A firm’s front desk, or your own AI?
Smith.ai vs Vicem: when each fits
Smith.ai answers business calls with an AI receptionist, live agents or both, and runs intake for firms. Vicem is an AI that answers your own phone, for everyone who calls you, and asks you before anything important.
Dated.
What are the facts?
| Question | Smith.ai | Vicem |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Smith.aiLive agents from $300 a month for 30 calls, $11.50 a call over; AI free for 25 calls a month, then $3 a call | VicemFrom $24 a month, your US or Canadian number included. Free for 3 days. |
| Countries | Smith.aiNot stated on the pages we read | VicemLocal numbers: 68 countries. Forwarding in many countries |
| Languages it answers in | Smith.aiEnglish and Spanish | Vicem37 languages |
| A number of its own to give out | Smith.aiYes, a local or toll-free number, or port yours | VicemYes, with an email and a page |
| Works with your phone off | Smith.aiYes, 24/7 | VicemYes |
| Answers the caller, or only screens | Smith.aiAI, live agents or both: answers, qualifies, takes intake | VicemAnswers and talks with the caller |
| Tells callers it’s an AI | Smith.aiYou set disclosure; its AI never claims to be human if asked | VicemYes, on every call |
| Books appointments | Smith.aiYes, on Calendly, Acuity and more | VicemYes, into your calendar |
| Tells you what happened | Smith.aiSummaries, recordings and transcripts | VicemA summary of every call; urgent ones reach you at once |
Checked on October 14, 2026
When the other is better.
Which one fits you?
Choose Smith.ai when:
- You run a law firm and want intake done on every call. Smith.ai home page
- You want people available when the AI can’t help. Smith.ai home page
- You want calls transferred to people on your team. Smith.ai receptionist pricing
Choose Vicem when:
- You want your own phone answered, not a firm’s line.
- You want every caller told it’s an AI.
- Callers speak any of 37 languages.
Credit where it’s due.
What does Smith.ai do well?
- You choose AI-first, hybrid or human-first answering. Smith.ai home page
- Live agents answer 24/7, at the same price day or night. Smith.ai receptionist pricing
- It answers in English and Spanish. Smith.ai home page
- It qualifies leads and asks your intake questions. Smith.ai receptionist pricing
- Spam calls aren’t charged. Smith.ai receptionist pricing
In their own words.
Where does Smith.ai stop?
- Plans count calls; each call over costs extra.Smith.ai receptionist pricing
- With live agents, booking appointments costs extra per call.Smith.ai receptionist pricing
Checked on October 14, 2026
Who picks up?
Smith.ai puts AI, people or both on a firm’s line.
Vicem is always an AI, for one person’s phone.
How do they compare?
| What it does | Smith.ai | Vicem |
|---|---|---|
| Works when your phone is off | Smith.aiYes, 24/7 | VicemYes |
| Books into your calendar during the call | Smith.aiYes, on Calendly, Acuity and more | VicemYes |
| Emails the caller back | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Its own number, email and page | Smith.aiA local or toll-free number | VicemYes |
| Speaks the caller’s language | Smith.aiEnglish and Spanish | Vicem37 languages |
| Asks you before anything important | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Anyone can check what it did | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Works on any phone | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Calls for you | Does not apply | VicemYes, with Vicem Plus |
| Waits on hold for you, up to the time you set | Does not apply | VicemYes, with Vicem Plus |
| Cancels a subscription for you and gets the reference | Does not apply | VicemYes, with Vicem Plus |
| Spam calls it turns away never count against your minutes | Smith.aiSpam calls aren’t charged | VicemYes |
| Junk calls and texts are handled without interrupting you | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Tell it who you’re expecting: they ring straight through | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Always an AI, never a call center | Smith.aiNo: AI, live agents or both | VicemYes |
| Never gives out your passwords or codes | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Never says yes to extras you didn’t approve | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Never gives out your address or where you are without asking you | Does not apply | VicemYes |
Only what Vicem does today; a dash means not stated or doesn’t apply.
Step by step.
How do you switch?
- If your calls forward to Smith.ai, turn that forwarding off.
- Get your Vicem: your first US or Canadian number is included.
- Forward missed calls to that number with your phone company’s codes.
- Call yourself from another phone and let it ring out.
What do people ask?
Is Vicem a Smith.ai alternative?
For one person, yes: Smith.ai serves firms; Vicem answers your calls.
Keep my number?
Yes: calls you miss forward to Vicem.
Does Vicem pretend to be a person?
No: every call starts by saying it’s an AI.
Want it answering your calls?
Vicem is an AI that answers your phone when you can’t. Free for 3 days.
Start free trial