Billing models
AI receptionist bills combine a billing unit with rules about what is included. Compare those rules before comparing the monthly headline.
Per minute: You pay for conversation time, either from an allowance or as usage. Check rounding: RingCentral lists billing in increments of half a minute on its AI Receptionist pricing page. Short calls can therefore use more billable time than their exact duration.
Per call: The unit is a handled call. Smith.ai publishes this model for its AI Receptionist. Compare the included calls and the extra call rate, especially if callers often return with another question.
Flat monthly: A fixed subscription needs a defined scope. Ask whether the quoted fee covers your expected calls, locations and tasks, and what happens beyond its limits.
Per seat: For a quote based on user seats, multiply the seat price by the number you need. Establish whether that buys staff phone access, AI answering or both.
Hybrid billing: A monthly base plus an allowance and overage combines fixed and variable charges. This describes billing, not necessarily a mix of AI and human receptionists. Count optional services separately before choosing a plan.
Pricing models compared
| Billing model | How it bills | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Per minute | Charges follow the billable time spent handling your calls | Check rounding increments and what time counts toward usage |
| Per call | Charges follow the number of calls handled for your business | Check repeat calls, excluded calls and extra call rates |
| Flat monthly | One recurring fee covers the scope defined in your plan | Read usage limits before treating the quoted fee as fixed |
| Per seat | Multiply the quoted user price by the seats you need | Confirm whether AI answering requires a separate service charge |
| Hybrid | A monthly subscription combines included usage with charges for extras | Add overage and optional services to the monthly base |
What affects the cost
Your total AI receptionist cost follows the calls you forward, how long they take and which extras you choose. Start with the portion of your phone traffic you want the receptionist to handle.
A repair shop forwarding only unanswered calls has a different workload from a property office forwarding its whole line. Use a normal month and a busy month for your estimate. Count after-hours calls separately so you can see what changes when you extend coverage.
Call length matters under minute billing. A question about opening hours and a detailed estimate request use different amounts of time. Keep intake focused on the information needed for the next step, such as the service address and reason for calling.
Ask how spam affects the allowance. RingCorgi politely ends spam and robocalls; when trials open, inspect actual dashboard usage rather than assuming those calls have no cost.
Finally, separate answering from optional work. Our website chat and consent-based lead follow-up are included in every plan. Email alerts, app push notifications and the daily digest are part of how we deliver your call information. Review the monthly plan details alongside the calls you expect to forward.
Price per call
Cost per call is the monthly answering bill divided by the number of calls handled. That calculation lets you compare a call allowance with a minute allowance using the same workload.
Consider a hypothetical month with 75 calls. Smith.ai lists its AI Receptionist Pro entry option at $150 per month for 75 calls, with a $2.00 per-call rate, as listed on Smith.ai's pricing page in October 2026. At that exact allowance, the subscription divided by the calls matches the published rate. Optional charges are outside this base calculation.
For a minute-based comparison, suppose those 75 calls each last two minutes. The workload is 150 minutes. With RingCorgi, compare that workload against Starter's 150 AI minutes for $99 monthly or Pro's 500 for $249 monthly; minutes beyond the selected allowance add $0.35 each on Starter or $0.20 on Pro. Divide the resulting monthly charge by 75 for your effective call cost.
Now keep the same call count but make each conversation four minutes. The workload becomes 300 minutes. The minute calculation changes, while a per-call calculation still starts with 75 calls. Test a short question and a longer intake in the browser conversation demo to judge which workload resembles your business.
Our pricing
We offer Starter at $99 a month with 150 AI minutes, then $0.35 per extra minute, or Pro at $249 with 500 AI minutes, then $0.20 per extra minute. The upcoming free trial will include up to 100 minutes over 14 days. A card is required before call forwarding goes live. The plan is month to month, and you can cancel online in one click.
Questions
What should I compare besides the monthly AI receptionist price?
Compare the included allowance, the unit being measured and the rate beyond that allowance. Then check the tasks included in the subscription. A plan that covers your short service questions can have a different total when you add longer intake calls or optional follow-up work.
Does RingCorgi charge more for answering after hours?
Our plan includes answering day and night once calls forward to your receptionist. Those calls use your included AI minutes, with the same extra minute rate beyond the allowance. You can forward only after-hours calls, only unanswered or busy calls, or your whole line.
Can I test the receptionist before starting a paid month?
You can use the browser demo without signing up. It lets you talk through a fictional business scenario and hear the receptionist respond. When free trials open, you can test your own business setup for 14 days, capped at 100 minutes. Call forwarding requires a card on file.
Will callers know they are speaking to AI?
Your receptionist introduces itself as a virtual assistant and says the call is recorded at the beginning of each call. That greeting stays on. Include the introduction when testing a typical conversation, then check how the receptionist asks questions and handles the caller's request.
What happens when my calls use more than the included minutes?
Starter's 150 AI minutes are followed by $0.35 per extra minute; Pro's 500 AI minutes are followed by $0.20 per extra minute, billed monthly. You can see usage in your dashboard alongside calls, transcripts and recordings. Once trials open, estimate conversation length during yours, then compare a routine month with your busiest expected workload.
Can I cancel if the call handling does not suit my business?
You can cancel online in one click, and cancellation takes effect at the end of your paid month. The subscription renews monthly until cancelled. If the plan lapses, calls go to your backup number or voicemail, so set that destination during setup and keep it current.
Try the Demo Before You Choose a Plan
Talk to the receptionist in your browser, then join early access; when free trials open, you can test your business instructions and see your call usage in the dashboard.
Where this comes from: smith.ai ringcentral.com