How Much Does an AI Receptionist Cost in the UK?
AI receptionist services in the UK typically cost between £25 and £100 per month. Here's a breakdown of what's included, what affects the price, and how it compares to alternatives.
Typical pricing in the UK
AI receptionist services in the UK typically range from £25 to £100 per month, depending on the plan and the number of included call minutes. Most providers offer tiered pricing:
Starter plans (around £25/month) typically include 100 minutes of call time and cover the basics — call answering, lead capture, call summaries, and a dedicated phone number. Pro plans (around £65/month) typically include 300 minutes and add appointment booking, calendar integration, and call transcripts. Business plans (around £100/month) include 600+ minutes and add multi-location support, CRM integrations, and priority support.
What affects the cost?
The main factor is the number of included call minutes. If you receive a lot of calls, you'll need a higher tier or you'll pay for additional minutes. Most providers charge an overage rate (around 18p per minute) for calls that exceed your included minutes.
Other factors include the number of phone numbers you need (for multi-location businesses), the number of integrations (calendar, CRM, SMS), and any premium features like call recording or advanced analytics.
What's included in the price?
Most AI receptionist plans include: a dedicated UK phone number, 24/7 call answering, business knowledge training (usually from your website), call summaries, lead capture, and a dashboard to manage your settings. Higher tiers add appointment booking, calendar integration, call transcripts, SMS follow-up, and analytics.
Some providers charge setup fees, but many — including Complete Office Suite — don't. Always check what's included before signing up.
How does it compare to a human receptionist?
A full-time human receptionist in the UK costs around £20,000-£28,000 per year (salary plus employer costs), plus benefits and holiday cover. A part-time receptionist costs proportionally less but only covers part of the day.
An AI receptionist at £25-£100/month (£300-£1,200/year) costs a fraction of a human receptionist, works 24/7, and never takes a holiday. For most small businesses, an AI receptionist is the more cost-effective choice.
How does it compare to a traditional answering service?
Traditional telephone answering services in the UK typically charge £50-£200/month, often with per-call or per-minute charges that make costs unpredictable. An AI receptionist at £25-£100/month with included minutes offers more predictable costs and more capabilities — answering questions, not just taking messages.