--- title: "Smith.ai Alternative: AI Receptionist Pricing Compared" description: "Smith.ai alternative compared on what each plan costs for your calls: published per-call plans against our installed AI receptionist, and who should pick which." url: "https://www.thequietprotocol.com/vs/smith-ai" --- # Smith.ai alternative Count your calls before you pick a plan. A Smith.ai alternative starts with arithmetic. This receipt compares its live-receptionist plan snapshot with our managed AI service. Smith.ai also sells AI-first plans separately, so these human-first prices are not its AI entry prices. Pick your call volume, then compare the service and allowance as well as the bill. Top-rated: 5.0 on Google [Price my month](https://www.thequietprotocol.com/book/intro?intent=vs-smith-ai) [Call our live AI](tel:+18559164334) Receipt **One month of calls** 30 calls 90 calls 300 calls 600 calls - **Smith.ai live plan**: Starter, 30 calls - **Plan price**: $300 - **Extra calls**: None - **Live-plan total**: $300 - **AI voice agent plan**: from $449/month, free setup, no contract Minutes of calls are included in each plan, with prepaid top-ups. - **Smith.ai live plan**: Basic, 90 calls - **Plan price**: $810 - **Extra calls**: None - **Live-plan total**: $810 - **AI voice agent plan**: from $449/month, free setup, no contract Minutes of calls are included in each plan, with prepaid top-ups. - **Smith.ai live plan**: Pro, 300 calls - **Plan price**: $2,100 - **Extra calls**: None - **Live-plan total**: $2,100 - **AI voice agent plan**: from $449/month, free setup, no contract Minutes of calls are included in each plan, with prepaid top-ups. - **Smith.ai live plan**: Pro, 300 calls - **Plan price**: $2,100 - **Extra calls**: 300 at $8.50 - **Live-plan total**: $4,650 - **AI voice agent plan**: from $449/month, free setup, no contract Minutes of calls are included in each plan, with prepaid top-ups. Smith.ai live-receptionist figures are a dated snapshot, checked 5 October 2026. Confirm before you buy. How the bill is built ## Per call is simple. It is also the part that moves. The three live-receptionist plans in this snapshot are priced by the calls they include. Past the allowance, each call costs more. That is fair, and it suits a quiet line. It is harder to forecast if your calls arrive in bursts after a storm or a promotion. | Plan | Per month | Calls included | Each extra call | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Starter | $300 | 30 | $11.50 | | Basic | $810 | 90 | $10.50 | | Pro | $2,100 | 300 | $8.50 | This snapshot covers live-receptionist plans. Smith.ai also sells AI-first plans on a separate price list; those are not represented by these figures. Month to month; 10% off a 12-month prepayment. Checked 5 October 2026. An honest split ## Who should stay, and who should look at us. ### Stay with Smith.ai if - You want a live person to pick up some of your calls, and callers who will notice the difference. - Your call volume is low and steady, so a small plan with an included allowance covers the month. - You already have booking, records and follow-up working, and you only need the phone covered. - You prefer to configure things yourself and keep the phone company separate from everything else. ### Look at us if - Your calls arrive in bursts, and a bill that counts every call is hard to predict. - You want the receptionist built, tested and kept running for you, not a tool you configure. - The call should end in a booked visit, a job card or a text, connected to your calendar and records. - You also need the website, local search and reviews to work with the phone, from one team. What we do differently ## One receptionist, built for your business, and a team that keeps it running. We start from your calls. We write the call job with you, set up your phone and calendar, test real calls and keep tuning it every month. The receptionist works only for your business, from your rules, and it hands your team a job card instead of a message. If you want more, the same team can build the website, local search and review requests it works with. Nothing here needs a new website first. [See the AI voice agents](https://www.thequietprotocol.com/solutions/ai-receptionist) AI voice agent plan from $449/month, free setup, no contract - One main call job, set up and tested for you - Your calendar and phone provider connected - Minutes of calls included in each plan, with prepaid top-ups - No contract, cancel anytime Before you switch, or stay ## Four checks that work on any vendor. 1. ### Pull a month of calls Export your call log. Count the calls, the average length and the days they cluster. 2. ### Ask both sides the same question What does my month cost, with setup, usage, phone and carrier charges, in writing? 3. ### Test the awkward call Run an emergency, a caller who is angry and a caller outside your area through each option. 4. ### Check the exit Ask what the commitment is, who owns the phone number and what you take with you if you leave. ## Questions owners ask us ### Is The Quiet Protocol a Smith.ai alternative? For many small businesses, yes. Smith.ai sells AI and live-agent reception on call-based plans. We install and run an AI receptionist for you, and it can sit inside a wider system of website, local search, booking and reviews. We do not supply live human agents, so if that is the point for you, Smith.ai is the better fit. ### How does Smith.ai price its plans? Per call. The live-receptionist pricing snapshot checked 5 October 2026 lists Starter at $300 a month for 30 calls, Basic at $810 a month for 90 calls, Pro at $2,100 a month for 300 calls, with overage per extra call. Its separate AI-first plans are not included in those figures. Prices change, so confirm on their page before you decide. ### What does your AI receptionist cost? AI voice agent plan: from $449/month, free setup, no contract. Setup is free, normally $1,495. Your plan includes the voice minutes listed and normal texting and email for your business. Third-party carrier and registration fees are billed separately at cost. Need more minutes? Add a prepaid top-up pack or move up a plan. We quote usage from your own call log, so you see the total before you start. ### Can I keep my number and my phone company? Yes in most cases. We check your phone provider and forwarding during setup and test busy, unanswered and after-hours calls before launch. Ask any vendor who owns the number and how you leave. ## Bring a month of calls. Leave with a total. Book a call and we will count your calls and minutes together, show you what each option costs and give you the answer in writing. You will talk to the people who build it, led by our founder, Vikram Roy. [Get a written quote](https://www.thequietprotocol.com/book/intro?intent=vs-smith-ai) [What an AI receptionist costs](https://www.thequietprotocol.com/ai-receptionist-cost) [The best AI receptionist for small business](https://www.thequietprotocol.com/best-ai-receptionist-for-small-business) ![Vikram Roy, founder of The Quiet Protocol](https://www.thequietprotocol.com/images/founder/vikram-roy.png) Written and reviewed by [Vikram Roy](https://www.thequietprotocol.com/authors/vikram-roy), Founder & Chief Architect, The Quiet Protocol Vikram Roy is the founder of The Quiet Protocol, a Toronto-based AI and marketing agency serving service businesses across the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the United States. He works directly with professional firms, home service companies, dental practices and clinics. He connects their website, local search, social media, intake, booking, reviews, follow-up and practical AI into one clear front door. Last updated October 18, 2026 [More from Vikram](https://www.thequietprotocol.com/authors/vikram-roy) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikroy/)