Answers · updated Jun 10, 2026
Which AI receptionists bill per call?
5 of 24 tracked AI receptionists bill per call: a base fee covers a set number of calls, then each extra call is charged at a published per-call rate. They are AIRA, Upfirst, ReceptionHQ, Smith.ai, Simple Phones, entry pricing from $24.95/mo (AIRA). Per-call billing is predictable when call length is short, but a long call costs the same as a short one — minute-based plans can be cheaper for lengthy calls.
As of Jun 10, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
The data behind this answer
| Vendor | Entry price | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| AIRA | $24.95/mo getaira.io verified Jun 10, 2026 | 30 calls incl., then $1.50/call |
| Upfirst | $24.95/mo upfirst.ai verified Jun 10, 2026 | 30 calls incl., then $1.50/call |
| ReceptionHQ | $25/mo receptionhq.com verified Jun 10, 2026 | calls metered, then $1.99/call |
| Smith.ai | $95/mo smith.ai verified Jun 10, 2026 | 30 calls incl., then $2.40/call |
| Simple Phones | $97/mo simplephones.ai verified Jun 10, 2026 | 100 calls incl., overage not published |
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 per-call billing cheaper than per-minute?
- It depends on call length. Per-call billing charges a flat amount per call regardless of duration, so it is cheaper for long calls and pricier for very short ones. Per-minute billing is the reverse. Match the model to your typical call length.
- What happens when I exceed my included calls?
- Each vendor here includes a set number of calls, then bills extra calls at a published per-call overage (for example AIRA at $1.50/call). Where a vendor does not publish an overage rate, we say so rather than estimate it.
- Do per-call plans count missed or spam calls?
- Policies vary — some count only answered or qualified calls, others count every connection. This materially changes the bill and is often not on the pricing page, so confirm exactly what counts as a billable call before committing.