If you're considering an AI receptionist for your business, one of the first questions you'll ask is – how much does an AI receptionist cost?
The answer depends on several factors, including your call volume, the features you need and whether you're choosing a fully automated AI receptionist or a hybrid service that combines AI with human agents. In general, most UK businesses can expect to pay anywhere from £30 to £500+ per month for an AI receptionist solution, with enterprise-grade and custom-built systems costing significantly more.
Keep reading to discover more about typical AI receptionist pricing in the UK, what affects AI receptionist costs, hidden fees to watch out for, how AI compares to traditional receptionists, and what to look for when choosing a provider.
AI receptionist cost: Quick answer
Here's what UK businesses typically pay in 2026.
Solution type
Typical cost
Entry-level AI receptionist
£30–£100/month
Advanced AI receptionist with booking, integrations and high call volumes
£100–£500/month
Enterprise or custom AI receptionist
£500–£4,000+ setup plus monthly fees
Traditional answering service
£50–£200+/month
Full-time receptionist
£24,000–£35,000+ per year
Whilst pricing varies considerably between providers, most small businesses find that AI receptionists deliver the strongest value when they're used to answer calls outside business hours, capture leads and handle routine enquiries automatically.
What affects AI receptionist pricing?
1. Call volume
Most providers price their service based on how many calls or minutes are included each month. As you’ll expect, a business receiving 50 calls/month will naturally pay less than one receiving 1,000 calls.
However, be aware that a lower advertised monthly fee can become significantly more expensive if additional calls incur extra charges. So when comparing providers, don't just look at the headline monthly price – check:
Included call minutes
Included conversations
Overage charges
Fair usage limits
2. Features and automation
Basic AI receptionists typically answer calls, take messages and capture caller details, whereas more advanced solutions can also:
Book appointments
Qualify leads
Answer FAQs
Transfer calls
Send SMS follow-ups
Integrate with calendars and CRM systems
The more actions your AI receptionist can perform, the higher the monthly cost is likely to be.
3. Setup and customisation
Some providers offer a self-service setup process, whilst others charge for implementation and onboarding.
Custom-built AI voice agents can require thousands of pounds in setup costs before monthly fees are even considered. Industry estimates suggest bespoke deployments can range from £2,000–£4,000+ for initial implementation.
4. Human support
Not all “AI receptionists” are entirely AI-driven. Many providers offer hybrid services where AI handles routine calls and human operators manage more complex conversations. These services can be highly effective but often come with substantially higher monthly costs due to staffing requirements.
AI receptionist vs traditional receptionist: Cost comparison
For many SMEs, the biggest appeal of an AI receptionist isn't replacing staff – it's ensuring every call gets answered no matter the time of day, allowing humans and AI tools to work seamlessly together.
A full-time receptionist typically involves:
Salary
National Insurance contributions
Pension contributions
Holiday pay
Sick pay
Training costs
By comparison, an AI receptionist provides 24/7 call coverage for a predictable monthly fee. It can answer calls overnight and during weekends, holidays and periods of high demand without requiring additional staffing beyond your existing personnel. This is one reason AI receptionists are becoming increasingly popular among tradespeople, healthcare providers, professional services firms and appointment-based businesses.
Hidden costs to watch out for
When comparing AI receptionist providers, always look beyond the advertised monthly price. Ask about:
Overage charges – many providers charge extra when you exceed your included call allowance.
Setup fees – some providers charge onboarding or implementation fees that can significantly increase first-year costs.
Additional integrations – CRM, booking software and third-party integrations may be charged separately.
Telephone numbers – some providers charge extra for dedicated business numbers or call forwarding.
What do businesses actually value in an AI receptionist?
Across industry discussions, many business owners report that the biggest benefit isn't replacing staff, but ensuring enquiries aren't lost when nobody is available to answer the phone. In sectors where a missed call could mean a lost customer, this can have a direct impact on revenue.
Is a cheap AI receptionist always better?
Not necessarily. The cheapest option may provide basic call answering but lack:
Booking functionality
Lead qualification
Integrations
Custom responses
Detailed reporting
For many businesses, choosing the lowest monthly fee can end up costing more if the service fails to convert enquiries into customers.
Instead of asking “What's the cheapest AI receptionist?”, a better question is “Which AI receptionist gives my customers the best experience while capturing every opportunity?”.
Why many UK businesses are considering Fasthosts AI Receptionist
As AI receptionist technology becomes more mainstream, businesses are increasingly looking for solutions that combine affordability with simplicity.
The new AI Receptionist from Fasthosts is designed specifically to help businesses answer every call, deliver customer support around the clock and reduce missed opportunities – without the setup and admin headaches.
Key features include:
24/7 call answering
Natural AI-powered conversations (with multiple voices to choose from)
Multiple simultaneous call handling
FAQ handling
Call forwarding to employees when needed
Multi-language support
Instant call summaries sent to your inbox
Appointment scheduling (with Plus and Unlimited plans)
Simple setup with no specialist technical knowledge required
One-month free trial
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Please note: Fasthosts AI Receptionist doesn't record calls – only the call summary and basic metadata are retained after the call completes. Customer data is not used to train AI models.
Unlike many traditional answering services, our AI Receptionist can respond instantly at any time of day using your website as a knowledge base, helping you maintain customer service standards without increasing headcount. Plus, you can even set up and customise your AI receptionist with a name, voice and opening script in under 15 minutes, resulting in minimal disruption to your business.
New to AI receptionist services and not sure how you’ll get on? No problem! Get in touch with our support team via phone or live chat 24/7 for personalised advice. We also offer a one-month free trial on all three of our pricing tiers (which are priced as follows after the introductory offer – £39/month, £69/month and £99/month for Lite, Plus and Unlimited respectively), and you can cancel at any time if needed – no strings attached.
Most AI receptionists cost between £30 and £500/month depending on call volume, features and integrations. Enterprise or custom-built solutions can cost considerably more.
Fasthosts AI Receptionist offers three pricing tiers based on call volume and other features, including Lite at £39/month, Plus at £69/month and Unlimited at £99/month. There are no fixed contracts, so you’re free to cancel online at any time.
Can an AI receptionist book appointments?
Many modern AI receptionists can book appointments, update calendars and send summaries and confirmations automatically. Available features vary between providers and pricing tiers within different packages.
Do customers know they're speaking to AI?
Not always. Modern conversational AI has improved significantly, and many businesses report customers interacting naturally with AI receptionists when handling routine enquiries.
Is an AI receptionist worth it?
For businesses that regularly miss calls, receive out-of-hours enquiries or want to reduce administrative workload, an AI receptionist can often deliver a strong return on investment through improved responsiveness and lead capture.
AI receptionist pricing has become increasingly accessible in 2026. Although costs vary by provider and feature set, most UK businesses can now access AI-powered call answering for a fraction of the cost of hiring additional front-office staff.
The key is to evaluate providers based not only on price, but also on the customer experience they deliver, the tasks they can automate and how effectively they help your business convert enquiries into customers.
Looking for an AI Receptionist tool that helps you answer every call and reduce missed opportunities? Fasthosts AI Receptionist captures every lead 24/7, sending you instant summaries and booking appointments without the hassle of a complicated setup. Start your one-month free trial today, or contact our friendly support team at any time to learn more.
