Buyer's guide

How to choose an AI receptionist

A buyer's guide for small businesses. Last updated October 2026.

An AI receptionist answers your business phone calls, gives callers information, books appointments, and takes messages, around the clock. Services differ a lot in how they price usage, what they integrate with, and what is included on entry-level plans. This guide covers what to compare, the questions to ask any vendor, and how to estimate your monthly cost. Each section also notes how IsOn24 handles it, so you can compare it fairly with any other option.

  • 8 things to compare
  • Cost estimate
  • Vendor checklist
1

AI or live receptionists?

AI receptionists answer every call instantly, 24/7, and can handle many calls at the same time. Because no person's time is used per call, they are usually priced far lower per minute or per call.

Live receptionist services use trained people, which some callers and industries prefer. They are typically priced higher per minute or per call, and capacity depends on staffing.

Many businesses combine the two: AI answers every call, and calls that need a person are forwarded to staff.

How IsOn24 handles it

IsOn24 is an AI receptionist. When a call needs a person, it forwards the call to your phones or holds it in an automatic call queue so your own team answers in order, from any phone, tablet, or computer.

2

Understand the pricing model

Vendors meter usage in different ways, and the cheapest-looking plan is not always the cheapest for your call pattern. Common models are:

  • Per minute: a monthly pool of call minutes. Predictable when you get many short calls.
  • Per call: a set number of calls, then a fee per extra call. Can add up quickly with many short calls.
  • Per unique customer or per agent: often unlimited minutes, but capped by how many different people call or how many phone agents you run.

Also check what happens when you go over, whether texting is included or extra, whether there are setup fees, and whether annual billing is discounted.

How IsOn24 handles it

IsOn24 prices by monthly minutes and includes texts: Starter is $59/month for 1,000 call minutes and 1,000 texts, up to $199/month for 7,500 of each. There is no setup fee, and annual billing saves two months.

3

Appointment booking and calendar integrations

If callers book appointments, check that the receptionist books directly into the calendar you already use, offers only open slots so there is no double booking, and supports multiple staff calendars and appointment types.

Native integrations usually work more smoothly than connecting through a third-party automation tool, so ask which calendars and scheduling tools are supported natively.

Ask whether booking is included on the entry plan or only on higher tiers.

How IsOn24 handles it

IsOn24 includes appointment booking by phone, text, and online on every plan, with native Google Calendar, Square Appointments, and Jobber integrations, plus Zapier (Sprinter plan and up) for apps such as Microsoft Outlook, HubSpot, Acuity, and Salesforce. It books only open slots and supports multiple staff calendars and appointment types.

4

Keeping your phone number

You should not have to change the number your customers already know. Look for call forwarding from your existing number, and the option to port your number later.

If you use a toll-free or vanity number, ask whether it is supported and how its minutes are priced.

How IsOn24 handles it

Every IsOn24 Call Agent gets a local number. You can forward calls from your current number in under a minute, or port your number at any time. Toll-free and vanity numbers are available; inbound toll-free minutes count 2.5x toward your plan.

5

Texting and follow-up

Many customers prefer to text. Check for real two-way texting from your business number, automatic text-back after calls, and one inbox for voicemails, texts, and chats.

Ask whether texts are included in the plan or billed separately.

How IsOn24 handles it

IsOn24 includes texts on every plan (1,000 on Starter), real two-way texting from your number, and one screen for voicemails, texts, and online chats.

6

Voice quality and accuracy

Listen to real sample calls before you buy. Check that the voice sounds natural, that it understands callers, and that it gives accurate answers instead of making things up.

Ask whether you can choose the voice, use your own recorded voice, or switch to a traditional "press 1 for..." menu.

How IsOn24 handles it

IsOn24 offers 50+ life-like voices and accents, lets you record your own voice for certain conversations, and has an optional traditional IVR mode. You can listen to sample calls before signing up.

7

Call records, leads, and notifications

You should know what every caller wanted. Look for call recordings and transcripts, lead capture (name, number, email, and the caller's question), and instant notifications by text and email.

How IsOn24 handles it

IsOn24 keeps a recording and full transcript of every call on all plans, collects lead details, and alerts you by email and text. Leads can be sent to your CRM automatically.

8

Setup time, trial, and support

A good receptionist should be answering calls the same day. Ask whether there is a free trial, whether it needs a credit card, how long setup takes, and what onboarding and support each plan includes.

How IsOn24 handles it

IsOn24 offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card. The Call Agent is ready right after signup, onboarding is complimentary, and higher plans add guided or professional onboarding and live support.

Plan your budget

Estimate your monthly cost

Start from your own numbers: about how many calls you get each month, and how long a typical call lasts. Your phone carrier's call log usually shows both.

Minutes-based plans

calls × average minutes. For example, 300 calls a month averaging 2 minutes is about 600 minutes, which fits within a 1,000-minute plan.

Per-call plans

calls × the per-call rate, plus overage once you pass the included calls. The same 300 calls are billed call by call, however short they are.

Per-customer plans

count how many different people call each month, not how many calls you get.

Remember to include calls forwarded to your phones if the plan counts those minutes too, and texts if they are billed separately. With IsOn24, call minutes include inbound minutes plus outbound minutes when a call is forwarded to your phone; see plans and pricing for details.

Ask every vendor

Vendor checklist

Ask every vendor you are considering these questions. IsOn24's answers are included for reference.

Question to askWhy it mattersIsOn24
How is usage metered, and what happens if I go over?Your real monthly cost depends on your call pattern, not the headline price.Monthly pool of call minutes and texts, from $59/month for 1,000 of each.
Can it book directly into my calendar, and on which plan?Booking is often the main reason to use a receptionist.Yes, on every plan: Google Calendar, Square Appointments, and Jobber natively; more via Zapier on Sprinter and up.
Can I keep my current phone number?Customers should not have to learn a new number.Yes. Forward in under a minute, or port your number at any time.
Are texts included?Many customers prefer texting, and per-text fees add up.Yes. Texts are included on every plan, with two-way texting from your number.
How do calls reach a person when needed?Some calls should go to you or your team.Forwarding to your phones, plus an automatic call queue for your team.
Can I hear sample calls first?Voice quality and accuracy are hard to judge from a feature list.Yes. Sample calls are in the "Hear a sample call" section.
Is there a free trial, and does it need a card?You should test it on your own calls before paying.7-day free trial, no credit card, no setup fee.

AI receptionist buyer's guide: frequently asked questions

An AI receptionist is software that answers your business phone calls with a natural-sounding AI voice. It can answer callers' questions, book appointments, take messages, text customers, and forward calls to your team, 24/7.

It depends on the pricing model: per minute, per call, or per customer. Estimate your cost from your monthly calls and average call length. IsOn24 starts at $59/month for 1,000 call minutes and 1,000 texts, with a 7-day free trial.

It depends on your needs. AI receptionists answer every call instantly, 24/7, handle many calls at once, and usually cost much less per minute. Live services use people, which some callers prefer, at a higher cost. Many businesses let AI answer every call and forward the calls that need a person to their own staff.

Many can. Check which calendars are supported natively and whether booking is included on the entry plan. IsOn24 books appointments by phone, text, and online into Google Calendar, Square Appointments, and Jobber on every plan.

Usually, yes. Look for call forwarding from your existing number and the option to port it. With IsOn24 you can forward your number in under a minute or port it at any time.
By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Terms of Use , and our Privacy Policy