Smith.ai review: pricing, features and who it suits
Updated 2026-10-29 · Facts checked against vendor websites on the date shown · How we compare
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Short answerSmith.ai is a hybrid receptionist service: AI, US-based humans, or both on the same line. The Starter plan was $300/mo for 30 calls with $11.50 per extra call (29 Oct 2026), with extras such as appointment booking at $1.50 a call. It suits law firms and service businesses that want human intake and CRM integration. If you only need messages and bookings, AI-only services cost a fraction of the price.
Prices and trials from each vendor's own website, checked 2026-10-29. Plans change often: confirm on the vendor's pricing page before you buy.
What Smith.ai is
Smith.ai answers your business calls with a combination of AI and live receptionists. You decide how calls are handled:
- AI-first: the AI answers and hands to a person when needed.
- Hybrid: a mix based on your rules.
- Human-first: a live US-based agent answers.
Listed features (from smith.ai, 29 Oct 2026): 24/7 live agents, appointment booking, call transfer, lead screening and intake, a Spanish line, and call recording and transcription.
Pricing in practice
The Starter plan is $300/mo for 30 calls. Every call beyond that is $11.50. Some actions cost extra per call: $1.50 for booking an appointment and +$1 for Spanish.
Because Smith.ai charges per call rather than per minute, longer calls cost you nothing extra. A 1-minute wrong number costs the same as a 10-minute intake call, though Smith.ai’s site should be checked for how it treats spam and sales calls.
Example: 50 calls a month (20 over the allowance), with 20 appointments booked: $300 + (20 × $11.50) + (20 × $1.50) = $560/mo.
Who it suits
- Law firms that need consistent intake and Clio integration.
- Home services and IT firms that want leads screened and booked, with a person available.
- Businesses whose callers expect a human but who still want AI to cut cost on routine calls.
Who should look elsewhere
- Low budgets. If $300 a month is a stretch, an AI receptionist covers basics from $24.95-$99.
- High call volume of short calls. Per-call pricing adds up quickly.
- Anyone wanting a free trial first. Smith.ai offers a money-back guarantee, not a trial.
Smith.ai vs the alternatives
See Smith.ai vs Ruby for the closest human-receptionist rival, and the best answering services for small business for the wider field.
FAQ
How much does Smith.ai cost?
On 29 Oct 2026 Smith.ai's Starter plan was $300 a month for 30 calls, with $11.50 per additional call. Add-ons were priced per call, for example appointment booking at $1.50 and a Spanish line at +$1. Check smith.ai/pricing for current plans.
Does Smith.ai use AI or real people?
Both. You can choose AI-first, hybrid or human-first call handling. The human agents are US-based and available 24/7 according to Smith.ai.
Does Smith.ai have a free trial?
Smith.ai did not list a free trial on 29 Oct 2026. It offered a 30-day money-back guarantee instead.
What does Smith.ai integrate with?
Smith.ai lists integrations including HubSpot, Salesforce, Clio, Zapier, Calendly and Acuity.
What are cheaper alternatives to Smith.ai?
For AI-only answering: Upfirst ($24.95/mo for 30 calls), Rosie ($49/mo for 250 minutes) and Frontdesk ($99/mo for 200 minutes). For live humans: PATLive ($99/mo for 50 minutes). For hybrid: Abby Connect ($164/mo for 50 blended minutes).