Answers · updated Sep 29, 2026
What is the cheapest AI receptionist under $50/month?
17 of 29 tracked AI receptionists publish an entry plan under $50/mo, including 6 with a genuine $0 free tier. The cheapest paid entry is KaiCalls at $10/mo. These are sticker prices with small included quotas — usage beyond the quota is billed extra, so the real cost rises with volume.
As of Sep 29, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
The data behind this answer
| Vendor | Entry price | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Bland | $0 (free tier) bland.ai verified Sep 27, 2026 STALE | Start (Free) |
| My AI Front Desk | $0 (free tier) myaifrontdesk.com verified Jun 27, 2026 STALE | Free, 20 min |
| Phonely | $0 (free tier) phonely.ai verified Oct 12, 2026 | Free, 100 min |
| Retell AI | $0 (free tier) retellai.com verified Sep 27, 2026 STALE | Pay As You Go |
| Smith.ai | $0 (free tier) smith.ai verified Sep 9, 2026 STALE | Free, 25 calls |
| Vapi | $0 (free tier) vapi.ai verified Sep 2, 2026 STALE | Build (Pay As You Go) |
| KaiCalls | $10 kaicalls.com verified Oct 12, 2026 | Kai Backup, 20 calls |
| CallSprout Sage | $22.95 callsprout.com verified Oct 12, 2026 | Business (per user), 0 min |
| AIRA | $24.95 getaira.io verified Sep 27, 2026 STALE | Starter, 30 calls |
| Upfirst | $24.95 upfirst.ai verified Sep 27, 2026 STALE | Starter, 30 calls |
| ReceptionHQ | $25 receptionhq.com verified Sep 27, 2026 STALE | MessageExpress |
| Dialzara | $29 dialzara.com verified Sep 27, 2026 STALE | Business Lite, 60 min |
| AptaBook | $49 aptabook.com verified Oct 13, 2026 | Solo, 50 calls |
| Hey Jodie | $49 heyjodie.com verified Oct 12, 2026 | Basic |
| PATLive | $49 patlive.com verified Sep 2, 2026 STALE | Basic, 0 min |
| Rosie | $49 heyrosie.com verified Sep 27, 2026 STALE | Professional, 250 min |
| ServiceAgent | $49 serviceagent.ai verified Sep 27, 2026 STALE | Core, 133 min |
Figures normalized and sourced as of Sep 29, 2026. See the methodology for how each number is captured, dated and normalized, or the full comparison matrix for every vendor.
Frequently asked
Is there an AI receptionist under $50 a month?
Yes — 17 vendors list an entry plan below $50/mo, the cheapest paid being KaiCalls at $10/mo. Each carries a small included quota (minutes or calls); going over it adds usage charges, so confirm the quota matches your call volume.
Are the free tiers actually free?
6 vendors offer a $0 plan, but each caps usage tightly (for example a small monthly minute allowance or pure pay-as-you-go after a trial). A free tier is good for testing; most businesses outgrow it quickly and move to a paid plan.
Does a low sticker price mean low total cost?
Not necessarily. Sub-$50 plans bundle few minutes or calls, and overage is billed on top. At real call volume a higher-tier flat plan can work out cheaper than a cheap plan plus overage — price your own volume on the calculator before deciding.