AI receptionist costs for UK businesses typically range from £100 to £500 per month depending on call volume, features, and setup complexity. Here is what drives the price and what you should expect to pay.
The cost of adding an AI receptionist to your business phone system varies more than most providers make obvious on their websites. A small professional services firm handling 20 calls a day has very different requirements from a retail business fielding 200 calls a week, and the pricing reflects that - even if the headline product looks the same.
This guide covers the main pricing models in the market, what is typically included at each price point, and the questions worth asking before you commit to any provider.
Per-minute pricing
Some providers charge based on the volume of call time handled by the AI. Rates typically run between 10p and 30p per minute in the UK market. For businesses with low, predictable call volumes, this can work out cheaply. For businesses with longer calls or seasonal spikes, the cost can be unpredictable month to month.
Fixed monthly subscription
Most providers targeting SMEs offer a flat monthly fee that covers a set number of calls or minutes. These plans typically start at around £100 to £200 per month for a basic AI receptionist handling a limited call volume, rising to £200 to £500 per month for higher volumes, custom call flows, and integrations with your CRM or booking system.
Usage tiers
Some platforms combine a base subscription with tiered overage charges once you exceed your included call volume. This gives cost predictability at normal volumes while accommodating occasional spikes.
Call volume. The number of calls your AI receptionist handles is the primary cost driver. Most platforms tier their pricing around monthly call or minute thresholds. If your business receives fewer than 100 calls a month, you will likely be at the lower end of the pricing range. Higher volumes move you up.
Call complexity.e the AI needs to do within a call, the more sophisticated the underlying setup, and the higher the cost. onboarding, not weeks.Contract length. Monthly rolling contracts typically cost 10 to 20 per cent more than annual commitments. For most SMEs, starting on a monthly contract to validate the return before committing annually is the sensible approach.
Integration requirements. Connecting an AI receptionist to your existing phone system, CRM, or booking platform adds to the setup cost. Some providers include integrations in their standard plans; others charge per integration or require custom development.
Setup and onboarding. onboarding, not weeks. Monthly rolling contracts typically cost 10 to 20 per cent more than annual commitments. For most SMEs, starting on a monthly contract to validate the return before committing annually is the sensible approach.
Contract length. Monthly rolling contracts typically cost 10 to 20 per cent more than annual commitments. For most SMEs, starting on a monthly contract to validate the return before committing annually is the sensible approach.
Focus CX offers AI receptionist pricing on a subscription basis, sized to the call volume and complexity your business actually needs. There is no large upfront setup cost, and the platform is designed to be live within a few working days of onboarding.
Because every business's call pattern is different - a dental practice handles different volumes at different times than a legal firm or a property agent - Focus CX scopes pricing based on a short conversation about how your phones currently work and what you need the AI to do.
Book a free demonstration to get a clear figure for your specific situation. The demonstration also lets you hear Aila handling a real call before you commit to anything.
£100/month. Basic AI call answering and message taking. Good for sole traders and very small businesses with low, predictable call volumes and simple call flows. Limited integration with other systems.
£100 to £250/month. AI receptionist with custom call flows, booking handling, and caller routing. Suitable for most SMEs. Includes setup support and basic reporting on call volumes and handling.
£250 to £500/month. Higher call volumes, CRM integration, real-time calendar access, and more complex multi-step call handling. Appropriate for businesses where inbound calls are central to operations - multi-site hospitality, busy professional services firms, or property agencies managing significant inbound enquiry volumes.
Above £500/month. Enterprise-scale deployments, typically requiring bespoke development and dedicated account management. Most SMEs do not need this tier.
Does the AI handle your specific call type well? Ask to hear a demo call that reflects your actual inbound scenarios — a booking, a complaint, a quote request — rather than a generic demonstration. Aila can be tested live by calling 01204 324932.
Is the monthly fee all-in, or are there overage charges? Understand what happens if your call volume exceeds the plan limit. Some providers mute calls or downgrade handling quality; others charge per additional call.
How long does setup take? A provider quoting four to six weeks for setup is adding unnecessary delay. The technology does not require it.
What happens to your data? Call recordings and transcripts contain customer information. Confirm the provider's data retention policy and where data is stored, particularly for UK businesses with GDPR obligations.
The cost of an AI receptionist should be measured against what a missed call costs. For a dental practice where a new patient appointment is worth £200 to £300, missing two calls a week that would have booked is roughly £20,000 to £30,000 in annual revenue. For a restaurant where a no-show rate drops when bookings are confirmed by an AI that follows up, the saving is less visible but equally real.
At £100 to £250 per month, an AI receptionist pays for itself quickly in most businesses where inbound calls matter. The question is not usually whether it is worth the cost - it is whether the setup is right for how your business actually handles calls.
