Cheapest AI Answering Service in 2026: Prices Compared
The cheapest AI answering service we found is Kai Backup at $10/mo, for ~20 Kai-answered calls/mo. Your cell rings first. When you can't pick up, Kai answers, takes the message and sends you the details.
Prices below are monthly billing, copied from each company's own pricing page on October 1, 2026. Prices change, so follow the links before you buy.
Start Kai BackupPrices side by side
| Service | Cheapest plan with AI answering | Price | Includes | More calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KaiCalls | Kai Backup | $10/mo | ~20 Kai-answered calls/mo | No per-minute charges |
| Quo (formerly OpenPhone) | Starter + Sona AI | $19/user/mo | 1,000 AI credits, about 10 answered calls (100 credits per call) | Credit packs from $25/mo for 4,000 credits |
| Upfirst | Starter | $24.95/mo | 30 calls | $1.50 per extra call |
| Dialzara | Business Lite | $29/mo | 60 receptionist minutes | $0.48 per extra minute |
| Allo | Business + AI Receptionist | $45/user/mo + $32/mo | AI Receptionist is an add-on to a phone plan | Not listed |
| Rosie | Professional | $49/mo | 250 minutes | Not listed |
| Goodcall | Starter | $79/mo | 100 unique callers | $0.50 per extra caller |
How to pick
- Count the calls you miss in a normal month, not every call you get.
- Pick the plan whose allowance covers that number.
- Check what each extra call costs if a busy month goes over.
- Ask whether your phone rings first. If it doesn't, the AI answers calls you would have taken yourself.
Questions
What is the cheapest AI answering service?
Of the services compared here, Kai Backup has the lowest monthly price: $10/mo for ~20 Kai-answered calls/mo. Your own cell rings first, and Kai answers only the calls you miss. Prices were checked on each vendor's pricing page on October 1, 2026.
Is the cheapest plan the cheapest per call?
Not always. Kai Backup is built for the calls you miss, not every call. If an AI answers most of your calls, a plan with a larger allowance can cost less per call. Compare your monthly call count against each plan's allowance and its extra-call charge.
What happens if I get more calls than Kai Backup includes?
There are no per-minute overage charges. Your plan includes an expected monthly call allowance. If your call volume stays higher, we recommend the next plan and notify you before anything changes. You can choose to keep your current plan, and we move you back down if volume drops.
Do I need a new phone number?
No. You keep your number and your phone. Calls you do not pick up forward to Kai, so your phone still rings first.
See every plan on the pricing page.