](https://insertchat.com/blog/business-phone-greeting-examples) include 52 versions by industry and situation. Avoid these openings: - **“Hello?”** The caller can’t tell whether they reached a business. - **The phone number alone.** It sounds like a switchboard and gives no name to use. - **A rushed run-on.** “ThanksforcallingHarborDentalthisisMayahowcanIhelpyou” loses the business name. - **A tagline and a promotion** before the caller can speak. ## How do you listen and take notes on a business call? Listen by letting the caller finish, then summarize what you heard before you act on it. Take notes as they talk, so you don’t have to ask them to repeat anything, and write down the details in the same order every time. Ask for the caller’s name early, using a simple line: “Can I start with your name?” Use it once or twice during the call. Ask whether they’re a new or existing customer, then the details your business needs, such as an address, a vehicle, or a date of birth for a returning patient. Use plain words instead of internal terms. A caller doesn’t know what a “PM visit” or an “intake” is, so say “maintenance visit” or “first appointment.” When the caller uses a term you don’t know, ask: “Can you tell me a bit more about that?” Phrases that make a call go better: | Instead of | Say | | --- | --- | | “I don’t know.” | “Let me find out for you.” | | “Hold on.” | “May I put you on hold for about a minute?” | | “That’s not my department.” | “The best person for that is [Name]. Let me get this to them.” | | “You need to…” | “The quickest way to get this done is…” | | “Calm down.” | “I understand. Let’s get this sorted out.” | | “We can’t do that.” | “Here’s what we can do.” | | “Can you repeat that?” (again) | “Let me read that back to make sure I have it right.” | ## How do you confirm details on the phone? Confirm details by reading them back: phone numbers digit by digit, names spelled when they’re unusual, and dates with the day of the week. Most messages that go wrong do so because one digit or one date was misheard. - **Phone numbers:** “That’s 5-5-5, 0-1-4-2. Is that right?” - **Dates:** “That’s Wednesday the 21st at 2 p.m.” The weekday catches mistakes the date alone won’t. - **Addresses:** include the unit, the gate code, and where to park if it matters for a visit. - **Email addresses:** spell them back letter by letter. ## How do you put a caller on hold or transfer a call? Put a caller on hold only after asking and hearing a yes, and give a time: “May I put you on hold for about a minute while I check?” Transfer a call only after telling the caller who they’re going to and why, and pass on what they’ve already told you. For holds: 1. Ask permission and give a reason and a time. 2. Check back if the hold runs longer than you said. 3. Offer a callback at a specific time if it’s going to take a while. 4. Thank the caller when you return: “Thanks for waiting.” For transfers, say: “The best person for that is [Name], our [Role]. I’m transferring you now and letting them know what you need, so you won’t have to explain it again.” Then actually tell the next person. A transfer where the caller has to start over feels like being passed around. ## How do you take a phone message professionally? Take a phone message by collecting the caller’s full name, a callback number read back digit by digit, the reason for the call, how urgent it is, the best time to call back, and who the message is for. Then tell the caller when they’ll hear back, and make sure that happens. Write the reason in the caller’s words, not a summary like “call back,” so the person returning the call can start with an answer. Put messages where the team will see them, not on a sticky note. If you promise a callback time, write it on the message too. The [receptionist phone scripts](https://insertchat.com/blog/receptionist-phone-scripts) include word-for-word scripts for messages, holds, transfers, angry callers, wrong numbers, and emergencies. ## How do you end a business call? End a business call by summarizing what was agreed, confirming the next step and when it happens, asking if there’s anything else, and thanking the caller by name. Let the caller hang up first, so you never cut off a last question. “So you’re booked for Wednesday at 2 p.m., and you’ll get a text confirmation in the next few minutes. Is there anything else I can help with? Thanks for calling, Dana. We’ll see you Wednesday.” ## How do you answer business calls on a mobile phone? Answer business calls on a mobile phone with the same greeting you’d use at a desk, starting with the business name, so callers know they reached a business. Only answer when you can give the call your attention; otherwise, let it go to voicemail or an AI receptionist and call back soon. - **Don’t answer while driving** or in the middle of a job where you can’t take notes. - **Step away from noise** before you answer, or answer and ask to call right back. - **Save customer numbers** in your contacts, so you know who’s calling. - **Keep a notes app or booking app open** for details and appointments. - **Call back quickly** when you miss a call. The [speed-to-lead guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/speed-to-lead) explains why the first hour matters. ## Phone etiquette checklist for your team Use this checklist to train new staff and to review calls with the team. It turns everything above into habits you can check. - We answer with the same greeting, including the business name and our name. - We ask for the caller’s name early and use it. - We let callers finish before we respond. - We read back numbers, dates, and addresses. - We ask before putting anyone on hold and check back on time. - We tell callers who they’re being transferred to and pass on the details. - Every message has a name, number, reason, urgency, and callback time. - Every call ends with a clear next step. - We know who handles billing, complaints, and emergencies. - Our voicemail and after-hours messages are up to date. ## What should you do when nobody can answer? When nobody can answer, every call still needs a next step: a voicemail with a callback time, an answering service, or an AI receptionist that answers for you. Decide in advance which one handles each situation, such as lunch breaks, busy mornings, evenings, and holidays. A voicemail is the simplest option, but many callers won’t leave a message, and the [cost of missed calls guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/cost-of-missed-calls) shows how to work out what that costs your business. An answering service puts a person on the line. An [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers from your business information, books appointments within your rules, and takes complete details for your team. For evenings and weekends, the [after-hours message examples](https://insertchat.com/blog/after-hours-message-examples) cover voicemail scripts and AI greetings. ## Let InsertChat answer when your team can’t InsertChat’s AI receptionist follows the habits in this guide on every call: it greets callers with your greeting, asks for their name and reason for calling, confirms the appointment with the caller before booking it within your [scheduling rules](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), and ends with a clear next step. Calls that need a person are marked needs-you and emailed to your team with a transcript and summary in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox). You choose when it answers. With “AI when unanswered,” your phone rings for 5 to 60 seconds first, and the AI picks up only if nobody does. With “AI after hours,” it covers the hours outside your weekly schedule. In the US and Canada, keep your number with [call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding). Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, and new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding), or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to hear how calls are handled in a sample workspace. ## How do you answer a business phone professionally? Pick up promptly, then say a short greeting, the business name, your name, and an offer to help: “Thank you for calling Harbor Dental, this is Maya. How can I help you?” Listen without interrupting, take notes, confirm the important details back, agree on the next step, and thank the caller by name. ## What should you not say when answering a business phone? Avoid answering with just “Hello?” or the phone number, and avoid “I don’t know,” “Hold on,” and “That’s not my job.” Say “Let me find out for you,” “May I put you on a brief hold?” and “The best person for that is…” instead. ## How do you answer a business call on your personal phone? Use the same greeting you would at a desk, with the business name first, so callers know they reached a business. If you’re driving, on a job site, or somewhere loud, let the call go to your voicemail or AI receptionist and call back from a quiet place. ## What do you say when putting a caller on hold? Ask first and give a reason and a time: “I need to check the schedule. May I put you on hold for about a minute?” Wait for a yes. If it takes longer, come back and offer a choice between holding and a callback at a specific time. ## What if nobody is available to answer the business phone? Have a plan for every unanswered call: a voicemail with a callback time, an answering service, or an AI receptionist that answers, books, and takes details. With InsertChat’s “AI when unanswered” mode, your team’s phone rings first and the AI picks up only if nobody does. --- # How to Reduce Appointment No-Shows: 12 Ways Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-reduce-appointment-no-shows > 12 ways to reduce appointment no-shows: reminders, confirmations, easy rescheduling, policies, deposits, and waitlists, plus how to calculate your no-show rate. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 To reduce appointment no-shows, remind customers before each visit, ask them to confirm, and make rescheduling easier than simply not showing up. Then back that up with a clear cancellation policy, deposits for long or high-value appointments, a waitlist to refill open slots, and a same-day follow-up when someone misses a visit. This guide shows how to calculate your no-show rate, why customers miss appointments, and 12 ways to bring the rate down, with the research behind reminders, policy wording you can copy, and how InsertChat books, reminds, and reschedules for you. ## How do you calculate your no-show rate? Your no-show rate is the number of missed appointments divided by the number of scheduled appointments in the same period, multiplied by 100. Count only customers who didn’t come and didn’t cancel. Late cancellations go in a separate count, because they need different fixes. No-show rate = no-shows ÷ scheduled appointments × 100 For example, a salon with 200 appointments in a month and 12 no-shows has a 6% no-show rate. The numbers are illustrative; use your own calendar. Measure for at least a month, then break the rate down by: - **Booking lead time:** appointments booked weeks ahead are easier to forget than ones booked this week. - **Day and time:** Monday mornings and Friday afternoons may behave differently. - **New vs returning customers:** first-time customers have less commitment to you. - **Service type:** long or expensive appointments hurt the most when missed. - **How it was booked:** phone, website, walk-in, or a referral. Your first month becomes the baseline. Change one thing at a time and compare against it. ## Why do customers miss appointments? Customers miss appointments because they forget, because something came up and changing the appointment felt harder than skipping it, or because they were never fully committed. Each reason has a different fix, so it helps to ask customers why when you follow up. - **They forgot,** especially when the appointment was booked weeks ago. - **Rescheduling felt like a hassle,** such as a phone line that only works during office hours. - **The plan changed:** work, childcare, transport, or illness. - **Cost or uncertainty:** they weren’t sure what it would cost or what would happen. - **Low commitment:** a casual booking with no deposit and no confirmation. - **Anxiety:** common with medical, dental, and therapy visits. ## 12 ways to reduce appointment no-shows These 12 tactics work together. Start with the first three, which are the cheapest and fix the most common causes, then add the others where your numbers show a problem. ### 1. Send reminders at the right times Send a confirmation when the appointment is booked, a reminder about three days before, and another the day before. The three-day reminder gives customers time to reschedule, which gives you time to refill the slot. The research supports this. A [Cochrane review](https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD007458_mobile-phone-messaging-reminders-attendance-healthcare-appointments) of randomized trials found that text reminders increased attendance at healthcare appointments compared with no reminders: attendance was 78.6% with text reminders and 67.8% without. Text reminders worked about as well as phone call reminders and cost less. The reviewers rated the evidence low to moderate quality. The [appointment reminder text templates](https://insertchat.com/blog/appointment-reminder-text-templates) include 34 messages for every step. ### 2. Ask for a confirmation Ask customers to reply to confirm, such as “Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.” A confirmation turns a passive reminder into a small commitment, and an unconfirmed appointment the day before is a signal to call the customer or prepare a backup. Never ask customers to reply CANCEL to cancel. Under the FCC’s text message rules, “cancel” is one of the replies that revokes consent to receive texts. ### 3. Make rescheduling easier than skipping Customers who can’t make it will either tell you or not show up. Make telling you the easy option: one reply in a text, a link, or a phone line that answers at any hour. Most changes come up in the evening, when your office is closed. An [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) can take those calls: InsertChat reschedules or cancels the appointments it booked, within your calendar rules, whenever a customer calls or texts. ### 4. Book while the customer is still on the line The best time to book is during the first conversation, while the need is fresh. A caller who has to wait for a callback to schedule is more likely to book elsewhere, or to book and later lose interest. Offer two specific times instead of asking when they’re free, repeat the details back, and send the confirmation right away. The [speed-to-lead guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/speed-to-lead) explains why the first response matters. ### 5. Shorten the time between booking and the visit The further out an appointment is, the more likely plans change. Keep open slots in the near term for new bookings, and avoid booking routine visits months ahead when you don’t need to. In InsertChat’s [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) settings, you can limit how far ahead customers can book, from 7 to 90 days, and set the minimum notice, from none to 48 hours. ### 6. Write a clear cancellation policy A cancellation policy works when customers hear it at booking, see it in reminders, and see you apply it consistently. Keep it short: the notice period, the fee if any, and how to cancel. Copy-ready wording: - **Simple:** “Please give us at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and missed appointments may be charged [Fee].” - **Generous first offense:** “We understand things come up. Your first late cancellation is on us. After that, cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are charged [Fee].” - **For long appointments:** “Appointments over two hours need 48 hours notice to change. Late changes forfeit the deposit.” ### 7. Take deposits for long or high-value appointments A deposit raises commitment and covers part of the loss when someone doesn’t come. Use it where a missed slot really costs you, such as long treatments, first consultations, or work that needs preparation, and say how the deposit applies to the final bill. Take deposits with the payment tool you already use and include the payment link in your confirmation. If you connect [Stripe](https://insertchat.com/integration/stripe), InsertChat can create a payment link as an action, with your team’s approval if you require it; the payment itself is processed in Stripe. ### 8. Say what a missed appointment costs Telling customers what a missed slot costs can change behavior. In a [randomized trial at a London hospital](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0137306), reminders that stated the specific cost of a missed appointment to the health service produced a missed-appointment rate of 8.4%, compared with 11.1% for the hospital’s existing reminder. That was a public hospital stating its own cost, so test the wording with your customers before adopting it. ### 9. Send first-visit instructions First-time customers miss more often when they’re unsure what to expect. Send what to bring, where to park, how long it takes, and what it costs or how pricing works. Uncertainty is easier to resolve before the visit than at the front desk. ### 10. Keep a waitlist and refill open slots A waitlist turns cancellations into bookings. When someone cancels, text the next person on the list with the open time and a one-word reply to claim it. The earlier you know about a cancellation, the better this works, which is another reason to make rescheduling easy. ### 11. Follow up the same day after a no-show Contact customers who missed their appointment the same day, kindly, with an easy way to rebook: “We missed you today. We hope everything is okay. Reply R to book a new time.” Ask why if it feels natural, and add the answer to your notes. Repeat no-shows can be asked to prepay. ### 12. Track no-shows and review them monthly Track your no-show rate by booking lead time, day, service, and how the appointment was booked. Review it monthly, change one thing at a time, and compare against your baseline. In InsertChat, every booking conversation is saved to the customer’s contact record in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), along with the lead source when you publish separate numbers. ## How do the 12 tactics compare? Use this table to decide where to start. Effort and fit are judgments for a typical small appointment-based business, not measured results. | Tactic | Fixes | Effort | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Reminders | Forgetting | Low | Every business | | Confirmation replies | Low commitment | Low | Every business | | Easy rescheduling | Plans changing | Low with automation | Every business | | Booking on the first call | Losing interest | Medium | Service businesses with many inquiries | | Shorter lead times | Plans changing | Low | Practices booking weeks ahead | | Cancellation policy | Low commitment | Low | Salons, clinics, studios | | Deposits | Low commitment and lost revenue | Medium | Long or high-value appointments | | Stating the cost | Low commitment | Low | Clinics and services with set prices | | First-visit instructions | Uncertainty and anxiety | Low | New customers and patients | | Waitlist | Empty slots | Medium | Fully booked calendars | | Same-day follow-up | Losing the customer | Low | Every business | | Tracking | Knowing what works | Low | Every business | ## How InsertChat helps reduce no-shows InsertChat books appointments on calls, website chat, and texts, sends reminders, and lets customers reschedule at any hour. It covers several tactics above without adding work for your front desk. - **Books in the first conversation:** offers open times from your built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, and books after the customer confirms. - **Follows your rules:** appointment length from 15 to 120 minutes, buffers before and after, minimum notice up to 48 hours, and a booking window up to 90 days. - **Sends reminders:** by text or email, 72 and 24 hours before the appointments it books. - **Reschedules and cancels at any hour:** for appointments it booked, so changes come in early instead of becoming no-shows. - **Keeps the record:** every conversation and booking on the customer’s contact, in one inbox. See how this works for [salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon), [dental offices](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental), [med spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa), and [home services](https://insertchat.com/industries/home-services). ## Let InsertChat book, remind, and reschedule for you No-shows drop when booking is quick, reminders arrive on time, and changing an appointment takes one call or text. InsertChat’s AI receptionist does all three around the clock, from the same knowledge and calendar your team uses, and hands anything unusual to a person. Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, and new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding), or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see bookings in a sample workspace. ## What is the best way to reduce appointment no-shows? Send reminders before each appointment, ask customers to confirm, and make rescheduling easier than skipping. A Cochrane review of randomized trials found text reminders increased attendance at healthcare appointments compared with no reminders. Add a clear cancellation policy and a same-day follow-up for missed visits. ## How do you calculate a no-show rate? Divide the number of no-shows by the number of scheduled appointments in the same period, then multiply by 100. For example, 12 no-shows out of 200 scheduled appointments is a 6% no-show rate. Track late cancellations separately, because they need different fixes. ## When should appointment reminders be sent? A common schedule is a confirmation at booking, a reminder about three days before so customers have time to reschedule, and another the day before. Add a short same-day reminder for early or easily forgotten appointments. InsertChat sends text or email reminders 72 and 24 hours before the appointments it books. ## Should I charge a no-show fee? A fee can help when missed appointments are costly, but only if customers know about it before they book and you apply it consistently. State it at booking and in reminders, give a reasonable notice period, and decide in advance when you’ll waive it, such as illness or a first offense. ## Does making it easier to reschedule increase cancellations? It can increase reschedules, but that’s the goal. A customer who can’t make it will either cancel in time or simply not show up. An early cancellation gives you time to fill the slot, while a no-show leaves it empty. --- # How to Set Up an AI Receptionist, Step by Step Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-set-up-an-ai-receptionist > Set up an AI receptionist step by step in InsertChat: build a demo from your website, add knowledge, choose a voice, connect your number, set rules, and test. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 To set up an AI receptionist, give it your business information, choose how it sounds, connect the phone number customers call, set booking and handoff rules, and test it like a caller before going live. In InsertChat, you start from your website address, and the app builds a working demo from your services, hours, and FAQs before you pay. This guide walks through the real InsertChat flow, screen by screen, with the settings that matter and the mistakes to avoid. Screen names are quoted as they appear in the app as of October 2026. If you are still deciding whether you need one, start with [what an AI receptionist is](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist). ## What do you need before you start? Gather six things before you open the app: your website address, opening hours, a list of services with any prices you publish, your most common customer questions, calendar access if you want bookings, and access to your phone provider if you plan to keep your number. With those ready, setup goes straight through. | What to gather | Why it matters | Where it goes | | --- | --- | --- | | Website address | The app reads it to find your services, hours, and FAQs | Business website, the first onboarding screen | | Opening hours, including holidays | Shapes what callers hear and when the AI can book | Hours, during the business review | | Services and published prices | The most common questions callers ask | Services, during the business review | | Your top 10 to 20 questions | Fills the gaps your website doesn’t answer | FAQ, then Knowledge | | Calendar login | Live availability and bookings | Calendar connection | | Phone provider account or dial codes | Forwarding your existing number | Phone number setup | Decide one more thing up front: who on your team handles calls the AI flags as needs-you, and how quickly they call back. The AI will tell callers what happens next, so the promise should be real. ## Step 1: Build a demo from your website Enter your business website on the InsertChat homepage or the first onboarding screen and choose Build my demo. No website? Choose No website? Find my business and search by business name and city or paste a Google Maps link. The app reads the source, then shows what it learned. While it works you’ll see progress messages such as Finding your business details and Learning your website. When it finishes, you can try two demos built from your information: a Chat assistant demo and a Phone receptionist demo. Use them. Ask what services you offer and when you’re open, and listen to how the receptionist answers. If a detail is wrong, don’t worry yet. Everything the app found is editable in the next steps, and website learning keeps running in the background if your site has many pages. ## Step 2: Start the free trial New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits to test calls, chat, and booking. A card is required at checkout, and the Pro plan starts at $98 per month when the trial ends unless you cancel first. After checkout you’ll see Congratulations, your trial is active! Credits cover calls and written conversations. Each call rounds up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum, so 500 trial credits are for testing, not for running a busy line for a week. The [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing) shows plan allowances and a usage estimator for when you go live. ## Step 3: Choose channels and goals Next, the app asks Where should your assistant help? Choose Chat assistant, Phone receptionist, or Both. Then it asks What should your assistant do? and lets you pick every goal that applies. Your answers decide which setup screens follow. The goals on that screen are: - **Answer customer questions** from approved business information across the channels you chose. - **Book appointments** by checking a connected calendar and confirming complete booking details. Choosing this adds the calendar step. - **Capture and qualify leads** by collecting the contact details and context your team needs. - **Bring in your team** with the conversation context attached when a person is needed. - **Create support tickets** that turn unresolved requests into a structured follow-up. - **Share payment links** through a configured payment path when the workflow requires it. Pick only what you will use in the first month. You can turn on more later, and fewer goals make the first tests easier to judge. ## Step 4: Review what the AI learned about your business The review screen, Here’s what I’ve learned about your business, shows the company name, email, opening hours, services, and FAQ the app found. Correct each one. This is the single most important step, because callers hear exactly what you approve here. Work through each field: - **Company name:** use the name callers know, not a domain or legal entity name. The receptionist uses it to answer the phone. - **Business email:** the address the AI can share with callers who want to email you. - **Hours:** set the opening and closing time for each day, and add holiday closures to your knowledge later. - **Services:** each service can carry an optional price and duration. List only prices you are happy to quote on every call. - **FAQ:** keep the generated answers that are right, fix the rest, and add your most common questions in your customers’ words. After setup, add more sources in [Knowledge](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge): website pages, documents, and questions and answers. Wait for each source to finish processing before testing it. The [knowledge guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) covers what to include and what to leave out. ## Step 5: Connect your calendar If you chose Book appointments, the app asks you to Connect your calendar for bookings. Choose the calendar you already use; during onboarding, Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook are offered, and you authorize the connection after checkout, before live bookings are enabled. You can also use InsertChat’s built-in calendar, which needs no outside connection, or connect Calendly or Cal.com from the app catalog. Then set your booking rules in [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling): - **Appointment length:** 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. - **Buffers:** 0, 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes before and after each appointment. - **Minimum notice:** from none up to 48 hours. - **Booking window:** 7, 14, 30, 60, or 90 days ahead. - **Times offered:** two to five options per request. - **Availability:** your business hours, or custom weekly windows. The [appointment booking guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-ai-receptionists-book-appointments) explains each rule, confirmations, and the text or email reminders sent 72 and 24 hours before appointments. ## Step 6: Choose the voice and greeting On Choose your receptionist’s voice, preview the options and pick one; you can change it later from the full library of 10 voices. Then write the greeting under How should your receptionist answer? This is the first thing callers hear, up to 200 characters. Good greetings do three things in one or two sentences: name the business, say the caller is speaking with an AI assistant, and invite the request. For example: “Thanks for calling Northside Plumbing. You’re speaking with our AI assistant, and I can answer questions or book a visit. How can I help?” Later, the Caller experience settings let you change the greeting and voice and choose Test saved greeting and voice to hear them in a browser call. The guide to [whether AI receptionists sound human](https://insertchat.com/blog/do-ai-receptionists-sound-human) covers voice choice and disclosure in more depth. ## Step 7: Connect the number customers call The app asks Which number do your customers call? Choose Use my existing number to keep your number with call forwarding, or Get a new InsertChat number and pick an area code. Each paid plan includes one number; additional numbers cost $10 per month. ### Keeping your existing number Forwarding works for US and Canadian numbers: 1. Choose Use my existing number, enter it, and confirm the provider you pay for phone service. 2. Choose when calls forward: all calls, or only unanswered and busy calls, if your provider supports it. 3. Follow your provider’s steps to forward calls to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number. 4. InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it. The [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) list exact steps for [AT&T](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att), [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), [T-Mobile](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile), [RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral), [Rogers](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/rogers), [Bell](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/bell), and [TELUS](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/telus). If your carrier voicemail picks up before forwarding happens, make voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout. ### Getting a new number Choose Get a new InsertChat number and pick an area code, or a toll-free number where available. A new number suits a second location, a campaign, or a dedicated after-hours line, and it is the option outside the US and Canada. Number porting is not offered. ## Step 8: Decide which calls the AI answers Two settings decide which calls reach the AI: caller scope and routing mode. Caller scope asks Which callers should your receptionist answer? with Everyone, Only unknown numbers, or Only saved contacts. Routing mode decides whether your team’s phone rings first. The four routing modes are: | Routing mode | What happens | Choose it when | | --- | --- | --- | | AI always | The AI receptionist answers every call | You want every call answered immediately | | AI after hours | Your team’s number rings during your weekly hours, in your time zone; the AI answers outside them | Your team covers the day but evenings and weekends ring out | | AI when unanswered | Your team’s number rings for 5 to 60 seconds, then the AI answers | You want people first and the AI as backup | | Team only | The AI doesn’t answer this number | You need a line that only people answer | Starting with “AI after hours” is the lowest-risk launch: your daytime calls don’t change, and every after-hours call gets an answer instead of voicemail. See [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) for overnight shifts and time zones. ## Step 9: Set handoff rules and notifications Handoff rules decide when the AI stops and asks your team for help. InsertChat turns on five by default: when the customer asks for a person, when an answer is uncertain, after two failed attempts, when a customer is upset, and before sensitive or restricted actions. Then add what is specific to your business: - **Escalation topics:** emergencies, custom quotes, billing disputes, complaints, and anything that needs professional judgment. - **Safety steps:** what the AI should tell callers who describe an emergency, such as leaving the building and calling 911, plus any emergency number you publish. - **Who gets notified:** the teammates emailed when a conversation is marked needs-you. - **Team notifications:** optional alerts when a new contact is captured or an appointment is booked, sent immediately or as a daily summary. InsertChat does not transfer live calls. When a caller needs a person, the AI collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails your team, and tells the caller your team will follow up. The [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) shows how to configure and test each rule. ## Step 10: Test like a caller Test before customers reach the AI. The setup includes guided checks, Test your assistant before customers use it, with four scenarios: a common question, an unknown question, a booking, and a request for a person. Run all four, then call your real number from a phone that isn’t saved as a contact. Use this script and check each result in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox): | Test | What to say | What good looks like | | --- | --- | --- | | Common question | “What services do you offer and when are you open?” | Matches the details you approved | | Unknown question | Ask about a service you don’t list | Says it doesn’t know and offers a useful next step | | Booking | “Can I book something for next Tuesday morning?” | Offers open times within your rules and recaps before saving | | Reschedule | Ask to move the appointment you just booked | Recaps the change and acts after you confirm | | Person | “I need to speak with someone.” | Explains the follow-up and flags the conversation needs-you | | Emergency | Describe an urgent problem | Reads your safety steps and alerts your team | | Interruption | Start talking during the greeting | Stops the greeting and responds to you | | Language | Ask a question in another language your customers use | Answers in that language | Tests use your current settings and connected actions, so use test contact details and delete test appointments afterward. ## Step 11: Go live and review the first two weeks Go live on one slice of calls, read every conversation for the first week, and fix what you find. Most early problems are missing knowledge, not the AI itself. Widen the routing once answers hold up. A simple review routine: 1. **Each morning,** open the Today view and the needs-you queue. Return callbacks first. 2. **Read three to five transcripts** end to end, especially calls that ended in a handoff. 3. **Fix gaps at the source:** add a question and answer, correct a service, or adjust a booking rule. 4. **After a week,** widen routing, for example from “AI after hours” to “AI when unanswered” during the day. 5. **Check usage** against your plan’s credits so the bill matches expectations. ## What goes wrong most often, and how do you fix it? Most setup problems come from four places: forwarding rules, missing knowledge, booking rules that don’t match reality, and time zones. Each has a quick fix. - **The verification call fails:** check that forwarding points to the private routing number, that caller ID passthrough is on where offered, and that carrier voicemail doesn’t answer first. - **The AI says it doesn’t know something it should:** the source may still be processing, or the answer lives in an image or a page the app couldn’t read. Add it as a question and answer. - **Offered times look wrong:** check business hours or custom windows, buffers, minimum notice, and the calendar’s time zone. The AI only offers slots the availability check returns. - **Callers keep asking for a person:** read those transcripts. Often the greeting doesn’t say what the AI can do, or a common question is missing. ## Start with your website address You can be testing a receptionist built from your own information within one sitting. [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) with your website address, [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see the workspace with sample data first, or compare plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing). The [AI receptionist product page](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) lists everything the phone side can do. ## What do I need before I set up an AI receptionist? Your website address, your opening hours, a list of services with any prices you publish, the questions your team answers most, login access to your calendar if you want bookings, and access to your phone provider’s account or dial codes if you plan to forward your existing number. ## Do I have to port my phone number to use an AI receptionist? No. With InsertChat, businesses in the US and Canada keep their number and forward calls to a private routing number, and a verification call confirms forwarding works. Elsewhere, choose a local or toll-free InsertChat number where available. Number porting is not offered. ## Can I test the AI receptionist before customers call it? Yes. During setup you can try a phone receptionist demo built from your website, then run guided checks and a browser call with your saved greeting and voice. After connecting your number, call it yourself and confirm each call appears in the inbox. ## Can I use an AI receptionist only after hours? Yes. Choose the “AI after hours” routing mode: calls ring your team during the weekly hours you set, in your time zone, and the AI receptionist answers outside them. Opening hours can include overnight shifts. ## How much does it cost to set up? There is no separate setup fee in InsertChat. New customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits; a card is required at checkout, and Pro starts at $98 per month when the trial ends unless you cancel. Each paid plan includes one phone number. --- # Is an AI Receptionist HIPAA Compliant? Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/is-an-ai-receptionist-hipaa-compliant > Is an AI receptionist HIPAA compliant? What HHS rules require, why the vendor is a business associate, what a BAA must cover, and how to configure calls safely. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 An AI receptionist is not HIPAA compliant on its own. HIPAA compliance depends on a signed Business Associate Agreement with the vendor, the safeguards the vendor runs, and how your practice configures and uses the tool. InsertChat Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA); on other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant. This guide explains when HIPAA applies to an AI receptionist, what the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires, what to check before you sign, and how to configure calls so the receptionist collects only what it needs. It is general information, not legal advice. Review your setup and any BAA with your compliance advisor. ## Does HIPAA apply to your AI receptionist? HIPAA applies when your business is a covered entity, or a business associate of one, and the AI receptionist will handle protected health information. Most medical, dental, chiropractic, therapy, and similar practices are covered entities. Their patient calls almost always contain protected health information. HHS defines three kinds of [covered entities](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/index.html): health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers that transmit health information electronically in connection with transactions HHS has adopted standards for, such as electronic insurance billing. A provider who never conducts those transactions may fall outside HIPAA, though state privacy laws can still apply. ### What counts as protected health information on a call? Protected health information is individually identifiable health information held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate. On a phone call, that covers more than a diagnosis. Under the [Privacy Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html), the following are typical examples when they relate to a patient of a covered practice: - A caller’s name and phone number together with an appointment at your practice. - The reason for a visit, symptoms, or the treatment someone wants. - Insurance details tied to a named caller. - A call summary or transcript that identifies a patient and their care. If the AI receptionist answers patient calls, books visits, or records transcripts, assume it handles protected health information. ## Why is an AI receptionist vendor a business associate? A vendor that creates, receives, maintains, or transmits protected health information on your behalf is a business associate under HIPAA. An AI receptionist that answers patient calls, stores transcripts, and books appointments does all four, so the vendor needs a written agreement with you before patient calls go to it. HHS guidance on [business associates](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/business-associates/index.html) explains that a covered entity may disclose protected health information to a business associate only after obtaining satisfactory assurances, in writing, that the business associate will safeguard it. Since the HITECH Act, business associates are also directly liable for complying with parts of the HIPAA Rules. Two clarifications from HHS close common loopholes: - **Encryption doesn’t remove the requirement.** HHS’s [cloud computing guidance](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/health-information-technology/cloud-computing/index.html) says a cloud provider that stores electronic protected health information is a business associate even if it holds only encrypted data and lacks the decryption key. - **The conduit exception is narrow.** It covers transmission-only services, like the postal service, with only temporary storage. A service that keeps transcripts or call records has persistent access, so it isn’t a conduit. ## What must a Business Associate Agreement include? HHS lists the required terms in its guidance on [business associate contracts](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/sample-business-associate-agreement-provisions/index.html). The agreement must describe the permitted uses of protected health information, prohibit other uses, require safeguards, and require the vendor to report incidents and bind its subcontractors. | Required term | What it means for an AI receptionist | | --- | --- | | Permitted and required uses | The vendor uses call data only to provide the receptionist service and as the contract allows | | No other use or disclosure | Call data isn’t used or shared beyond the contract or what the law requires | | Appropriate safeguards | The vendor applies Security Rule safeguards to electronic protected health information | | Reporting | The vendor reports security incidents and breaches to you | | Subcontractors | Any subcontractor handling the data, such as hosting or AI model providers, agrees to the same restrictions | | Individual rights | The vendor helps you provide access to and amendment of patient information where required | | Termination | Data is returned or destroyed when the contract ends, where feasible | Ask for the BAA template early, before you configure anything, and have your compliance advisor review it against your practice’s policies. ## What else does HIPAA require beyond the BAA? The BAA is necessary but not sufficient. Your practice still has to run its own HIPAA program: risk analysis, safeguards, minimum necessary use, workforce training, and breach procedures. The AI receptionist becomes one more system those policies cover. - **Security Rule safeguards:** the [Security Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/index.html) requires administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for electronic protected health information, including a risk analysis that should now include the AI receptionist. - **Minimum necessary:** the Privacy Rule’s [minimum necessary requirement](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/minimum-necessary-requirement/index.html) asks covered entities to take reasonable steps to limit uses, disclosures, and requests of protected health information to what the purpose needs. For a receptionist, that means short intake questions. - **Workforce access:** decide which teammates can read call transcripts and summaries, and give everyone else a role that doesn’t need them. - **Breach notification:** your [breach notification](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/index.html) procedures should cover incidents the vendor reports to you. ## Is “HIPAA certified” a real certification? No. HHS states in a [Security Rule FAQ](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2003/are-we-required-to-certify-our-organizations-compliance-with-the-standards/index.html) that it does not endorse or otherwise recognize private organizations’ “certifications” regarding the Security Rule, and that such certifications don’t absolve covered entities of their legal obligations. A badge on a vendor’s website is marketing, not approval. What matters is the contract and the controls behind it. When a vendor says it is “HIPAA compliant,” ask three follow-up questions: will you sign our BAA, which plan includes it, and which subcontractors handle our data? ## What should you ask an AI receptionist vendor? Ask the same questions of every vendor and get the answers in writing. The checklist below covers the contract, the data, and the controls you will rely on. | Question | Why it matters | | --- | --- | | Will you sign a BAA, and on which plan? | Without one, patient calls can’t go to the service | | Which subcontractors process call audio, transcripts, or text? | Each must be bound by the same restrictions | | Is call data used to train AI models? | Use beyond the contract must be prohibited | | What is stored, for how long, and can we delete it? | Retention and deletion support your own policies | | Who on our team can see transcripts? | Role-based access supports minimum necessary | | How do you report security incidents? | Reporting is a required BAA term | | What happens to our data if we cancel? | Return or destruction at termination | | Do appointment reminders or texts include visit details? | Messages sent outside the call are disclosures too | ## How does InsertChat handle HIPAA? InsertChat Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement. Enterprise starts at $998 per month and includes 50,000 monthly credits, 100 AI assistants, 25 team seats, and a dedicated support agent. InsertChat does not claim a HIPAA certification, because no official one exists. On the product side, InsertChat gives you the controls a practice needs to keep calls narrow: - **Knowledge you approve:** the AI receptionist answers from the website pages, documents, and questions and answers you add in [Knowledge](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge). Keep patient records out of it. - **Short intake:** contact collection asks only for details an action or follow-up needs, and answers questions first. Booking collects the service, the caller’s name, and one contact method. - **Handoff rules:** the five default rules hand uncertain answers, upset callers, and sensitive actions to your team, and you can add topics such as test results and treatment questions. - **Approvals and roles:** actions can run automatically or wait for review, and team roles decide who can approve them. - **Email caution:** automatic email replies are off by default, and replies that are uncertain or touch sensitive topics wait for a person. InsertChat’s [privacy policy](https://insertchat.com/privacy) describes its data practices and security measures. If you need a BAA, [contact us](https://insertchat.com/contact) about Enterprise, and review the agreement with your compliance advisor before routing patient calls. ## How should a practice configure an AI receptionist? Configure it to run your front desk’s routine work and nothing clinical. Answer practice questions, book within your rules, collect the minimum details, and hand every clinical or sensitive question to your staff. 1. **Write knowledge about the practice, never about patients.** Services, hours, location, parking, new-patient steps, preparation instructions, and insurance plans you accept. 2. **Limit intake.** A booking needs a name, a contact method, the visit type, and a preferred time. It doesn’t need symptoms or history. 3. **Use neutral appointment names.** Calendar events and reminders can show the service name, so use general labels such as “New patient visit” rather than a procedure that reveals a condition. 4. **Route clinical questions to people.** Add handoff topics for symptoms, test results, medication, and treatment advice. 5. **Write emergency instructions.** Safety steps should tell callers with an emergency to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. 6. **Restrict access.** Give transcript access to the staff who need it and review roles when people join or leave. 7. **Test before patients call.** Run test calls with made-up details, read the transcripts, and delete the test data. The [healthcare page](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare) and the pages for [dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental), [chiropractic](https://insertchat.com/industries/chiropractic), [therapy](https://insertchat.com/industries/therapy), and [med spa](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa) practices show illustrative call flows with these boundaries. ## What if you’re not on Enterprise? On Pro, Growth, or Scale, don’t send protected health information to the assistant. For a covered practice, that generally means the AI receptionist shouldn’t answer patient calls, book patient appointments, or keep transcripts about patients. There are still uses that involve no protected health information. A wellness business that isn’t a covered entity, or a practice using the assistant only on a public website to answer general questions about hours, location, and services, may fit. Draw that line with your compliance advisor, not by guesswork, and move to Enterprise before patient details enter the picture. ## What mistakes do practices make most often? The most common mistakes are trusting a badge instead of a contract, collecting more than the visit needs, and forgetting the messages that leave the call. - **Relying on “HIPAA compliant” claims** without a signed BAA in hand. - **Starting before the BAA** because the trial was easy to set up. - **Over-collecting:** asking callers to describe symptoms when a visit type would do. - **Detailed reminders:** sending texts that name a procedure or condition. - **Open access:** letting every teammate read every transcript. - **No review:** never reading what the AI receptionist actually said to patients. ## Talk to us about Enterprise If your practice is a covered entity and wants an AI receptionist on patient calls, start with the contract. [Contact us](https://insertchat.com/contact) about an Enterprise plan and a Business Associate Agreement, compare plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing), or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo), which uses a fictional business and sample data, to see the workflow first. ## Is an AI receptionist HIPAA compliant? No AI receptionist is HIPAA compliant on its own. Compliance depends on a signed Business Associate Agreement with the vendor, the vendor’s safeguards, and how your practice configures and uses the tool. InsertChat Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA); no certification is claimed. ## Which InsertChat plan can sign a Business Associate Agreement? Enterprise. It starts at $998 per month and includes 50,000 monthly credits, 100 AI assistants, and 25 team seats. On Pro, Growth, and Scale, keep protected health information out of the assistant’s knowledge, intake questions, and workflows. ## Is there an official HIPAA certification for AI receptionists? No. HHS states that it does not endorse or otherwise recognize private organizations’ “certifications” regarding the Security Rule, and that such certifications don’t absolve covered entities of their legal obligations. Treat “HIPAA certified” as marketing and ask for the BAA instead. ## Does a dental or medical office need a BAA for an AI receptionist? If the office is a HIPAA covered entity and the AI receptionist will create, receive, maintain, or transmit protected health information, such as patient names with appointment details, the vendor is a business associate and HIPAA requires a written business associate agreement before patient calls go to it. ## Can I use an AI receptionist without a BAA? Only for work that involves no protected health information, such as answering general questions about hours, location, and services for a practice that isn’t routing patient calls to it. Once patient details are involved, a covered entity needs a BAA. Ask your compliance advisor where your line falls. ## What should a BAA with an AI receptionist vendor cover? At minimum, what HHS requires: permitted and required uses of protected health information, a promise not to use or disclose it otherwise, appropriate safeguards, reporting of security incidents and breaches, and subcontractor agreements. Also confirm how data is returned or destroyed when the contract ends. --- # Receptionist Phone Scripts for 16 Common Calls Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/receptionist-phone-scripts > Copy-ready receptionist phone scripts for bookings, price questions, angry callers, wrong numbers, emergencies, holds, and messages, and why each one works. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 A receptionist phone script is a short set of tested lines for the calls your front desk gets every day: bookings, price questions, messages, upset callers, wrong numbers, and emergencies. Good scripts give the receptionist a goal for each call, the exact words for the tricky moments, and a clear next step, while leaving room to sound like a person. This guide has scripts for 16 common calls. Each one shows the lines to say, why they work, and what an [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) does in the same moment. Replace anything in brackets with your own details. ## What makes a good receptionist phone script? A good receptionist phone script covers a predictable moment in a call with the goal, the details to collect, the lines to say, and the boundary the receptionist shouldn’t cross. It’s a guide for the moment, so the receptionist can adapt the words and still reach the same outcome on every call. Every call should end with the same core details written down, whoever answers: - The caller’s full name, spelled if it’s unusual. - A callback number, read back digit by digit. - The reason for the call, in the caller’s own words. - Whether they’re a new or existing customer. - How urgent it is, and the address for anything on site. - The next step and when it will happen. Keep each script short enough to fit on one card next to the phone. If a script needs more than five or six lines, it’s probably two scripts. ## Scripts for opening the call The opening sets the tone and collects the caller’s name early. The two scripts below cover the greeting and the moment a caller launches straight into their problem. ### 1. Answering and getting the caller’s name Use this on every call. Asking for the name early lets you use it through the call and find the caller’s record while they talk. - **Receptionist:** “Thank you for calling [Business Name], this is [Your Name]. How can I help you today?” - **Caller:** “Hi, I’m calling about getting my furnace looked at.” - **Receptionist:** “I can help with that. Can I start with your name?” - **Caller:** “It’s Dana Price.” - **Receptionist:** “Thanks, Dana. Have you used us before, or is this your first time?” Why it works: the caller hears who they reached and gets to speak right away. The new-or-existing question tells you whether to look up a record or explain how you work. The [greeting examples guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/business-phone-greeting-examples) has 52 openings for different businesses. ### 2. When the caller starts with a long story Some callers explain everything before you can ask a question. Let them finish, then summarize, so they know you heard it. - **Receptionist:** “Thanks for walking me through that. So the kitchen sink is draining slowly, it started on Monday, and there’s no water on the floor. Is that right?” - **Caller:** “Yes, exactly.” - **Receptionist:** “Got it. Let me get a few details, and then I’ll find you a time.” Why it works: a short summary proves you listened and catches anything you misheard before you act on it. ## Scripts for booking and scheduling Booking calls should end with a confirmed time, repeated back, and a confirmation sent. Offer two specific times instead of asking “When works for you?”, which tends to start a long back-and-forth. ### 3. Booking a new appointment - **Receptionist:** “I have Tuesday at 10 a.m. or Wednesday at 2 p.m. Does either of those work?” - **Caller:** “Wednesday at 2 is good.” - **Receptionist:** “Great. That’s Wednesday, [Date], at 2 p.m. for a [Service] at [Address]. What’s the best number to reach you?” - **Caller:** “555-0142.” - **Receptionist:** “That’s 5-5-5, 0-1-4-2. You’ll get a confirmation by text, and we’ll remind you before the visit. Anything we should know before we arrive?” Why it works: two choices make the decision easy, and repeating the date, time, service, and address catches mistakes while the caller is still on the line. With an AI receptionist: InsertChat offers open times from your connected calendar, books after the caller confirms, and follows your rules for appointment length, buffers, notice, and how far ahead people can book. Customers can get reminders by text or email 72 and 24 hours before. See [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). ### 4. Rescheduling or canceling Make changing an appointment easy. A caller who finds it hard to reschedule often just doesn’t show up. - **Caller:** “I need to move my appointment on Thursday.” - **Receptionist:** “No problem. Can I have your name? Thanks, [Name]. I see you’re booked Thursday at 9. I can move you to Friday at 9 or Monday at 1. Which is better?” - **Caller:** “Monday at 1.” - **Receptionist:** “Done. You’re now booked for Monday, [Date], at 1 p.m. Your Thursday time is canceled, and you’ll get an updated confirmation.” If they want to cancel outright: “I’ve canceled Thursday at 9 for you. Would you like me to find a new time now, so you don’t lose your spot in the schedule?” Why it works: the offer to rebook comes before the call ends, which is when it’s most likely to be accepted. The [no-show guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-reduce-appointment-no-shows) covers the rest of the process. ## Scripts for questions about prices and services Price questions are often the first thing a new caller asks. Answer what you can, explain what changes the price, and move the call toward a booking. ### 5. When you publish the price - **Caller:** “How much do you charge for a drain cleaning?” - **Receptionist:** “Our standard drain cleaning is [Price], which covers one drain and the first hour. If we find a bigger problem, the technician explains the options and price before doing any extra work. Would you like to book a time?” Why it works: a straight number builds trust, and the second sentence sets expectations about extra costs before the visit. ### 6. When the price depends on the job - **Caller:** “What does a new roof cost?” - **Receptionist:** “It depends on the size of the roof, the material, and what’s underneath, so we don’t quote it over the phone. We do a free inspection and give you a written price within [Timeframe]. Can I book that for you this week?” Why it works: the caller hears why there’s no number yet and gets a concrete next step that leads to one. With an AI receptionist: InsertChat gives the prices you add to its knowledge and can be told never to estimate anything else. Requests for custom quotes go to your team through your handoff rules. ### 7. When you don’t offer the service - **Caller:** “Do you install solar panels?” - **Receptionist:** “We don’t do solar, I’m sorry. We do handle the electrical panel work that often goes with it. If you’d like, I can take your details for that. For the panels themselves, [Referral Partner] is a good local option.” Why it works: a clear “no” saves everyone time, and a referral or related service leaves a good impression. ### 8. When you don’t know the answer - **Receptionist:** “That’s a good question, and I want to give you the right answer. Let me check with [Name or Team] and call you back by [Time]. What’s the best number for you?” Why it works: it avoids guessing and replaces “I don’t know” with a promise and a time. Keep the promise. ## Scripts for messages, holds, and transfers Messages, holds, and transfers are where callers most often feel forgotten. Each script below tells the caller what is about to happen and for how long. ### 9. Taking a message - **Receptionist:** “[Name] is with a client until about 3. I’d be glad to take a message. Can I get your full name and the best number to reach you?” - **Caller:** “Sam Ortiz, 555-0187.” - **Receptionist:** “Thanks, Sam. That’s 5-5-5, 0-1-8-7. What’s the call about, so [Name] can be ready when they call back?” - **Receptionist:** “Is there a best time to reach you this afternoon? I’ll make sure [Name] gets this, and you can expect a call by [Time].” Why it works: reading the number back prevents the most common message mistake, and the reason for the call means the callback starts with an answer instead of a question. ### 10. Putting a caller on hold - **Receptionist:** “I need to check the schedule for that. Is it all right if I put you on hold for about a minute?” - **Caller:** “Sure.” - **Receptionist (back on the line):** “Thanks for waiting. Here’s what I found.” If it’s taking longer: “I’m still checking. Would you rather keep holding, or should I call you back within 15 minutes?” Why it works: asking first and naming a time makes the wait feel shorter, and offering a callback respects the caller’s time. ### 11. Transferring a call - **Receptionist:** “The best person for that is [Name], our [Role]. I’m going to transfer you now and let them know what you need, so you won’t have to start over. If the call drops, they’ll call you back at [Number].” Why it works: the caller knows who they’re going to and why, and hears that the context goes with them. With an AI receptionist: InsertChat doesn’t transfer live calls. When a caller needs a person, the assistant collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails the teammates you chose, and tells the caller your team will follow up. If you want people to answer first, the “AI when unanswered” routing mode rings your team for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI picks up. ### 12. When the caller asks for someone who isn’t available - **Caller:** “Can I talk to the owner?” - **Receptionist:** “[Owner Name] is out on a job this afternoon. I can take a detailed message and make sure they see it today, or I may be able to help you myself. What’s it about?” Why it works: it’s honest about availability, offers two paths, and often reveals that the receptionist can solve the problem directly. ## Scripts for difficult calls Difficult calls go better with a plan. These four scripts cover an upset customer, an emergency, a wrong number, and a sales pitch. ### 13. An angry or upset caller Let the caller finish. Interrupting an upset person usually makes the call longer. - **Caller:** “Your technician was supposed to come yesterday and never showed up. I took the day off work.” - **Receptionist:** “I’m really sorry. You took a day off and nobody came, and that shouldn’t have happened. Let me look at what went wrong.” - **Receptionist:** “I see the visit was moved without anyone calling you. I can get a technician to you tomorrow at 8 a.m., first appointment of the day, and I’ll let [Manager Name] know about this today. Would tomorrow at 8 work?” If you can’t fix it on the call: “I don’t want to guess at an answer. I’m passing this to [Manager Name] right now, and they’ll call you by [Time] today.” Why it works: naming the specific problem shows you understood it, and the apology doesn’t argue about blame. Ending with a concrete fix and a time gives the caller something to hold you to. With an AI receptionist: InsertChat’s default handoff rules flag upset callers, callers who ask for a person, and requests it can’t resolve, so your team sees them in the needs-you queue with the transcript. ### 14. An emergency call Write your emergency script with your team and keep it short. For trades, decide which situations count as emergencies and what the caller should do while they wait. - **Caller:** “There’s water pouring through my ceiling.” - **Receptionist:** “Okay, let’s get you help. If you can do it safely, turn off the main water valve. It’s usually where the water line enters the house. What’s the address?” - **Receptionist:** “I’m sending this to our on-call technician now. They’ll call you within [Timeframe]. If water is near outlets or light fixtures, stay out of that room.” For a gas smell: “Please leave the building now, and once you’re outside, call 911 or your gas company. Don’t switch lights on or off on your way out.” For medical and dental offices: “If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and call 911.” Why it works: safety steps come first, then the information the on-call person needs, then a timeframe. With an AI receptionist: you write the safety steps and the emergency number into the assistant’s knowledge. When a caller describes an emergency, InsertChat reads those steps and raises an urgent alert for your team. Keep a separate emergency number if you need someone to pick up live. ### 15. A wrong number - **Receptionist:** “I think you may have the wrong number. This is [Business Name], a [Type of Business] in [City]. Who were you trying to reach?” - **Caller:** “Oh, sorry, I was calling the pharmacy.” - **Receptionist:** “No problem at all. Have a good day.” Why it works: saying what the business is lets the caller know quickly, and a polite close leaves a good impression. Sometimes a “wrong number” turns out to be a customer who needs your service. ### 16. A sales or solicitation call - **Receptionist:** “Thanks for calling. We don’t take sales calls by phone, but you’re welcome to email [Email Address], and the right person will reply if it’s a fit. Have a good day.” Why it works: it’s polite, it’s final, and it keeps the line free for customers. ## How do you close a receptionist call? Close every call by summarizing what was agreed, confirming the next step and when it happens, and thanking the caller by name. A clear close prevents follow-up calls that only ask “So what happens now?” - **Receptionist:** “So you’re booked for Wednesday at 2 p.m., and you’ll get a text confirmation in the next few minutes. Is there anything else I can help with today?” - **Caller:** “No, that’s it.” - **Receptionist:** “Thanks for calling, Dana. We’ll see you Wednesday.” ## How do you turn scripts into a team call guide? Turn scripts into a call guide by writing one page per call type with the goal, the details to collect, the lines, and the handoff rule, then practicing them out loud. Review the guide whenever prices, hours, or services change, and after any call that went badly. 1. **List your call reasons.** Go through a couple of weeks of calls and write down why people called. 2. **Write one script per common reason.** Start with bookings, price questions, and messages. 3. **Add your boundaries.** Note what the receptionist must never promise, such as same-day service, exact prices for custom work, or medical advice. 4. **Practice with role play.** Have one person play the caller, including the difficult versions. 5. **Review monthly.** Update scripts when something changes, and retire lines nobody uses. The guide on [how to answer a business phone professionally](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-answer-a-business-phone-professionally) covers tone, pace, and phone etiquette for the whole team. ## Let InsertChat handle the scripted calls for you The calls in this guide that follow a script, such as greetings, bookings, rescheduling, published prices, messages, and wrong numbers, are the ones an AI receptionist answers the same way every time. InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) does them from your knowledge and rules: it books on your calendar, takes complete messages, reads your emergency steps, and passes upset callers and custom requests to your team with the whole conversation in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox). Your script becomes its setup. Add your answers to [knowledge](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge), write rules for what it should always do, never do, and hand to a person, and set your greeting. The [AI receptionist prompt examples](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-prompt-examples) show how to write those rules. Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number, and new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding), or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see scripted calls handled in a sample workspace. ## What should a receptionist say when answering the phone? Say a short greeting, the business name, your name, and an offer to help: “Thank you for calling Harbor Dental, this is Maya. How can I help you today?” Then ask for the caller’s name early and use it, so the rest of the call feels personal. ## How should a receptionist handle an angry caller? Let the caller finish without interrupting, name the problem back to them, apologize for the experience without arguing about blame, and say exactly what happens next and when. Write down the details as they talk, so nobody has to ask them to repeat the story later. ## Should a receptionist give prices over the phone? Give the prices you publish, such as a service fee or a menu price, and explain what changes them. For work that needs an inspection or a custom quote, explain why the price depends on the job and book the visit or consultation where someone can give an accurate number. ## What information should a receptionist take in a phone message? Take the caller’s full name, a callback number read back digit by digit, the reason for the call, how urgent it is, the best time to call back, and who the message is for. Tell the caller when they can expect the callback. ## Can an AI receptionist follow a phone script? Yes, with the script turned into knowledge and rules. In InsertChat, you add your answers as knowledge, write rules for what the assistant should always do, never do, and hand off to a person, and set a greeting. It follows them on every call and marks calls that need a person for your team. --- # Speed to Lead: What It Is and How to Improve It Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/speed-to-lead > Speed to lead is how fast you first answer a new inquiry. What the research shows, how to measure it by channel, targets to set, and first-response scripts. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect contacting your business and your first meaningful response. It matters because interest fades fast: a [Harvard Business Review study](https://hbr.org/2011/03/the-short-life-of-online-sales-leads) found that firms that tried to contact online leads within an hour were nearly seven times as likely to qualify them as firms that waited even an hour longer. This guide explains what the research does and doesn’t show, how to measure your own speed to lead by channel, the targets worth setting for a small business, why leads wait, and copy-ready first-response scripts. It closes with how InsertChat answers calls, chats, and texts the moment they arrive. ## What is speed to lead? Speed to lead is the elapsed time from a new inquiry to the first meaningful response: a person or an assistant that answers the question, books the appointment, or moves the prospect forward. An automatic “Thanks, we got your message” doesn’t count, because the prospect is still waiting for an answer. Inquiries arrive through several channels, and each has its own clock: - **Phone calls:** answered live, or missed and returned later. - **Website chat:** a question from someone on your site right now. - **Text messages:** often sent after a missed call or from a listing. - **Email:** inquiries and quote requests from your website or directories. - **Forms and lead platforms:** submissions from your site, ads, or marketplaces. For a local service business, the phone usually matters most, because a caller who doesn’t get through can call the next business on the list in seconds. ## What does the research say about speed to lead? The most cited research is a 2011 [Harvard Business Review article](https://hbr.org/2011/03/the-short-life-of-online-sales-leads) by James Oldroyd, Kristina McElheran, and David Elkington. It reported two studies: an audit of how fast companies responded to a web inquiry, and an analysis of how response time related to qualifying the lead. The audit sent a web-generated test lead to 2,241 US companies: | Response time | Share of companies | | --- | --- | | Within an hour | 37% | | One to 24 hours | 16% | | More than 24 hours | 24% | | Never responded | 23% | Among companies that responded within 30 days, the average response time was 42 hours. The second study covered 1.25 million sales leads received by 29 B2C and 13 B2B companies in the US. Firms that tried to contact potential customers within an hour of the inquiry were nearly seven times as likely to qualify the lead, defined as having a meaningful conversation with a key decision maker, as firms that tried even an hour later, and more than 60 times as likely as firms that waited 24 hours or longer. Read it with its limits in mind. The data is from more than a decade ago, it measured online leads rather than phone calls, and one author led InsideSales.com, a company that sold lead-response software. Many other “speed to lead” statistics circulate online without a traceable original study, so this guide doesn’t repeat them. The direction of the finding, that faster first contact goes with better results, matches what most business owners see when they look at their own calls. ## How do you measure speed to lead? Measure speed to lead by recording, for each new inquiry, when it arrived and when it got its first meaningful response, then reporting the median by channel. Count inquiries that never got a response separately, because an average of response times leaves them out entirely. 1. **Pick a period,** such as the last four weeks. 2. **List every new inquiry** with its channel and arrival time. Leave out existing customers and spam. 3. **Find the first meaningful response** for each one: the call answered, the chat reply, the callback, or the email reply. 4. **Subtract** to get the response time. 5. **Report the median** for each channel, for business hours and after hours separately. 6. **Count the never-answered** inquiries as their own number. An illustrative example for one week of phone inquiries: | Inquiry | Arrived | First response | Response time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Call 1 | Mon 9:12 a.m. | Answered live | 0 minutes | | Call 2 | Mon 1:40 p.m. | Called back 3:05 p.m. | 85 minutes | | Call 3 | Tue 7:55 p.m. | Called back Wed 9:30 a.m. | 13 hours 35 minutes | | Call 4 | Wed 11:20 a.m. | Answered live | 0 minutes | | Call 5 | Sat 10:15 a.m. | Never reached | No response | The median of the four answered calls is about 43 minutes, but one caller in five never got a response at all. The two numbers together tell you more than either alone. The [cost of missed calls guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/cost-of-missed-calls) shows how to put a dollar figure on the calls that were never answered. ## What speed-to-lead targets should a small business set? Set a target for each channel based on how customers use it: answer calls live, reply to chats while the visitor is still on the page, reply to texts within minutes, and reply to emails within the hour during business hours. These are the targets we recommend, not industry benchmarks, and they apply after hours too if you want to win those inquiries. | Channel | Target | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Phone | Answered live | A caller who reaches voicemail can call someone else right away | | Website chat | Under a minute | The visitor may leave the page | | Text message | A few minutes | Texters expect a conversation, not a ticket | | Email | Within an hour in business hours | Email is slower, but quote requests are often sent to several businesses | | Forms and lead platforms | Within minutes | Lead marketplaces often send the same request to competitors | ## Why do leads wait? Leads wait because nobody is free when they arrive, nobody owns them, or the process adds steps between the inquiry and the reply. The HBR authors pointed to leads pulled from CRM systems once a day instead of continuously, sales teams focused on their own prospecting, and distribution rules based on territory or fairness. For small businesses, the causes are usually simpler: - **The owner is on a job,** with a client, or driving. - **The office is closed,** and evening and weekend inquiries wait until morning. - **Calls go to voicemail,** and many callers hang up without leaving a message. - **A shared inbox has no owner,** so everyone assumes someone else replied. - **Callbacks are batched** for a quiet moment that never comes. - **The first reply asks a question** instead of answering one, so the real answer takes another round. ## How do you improve speed to lead? Improve speed to lead by answering every inquiry as it arrives, on every channel, and by making the first response useful: an answer, a booking, or a clear next step. Then give each inquiry an owner and measure the result every week. 1. **Answer every call.** Route calls nobody can pick up to someone or something that answers, instead of to voicemail. 2. **Reply to chat immediately.** A website chat that answers from your content keeps visitors on the page. See [how to add an AI chatbot to your website](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-add-an-ai-chatbot-to-your-website). 3. **Reply to texts in minutes.** Many customers text after a missed call or from a listing. 4. **Answer emails with the answer.** A reply that includes your price range, availability, or next step beats one that only acknowledges the message. 5. **Book in the first conversation.** Offer two specific times while the prospect is engaged. 6. **Capture contact details early,** so a dropped call or closed chat can still be followed up. 7. **Alert a person for hot leads.** Explicit requests to buy, book, or get a quote should reach your team fast. 8. **Give every inquiry an owner** and a follow-up promise, such as “by 10 a.m. the next business day.” 9. **Measure weekly** using the method above, and fix the slowest channel first. ## First-response scripts by channel Use these when a person is replying. Each one answers or moves the prospect forward in the first message. - **Phone callback:** “Hi, this is [Your Name] from [Business Name], returning your call from [Time]. You asked about [Topic]. I can answer that now, and if it helps, I have [Day] at [Time] open. Do you have a minute?” - **Voicemail when you can’t reach them:** “Hi [Name], it’s [Your Name] from [Business Name] returning your call about [Topic]. The short answer is [Answer]. Call or text me back at [Number], and I can book you in. Thanks.” - **Text reply:** “Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] at [Business Name]. Thanks for reaching out about [Topic]. We can come out [Day] between [Time] and [Time]. Want me to book it?” - **Email reply to a quote request:** “Hi [Name], thanks for asking about [Service]. Most [Service] jobs like yours run [Price Range], depending on [Factors]. The next step is a [Visit or Consultation]; I have [Day] at [Time] or [Day] at [Time]. Which works?” - **Chat reply when a person takes over:** “Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name] from the team. I’ve read your conversation, so no need to repeat anything. Here’s what I can do next.” For phone conversations in general, the guide on [how to answer a business phone professionally](https://insertchat.com/blog/how-to-answer-a-business-phone-professionally) covers greetings, holds, and messages. ## How InsertChat answers every lead the moment it arrives InsertChat answers calls, website chat, and texts the moment they arrive, from your business knowledge, at any hour. The [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) picks up calls you route to it, [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) answers visitors on the page, and [text messages](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) get two-way replies from the same assistant. Email can reply automatically after a delay you choose, from none to 10 minutes, and you can hold back complaints, payment or legal questions, and uncertain answers for your team. The first response is a useful one: the assistant answers from your services, hours, and prices, offers open times and books within your [scheduling rules](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), and captures the prospect’s contact details as a [lead](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture). Explicit requests to buy, book, or get a quote raise a high-intent alert for your team, and every conversation lands in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with the contact’s lead source. If your team wants to answer first, “AI when unanswered” rings your phone for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI picks up, so nobody waits longer than that. ## Answer every new inquiry with InsertChat Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits, and new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits (a card is required). [Start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and measure your speed to lead again after a week, or [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) to see answered calls and chats in a sample workspace. ## What is speed to lead? Speed to lead is the time between a new prospect contacting your business, by phone, chat, text, email, or an online form, and the first meaningful response from you. A meaningful response answers the person or moves them forward; an automatic “we got your message” doesn’t count. ## What is a good speed-to-lead time? There’s no universal benchmark for every business, but faster is better. A Harvard Business Review study found firms that tried to contact leads within an hour were nearly seven times as likely to qualify them as firms that waited even an hour longer. Answering calls live and replying to chats and texts within minutes is a practical target. ## How do you measure speed to lead? For each new inquiry, record when it arrived and when someone first responded meaningfully, then subtract. Report the median for each channel and for business hours and after hours separately, and count inquiries that never got a response, because averages hide them. ## How can a small business improve speed to lead? Answer every call, including the ones that arrive while you’re busy or closed; reply to chats and texts immediately; give every inquiry an owner; and book or answer in the first conversation instead of scheduling a callback. An AI receptionist can cover calls, chats, and texts the moment they arrive. --- # Virtual Receptionist vs Answering Service Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/virtual-receptionist-vs-answering-service > Virtual receptionist vs answering service vs call center: who answers, what each handles, how they bill with dated vendor prices, and where AI fits in. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-13 A virtual receptionist is a remote human receptionist team that works like your own front desk: it answers in your business name, transfers calls, books appointments, and handles intake. An answering service is a shared pool of operators who follow your script, take messages, and dispatch urgent calls. A call center runs high-volume programs for larger companies. The terms overlap, and vendors use them loosely. This guide separates the three by what actually happens to a call, shows how each bills with prices taken from vendors’ own pricing pages on October 13, 2026, and explains where an AI receptionist fits alongside them. If you are already comparing AI with a human service, the [AI receptionist vs answering service guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) goes deeper on that choice. ## What is the difference between a virtual receptionist and an answering service? The difference is how much of the call they finish. An answering service mainly captures the caller’s details and passes them on. A virtual receptionist completes the next step itself: it puts the caller through, books the appointment, or runs a structured intake, using your tools and instructions. A useful test is to ask what the caller has when they hang up: - **With an answering service,** the caller usually has a promise of a callback. Your team gets a message by email, text, or app, and urgent calls are patched or paged to whoever is on call. - **With a virtual receptionist,** the caller more often has an outcome: they spoke to the right person, have a confirmed appointment, or have given the full intake your team needs. ### Who answers Answering services typically staff a large shared pool, so a different operator may answer each time. Virtual receptionist services tend to use smaller teams trained on fewer accounts, and some assign a dedicated group to your business. Neither model guarantees a specific person, so ask how many receptionists will handle your line. ### What they can reach Answering services usually work from a script and a messaging system. Virtual receptionists more often work inside your tools: your calendar, your practice or case management system, or your CRM, depending on what the provider supports and what access you grant. ## What does a call center do differently? A call center runs high-volume inbound or outbound programs, such as a support queue, an order line, or a sales campaign. It is built for larger companies with dedicated agents, scheduled shifts, and service-level targets, rather than for overflow and after-hours coverage at a small business. Small businesses rarely need a call center. The label shows up in search results because many answering services grew out of call center operations, and some still use the term for their facilities. If a provider talks about seats, agent headcount, and occupancy, you are looking at call center pricing; if it talks about minutes or calls per month, you are looking at an answering service or virtual receptionist plan. The [AI call center guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-call-center) covers what changes when software answers instead of agents. ## How do the three compare? The table shows the typical pattern. Providers cross these lines often, so treat it as a checklist of questions to ask rather than a guarantee. | | Answering service | Virtual receptionist | Call center | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Who answers | A shared pool of operators | A smaller remote receptionist team | Dedicated agents on scheduled shifts | | Typical outcome | A message, or an urgent call dispatched | A transfer, a booking, or a completed intake | A resolved ticket, an order, or a sale | | Script depth | Short scripts and message forms | Detailed instructions and intake questions | Full playbooks and knowledge systems | | Your tools | Rarely | Often, depending on the provider | Usually integrated | | Common pricing unit | Minutes, sometimes calls | Minutes or calls in monthly bundles | Hours or seats | | Best for | After-hours and overflow message taking | Small businesses that want a remote front desk | Large, steady call volume | ## How does each one bill? Answering services and virtual receptionists both sell monthly bundles of minutes or calls with overage beyond the bundle. Answering services tend to have lower per-minute rates and base fees; virtual receptionist plans cost more per minute because more happens on each call. Here is how that looks on public pricing pages, as listed on October 13, 2026. Prices change, so check each page before you compare. | Provider | How it describes itself | Entry plan | Unit | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Ruby](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/) | Virtual receptionist | $250 for 50 minutes | Minutes | | [Smith.ai](https://smith.ai/pricing/receptionists) | Live receptionists | $300 for 30 calls, then $11.50 per call | Calls | | [Specialty Answering Service](https://www.specialtyansweringservice.net/pricing/) | Answering service | $44 per month plus $1.54 per minute | Minutes, billed per second | | [AnswerFirst](https://answerfirst.com/pricing/) | Answering service | $30 per month plus $1.60 to $1.95 per minute | Minutes, billed per second | A few details from the same pages show how the models differ in practice: - **Ruby** lists coverage “including after-hours, on weekends, and holidays” on its receptionist plans, and separate live chat plans from $143 for 10 chats. - **Smith.ai** bills per client call, states that wrong numbers and spam calls aren’t charged when the forwarded line passes caller ID, and lists appointment booking as a $1.50 per call add-on. - **Specialty Answering Service** lists add-ons for its own IVR at $0.15 per minute, voicemail at $0.15 per minute, and patching at $0.10 per minute. - **AnswerFirst** states no additional fees for nights, weekends, or holidays, and $3 per month for each additional forwarding number. The [answering service pricing guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/answering-service-pricing) compares more providers, works through a sample month on each plan, and covers per-minute versus per-call break-even math. ## Which one fits your business? Choose by the outcome each call needs. If the job is “capture the details and alert us,” an answering service is enough. If the job is “book, transfer, or complete intake without another step,” you need a virtual receptionist. If routine questions dominate, an AI receptionist may do it for less. Some illustrative patterns: - **HVAC or plumbing with an on-call technician:** most after-hours calls need triage and dispatch, not booking. An answering service that pages the on-call tech fits, and an AI receptionist can take the routine questions. - **Law firm intake:** callers need a structured intake, conflict details, and a consultation slot. A virtual receptionist or an AI receptionist collecting the brief fits better than a message pad. - **Dental or medical office:** booking and rescheduling dominate. A virtual receptionist working in your scheduling system fits, and if an AI receptionist will handle patient calls, check the vendor can sign a Business Associate Agreement. The [HIPAA guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/is-an-ai-receptionist-hipaa-compliant) explains why. - **Property management:** after-hours maintenance calls need triage and an emergency path. An answering service with on-call escalation fits, with an AI receptionist for leasing questions. - **Salon or spa:** bookings and service questions dominate. A virtual receptionist or an AI receptionist with calendar access fits; message taking loses the booking. These are examples, not customer results. Your own call log is the better guide. ## What should you ask before you sign? Ask every provider the same eight questions, including whether a person or software will answer. The answers turn vague labels into a comparable scope and price. 1. **Who answers my calls?** A shared pool, a smaller team, or software. Some providers blend people and AI. 2. **What happens to a typical call?** Message, transfer, booking, or intake. Ask for a sample message or transcript. 3. **Can you work in my calendar or system?** Name your tool and ask whether booking costs extra. 4. **How are calls transferred?** To how many destinations, and does a transfer cost more? 5. **What counts toward my bill?** Talk time only, or wrap-up too? Spam, hang-ups, and wrong numbers? Billing increments? 6. **What happens past my bundle?** The overage rate, and whether the plan upgrades automatically. 7. **Do nights, weekends, or holidays cost more?** Get it in writing. 8. **What are the setup fees, contract length, and notice period?** Month-to-month terms are common, but check. ## Where does an AI receptionist fit? An AI receptionist is a third option: software that answers in a natural voice from your business knowledge, at any hour you route to it. It sits closer to a virtual receptionist on outcomes, because it can book within your calendar rules, but it follows your rules instead of improvising, and it hands calls that need judgment to your team. Compared with both human services, InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone): - **Answers questions with the same approved answer** each time, from your website pages, documents, and questions and answers. - **Books, reschedules, and cancels** within your appointment length, buffers, notice, and booking window, after the caller confirms. See [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). - **Keeps a transcript and summary** of every call in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), next to website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp conversations. - **Doesn’t transfer live calls.** When a caller needs a person, it collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, and emails your team. - **Bills from a monthly plan.** Plans start at $98 per month with one phone number and 5,000 credits; calls round up to whole minutes. That last limit matters if your calls depend on patching someone through. In that case, keep a human service for those calls and let the AI take the rest. ## Can you combine a human service with an AI receptionist? Yes, and for many small businesses the combination beats either one alone. Split calls by time, by caller, or by number so people handle the calls that need them and the AI handles volume. - **AI first, service for emergencies:** route your main line to the AI and publish a separate emergency number that reaches your answering service. Add that number to the AI’s safety steps so callers who describe an emergency hear it. - **Team by day, AI after hours:** with the “AI after hours” routing mode, calls ring your team’s number during the weekly hours you set, in your time zone, and the AI answers outside them. - **Team first, AI when nobody picks up:** with “AI when unanswered,” calls ring your team for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI answers. - **AI for new callers:** caller scope can limit the AI to unknown numbers, so saved contacts reach your team. In the US and Canada you can keep your number and forward it to InsertChat; the [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) list carrier steps for [AT&T](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att), [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), [T-Mobile](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile), and [RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral). Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## How do you switch without losing calls? Move one slice of calls at a time and keep the old service until the new setup has handled real calls well. Start with after-hours calls, since they are the easiest to compare. 1. **Collect your current script,** call-handling instructions, FAQ answers, and a month of message notes from your existing service. 2. **Turn the script into knowledge** and list the details the new service or AI should collect where the old script said “take a message.” 3. **Run test calls** for your top call reasons, an emergency, a complaint, and a request for a person. 4. **Route after-hours calls first,** review every conversation for a week, and fix gaps. 5. **Check your contract** for notice periods before you cancel, and keep any emergency line in place. The [alternatives pages](https://insertchat.com/alternatives) compare InsertChat with [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby) and [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai) using dated sources. ## See the AI option before you decide Hear how an AI receptionist handles your call types before you renew a service contract. [Explore the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo), compare plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing), or [start your free trial](https://app.insertchat.com/onboarding) and send only after-hours calls to the AI while your current service keeps the day. ## Is a virtual receptionist the same as an answering service? Not quite. An answering service is a team of operators who answer for many businesses, follow your script, and mostly take messages or dispatch urgent calls. A virtual receptionist is a remote receptionist team that works more like your own front desk, transferring calls, booking appointments, and handling intake. The labels overlap, so check what each plan includes. ## Which costs less, a virtual receptionist or an answering service? Answering services usually cost less per minute. On pricing pages checked October 13, 2026, Specialty Answering Service listed 100 minutes for $159 and AnswerFirst listed $1.60 to $1.95 per minute on a $30 base, while Ruby’s virtual receptionist plans started at $250 for 50 minutes and Smith.ai’s receptionists at $300 for 30 calls. ## What is the difference between a call center and an answering service? A call center runs high-volume inbound or outbound programs, such as support queues or sales campaigns, usually for larger companies with dedicated agents and service-level targets. An answering service covers a small business’s overflow and after-hours calls, taking messages and dispatching urgent ones from a shared pool of operators. ## Can a virtual receptionist book appointments? Many can, depending on the plan and whether they can work in your calendar. Smith.ai, for example, lists appointment booking as a $1.50 per call add-on to its receptionist plans as of October 13, 2026. Ask every provider which calendar they can use and whether booking costs extra. ## Where does an AI receptionist fit between the two? An AI receptionist is software rather than people. It answers from your knowledge base at any hour you route to it, books within your calendar rules, and hands calls that need a person to your team. Many businesses combine it with a human service, for example AI for routine and after-hours calls and a service for emergencies. --- # AI Receptionist Cost: Real 2026 Prices Compared Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost > AI receptionists cost $25 to $150 a month to start. Compare 10 providers’ real 2026 prices at 100 calls, per-minute vs per-call math, and hidden fees. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-05 Updated: 2026-10-13 An AI receptionist costs about $25 to $150 a month at entry level, based on vendors’ public pricing pages checked on October 13, 2026. In a worked example of 100 three-minute calls a month, the AI options cost about $70 to $215, while human receptionist services start in the hundreds. The unit a vendor meters, minutes, calls, callers, or credits, shapes most of the bill. This guide compares 10 providers’ real prices side by side, works through the same month of calls in each pricing model, and lists the fees that sit outside the headline price. It also shows how InsertChat prices its plans and how to estimate your own usage. Every vendor price links to its source and carries the date it was checked. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost at a glance? Most AI receptionists start between $25 and $150 a month, with overage once you pass the included minutes, calls, or callers. The human receptionist services in this comparison start at $250 to $300 a month for a small bundle. InsertChat starts at $98 a month and shares one credit allowance across calls, chat, email, and messaging. All vendor prices below are as listed on each pricing page on October 13, 2026. Prices change, so check the page before you compare. | Provider | Type | Pricing model | Entry plan | Overage listed | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | AI front desk | Monthly credits shared across channels | $98 a month, 5,000 credits, one number | Upgrade to a larger plan | | [Upfirst](https://upfirst.ai/pricing) | AI receptionist | Per call | $24.95 a month for 30 calls | $1.50 down to $0.70 per call | | [Dialzara](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md) | AI receptionist | Per minute | $29 a month for 60 minutes | $0.48 down to $0.35 per minute | | [Rosie](https://heyrosie.com/pricing) | AI receptionist | Minute bundles | $49 a month for 250 minutes | Not listed | | [RingCentral AI Receptionist](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html) | AI receptionist | Per minute | $49 a month for 100 minutes, standalone | $0.50 per minute | | [Goodcall](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing) | AI receptionist | Per unique customer | $79 a month for 100 unique customers | 79¢ down to 15¢ per customer | | [My AI Front Desk](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing) | AI receptionist | Flat plan with allowances | $99 a month with 200 voice minutes | $0.25 per minute | | [Smith.ai AI Receptionist](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist) | AI receptionist | Per call | Free for 25 calls; Pro from $150 for 75 calls | $3.00 on Free; $2.50 down to $2.17 on Pro | | [Ruby](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/) | Human receptionists | Minute bundles | $250 a month for 50 minutes | Not listed | | [Smith.ai human agents](https://smith.ai/pricing) | Human receptionists | Per call | $300 a month for 30 calls | $11.50 down to $8.50 per call | Our [alternatives pages](https://insertchat.com/alternatives) compare several of these vendors with InsertChat in more detail, including [Upfirst](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/upfirst), [Dialzara](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/dialzara), [Rosie](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/rosie), [Goodcall](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/goodcall), [My AI Front Desk](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/my-ai-front-desk), [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai), [RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ringcentral), and [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby). ## How do AI receptionists charge? AI receptionists charge in five main ways: per minute of talk time, per call, per unique caller, a flat monthly fee with allowances, and, for chat-first tools, per seat, per conversation, or per resolved outcome. Most pair a monthly base with an overage rate once you pass what’s included. | Pricing model | What’s metered | Easiest to predict when | Ask about | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Per minute | Talk time, usually sold in monthly bundles | Calls are short and similar in length | Rounding and overage rates | | Per call | The number of calls | Call lengths vary a lot | Whether hang-ups and spam count | | Per unique caller | The number of different people who call | The same customers call repeatedly | How a repeat caller is counted | | Flat monthly with allowances | Set amounts of minutes, chats, or messages | Volume is steady month to month | What happens when an allowance runs out | | Shared credits | One allowance used by calls, chat, email, and messages | You answer several channels | The credit rate per call minute | | Per seat or per outcome | Team seats, conversations, or resolved conversations | Chat and email are the main channels | Whether phone is included or billed separately | Each model rewards a different call pattern: - **Per minute** rewards short calls. Rounding matters: [RingCentral’s pricing page](https://www.ringcentral.com/pricing/ai-receptionist.html) says call time is “rounded up and billed in 30-second increments,” while InsertChat rounds each call up to a whole minute. - **Per call** rewards long calls, since a 12-minute intake costs the same as a 40-second question. [Upfirst’s pricing page](https://upfirst.ai/pricing) says blocked spam doesn’t count against your plan, and calls under 15 seconds or where the caller never speaks aren’t billed. - **Per unique caller** rewards repeat callers. [Goodcall’s pricing page](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing) defines a unique customer as “One phone number, once a month” and says it never meters minutes. - **Flat with allowances** suits steady volume. [My AI Front Desk’s pricing page](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing) splits its $99 plan into 200 voice minutes, 100 chatbot conversations, 400 SMS, and 500 email drafts. - **Per seat or per outcome** is common among chat-first tools. [Intercom’s pricing page](https://www.intercom.com/pricing) lists seats from $29 plus $0.99 per Fin outcome, and [Chatbase’s pricing page](https://www.chatbase.co/pricing) sells extra message credits at $40 per 1,000. ## What does 100 calls a month cost with each provider? At 100 calls a month averaging three minutes, the AI receptionists in this comparison cost between about $70 and $215, and human receptionist services cost $720 or more. InsertChat’s Pro plan at $98 covers that volume at the usage estimator’s example call rate, with website chat, email, and messaging on the same plan. The worked month: 100 calls, three minutes each on average, so 300 minutes of talk time. Each line uses the cheapest plan on the vendor’s page that fits, plus listed overage. These are our calculations from the listed prices, not quotes. | Provider | How the month is counted | Plan and math | Estimated monthly cost | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Upfirst | 100 calls | 90-call plan at $59.95 plus 10 calls at $1 | $69.95 | | Goodcall | Up to 100 different callers | Starter at $79 covers 100 unique customers | $79 | | InsertChat | 300 to 400 billable minutes after per-call rounding | 3,600 to 4,800 credits at the estimator’s example 12 credits per minute fit Pro’s 5,000 | $98 | | My AI Front Desk | 300 minutes | $99 with 200 minutes plus 100 minutes at $0.25 | $124 | | Dialzara | 300 minutes | $99 with 220 minutes plus 80 minutes at $0.45 | $135 | | RingCentral AI Receptionist | 300 minutes | $49 with 100 minutes plus 200 minutes at $0.50 | $149 | | Rosie | 300 minutes | The 250-minute plan falls short and lists no overage rate, so the 1,000-minute plan | $149 | | Smith.ai AI Receptionist | 100 calls | Pro at $150 for 75 calls plus 25 calls at $2.50 | $212.50 | | Ruby | 300 minutes | 200-minute plan at $720 plus unlisted overage, or the 500-minute plan | $720 plus overage, or $1,725 | | Smith.ai human agents | 100 calls | 90-call plan at $810 plus 10 calls at $10.50 | $915 | Read the table with three caveats. Goodcall’s figure assumes every call comes from a different number; repeat callers lower it. Upfirst’s figure can drop if some calls are spam or under 15 seconds. InsertChat’s figure assumes calls are the only usage that month; chat, email, and texting use the same credits, which is also why one InsertChat plan can replace a separate chat tool. To redo the math with your numbers, multiply your monthly calls by your average call length, then apply each vendor’s unit: minutes for per-minute plans, calls for per-call plans, different callers for per-caller plans. ## How does InsertChat price its AI receptionist? InsertChat sells monthly plans with included credits: Pro at $98, Growth at $198, Scale at $498, and Enterprise from $998 per month. Calls use credits, round up to whole minutes, and have a one-minute minimum. Each paid plan includes one phone number, and Pro works out to about $3.27 a day. | Plan | Price per month | Billed annually | Credits each month | AI assistants | Team seats | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pro | $98 | $980 a year | 5,000 | 3 | 3 | | Growth | $198 | $1,980 a year | 10,000 | 20 | 5 | | Scale | $498 | $4,980 a year | 25,000 | 50 | 10 | | Enterprise | From $998 | From $9,980 a year | 50,000 | 100 | 25 | Here is how usage is metered: - **Credits:** one monthly allowance covers calls, written conversations, knowledge processing, and tools. Calls use credits by the billable minute; the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) uses 12 credits per minute as its example rate, an editable assumption rather than a quote. - **Rounding:** each call rounds up to the next whole minute, with a one-minute minimum. A 45-second call counts as one minute, and a call of 2 minutes 5 seconds counts as three. - **Phone numbers:** one number comes with each paid plan, and additional numbers cost $10 per month each. - **Connected services:** SMS, WhatsApp, and other connected services can carry their own charges. - **Annual billing:** a year paid upfront costs ten monthly payments, so Pro billed annually saves $196 against monthly billing. Enterprise prices are starting prices. - **Free trial:** new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. Every plan includes the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) and human handoff, alongside [contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) and [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). Growth, Scale, and Enterprise add API access and a custom domain with branded email, and Scale and Enterprise add [conversation analytics and reports](https://insertchat.com/product/reports). The [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing) has the full comparison and a summary of [channel costs](https://insertchat.com/pricing#channel-costs). ## How do you estimate your monthly usage? Estimate in minutes first: count the calls the AI will answer, multiply by their average length, and allow for rounding. Then convert minutes to credits with the rate in the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate), add your other channels, and compare the total with each plan’s monthly credits. The example below uses hypothetical inputs. Swap in your own numbers at each step. 1. **Count the calls the AI will answer.** Hypothetical input: 200 calls a month reach the assistant. If you use the “AI when unanswered” or “AI after hours” routing mode, count only the calls your team doesn’t take. 2. **Find the average length.** Hypothetical input: 3 minutes per call. Your phone provider’s call log gives you the real figure. 3. **Multiply.** 200 calls at 3 minutes each is 600 minutes. Treat that as the minimum. 4. **Allow for rounding.** Each call rounds up on its own, so a call of 2 minutes 10 seconds bills as 3 minutes and one of 3 minutes 5 seconds bills as 4. Rounding adds less than a minute per call, which caps the extra at 200 minutes here, so plan for 600 to 800 billable minutes. 5. **Convert to credits.** At the estimator’s example rate of 12 credits per billable minute, 600 to 800 minutes use 7,200 to 9,600 credits. Confirm the rate in the estimator before you rely on it. 6. **Add your other channels.** Website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp conversations use the same credits. The estimator counts them as non-call conversations, with an example rate of 10 credits each. 7. **Choose a plan and add fixed costs.** In this example, calls alone need more than Pro’s 5,000 credits and fit Growth’s 10,000. Add $10 per month for each extra number and any SMS or WhatsApp charges. The estimator rounds the average length you enter up to a whole minute, so entering 3 shows the low end of this range and entering 3.5 shows the high end. To compare vendors, count the same hypothetical month in each one’s unit: | Pricing model | How the hypothetical month counts | | --- | --- | | Per minute, billed by the second | 600 minutes | | Per minute, rounded up per call, as InsertChat bills | 600 to 800 minutes | | Per call | 200 calls | | Per unique caller | However many different people made those 200 calls | | Flat monthly with allowances | Whether those minutes fit the voice allowance, plus overage if they don’t | Then multiply each count by the price on that vendor’s current pricing page. ## How does the cost compare with hiring a receptionist? A full-time receptionist costs far more than any AI plan. The [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm) puts the median receptionist wage at $38,010 a year ($18.27 an hour, May 2025), and benefits add to that. An AI receptionist covers the hours you route to it for a monthly fee. To run the comparison with your own wage, hours, and call volume, use the free [receptionist cost calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/receptionist-cost-calculator). Here is a rough loaded cost using BLS averages. In its [Employer Costs for Employee Compensation](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) release, wages and salaries were 70.0% of private-industry employer costs in June 2026, with benefits making up the remaining 30.0%. | | In-house receptionist | InsertChat Pro | | --- | --- | --- | | Yearly cost | About $54,300 ($38,010 ÷ 0.70) | $1,176 billed monthly, or $980 billed annually | | Monthly cost | About $4,525 | $98, or $81.67 a month billed annually | | Hours covered | About 40 of the week’s 168 hours, minus breaks and time off | Whatever hours you route to it | | In-person work | Greets visitors, handles paperwork, takes payments at the desk | Phone and online channels only | | Judgment and empathy | A strength | Hands sensitive calls to your team | The loaded figure is an estimate built from national averages, not a quote for your area, and part-time help costs less. The comparison isn’t only about money: a receptionist does in-person work no software can. Many businesses keep their receptionist and let the AI take after-hours and overflow calls. ## How does the cost compare with a human answering service? Human answering services bill for operator time, by the minute or by the call, and cost several times more per call than AI. At entry level, [Ruby’s pricing page](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/) lists $250 for 50 minutes, about $5 a minute, and [Smith.ai’s pricing page](https://smith.ai/pricing) lists $300 for 30 calls, $10 a call (both as listed on October 13, 2026). Bigger bundles lower the unit price. Ruby’s 500-minute plan is $1,725, about $3.45 a minute, and Smith.ai’s 300-call plan is $2,100, $7 a call. Smith.ai also lists per-call add-ons, such as $1.50 to book an appointment. Price per minute is only part of the comparison. People bring judgment and empathy, and many services can put a call through to your staff. An AI receptionist answers from your knowledge, books within your rules, and covers whatever hours you route to it. The [AI receptionist vs answering service guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) explains when each fits and how to combine them. ## What hidden costs should you check? Check the costs that sit outside the headline price: rounding and per-call minimums, overage, extra phone numbers, texting, add-on channels, carrier charges for forwarding, compliance tiers, and your team’s time. Ask every vendor the same questions, including us. - **Rounding and minimums:** is talk time billed by the second, in 30-second steps, or rounded up per call, and is there a minimum per call? InsertChat rounds each call up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum. - **Overage:** what does each extra minute, call, or caller cost past the allowance, and what happens to calls when you run out? Rosie’s pricing page doesn’t list a voice overage rate, so ask. - **Spam and hang-ups:** do blocked spam calls and short hang-ups count? Upfirst says they don’t on its plans; elsewhere, a few seconds can bill as a full call or minute. - **Phone numbers:** how many are included, and what does each extra one cost? InsertChat includes one and charges $10 per month for each additional number. - **Texting:** [Dialzara’s pricing page](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md) lists $0.05 per AI text message plus carrier fees for its SMS agent. On InsertChat, SMS and WhatsApp can carry their own charges. - **Add-on channels:** [Rosie’s pricing page](https://heyrosie.com/pricing) lists website texting at $50 a month for 25 conversations, then $1 each, and Dialzara lists its website chatbot at $39 a month standalone. InsertChat includes website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answering in the same credits. - **Carrier charges:** if you keep your number through call forwarding, your phone provider may count forwarded calls against your plan. - **Seats:** under per-seat pricing, count everyone who reviews conversations. InsertChat plans include from three to 25 seats. - **Compliance tiers:** a Business Associate Agreement may sit on a higher plan. [Upfirst’s pricing page](https://upfirst.ai/pricing) lists BAAs only under its Custom plan. InsertChat Enterprise plans can sign a BAA. - **Your team’s time:** someone reviews the inbox, returns callbacks, and keeps the knowledge current. Budget for that time, since it never appears on an invoice. - **Taxes and terms:** check checkout for taxes, and ask how annual billing and cancellation work. ## Is an AI receptionist worth the cost? An AI receptionist pays for itself when the jobs it books or saves are worth more than the plan. Divide the monthly price by the profit from one new customer: if the answer is below one, a single booked job a month covers the bill. For most service businesses, that bar is low. Two formulas help. Use your own numbers; the examples are hypothetical. 1. **Break-even:** monthly plan cost ÷ profit from one new customer = new customers needed each month. Hypothetical: $98 ÷ $150 profit on a typical job is about 0.65, so one booked job a month covers Pro. 2. **Value of missed calls:** missed calls a month × share of those callers who would have booked × average job value. Hypothetical: 20 missed calls × 25% × $300 is $1,500 a month in work that went elsewhere. Your phone provider’s call log shows how many calls went unanswered and when. Count the calls that arrived after hours or rang out, then estimate how many were new customers. That number, not an industry average, tells you what answering them is worth. ## How can you lower your AI receptionist bill? Lower the bill by sending the AI only the calls your team can’t take, keeping calls short with clear answers, and paying annually once you’re confident. With InsertChat, routing modes decide which calls reach the assistant, so you pay for coverage, not for calls your staff already handle. - **Route only what you miss.** “AI when unanswered” rings your team for 5 to 60 seconds first, and “AI after hours” sends calls to the assistant only outside your opening hours. The [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) page explains both. - **Answer the question the first time.** Complete [knowledge](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) shortens calls. A caller who gets the hours right away has no reason to stay on the line. - **Keep the greeting short.** A greeting of a sentence or two gets callers to their question faster than a long menu of options. - **Pay annually.** Ten monthly payments buy a year, which saves two months. - **Add numbers only when you need them.** One number is included; a campaign or second location line is $10 a month. - **Review usage weekly at first.** The Today view and inbox show what the assistant handled, so you can move call types to your team if they don’t belong with the AI. ## When do you need InsertChat’s Enterprise plan? You need Enterprise if the AI receptionist will handle protected health information, because Enterprise is the InsertChat plan that can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). It starts at $998 per month and raises the limits to 50,000 monthly credits, 100 AI assistants, and 25 team seats, with a dedicated support agent. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant. Leave patient details out of its knowledge, limit booking questions to a name, contact details, and a preferred time, and route clinical questions to your staff. A BAA is a contract, so review it with your compliance advisor. Enterprise also suits larger rollouts that outgrow Scale’s 50 assistants and 25,000 monthly credits. If you need a BAA or want to plan a rollout, [contact us](https://insertchat.com/contact). ## What’s the next step? Put your own call count and call length into the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate), compare the result with the plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing), and start the 7-day free trial to place real test calls. To see calls, bookings, and handoffs first, [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) with a fictional business and sample data. For setup, read the [small business guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-for-small-business), or start with [what an AI receptionist is](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist) if you’re still weighing the idea. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost per month? Entry plans on vendors’ public pricing pages run from about $25 to $150 a month, checked October 13, 2026. In our worked example of 100 three-minute calls a month, the AI options cost about $70 to $215. InsertChat starts at $98 a month for Pro, which includes one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits shared by calls and written conversations. ## Is an AI receptionist cheaper than hiring a receptionist? Yes, by a wide margin. The BLS puts the median receptionist wage at $38,010 a year, and wages are about 70% of what private employers spend on compensation, so a full-time hire costs roughly $54,000 a year for 40 hours a week. InsertChat Pro costs $1,176 a year billed monthly, or $980 billed annually. ## Is per-minute or per-call pricing better for an AI receptionist? Per-minute pricing suits short, frequent calls, as long as the rounding is fair. Per-call pricing suits long calls, because a 12-minute intake costs the same as a one-minute question. Either way, ask how the vendor counts hang-ups and spam, since they can count as full calls or full minutes. ## How does InsertChat count call minutes? Each call rounds up to the next whole minute, with a one-minute minimum. A 45-second call counts as one minute, and a call lasting 4 minutes 10 seconds counts as five. Billable minutes then use your plan’s monthly credits; the usage estimator’s example rate is 12 credits per billable minute. ## How many calls do 5,000 credits cover? At the usage estimator’s example rate of 12 credits per billable minute, 5,000 credits cover about 416 billable minutes, or roughly 100 three-minute calls with room for rounding, if calls are the only usage. Website chat, email, SMS, WhatsApp, knowledge processing, and tools draw on the same credits, so enter your own mix in the estimator. ## Is there a free AI receptionist? A few vendors offer free tiers with small call allowances, and most offer trials. InsertChat offers new customers a 7-day free trial of Pro with 500 credits; a card is required at checkout, and Pro starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. Use the trial to place test calls before routing customers. ## Does annual billing lower the price? Yes. Annual plans are charged upfront at the cost of ten monthly payments, the equivalent of two months free. Pro billed annually is $980 for the year, compared with $1,176 for twelve monthly payments. Enterprise prices are starting prices. ## Are phone numbers and text messages included? Each paid plan includes one phone number, and additional numbers cost $10 per month each. SMS, WhatsApp, and other connected services can carry their own charges. If you keep your number through call forwarding, your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan. ## Do I need Enterprise for a medical or dental practice? You need Enterprise if the AI receptionist will handle protected health information, because it is the InsertChat plan that can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Enterprise starts at $998 per month. On other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant’s knowledge, intake questions, and workflows. --- # AI Receptionist for Small Business: 2026 Guide Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-for-small-business > Pick and set up an AI receptionist for your small business: 8 options compared on price, which calls to hand over first, routing, and mistakes to avoid. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-05 Updated: 2026-10-13 An AI receptionist for a small business answers the calls your team can’t get to, using the same information your staff would give: services, opening hours, the prices you publish, and your booking rules. It captures each caller’s details, books within your calendar settings, and flags anything that needs a person. This guide compares eight options on price, shows which calls to hand over first, and walks through routing, keeping your number, setup, the first weeks, and the mistakes to avoid. Details about InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) are current as of October 13, 2026, and competitor prices carry the date they were checked. ## Why do small businesses use an AI receptionist? Small businesses use an AI receptionist because the person who should answer the phone is usually doing the work: under a sink, with a client, or closed for the night. The AI answers those calls, gives the approved answer, books the visit, and leaves a written record, for less each month than one day of a receptionist’s median wages. Calls rarely arrive at a convenient moment. The owner is with a client, a technician is on a roof, the front desk is checking someone in, or the office closed an hour ago. Hiring cover for every hour is expensive: the [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm) puts the median receptionist wage at $38,010 a year, before benefits. An AI receptionist covers those moments by doing five jobs: - **Answer accurately:** hours, location, service area, services, and published prices, given the same way on every call. - **Capture details once:** the caller’s name, number, and reason for calling, so nobody has to call back just to ask what the caller wanted. - **Book within your rules:** open times from your real calendar, with the buffers and notice your work needs. - **Route the hard calls:** emergencies, complaints, and custom quotes, flagged for your team with the context attached. - **Leave a record:** a transcript and a short summary of each call, so the next morning starts with a list you can work through. In InsertChat, every call lands in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with its transcript and AI summary, attached to the caller’s [contact record](https://insertchat.com/product/crm). The same assistant can answer [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), [text messages](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), [email](https://insertchat.com/product/email), and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, which helps when a customer calls on Monday and texts on Tuesday. ## What are the best AI receptionists for small business in 2026? InsertChat is our top pick for small businesses that want calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answered by one assistant with a shared inbox, from $98 a month. Per-call and per-minute tools start lower if you only need phone answering, and human services cost more but bring a person’s judgment. Starting prices are as listed on each vendor’s pricing page on October 13, 2026. “Best for” is our own assessment. | Rank | Product | Best for | Starting price | Billing unit | Listed beyond calls | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | An all-in-one AI front desk for calls and messages | $98 a month with 5,000 credits and one number | Monthly credits | Website chat, email, SMS, WhatsApp, shared inbox, contacts, scheduling | | 2 | [Upfirst](https://upfirst.ai/pricing) | The lowest phone-only entry price | $24.95 a month for 30 calls | Per call | Not verified | | 3 | [Goodcall](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing) | Businesses with many repeat callers | $79 a month for 100 unique customers | Per unique customer | Not verified | | 4 | [Dialzara](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md) | Short calls on a per-minute budget | $29 a month for 60 minutes | Per minute | SMS agent and website chatbot, priced separately | | 5 | [Rosie](https://heyrosie.com/pricing) | Larger minute bundles | $49 a month for 250 minutes | Minute bundles | Website texting add-on | | 6 | [My AI Front Desk](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing) | Fixed allowances per channel | $99 a month with 200 voice minutes | Flat plan with allowances | Chatbot, SMS, and email-draft allowances | | 7 | [Smith.ai](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist) | AI with a separate human-agent option | Free for 25 calls; Pro from $150 | Per call | Human agents on separate plans | | 8 | [Ruby](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/) | Human receptionists for every call | $250 a month for 50 minutes | Minute bundles | Chat plans from $143 a month | Why InsertChat ranks first for small businesses: - **One assistant for every channel.** Calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp answer from one [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge), so an update reaches every channel at once. - **Booking in the calendar you already use.** The built-in calendar, [Google Calendar](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar), [Outlook](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook), [Calendly](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly), or [Cal.com](https://insertchat.com/integration/cal-com), with your rules for length, buffers, and notice. - **Your phone can ring first.** Routing modes send calls to your team, to the AI after hours, or to the AI only when nobody picks up. - **Room for a team.** Three seats and three assistants on Pro, with one shared inbox and contacts. - **A free trial with real calls.** Seven days of Pro with 500 credits; a card is required at checkout. The trade-offs are real too. Phone-only tools can cost less if calls are all you need, and InsertChat does not transfer live calls. The [cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) prices the same 100-call month across ten providers, and the [alternatives pages](https://insertchat.com/alternatives) compare InsertChat with each in detail. ## How do you choose an AI receptionist for a small business? Choose by your calls, not by the feature list. Check that it answers your most common questions correctly on a test call, books into your calendar, keeps your number, hands hard calls to a person, and bills in a unit you can predict. Run the same test on every product you consider. Use this checklist: 1. **Bills in a unit you can predict.** Per minute, per call, per caller, or credits. Ask how short calls, hang-ups, and spam are counted. 2. **Keeps your number.** Customers already know it. InsertChat forwards existing numbers in the US and Canada. 3. **Books where you book.** A receptionist that can’t write to your calendar only takes messages. 4. **Hands off on your terms.** You decide which topics reach a person and who gets alerted. 5. **Answers your other channels.** Customers text and use website chat too. 6. **Speaks your callers’ languages.** InsertChat answers in the language the caller speaks; [bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) covers the details. 7. **Leaves a record you can check.** Transcripts and summaries let you catch wrong answers in the first week. 8. **Signs a BAA if you need one.** Health businesses handling protected health information need a Business Associate Agreement; InsertChat signs one on Enterprise. 9. **Lets you test first.** A trial with real test calls tells you more than a demo. ## Which calls should you automate first? Automate the calls that are frequent, predictable, and answerable from written information: questions about hours and services, new bookings, and calls that arrive after hours or while everyone is busy. Keep calls that need judgment, negotiation, or professional advice with a person. To find them, look back over a couple of weeks of call notes or your phone log and write down why each person called. Then sort the reasons: | Call type | Example | Where to start | | --- | --- | --- | | Questions with a written answer | “Are you open Saturday?” | The AI answers from your knowledge | | New bookings | “Do you have anything Thursday afternoon?” | The AI offers open times and books within your rules | | Changes to its own bookings | “Can I move my appointment to next week?” | The AI reschedules or cancels appointments it booked | | After-hours and overflow calls | A caller at 8 p.m., or one nobody could pick up | The AI answers, collects details, and your team follows up | | Price questions | “What do you charge for a brake inspection?” | The AI gives published prices; custom quotes go to a person | | Urgent problems | “Water is coming through the ceiling.” | The AI reads your safety steps and flags the call | | Complaints, disputes, and advice | A billing dispute or a question for a professional | A person, through your handoff rules | Start with one or two rows, often after-hours calls and routine questions, and add booking once your test calls sound right. That order lets you check the assistant’s knowledge before it can change your calendar. ## What does an AI receptionist handle in different small businesses? The first calls to hand over differ by trade. A cleaning company wants quote requests captured with the address and home size; a vet clinic wants appointment requests and hours answered while urgent cases reach a person. Start with the call type that interrupts your team most. | Business | First calls to hand over | Keep with a person | | --- | --- | --- | | [Electricians](https://insertchat.com/industries/electrician) and [roofing](https://insertchat.com/industries/roofing) | Service area, booking an estimate visit, storm and after-hours intake | Safety emergencies beyond your written steps, job pricing | | [Cleaning](https://insertchat.com/industries/cleaning) and [pest control](https://insertchat.com/industries/pest-control) | Services offered, booking a visit, collecting the address and property details | Custom quotes, treatment questions | | [Landscaping](https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping) | Seasonal services, service area, booking a site visit | Project design and pricing | | [Veterinary](https://insertchat.com/industries/veterinary) | Hours, booking checkups, new-client questions | Sick or injured animals | | [Med spas](https://insertchat.com/industries/med-spa) and [gyms](https://insertchat.com/industries/gym) | Treatment or class menu, published prices, booking | Medical questions, membership disputes | | [Accounting](https://insertchat.com/industries/accounting) and [insurance](https://insertchat.com/industries/insurance) | Office hours, documents to bring, booking a consultation | Advice on a client’s situation | | [Real estate](https://insertchat.com/industries/real-estate) | Listing questions you’ve answered in writing, showing requests | Offers and negotiation | | [Restaurants](https://insertchat.com/industries/restaurants) | Hours, location, menu questions | Large events and complaints | These are illustrative workflows, not customer results. The [industries overview](https://insertchat.com/industries) covers more trades, including [plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing), [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac), [salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon), [auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair), and [law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal). ## How do you set up an AI receptionist for a small business? Set it up in seven steps: add your knowledge, choose a voice and greeting, pick a routing mode, decide which callers it answers, set booking rules, write handoff rules, then connect your number and test. Knowledge comes first because the assistant can only answer as well as the information behind it. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Include your website pages, service menu, published price list, service area, opening hours, and policies for cancellations and deposits. InsertChat reads website pages, PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, scanned images, audio and video files, plain text, and question-and-answer pairs. Write your emergency safety steps too, such as “leave the building and call 911.” The [knowledge guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) covers what to include. 2. **Choose a voice and greeting.** Pick one of 10 voices and write a greeting of up to 200 characters that names the business and says what the caller can do, for example: “Thanks for calling Bramblewood Auto. I’m the shop’s AI assistant. I can answer questions, book a service visit, or pass a message to the team.” The assistant answers in the language the caller speaks. 3. **Pick a routing mode.** Decide when the AI answers: always, after hours, or when your team doesn’t pick up. The next section helps you choose. 4. **Choose which callers it answers.** Pick everyone, only callers who aren’t saved contacts, or only saved contacts. Calls outside your choice go to the team number in your call routing; with no team number set, they end without an AI answer. 5. **Set booking rules.** Connect the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com in [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). Then set appointment length (15 to 120 minutes), buffers, minimum notice of up to 48 hours, a booking window of up to 90 days, and how many times to offer, from two to five. Customers can get reminders by text or email 72 and 24 hours before. 6. **Write handoff rules.** Keep the five default rules, add topics like emergencies, custom quotes, and billing disputes, and choose which teammates get emailed. The [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) explains each setting. 7. **Connect your number and test.** Forward your existing number or use an InsertChat number, as described below, and place test calls before any customer reaches the assistant. For the test calls, act like your customers. Ask something routine, ask something your knowledge doesn’t cover, book a time and move it, ask for a person, and describe an emergency. Then open the inbox and check each summary, the contact details, and which calls were marked needs-you. ## Which routing mode fits a small business? Choose “AI when unanswered” if your team answers most calls today and you want help only with the ones that slip through. Choose “AI after hours” if daytime calls are covered but evenings and weekends aren’t. Choose “AI always” if nobody can reliably pick up, such as a one-person business that works on site. Here is what each mode does in InsertChat: - **AI always:** the assistant answers every call to the number. - **AI after hours:** you set weekly opening hours and a time zone, including overnight shifts. During those hours, calls ring your team’s number; outside them, the AI answers. - **AI when unanswered:** calls ring your team’s number for 5 to 60 seconds, then the AI picks up. If a call reaches a staff voicemail box, it goes back to the assistant. - **Team only:** calls go to your team’s number, and the AI doesn’t answer. | Your situation | Mode to start with | | --- | --- | | A solo owner who works on site all day | AI always | | A front desk that covers business hours only | AI after hours | | A team that answers most calls but misses some at busy times | AI when unanswered | | A season where you want people on every call | Team only, switching back later | Two settings deserve their own test call. Keep the ring time shorter than the delay before your own voicemail picks up, so callers don’t hear a mailbox greeting first. And ring a mobile or direct line rather than the business number you forward to InsertChat, or the call can loop back. When your phone rings this way, the caller ID shows your InsertChat number, so save it under a name your team will recognize. Caller scope works on top of any mode. A business with many regulars can let the AI answer only callers who aren’t saved contacts, so known customers go to the team number. Test with one phone that is saved as a contact and one that isn’t. The [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) page covers hours-based routing in more detail. ## How do you keep your business number? In the US and Canada, keep your business number and forward calls to InsertChat. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. Forwarding runs through your phone provider. During setup, InsertChat gives you a private routing number. You forward your business line to it with your provider’s dial code or portal setting, and InsertChat places a verification call to confirm that calls arrive. Keep the routing number private, because customers should keep dialing the number on your website, listings, and signs. Depending on your provider, you can forward every call, or only the calls nobody answers and the calls that arrive while the line is busy. The second option keeps your desk phone ringing as it does today and sends only the missed calls to InsertChat. The [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) list the steps for [AT&T](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att), [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), [T-Mobile](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile), [RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral), [Rogers](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/rogers), [Bell](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/bell), and [Telus](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/telus). Each paid plan includes one phone number. A second number, for a new location or a campaign line, costs $10 per month. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check with them before you switch. ## What should you measure in the first weeks? In the first weeks, read the calls and track a few counts you can compare week to week: how many calls the AI answered and when, how many it marked needs-you and why, which questions it couldn’t answer, which bookings needed fixing, and how quickly your team followed up. Your own first weeks become the baseline, so compare against yourself rather than outside benchmarks. - **When calls arrive:** if the AI picks up many calls during opening hours, revisit the ring time or who is on the phones. - **Why calls were handed off:** frequent requests for a person suggest the greeting or the first answer isn’t working, while uncertain answers point to missing knowledge. - **Unanswered questions:** add the missing information, wait for processing, and ask the same question again in a test call. - **Bookings:** check that each appointment has the right day, length, and location, plus the details your team needs. - **Follow-up time:** the assistant tells callers your team will follow up, so measure how long that takes against the timeframe you wrote in its knowledge. - **Early hang-ups:** read the transcripts of calls that ended right after the greeting or where callers repeated themselves. Every plan includes the Today view, which shows daily metrics, what the assistant handled, upcoming appointments and tasks, and a needs-you queue with handoffs, missed calls, and items waiting for approval. Scale and Enterprise add [conversation analytics and reports](https://insertchat.com/product/reports) that group conversations by topic. If you publish a separate number on an ad or a flyer, each contact shows the number called as its lead source. ## When should a person take over? A person should take over when the caller asks for one, the assistant isn’t sure of the answer, it can’t resolve the request after repeated attempts, the caller is upset, or the request involves a sensitive action. Add your own topics on top, such as emergencies, custom quotes, complaints, billing disputes, and anything that needs medical, legal, or financial advice. InsertChat does not transfer live calls. When a call needs your team, the assistant collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails the teammates you chose, and tells the caller your team will follow up. A caller who asks for a callback gets a confirmation by text or email after the call. For emergencies, it reads the safety steps you wrote and raises an urgent alert. If your callers expect a person first, use “AI when unanswered” so your phone rings before the assistant does. Write a follow-up promise your team can keep, such as “We return calls by 10 a.m. the next business day,” and put it in the assistant’s knowledge. Bring people back in when the pattern shifts, too. If more and more calls end in needs-you, the assistant is taking calls it isn’t equipped for, so move those call types to your team or improve the knowledge behind them. A new service, a price change, or a busy season is a good moment to review its answers with the staff who know them. ## What mistakes should small businesses avoid? The most common mistakes are going live with thin knowledge, sending every call to the AI on day one, and never reading the transcripts. Each one makes a good tool sound bad to your customers. Start narrow, test like a customer, and widen the routing once the answers hold up. - **Thin knowledge.** A receptionist with only your homepage can’t answer service-area or cancellation questions. Add the details your team repeats every day. - **AI always on day one.** Start with after-hours or unanswered calls, then widen. - **A ring time longer than your voicemail.** Callers hear your mailbox instead of the assistant. Keep the ring time shorter. - **Ringing the forwarded number.** Ringing the same number you forward to InsertChat can loop the call. Ring a mobile or direct line. - **A callback promise you can’t keep.** “Someone will call you within 10 minutes” at midnight sets up a complaint. Write a promise your team meets. - **Hiding that it’s an AI.** Say so in the greeting. Callers who want a person can ask, and the default rules flag them. - **No owner for the needs-you queue.** Decide who checks it each morning and who returns urgent calls. - **Never updating.** Prices, hours, and services change. Update the source, wait for processing, and test the changed answer. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost a small business? InsertChat’s Pro plan is $98 per month, about $3.27 a day, and includes one phone number, 5,000 monthly credits, three AI assistants, and three team seats. Calls use credits and round up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum, so your usage depends on how many calls the AI answers and how long they run. A few other details shape the bill: - **Extra numbers:** $10 per month each, beyond the one included. - **Messaging:** SMS, WhatsApp, and other connected services can carry their own charges. - **Annual billing:** a year paid upfront costs ten monthly payments. - **Larger plans:** Growth is $198 per month with 10,000 credits, Scale is $498 with 25,000 credits and conversation analytics, and Enterprise starts at $998 with 50,000 credits. Enterprise is the plan that can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), which matters if calls involve protected health information. - **Free trial:** new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout. The [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) compares pricing models across the market and walks through an estimate you can redo with your own numbers. To estimate your own usage, open the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing). To see calls, bookings, and handoffs before you set anything up, [try the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo), which uses a fictional business and sample data. When you’re ready, start the free trial and place your first test call. ## Is an AI receptionist worth it for a small business? It is when you miss calls that could have become customers. If many callers ask routine questions or want an appointment, an AI receptionist answers and books while you work, for less per month than one day of a receptionist’s median wages. If most calls need quotes, negotiation, or advice, keep people on them. Starting with after-hours calls shows you the fit. ## What is the best AI receptionist for a small business? The best one answers your callers correctly, books into the calendar you use, and bills in a unit you can predict. InsertChat is our pick for small businesses that want one assistant for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp with a shared inbox, from $98 a month. Budget per-call tools start lower if you only need phone answering. ## Can my own phone ring before the AI receptionist answers? Yes. With the “AI when unanswered” routing mode, calls ring your team’s number for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant picks up. Ring a mobile or direct line instead of the number you forward to InsertChat, and keep the ring time shorter than your voicemail delay. ## Do I need a new phone number for an AI receptionist? Not in the US and Canada, where you can forward your existing business number to InsertChat and confirm it with a verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. Each paid plan includes one number, and extra numbers are $10 per month. ## Can the AI receptionist answer only new callers? Yes. Caller scope lets the assistant answer everyone, only callers who aren’t saved contacts, or only saved contacts. Calls outside your choice go to the team number in your call routing. Without a team number, those calls end without an AI answer, so test both cases before going live. ## Does an AI receptionist sound robotic? Modern AI receptionists speak in natural voices and handle back-and-forth conversation. With InsertChat, you pick one of 10 voices and write your own greeting of up to 200 characters. Place a few test calls during the free trial and listen the way a customer would before you route real calls. ## Can an AI receptionist answer in Spanish? Yes. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers in the language the caller speaks, so a Spanish-speaking caller hears Spanish from the same knowledge your English-speaking callers get. Both conversations land in the same shared inbox for your team. ## Will an AI receptionist replace my staff? It takes the routine phone work, not the people. It answers common questions, books within your rules, and collects caller details, while your team handles judgment calls, emergencies, and in-person work. Most small businesses use it for the calls nobody can pick up. ## What should I add to the knowledge first? Start with what callers ask most: opening hours, location, service area, services, published prices, booking and cancellation policies, and the safety steps for emergencies. Add website pages and documents, wait for processing to finish, then test the questions your team answers every day. ## Can one plan cover more than one location? Yes. Create one assistant per location, each with its own address, up to your plan’s assistant limit: three on Pro, 20 on Growth, 50 on Scale, and 100 on Enterprise. Each paid plan includes one phone number, and each additional number for another location costs $10 per month. --- # AI Receptionist vs Answering Service: True Cost Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service > AI receptionist or answering service? Compare real 2026 prices on a 100-call month, booking, live transfer, coverage, and when a hybrid setup beats both. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-10-05 Updated: 2026-10-13 An AI receptionist is software that answers calls from your business knowledge and acts within rules you set, such as booking on your calendar. An answering service uses people, usually remote operators working from your script, who take messages and, depending on the service, book appointments or put calls through to your staff. AI suits routine, rules-based calls at any hour you choose; people suit calls that need empathy, judgment, or a live transfer. On price, AI wins by several times: in a worked month of 100 three-minute calls, the AI options in this guide cost about $70 to $215, while human services start at $720. The two also work well together. This guide compares cost, coverage, booking, and call handling, gives a decision framework, and explains how to combine them or switch. Details about InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) are current as of October 13, 2026. ## Which should you choose: an AI receptionist or an answering service? Choose an AI receptionist if most calls are routine questions and bookings, you need after-hours coverage, or price matters. Choose a human answering service if most calls are emotional, unusual, or need a live transfer. Choose both if your calls are mixed: AI for the routine and after-hours calls, people for the rest. - **Pick an AI receptionist** when callers mostly ask about hours, services, published prices, and availability, and you want bookings on your calendar and a transcript of every call. - **Pick an answering service** when callers often need reassurance, a judgment call about urgency, or a live transfer to someone on call. - **Pick both** when your team covers the day but evenings go unanswered, or when a few call types need a person while most don’t. ## What is the difference between an AI receptionist, an answering service, and a virtual receptionist? The difference is who answers the phone. An answering service and most virtual receptionist services use people working remotely, an in-house receptionist is your employee, and an AI receptionist is software that holds the conversation itself. - **Answering service:** a team of operators answers your line, often for many businesses at once. They follow the script you provide, take messages, and depending on the service, book appointments or patch urgent calls through to whoever is on call. - **Virtual receptionist:** usually a remote human receptionist service that works more closely with your business, for example by transferring calls to staff or managing a calendar. Some AI products use the same label, so check whether a person or software answers. - **In-house receptionist:** a human receptionist on your staff who answers phones alongside in-person work, such as greeting visitors, handling paperwork, and taking payments at the desk. - **AI receptionist:** software that answers in a natural voice, works from your [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge), and acts only within the permissions you give it. A phone menu (IVR) or voicemail is a fifth option, but neither answers a question. The [what is an AI receptionist guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist) covers how those compare. ## How do AI receptionists and answering services compare? Each option balances judgment, coverage, consistency, and cost differently. AI gives the same approved answer at any hour and books directly; people bring empathy and judgment at a higher price per call. The table shows the typical pattern. Individual providers vary, so check the terms of any service you compare. | | AI receptionist | Answering service or virtual receptionist | In-house receptionist | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Who answers | Software, from your knowledge and rules | Remote operators following your script | Your employee | | Hours | The hours you route to it | The hours your plan covers | Their working hours | | Busy moments | Not limited to one caller at a time | Depends on how many operators are free | One call at a time | | Routine questions | The same approved answer each time | Depends on the script and the operator | Depends on training and experience | | Booking | Books within your calendar rules | Depends on the service and your calendar access | Books with your tools | | Live transfer | Varies by product; InsertChat does not live-transfer calls | Often available, depending on the plan | Yes | | Empathy and judgment | Follows rules and hands sensitive calls to a person | A strength | A strength, plus knowing your regulars | | Record of each call | Transcript and summary in InsertChat’s shared inbox | Message notes from the operator | Whatever gets written down | | Languages | InsertChat answers in the caller’s language | Depends on the operators available | Depends on the person | | Other channels | InsertChat also answers website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp | Some services add live chat | Email and walk-ins, as time allows | | Setup | Add knowledge and rules, then test calls | Write a script and onboard with the provider | Hire and train | | Cost model | Monthly plan, often with usage by minute, call, or caller | Usually per minute or per call, often in monthly bundles | Salary and benefits, plus cover for time off | ## How much does each option cost? AI receptionists cost a fraction of a human service per call. Entry AI plans run about $25 to $150 a month, while human receptionist services start at $250 to $300 for 50 minutes or 30 calls. An in-house receptionist earns a median $38,010 a year before benefits, according to the [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm). Here is one month priced across both types, using each vendor’s pricing page as listed on October 13, 2026: 100 calls averaging three minutes, so 300 minutes of talk time. Each line uses the cheapest listed plan that fits, plus listed overage. These are our calculations, not quotes. | Provider | Type | Plan and math | Estimated monthly cost | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Upfirst](https://upfirst.ai/pricing) | AI | 90-call plan at $59.95 plus 10 calls at $1 | $69.95 | | [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | AI | 300 to 400 billable minutes at the usage estimator’s example 12 credits per minute fit Pro’s 5,000 credits | $98 | | [Dialzara](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md) | AI | $99 with 220 minutes plus 80 minutes at $0.45 | $135 | | [Smith.ai AI Receptionist](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist) | AI | $150 for 75 calls plus 25 calls at $2.50 | $212.50 | | [Ruby](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/) | Human | 200-minute plan at $720 plus overage the page doesn’t list, or the 500-minute plan | $720 plus overage, or $1,725 | | [Smith.ai human agents](https://smith.ai/pricing) | Human | $810 for 90 calls plus 10 calls at $10.50 | $915 | Per unit, the gap is wide. Ruby’s entry plan works out to $5 a minute ($250 for 50 minutes) and Smith.ai’s human Starter plan to $10 a call ($300 for 30 calls). InsertChat’s Pro plan in this example works out to under $1 a call. The [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) prices the same month across ten providers. Three differences follow from the pricing models: - **What drives the bill:** with operators, talk time or call count is the main cost, so long or frequent calls cost more. With AI, the unit depends on the vendor; InsertChat calls use credits by the minute, rounded up per call. - **Hours:** ask any provider whether nights, weekends, and holidays cost extra or need a different plan. - **Fixed costs and add-ons:** an AI receptionist needs a phone number, and texting can carry its own charges. InsertChat includes one number per paid plan, with additional numbers at $10 per month. Smith.ai’s human pricing page lists per-call add-ons, such as $1.50 to book an appointment. An in-house receptionist is a different kind of cost. Using the BLS [Employer Costs for Employee Compensation](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) release, where wages were 70.0% of private-industry compensation costs in June 2026, a median receptionist costs roughly $54,300 a year, or $4,525 a month, for about 40 of the week’s 168 hours. That buys in-person work no phone service provides. ## What does a human answering service do well? A human answering service does well with calls that need a person’s judgment: an upset caller, an unusual request that doesn’t fit the script, a decision about whether something is truly urgent, and a live transfer to someone on call. People can also adjust mid-call when a caller is confused or the situation changes. Those strengths matter most where calls are emotional or high-stakes, such as a tenant locked out late at night or a caller reporting a burst pipe, and where the right next step depends on reading the situation. The limits are practical. Answers vary with the operator and how closely the script is followed, and a service may take a message where you hoped for a booking. Booking depends on whether the service can work in your calendar, and both coverage and price follow the minutes or calls in your plan. ## What does an AI receptionist do well? An AI receptionist does well with calls that follow written rules: questions with a known answer, bookings and changes within your calendar settings, and intake that collects the same details every time. It gives the approved answer the same way on every call, whenever you route calls to it, at a much lower cost per call. In InsertChat, that covers: - **Consistent answers:** it answers from your website pages, documents, and questions and answers. When you update a source and it finishes processing, callers get the new answer. - **Booking within rules:** it offers open times, books after the caller confirms, and reschedules or cancels appointments it booked. You set lengths, buffers, notice, and how far ahead callers can book in [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling). - **Every channel from one knowledge base:** the same assistant answers [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), [SMS](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), [email](https://insertchat.com/product/email), and WhatsApp, so a caller who texts later gets the same answer. - **A written record:** each call has a transcript and an AI summary in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), attached to the caller’s contact. - **Callers’ languages:** it answers in the language the caller speaks. [Bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) explains the options. - **Alerts for your team:** urgent calls raise an alert, and teammates can be notified of new contacts and bookings immediately or in a daily summary. Its limits mirror a person’s strengths. It follows rules instead of reading the room, so emotional or unusual calls should go to a person, and it shouldn’t give medical, legal, or financial advice. InsertChat does not live-transfer calls. When a caller needs someone, the assistant collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails your team, and tells the caller your team will follow up. ## Can you combine an AI receptionist with people? Yes. A simple hybrid rings your team first and lets the AI answer when nobody picks up. You can also split calls by time of day, by caller, or by phone line, so people keep the calls that need them and the AI takes the rest. - **Team first, AI when unanswered:** with the “AI when unanswered” mode, calls ring your team’s number for 5 to 60 seconds, then the assistant answers. Your staff still take every call they can reach. - **Team by day, AI after hours:** with the “AI after hours” mode, calls ring your team during the weekly opening hours you set, in your time zone, and the AI answers outside them. Opening hours can include overnight shifts. - **AI for new callers, team for regulars:** caller scope can limit the AI to callers who aren’t saved contacts, so calls from known customers go to your team number. - **A separate line for emergencies:** if you keep an answering service or an on-call phone for emergencies, publish that number separately and add it to the assistant’s safety steps. When a caller describes an emergency, the assistant reads the steps you wrote, including that number. Whatever the split, decide who follows up on needs-you conversations and how fast, and write that promise into the assistant’s knowledge so callers hear a realistic next step. The [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) page covers hours-based routing in detail. ## How do you decide between an AI receptionist and an answering service? Decide by sorting a few weeks of calls by what each caller needed. If most needed a known answer or a booking, start with an AI receptionist. If most needed judgment, reassurance, or a live transfer, keep people on them. If it’s a mix, combine both. | Your situation | Best fit | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Most calls ask about hours, services, prices, or availability | AI receptionist | Written answers and bookings are what AI does best | | Evenings and weekends go to voicemail | AI after hours | Covers the gap without paying for overnight operators | | Your team answers most calls but misses some | AI when unanswered | People first, AI as backup | | Callers often need a live transfer to someone on call | Answering service | InsertChat does not transfer live calls | | Many calls are emotional, unusual, or high-stakes | Answering service or your team | Judgment and empathy matter more than speed | | You need visitors greeted and paperwork handled | In-house receptionist, with AI for overflow | Only a person on site does in-person work | | Calls involve protected health information | AI on a plan with a BAA, or a service with one | HIPAA requires a Business Associate Agreement | | You want calls, chat, texts, and email answered alike | AI front desk | One knowledge base for every channel | If calls involve protected health information, check the vendor’s agreements first. InsertChat’s Enterprise plan can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA); on other plans, keep protected health information out of the assistant. ## What should you ask any provider before signing? Ask every provider, human or AI, the same questions about billing, coverage, booking, handoff, records, and contracts. The answers decide your real price and how your customers are treated, and they make two very different services comparable. 1. **What unit do you bill, and how do you round?** Minutes, calls, callers, or credits, and whether short calls and spam count. 2. **What happens past the allowance?** The overage rate, and whether calls still get answered. 3. **Do nights, weekends, or holidays cost more?** Some plans charge for coverage hours. 4. **Can you book in my calendar?** Ask which calendars and whether booking costs extra per call. 5. **How do urgent calls reach my team?** Live transfer, alerts, or a message, and how fast. 6. **What record do I get?** Message notes, transcripts, or summaries, and where they live. 7. **Can I keep my number?** Forwarding, porting, or a new number. 8. **Will you sign a BAA?** Needed if calls involve protected health information. 9. **What are the contract terms?** Setup fees, minimum terms, and notice periods. 10. **Can I test it first?** A trial with your own test calls. InsertChat offers 7 days of Pro with 500 credits; a card is required at checkout. ## How do you switch from an answering service to an AI receptionist? Switch in stages: turn your answering service’s script into knowledge, set routing and handoff rules, test, then move calls over one slice at a time, starting with after-hours calls. Cancel the service once the new setup has handled real calls the way you want. 1. **Collect what the service knows.** Ask for your current script, call-handling instructions, FAQ answers, and recent message notes. The notes show why people call. 2. **Turn it into knowledge.** Add the script’s answers as questions and answers, along with your website pages and policies. Where the script says “take a message,” list the details the assistant should collect instead. 3. **Set routing and handoff.** Choose a routing mode, list the topics that must reach a person, choose who gets emailed, and write your emergency safety steps. 4. **Connect your number.** In the US and Canada, point your call forwarding at the private routing number InsertChat gives you, and confirm it with the verification call. The [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) list provider steps for carriers such as [AT&T](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att), [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), and [T-Mobile](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile). Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. 5. **Test like a caller.** Run through your most common call reasons, an emergency, a complaint, and a request for a person, then check each transcript and summary in the inbox. 6. **Move one slice first.** Start with after-hours calls, review needs-you conversations daily, and widen the routing once the answers hold up. 7. **Check the contract.** Look for notice periods and minimum terms before you cancel the service. 8. **Brief your team.** Agree who watches the needs-you queue, who returns callbacks, and how quickly. For more setup detail, read the [small business guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-for-small-business) and the [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff). Comparing a specific service? See how InsertChat stacks up against [Ruby](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/ruby) and [Smith.ai](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai). To see calls, bookings, and handoffs first, [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) in a fictional workspace, then start the 7-day free trial from the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing). ## What is the difference between an AI receptionist and an answering service? An answering service uses people, usually remote operators working from your script, who take messages and, depending on the service, book or transfer calls. An AI receptionist is software that answers from your business knowledge, books within your calendar rules, and logs a transcript of every call. AI suits routine calls; people suit judgment calls. ## Is a virtual receptionist the same as an AI receptionist? Not always. “Virtual receptionist” usually means a remote human receptionist service, while an AI receptionist is software that answers calls itself. Some AI products use the virtual receptionist label too, so ask whether a person or software will answer your calls before you compare prices. ## Which costs less, an AI receptionist or an answering service? An AI receptionist, usually by several times. In a worked example of 100 three-minute calls a month using prices listed on October 13, 2026, AI options cost about $70 to $215, while two human services cost $720 plus overage and $915. InsertChat Pro, at $98 a month, covers that volume at the usage estimator’s example rate. ## Can an AI receptionist live-transfer calls like an answering service? It depends on the product. InsertChat does not, so plan around it: put people first with the “AI when unanswered” routing mode, and give the assistant the safety steps and emergency number to read out. Calls that need a person are marked needs-you and emailed to your team. ## Do answering services book appointments? Some do, depending on the service, the plan, and whether operators can work in your calendar; many take a message for your team instead, and some charge per booking. An AI receptionist like InsertChat books directly into the built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com within the rules you set. ## Can an AI receptionist replace a human receptionist? It can take over routine phone work, such as answering common questions, booking within your rules, and collecting caller details. It can’t greet visitors, handle paperwork at the desk, or make judgment calls, so a business with an in-house receptionist can use AI for overflow and after-hours calls instead. ## Can I keep my answering service for emergencies? Yes. Publish a separate emergency number that reaches your service or on-call phone, and add it to the AI receptionist’s safety steps so callers who describe an emergency hear it. Route your main line to the AI, and watch for urgent alerts in the shared inbox. ## Will callers know they are talking to an AI? They will if you tell them, which is good practice. Write a greeting of up to 200 characters that names your business and says the caller is speaking with an AI assistant, then pick one of 10 voices. Callers who ask for a person are flagged for your team under the default handoff rules. ## What should I ask my answering service before switching? Ask for your current script, call-handling instructions, FAQ answers, and recent message notes, and check your contract’s notice period. The script and FAQs become the AI receptionist’s knowledge, and the message notes show which call types to test first. --- # What Is an AI Receptionist? How It Works (2026) Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist > An AI receptionist answers business calls, books appointments, and captures every caller’s details. See how it works, what it costs, its limits, and setup. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-09-28 Updated: 2026-10-13 An AI receptionist is software that answers your business phone calls in a natural voice. It answers questions from your business information, collects caller details, and can book appointments or bring in a person under rules you set. Unlike voicemail, it holds a conversation instead of recording a message. You’ll also see it called an AI phone receptionist, a virtual AI receptionist, an AI answering service, or an AI front desk when it answers chat and messages too. This guide explains how one works on a real call, what it can and can’t do, what it costs in 2026, and how to choose and set one up. Details about InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) are current as of October 13, 2026. ## What does an AI receptionist do, in short? An AI receptionist picks up every call you route to it, works out what the caller wants, and finishes the routine part of the job: it answers the question, books the visit, or takes down the details your team needs. Calls that need a person are flagged with a summary, so nobody starts from scratch. - **What it handles:** questions about hours, location, services, prices you publish, and policies; new bookings and changes; caller details for follow-up; after-hours and overflow calls. - **What it hands to people:** complaints, emergencies, custom quotes, billing disputes, and anything that needs professional judgment. - **What it costs:** most entry plans run $25 to $150 a month on public pricing pages, compared with a median receptionist wage of $38,010 a year, according to the [US Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm). - **Who it suits:** businesses that miss calls while the team is busy, closed, or on site, and whose callers mostly ask routine questions or want appointments. ## How does an AI receptionist work? A call reaches the AI receptionist through a number you set up or forward. A voice AI model listens, works out what the caller needs, and replies using the knowledge and instructions you provided. When a request needs an action, such as booking, it uses only the tools you enabled, then records a summary for your team. Under the hood, four jobs repeat on every turn of the conversation: 1. **Listening.** Speech recognition turns the caller’s words into text the model can work with, even when the caller rambles or changes their mind. 2. **Understanding.** A language model works out the intent (book, reschedule, ask a price, report a problem) and pulls out details such as names, dates, and addresses. 3. **Deciding and acting.** Business rules decide what happens next. The model looks up the answer in your knowledge, checks your calendar, or decides the call belongs with a person. 4. **Replying.** Speech synthesis reads the answer back in a natural voice, and the conversation continues until the caller is done. From the caller’s side, a typical call has four stages: 1. **Connect.** The call arrives on a dedicated business number or is forwarded from your existing line. 2. **Understand.** The receptionist listens to the request and asks follow-up questions when details are missing. 3. **Answer or act.** It answers from your [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge), such as services, hours, service area, and policies, and uses connected actions like calendar booking only within the permissions you set. 4. **Record and hand off.** The conversation appears in your [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with a short internal summary. If a person needs to step in, the conversation is flagged for your team. The answers are only as good as the information behind them, which is why setup starts with knowledge, not the phone number. In InsertChat, the same assistant also answers [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website), [email](https://insertchat.com/product/email), [SMS](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), and [WhatsApp](https://insertchat.com/integration/whatsapp) from the same knowledge. ## What does a call with an AI receptionist sound like? Here is an illustrative after-hours call to Cedar Lane Plumbing, a fictional business. It shows the pattern most calls follow: understand the problem, give the approved answer, collect details, then book or hand off. > Caller (9:40 p.m.): Hi, our water heater is leaking. Can someone come out tomorrow? > > AI receptionist: I can help with that. Is the water spreading, or is it a slow drip into the pan? > > Caller: A slow drip. > > AI receptionist: Thanks. Our team asks callers to turn the water heater’s cold supply valve off until a technician arrives. I have openings tomorrow at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Which works better? > > Caller: 8 a.m. > > AI receptionist: You’re booked for tomorrow at 8 a.m. at 14 Oak Street. I’ll text you a confirmation, and the technician will call when they’re on the way. The safety step, the open times, and the confirmation all come from what the business set up: its written knowledge, its connected calendar, and its booking rules. Had the caller said water was spreading toward an outlet, the receptionist would have read the emergency steps the business wrote and raised an urgent alert for the on-call team instead of booking a morning slot. The next morning, the team sees the call in the inbox with a transcript, an AI summary, the caller’s contact record, and the appointment on the calendar. This is an example workflow, not a customer result. ## What can an AI receptionist do? An AI receptionist can answer routine questions, capture caller details as leads, offer available appointment times, and book, reschedule, or cancel appointments within the permissions you grant. It can also notify your team and flag a conversation when a call needs human judgment. In InsertChat, that covers: - **Answer questions:** opening hours, location, service area, services, preparation instructions, and policies, from the sources you add. - **Capture leads:** the caller’s name, phone number or email, and the details of their request. The receptionist answers questions first and collects contact details when an action or follow-up needs them. [Lead capture](https://insertchat.com/product/lead-capture) explains what gets saved. - **Book appointments:** with [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) enabled, it checks availability, offers a few open times, and creates the appointment after the caller confirms one. It works with the built-in calendar, [Google Calendar](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar), [Outlook](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook), [Calendly](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly), and [Cal.com](https://insertchat.com/integration/cal-com). - **Reschedule and cancel:** it can move or cancel appointments it booked, again only after the caller confirms. - **Send reminders:** customers can get reminders by text or email 72 and 24 hours before an appointment. - **Notify your team:** teammates can be notified when a new contact is captured or an appointment is booked, either immediately or in a daily summary. Urgent calls raise an alert. - **Hand off to a person:** when a call needs your team, it collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails the teammates you chose, and tells the caller your team will follow up. A caller who asks for a callback gets a confirmation by text or email after the call. - **Speak the caller’s language:** it answers in the language the caller speaks. The [bilingual answering](https://insertchat.com/product/bilingual) page covers the options. - **Act in your other tools:** with a connection and your permission, it can work in tools such as [HubSpot](https://insertchat.com/integration/hubspot), [Zoho CRM](https://insertchat.com/integration/zoho), or [Microsoft Dynamics 365](https://insertchat.com/integration/microsoft-dynamics-365). [Actions and approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) explains which actions run automatically and which wait for your team. You decide how booking works: appointment length from 15 minutes to two hours, buffers, minimum notice, how far ahead callers can book, how many times to offer, and the location, whether your address, by phone, an online link, or elsewhere. You can also require the receptionist to repeat the date, time, time zone, service, and contact details before saving. ## What can’t an AI receptionist do? An AI receptionist can’t use judgment it was never given. It shouldn’t quote custom prices it can’t verify, give medical, legal, or financial advice, calm a caller in crisis the way a trained person can, or make commitments your team hasn’t approved. It also can’t answer from information you never added. Plan for these limits before you go live: - **Gaps in knowledge:** if your service area or cancellation policy isn’t written down, the receptionist can’t give it. InsertChat is set to say when information is unavailable instead of guessing, and an uncertain answer triggers a handoff. - **Unusual requests:** a call that doesn’t match anything in your knowledge or rules belongs with a person. Write those topics into your handoff rules. - **Bad lines and background noise:** a poor connection can garble a name or an address. Ask the receptionist to repeat booking details back before saving, and check new contacts in the inbox. - **Emotional calls:** an upset caller should reach a person quickly. The upset-customer rule is on by default. - **Upkeep:** prices, hours, and services change. Someone needs to update the knowledge and read a sample of conversations each week. Some limits are product choices, so ask any vendor directly. InsertChat does not transfer live calls, take voicemail, record calls, or place outbound calls. It keeps a transcript and summary of every call instead, and your phone can ring first so your team takes every call it can reach. ## How does an AI receptionist compare with an answering service, an IVR, or a receptionist? An AI receptionist answers at any hour from the same approved information each time and can act on the request. A human answering service brings empathy and judgment, billed by operator time. An in-house receptionist adds in-person work at a salary. An IVR phone menu or voicemail only routes callers or records messages. | | AI receptionist | Human answering service | In-house receptionist | IVR menu or voicemail | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Who answers | Software, from your knowledge and rules | Remote operators following your script | Your employee | A recording | | Availability | Any hours you route to it, including after hours | Depends on the provider’s staffing and your plan | Their working hours | Always on, but only routes or records | | Routine questions | The same approved answer every time | Depends on the script and the operator | Depends on training | Not answered | | Booking and lead capture | Books within your permissions and logs caller details | Takes messages or books in shared tools, depending on the service | Books with your tools | Caller leaves a message | | Complex or emotional calls | Hands off to a person under your rules | A strength | A strength | Not handled | | Record of each call | Transcript and summary | Operator’s message notes | Whatever gets written down | A recorded message | | Typical cost | $25 to $150 a month at entry level, plus usage | Per minute or per call, often in monthly bundles | Salary, benefits, and cover for time off | Often part of your phone service | Two older tools often get confused with AI receptionists. An IVR (interactive voice response) plays a menu and routes callers by keypad presses or set phrases, so the caller does the sorting. An auto-attendant is a simpler IVR that connects callers to extensions or departments. Neither answers a question or books an appointment. These options aren’t mutually exclusive. You can keep your team on the phones during opening hours and let an AI receptionist take after-hours and overflow calls, with anything sensitive going to a person. The [AI receptionist vs answering service guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service) compares those two in depth, and the [AI call center guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-call-center) shows how the same technology works in larger contact centers. ## What are the benefits of an AI receptionist? The main benefit is coverage: every call you route to it gets an answer, a booking, or a clear next step, including the ones that arrive at 9 p.m. or while your team is with a customer. The other gains follow from that: consistent answers, a written record, and a cost that doesn’t grow with headcount. - **Fewer calls lost to voicemail.** A caller who reaches voicemail often calls the next business on the list. A receptionist that answers and books keeps that customer with you. - **The same answer every time.** Prices you publish, your service area, and your policies come from one approved source, so a new hire’s guess never reaches a customer. - **Bookings without phone tag.** The receptionist offers open times from your real calendar and confirms one on the call. - **A record of every conversation.** Each call has a transcript and a summary attached to the caller’s contact, so the morning starts with a list instead of a pile of voicemails. - **One knowledge base for every channel.** With InsertChat, the caller who texts later or writes on your website gets the same answer they heard on the phone. - **Help in more languages.** The receptionist answers in the caller’s language without a second phone line. - **A predictable bill.** A monthly plan with included usage costs a fraction of a salary, which the [cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) works through. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost? AI receptionist pricing usually follows one of four models: per minute, per call, per unique caller, or a flat monthly plan with included usage. Entry plans on public pricing pages run from about $25 to $150 a month. InsertChat starts at $98 a month for Pro, with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits. A few examples from vendors’ own pricing pages, as listed on October 13, 2026: | Pricing model | Example | Entry price | | --- | --- | --- | | Per call | [Upfirst](https://upfirst.ai/pricing) | $24.95 a month for 30 calls | | Per minute | [Dialzara](https://dialzara.com/pricing.md) | $29 a month for 60 minutes | | Per unique caller | [Goodcall](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing) | $79 a month for 100 unique customers | | Flat plan with allowances | [My AI Front Desk](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing) | $99 a month with 200 voice minutes | | Monthly credits shared across channels | [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | $98 a month with 5,000 credits | Here is how InsertChat meters usage: - **Plans:** Pro, Growth, Scale, and Enterprise each include monthly credits, seats, and assistants; current prices and allowances are on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing). Annual billing is charged upfront at the cost of ten monthly payments. - **Calls:** calls use credits. Each call rounds up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum, so a 20-second call counts as one minute and a 61-second call counts as two. - **Phone numbers:** each paid plan includes one phone number. Additional numbers cost $10 per month each. - **Other usage:** credits also cover written conversations, knowledge processing, and tools, so credits are not a fixed number of messages or minutes. - **Connected services:** SMS, WhatsApp, and other provider services may have their own charges. - **Free trial:** new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits. A card is required at checkout. The [AI receptionist cost guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-cost) compares nine vendors at the same call volume, and the [usage estimator](https://insertchat.com/pricing#usage-estimate) turns your own call count and call length into an estimate. ## Which businesses use AI receptionists? AI receptionists fit businesses whose phones ring while the team is busy with customers: trades on job sites, clinics with a full waiting room, salons mid-appointment, and offices after 5 p.m. Everywhere, routine calls go to the AI and judgment calls go to people. | Business | Calls the AI receptionist takes | Calls that go to a person | | --- | --- | --- | | [Plumbing](https://insertchat.com/industries/plumbing) and [HVAC](https://insertchat.com/industries/hvac) | Service-area questions, booking visits, after-hours intake with the address and problem | Emergencies, quotes for large jobs | | [Dental](https://insertchat.com/industries/dental) and [healthcare](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare) | Hours, insurance questions you’ve answered in writing, new-patient bookings | Clinical questions and anything about a specific patient | | [Salons](https://insertchat.com/industries/salon) and [beauty and wellness](https://insertchat.com/industries/beauty-wellness) | Service menu, prices you publish, booking and moving appointments | Complaints, color corrections, special requests | | [Law firms](https://insertchat.com/industries/legal) and [professional services](https://insertchat.com/industries/professional-services) | Practice areas, office hours, a short intake before a consultation | Legal advice, fees for a specific matter | | [Auto repair](https://insertchat.com/industries/auto-repair) | Hours, services, booking a drop-off | Diagnosis and repair estimates | | [Property management](https://insertchat.com/industries/property-management) | Office hours, showing requests, logging maintenance details | Urgent repairs and lease disputes | These are illustrative workflows, not customer results. The [industries overview](https://insertchat.com/industries) covers more trades, and the [small business guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-for-small-business) walks through which calls to hand over first. ## When should a call go to a person? A call should go to a person when the caller asks for one, when the answer is missing or uncertain, when the receptionist has failed to help twice, when the caller is upset, or when the request falls outside approved permissions. Clear handoff rules are what make an AI receptionist trustworthy. InsertChat includes five handoff rules. Each is on by default, and you can adjust them in your settings: 1. **The customer asks for a person.** The receptionist asks for help whenever the caller clearly requests someone. 2. **The answer is uncertain.** It doesn’t guess when approved information is missing or conflicts. 3. **Two attempts fail.** It stops repeating an answer after the caller says twice that it didn’t help. 4. **The customer is upset.** Threats, severe frustration, or repeated complaints bring in a person. 5. **The action is sensitive or restricted.** It won’t complete actions outside your approved permissions or business rules. Add your own escalation topics on top of those defaults: emergencies, urgent faults, custom quotes, billing disputes, and anything that needs professional judgment. The same caution applies to email. Automatic email replies are off by default; when you turn them on, replies that are uncertain, involve an upset customer or a complaint, or touch payment or legal matters wait for a person. For the handoff itself, tell the caller what happens next, and don’t promise a callback time your team cannot meet. The [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff) explains how to configure and test it. ## Can I keep my business phone number? In the US and Canada, yes. Forward your existing number to the private routing number InsertChat gives you, and a verification call confirms that forwarding works. Elsewhere, give the receptionist a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. The [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) list the steps for [AT&T](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att), [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), [T-Mobile](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile), [RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral), [Rogers](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/rogers), [Bell](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/bell), and [Telus](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/telus). The two approaches suit different situations: - **Forward your existing number:** customers keep calling the number they already know, and your listings and printed materials stay the same. - **Use a new number:** give the receptionist its own line for a new location, a campaign, or a dedicated after-hours line. Each paid plan includes one number; additional numbers are $10 per month. Follow the phone setup in your workspace, then call the number yourself and confirm the call appears in the inbox. ## Is an AI receptionist HIPAA compliant? An AI receptionist is not HIPAA compliant on its own; compliance depends on your agreements with the vendor and how you use the tool. If the receptionist will handle protected health information, HIPAA generally requires a signed agreement with the vendor. InsertChat Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). A BAA is a contract, not a certification. The US Department of Health and Human Services publishes [sample business associate agreement provisions](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/sample-business-associate-agreement-provisions/index.html) that show what one covers. Review yours with your compliance advisor, and apply the same care to how the receptionist is configured: - Don’t add protected health information (PHI) to the receptionist’s knowledge unless you are covered by a BAA. Knowledge should describe your services, hours, and policies, not individual patients. - Limit what the receptionist collects. Booking needs a name, contact details, and a preferred time, not a diagnosis. - Route clinical questions, test results, and anything about a specific patient’s care to a person through your handoff rules. If you need a BAA, [contact us](https://insertchat.com/contact) about an Enterprise plan. ## Is it legal to use an AI receptionist, and should callers know? Answering the calls customers place to you with AI is a common business practice, but tell callers they’re speaking with an AI assistant. Rules on AI voices mostly target calls a business places: in February 2024 the FCC [ruled that AI-generated voices count as “artificial”](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-400393A1.pdf) under the robocall law. Disclosure is simple and builds trust. In InsertChat, write a greeting of up to 200 characters that names the business and says an AI assistant is answering, for example: “Thanks for calling Cedar Lane Plumbing. I’m the team’s AI assistant. I can answer questions, book a visit, or pass a message to the team.” Callers who want a person can say so. If your industry has its own rules on calls or consent, check them with your advisor before you go live. ## How do you choose an AI receptionist? Choose an AI receptionist by testing it on your real calls and asking every vendor the same questions: how it bills, whether you keep your number, which calendars it books into, how it hands calls to people, and what record you get. Price matters less than whether it answers your callers correctly. | Question to ask | Why it matters | InsertChat’s answer | | --- | --- | --- | | What unit do you bill, and how do you round? | Rounding and minimums decide the real price | Monthly credits; calls round up to whole minutes, one-minute minimum | | Can I keep my number? | Customers already know it | Forwarding in the US and Canada; local or toll-free numbers elsewhere; no porting | | Which calendars can it book into? | Booking only helps if it lands in your calendar | Built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com | | How does it bring in a person? | The hard calls decide your reputation | Five default handoff rules, your own topics, email alerts; your phone can ring first; no live transfer | | What other channels does it answer? | Customers text and chat too | Website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge | | Which languages? | Callers won’t switch language for you | Answers in the caller’s language | | What record do I get? | You need to check its work | Transcript and AI summary in a shared inbox, attached to the contact | | Will you sign a BAA? | Required for protected health information | On Enterprise | | Can I try it first? | Test calls beat demos | 7-day free trial with 500 credits; card required | Then place test calls the way your customers would: a routine question, a question your knowledge doesn’t cover, a booking and a change, a request for a person, and an emergency. ## How do I set up an AI receptionist? Set up an AI receptionist in six steps: add your business knowledge, set your hours, choose booking permissions, define handoff rules, run test calls, and go live on one number. Testing before you route customer calls matters most, because it shows you exactly what callers will hear. 1. **Add your knowledge.** Include services, published prices, service area, opening hours, policies, and the questions your team answers most. Add website pages, documents, and FAQs, and wait for each source to finish processing. The [knowledge guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) covers what to include. 2. **Set your hours and greeting.** Business hours shape what the receptionist tells callers and which appointment times it can offer. Pick one of 10 voices and write a greeting that names your business. 3. **Choose booking permissions.** Connect your calendar in [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), decide whether the receptionist can offer times, book, reschedule, and cancel, then set appointment length, buffers, notice, and how far ahead callers can book. 4. **Define handoff rules.** Review the five default rules, add your own escalation topics, and choose who receives notifications when a caller needs a person. 5. **Run test calls.** Call as a customer. Ask a routine question and one your sources don’t answer, book an appointment, change it, and ask for a person. Check each result in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox). 6. **Go live.** Forward your existing number or publish the new one, starting with the calls you miss most, such as [after-hours calls](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours). Review conversations in the first weeks and update your knowledge where answers fall short. The [first-channel guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/connect-your-first-channel) covers phone, website chat, email, and messaging setup in more detail. ## Why choose InsertChat as your AI receptionist? InsertChat is the most complete AI front desk for small businesses. One assistant answers your phone, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from the same knowledge, books into the calendar you already use, and puts every conversation in one shared inbox with the contact attached. Your team decides what it may do and when a person steps in. - **Every channel, one knowledge base.** Update an answer once and every channel uses it. - **Real booking.** Five calendar options, your rules for length, buffers, and notice, and reminders 72 and 24 hours before. - **Your phone first if you want it.** Ring your team for 5 to 60 seconds, then let the AI answer, or let it take only after-hours calls. - **Connected actions.** Work in HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Dynamics 365, Stripe, Square, Zendesk, and more, with approvals where you want them. - **Room to grow.** [White label](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) for agencies, [reports](https://insertchat.com/product/reports) on Scale and Enterprise, and a BAA on Enterprise. [Explore the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) with a fictional business and sample data, compare plans on the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing), and start the 7-day free trial when you’re ready to place your first test call. ## What is an AI receptionist? An AI receptionist is software that answers business phone calls in a natural voice. It answers questions from your business information, collects caller details, and can book appointments or bring in a person under rules you set. Unlike voicemail, it holds a conversation instead of recording a message. ## What is the difference between an AI receptionist and an IVR phone menu? An IVR plays a fixed menu and routes callers by keypad presses or set phrases, so the caller does the sorting. An AI receptionist listens to the request in the caller’s own words, answers from your business information, and can act on it, such as booking an appointment, without a menu tree. ## Is an AI receptionist better than a human answering service? It depends on your calls. An AI receptionist gives consistent answers from your approved information at any hour and books within your permissions, usually for far less per call. A human answering service handles empathy and judgment better. Many businesses combine them: AI for routine and after-hours calls, people for complex ones. ## How much does an AI receptionist cost? Entry plans on vendors’ public pricing pages run from about $25 to $150 a month, billed per minute, per call, per unique caller, or as a flat plan with allowances. InsertChat starts at $98 a month for Pro with one phone number and 5,000 monthly credits; calls round up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum. ## Can an AI receptionist transfer a call to a person? Some can. InsertChat does not transfer a live call; instead, your own phone can ring first, and the AI receptionist answers only when nobody picks up within 5 to 60 seconds. When a caller needs a person, handoff rules flag the conversation for your team, teammates are emailed, and the caller hears that your team will follow up. ## Can an AI receptionist book appointments? Yes, within the permissions you set. With scheduling enabled, InsertChat can offer open times, book after the caller confirms, and reschedule or cancel appointments it created. It works with its built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, and Cal.com, and you control appointment length, buffers, notice, and how far ahead callers can book. ## What languages can an AI receptionist speak? It depends on the product. InsertChat’s AI receptionist answers in the language the caller speaks, so a Spanish-speaking caller hears Spanish and an English-speaking caller hears English, both from the same knowledge. You can also fix the business language if you prefer one language on every call. ## Can I keep my existing business phone number? In the US and Canada, yes: keep your number and forward calls to InsertChat, and a verification call confirms forwarding works. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Will callers know they are talking to an AI? They will if you tell them, and you should. Write a greeting that names your business and says the caller is speaking with an AI assistant. Callers who would rather talk to a person can say so, and the default handoff rules flag the conversation for your team. ## Is an AI receptionist HIPAA compliant? No tool is compliant on its own; it depends on your agreements and how you use it. If the receptionist will handle protected health information, you need a Business Associate Agreement with the vendor. InsertChat Enterprise plans can sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). --- # How to Connect Your First AI Front Desk Channel Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/connect-your-first-channel > Connect your first InsertChat channel: phone, website chat, email, SMS, or WhatsApp. What each needs, which to start with, and a test checklist before launch. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-09-14 Updated: 2026-10-13 Connect one customer channel first, test the complete conversation, then add the next. Start with the channel where your team misses the most questions today, usually the phone. Each channel answers from the same knowledge and lands in the same shared inbox, so the work you do for the first one carries over to the rest. This guide covers which channel to start with, what each one needs in InsertChat, and the checks to run before customers reach the assistant. ## Which channel should you connect first? Start where questions go unanswered today. For most local businesses that is the phone, especially calls after hours or while the team is busy. If most questions arrive while people browse your website, start with website chat. Add email and messaging once the first channel works. | Channel | Start here if | What you need | Learn more | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Phone | Calls go to voicemail after hours or at busy times | A forwarded US or Canadian number, or an InsertChat number | [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) | | Website chat | Visitors ask questions before they book or buy | Access to add the installation code to your site | [Website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) | | Email | Your inbox fills with routine questions | A Gmail or Outlook account you can authorize | [Email](https://insertchat.com/product/email) | | SMS | Customers text your business number | A supported number and region | [SMS](https://insertchat.com/product/sms) | | WhatsApp | Your customers prefer WhatsApp | A WhatsApp Business Account | [WhatsApp](https://insertchat.com/integration/whatsapp) | Provider accounts and connected services may have their own charges. Review the [channel costs](https://insertchat.com/pricing#channel-costs) before enabling a connection. ## Prepare the assistant before connecting customers Add your opening hours, service area, service descriptions, published prices, and common questions to the [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge). Wait for sources to finish processing, then test the assistant’s answers in a test conversation. Configure its name, tone, and handoff behavior. Decide which requests it can handle and which should reach your team. Use the [knowledge preparation guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) if your sources need work. ## How do you connect the phone? Connect the phone by forwarding your existing number or choosing an InsertChat number, then deciding when the AI answers. In the US and Canada, forward your number to the private routing number InsertChat gives you and confirm it with the verification call. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. 1. **Choose the number.** Forward your existing line, or pick a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Each paid plan includes one number; additional numbers are $10 per month. Number porting is not offered. 2. **Set up forwarding.** Use your provider’s dial code or portal setting. The [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) cover [AT&T](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att), [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), [T-Mobile](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile), [RingCentral](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/ringcentral), [Rogers](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/rogers), [Bell](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/bell), and [Telus](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/telus). 3. **Pick a voice and greeting.** Choose one of 10 voices and write a greeting of up to 200 characters that names your business and says an AI assistant is answering. 4. **Choose when the AI answers.** Always, after hours, when your team doesn’t pick up within 5 to 60 seconds, or never. The [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) page explains each mode. 5. **Place a test call.** Call the number yourself and confirm the call appears in the inbox with a transcript and summary. ## How do you connect website chat? Add the installation code from your assistant’s website settings to your site, then match the chat to your brand. The widget answers from the same knowledge as every other channel, and each chat lands in the shared inbox with the visitor’s details. - **Any website:** add the installation code to each page where you want chat, then publish your site. The install guide in your workspace has instructions for common platforms. - **WordPress:** install the [InsertChat WordPress plugin](https://insertchat.com/integration/wordpress) and enter your assistant’s ID, or add the install code with a header and footer code tool. - **Shopify:** follow the [storefront installation guide](https://insertchat.com/integration/shopify). Set the assistant’s name, logo, and colors, use Verify on your website in InsertChat with a public page URL, then open your site in a private window and ask a question as a visitor would. ## How do you connect email, SMS, and WhatsApp? Authorize the account or number for each written channel, then decide how much the assistant may send on its own. Email replies start as drafts for your team, text replies follow your number’s rules, and WhatsApp needs a business account. - **Email:** authorize your [Gmail](https://insertchat.com/integration/gmail) or [Outlook](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook) account and complete the mailbox setup. Automatic replies are off by default. When you turn them on, you can add a sending delay of up to 10 minutes, send only during business hours, and hold back replies that are uncertain, involve an upset customer or a complaint, or touch payment or legal matters. - **SMS:** the assistant replies to texts in two-way conversations and honors STOP and START keywords. Picture messages go to a person. Check your number’s region: UK numbers are voice-only. - **WhatsApp:** connect a WhatsApp Business Account and check its number and regional requirements before going live. ## Connect the tools behind the conversation A customer channel receives the conversation. A connected tool lets your assistant act on it. For example, a phone call can lead to an appointment when you connect [Google Calendar](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar) and enable the relevant [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) actions. Authorize the required account, choose the actions, and decide which need approval. Test those permissions with the specific workflow your customers will use. [Actions and approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) explains how review works. ## Test the complete customer journey Before going live, work through this checklist: 1. Open the website widget, place a test call, or send a message through your configured channel. 2. Ask a routine question and compare the answer with your business information. 3. Ask a question your knowledge doesn’t answer and check that the assistant says so instead of guessing. 4. Confirm the conversation appears in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), with the details your team needs. 5. Ask a question that should trigger [human handoff](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff). Check that a teammate can find and continue the request. 6. If tools are connected, check the proposed action, any required approval, and the result. Resolve missing information or connection issues before opening the channel to customers. Once the flow works, add another channel and repeat these checks. To see a finished setup first, [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) with a fictional business and sample data. ## Which channel should I connect first? Start where your team already loses the most customer questions. For most local businesses that is the phone, especially after-hours and missed calls. If most questions arrive on your website, start with website chat. Connect one channel, test the full conversation, then add the next. ## Can I keep my business phone number? In the US and Canada, yes. Forward your existing number to the private routing number InsertChat gives you, and a verification call confirms it works. Elsewhere, use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. Number porting is not offered. ## Will the AI send emails without my review? Not unless you turn it on. Automatic email replies are off by default. When you enable them, you can add a sending delay, limit sending to business hours, and hold back replies that are uncertain, involve an upset customer or a complaint, or touch payment or legal matters. --- # What Is an AI Front Desk? How InsertChat Works Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/meet-your-ai-front-desk > An AI front desk answers calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp from one knowledge base. Tour how InsertChat’s inbox, booking, and handoff fit together. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-09-14 Updated: 2026-10-13 InsertChat is an AI front desk for calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp. One assistant answers customers from your business knowledge, books appointments in your calendar, captures contact details, and hands conversations to your team in one shared inbox. Your team decides what it may do and when a person steps in. This tour shows how the pieces fit together: conversations, knowledge, appointments, actions, handoff, and the Today view your team starts each morning with. ## What is an AI front desk? An AI front desk is software that answers customer conversations on every channel a business uses, from one set of business knowledge, and works alongside the team in a shared workspace. It covers what a front desk person does on the phone and online: answering questions, booking visits, taking details, and passing on what needs a person. The term overlaps with two others. Here is how they differ: | | AI front desk | AI receptionist | Website chatbot | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Channels | Phone, website chat, email, SMS, WhatsApp | Phone calls | Website chat | | Knowledge | One knowledge base for every channel | Phone answers only | Chat answers only | | Team workspace | Shared inbox, contacts, calendar, approvals | Often call logs or messages | Often a chat history | | Typical use | Every customer conversation in one place | Answering missed and after-hours calls | Answering website visitors | InsertChat’s [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) is the phone channel of its AI front desk, and its [website chat](https://insertchat.com/product/website) is the chat channel. The [what is an AI receptionist guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-receptionist) covers the phone side in depth. ## One place for customer conversations Every conversation, whatever the channel, lands in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) with its history, so your team reviews messages, call transcripts, and requests that need attention in one list. A caller who texts the next day shows up on the same contact. Open a conversation to see what has happened and continue the reply. Internal notes, categories, tags, and saved replies help teammates work together. [Customer contacts](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) keep the details and history your team needs for follow-up, and each call has a transcript and an AI summary. ## Answers from your business knowledge Your assistant answers from the sources you add: website pages, documents, FAQs, product information, and audio and video files in its [knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge). Every channel uses the same knowledge, so an updated price or opening hour reaches calls, chat, and email at once. Set the assistant’s customer-facing name, its tone (warm, professional, or formal), and how long its answers should be. It answers in the customer’s language, and it says when information is unavailable instead of guessing. Test the answers before connecting customers. If an answer is incomplete, update the relevant source and check its processing status. Refresh the knowledge when your business changes. The [knowledge guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) covers what to write. ## From a question to an appointment Consider a homeowner asking whether you service their area and when they can book a visit: 1. The assistant answers the service-area question from your knowledge. 2. It collects the customer’s address, contact details, and request. 3. With the relevant calendar actions enabled, it offers open times and books the one the customer confirms. 4. The customer can get reminders by text or email 72 and 24 hours before the visit. 5. Your team reviews any exception or action that requires approval. This is an example workflow, not a customer result. Its behavior depends on the information, tools, and permissions you configure. Explore [scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling) and [Google Calendar setup](https://insertchat.com/integration/google-calendar) for the next steps; [Outlook](https://insertchat.com/integration/outlook), [Calendly](https://insertchat.com/integration/calendly), [Cal.com](https://insertchat.com/integration/cal-com), and the built-in calendar work too. ## Your team controls actions and handoff Connected apps make specific actions available to the assistant, such as creating a contact or a deal in [HubSpot](https://insertchat.com/integration/hubspot) or checking a calendar. Choose those actions and their permissions before enabling a workflow. [Actions and approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) let your team review work that needs a decision. Five handoff rules are on by default: the customer asks for a person, the answer is uncertain, two attempts fail, the customer is upset, or the action is sensitive or restricted. Add your own topics on top. A conversation can need a human reply while a related action separately waits for approval. Test both with the [human handoff guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff). ## What does your team see each morning? The Today view shows daily metrics, what the assistant handled, upcoming appointments and tasks, and a needs-you queue with handoffs, missed calls, and items waiting for approval. Your team works down that list instead of replaying voicemails. Teammates can also get alerts for urgent conversations, new contacts, and bookings, either immediately or in a daily summary. Scale and Enterprise add [conversation analytics and reports](https://insertchat.com/product/reports) that group conversations by topic, so you can see what customers ask most. ## Try the InsertChat demo [Explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) using Northstar Home Services, a fictional business with sample conversations, appointments, contacts, and knowledge in the InsertChat app. For your own setup, follow the [first-channel guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/connect-your-first-channel). [Compare plans](https://insertchat.com/pricing) for assistant limits, team seats, credits, and features; new customers can try Pro free for 7 days with 500 credits, with a card required at checkout. ## What is an AI front desk? An AI front desk is software that answers customer conversations on every channel a business uses, including phone calls, website chat, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, from one set of business knowledge. It books appointments, captures contact details, and hands conversations to the team in a shared inbox when a person is needed. ## Is an AI front desk the same as an AI receptionist? An AI receptionist usually means the phone part: software that answers business calls. An AI front desk covers the phone plus written channels, with a shared inbox, contacts, and scheduling behind them. InsertChat’s AI receptionist is the phone channel of its AI front desk. ## Does the AI front desk act without my approval? Only within the permissions you set. You choose which actions the assistant may take in each connected tool and which wait for your team’s approval. Five default handoff rules also bring in a person when a customer asks for one, an answer is uncertain, or a request is sensitive. --- # AI Knowledge Base Checklist: What to Add First Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge > Build the knowledge your AI receptionist and chatbot answer from: a checklist of what to add first, source formats, writing tips, and tests before launch. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-09-14 Updated: 2026-10-13 Your AI assistant answers from the business information you give it, so the knowledge base decides whether callers hear a precise answer or “let me have someone call you.” Start with the questions customers ask most, write the answers plainly, check that processing succeeds, and test real customer questions before connecting a channel. This guide gives you a checklist of what to add first, the source formats InsertChat reads, how to write answers an assistant can use, and the tests to run before launch. ## What should you add to the knowledge base first? Add the answers your team gives every day: hours, location, service area, services, published prices, booking and cancellation rules, and how to reach a person. Then add the details that protect customers and your team: emergency safety steps, what the assistant must not promise, and when your team follows up. Use this checklist: - **Opening hours,** including holidays and any after-hours service. - **Location and parking or access notes,** if customers visit you. - **Service area,** listed by town, ZIP code, or radius. - **Services you offer,** and the ones you don’t, so the assistant can say no clearly. - **Prices you publish,** with what they include. Leave custom quotes to your team. - **Booking rules:** typical appointment lengths, what customers should bring or prepare, and deposits. - **Cancellation and rescheduling policy.** - **Emergency safety steps,** such as “leave the building and call 911,” plus your emergency number if you have one. - **Follow-up promise:** when your team returns calls, such as “by 10 a.m. the next business day.” - **Topics for a person:** complaints, billing disputes, custom quotes, and anything that needs professional advice. For each item, record the answer and the source your team uses to confirm it. If the answer depends on a person’s judgment, describe what details the assistant should collect and when it should [hand the conversation to your team](https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff). ## Which source formats should you use? Match the source to the job. Website pages suit published facts, documents suit longer instructions, and question-and-answer pairs suit the questions your website never answers clearly. The [InsertChat knowledge base](https://insertchat.com/product/knowledge) reads all of them and keeps every channel on the same answers. - **Website pages:** service descriptions, opening hours, and published policies. Add pages by crawl or sitemap. - **Documents:** PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, and presentations for longer instructions, price lists, and preparation guides. Scanned images and PDFs are read with text recognition. - **Questions and answers:** specific questions that your website does not answer clearly, written the way customers ask them. - **Product information:** dimensions, materials, compatibility, and other details shoppers need. - **Audio and video files:** recordings such as walkthroughs or explainer videos, transcribed so the assistant can answer from what was said. - **Plain text:** short notes, such as this week’s holiday hours. Check the processing status after adding a source. Wait for successful completion before testing answers that depend on it, and correct failed sources before relying on them. Each plan sets a maximum file size and a number of knowledge sources; the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing) lists them. ## How do you write answers an AI assistant can use? Write each answer the way you’d want it read aloud on a call: specific, short, and complete on its own. “Contact us for service availability” gives the assistant little to work with. “We serve Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park, Monday to Saturday” gives it an answer. A useful question-and-answer pair looks like this: > Question: Do you come out on weekends? > > Answer: Yes, on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park. Sunday visits are for emergencies only; call and the assistant will alert the on-call technician. That example is illustrative; write your own policies. A few more habits help: - **Say what you don’t do.** “We don’t service commercial buildings” stops the assistant from booking the wrong job. - **Give ranges with conditions.** “Drain cleaning starts at $129 for one fixture” is better than a bare number. - **Explain durations and preparation.** For appointments, write the usual length and what the customer should have ready. - **Keep one answer per fact.** Resolve contradictory or outdated answers across sources, so two documents don’t give two prices. - **Leave out private information.** Remove passwords, account credentials, and anything customers should not receive. Health businesses should keep patient details out unless covered by a Business Associate Agreement. ## Test like a customer Use the app’s test conversation, or place a test call, and check these cases: 1. A common question with a clear answer in your sources. 2. A question phrased differently from the source text. 3. A service or product your business does not offer. 4. A request whose answer is missing or uncertain. The assistant should say so instead of guessing. 5. A question that should reach a person. 6. The same question in another language, if your customers use one. The assistant answers in the customer’s language. Compare each response with the source. Fill information gaps or adjust the response configuration, such as tone or answer length, then repeat the affected test. ## Keep answers current When services, opening hours, products, or policies change, update the source and refresh it in InsertChat. Confirm that processing finishes and test the changed answer again. Read a sample of conversations each week at first. Questions the assistant couldn’t answer, and conversations handed off as uncertain, show exactly what to add next. Once the knowledge is ready, [connect your first customer channel](https://insertchat.com/blog/connect-your-first-channel) and recheck the same questions through that channel before going live. To see a finished knowledge base, [explore the demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) with a fictional business and sample data. ## What should an AI receptionist’s knowledge base include? Start with what callers ask most: opening hours, location, service area, services, published prices, booking and cancellation policies, what to bring or prepare, and how to reach a person. Add emergency safety steps and a follow-up promise your team can keep, so the assistant never has to guess. ## Which file types can InsertChat learn from? InsertChat reads website pages by crawl or sitemap, PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, presentations, scanned images, plain text, audio and video files, and question-and-answer pairs. Audio and video are transcribed so the assistant can answer from what was said. Check each source’s processing status before testing. ## How often should I update the knowledge? Update it whenever services, prices, hours, or policies change, and review a sample of conversations each week at first. When a customer asks something the assistant couldn’t answer, add the answer, wait for processing, and test the same question again. --- # AI Chatbot Human Handoff: How to Set It Up Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/set-up-human-handoff > Set up AI-to-human handoff for your chatbot and AI receptionist: five default triggers, handoff messages that work, phone callbacks, alerts, and a test plan. Author: Zakaria Mehbi Published: 2026-09-14 Updated: 2026-10-13 Human handoff lets your team continue a conversation that the AI assistant should not resolve alone. Good handoff has three parts: the trigger that decides when a person steps in, the message the customer hears, and the alert that tells the right teammate what to do next. Plan all three, then test the entire flow on every channel you use. This guide covers InsertChat’s default handoff rules, how to write the handoff message, what happens on phone calls, how alerts and the needs-you queue work, and a test plan to run before going live. ## When should a person step in? A person should step in when the customer asks for one, the answer is missing or uncertain, two attempts have failed, the customer is upset, or the request falls outside the assistant’s permissions. InsertChat turns all five rules on by default; you can adjust each one and add your own topics. | Default rule | What triggers it | | --- | --- | | The customer asks for a person | The customer clearly requests someone | | The answer is uncertain | Approved information is missing or conflicts, so the assistant doesn’t guess | | Two attempts fail | The customer says twice that an answer didn’t help | | The customer is upset | Threats, severe frustration, or repeated complaints | | The action is sensitive or restricted | The request is outside approved permissions or business rules | Then add the situations your team already escalates as handoff topics: emergencies, complaints, custom quotes, billing disputes, refunds, and anything that needs medical, legal, or financial advice. You can also list promises the assistant must never make, such as same-day service or a price for work it hasn’t seen. ## What should the customer hear? The handoff message should tell the customer that a person will help and what happens next, in one or two plain sentences. InsertChat’s default is: “I want to make sure you get the right help. I’m asking a person to join this conversation.” Edit it to match your hours and your follow-up time. A few examples to adapt: - **During opening hours, on chat:** “I’m bringing in someone from our team to help with this. They’ll reply here shortly.” - **After hours, on a call:** “I’ve passed your details to our team. Someone will call you back by 10 a.m. tomorrow.” - **For an emergency:** read your written safety steps first, then say who has been alerted and how they’ll reach the customer. Avoid promising a response time your team cannot meet, especially outside your opening hours. Put the follow-up promise in the assistant’s [knowledge](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) so every channel gives the same one. ## How does handoff work on phone calls? InsertChat does not transfer live calls. On the phone, handoff means the assistant collects the caller’s details and request, marks the conversation needs-you, emails the teammates you chose, and tells the caller your team will follow up. A caller who asks for a callback gets a confirmation by text or email after the call. If your callers expect a person first, put people first in your call routing. With “AI when unanswered,” calls ring your team’s number for 5 to 60 seconds before the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) answers, and calls that reach a staff voicemail box return to the assistant. With “AI after hours,” your team takes calls during opening hours and the assistant takes the rest. The [after-hours answering](https://insertchat.com/product/after-hours) page explains both. For emergencies, write the safety steps the assistant should read, including any emergency number, and make the topic a handoff trigger. An urgent call raises an alert so the on-call person sees it first. ## How does handoff work on email and messages? On website chat, SMS, and WhatsApp, a teammate can pick up the conversation in the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox) and reply in the same thread. On email, automatic replies are off by default; when you turn them on, replies that are uncertain, involve an upset customer or a complaint, or touch payment or legal matters wait for a person. You can also add a sending delay to automatic email replies and limit them to business hours, so your team has a chance to step in before a reply goes out. ## Keep the conversation and context available In the [shared inbox](https://insertchat.com/product/inbox), a teammate should be able to see what the customer asked, what the assistant answered, and the details already collected. Calls include a transcript and an AI summary. Use internal notes for information intended for teammates. Keep those notes separate from customer-facing replies. Categories and tags help organize requests, while saved replies can support consistent responses without losing the customer’s specific question. Review the [contact record](https://insertchat.com/product/crm) for relevant history and appointments before continuing the conversation. ## Who gets alerted, and where? Choose which teammates are emailed when a conversation needs a person. Each handoff also lands in the needs-you queue on the Today view, next to missed calls and actions waiting for approval, so whoever opens the workspace sees what to handle first. Teammates can also be notified when a new contact is captured or an appointment is booked, either immediately or in a daily summary, and urgent conversations raise an alert. Decide who owns the needs-you queue each morning and who covers evenings and weekends. ## Separate human handoff from action approval A conversation may need a person to reply. A tool action may need a person to authorize it. Check both parts of the workflow. For example, a customer can receive an answer about your booking process while a calendar action still waits for approval. Review Today and the relevant action details to find work that needs a decision. See [actions and approvals](https://insertchat.com/product/automations) for how connected tools fit into the workspace. Texts and emails the assistant proposes to send always need review and the customer’s consent. Choose which supported actions can run automatically and which should wait for review. Test the permissions for each connected tool before relying on the workflow. ## Run a handoff test Use the channel your customers will use and work through these checks: 1. Ask for a person directly and confirm the conversation is marked needs-you. 2. Ask a question your knowledge doesn’t answer and check that the assistant hands off instead of guessing. 3. Say twice that an answer didn’t help and confirm the handoff. 4. Read the assistant’s message and check that it explains the next step accurately. 5. Find the request in the inbox and confirm the teammate you chose was emailed. 6. Check that the teammate can see the history and collected details, then continue the reply. 7. Describe an emergency on a test call and confirm the safety steps and the urgent alert. 8. If a tool action is pending, review it separately and confirm its outcome. Repeat with a request outside business hours. Update the instructions or [business knowledge](https://insertchat.com/blog/prepare-your-assistants-knowledge) when the result is unclear. [Explore the InsertChat demo](https://insertchat.com/demo) for sample conversations and actions, or return to the [channel setup guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/connect-your-first-channel) before going live. ## What is human handoff in an AI chatbot? Human handoff is the point where an AI assistant stops answering on its own and brings a person into the conversation, with the history and collected details attached. Good handoff rules decide when it happens, what the customer hears, and which teammate is alerted, so nobody has to repeat themselves. ## When should an AI assistant hand off to a person? When the customer asks for a person, the answer is missing or uncertain, two attempts have failed, the customer is upset, or the request falls outside approved permissions. InsertChat turns on all five rules by default. Add your own topics, such as emergencies, custom quotes, complaints, and billing disputes. ## Can InsertChat transfer a phone call to my team? Not during a live call. Your phone can ring first instead, with the “AI when unanswered” setting ringing your team for 5 to 60 seconds before the assistant answers. When a caller needs a person, the assistant collects the details, marks the conversation needs-you, emails your chosen teammates, and tells the caller your team will follow up. --- # Best Answering Service for Small Business (2026): Live, AI, and Hybrid Options Compared by Call Volume and Real Monthly Cost Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/best-answering-service-small-business > Compare the best answering service for small business: live, AI, and hybrid options priced at 100, 200, and 500 calls a month, plus billing traps to avoid. Author: InsertChat Team Published: 2026-10-21 For most small businesses taking up to a few hundred calls a month, an AI answering service is the best value: at 100 calls a month, published AI plans run about $70 to $150, while live receptionist services run about $400 to $1,200 for the same calls. A live or hybrid service is worth the extra cost when your callers regularly need human judgment, such as legal intake, upset customers, or emergency triage that can't wait for a callback. This guide compares live, AI, and hybrid answering services on the prices each vendor publishes, checked on October 20, 2026. It works out what each one costs at 100, 200, and 500 calls a month, explains the billing models that make a cheap plan expensive, and ends with a five-step way to pick the right option for your call volume. ## The short answer: best answering service by situation The right answering service depends less on the brand and more on two numbers: how many calls you get and what those calls need. Use this table to find your starting point, then check the cost tables below for your volume. | Your situation | Best type | Services to shortlist | Typical cost at 100 calls/month | |---|---|---|---| | Low volume, mostly messages and bookings | AI, billed per call or per caller | Upfirst, Goodcall, Quo Sona | About $70–$80 | | Moderate volume, want booking plus website chat and texts | AI front desk with one shared allowance | InsertChat, Frontdesk, Nextiva XBert | About $98–$115 | | Callers need a person (intake, complaints, judgment calls) | Live receptionists | PATLive, MAP Communications, Posh, Ruby | About $400–$1,160 | | Mostly routine calls, some that need a human | Hybrid (AI first, human backup) | Smith.ai, Abby Connect, AnsweringService.com | About $210 and up | | Only want messages taken, at the lowest price | Pay-as-you-go message taking | AnsweringService.com MessageExpress, ReceptionHQ | About $170–$225 | One hundred calls a month is roughly four to five calls per business day. If that's you, the low-volume rows are where the savings are. ## Live, AI, and hybrid answering services: what's the difference? A live answering service uses human receptionists in a call center who answer in your business name, take messages, and often transfer calls or book appointments. An AI answering service uses software with a natural-sounding voice that answers from your business information, books appointments, and sends you a summary. A hybrid service puts AI on the first answer and hands some calls to a human. | | Live receptionists | AI answering service | Hybrid | |---|---|---|---| | Who answers | Trained people, usually US-based | Software voice | AI first, people for escalations | | Typical billing | Per minute or per call, bundles with overage | Per call, per minute, per caller, or flat | Mixed: AI rate plus human rate | | Cost per 3-minute call | About $4 to $15 on entry plans | About $0.50 to $2 | Somewhere between | | Strengths | Empathy, judgment, warm transfers | Answers instantly, 24/7, books while the caller is on the line, cheap at volume | Routine calls cost less, hard calls still reach a person | | Weak spots | Cost climbs fast; billing adds wrap-up time and spam calls | Some callers hang up on a bot; only as good as the information you give it | More moving parts, often quote-only pricing | For a deeper look at the trade-offs, see our [comparison of AI and human receptionists](https://insertchat.com/blog/ai-receptionist-vs-human-receptionist). ## What each option really costs at 100, 200, and 500 calls a month At 100 calls a month, the cheapest published AI plans cost under $100, and the cheapest live plans with transfers cost around $400 to $480. The gap widens with volume: at 500 calls, AI plans run about $130 to $800, while live services run about $1,200 to $4,900. ![Three stacks of coins increasing in height next to a desk phone and a printed invoice, showing how answering service costs rise with call volume](https://api-v3.trafficwins.com/media/articles/451839df-b628-4a0b-aa9c-23df39f1bbbe/451af01ac4a015245614d7564c78c6e6eda138a9f688a316cbda7c905c52c6a0.png) *Live services cost several times more than AI at every volume, and the gap widens as calls increase.* The tables below use each vendor's published pricing as of October 20, 2026, a three-minute average call (so 300, 600, and 1,500 minutes), the cheapest plan plus overage for each volume, and monthly billing before taxes. Every call is treated as billable, so real bills can be higher (spam, rounding, surcharges) or lower (spam exclusions, repeat callers). Treat these as planning numbers, not quotes. ### Live answering services | Service | How it bills | 100 calls | 200 calls | 500 calls | |---|---|---|---|---| | [AnsweringService.com](https://www.answeringservice.com/terms-conditions/) MessageExpress (messages only) | Per call | $170 | $315 | $735 | | [AnsweringService.com](https://www.answeringservice.com/terms-conditions/) Answer (adds transfers) | Per call | $250 | $495 | $1,205 | | [MAP Communications](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/) | Minute bundle, $1.28–$1.37/min overage | $403 | $777 | $1,929 | | [PATLive](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/) | Minute bundle, $1.69–$2.99/min overage | $479 | $938 | $2,344 | | [Posh](https://www.posh.com/pricing) | Minute bundle, $1.90–$2.30/min overage | $630 | $1,170 | $2,850 | | [Abby Connect](https://www.abby.com/pricing/) (human minutes) | Minute bundle | $899 | $1,656 | $4,140 (quote likely) | | [Smith.ai](https://smith.ai/pricing/receptionists) virtual receptionists | Per call, $8.50–$11.50 overage | $915 | $1,965 | $3,800 | | [Ruby](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/) | Minute bundle, $3.30–$5.40/min overage | $1,160 | $2,125 | $4,945 | Notes that change the math: - **AnsweringService.com** adds an after-hours surcharge of $0.20 to $0.30 per call outside 5am–7pm Monday to Friday, Phoenix time, per its [terms and conditions](https://www.answeringservice.com/terms-conditions/). MessageExpress takes messages only; it doesn't transfer calls. - **Ruby** publishes its overage rates in its [help center](https://rubyhelpcenter.helpjuice.com/billing-plans/am-i-on-the-right-billing-plan) rather than on the pricing page, and you can't downgrade until you've stayed on a plan for three billing cycles. - **Smith.ai** charges extra for some features on its human plans: +$1.00 per call for a Spanish line and +$1.50 per call for appointment booking. - **Davinci Virtual** starts at $129 for 50 minutes, but its [FAQ](https://www.davincivirtual.com/faq/receptionist-services) says the live team answers 8am–8pm Eastern; outside those hours, coverage is automated. There's also a $95 setup fee. - **AnswerConnect** and **Nexa** don't publish prices on their sites, so you'll need a quote. If you're weighing two of the best-known live services, our [Ruby vs PATLive breakdown](https://insertchat.com/compare/ruby-vs-patlive) shows the minute math side by side, and the [answering service pricing guide](https://insertchat.com/blog/answering-service-pricing) covers per-minute bundles, pay-as-you-go, and per-call plans in more depth. ### AI answering services | Service | How it bills | 100 calls | 200 calls | 500 calls | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Quo (OpenPhone) Sona](https://www.quo.com/pricing) plus one $19 Starter seat | Per call, in add-on tiers | $68 | $118 | $218 | | [Upfirst](https://upfirst.ai/pricing) | Per call; spam not billed | $69.95 | $159.95 | $299 | | [Goodcall](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing) | Per unique caller each month | $79 | $129 | $129 | | [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | Monthly credits shared by calls and messages | $98 | $198 | $498 | | [Jodie](https://heyjodie.com/en-us/pricing/) Professional | Flat monthly | $99 | $99 | $99 (check fair-use limits) | | [Marlie](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing) | Minute bundle, $0.25–$0.35/min overage | $99 | $134 | $349 | | [Nextiva XBert](https://www.nextiva.com/products/ai-receptionist) | Per interaction, $0.99 overage | $99 | $198 | $495 | | [Frontdesk (My AI Front Desk)](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing) | Minutes plus credits, $0.25/min after | $114 | $189 | About $414 | | [Dialzara](https://dialzara.com/pricing) | Minute bundle, $0.35–$0.48/min overage | $135 | $239 | $524 | | [Rosie](https://heyrosie.com/pricing) | Minute bundle | $149 | $149 | $299 | | [Smith.ai AI Receptionist](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist) | Per call, $1.60–$3.00 | $212.50 | $385 | About $800 | Notes that change the math: - **Cheapest isn't always comparable.** Marlie's $49 Basic plan and Jodie's $49 Basic plan don't include transfers or booking, so the table uses the plans that do. Rosie's live transfers and direct calendar booking start on its $149 Scale plan. - **Goodcall** counts each phone number once per month, so repeat callers cost nothing extra; at 500 calls from fewer than 500 people, it can be the cheapest option here. It books into Google Calendar only. - **Quo Sona** needs a Quo phone plan. Call transfers are listed under the $33 Business plan, so budget for that seat if you need them. - **Jodie** advertises unlimited minutes, but its US service page mentions a 1,000-call fair-use cap while its pricing FAQ says volume isn't capped. Ask before you rely on it at high volume. - **Rosie** doesn't publish what happens when you go past your minutes. Ask whether it upgrades your plan automatically. - **InsertChat** figures assume the [pricing page](https://insertchat.com/pricing) estimator's example rate of 12 credits per billable call minute: 300 minutes fit in Pro's 5,000 credits, 600 minutes in Growth's 10,000, and 1,500 minutes in Scale's 25,000. Credits aren't a fixed number of minutes; usage depends on your model and setup. The same credits also cover website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp. For comparison, a full-time receptionist earns a median $18.27 an hour, according to the [Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 data)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm), or about $3,168 a month before benefits and payroll taxes. ## Why the pricing model matters more than the starting price How a service counts usage decides your bill more than its headline price does. A $65 plan billed per minute can cost more than a $150 plan billed per call once your phone gets busy, and spam calls, rounding, and surcharges can add 20% or more on top. The five billing models you'll see: 1. **Per minute with a bundle.** You buy a block of minutes (Ruby, PATLive, Posh, MAP) and pay a set rate per minute after it. Long calls and chatty callers raise your bill. 2. **Per call.** You pay for each call answered (Smith.ai, Upfirst, Quo Sona, AnsweringService.com). Predictable if your calls are long, expensive if you get lots of short ones. 3. **Per unique caller.** Each number counts once a month, however often it calls (Goodcall). Good for businesses where the same customers call back. 4. **Flat monthly.** One price regardless of volume (Jodie). Check fair-use terms. 5. **Shared credits.** One monthly allowance covers calls and written conversations (InsertChat, Frontdesk's credit pool, Nextiva's interactions). Simpler if you also want chat and texting answered. The extras that turn a quote into a surprise: - **Rounding and wrap-up time.** Ask whether each call rounds up to the next minute or 30 seconds, and whether the receptionist's time writing up your message after the call is billed. PATLive says it bills only the time the receptionist is live on the call. - **Spam and robocalls.** Forwarded business lines attract them, and many services bill each one. Upfirst says it doesn't bill spam or calls under 15 seconds, Goodcall excludes spam and wrong numbers, and [ReceptionHQ](https://www.receptionhq.com/) doesn't charge for calls under 5 seconds or calls its receptionists flag as telemarketing. - **After-hours and holiday charges.** Some services add per-call surcharges at night or daily fees on holidays. Others, including PATLive, Abby Connect, and Ruby, say they don't. - **Paid add-ons.** Bilingual answering, appointment booking, extra transfer numbers, and setup can each cost extra. Smith.ai lists a Spanish line and booking as per-call add-ons; PATLive includes both on every plan. - **Cancellation terms.** Several services require 30 days' notice. Read how cancellation works before you sign up for a trial. ## Live answering services worth shortlisting Live services cost more per call, but a trained person can calm an upset caller, follow a complex script, and transfer a hot lead to your cell. These are the strongest published options for small businesses. - **[PATLive](https://www.patlive.com/pricing/)**: The strongest value among live services with full features. Plans run from $49 pay-as-you-go ($2.99 a minute) to $1,499 for 1,000 minutes, and bilingual answering, booking, and transfers come on every plan. A 14-day free trial and no contracts. - **[MAP Communications](https://www.mapcommunications.com/pricing/)**: The lowest per-minute overage among the live services here ($1.28 on its larger plans). Appointment scheduling and custom scripts can cost more, so get those priced up front. - **[Posh](https://www.posh.com/pricing)**: US receptionists available 24/7/365, English and Spanish, no setup fees, and a trial of 7 days or 250 minutes. Pricing took effect January 1, 2026, starting at $65 a month with no minutes included. - **[Ruby](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)**: The premium choice, widely used by law firms and agencies, with 24/7 bilingual answering. It's the most expensive per minute here ($250 for 50 minutes), so it makes sense when the caller experience is worth the price. - **[Smith.ai](https://smith.ai/pricing/receptionists)**: Per-call billing from $300 for 30 calls, with spam and wrong numbers not counted. Useful when your calls run long, since minutes don't matter. Our [Smith.ai alternative guide](https://insertchat.com/alternatives/smith-ai) compares its AI and human plans. - **[AnsweringService.com](https://www.answeringservice.com/pricing)**: The cheapest way to get a person answering, if you only need messages. Pay-as-you-go MessageExpress is $20 a month plus $2.10 per call in its terms; a 7-day free trial needs no card. ## AI answering services worth shortlisting AI services answer every call instantly, at any hour, and bill a fraction of live rates. The best ones book appointments during the call and send you a transcript and summary. Shortlist based on how you're billed and which calendar or CRM you need connected. - **[Upfirst](https://upfirst.ai/pricing)**: Per-call plans from $24.95 for 30 calls, live warm transfers and booking on every plan, 35+ languages, and spam not billed. A 14-day trial with no card. A strong default for low-volume businesses. - **[Goodcall](https://www.goodcall.com/pricing)**: Billed per unique caller ($79 for 100, $129 for 500), with transfers to up to three people. Booking is Google Calendar only, and it can send texts but can't yet receive replies. - **[Quo Sona](https://www.quo.com/pricing)**: Best if you already use Quo (formerly OpenPhone) for your business line. It books by texting a link rather than writing to your calendar directly. - **[Marlie](https://www.marlie.ai/pricing)**: Built for trades, with field-service connections like ServiceTitan and Housecall Pro and the ability to text callers a location link. Transfers and calendar sync start at $99. - **[Smith.ai AI Receptionist](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)**: Free for 25 calls, then per-call plans from $150. Its draw is the option to hand calls to Smith.ai's live receptionists, so ask how those handoffs are billed. - **[InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/product/phone)**: An AI receptionist plus website chat, texting, email, and WhatsApp from one knowledge base, starting at $98 a month. More on where it fits, and where it doesn't, below. ## Hybrid setups: AI first, people when it counts A hybrid setup lets AI handle routine calls (hours, prices, bookings, messages) and puts a person on the calls that need one. You can buy hybrid from one vendor or build it yourself by having your own team's phones ring first and letting AI catch what goes unanswered. ![A smartphone receiving a call next to a receptionist with a headset and a laptop inbox, illustrating AI answering routine calls and handing others to a person](https://api-v3.trafficwins.com/media/articles/451839df-b628-4a0b-aa9c-23df39f1bbbe/8cedf58ed23f0b0c7dcf2675049b6fa87a2d83c173b556f549dd326b55e588d5.png) *Ringing your team first and letting AI catch unanswered calls is often the cheapest hybrid.* Vendor-run hybrid options: - **[Abby Connect](https://www.abby.com/pricing/)** measures usage in "Abby Minutes" that cover both: a human minute uses one, an AI minute uses half. Plans run from $164 for 50 minutes to $1,380 for 500, month to month with no setup fee. - **[Smith.ai](https://smith.ai/hybrid-ai-human-receptionists)** advertises hybrid AI-plus-human answering from $2.50 a call, but pricing for that tier is by quote. - **AnsweringService.com and ReceptionHQ** both offer AI answering with a live team behind it, including bilingual English and Spanish AI receptionists at ReceptionHQ. The do-it-yourself version is often cheaper. Many AI services can ring your team first and answer only if nobody picks up. InsertChat, for example, can ring your phones for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI answers, or answer only after hours. Regular customers still reach your staff, and nobody gets voicemail. Why hybrid matters: callers want a way out. In Gartner's 2026 survey of 3,566 customers, [87% said companies using generative AI for service must offer access to a human agent](https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-08-04-gartner-survey-finds-87-percent-of-customers-say-companies-using-genai-for-customer-service-must-provide-access-to-a-human-agent0). A [Five9 survey by Hanover Research](https://www.five9.com/news/news-releases/new-five9-research-ai-adoption-cx-hits-92-consumer-trust-still-depends-human) of 3,000 consumers found 71% think it's very or extremely important to know when they're talking to AI. Say it's an AI assistant in the greeting, and make sure anything the AI can't handle reaches a person fast. ## How to choose for your call volume Pick an answering service by counting your calls, sorting them by what they need, and pricing your actual volume, not the plan's starting price. This five-step process takes about an hour. ![A printed phone call log with highlighted rows beside a calculator and notepad, representing counting and sorting a month of business calls](https://api-v3.trafficwins.com/media/articles/451839df-b628-4a0b-aa9c-23df39f1bbbe/ede39cfc8b5bc30764d8bc04a9a5f03f81a0eb12c3f2420874a645f2cbf060cf.png) *Thirty days of call logs tell you which billing model will cost least.* 1. **Count 30 days of calls and minutes.** Pull the call log from your carrier or phone system. Note total calls, average length, and how many came after hours. Strip out obvious spam; that's the volume a good service shouldn't bill you for. 2. **Sort calls by what they need.** Put each call in one of three buckets: message only ("call me back"), answer or book (hours, prices, appointments), and needs judgment (emergencies, complaints, legal or medical intake). Most small businesses find the first two buckets are the majority. 3. **Match the type to the mix.** Mostly messages and bookings: AI. A meaningful share of judgment calls: live or hybrid. After-hours only: AI after hours, or a pay-as-you-go live plan for low volume. 4. **Price your volume plus a buffer.** Work out each shortlisted plan at your monthly calls plus 30% for busy seasons, including overage, add-ons, and surcharges. Use the tables above as a starting point. 5. **Trial with real scenarios.** Most of these services offer a free trial. Forward your line after hours and place test calls: a new customer, an emergency, a caller who spells a hard name, a Spanish speaker, and someone demanding a person. Check what lands in your inbox and how fast. | Calls per month | Usually the best value | Watch out for | |---|---|---| | Under 50 | Per-call AI (Upfirst Starter, Smith.ai free tier) or pay-as-you-go live messages | Monthly minimums that cost more than the calls | | 50–150 | AI plans from about $70–$150, or a live 300-minute plan around $400–$480 if you need people | Per-minute overage on short, frequent calls | | 150–300 | AI plans from about $120–$200; hybrid if some calls need judgment | Live bundles jump to $900+ at this volume | | 300+ | Per-caller or flat AI plans, or a negotiated live contract | Fair-use caps and quote-only tiers | ## Do missed calls justify the cost? What the data actually says Yes for most businesses, if each booked call is worth more than a few dollars. But be careful with the missed-call statistics answering services quote. The most-repeated one, that 62% of calls to small businesses go unanswered, comes from a [2016 study by 411 Locals](https://411locals.us/small-business-owners-dont-answer-62-of-phone-calls/) that tracked just 85 businesses for 30 days. It found 37.8% of calls answered, 37.8% sent to voicemail, and 24.3% unanswered. Another popular claim, that 85% of callers won't call back, has no traceable original study. More recent figures come from call-tracking vendors with large datasets. [Invoca's 2026 Lead Conversion Benchmarks Report](https://www.invoca.com/reports/the-invoca-lead-conversion-benchmarks-report-2026), covering more than 70 million calls across 10 industries, found 56% of callers to businesses speak with a person. CallRail [reports](https://www.callrail.com/blog/how-to-close-missed-call-customer-gap) that 28% of inbound calls go unanswered on average across its customers. Both skew toward businesses that already track calls. Your own numbers matter more. A quick estimate: missed calls per month × the share that would have booked × your average job value. A hypothetical business missing 30 calls a month, where one in three would have booked a $300 job, is leaving about $3,000 a month on the table. Plug in your own figures with the [missed call calculator](https://insertchat.com/tools/missed-call-calculator). ## Questions to ask before you sign Get these answers in writing during the trial. They're where most billing complaints and switching stories start. - How do you round calls, and is after-call wrap-up time billed? - Do spam calls, robocalls, wrong numbers, and hang-ups count against my plan? - Are there after-hours, weekend, or holiday surcharges? - What happens when I go over my plan: overage rate, automatic upgrade, or a cap? - Are bilingual answering, booking, and call transfers included, or paid add-ons? - Can I keep my business number? (Most services work by [call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding), which you can turn off in minutes.) - Do you send usage alerts before I hit overage? - How much notice do I need to give to cancel, and how do I cancel? - For AI: which calendars and CRMs does it write to directly, can it transfer a live call, and how does it hand off calls it can't handle? ## Compliance basics: recording, healthcare, and AI disclosure Most small businesses need to check three things: whether calls are recorded (and who must consent), whether the service will sign a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement if you handle patient information, and how the greeting discloses AI. This is general information, not legal advice; check with counsel for your industry and state. - **Recording consent.** According to the [Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press](https://www.rcfp.org/introduction-to-reporters-recording-guide/), about 11 states, including California, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Washington, primarily require every party's consent to record. If your service records calls, make sure the greeting announces it. - **Healthcare.** Under [HHS guidance on business associates](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/business-associates/index.html), a vendor that creates, receives, maintains, or transmits protected health information for a practice needs a Business Associate Agreement. Ask which plan includes a BAA before you forward patient calls. - **AI voices.** The FCC's [February 2024 declaratory ruling](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-17A1.pdf) (FCC 24-17) confirmed AI-generated voices count as "artificial" under the TCPA, so outbound AI calls need prior consent. In its [August 2024 proposal](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-84A1.pdf) (FCC 24-84), the FCC noted the TCPA's requirements don't extend to technology used to answer inbound calls. Some states have their own AI disclosure rules, so an honest greeting is the safe default. ## Where InsertChat fits InsertChat is an AI front desk for businesses that want calls answered and booked 24/7, with website chat, texts, email, and WhatsApp handled from the same knowledge base and shared inbox. It's a good fit for low-to-moderate call volume where the AI can resolve routine calls and your team follows up on the rest. It isn't the right pick if you need live call transfers. What the [AI receptionist](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) does: - Answers from your services, hours, prices, and policies, in the caller's language, with a choice of 10 voices and a greeting of up to 200 characters. - Books, reschedules, and cancels appointments in its built-in calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com, with appointment lengths from 15 to 120 minutes. - Answers every call, only after hours, only when your team doesn't pick up within 5 to 60 seconds, or not at all (team only). - Keeps your US or Canadian number through forwarding; elsewhere, you use a local or toll-free InsertChat number. Every paid plan includes one number, and extra numbers are $10 a month. - Sends every call to the shared inbox with a transcript, AI summary, and the caller's contact record, and flags calls that need a person. What it doesn't do: it doesn't transfer live calls, take voicemail, record calls, or place outbound calls, and number porting isn't offered. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes their details, marks the conversation for your team, and tells the caller someone will follow up. If your workflow depends on warm transfers to an on-call tech or attorney, Upfirst, Goodcall, or a live service like PATLive will fit better. Medical practices should note that Business Associate Agreements are available on Enterprise plans only; see the [medical answering setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/healthcare) for details. On cost, Pro is $98 a month with 5,000 credits; at the pricing page's example rate, that's about 416 call minutes, or roughly $0.71 for a three-minute call, with chat and messaging on the same plan. Calls round up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum. To test it on your own calls, [start your 7-day free trial](https://insertchat.com/pricing) on Pro with 500 credits (a card is required, and the plan starts when the trial ends unless you cancel). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a free answering service for small business? A few services have free tiers, but they're small. Smith.ai's AI Receptionist is free for 25 calls a month, then $3 a call, and Quo's Sona agent includes 10 calls on a Quo phone plan. Most other services offer free trials of 7 to 14 days instead. For genuinely free coverage, voicemail with transcription is the fallback, though many callers won't leave a message. ### Can I keep my business phone number with an answering service? Usually, yes. Most answering services, live and AI, work through call forwarding: you keep publishing your number and forward all calls, after-hours calls, or unanswered calls to the service. Forwarding can be switched off in minutes, which makes trials low-risk. Some services also offer new local or toll-free numbers, and a few support porting your number over. ### What's the difference between an answering service and a virtual receptionist? The terms overlap. A traditional answering service mainly takes messages and passes them on, often around the clock. A virtual receptionist does more of what an in-office receptionist would: answering questions, booking appointments, screening and transferring calls. Many providers now sell both levels, and AI services typically do receptionist-style work at answering-service prices. ### Do answering services charge for spam calls? It depends on the provider, and it's one of the most common billing complaints. Upfirst says it doesn't bill spam or calls under 15 seconds, Goodcall excludes spam and wrong numbers, Smith.ai doesn't count spam or wrong numbers on its receptionist plans, and ReceptionHQ skips calls under 5 seconds. Others bill every answered call, so ask before you forward your line. --- # White Label AI Receptionist: How Agencies Choose a Platform, Price It, and Protect Margins (2026) Source: https://insertchat.com/blog/white-label-ai-receptionist > Compare white label AI receptionist platforms on branding, billing, and per-minute cost, then price client packages with real margin math. 2026 guide. Author: InsertChat Team Published: 2026-10-20 A white label AI receptionist is an AI phone assistant your agency sells to local businesses under your own brand. The platform runs the voice, the phone lines, and the AI models. You own the client relationship, the price, and the invoice. Picking a platform comes down to three checks: how completely it hides itself, what each client really costs you per month, and which limits you'll have to explain to clients before go-live. This guide covers each check in turn. It starts with a nine-point white label checklist and a comparison of the main agency platforms, using prices checked on their official pages in October 2026. Then it builds a per-client cost model, a pricing structure for client packages, and a worked margin example. It ends with the capability and compliance limits every client should hear about up front. ## What clients and callers actually see With a full white label, nobody outside your agency sees the vendor. Callers hear the client's business name. The client sees your logo and your domain when they log in. Notifications and invoices come from you. With a partial white label, the vendor shows up somewhere, usually as a "powered by" badge on the chat widget, a vendor URL on the dashboard, or a vendor sender address on emails. ![A smartphone, laptop chat widget, tablet inbox, and printed invoice arranged together, representing every place a client or caller meets a white label AI receptionist](https://api-v3.trafficwins.com/media/articles/97078a0a-29ba-4d73-aac4-5ad344afb9ba/41b9a8c65f5f4ea6cf92b56aab023129740df8a2f91d90542daee05bf10ac74b.png) *Check each surface for vendor branding during your trial, not after you sign.* Check every surface a client or caller touches before you sign: | Touchpoint | Who sees it | Full white label | Common leak | |---|---|---|---| | Phone greeting and voice | Callers | Client's business name, a voice you choose | The assistant names its vendor when a caller asks "what are you?" | | Website chat widget | Site visitors | Client's logo and colors, no badge | A "powered by" badge, or a badge that only goes away on a higher plan | | Client dashboard and login | Client staff | Your logo on your domain (for example, app.youragency.com) | Vendor URL or vendor logo on the sign-in page | | Notification and summary emails | Client staff | Sent from your domain | Vendor sender name or footer | | Invoice | Client owner | Your company, your price | The vendor bills the client, or its name appears on the invoice | A quick test during any trial: ask the assistant who built it, open a shared link, trigger a notification email, and check where each one points. ## The white label checklist: 9 things to verify before you sign "White label" covers anything from a logo swap to a fully rebranded product with your own billing. These nine questions separate the two. Ask them in writing and get the answers tied to a specific plan, because many vendors keep the full rebrand for a higher tier. ### 1. Is the vendor badge removed, and on which plan? Some platforms remove the badge on every paid plan. Others only do it on an agency tier. Vendasta's Starter partner tier, for example, is co-branded with Vendasta; renaming the app and using a custom domain start at its Professional tier, according to [Vendasta's pricing page](https://www.vendasta.com/pricing/). ### 2. Can you run it on your own domain? A proper custom domain setup has you verify ownership with a DNS TXT record and point a subdomain at the platform with a CNAME record, with an SSL certificate issued for your host. Ask which surfaces the domain covers: the widget, shared links, the client sign-in page, or all three. ### 3. Do emails come from your domain? Branded email means booking confirmations, handoff alerts, and login emails go out under your name. It's easy to overlook and it's one of the most common leaks. ### 4. How do client phone numbers work? Each client needs a line the AI answers. Ask what an extra number costs, whether clients can keep their published number by forwarding it, and whether porting is supported. Published extra-number prices vary: Autocalls lists numbers from $3.99 a month, Trillet charges $5 a month per extra number, and InsertChat charges $10 a month after the one number each plan includes. Forwarding usually beats porting for a pilot, because the client can switch back in minutes. Our [call forwarding explainer](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding) covers the forwarding types and how to test them. ### 5. Can clients log in, and what does each login cost? Some platforms give unlimited client sub-accounts. Others charge per client or count each client login as a team seat. If every client expects a dashboard, a seat cap can push you onto a bigger plan sooner than your call volume would. ### 6. Who bills the end client? There are three models: - **Built-in rebilling.** The platform bills clients through your Stripe account at prices you set. Autocalls, Trillet, and VoiceAIWrapper work this way. - **You invoice.** The platform bills only you, and you invoice clients with your own tools. InsertChat works this way, and so does Synthflow since it [removed Stripe rebilling for subaccounts on September 15, 2026](https://docs.synthflow.ai/stripe-overview). - **The vendor bills the client.** In that case you're a referral partner, not a reseller. Goodcall's [agency program](https://www.goodcall.com/agencies), for example, pays referral commissions rather than offering white label. ### 7. Flat fee or revenue share? With a flat fee, every dollar you add to your price is yours. With a revenue share, the vendor's cut grows when you raise prices. Autocalls states "no revenue share" on its [white label terms](https://autocalls.ai/white-label), and InsertChat takes no revenue share either. Vendasta uses monthly wholesale minimums instead ($99, $499, or $999, with one-year contracts on the upper two). ### 8. Is the usage rate published? If you can't see the price of the minute after your allowance runs out, you can't model your margin. Treat "contact sales" overage pricing as a risk to price around, not a detail to sort out later. ### 9. Which channels sit under the same brand? Clients rarely stop at the phone. They ask for website chat, then texts, then WhatsApp. A voice-only platform means bolting on a second product with separate billing and separate knowledge. Ask whether one assistant answers every channel from one knowledge base, and whether conversations land in one inbox the client's team can work from. ## White label AI receptionist platforms compared (October 2026) The main agency platforms split into voice-first platforms billed per minute, wrappers on top of developer voice APIs, and multichannel front-desk tools billed from a shared allowance. The table summarizes each platform's own published terms, checked October 20, 2026. | Platform | White label entry price | Usage cost | Custom domain | Who bills your client | Channels | Live call transfer | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | [Autocalls](https://autocalls.ai/white-label) | $419/mo, 3,500 minutes included | $0.09/min after allowance; numbers from $3.99/mo | Yes | You, via your Stripe | Voice, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, web chat | Yes | | [Trillet](https://trillet.ai/whitelabel/pricing) | $99/mo Studio (3 workspaces, no custom domain); $299/mo Agency | $0.12/min AI + telephony from $0.014/min | Agency plan and up | You, via Stripe billing | Voice, web widget, SMS | Yes | | [Famulor](https://www.famulor.io/whitelabel) | €499/mo white label add-on (plus VAT) | €0.15/min, falling to €0.05 at 300,000 min | Yes | You | Voice, chat, SMS, WhatsApp, email and more | Yes | | [Frontdesk (My AI Front Desk)](https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing) | Custom partner plans from $500/mo | Not fully published on the pricing page | Yes | You, via Stripe | Phone, web chat, SMS, email, outbound | Yes | | [Vendasta](https://www.vendasta.com/pricing/) | $0 subscription, $99–$999/mo wholesale minimums | Per-product wholesale prices not listed on pricing page | Professional tier and up | You, via Vendasta payments | Chat, SMS, social; voice on top edition | Listed in docs; confirm | | [VoiceAIWrapper](https://voiceaiwrapper.com/pricing) | $499/mo Scale (20 clients, then $12 each) | Provider rates, about $0.07–$0.31/min | Yes | You, via your Stripe | Voice and chat | Yes | | [Stammer](https://stammer.ai/pricing) | $99/mo Pro White Label | Voice $0.11–$0.17/min by model | Yes | Prepaid client wallets | Chat-first, plus voice | Yes | | [Synthflow](https://synthflow.ai/pricing) | Enterprise only, from $30,000/yr | Per contract | Yes | You, outside the platform | Voice | Yes | | [InsertChat](https://insertchat.com/pricing) | $198/mo Growth, 20 assistants, 10,000 credits | Credits shared by calls and messages; extra numbers $10/mo | Growth and up | You (InsertChat bills only your agency) | Phone, web chat, SMS, WhatsApp, email | No (rings your team first instead) | What the table leaves out: - **Retell AI** has no native white label. Agencies put a third-party partner app on top, per [Retell's partner page](https://www.retellai.com/app-partner), and pay that tool's fees as well as Retell's usage. - **Synthflow** was the best-known self-serve option until September 2026. Its [pricing page](https://synthflow.ai/pricing) now lists a single Enterprise plan with contracts from $30,000 a year. Treat it as a reminder that platform terms change, and keep a migration plan. - **Frontdesk's** partner pricing is custom, so get a written quote that spells out how the platform fee and any per-receptionist fees combine. InsertChat's [white label offer](https://insertchat.com/product/white-label) gives each client assistant its own name, logo, colors, avatar, knowledge, tone, and phone number, with no InsertChat badge on the chat widget on paid plans. On Growth and above, widgets, shared links, customer emails, and the sign-in page run on your verified domain. ## What a client really costs you each month Your monthly cost per client is the client's share of the platform fee, plus their AI usage, plus their phone number, plus the hours your team spends keeping them running. Agencies that model only the platform fee get caught out by usage spikes and support time. A simple formula: **Cost per client = (platform fee ÷ active clients) + (AI minutes × effective cost per minute) + number fee + (your hours × your hourly cost)** ### Effective cost per AI call minute The per-minute rate decides your margin once a client takes more than a few hundred minutes a month. Here's how the published rates compare, all checked October 20, 2026: | Platform | Effective cost per AI call minute | Basis | |---|---|---| | Autocalls | $0.09 beyond 3,500 included minutes | Published overage rate, AI and telephony included | | Trillet | About $0.134 | $0.12 AI usage plus US telephony from $0.014 | | Stammer | $0.11–$0.17 | Varies by AI model, no minutes included | | Famulor | €0.15 | Plus the €499 monthly add-on and VAT | | Retell-based stacks (via a wrapper) | About $0.07–$0.31 | Provider rates, plus the wrapper's platform and per-client fees | | InsertChat | About $0.24 | $198 Growth plan ÷ about 833 minutes, if all 10,000 credits go to calls at the pricing estimator's example rate of 12 credits per minute | The InsertChat figure needs context. Credits aren't a fixed number of minutes; consumption depends on the model and setup, and the 12-credits-per-minute figure is the estimator's example rather than a fixed price. The same credit pool also covers website chat, SMS, email, and WhatsApp, which the voice-first platforms either don't offer or bill separately. For a client taking 1,000+ AI minutes a month, a voice-first platform with a low per-minute rate will usually cost you less. For clients with modest call volume who also want chat and messaging, a shared pool across channels is simpler to sell and support. ### Costs that don't show up on the pricing page - **Rounding.** InsertChat rounds each call up to whole minutes with a one-minute minimum, so a 61-second call bills as two minutes. Ask every vendor how they round. - **Business texting registration.** If an assistant sends texts from a US local number, the client's brand and campaign must be registered for A2P 10DLC. Twilio [has blocked all SMS from unregistered 10DLC numbers since September 1, 2023](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/changelog/-u-s--a2p-10dlc--full-blocking-of-traffic-sent-from-unregistered). Ask each platform who handles registration and what it costs. - **Seasonal spikes.** HVAC in July, tax firms in March, and roofers after a storm can double a client's call volume. Cap allowances and publish an overage rate so the spike is billable, not a loss. - **Your hours.** Discovery, knowledge setup, monthly transcript reviews, and knowledge updates are where agency margin actually goes. Budget for them per client. ## How to price a white label AI receptionist for clients The structure that protects margins is a one-time setup fee plus a monthly fee per client tied to a capped allowance, with a published overage rate. Set the monthly fee against what the client pays today for call coverage, not against your platform cost. ### Anchor to what the client uses now | What the client uses today | Published cost | |---|---| | In-house receptionist | Median $18.27 an hour, or $38,010 a year before benefits ([BLS, May 2025 data](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm)) | | Ruby (human virtual receptionists) | $250/mo for 50 minutes; $720/mo for 200 minutes ([Ruby pricing](https://www.ruby.com/pricing/)) | | Smith.ai AI receptionist | $150/mo Pro plan at $2.00 per call ([Smith.ai pricing](https://smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist)) | | Voicemail | Free, but [Invoca's 2024 platform data](https://www.invoca.com/blog/how-much-missed-sales-calls-cost-home-services-businesses) found 27% of calls to home services businesses go unanswered and fewer than 3% of callers sent to voicemail leave a message | Vendor guides put typical agency retail prices around $200 to $600 a month per location; [Vendasta's September 2026 guide](https://www.vendasta.com/blog/white-label-ai-receptionist/) uses that range. Treat it as a market signal, not a rule, since it comes from a platform selling to agencies. ### An example package structure The numbers below are illustrative. Adjust them to your market and your costs. | Package | Monthly fee | What's included | Good fit | |---|---|---|---| | After-hours | $199 | AI answers after hours and unanswered calls, up to 60 AI minutes, website chat, monthly summary | Trades, solo practitioners | | Front desk | $349 | AI answers all or overflow calls, up to 150 AI minutes, appointment booking, texts and WhatsApp, monthly review call | Busy offices, multi-staff practices | | Overage | $0.90 per AI minute over the allowance | Billed monthly in arrears | Seasonal spikes | | Setup | $500–$1,000 one-time | Discovery, knowledge build, forwarding, testing, staff walkthrough | Every new client | Three rules keep packages profitable: 1. **Never sell "unlimited."** One busy client can wipe out the margin from five quiet ones. 2. **Charge phone-heavy clients more.** Calls use far more credits or dollars than chats, so a client with 300 calls a month shouldn't pay the same as one with 30. 3. **Show the value math in the proposal.** Missed calls per month × the share that would have booked × average job value. For example, a plumber missing 20 calls a month, where one in four would have booked a $350 job, is losing about $1,750 a month. That's a hypothetical; use the client's own call log and job values. ## Worked example: margins on a Growth plan with eight clients This hypothetical agency runs eight clients on InsertChat Growth ($198 a month, 20 assistants, 5 seats, 10,000 credits), using the package prices above. Credit use applies the pricing estimator's example rates: 12 credits per billable call minute and 1 credit per written conversation. ![Laptop spreadsheet with rows of client accounts next to eight client folders and a calculator, illustrating per-client margin calculation](https://api-v3.trafficwins.com/media/articles/97078a0a-29ba-4d73-aac4-5ad344afb9ba/bfdac6c8c46f8305da924de10bf7e704f74b407c8ef9e8bac479ffc24bd093fd.png) *At small scale, agency time costs more than the software, so template the setup work.* | Line | Clients | Monthly amount | Credits used | |---|---|---|---| | After-hours package revenue (6 × $199) | 6 | $1,194 | 3,600 (6 × 50 call minutes) | | Front desk package revenue (2 × $349) | 2 | $698 | 3,600 (2 × 150 call minutes) | | Website chat across all clients (100 conversations each) | 8 | — | 800 | | **Total revenue** | | **$1,892** | **8,000 of 10,000** | | Growth plan | | −$198 | | | Extra phone numbers (7 × $10; one is included) | | −$70 | | | **Gross margin** | | **$1,624 (86%)** | | | Agency time (1 hour per client at $75) | | −$600 | | | **Contribution after time** | | **$1,024 (54%)** | | Setup fees (say 8 × $750 = $6,000) are one-time income on top. What this example shows: - **Time costs more than software.** At this scale, your hours cost more than the plan and numbers combined. Template your discovery and knowledge setup. - **Credit headroom is the constraint.** If one front-desk client doubles to 300 call minutes, usage reaches about 9,800 credits. Before you take on a phone-heavy client, check how extra credits are priced, or plan the move to Scale ($498 a month, 25,000 credits, 50 assistants, 10 seats). On Scale, the same eight clients still leave about $1,324 a month in gross margin (70%). - **Seats limit client logins.** Each client login uses one of your plan's team seats. With five seats on Growth and two used by your own team, three clients can have dashboard access. Send the others a monthly report, or budget for Scale. - **Fixed fees matter at low volume.** At about 600 call minutes a month across the book, the fixed plan fee drives your costs. Past several thousand minutes, the per-minute rate decides your margin, and a voice-first platform may be the better fit for those clients. ## Limits to disclose to clients before go-live Every platform has things its AI receptionist won't do, and clients who find out after launch are the ones who churn. Put the limits in your proposal, show the workaround, and get the client to agree to the handoff rules before you forward a single call. ### Capability limits Capabilities differ by platform. Most voice-first platforms in the table support live call transfer; InsertChat does not. These are InsertChat's documented limits and what happens instead: | What it doesn't do | What happens instead | |---|---| | Transfer a live call | With "AI when unanswered" routing, the client's phones ring for 5 to 60 seconds before the AI picks up. When a caller needs a person, the assistant takes the details, marks the conversation "needs you," emails the team, and tells the caller the team will follow up | | Take voicemail | The assistant collects the caller's name, number, and request, and saves a transcript and AI summary to the shared inbox | | Record calls | Each call gets a transcript and an AI summary instead of an audio recording | | Place outbound calls | Callers can get a callback confirmation by text or email, and the client's team calls back | If a client's workflow depends on warm transfers, such as a law firm that wants intake calls passed straight to an attorney, pick a platform that supports transfer for that client. The [AI receptionist product page](https://insertchat.com/product/phone) lists the routing modes and the handoff rules in full. ### Compliance points to raise This is general information, not legal advice. Clients in regulated industries should check with their own counsel. - **Disclosing that callers are talking to AI.** Utah's [AI Policy Act (SB 149, 2024)](https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/SB0149.html) requires licensed professions to tell people up front when they're talking to generative AI. California's [bot disclosure law (SB 1001)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1001) bars bots that hide their artificial identity online in order to drive a sale. The simplest safeguard is a greeting that says it's an AI assistant. - **Recording and transcription consent.** About a dozen states, including California under [Penal Code 632](https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-pen/part-1/title-15/chapter-1-5/section-632/), require every party's consent to record a confidential call; the [Reporters Committee's recording guide](https://www.rcfp.org/introduction-to-reporters-recording-guide/) has the state-by-state list. Ask counsel whether transcripts fall under the same rules in the client's state. - **Outbound AI calls.** The FCC's [February 2024 ruling](https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-confirms-tcpa-applies-ai-technologies-generate-human-voices) says AI-generated voices count as "artificial" under the TCPA, so outbound AI calls need the called party's prior express consent. This matters if your platform makes AI callbacks or reminder calls. - **Healthcare clients.** A vendor that creates, receives, or transmits protected health information for a practice needs a Business Associate Agreement, per [HHS guidance](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/business-associates/index.html). As a reseller, you're likely part of that chain too. InsertChat signs BAAs on Enterprise plans only, so don't put a dental or medical client's patient calls on Growth. - **What you promise clients.** In August 2025 the FTC [sued Air AI](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/08/ftc-sues-stop-air-ai-using-deceptive-claims-about-business-growth-earnings-potential-refund) over claims that its AI agents could replace human staff and over earnings promises tied to resale licenses. Sell answered calls and booked appointments you can show in transcripts, not guaranteed revenue or staff replacement. ## Onboarding a client: a five-step launch process A new client can go live within a week if you run the same five steps every time. Most of the work is in the first two. ![Whiteboard with five connected sticky notes beside a headset and a laptop showing a calendar, representing the five-step client onboarding process](https://api-v3.trafficwins.com/media/articles/97078a0a-29ba-4d73-aac4-5ad344afb9ba/d8711ca3ec2c6373871ec858790bcff8f9597aea148e0b07025bbf2b97a4aa04.png) *Discovery and knowledge setup take most of the effort; routing and testing go quickly once those are done.* 1. **Discovery (30 to 60 minutes).** Pull the client's call log if they have one. List the 20 questions callers ask most, the hours, service area, prices the assistant may quote, what counts as an emergency, who gets handoff alerts, and the booking rules (appointment lengths, buffers, minimum notice). 2. **Build the knowledge.** Import the client's website pages, documents, and FAQs, then write direct answers for anything the site is vague about, especially pricing. Test the top 20 questions and fix every weak answer before launch. 3. **Brand and voice.** Set the assistant's name, logo, colors, and tone. On InsertChat, pick one of 10 voices and write a greeting of up to 200 characters; the assistant answers in the caller's language. 4. **Routing and connections.** Choose the routing mode (AI always, after hours, when unanswered, or team only). Forward the client's US or Canadian number or assign a new one, connect their calendar (built-in, Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, or Cal.com), and install the chat widget on their site. The [integrations catalog](https://insertchat.com/integrations) covers the CRMs and site builders supported. 5. **Test and hand over.** Place test calls covering the awkward cases: an emergency, an angry caller, an out-of-area request, a Spanish speaker, and someone asking for a person. Then set up the client's login and agree on a monthly review. After launch, the monthly review is where you keep the client. Read transcripts, find the questions the assistant couldn't answer, update the knowledge, and report answered calls and bookings back to the client. ## Where InsertChat fits, and where another platform fits better InsertChat suits agencies whose clients need a receptionist for moderate call volume, such as after-hours and overflow coverage, plus website chat, texts, WhatsApp, and email answered from one knowledge base and one shared inbox. You set your own prices, InsertChat bills only your agency, and it takes no revenue share. Growth is the plan for most agencies: 20 client assistants, your verified domain, and branded email for $198 a month. Another platform will likely fit better if your clients take thousands of AI call minutes a month, need live call transfer or outbound calling, or you want built-in Stripe rebilling and client self-signup. Healthcare clients handling patient information need a platform that will sign a BAA at the plan you're on. To test it on a real client before committing, [start your 7-day free trial](https://insertchat.com/pricing). The trial runs on Pro with 500 credits (a card is required), which is enough to build an assistant for your own agency or a pilot client, test calls and chat, and then move to Growth for your domain and more assistants. The [agency reseller page](https://insertchat.com/industries/agencies) covers client logins and which clients tend to be a good fit. ## Frequently asked questions ### What's the difference between a white label program and a referral program? In a white label program, you buy the platform, put your brand on it, set the client's price, and invoice the client yourself, so the margin and the relationship are yours. In a referral or affiliate program, the vendor signs and bills the client and pays you a commission. Goodcall's agency program, for example, pays up to $140 per sign-up. Referral programs need less work but give you no pricing control. ### What happens to my clients if the platform changes its pricing or terms? Your margin and sometimes your billing setup change with it. Synthflow moved from self-serve agency plans to Enterprise-only contracts starting at $30,000 a year in September 2026. Protect yourself with month-to-month terms, a written reseller agreement covering data export, client numbers you control through forwarding, and knowledge kept in documents you could import elsewhere. ### Will callers hang up when they realize they're talking to AI? Some will. Public discussions of AI receptionists show real frustration with assistants that mishear addresses, talk over callers, or trap people with no way to reach a human. Callers react better when the greeting is honest, answers are fast and specific, and a person follows up quickly on anything the AI can't handle. Ringing the team first and letting the AI answer only unanswered calls keeps regular customers with staff. ### Do I need technical skills to resell an AI receptionist? No coding is required on most agency platforms, but you do need operational skills. The work is writing clear knowledge and handoff rules, setting up call forwarding with the client's carrier, connecting calendars, installing a chat widget, and reviewing transcripts every month. Agencies that already build websites or manage Google Business Profiles usually have the skills; the new part is testing call flows before go-live. --- ## Company, policies, and website directories - [Business use cases](https://insertchat.com/industries) - [Integration directory](https://insertchat.com/integrations) - [Product guides](https://insertchat.com/blog) - [Guides](https://insertchat.com/blog/guides) - [Templates & scripts](https://insertchat.com/blog/templates) - [Product](https://insertchat.com/blog/product) - [About InsertChat and MindCrafters LLC](https://insertchat.com/about) - [Contact and support](https://insertchat.com/contact) - [InsertChat product demo (fictional Northstar business and sample data)](https://insertchat.com/demo) - [Embeds and developer resources](https://insertchat.com/developers) - [Official brand assets](https://insertchat.com/creator-kit) - [Privacy policy](https://insertchat.com/privacy) - [Terms of service](https://insertchat.com/terms)