Is an AI receptionist cheaper than a human one?

Usually, yes – AI can answer unlimited calls at once, 24/7, without per-minute charges for every call.

What's cheaper than hiring a receptionist?

A virtual or AI receptionist typically costs a small fraction of the £22,000–£28,000 a year for a full-time employee.

Guide · Pricing

How much does a virtual receptionist cost in the UK?

Q: How much does a virtual receptionist cost in the UK?

Most businesses pay £75–£400 a month. Human services usually cost more than AI, especially for 24/7 cover.

By Future Momentum Systems · Updated September 2026

Most UK businesses pay somewhere between £75 and £400 a month for a virtual receptionist in 2026, depending on whether calls are answered by people or AI, how many calls you get, and what's included. Here's how the pricing works, and what to watch out for.

The three ways virtual receptionists charge

Per call – you pay for each call answered. Pocket Receptionist, for example, starts at £75/month for 30 calls, then £2.99 per extra call.
Per minute – you buy a bundle of receptionist minutes. Posh's small business plan is £128/month for 100 minutes, with extra minutes at £1.35.
Flat monthly (common with AI) – a fixed monthly fee for 24/7 answering, usually with a call or minute allowance.

Typical UK prices in 2026

Type of service	Typical monthly cost
Human virtual receptionist (office hours)	£200–£1,500
Human 24/7 cover	£500–£2,000+
Managed AI receptionist	£99–£400
Full-time in-house receptionist	£22,000–£28,000 a year + overheads

Figures from published UK provider pricing and 2026 comparison guides. Prices vary by provider and call volume.

Hidden costs to watch for

Per-minute charges that add up when calls run long
Extra fees for out-of-hours or weekend answering
Charges for call recordings, transfers or CRM connections
Spam and sales calls counting towards your allowance

Is it worth it?

Work it out with your own numbers. If you miss three calls a week and one in three would have booked a £300 job, that's around £15,000 a year going elsewhere. For most trades and local businesses, one extra job a month covers the cost.

What does FMMS charge?

Every business is different, so we quote based on your calls, your diary and what you need it to handle. Book a free consultation and we'll give you a clear price – no per-minute surprises.

See how our call answering service works →

Virtual receptionist cost FAQs

Sources

Prices are published figures as of September 2026 and are for guidance only.