How Much Does an AI Receptionist Cost for a Small Business? (2026 Prices)
In 2026, software-only AI receptionists cost roughly $25–$400/month depending on call volume. A custom-built AI voice agent — configured for your real intake flow and connected to your calendar — typically costs $350–$1,500 setup plus an optional $100–$250/month care plan. A human receptionist costs about $35,000/year. That's the honest math.
The three pricing tiers
| Option | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY software plan | $25–$95/mo | Low call volume, simple FAQs |
| Mid software plan | $100–$400/mo | Growing volume, bookings |
| Custom-built agent (DEEMWELL) | $350–$1,500 setup + optional care plan | Real intake flows: law firms, clinics, trades |
What changes the price
Call minutes, whether the agent books appointments, CRM handoff, custom call flows, and languages. A law-firm intake agent that qualifies callers and books consultations sits at the top of the range; a simple after-hours answerer sits at the bottom.
What you actually save
A receptionist role averages ~$35,000/year plus benefits. An AI agent answering 24/7 — including weekends — costs a small fraction of one month of that salary to set up. Missed calls are the bigger cost: for trades and law firms, one recovered client usually pays for the whole system.
Get it built
DEEMWELL builds AI receptionists for real intake (like law-firm client intake): see the service and tiers here, or start on Fiverr.