Virtual Receptionist Cost Breakdown (2026)
Every type of virtual receptionist service broken down by actual cost — from human live answering to fully automated AI, with real pricing from real providers.
What Is a Virtual Receptionist?
A virtual receptionist is any service — human, AI, or hybrid — that answers your business phone remotely. Unlike an in-house receptionist who sits at your front desk, a virtual receptionist works from elsewhere (a call center, a home office, or a cloud server) and answers calls as if they are your employee.
In 2026, there are three main types of virtual receptionist services, each with very different cost structures:
Type 1: Human Virtual Receptionists
Live people answering your phone from a call center. They greet callers with your business name and follow your instructions for handling different call types.
Major Providers and Pricing
| Provider | Plan | Monthly Cost | Included | Overage Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby | 50 minutes | $235 | 50 min | ~$4.70/min |
| Ruby | 200 minutes | $800 | 200 min | ~$4.00/min |
| Ruby | 500 minutes | $1,640 | 500 min | ~$3.28/min |
| Smith.ai | Hybrid 30 calls | $500 | 30 calls | $2.10/call |
| Smith.ai | Hybrid 100 calls | $800 | 100 calls | $2.40/call |
True cost for 200 calls/month: $800-$1,200
Annual cost: $9,600-$14,400
Pros and Cons
Pros: Human warmth, handles complex calls, builds caller relationships
Cons: Expensive, limited hours (most charge extra for 24/7), high overage rates, inconsistent quality between agents, potential billing issues (Ruby was ordered to pay $12 million in a class-action over billing practices)
Type 2: AI Virtual Receptionists
Software-powered phone agents that use artificial intelligence to answer calls, understand questions, and respond with natural-sounding speech.
Major Providers and Pricing
| Provider | Starting Price | Model | True Cost (200 calls/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crixin | $0/mo | $0.12/min pay-as-you-go | $72-$144 |
| Rosie | $49/mo | Unlimited | $49 |
| Goodcall | $59/mo | Per agent + customers | $59-$199 |
| My AI Front Desk | $65/mo | Flat tiers | $65-$119 |
| Smith.ai AI-only | $95/mo | Per-call tiers | $95-$300+ |
True cost for 200 calls/month: $49-$200
Annual cost: $588-$2,400
Pros and Cons
Pros: 80-97% cheaper than human, 24/7 coverage included, handles multiple simultaneous calls, consistent quality, multilingual, fast setup
Cons: Cannot handle highly complex or emotional calls, limited relationship building, technology still improving
Type 3: In-House Receptionist
A full-time or part-time employee at your location.
| Cost Component | Full-Time | Part-Time (20 hrs/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $30,000-$45,000 | $15,000-$22,500 |
| Benefits (health, PTO) | $7,000-$12,000 | $0-$3,000 |
| Payroll taxes | $2,300-$3,400 | $1,150-$1,700 |
| Training | $1,000-$3,000 | $500-$1,500 |
| Desk/office space | $3,000-$15,000 | $1,500-$7,500 |
| Total annual | $43,300-$78,400 | $18,150-$36,200 |
Side-by-Side Annual Cost Comparison
| Option | Annual Cost | Hours of Coverage | Cost per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-house full-time | $43,300-$78,400 | 2,080 | $20.80-$37.70 |
| In-house part-time | $18,150-$36,200 | 1,040 | $17.45-$34.80 |
| Human virtual (Ruby) | $9,600-$19,680 | 2,080-8,760 | $1.10-$9.46 |
| AI virtual (Crixin) | $588-$1,788 | 8,760 | $0.07-$0.20 |
Which Type Is Right for Your Business?
Choose In-House If:
- You need a physical presence at a front desk (medical offices, law firms with walk-ins)
- Your calls frequently involve sensitive or complex situations
- You value personal relationships with regular callers
- You can afford $40,000+/year and accept 40-hour coverage limits
Choose Human Virtual If:
- You need human-quality call handling without in-house cost
- Your call volume is moderate (under 200 calls/month)
- Budget is $500-$1,500/month
- Complex client intake is a core business need
Choose AI Virtual If:
- You need 24/7 coverage (most businesses do)
- 80-90% of your calls are routine (scheduling, FAQs, information)
- Budget is under $200/month
- You want instant setup and no management overhead
- You serve a multilingual customer base
For most dental offices, salons, auto shops, restaurants, and home service businesses, AI virtual receptionists provide the best combination of cost, coverage, and capability. The savings alone — $40,000-$75,000/year compared to in-house — can fund growth that moves your business forward.
Try Crixin's pay-as-you-go plan to see how AI handles your calls before committing to any monthly plan. You will have real data on call quality, volume, and coverage — not just marketing claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest virtual receptionist option?
AI-only virtual receptionists are the cheapest, starting at $29-$49/month for basic plans. Crixin offers pay-as-you-go at $0.12/minute with no monthly fee. Human virtual receptionists start at $235/month for just 50 minutes.
How much does Ruby Receptionists cost?
Ruby Receptionists charges $235/month for 50 minutes, $415/month for 100 minutes, $800/month for 200 minutes, and $1,640/month for 500 minutes. Overages are billed per-minute. Multiple lawsuits have alleged deceptive billing practices.
Is a virtual receptionist worth it for a solo business?
For solo practitioners who cannot answer calls while working (lawyers in court, plumbers under a sink, therapists in session), a virtual receptionist is almost always worth it. Even capturing one additional client per month typically covers the cost many times over.
What is the difference between a virtual receptionist and an answering service?
A virtual receptionist handles calls as if they work for your business — greeting callers by your business name, answering questions, and scheduling appointments. An answering service typically just takes messages. AI virtual receptionists like Crixin combine both capabilities.
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