# AI receptionists

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An AI receptionist answers your business phone, takes messages, answers common questions, books appointments and transfers urgent calls, day or night.

- Tools listed: 3
- Updated: Nov 3, 2026
- Ranked by: US searches per month
- Category demand: 6,600 searches/mo for “ai receptionist” (Semrush, October 2026)

## Ranked list

1. [Smith.ai](https://gtmshortlist.ai/smith-ai.md): AI and human receptionists that answer calls, qualify leads and book appointments. 3,600 US searches/mo for “smith ai” (Semrush, October 2026). Unclaimed. Pricing: From $300/mo, billed monthly ($300 monthly). Free trial: Not mentioned on their pricing page. Source: https://smith.ai/pricing/receptionists. Checked: 2026-11-02T20:13:29.283+00:00.
2. [Goodcall](https://gtmshortlist.ai/goodcall.md): AI phone agent that answers calls for small businesses. 1,300 US searches/mo for “goodcall” (Semrush, October 2026). Unclaimed. Pricing: From $79/mo ($79 monthly). Free trial: Not mentioned on their pricing page. Source: https://www.goodcall.com/pricing. Checked: 2026-11-02T20:14:03.39+00:00.
3. [My AI Front Desk](https://gtmshortlist.ai/my-ai-front-desk.md): AI receptionist that answers calls, books appointments and texts callers. 590 US searches/mo for “my ai front desk” (Semrush, October 2026). Unclaimed. Pricing: From $79/mo, billed annually ($99 monthly). Free trial: 7-day free trial, no card needed. Source: https://www.myaifrontdesk.com/pricing. Checked: 2026-11-02T20:14:40.207+00:00.

## How to choose an AI receptionist

- **What it does on a call:** Check whether it can answer FAQs, book appointments, take messages, qualify leads and transfer urgent calls.
- **Calendar and CRM:** Make sure it books straight into your scheduling tool and logs each call in your CRM.
- **Voice and control:** Listen to sample calls and confirm you can edit scripts, hours and transfer rules yourself.

## AI receptionist questions

### How do AI receptionists work?

They answer your business line with a natural-sounding voice, understand what the caller wants, respond from your business information, then book, take a message or transfer the call based on your rules.

### What does an AI receptionist cost?

Most charge a monthly plan based on minutes or calls. Each listing shows the starting price and free trial from the vendor’s own pricing page, with the date we checked.

### What is the difference between an AI receptionist and a virtual receptionist?

A virtual receptionist is usually a remote human answering service. An AI receptionist is software that answers every call itself, day or night. Some services combine both.

### Can an AI receptionist replace a front desk?

It can cover after-hours calls, overflow and routine requests like booking. Many businesses keep staff for in-person visitors and sensitive calls.


## Popular comparisons

- [Goodcall vs Smith.ai](https://gtmshortlist.ai/compare/goodcall-vs-smith-ai.md)
- [My AI Front Desk vs Smith.ai](https://gtmshortlist.ai/compare/my-ai-front-desk-vs-smith-ai.md)
- [Goodcall vs My AI Front Desk](https://gtmshortlist.ai/compare/goodcall-vs-my-ai-front-desk.md)

## Related categories

- [AI voice agents](https://gtmshortlist.ai/ai-voice-agents.md)
- [AI call center](https://gtmshortlist.ai/ai-call-center.md)
- [AI customer service agents](https://gtmshortlist.ai/ai-customer-service-agents.md)

## About this list

Tools are ordered by monthly US searches for each tool’s name, from Semrush, October 2026. Ties are alphabetical. Sponsored spots are labeled and never change rank. Last checked Nov 3, 2026. Method: https://gtmshortlist.ai/methodology.md