Best Answering Services for Small Businesses (2025)

Your phone just rang. You were with a customer, on a job site, or maybe just grabbing lunch. By the time you checked, the caller had already moved on. No voicemail. No message. Just a missed opportunity that probably went straight to your competitor.

This happens to small businesses every single day. Research shows that roughly 80% of callers won't leave a voicemail if you don't pick up. They'll simply call the next business on their list. And with nearly 60% of consumers clicking to call because they want a quick answer, that expectation of immediate response isn't going away.

The solution? An answering service that ensures every call gets handled professionally, whether it's 2 PM on a Tuesday or 9 PM on a Saturday.

This guide covers everything you need to know about answering services for small businesses in 2025. We'll break down the two main types (live human receptionists vs. AI-powered virtual receptionists), review the top options in each category, compare pricing, and help you figure out which one makes the most sense for your specific situation. If you're tired of losing leads to voicemail or paying premium prices for basic phone coverage, you're in the right place.

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Why Small Businesses Need an Answering Service#

Small business owners wear a lot of hats. You're the salesperson, the technician, the bookkeeper, and sometimes the janitor. What you probably aren't is a full-time receptionist sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring.

That's where the problems start.

Missed calls directly translate to lost revenue. When a potential customer can't reach you, they don't wait around. Studies indicate that 89% of consumers have stopped doing business with a company after a poor customer service experience, and not being able to reach a live person is one of the biggest frustrations. Your voicemail isn't doing you any favors either. Most callers simply hang up when they hear "please leave a message after the beep." This is exactly why understanding how much money you lose from unanswered calls matters so much.

An answering service solves multiple problems at once:

• 24/7 availability without 24/7 staffing. Your calls get answered day or night, weekends and holidays, whenever customers decide to call. A caller with an emergency at 10 PM reaches a helpful voice instead of silence. That immediate response can be the reason someone chooses you over a competitor who wasn't available. A dedicated after-hours answering solution makes this possible.

• Actual lead capture instead of voicemail black holes. A good answering service doesn't just say "we'll have someone call you back." They capture the caller's name, number, and needs, and can even schedule appointments in real time. If a customer calls your plumbing company after hours, they can book the first available slot for Monday morning. You start your week with a job on the calendar instead of a missed opportunity.

• Better customer experience. People appreciate reaching someone helpful instead of getting dumped into voicemail or placed on endless hold. An answering service can handle FAQs, reassure callers that their request is noted, and make every caller feel important.

• A more professional image. Even if you're a one-person operation, an answering service makes it sound like you have a dedicated receptionist. The agent (or AI) answers with your custom greeting and follows your instructions, so callers get a polished, consistent experience as if you had a full office staff.

• Your time back. You can't always stop what you're doing to answer the phone. An answering service screens and handles routine calls so you can focus on actual work. You'll get messages or call summaries to review instead of constant interruptions. This is especially helpful when your phone rings while you're with a client.

• Spam and robocall protection. This one's often overlooked. Consumers now only answer about 48% of incoming calls, partly because so many are spam. Modern answering services include spam filtering that auto-blocks robocaller numbers and hangs up on suspected sales calls. You only deal with real customer calls.

What this means for you: An answering service lets your small business be responsive and "always open" to customers without hiring full-time staff. You capture more leads, deliver better service, and save your own sanity.

Learn more about what to do when you can't afford a receptionist.

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Live vs AI Answering Services: How to Choose#

Answering services come in two main flavors, and understanding the difference will save you a lot of confusion (and potentially a lot of money).

What Is a Live Answering Service?#

These use real people to answer your calls. When someone dials your number, it rings through to a call center where a trained receptionist picks up, follows your script, and interacts with the caller. From the customer's perspective, it feels like reaching your office receptionist.

Companies like Ruby and AnswerConnect fall into this category. They emphasize personal touch: a real person with empathy who can navigate complex conversations. The trade-off? They cost significantly more (to pay those humans) and each agent can only handle one call at a time. Live services typically charge by the minute or call, and costs can climb quickly as your volume grows. Understanding virtual receptionist costs helps you budget properly.

What Is an AI Answering Service?#

These use artificial intelligence to answer and handle calls. When a call comes in, a sophisticated voice assistant greets the caller and has a natural conversation to help them. Modern AI answering services are far more advanced than those clunky "press 1 for sales, press 2 for support" systems. Callers don't have to navigate phone trees; they just speak naturally and the AI responds appropriately.

The AI can answer FAQs from a knowledge base, collect caller information, transfer urgent calls, and simulate what a live person would do. The big advantages are cost and scalability. AI doesn't sleep or take breaks, so these services run 24/7 by default. And if 5 people call at the same time? An AI receptionist can engage all 5 simultaneously, something a single human can't do. Learn more about how AI phone answering works.

The cost difference is dramatic. AI receptionists typically cost 5 to 10 times less than human services for comparable call volumes. An AI plan might run $99/month for unlimited calls, while a live service could charge $600+ for the same volume.

Live vs AI: Key Factors to Consider#

Your choice comes down to a few key factors:

Budget: If money is tight, AI services are extremely compelling. Live answering typically runs $65 to $150 per month for basic plans and $300 to $800+ for moderate usage, plus per-minute fees. AI plans usually range from $25 to $100 per month, with some offering unlimited minutes at that price. Explore the cheapest way to answer business calls 24/7.

Call complexity: If your callers frequently have sensitive or complicated needs (legal clients with urgent issues, patients requiring empathy), a trained human can handle those delicate conversations better. Humans can adapt on the fly in ways AI still might not. But if most calls are straightforward (booking appointments, answering basic questions, taking messages), AI handles those consistently and quickly. For specialized needs, consider industry-specific solutions like answering services for law firms.

Consistency: AI wins here. It follows the script every time, never has an off day, and never puts a caller on hold unless programmed to. AI also scales instantly. A sudden influx of calls won't create delays or extra charges (as long as you're on a plan that allows it).

Integration needs: AI services, being software, often integrate seamlessly with your tools. They can book appointments directly on your Google or Outlook Calendar in real time, or push call details into your CRM via integrations. They also provide searchable transcripts and recordings automatically. Human services can integrate too, but it often requires more setup.

The practical reality: For tight budgets and 24/7 basic coverage, AI services offer unbeatable value and have gotten remarkably good. If you need high-touch, empathetic service and don't mind paying premium prices, live answering is the way to go. Some businesses use a hybrid approach: AI handles most calls, and only truly complex situations get escalated to a human or transferred to you directly.

Still unsure? Read about the benefits of using AI receptionists.

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Top Live Answering Services for Small Businesses#

Even in the age of AI, human-staffed answering services remain popular for their personal touch. The companies below are industry leaders with trained live receptionists who answer in your company's name, take messages, and handle callers according to your instructions.

Live services cost more, but if you need that human empathy and have the budget, these are the top choices:

AnswerConnect#

Best for: Lead qualification and comprehensive phone/chat support

AnswerConnect is frequently cited as a top overall telephone answering service. They operate 24/7/365 with fully bilingual agents (English and Spanish) and do more than message-taking. They qualify inbound leads, route calls, and even handle live web chat.

One standout feature: they use caller ID to recognize repeat callers, allowing a more personalized greeting. They also integrate with many CRMs and business software.

Pricing: Plans start around $325/month for 100 minutes, $425 for 300 minutes, and approximately $825 for 450 minutes. Overage runs about $2.75 to $2.95 per minute, and there's often a setup fee for smaller plans. It's premium pricing, but includes lead qualification and live chat in the package.

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Ruby Receptionists#

Best for: Premium service with live chat integration

Ruby is one of the most established names in virtual receptionists, serving small businesses since 2003. They built their reputation on warm, friendly customer experiences. U.S.-based Ruby receptionists answer with your custom greeting, follow your instructions for screening or transferring, and can schedule appointments or take messages. You can learn more in our detailed Ruby Receptionists vs AI Receptionist comparison.

They operate 24/7 with no extra after-hours fees, and offer integrated live chat services for your website plus a mobile app.

Pricing: Starter plan is $245/month for 50 minutes, scaling up to $1,695/month for 500 minutes. In between: $385 for 100 minutes, $705 for 200 minutes. They bill in 30-second increments, so short calls still use at least half a minute. It's one of the most expensive options, but delivers genuinely high-touch service.

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Moneypenny (VoiceNation)#

Best for: Industry-specific expertise and quick setup

Moneypenny is a UK-based global service (VoiceNation is a Moneypenny company) that offers fast setup and 24/7 answering with no after-hour or holiday surcharges. They assign a small team of receptionists to your account, often with industry experience.

They handle technical support calls and complex queries with special teams for legal, real estate, healthcare, and more. They also have a Microsoft Teams integration for direct transfers within your Teams environment.

Pricing: Entry pricing around $145 per month for a base plan. They tailor packages to your needs and usually require a quote for specifics. They also offer a 7-day free trial.

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Posh#

Best for: Budget-conscious businesses wanting live receptionists

Posh markets itself as a more affordable alternative. They provide 24/7 live answering and can place outbound calls on your behalf (calling customers back, which not all services do). They have bilingual agents, unlimited users on your account, and Zapier integration for connecting to your apps.

Pricing: One of the lowest entry points in the industry. They have seven tiers, including a pay-as-you-go option at $65/month (then about $2.25/minute). Practical plans: 50 minutes for $125, 100 minutes for $210, scaling to 500 minutes for $950. That's roughly half the price of Ruby for similar service.

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Abby Connect#

Best for: Consistent team and white-glove treatment

Abby Connect assigns you a consistent small team of receptionists who get to know your business and customers over time. They provide a dedicated account manager, bilingual support, and Zapier integration for CRM connections.

Pricing: Plans start at $329/month for 100 minutes, $599 for 200 minutes, and around $1,380 for 500 minutes. By default they cover extended business hours on weekdays; 24/7 is an upgrade. They offer a 14-day free trial.

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Davinci Virtual#

Best for: Solopreneurs wanting virtual office extras

Davinci is different from the others. They offer a broad "virtual office" solution including live answering during business hours (not 24/7), plus options like a physical business mailing address, meeting spaces on demand, and fax services.

Note: they require a 6-month minimum commitment.

Pricing: Business 50 plan at $129/month for 50 minutes, Business 100 at $239/month for 100 minutes. Overage is about $1.75 per minute. Affordable if you only need daytime coverage and want bundled virtual office services.

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Top AI Answering Services for Small Businesses#

AI-powered answering services have advanced dramatically in recent years. These systems use natural-sounding voices and sophisticated language understanding to converse with callers. The benefits for small businesses are significant: instant 24/7 response, scalability, and dramatically lower costs compared to live services.

AI can handle the majority of routine calls, book appointments, and answer FAQs automatically. Here are the top options in 2025:

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Eden AI Receptionist#

Best for: Effortless setup, 24/7 coverage, and exceptional value

We built Eden specifically with small businesses in mind, and we've focused on making it as easy and affordable as possible to ensure every call gets answered professionally.

What sets Eden apart:

→ Five-minute setup. Seriously. You sign up, choose a local phone number, input your business info and FAQs, and you're live. No complicated flow-building or technical knowledge required. Most people get fully operational in about five minutes. Learn how to get the best out of your AI receptionist.

→ Natural conversation, not phone trees. Our AI answers in a friendly voice, greets callers by your business name, and has genuine conversations. It collects caller information, answers common questions from your knowledge base, and can schedule appointments directly on your calendar in real time. Need to transfer urgent calls? Eden can do warm transfers to your cell or an on-call team member via call routing.

→ Instant lead capture. Every call, Eden politely collects the caller's name, contact info, and reason for calling. You get an instant summary via text or email so you know exactly who to follow up with and why. This lead qualification happens automatically.

→ IntelliSpam filtering. Our system automatically detects spam and robocalls and hangs up on them. Even better: we don't charge you for calls under 15 seconds, so telemarketers won't eat into your minutes.

→ Bilingual support. Eden speaks fluent English and Spanish, switching based on the caller's language. Multiple voice options let you choose the personality that fits your brand. Our bilingual answering service serves diverse customer bases.

→ Full dashboard. Listen to call recordings, read transcripts, review call summaries, and track everything in one place.

Pricing:

• Free trial: 30 minutes of call time free for one week, no credit card required

• Plus Plan: $39/month for 200 minutes

• Pro Plan: $99/month for unlimited minutes

• Overage on Plus: $0.20/minute

Let's do the math. 200 minutes on Eden costs $39. The same 200 minutes with a typical human answering service would run approximately $705. That's more than 18x cheaper for the same coverage. And with our Pro plan at $99 for unlimited calls, you get something no human service can realistically offer at any price: true unlimited answering without per-call charges.

Who should use Eden:

Honestly? Almost any small business that wants every call answered without breaking the bank. We're particularly great for:

• Appointment-based businesses (our real-time calendar booking is a major time-saver) like salons and dental offices

• Service businesses with after-hours or urgent calls (contractors, HVAC companies, plumbers, electricians)

• Anyone currently relying on voicemail and losing leads because of it

• Businesses looking to replace expensive human services while maintaining quality

If you want to see how it works, try Eden free for a week. Set up takes minutes, and you can test it with real calls to hear exactly how it sounds.

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Other AI Answering Services to Consider#

While we obviously believe Eden is the best choice for most small businesses, here are other AI options on the market:

Rosie AI

Known for unlimited minutes at $49/month, making it one of the cheapest options. Rosie can automatically escalate to you or a staff member if the AI gets stumped, and it pulls info from your Google Business Profile to learn about your business. The AI adjusts its tone based on caller mood. Good budget option, though setup isn't as streamlined as ours.

Upfirst

Uses per-call pricing rather than per-minute: $24.95/month for 30 calls, $59.95 for 90 calls, $159.95 for 300 calls. They're known for clean, concise call summaries and a very user-friendly interface. No limits on knowledge base size, so you can teach it as many FAQs as you want. Good if you prefer thinking in calls answered rather than minutes.

Goodcall

Offers high customization through "skills" and "flows" that let you design specific call logic. Pricing is based on unique callers per month: $59 for up to 100. Integrates with 25+ platforms natively. The trade-off: it's a bit complex to set up and has a learning curve.

Breezy.ai

Perhaps the simplest to get running. You configure it by typing plain-language instructions for how you want calls handled. $50/month flat rate for unlimited calls and SMS. They also handle two-way text conversations, which is rare among AI services.

Phonely

For power users who want maximum control. You can tweak voice settings, add filler words like "umm" for realism, and build complex flows. HIPAA and PCI compliant for regulated industries. Pricing: $33/month for 200 minutes, $100 for 600, $335 for 2,000. Not beginner-friendly, but very powerful if you're tech-savvy.

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Answering Service Pricing Comparison#

Here's how the top services stack up on cost:

Live Answering Service Costs#

AI Answering Service Costs#

Key insight: The cheapest live service (Posh at $125 for 50 minutes) costs more than many AI services offering 200+ minutes or unlimited calls. For budget-conscious businesses, AI isn't just "good enough" anymore. It's often the smarter choice.

See our virtual receptionist vs voicemail cost analysis for detailed breakdowns.

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How to Pick the Right Answering Service for Your Business#

With so many options, how do you pick? Here's a framework:

① Figure out what you actually need.

Do you just need messages taken? Or do you want appointment scheduling, FAQ handling, call transfers, and CRM integration? Match your requirements to the features offered. If booking appointments is crucial, look for services with calendar integration. Eden and most AI services include this; live services vary.

② Confirm the hours of coverage.

If missing after-hours calls is your main problem, you need 24/7 coverage. Most AI services are 24/7 by default. Many live services are too, but some (like Davinci) only cover business hours unless you pay extra. Check whether weekends and holidays are included.

③ Be realistic about your call volume and budget.

If you get 20 calls a month, spending $300+ on a live service probably doesn't make sense when AI can handle it for $39. On the other hand, if each call could lead to significant revenue and requires human judgment, the investment might be worth it.

Live answering typically costs $2 to $3 per minute. AI is often pennies per minute or a flat rate. Also watch out for setup fees and overage charges. Understanding how much an AI receptionist costs helps you plan accordingly.

④ Consider customization needs.

All services use your custom greeting, but how much beyond that do you need? Can you update instructions easily? Does the service handle industry-specific terminology? Some AI services let you choose the persona and tone of the agent. Check out professional voicemail greeting samples for inspiration on customization.

⑤ Think about integrations.

Do you want call notes pushed to your CRM? Appointments booked directly to your calendar? Many services integrate with popular software, but capabilities vary. If this matters to you, confirm before signing up.

⑥ Check industry and compliance requirements.

Healthcare providers need HIPAA compliance. Financial services may need PCI compliance. Not all services offer this. If you're in a regulated field, ask specifically. We serve many industries with tailored solutions.

⑦ Use the free trial.

Almost every service offers some form of trial period. Take advantage of it. Forward your calls for a week and see what happens. Did customers seem satisfied? Did the service capture the info you needed? Test edge cases: call after hours, ask a tricky question, see how it handles things. Learn how to forward business calls to an answering service to get started.

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Why Eden Is the Best Answering Service for Most Small Businesses#

We've covered a lot of options. Here's why we believe Eden is the right answer for the majority of small businesses:

You get premium features at AI prices. Real-time calendar booking, call transfers, bilingual support, spam filtering, recordings, transcripts. Everything you'd want from an answering service, starting at $39/month.

Setup is genuinely fast. Not "fast for enterprise software." Fast as in you'll be live in five minutes. No technical knowledge required.

The math works. For the same 200 minutes that would cost $705+ with a human service, you pay $39. That's 18x cheaper. Our $99 unlimited plan means you never worry about overages, no matter how many calls come in.

It actually sounds good. Modern AI voice technology isn't the robotic experience you might expect. Callers have natural conversations and often don't realize they're talking to an AI.

You stop losing leads. No more voicemails that never get returned. No more missed after-hours calls. Every inquiry gets captured and delivered to you instantly.

If you're currently relying on voicemail, paying too much for a human service, or just frustrated with missed calls, give Eden a try. The free trial takes minutes to set up, and you'll quickly see what we mean.

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Answering Service FAQs#

How much does an answering service cost for a small business?

It varies widely depending on whether you choose live (human) or AI-powered service. Live answering services typically range from $125 to $500+ per month for basic plans, with per-minute rates of $2 to $3 for additional usage. AI answering services are significantly cheaper, usually between $25 and $100 per month, with some offering unlimited calls at that price. Eden starts at $39/month for 200 minutes or $99/month for unlimited calls. For detailed pricing comparisons, see how much does an AI receptionist cost.

Can an AI answering service really replace a human receptionist?

For most routine calls, yes. Modern AI handles appointment booking, FAQs, message-taking, and call transfers with natural-sounding conversation. The technology has improved dramatically. Where AI still falls short is handling highly emotional or unusually complex situations that require genuine empathy and creative problem-solving. For standard business calls, AI performs consistently and often faster than humans. Compare the options in our AI receptionist vs voicemail vs human guide.

What happens if the AI can't handle a caller's question?

Good AI services (including Eden) are designed to handle this gracefully. The AI can transfer the call directly to you or a team member, take a detailed message for callback, or let the caller know someone will follow up. You're never leaving customers completely stuck.

How long does it take to set up an answering service?

This varies significantly. Live services typically require days to weeks for onboarding and training their staff on your business. AI services are much faster. Eden can be fully operational in about five minutes. You input your business information, customize your greeting and FAQs, set up call forwarding, and you're live.

Do I need special phone equipment?

No. Answering services work with your existing phone system. You simply set up call forwarding so that when you don't answer (or choose to forward all calls), they route to the answering service. This works with cell phones, landlines, and VoIP systems. Most services provide step-by-step instructions for setting up forwarding with your specific provider. Check our guide on conditional call forwarding for details.

What about spam and robocalls?

Many modern services include spam filtering. Eden's IntelliSpam feature automatically detects and hangs up on spam calls, and doesn't charge you for calls under 15 seconds. This means telemarketers and robocalls don't eat into your minutes or waste your time reviewing junk messages.

Can answering services schedule appointments on my calendar?

Yes, but not all of them. This feature is common among AI services. Eden integrates directly with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook, allowing the AI to see your availability and book appointments in real time during the call. Some live services offer this too, but it often requires additional setup or manual coordination. Learn about answering services that book appointments.

What if I only need answering service coverage after hours or on weekends?

Most services allow conditional call forwarding, meaning calls only go to the answering service when you're unavailable, busy, or outside business hours. This way, you handle calls yourself during the day and the service covers everything else. Both live and AI options support this setup. Our after-hours answering solution is perfect for this use case.

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Start Capturing Every Call Today#

Every missed call is potential revenue walking out the door. Whether it's a new customer inquiry, an existing client with an urgent need, or someone ready to book right now, letting those calls go to voicemail means losing business you worked hard to attract. Learn more about how much business you lose from voicemail.

The good news: you don't have to choose between answering every call yourself and paying a fortune for human receptionists. AI answering services have made professional 24/7 coverage accessible to businesses of any size and budget.

We built Eden because we saw too many small businesses struggling with this problem. Five-minute setup. Plans starting at $39/month. Real-time appointment booking. Spam filtering. And calls that sound like you hired an excellent receptionist, not deployed a robot.

Try Eden free for a week and see how many calls you've been missing. No credit card required. Setup takes less time than finishing your coffee.

Your next customer is calling. Make sure someone answers.