Short answer: For answering calls in Any Business, the easiest tools on this list to start with are Smith.ai, Ruby, and Dialpad. Smith.ai: AI receptionist answers calls, books, and takes messages. Costs come from each maker and change often, so check the maker's site before you buy.
Last updated: · 4 tools · How we pick
The bots
AI receptionist answers calls, books, and takes messages.
Any BusinessFreeEasy
Live receptionists answer calls 24/7.
Any BusinessFrom $250/moEasy
Cloud phone with AI call notes.
Any BusinessCheck siteEasy
Answers your business phone day and night, answers common questions, books appointments, and sends hard calls to staff.
Any BusinessFreeMedium
Compare them side by side
| Tool | What it does | Cost (from maker) | Setup | Time saved | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith.ai | AI receptionist answers calls, books, and takes messages. | Free (25 calls); Pro $150/mo | Easy | Maker hasn't shared this. Our estimate: ~1–3 hrs/wk | Source for Smith.ai |
| Ruby | Live receptionists answer calls 24/7. | From $250/mo (50 minutes) | Easy | Maker hasn't shared this. Our estimate: ~1–3 hrs/wk | Source for Ruby |
| Dialpad | Cloud phone with AI call notes. | Check site (Essentials shown $39-$89/user/mo by plan) | Easy | Maker hasn't shared this. Our estimate: ~1–3 hrs/wk | Source for Dialpad |
| ElevenLabs Phone Answering Agent | Answers your business phone day and night, answers common questions, books appointments, and sends hard calls to staff. | Free plan to try. Paid plans from $6/mo (Starter); Creator $22/mo; Pro $99/mo. Agent calls use your monthly credits. Check site | Medium | Maker hasn't shared this. Our estimate: ~1–3 hrs/wk | Source for ElevenLabs Phone Answering Agent |
Costs and hours come from each tool’s own source. “Our estimate” is our guess from similar tools, not a measured number.
Questions people ask
Which AI tools help any business with answering calls?
We list 4 tools for this job: Smith.ai, Ruby, Dialpad, and ElevenLabs Phone Answering Agent. Each one links to its source on its own page.
How much do they cost?
Of the 4 tools here, 2 list a free plan or a free way to start, 1 lists a starting price, and 1 doesn't show a clear price. Prices come from each maker and change often, so check the maker's site before you buy.
Can I set one up myself?
3 of the 4 are marked Easy to set up. All of them are ready-made software you sign up for.
How does BusyWorkBots pick these?
Every listing links to a real source, a case study, a builder's post, or the maker's page. Numbers from the company selling the tool are labeled as a maker or vendor claim. We don't test every tool.
