Virtual Reception vs Smith.ai: Flat Pricing or Per-Call Billing?

Smith.ai bills its AI receptionist per call and can add human agents. Virtual Reception is AI-only with a flat monthly price. Here is how they compare.

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The Short Answer

Smith.ai charges per call, starting at $150 a month for 75 calls, and can back its AI with live human receptionists. Virtual Reception starts at $49 a month for 250 minutes with no per-call charges. If you get a steady stream of calls and want a predictable bill, Virtual Reception usually costs less. If you need human agents behind the AI, or you get only a handful of calls a month, Smith.ai may fit better.

Choose Virtual Reception if

  • You get a steady flow of calls and want one flat monthly price
  • You want to talk to the AI live in your browser before signing up
  • You want to cancel anytime without a notice period
  • You don't need human receptionists behind the AI

Smith.ai may suit you better if

  • You want live human receptionists available as backup
  • You get fewer than 25 calls a month and want a free plan
  • You need native Clio, Salesforce or HubSpot integrations

Side by Side

Virtual Reception vs Smith.ai Compared

Virtual Reception Smith.ai
How you pay Flat monthly plan with included minutes Per call
Entry paid plan $49/month for 250 minutes $150/month for 75 calls
Free option 7-day trial of every feature, no credit card Free plan with 25 calls a month, credit card required
Extra usage Keeps answering, no surprise charges Extra calls billed per call
Human receptionists Available as a paid add-on
Hear it before signing up Live browser demo Test calls after signing up
Languages English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, plus auto-detect English and Spanish
Appointment booking Business plan ($149) and up: Google Calendar, AppointmentReminder.com Calendly, Clio and others
Call transfers Business plan ($149) and up All plans
Integrations Zapier Salesforce, HubSpot, Clio, Zapier, Make
Spam blocking
Cancelling Anytime, no notice period Month-to-month with 30 days' notice

Smith.ai details are taken from Smith.ai's own website in October 2026 and may have changed since. Sources: smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist, smith.ai/ai-receptionist, smithaivoiceassistant.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/151000232723-your-free-plan-how-it-works.

Key Differences

What Sets Virtual Reception Apart

One flat monthly price

Plans include a pool of minutes, so a busy month doesn't turn into a surprise bill. Smith.ai's AI receptionist is billed per call, from $150 a month for 75 calls.

More calls for less

Our $49 plan includes 250 minutes, enough for many small businesses' whole month. On Smith.ai, $150 covers 75 calls.

Try it live, no account needed

Talk to our AI receptionist in your browser right now. Smith.ai's test calls are available after you sign up.

Cancel whenever you want

No contracts and no notice period. Smith.ai asks for 30 days' notice to cancel.

Switching Is Easy

How to Switch From Smith.ai

Your customers keep calling the same number. You only change where the calls are forwarded.

  1. 1

    Start your free trial

    Sign up and enter your website or Google Business Profile. Your receptionist learns your business in about 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Test it side by side

    Call the free number we give you and hear how it handles your real questions, while Smith.ai keeps answering your line.

  3. 3

    Update your call forwarding

    When you're happy, point your call forwarding at your new Virtual Reception number, then cancel Smith.ai.

Simple Pricing

Virtual Reception Pricing

Try it free for 7 days. Full access to every feature, no credit card required, and cancel anytime.

Answering Service

For solopreneurs

$49 /month

Billed as $490 per year

 

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  • Up to 250 Minutes
  • 1 Receptionist
  • SMS & Email Notifications
Popular

Business

For growing businesses

$149 /month

Billed as $1,490 per year

 

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  • Everything in Answering Service plus:
  • Up to 1,000 Minutes
  • Book Appointments
  • Integrations
  • Send Text Message Links
  • Call Transfers

Growth

For scaling teams

$299 /month

Billed as $2,990 per year

 

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  • Everything in Business plus:
  • Up to 2,000 Minutes
  • Outbound Calls
  • Training Files

Enterprise

Custom solutions

Custom

Contact us for pricing

Contact Sales
  • Custom CRM Integrations
  • Unlimited Receptionists
  • Unlimited Users
  • Dedicated Support

Support

Virtual Reception vs Smith.ai FAQ

For most small businesses with regular call volume, yes. Virtual Reception starts at $49 a month for 250 minutes, while Smith.ai's AI receptionist starts at $150 a month for 75 calls. Smith.ai's free plan can be cheaper if you get fewer than 25 calls a month.

No. Virtual Reception is fully AI. When a call needs a person, it transfers the caller to you or your team, or takes a detailed message.

Smith.ai bills its AI receptionist per call, with plans that include a set number of calls and charges for extra calls. Virtual Reception uses a flat monthly plan with included minutes, and keeps answering if you go over.

Yes. Keep your existing number and point your call forwarding at your new Virtual Reception number. Test it first with the free number we give you.

No. The 7-day free trial includes every feature and doesn't require a credit card.

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Plans from $49/month