As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly effective at performing tasks that were traditionally handled by humans, such as assisting potential clients and customers. The best AI answering services can handle simple tasks, such as forwarding calls and scheduling appointments, while also handling industry-specific interactions, like lead capture for sales teams and client intake forms.
Therefore, small businesses invested in enhancing customer experience through 24/7 support can benefit from adopting an AI answering service. To learn more about the top AI answering services in the industry, check out the list below.
- Abby Connect AI: Best overall AI answering service
- Synthflow AI: Best for enterprise-grade security
- Smith.ai: Best for lead qualification & sales
- Goodcall: Best for customizable agents
- Rosie: Best for industry-specific solutions
What to look for in an AI answering service
When looking for an AI answering service, small business owners should look for features that make the service more realistic and efficient at handling customer interactions. If you want to know which features you should look for, consider the list below:
- Voice quality: Even though AI answering services use technology to answer calls, your service shouldn’t sound like a robot. Choose a provider that uses natural language processing (NLP) to provide a variety of voices that mimic human-like responses.
- Customizable scripts: Similar to auto-attendant phone systems, many answering services can automate responses to customers. However, it’s best to find a service that allows you to create customizable questions and agent scripts, so you can receive the specific customer data you need.
- Business integrations: After collecting information from a customer, an AI answering service should also be compatible with business integrations, like customer relationship management (CRM) systems, calendars, and VoIP phone services, to collect data, schedule appointments, and route calls.
- Call management: Similar to a virtual or human receptionist, AI answering services offer call-handling features, including a way to route or forward calls. Some platforms also provide business phone numbers for customer support.
- Workflow automation: By providing additional support to your business, some answering services can be used to automate tasks like appointment scheduling or payment processing by routing callers to an AI system, similar to auto-dialer software.
- Industry-specific solutions: Depending on the type of business that you have, there may be specific features you need in an AI answering service. If you’re in an industry like law, healthcare, or home services, choose a solution that specializes in that industry.
- Data security and compliance: In addition to finding solutions specific to your business, if you handle sensitive customer data or interactions, look for answering services that offer enterprise-grade security or compliance with legal requirements and industry standards.
Comparing the best AI answering services
AI call answering service
Overall score out of 5
Starting monthly price
Key features
4.26
$99 for 50 minutes
24/7 call handlingEnglish and Spanish servicesAppointment scheduling
4.16
$29 for 50 minutes
Unlimited AI assistantsSOC2 securityCustom workflows
4.15
$97.50 for 30 calls
Call recording New client intakeLocal or toll-free numbers
4.11
$59 for 100 customers
Lead qualificationCRM integrationsCall analytics
3.86
$49 for 250 minutes
Spam detectionAgent trainingCustomizable scripts
Abby Connect AI: Best overall AI answering service
Overall Score
4.26/5
Core features
5/5
Integration and compatibility
4.58/5
Security and reliability
4.5/5
Pricing and value
2.5/5
Customer support and usability
4.58/5
Advanced features
5/5
User scores
3.57/5
Pros
- Free plan with up to 20 minutes of answering services
- Appointment scheduling with workflow integrations
- Customizable agent scripts and web forms
- Access to AI and human receptionist services
Cons
- Paid plans are more expensive than those of other providers
- Access to human receptionists incurs an additional fee
Why I chose Abby Connect AI
Abby Connect is one of the best answering services for businesses of all sizes. While this provider has always offered live chat and answering services with human receptionists, you can now add an AI answering service to your business plan. Similar to other subscriptions, the AI receptionist manages incoming calls and schedules appointments using customizable scripts and intake forms.
Once you sign up for this service, you can train the AI using your business data, including frequently asked questions and instructions for routing and forwarding calls. The AI receptionist can also schedule appointments and gather data on your customers, which can be sent to one of your business integrations or the AbbyGo app.
At the same time, Abby Connect is one of the most expensive providers on this list. Although it offers a free plan, the first paid plan starts at $99 a month. Additionally, while some providers integrate access to human and AI receptionists, Abby Connect’s plans are separate, meaning that access to a human receptionist incurs an even higher fee. For business owners who want to use both human and AI agents at a budget-friendly price, consider Synthflow, which offers unlimited AI assistants starting at $29 per month.
- AbbyGo app: The mobile application allows you to customize your account settings on the go, track call analytics, and access call summaries and customer data.
- Lead intake: Use intake forms to collect information about new or potential clients, which makes it easier to follow up on how you can assist them with your products or services.
- Workflow integrations: Abby integrates with multiple platforms that are beneficial to specific industries, such as CRMs for sales teams and legal software for law firms.
- FAQ answering support: Train your AI with some of the most commonly asked questions for your business, making it easier to provide direct support to those inquiries.
- Warm transfers: Create a call flow that transfers specific calls to human receptionists or employees when needed.
| Plan | Monthly price | Minutes per plan |
| Free | $0 | 20 minutes |
| Starter | $99 | 50 minutes |
| Essential | $165 | 100 minutes |
| Professional | $299 | 200 minutes |
| Growth | $690 | 500 minutes |
Synthflow AI: Best for enterprise-grade security
Overall Score
4.16/5
Core features
4.5/5
Integration and compatibility
3.75/5
Security and reliability
3.75/5
Pricing and value
5/5
Customer support and usability
4.5/5
Advanced features
3.33/5
User scores
4.6/5
Pros
- Unlimited AI assistants with detailed call analytics
- Compliant with multiple security protocols, like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC2
- Intuitive workflow builder with 200+ integrations
Cons
- Custom integrations are only available on the Enterprise plan
- Workflows are not available on the Starter plan
Why I chose Synthflow AI
Synthflow AI is among the best AI answering services for compliance and data security, distinguishing itself from other providers by offering access to unlimited AI assistants. Numerous industries, including law, healthcare, and finance, have specific protocols for managing calls with potential clients and customers due to the sensitive nature of the data involved. To meet these requirements, Synthflow AI offers various certifications.
These include compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for managing data from global clients and Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2) for collecting customer data. Synthflow AI also stands out due to its no-code workflow builder that enables you to create custom workflows with detailed analytics for customer data.
At the same time, while all of Synthflow’s features are available on the Enterprise plan, many features are not included in the lower-tier plans. This means that this provider works better for larger teams interested in an Enterprise plan. For smaller teams or solopreneurs, consider Goodcall, which also meets security compliance standards for HIPAA and SOC2.
- Workflow builder: Create more complex calling systems by constructing a campaign or outbound calling protocol using the drag-and-drop workflow builder.
- Human transfer: For calls that require human assistance, Synthflow AI allows you to transfer calls from the AI answering service to a human receptionist by creating custom call flows.
- Custom vocabulary: To improve the voice quality of your AI, you can upload words or terminology that are commonly used in your business or industry to improve the quality of responses.
- Transcriber: In addition to recording calls, Synthflow AI also transcribes conversations, which is beneficial for capturing essential details and evaluating calls.
- Information extractor: When you need the AI to identify specific keywords and statements in a call, the extractor allows you to select the information you want the AI to recognize for analysis or evaluation.
| Plans | Monthly pricing | Yearly pricing | Included minutes & cost per minute |
| Starter | $29 | $29 | 50 minutes |
| Pro | $450 | $375 | 2,000 minutes and $0.13/min |
| Growth | $900 | $750 | 4,000 minutes and $0.12/min |
| Agency | $1,400 | $1,250 | 6,000 minutes and $0.12/min |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Volume based | |
Smith.ai: Best for lead qualification & sales
Overall Score
4.15/5
Core features
5/5
Integration and compatibility
5/5
Security and reliability
4.58/5
Pricing and value
2.19/5
Customer support and usability
4.17/5
Advanced features
3.33/5
User scores
4.8/5
Pros
- Escalate calls to a human agent 24/7
- Dedicate local or toll-free business phone numbers
- Charges per call with scalable plans for teams of all sizes
Cons
- Significant difference between the cost of the plans
- Separate plans for virtual receptionists and web chat
- Doesn’t support HIPAA-compliant calling
Why I chose Smith.ai
Smith.ai is another provider that has expanded its virtual receptionist and web chat services to include an AI answering service. However, Smith.ai stands out from the competition because it offers lead qualification features that are beneficial to businesses with more complex client intake. This includes pre-screening clients and creating custom Q&As to improve sales.
As a better alternative to AI call centers, you can also escalate calls to a human agent when there is a need for more assistance than the AI can provide. In addition to porting your current business phone number, Smith.ai’s AI receptionist plans also come with a local or toll-free number, making it easier to set up a workflow that routes calls to either human or AI receptionists.
However, Smith.ai has a different calling structure than the other providers on the list, as it charges per call instead of including a set number of monthly minutes. While this benefits businesses that clearly understand the number of calls they receive, it can be challenging for companies with fluctuating call volumes or a higher number of brief calls. If you prefer a calling plan that charges per minute, consider Rosie, which also offers agent training for complex client intake procedures.
- Instant call summaries: Receive a comprehensive overview of your messages in your email inbox, or send the summaries directly to your Slack or Microsoft Teams account.
- New client intake: Create a custom form with up to 10 questions that the AI can ask to establish a business relationship or book an appointment.
- Call recordings: In your workspace settings, enable call recordings to obtain more detailed insights about client needs and expectations, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of your AI answering service.
- Lead screening: One of the primary benefits of an automated answering service is pre-screening potential clients. This ensures that any messages you receive from the AI will indicate whether the client is a good fit or may lead to a possible sale.
- Dashboards: The Smith.ai dashboard provides real-time updates of call data and access to historical call analytics, offering more in-depth insights about your clients.
| Plans | Monthly pricing | Included calls | Overage costs (per call) |
| Starter | $97.50 | 30 calls | $4.25 |
| Basic | $270 | 90 calls | $4 |
| Pro | $825 | 300 calls | $3.75 |
| Enterprise | Contact sales for custom pricing and included calls | ||
Goodcall: Best for customizable agents
Overall Score
4.11/5
Core features
4.75/5
Integration and compatibility
5/5
Security and reliability
3.75/5
Pricing and value
3.75/5
Customer support and usability
5/5
Advanced features
3.33/5
User scores
3.2/5
Pros
- Unlimited minutes and tokens for each plan
- Customizable voices that correspond with industry expectations
- Connects with CRMs to collect customer data and capture leads
Cons
- Subscription charges per agent
- Does not offer number porting
Why I chose Goodcall
Goodcall is one of the best providers for customizable agents. Each plan includes an AI agent that features specific voices and personas, showcasing distinct styles such as variations in tone and identity, which you can train on specific skills. When selecting an agent, consider the needs of your customers or the expectations within your industry. The plans are also priced per agent, offering unlimited minutes and tokens for each option.
In addition to customizable agents, Goodcall also offers a robust suite of business integrations through Zapier. This ensures that you can create custom workflows connecting your CRM to your answering service, making it easier to collect information from each customer that you can use to schedule follow-up appointments and secure future sales.
Although Goodcall provides business phone numbers for its agents, it does not support number porting. This means that if you already have a business number, you cannot use it for your AI agent. Instead, you will need to use the AI answering service to forward calls to the business phone number. If you wish to port your business phone number, consider Smith.ai, which offers free number porting.
- CRM integrations: Goodcall uses Zapier to seamlessly integrate with CRMs, allowing you to transfer any information collected by the AI directly to your workspace.
- Goodcall number: Each agent is assigned a unique business phone number, making it easier to set up your answering service.
- Operator skill: Train your agent with specific skills, such as taking orders, rescheduling appointments, and managing opening hours, so that the answering service can play a key support role in your business.
- Directory: Add contacts from your business to make it easier to transfer or forward calls to specific departments or phone numbers.
- Customizable greetings: Goodcall allows you to create scripts for your agents, ensuring that the introduction to your business is not generic, but reflects your brand’s voice and style.
| Plans | Monthly pricing (per agent) | Yearly pricing | Monthly customer limit* |
| Starter | $59 | $41 | 100 |
| Growth | $99 | $69 | 250 |
| Scale | $199 | $139 | 500 |
*Each plan has unlimited minutes and tokens, but a $0.50 per customer overage fee.
Rosie: Best for industry-specific solutions
Overall Score
3.86/5
Core features
4.75/5
Integration and compatibility
4.58/5
Security and reliability
4.58/5
Pricing and value
3.75/5
Customer support and usability
3.75/5
Advanced features
3.33/5
User scores
2.3/5
Pros
- Offers answering services for a wide range of industries
- Bilingual agents are available in English and Spanish
- Trains your AI agent using your business website and profile
Cons
- Doesn’t offer additional services, like web chat or virtual receptionists
- Appointment links are only available on the highest tier plans
Why I chose Rosie
While many of the AI answering services on this list cater to different industries and business types, Rosie stands out for the breadth of features it offers that are specific to certain sectors. Whether you are in home services or the legal field, Rosie offers custom scripts and agents that can take messages about your business. For those who have clients who speak Spanish, you also have access to bilingual receptionists.
Each agent can be customized with a unique name and greeting to provide a more personalized experience for potential clients and customers. Additionally, Rosie includes features such as call recordings, summaries, and transcriptions, which help you keep track of essential details about your clients.
At the same time, the initial plan doesn’t offer many calling features, and appointment scheduling is only available on the highest tier plans. Additionally, while some of the other providers on this list incorporate a variety of services, such as web chat and virtual receptionists, Rosie focuses solely on AI answering services. If you want access to a more robust AI answering service, consider Abby Connect.
- Spam detection: The AI agent can identify spam calls and filter them out to ensure that you don’t waste minutes on calls that aren’t beneficial to your business.
- Agent training: Train your agents by uploading business information through Google or your professional website, which makes it easier to customize your agent
- Customizable scripts: Create scripts tailored to your industry, ensuring the agent can effectively communicate with your clients.
- Appointment links: After scheduling an appointment with a client, the agent can send a direct link to the client, ensuring that they remember the date and time of their meeting.
- Emergency call transfer: In the event of an emergency, the enterprise plan allows you to transfer calls from the AI agent to an external source, such as a hospital or rapid responders.
| Plans | Monthly pricing | Monthly minutes* |
| Professional | $49 | 250 |
| Scale | $99 | 500 |
| Growth | $199 | 1000 |
| Enterprise | Contact sales for pricing. | |
*Overage fees are $0.25 per minute
How to choose the right AI answering service for your business
While there are many AI answering services on the market, the provider you choose should reflect the specific needs of your business. Therefore, the following chart compares the features of each provider and the industries that they support so you can choose the right AI answering service for you.
AI call answering service
Industries
Security features
Multilingual support
- Franchises
- Small businesses
- Law and legal firms
- Dental offices
- Accounting
- Medical
HIPAA compliant
English and Spanish
- Mortgage offices
- Recruitment
- Real estate
- Healthcare
- Solar companies
- Car dealerships
- Agencies
- HIPAA compliant
- GDPR
- SOC2 Security
- Guaranteed uptime SLA
English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Dutc
- Automative
- Law firms
- Home services
- Finance
- Medical & wellness
- Marketing & media
- Education
- IT & software services
- GDPR compliance
- Secure Socket Layer technology (SSL)
English and Spanish
- Law and legal services
- Retail & e-commerce
- Restaurants & hospitality
- Home services
- Real estate & property management
HIPAA compliant
English and Spanish
- Salons
- Pest control
- Home services (Plumbing, HVAC, etc.)
- Construction
- Emergency restoration
- Pet grooming
- Property management
- Law firms
Offers enterprise-grade data security features
English and Spanish
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
