Pricing guide
How much does an AI receptionist cost?
Updated · By Byron Gray, founder, GrayWorks
An AI receptionist is software that answers your business phone in a natural voice, around the clock. People most often ask what it costs, so this guide uses GrayWorks prices as the worked example and shows the arithmetic.
How much does an AI receptionist cost?
GrayWorks AI receptionist plans cost $39 to $199 a month. Each plan includes a set number of call minutes, with no setup fee and no contract. Minutes beyond the plan cost $0.35 each, and only connected call time is counted. Billing is month-to-month. See current prices on the pricing page.
| Plan | Monthly price | Included minutes | Phone numbers | Notable extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $39 | 40 | 1 | 24/7 answering, messages, transcripts and summaries |
| Essential | $69 | 100 | 1 | Team invites, full voice library, flexible after-hours handling |
| Professional | $129 | 250 | 1 | Appointment booking, call recordings, website chatbot |
| Premier | $199 | 500 | 2 | Support ticketing, English and Spanish answering |
What does the price include, and what costs extra?
The price includes 24/7 answering, messages, transcripts and a set number of minutes. Extra costs are limited to minutes beyond your plan, at $0.35 each. There is no setup fee; setup is guided, see how it works. Appointment booking and call recordings start on Professional. Support ticketing is Premier only. Starter and Essential do not book appointments.
What does a call actually cost?
On the Essential plan, a 3-minute call uses about $2.07 of included time ($69 divided by 100 minutes, times 3). Past the included minutes, the same call costs 3 × $0.35 = $1.05. The monthly fee sets your real cost: if you use fewer minutes than the plan includes, you still pay the full fee.
Which plan fits at my call volume?
These examples assume 3-minute calls and are our own arithmetic from the published prices.
| Calls a month | Minutes used | Plan that fits | Monthly cost | Cost per call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 30 | Starter | $39 | $3.90 |
| 30 | 90 | Essential | $69 | $2.30 |
| 75 | 225 | Professional | $129 | $1.72 |
| 150 | 450 | Premier | $199 | $1.33 |
At 75 calls (225 minutes), staying on Essential and paying overage would cost $112.75, against Professional at $129. Choose Professional at that volume when you need appointment booking or call recordings. At 150 calls, Professional plus overage comes to $199, against Premier at $199.
How does that compare with hiring a receptionist?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median receptionist pay of $38,010 a year (May 2025), or about $3,168 a month in wages alone. That figure excludes payroll taxes, benefits, sick days and holidays. The comparison is not like for like: a person can greet visitors and handle tasks software cannot. An AI receptionist answers the phone.
Is there a free AI receptionist?
GrayWorks does not offer a free plan; the cheapest is $39 a month. Each receptionist is built from your business details, so there is no generic version to trial. You can hear one for free on the demo line, (202) 335-4047.
Are AI receptionists worth it?
They are worth it when calls arrive that nobody can answer. See how often that happens in our own call logs on the after-hours answering service page.
How does cost vary by industry?
Cost depends on call volume, not industry. Businesses with many short calls fit smaller plans; businesses with long calls use more minutes. See the pages for plumbers, HVAC and medical offices. You can get started in about 15 to 20 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an AI receptionist per month?
GrayWorks plans are $39, $69, $129, $199 a month, with 40, 100, 250, 500 included minutes. There is no setup fee.
Do I pay per call or per month?
You pay a flat monthly fee that includes a set number of minutes. Minutes beyond your plan cost $0.35 each, counted only for connected call time.
Is there a contract?
No. Plans are month-to-month and you can cancel from the billing page.
Can an AI receptionist book appointments?
Yes, on the Professional and Premier plans. Starter and Essential take messages and transfer calls but do not book.
Is an AI receptionist cheaper than hiring someone?
For answering the phone, yes. The top plan is $199 a month, compared with about $3,168 a month in median receptionist wages before taxes and benefits (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). A person does things software cannot, so the choice depends on what you need.
What happens if I go over my minutes?
Calls keep being answered. Extra connected minutes are billed at $0.35 each, and going over does not force an upgrade.
Ready to see which plan fits? Compare plans on the pricing page, or start setup. Questions first? Read the FAQ.