AI receptionist vs hiring a receptionist
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The short answer
A receptionist on staff brings judgement and warmth and helps with everything else at the front desk, for one call at a time during working hours. An AI receptionist answers every call at any hour for a flat monthly fee, but it only handles the phone and text messages. Many businesses keep both: staff answer when they can, and the AI receptionist takes the calls they cannot.
Side by side
| What you are comparing | Ask Benny (AI receptionist) | Receptionist on staff |
|---|---|---|
| Answers calls | Every call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week | During their working hours |
| Calls at the same time | Up to 20 calls at once, so nobody waits on hold | One call at a time |
| Books appointments | Yes, straight into your calendar or booking system | Yes |
| Answers questions about your business | Yes, from the information you give it about your business | Yes, and they can use judgement on unusual requests |
| Languages | 80+ languages, switching mid-call when the caller does | The languages that person speaks |
| What you get after each call | A summary, a recording and a transcript | Whatever notes they take |
| Monthly cost | From $99 a month for 300 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | A salary and benefits, plus cover for breaks and time off |
Ask Benny prices are the published monthly prices in the currency of the site you are on. Figures for other options describe what is typical and vary by provider.
Choose an AI receptionist when
- Calls arrive outside working hours or several at a time.
- Your front desk is too busy with people in the room to pick up the phone.
- Your call volume does not justify another salary.
Choose a receptionist on staff when
- You need someone to greet visitors and run the front desk.
- Much of the work is tasks beyond the phone.
- Callers expect to reach the same familiar person every time.
Common questions
Can an AI receptionist replace a receptionist?
For the phone, often yes: it answers, books, takes messages and transfers calls. For the front desk, no. It does not greet visitors or do the other work a person does in the office.
How many calls can an AI receptionist answer at once?
Ask Benny answers up to 20 calls at the same time, so callers do not hear a busy signal or wait on hold.
What does it cost compared with hiring?
Ask Benny plans run from $99 to $399 a month depending on how many minutes you need. A receptionist on staff is a salary and benefits, plus cover for breaks, holidays and sick days.
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