AI receptionist vs voicemail
Last reviewed
The short answer
Voicemail records a message and leaves the work to you. An AI receptionist answers the caller, deals with the request (a booking, a question, a message for the right person) and sends you a summary. If missed calls cost you customers, voicemail is the wrong tool: callers who reach a recording often hang up and call someone else.
Side by side
| What you are comparing | Ask Benny (AI receptionist) | Voicemail |
|---|---|---|
| Answers calls | Every call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week | Records a message when nobody picks up |
| Calls at the same time | Up to 20 calls at once, so nobody waits on hold | Any number, but nobody is answered |
| Books appointments | Yes, straight into your calendar or booking system | No |
| Answers questions about your business | Yes, from the information you give it about your business | No |
| Languages | 80+ languages, switching mid-call when the caller does | Only the language of your greeting |
| What you get after each call | A summary, a recording and a transcript | A recording, if the caller leaves one |
| Monthly cost | From $99 a month for 300 minutes, with a 7-day free trial | Usually included with your phone plan |
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
- New customers call you before they have decided who to hire.
- You cannot answer while you are on a job, with a client or closed.
- Calling people back takes time you do not have.
Choose voicemail when
- You get very few calls and almost all are from people who already know you.
- A missed call costs you nothing, because callers will always try again.
- You only need a place for callers to leave a message.
Common questions
What does an AI receptionist do that voicemail cannot?
It talks with the caller. Ask Benny answers questions about your business, books or moves appointments, takes a detailed message, and sends you a summary, a recording and a transcript of the call.
Do I have to change my phone number?
No. You keep your existing business number and forward calls to Ask Benny, either all the time or only when you cannot answer.
How much does it cost to replace voicemail with an AI receptionist?
Ask Benny starts at $99 a month for 300 minutes. There is a 7-day free trial, no setup fee and no long-term contract.
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