AI vs. a receptionist
What a front desk really costs
A great receptionist is worth a lot — but they cost thousands a month, work one shift, and take one call at a time. Here's the honest comparison.
| Hire a receptionist$3,000–4,000per month, plus benefits | Answering service$300–1,000per month, often per-minute | Best valueAhoya AI$49per month — free to start | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours covered | ~40/week | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Calls at once | One | Limited | Unlimited |
| After-hours & weekends | No | Yes | Yes |
| Books appointments | Yes | Rarely — takes messages | Yes — onto your calendar |
| Sick days & turnover | Yes | No | Never |
| Setup | Hire, train, ramp | Scripting + onboarding | ~5 minutes |
Hire a receptionist
$3,000–4,000
per month, plus benefits
- Hours covered: ~40/week
- Calls at once: One
- After-hours & weekends: No
- Books appointments: Yes
- Sick days & turnover: Yes
- Setup: Hire, train, ramp
Answering service
$300–1,000
per month, often per-minute
- Hours covered: 24/7
- Calls at once: Limited
- After-hours & weekends: Yes
- Books appointments: Rarely — takes messages
- Sick days & turnover: No
- Setup: Scripting + onboarding
Best value
Ahoya AI
$49
per month — free to start
- Hours covered: 24/7
- Calls at once: Unlimited
- After-hours & weekends: Yes
- Books appointments: Yes — onto your calendar
- Sick days & turnover: Never
- Setup: ~5 minutes
Cost ranges are typical US figures for comparison, not quotes. Ahoya pricing is public on the pricing page.
See what your missed calls are already costing
Most businesses lose more to unanswered calls each month than an AI receptionist costs for a year.
Run the numbersStaff your front desk for $49, not $4,000
Live in 5 minutes. No card, no setup call — free to start.