How much does an AI receptionist cost per month?
An AI receptionist costs $24.95 to $300+ per month in 2026, with most service businesses landing in the $50–$160 monthly range. Aira plans run $24.95/mo for 30 calls (Starter), $59.95/mo for 90 calls (Premium), and $159.95/mo for 300 calls (Pro), with all features included on every paid plan and an Enterprise tier on custom pricing. Per-minute competitors like Smith.ai and Ruby Receptionists typically range from $97/mo for limited minutes to $400+/mo for fuller coverage — and per-minute bills are highly variable because long calls cost more. Per-call pricing caps the per-call cost regardless of duration, so the monthly bill is predictable. Volume is the biggest driver of monthly cost; pricing model is the biggest driver of bill predictability. See the full AI receptionist pricing comparison.
AI receptionist monthly cost — 2026 ranges
Monthly cost varies primarily by call volume and pricing model. Below are typical 2026 ranges across the major vendors. Per-minute prices include the bill volatility risk that long calls add 30–80% to the listed plan price routinely.
| Plan / Tier | Pricing model | Monthly cost | Bill predictability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aira Starter | Per-call, 30 calls included | $24.95/mo | Predictable — flat per-call rate |
| Aira Premium | Per-call, 90 calls included | $59.95/mo | Predictable — flat per-call rate |
| Aira Pro | Per-call, 300 calls included | $159.95/mo | Predictable — flat per-call rate |
| Smith.ai entry | Per-minute (~30 min/mo included) | $97/mo plus overage | Variable — long calls inflate bill |
| Ruby Receptionists entry | Per-minute (~50 min/mo) | $235/mo plus overage | Variable — long calls inflate bill |
| Synthflow / Retell (DIY) | Per-minute usage-based | $20–$200/mo + per-minute | Variable — usage compounds |
Ranges reflect 2026 published rates. Per-minute plans do not include the cost of overage minutes; the listed price is the minimum monthly bill, not the typical bill.
What drives the monthly bill
- Call volume (largest driver)
- Higher volume = higher tier; overage on plan caps adds up fast
- Pricing model (per-call vs per-minute)
- Per-minute bills are 30–80% more variable; long calls inflate the listed rate
- Add-ons and integrations
- CRM/calendar sync, SMS, advanced routing — varies by vendor
- Setup or onboarding fees
- $0–$500 one-time at most vendors; AI services typically $0
- Language coverage
- Bilingual or multilingual is standard at Aira (30+ languages); some vendors charge a premium
Related questions
- How much does an AI receptionist cost for a small business?Most small businesses spend $25–$160 per month on an AI receptionist in 2026. Here's the typical SMB range and how to size it to your call volume.
- What's the difference between per-call and per-minute AI receptionist pricing?Per-call pricing charges a flat rate per answered call; per-minute charges by call duration. Here's how they compare on cost predictability and total bill.
- Is an AI receptionist cheaper than hiring a receptionist?An AI receptionist costs 5–15% of a human receptionist for typical call volumes. Here's the cost comparison and when each makes sense.