How much does an AI receptionist cost?
Short answer: a flat monthly subscription from £29, instead of a salary or a per-minute call bill. Here's how the three options compare for a UK small business.
Cost comparison
| Option | Typical monthly cost | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Leadly AI receptionist | £29–£99 flat | 24/7, unlimited chats, bookings and deposits |
| Call answering service | £150–£400 (per call/minute) | Office hours, message taking only |
| Part-time receptionist | £1,200–£1,800 | Set hours, no cover for holiday or sickness |
Answering service and salary figures are typical UK market ranges and vary by provider and region.
What you actually get for the money
- Every enquiry answered in seconds, including evenings and weekends.
- Real bookings made against your opening hours and staff availability.
- Deposits taken in chat via your own Stripe account, so no-shows drop.
- Leads captured properly — name, phone, email, photos and voice notes.
If you're weighing up the alternatives, read the virtual receptionist comparison or the Leadly vs Smith.ai breakdown.
Is it worth it?
The maths is usually simple: if your average job is worth £80 and Leadly saves one missed enquiry a month, it has already paid for itself. Most small businesses miss far more than one.
Pricing FAQs
How much does an AI receptionist cost in the UK?
Most AI receptionists are priced as a flat monthly subscription rather than per call. Leadly plans start at £29 a month, with no per-minute or per-message charges, and every new business gets a free founding-partner trial.
How does that compare to a human receptionist?
A part-time receptionist in the UK typically costs £1,200–£1,800 a month once salary, National Insurance and holiday cover are included. A full-time receptionist is usually £24,000–£30,000 a year.
What about a traditional call answering service?
Answering services usually charge per call or per minute, so a busy month costs more than a quiet one. Bills of £150–£400 a month are common, and most services only take a message rather than booking the job.
Are there setup or contract fees?
No. Leadly is set up from your dashboard in minutes, there is no phone system to change, no setup fee and no long contract — you can cancel monthly.
Does taking deposits cost extra?
Leadly doesn't add a fee for deposits. You connect your own Stripe account and pay Stripe's standard card processing fee; the money lands directly in your bank.
Try it free during the founding-partner period
No card needed to set up. Flat pricing, cancel monthly.
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