How much does an AI receptionist cost?
Off-the-shelf AI receptionist apps start from roughly £50 to £100 a month for low call volumes. A set-up that knows your services, books straight into your diary and answers WhatsApp too usually costs more, with a one-off set-up fee. A full-time receptionist on the National Living Wage costs around £2,360 a month once National Insurance and pension are added.
Key takeaways
- ✓Cheap AI receptionist apps start around £50 to £100 a month, usually with a cap on minutes.
- ✓Pricing is per minute, per call or a flat monthly fee. Check what happens when you go over.
- ✓The real cost difference is set-up: does it actually book into your diary, or just take a message?
- ✓A full-time receptionist on minimum wage costs roughly £2,360 a month in 2026.
- ✓The right comparison is cost per booking won, not cost per month.
Most people asking this question have just missed a call they shouldn’t have. Maybe it was a new customer, maybe a big job. And they’re wondering whether a robot on the phone is going to cost £20 or £2,000.
The honest answer: somewhere in between, and the price on the website is rarely the whole story.
The short version
- Basic AI receptionist apps: from roughly £50 to £100 a month. You set it up yourself. It answers, takes a message and emails you.
- Set up for your business: more, plus a one-off set-up fee. It learns your services and prices, books into your diary, and handles WhatsApp and website chat as well as calls.
- A human receptionist: around £2,360 a month for someone full-time on the National Living Wage, before holidays and sick cover.
How AI receptionists charge
There are three common models, and each suits a different business.
| Model | How it works | Good for |
| Per minute | You pay for the minutes the AI spends on calls | Low or unpredictable call volumes |
| Per call | A fixed price for each answered call | Short, simple calls |
| Flat monthly fee | One price, often with a minutes cap | Busy businesses who want a predictable bill |
Whichever model you pick, ask one question before signing: what happens when I go over? Some plans quietly switch to expensive per-minute rates, others stop answering. A busy Monday shouldn’t double your bill.
What pushes the price up
Booking into your diary. An AI that says “someone will call you back” is cheap. One that checks your real availability and books the slot is worth far more, but it has to be connected to your booking system or calendar.
More than phone calls. If customers also message you on WhatsApp or your website, covering all three from one place costs more than phone alone. It’s usually cheaper than three separate tools.
Your own voice and rules. Custom greetings, what counts as urgent, when to put a call through to you, how to handle complaints. This is set-up time.
Call volume. Obvious, but worth saying. A salon taking 40 calls a day will pay more than a solicitor taking five.
The comparison that matters
Here’s the maths most people skip. A full-time receptionist on the National Living Wage (£12.71 an hour in 2026), working 37.5 hours a week, costs about £24,800 a year in wages. Add employer National Insurance and pension and it’s around £28,300, or roughly £2,360 a month. And they still go home at 5pm.
| Option | Rough monthly cost | Covers evenings and weekends? |
| Basic AI receptionist app | £50–£100 | Yes, but usually just takes messages |
| AI receptionist set up for your business | More, plus set-up | Yes, and books appointments |
| Human answering service | £200–£700 | Often extra |
| Full-time receptionist (minimum wage) | About £2,360 | No |
Work out your own number
Count the calls you missed last week. Guess how many were new customers. Multiply by your average job or booking value. If that number is bigger than the monthly fee, the question isn’t whether you can afford it.
What it should include, whatever you pay
- It tells callers they’re speaking to an assistant, not pretending to be human
- It passes anything urgent or unusual to you straight away
- You get a text or email with every call, so nothing disappears
- You can change prices, hours and answers without ringing support
- Call recordings and personal details are handled in line with UK GDPR
- A monthly rolling contract, or at least a short one
So, is it worth it?
If you’re missing calls because you’re busy with customers, usually yes. The cheapest option isn’t always the best value, though. An AI that takes messages still leaves you calling people back at 9pm. One that books the appointment gives you your evening back.
We set up the AI receptionist for you, connected to the diary you already use, and give you a fixed price before you commit.
Book a free demo. We’ll show you your AI receptionist answering a real booking call, and give you a clear monthly price.
Book a free demoFrequently asked questions
Is an AI receptionist cheaper than a real receptionist?
Much cheaper. A full-time receptionist on the National Living Wage costs around £2,360 a month including National Insurance and pension. Most AI receptionists cost a small fraction of that and work 24/7.
Are there AI receptionists with no monthly fee?
Some charge purely per minute or per call, so quiet months cost less. Check the per-minute rate carefully, as busy months can add up.
Is there a set-up fee?
Often, if the AI is being connected to your booking system and trained on your services. Basic apps you set up yourself usually don’t charge one.
Can an AI receptionist book appointments?
The better ones can, if they’re connected to your calendar or booking system. Cheaper ones only take a message.
Will I be tied into a long contract?
You shouldn’t be. Look for a monthly rolling contract, or a short minimum term.
Sources
- National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates — GOV.UK
- Rates and thresholds for employers — GOV.UK
- Telephone answering service costs UK: 2026 guide — Sayora
- Answering Service Pricing UK 2026 — Team Connect
Co-Founder, ShiftDeploy
Muhammad Ali is a co-founder of ShiftDeploy and a full-stack engineer. He builds the AI receptionists, WhatsApp automation and booking systems that help clinics, trades and local service businesses answer every enquiry.