If you’re exploring ways to manage calls, qualify leads, and improve response times, you’ve probably run into Smith.ai. They mix real human receptionists with AI, so your business can handle calls, chats, and scheduling — without needing to bring someone in-house. Smith.ai helps you capture more leads and puts your best foot forward from that first “hello.”
Discover how Smith.ai’s virtual receptionists actually work, what’s unique about their AI, and how their pricing shakes out compared to other options. I’ll also touch on integrations, reporting, and how they compare to competitors like CallRail’s Voice Assist.
AI vs. human receptionists
Smith.ai gives you two main ways to answer your phones. There’s a fast, AI-driven option for volume and efficiency, or you can opt for live, North America–based receptionists if you want every call handled with a personal touch. Both run 24/7 and lean on solid tech.
AI receptionist
The AI Receptionist is all about instant answers and automation, but it won’t leave a caller hanging if things get complicated. A real person can jump in mid-call, and you’re not charged extra for that.
Setup is quick (maybe a day or so), and you can tweak the system to sound like your brand. There are a handful of voice options, too, which is a nice touch.
Feature
AI receptionist
Primary handler
AI
Human assistance
Available
Setup time
1–2 business days
Pricing model
Per call
Ideal for
High-volume, routine calls
Virtual receptionists (human-first)
If you prefer a real person every time, the Virtual Receptionist service utilizes trained, North America–based individuals who answer and resolve calls from start to finish, adhering to your preferred script and style.
AI still helps out in the background by pulling up caller details and giving agents quick summaries, so calls move faster and with fewer errors.
They’re pretty picky about who they hire—less than 1% make the cut—so you get people who sound sharp and professional. This is probably the way to go if your business lives or dies by relationships and first impressions.
Virtual receptionists
Our take
Primary handler
Human
AI support
Fast assistance
Call style
Personalized
Ideal for
Relationship-driven calls
General call handling and services
Whichever route you take, you get the important stuff: 24/7 answering, lead management, and qualifying prospects based on your own criteria.
They’ll book meetings straight to your calendar, process payments through LawPay or CPACharge, and support both English and Spanish callers. Outbound campaigns are also in the mix, so you can follow up or nurture leads without lifting a finger.
Service
Availability
24/7 answering
✔
Lead qualification
✔
Appointment scheduling
✔
Payment collection
✔
Bilingual support
✔
Outbound outreach
✔
Pricing
Smith.ai keeps it pretty straightforward with pay-per-call pricing, so you’re not guessing at your bill or stuck in a contract. You can choose between AI or human receptionists, and the plans adapt to your business needs with no setup fees or long-term lock-in.
Pricing model
It’s per call, which makes budgeting easier, especially if your call flow jumps around. Spam and wrong numbers are filtered out, as well.
Every plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Plan tiers (per-call model)
There are two main flavors: AI Receptionist and Virtual Receptionists. Each has tiers for different call volumes and overage rates.
Add-ons
There’s a menu of add-ons, all billed per call, so you can grab what you need and skip what you don’t.
Common add-ons include:
- Appointment booking: $1.50 per call
- Text and email follow-up: $0.50 per call
- Call recording and transcription: $0.25 per call
- Payment processing (LawPay or CPACharge): $1.00 per call
- Dedicated Spanish line: $1.00 per call
Integrations, technology, and reporting
Smith.ai plays nicely with a bunch of business tools, so you’re not stuck copying info from one app to another.
You get automation that actually saves you time and reporting that (mostly) makes sense out of your call data.
Integration network
You can connect Smith.ai to thousands of platforms, including CallRail, CRMs such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Clio, Pipedrive, and Zoho, as well as scheduling tools like Calendly, Acuity, and Google Calendar.
It also works with marketing and communication tools like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, 8x8, RingCentral, and Vonage. You can update contacts, schedule meetings, and handle billing without bouncing between windows.
Zapier and Make integrations take things further. You can build small automations that trigger when specific call outcomes occur, such as adding a lead or sending a follow-up. If you’re into workflow hacks, there’s a lot you can do here.
Call intelligence and reporting
Each call gets logged with structured data you can actually use. There’s a Call Dashboard for tracking volume, duration, and outcomes as they happen.
Recordings, AI-generated summaries, and transcripts are included. Handy if you need to double-check a conversation or spot trends in who’s calling and why.
You’ll see completed intake forms and scheduled appointments alongside call data, so it’s easier to tie your calls to actual business results. The reporting isn’t perfect, but it’s a solid step up from flying blind.
Zapier and Make integrations take things further. You can build small automations that trigger when specific call outcomes occur, such as adding a lead or sending a follow-up. If you’re into workflow hacks, there’s a lot you can do here.
Technical features
All the data lives in secure, cloud-based systems. Integrations work in the background; receptionists don’t see your private records.
Linking your software is easy: just log in, authorize, and you’re set. They utilize encrypted data transmission and permissions to maintain privacy. Fast syncing keeps your CRM, calendar, and billing up to date, so you’re not chasing info around. The tech is solid, and it actually makes managing calls less of a headache.
Zapier and Make integrations take things further. You can build small automations that trigger when specific call outcomes occur, such as adding a lead or sending a follow-up. If you’re into workflow hacks, there’s a lot you can do here.
Smith AI alternatives
There’s a menu of add-ons, all billed per call, so you can grab what you need and skip what you don’t.
Common add-ons include:
- Appointment booking: $1.50 per call
- Text and email follow-up: $0.50 per call
- Call recording and transcription: $0.25 per call
- Payment processing (LawPay or CPACharge): $1.00 per call
- Dedicated Spanish line: $1.00 per call
Ruby (virtual receptionist)
Ruby Receptionists provides you with live, U.S.-based receptionists to answer calls, take messages, and schedule appointments. You pay by the minute, which can be flexible or, honestly, a little unpredictable if you receive a high volume of calls.
Ruby plugs into a few CRM and calendar tools, but not as many as Smith.ai. You get call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and bilingual support, making it a decent fit for service businesses that want a personal vibe.
If you’re set on a 100% human experience and don’t mind the variable pricing, Ruby’s friendly, professional staff can help you keep that warm touch with your clients.
CallRail's Voice Assist (AI Receptionist)
Voice Assist is designed to help you catch more leads and keep your business open, even when your team isn’t around. It’ll pick up the phone, screen callers, and gather information so you don’t miss out just because you couldn’t get to the call. That means fewer missed opportunities and, honestly, a better shot at turning those leads into real clients.
Set up Voice Assist in just a few minutes. It pulls information from your website and past calls to get a feel for your business, then builds a smart profile that shapes how it communicates with people. You can adjust its tone, the questions it asks, and how it responds to different calls to match your brand’s vibe and day-to-day needs.
On calls, the AI can handle the basics, including answering FAQs, collecting contact information, and taking appointment requests. You’re in control of when it’s on duty, maybe just after hours, during busy spells, or only for certain campaigns. Whatever works.
After each call, you’ll get a summary with caller info, transcripts, and a lead score. It’s handy for zeroing in on the best leads and getting back to them quickly. Want to keep your team in the loop? You can also set up automatic notifications or text messages.
Voice Assist integrates seamlessly with your CallRail tracking and CRM. Every call gets linked to its marketing source, so you can actually see which ads are sending real people your way.
Pricing overview
Voice Assist add-on
- Monthly base: $95
- Included calls: 50 calls
- Extra calls: $1 per call
Just a heads up, a call only counts if it lasts more than 15 seconds.
Conclusion
Smith.ai really zeroes in on responsive communication, helping you juggle calls, chats, and client messages without missing a beat. The blend of AI tools and real people? It’s a flexible option for businesses that want quick answers without sacrificing the personal touch.
Many clients appreciate our prompt responses and consistent communication quality. That’s a big deal if you’re trying to snag leads and keep customers happy, all without piling more tasks onto your team.
Strengths:
- 24/7 live chat and virtual receptionist coverage
- Integration with common business tools
- Transparent pricing and customizable plans
If you’re after a partner that keeps you connected with customers but doesn’t overcomplicate things, Smith.ai offers a pretty solid mix of automation and that all-important human support.
Find out how Smith.ai compares to Callrail.
