What does a virtual receptionist do?
A virtual receptionist answers your business calls from a remote location instead of an on-site front desk. The receptionist greets callers with your business name, answers basic questions, books appointments using software you provide, takes messages, and transfers calls to the right team member. There are two main types: live virtual receptionists (humans working remotely from a call center or home office) and AI virtual receptionists (software that holds a real conversation). Live services like Ruby and Smith.ai charge per minute and run during business hours with after-hours coverage at a premium. AI services like Aira charge per call and run 24/7. Both types remove the need to hire and train an in-house receptionist, but they differ sharply on cost, language coverage, and predictability of monthly billing. See compare AI virtual receptionists.
Related questions
- How much does a virtual receptionist cost?Live virtual receptionists run $200–$400/mo for ~100 minutes; AI virtual receptionists run $24.95–$300/mo with predictable per-call pricing. Full 2026 breakdown.
- Is virtual receptionist legit?Yes, virtual receptionists are a legitimate, regulated service used by 100,000+ small businesses. Here's how to vet a provider — credentials, transcripts, refund terms.
- What does an AI receptionist do?An AI receptionist answers calls 24/7, books appointments, takes messages, routes callers, and handles 30+ languages. Full capability list, what it can't do, and how it compares to human + traditional answering services.