Quick answer
Most UK businesses pay between £200 and £1,500 per month for an AI receptionist service, depending on call volume, integrations, and customisation. This is significantly less than hiring a human receptionist, which typically costs £20,000-£28,000 per year in salary alone, before employer costs.
What Determines the Price?
The cost of an AI receptionist varies based on a few key factors. Understanding these helps you compare providers accurately and avoid surprise costs.
Call volume is the biggest factor. Some providers charge per call, while others offer unlimited calls at a flat rate. If your business handles hundreds of calls per month, a flat-rate plan saves money quickly.
Integration depth matters too. A basic AI receptionist that answers calls and takes messages costs less than one that books appointments directly into your calendar, qualifies leads against custom criteria, or connects to your CRM. The more systems it talks to, the higher the setup and monthly cost.
Customisation level affects pricing. An AI trained specifically on your services, pricing, and processes requires more initial configuration than a generic solution. This upfront investment pays off in call quality - the AI handles complex enquiries instead of just routing calls.
Comparing AI to Human Receptionists
A full-time receptionist in the UK costs £20,000-£28,000 in salary. Add employer National Insurance, pension contributions, holiday pay, sick cover, and training, and the real cost is closer to £30,000-£38,000 per year.
An AI receptionist at £500-£1,500 per month costs £6,000-£18,000 per year - and it works 24/7, never calls in sick, and handles multiple calls simultaneously.
For most UK service businesses handling 100-500 calls per month, the AI option costs 50-80% less than a human receptionist while covering evenings, weekends, and bank holidays without overtime.
What to Look For in a Provider
Not all AI receptionists are equal. The cheapest option often uses generic scripts that frustrate callers. Look for providers that train the AI specifically on your business, integrate with your existing systems, and offer a clear escalation path when calls need a human touch.
Ask about call quality monitoring, how the AI handles edge cases, and what happens during system updates. A good provider should be able to show you real call recordings and explain how the AI improves over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an upfront cost to set up an AI receptionist?
Most providers charge a one-off setup fee to train the AI on your business, configure call flows, and integrate with your booking or CRM system. This typically ranges from £500 to £3,000 depending on complexity.
What ongoing costs should I expect beyond the monthly fee?
The monthly fee usually covers the AI service, call handling, and basic integrations. Additional costs may include telephony charges for high call volumes, premium integrations, or custom development work.
How does the cost compare to an answering service?
Traditional answering services in the UK charge £1-£3 per call or £200-£800 per month for a set number of calls. AI receptionists handle unlimited calls at a fixed monthly rate, making them more cost-effective for businesses receiving more than 200 calls per month.
Can I try an AI receptionist before committing to a contract?
Many providers offer a trial period or pilot programme. At ORYX, we run a consultation to assess fit before you commit. You get to test the system with real calls before signing up.
Want to see how this works for your business?
Learn more