Answers · updated Jun 10, 2026
What is the cheapest AI receptionist under $50/month?
15 of 25 tracked AI receptionists publish an entry plan under $50/mo, including 7 with a genuine $0 free tier. The cheapest paid entry is CallSprout Sage at $22.95/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 Jun 10, 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 2, 2026 | 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 Sep 2, 2026 | Free, 100 min |
| Retell AI | $0 (free tier) retellai.com verified Sep 2, 2026 | Pay As You Go |
| Smith.ai | $0 (free tier) smith.ai verified Sep 9, 2026 | Free, 25 calls |
| Synthflow | $0 (free tier) synthflow.ai verified Jun 27, 2026 STALE | Pay As You Go |
| Vapi | $0 (free tier) vapi.ai verified Sep 2, 2026 | Build (Pay As You Go) |
| CallSprout Sage | $22.95 callsprout.com verified Sep 9, 2026 | Business (per user), 0 min |
| AIRA | $24.95 getaira.io verified Sep 2, 2026 | Starter, 30 calls |
| Upfirst | $24.95 upfirst.ai verified Sep 2, 2026 | Starter, 30 calls |
| ReceptionHQ | $25 receptionhq.com verified Sep 2, 2026 | MessageExpress |
| Dialzara | $29 dialzara.com verified Sep 2, 2026 | Business Lite, 60 min |
| ServiceAgent | $39 serviceagent.ai verified Sep 2, 2026 | Core, 133 min |
| PATLive | $49 patlive.com verified Sep 2, 2026 | Basic, 0 min |
| Rosie | $49 heyrosie.com verified Sep 2, 2026 | Professional, 250 min |
Figures normalized and sourced as of Jun 10, 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 — 15 vendors list an entry plan below $50/mo, the cheapest paid being CallSprout Sage at $22.95/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?
7 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.