Smith.ai vs AI Answering Service Detailed comparison features, price

Smith.ai

Smith.ai offers comprehensive virtual receptionist solutions designed to enhance customer interactions and streamline business operations. The service combines AI-powered technology with expert human agents to deliver accurate and efficient call answering, lead qualification, appointment scheduling, and payment collection.

With 24/7 availability and bilingual answering options, Smith.ai ensures businesses never miss a customer. Features like CRM integration, call recording, and intelligent call routing help businesses optimize their workflows and improve customer satisfaction.

AI Answering Service

AI Answering Service offers businesses a dedicated AI-powered receptionist designed to operate 24/7, ensuring no customer call is missed. It primarily targets small businesses, service-based operations, clinics, and tradespeople who may struggle to manage incoming calls while focusing on their core work. The service aims to provide a professional image consistently without the overhead costs associated with hiring human receptionists. The AI can be customized with a natural-sounding Australian accent and tailored to represent the specific brand voice of the business it serves.

The system functions by having businesses divert their calls to a dedicated number provided by the service. The AI then handles the incoming calls based on a knowledge base created from information supplied by the business, such as an FAQ document or website content. It answers common questions, gathers caller details, takes messages, and filters out spam. After each call, it provides instant summaries, full transcripts, and audio recordings via email, with an option for SMS notifications. For situations requiring human intervention, the AI can intelligently transfer the call to a nominated person.

Smith.ai

Pricing

Paid

From 293$

AI Answering Service

Pricing

Free Trial

From 32$

Smith.ai

Features

Lead screening & intake: Capture and qualify leads based on custom criteria.
Appointment booking: Schedule meetings directly on integrated calendars.
CRM integration: Automatically send call details to popular CRM platforms.
Call recording & transcriptions: Access call recordings and searchable transcripts.
Bilingual answering: Provide services in both English and Spanish.
Payment collection: Securely process payments through various platforms.
24/7 live-staffed: Around-the-clock live call answering with human receptionist

AI Answering Service

Features

24/7 Availability: Operates continuously to answer all incoming calls.
Customizable AI Receptionist: Features a tailored Australian AI voice that represents the business's brand.
Knowledge Base Integration: Answers caller questions accurately using information from provided FAQs or website content.
Instant Call Transcripts & Recordings: Delivers full transcripts and audio files via email immediately after each call.
Intelligent Call Transfer: Transfers calls to a designated human representative when necessary or requested by the caller.
Lead Capture: Collects essential caller information, including name, contact details, and the nature of their inquiry.
Spam Call Filtering: Identifies and filters spam calls and unsolicited sales pitches.
Simultaneous Call Handling: Manages multiple calls concurrently without busy signals.
Quick Setup: Can be operational in under 10 minutes with minimal configuration.
SMS Notifications: Offers optional SMS summaries for each call received.

Smith.ai

Use cases

Answering incoming calls for businesses
Qualifying leads and capturing intake information
Scheduling appointments and managing calendars
Processing payments and invoices
Conducting outbound sales and support campaigns
Managing web chat, SMS, and social media messaging

AI Answering Service

Use cases

Managing missed calls for small businesses.
Providing continuous customer availability without hiring reception staff.
Automating lead capture from phone inquiries.
Answering frequently asked customer questions instantly.
Handling after-hours calls for service-based businesses.
Screening calls and taking messages for busy professionals.
Prequalifying leads generated from marketing efforts.
Offering dedicated phone support for industries like veterinary clinics, trades, and marketing agencies.

Smith.ai

FAQs

How does the money-back guarantee work?

Smith.ai offers a 14-day money-back guarantee for new clients. If you are not satisfied within the first 14 days, email support@smith.ai for a full refund of your plan and add-on services, up to $1,000. Overage charges are not included.

Do I have to sign a contract?

Smith.ai is a month-to-month service with no long-term contracts. You are billed monthly and can cancel at any time.

Can I change my plan?

Yes, you can change your plan at any time by emailing support@smith.ai. The new plan billing will start the next month.

Do you count wrong numbers or spam towards my quota?

No, you will not be charged for spam or unsolicited sales calls as long as the lines forwarded to Smith.ai pass Caller ID.

What if I don't need 24/7 answering?

You can specify the hours you want Smith.ai to answer calls. Calls outside those hours can go to a number you choose or to voicemail. Pricing remains the same regardless of answering hours.

AI Answering Service

FAQs

How does AI Answering Service handle my business calls?

When you can’t answer, calls are diverted to a dedicated number using a diversion code provided by your phone company (e.g., Telstra). The AI service then automatically takes the call after a predetermined number of rings.

What information can it collect from the caller?

During onboarding, you specify the details needed. It can collect full name, postcode, products they are interested in, address, preferred booking day/time, etc. The caller's mobile number is captured automatically.

Will it sound like a natural Australian and represent my business well?

Yes, the AI is customized to match your brand voice with a natural Australian accent, making it sound professional and often indistinguishable from a human agent.

Is this right for businesses that need complex problem-solving on calls?

Likely not. The AI excels at handling routine questions, collecting information, and managing booking requests. It cannot replace human expertise for complex issues, specialized consultations, or situations requiring real-time dynamic information.

What happens if I exceed my call limit?

You will be notified before exceeding your monthly call allowance. You'll have the option to buy additional call credits, although most customers do not exceed their limit.