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8 side by side.

Answering services compared: Ruby, Smith.ai, AnswerConnect, Moneypenny and more

Answering services put a person, or a person plus AI, on a business line, usually priced per call or per minute. Vicem is an AI for one person’s own phone, priced by the month, your US or Canadian number included.

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Dated.

What are the facts?

Ruby, Smith.ai, AnswerConnect, Moneypenny, Goodcall, Upfirst, Breezy, Vicem: the facts (Checked on October 14, 2026)
NamePriceCountriesLanguages it answers inA number of its own to give outWorks with your phone offAnswers the caller, or only screensTells callers it’s an AIBooks appointmentsTells you what happened
RubyPriceFrom $250 a month for 50 receptionist minutesCountriesNot stated on the pages we readLanguages it answers inEnglish and Spanish, 24/7A number of its own to give outHosts or ports your business numberWorks with your phone offYes, live people, 24/7Answers the caller, or only screensPeople answer, take intake, schedule and transferTells callers it’s an AINot an AI: trained people answerBooks appointmentsYes: appointment schedulingTells you what happenedNotifications by mobile app and email
Smith.aiPriceLive agents from $300 a month for 30 calls, $11.50 a call over; AI free for 25 calls a month, then $3 a callCountriesNot stated on the pages we readLanguages it answers inEnglish and SpanishA number of its own to give outYes, a local or toll-free number, or port yoursWorks with your phone offYes, 24/7Answers the caller, or only screensAI, live agents or both: answers, qualifies, takes intakeTells callers it’s an AIYou set disclosure; its AI never claims to be human if askedBooks appointmentsYes, on Calendly, Acuity and moreTells you what happenedSummaries, recordings and transcripts
AnswerConnectPriceMonthly plans by minutes, after-call work included; prices after a formCountriesNot stated on the pages we readLanguages it answers inEnglish and SpanishA number of its own to give outNot needed: you forward your line; toll-free on requestWorks with your phone offYes, 24/7, 365 daysAnswers the caller, or only screensPeople answer, schedule, take orders and messagesTells callers it’s an AINot an AI: it pledges people, not botsBooks appointmentsYes: appointment schedulingTells you what happenedNotices by app, text or email; call recordings
MoneypennyPricePAs: quote on request, free trial; AI Receptionist from £49 a monthCountriesNot stated on the pages we readLanguages it answers inNot stated on the pages we readA number of its own to give outA divert number; business numbers from £10 a monthWorks with your phone offOffice hours as standard; 24/7 on requestAnswers the caller, or only screensPAs answer in your company name; AI takes routine callsTells callers it’s an AINot stated for its AI; PAs are peopleBooks appointmentsYes, straight into your diaryTells you what happenedMessages by email or text; AI call summaries
GoodcallPriceFrom $79 a month, priced by unique callers; a free demo agentCountriesNot stated on the pages we readLanguages it answers inNot stated on the pages we readA number of its own to give outYes: a local number on every planWorks with your phone offYes, 24/7, on its numberAnswers the caller, or only screensAn AI agent answers, qualifies, books and transfersTells callers it’s an AIYes: callers are told they’re speaking with an AI assistantBooks appointmentsYes, on your calendarTells you what happenedLeads by text and email; recordings and transcripts
UpfirstPriceFrom $24.95 a month for 30 calls; 14-day free trialCountriesNot stated on the pages we readLanguages it answers inEnglish, Spanish and 35+ othersA number of its own to give outYes, its own number, billed at costWorks with your phone offYes, around the clockAnswers the caller, or only screensAnswers, takes details and transfersTells callers it’s an AINot stated on the pages we readBooks appointmentsYes: Google, Outlook, Calendly and moreTells you what happenedSummaries, recordings and transcripts
BreezyPriceNot stated on the pages we readCountriesNot stated on the pages we readLanguages it answers inEnglish and SpanishA number of its own to give outNot stated on the pages we readWorks with your phone offYes, after hours, on the business lineAnswers the caller, or only screensAnswers, takes the job details, creates a leadTells callers it’s an AIThe business chooses: as an AI, or as staffBooks appointmentsInstant booking with Housecall Pro; requests otherwiseTells you what happenedA job lead in your business software
VicemPriceFrom $24 a month, your US or Canadian number included. Free for 3 days.CountriesLocal numbers: 68 countries. Forwarding in many countriesLanguages it answers in37 languagesA number of its own to give outYes, with an email and a pageWorks with your phone offYesAnswers the caller, or only screensAnswers and talks with the callerTells callers it’s an AIYes, on every callBooks appointmentsYes, into your calendarTells you what happenedA summary of every call; urgent ones reach you at once

Checked on October 14, 2026. Each name opens its own comparison, with its sources.

When each fits.

Which one fits?

What do people ask?

Is an AI receptionist cheaper than an answering service?

It depends on your calls. The services here price by the minute, by the call or by quote; Vicem is priced by the month, your US or Canadian number included. The table shows each published price.

What’s the difference between an answering service and an AI receptionist?

An answering service puts people on your line; an AI receptionist answers by itself. Vicem is an AI for your own phone, and says it’s an AI.

How do calls get to Vicem?

You forward the calls you miss, decline or can’t take to Vicem’s own number. Your phone still rings first.

Does Vicem say it’s an AI?

Yes: every call starts by saying it’s an AI.

In their own words.

Sources, checked on October 14, 2026

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