Guide
How much does an AI receptionist cost?
Honest UK pricing for AI receptionists, how they compare with human answering services, and how to work out whether one pays for itself.
The short answer
An AI receptionist's total cost depends on its subscription, included usage and any additional call-handling or setup charges.
TradeRing costs £89 a month in GBP, or £79 a month billed annually (£948 a year). That includes unlimited 24/7 call answering, lead qualification, SMS and email summaries and full transcripts, with no per-call charges, no setup fee and no telephony usage fees. Prices checked October 2026.
What you are paying for
Subscription: a fixed monthly fee for the software that answers and handles calls. Predictable, whatever your call volume.
Per-minute billing: you pay for talk time. Common with developer voice platforms and some human services, so a long call costs more.
Per-call billing: a fixed charge each time a call is answered. Bills rise with your marketing success.
Usage-based bundles: a monthly allowance of calls or minutes, with overage charges once you go over.
Software vs telephony: some providers charge separately for the phone number and call carriage on top of the AI software. Always check whether a quoted price covers both.
TradeRing pricing and inclusions
Current plans. The authoritative source is the TradeRing pricing page.
| Monthly | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £89/month | £79/month (£948/year) |
| Calls and minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Per-call / telephony fees | None | None |
| Setup | Managed by our team, free | Managed by our team, free |
| Free trial | 7 days, no card needed | 7 days, no card needed |
| Minimum commitment | None — cancel any time | 12 months, paid upfront |
| Features | 24/7 answering, qualification, lead cards, SMS and email summaries, transcripts, booking | Same as monthly |
Compare competitor pricing fairly
Providers differ in what they include, so compare the service scope, not just the headline price. Check each provider's own pricing page for current figures before deciding.
| Provider | How it charges | Service scope |
|---|---|---|
| TradeRing | Flat £89/month or £79/month annually | Managed AI receptionist for UK trades, set up for you, unlimited calls |
| Hey Jodie | Monthly subscription plans (see heyjodie.com) | General-purpose UK AI receptionist across many industries |
| TONOS | Subscription plans (see provider's site) | AI phone assistant for small businesses; check telephony and usage limits |
| Retell AI | Pay-as-you-go per minute (see retellai.com) | Developer voice-AI platform; you build the agent and supply telephony yourself |
Is an AI receptionist worth it?
Do the maths on your own business. If your average job is worth £500 and you miss three calls a week, even a modest conversion rate means thousands of pounds a month going to competitors who answered.
One recovered job typically covers the £89 monthly cost several times over. Try the missed call calculator with your own numbers.
AI receptionist costs — questions
How much does an AI receptionist cost?
It depends on the subscription, any included usage and extra call or setup charges. TradeRing costs £89 a month in GBP, or £79 a month billed annually (£948 a year), with unlimited calls and no setup fee. Prices checked October 2026.
Does TradeRing charge per call or per minute?
No. TradeRing is a flat monthly subscription. Every call is answered 24/7 with no per-call, per-minute or telephony usage charges.
Is there a free trial or minimum contract?
Yes, there's a 7-day free trial with no card needed. Monthly plans have no minimum term and can be cancelled any time; the annual plan is paid upfront for 12 months.
Is an AI receptionist cheaper than a human answering service?
Usually. Human answering services typically charge per call or per minute and add fees for out-of-hours cover. A flat-fee AI receptionist includes 24/7 cover in one price.
Is an AI receptionist worth it?
For most trades, one recovered job pays for months of the service. If your average job is worth £500 or more, a single captured enquiry covers the cost many times over.