5 Best Phone Answering Services That Save You Money

Missing a customer’s call could cost you their business forever. It’s that simple.

Small businesses need professional call handling without hiring extra staff. Trained live receptionists help with everything from recording client details to scheduling appointments and processing orders. Moneypenny’s answering service packages start at just 20 minutes, which suits operations with steady low to moderate call volumes throughout the year.

AI answering services cost nowhere near traditional options. Standard answering services typically run about $250 monthly, while AI alternatives start as low as $25 per month. This price difference makes AI receptionists worth thinking over, especially since they handle calls on weekends, nights, and holidays like “always-on” team members.

These services can transform your business operations substantially. Law firms that use virtual receptionist services get 1-2 new leads weekly and save 1-5 hours monthly. Traditional answering service prices generally range from $35 to $300 monthly, with per-minute rates between $1 and $3.

Let’s get into five excellent answering services that provide real value while keeping your growing business’s costs manageable.

Moneypenny

Moneypenny excels at personalized call handling and has become a leader in the phone answering industry. Since 2000, they’ve grown to serve over 21,000 businesses globally with their exceptional services.

Moneypenny key features

The company blends human expertise with innovative technology to deliver outstanding phone answering service:

Dedicated Receptionist: Moneypenny sets itself apart by giving you a specific receptionist who becomes familiar with your business and clients. Your callers experience consistency and a personal touch.

24/7 Availability: The service runs non-stop, every day of the year. You’ll never miss valuable opportunities outside regular business hours.

AI-Enhanced Service: Their proprietary AI tools work quietly to enhance every conversation. The KnowledgeBase system pulls up client information instantly, while MessageMaker creates message summaries in real time.

Bilingual Support: The receptionists are fluent in English and Spanish, helping you serve a wider customer base.

Flexible Solutions: Your service adapts as your business grows, handling busy periods without extra staff. You can adjust support levels based on your needs.

Business Continuity: The service acts as a safety net in your business continuity plan. Your communication stays intact even if your main systems fail.

Microsoft Teams Integration: The system works smoothly with Microsoft Teams. Your employees can receive transferred calls on their platforms from anywhere.

Moneypenny pros and cons

Pros:

• Personal Touch: Your dedicated Moneypenny receptionist becomes part of your team.
• Consistent Quality: Professional call handling remains top-notch even during peak times.
• HIPAA Compliance: Medical practices can trust the service’s adherence to healthcare privacy rules.
• Flexible Scaling: Service levels adjust to match your needs, turning fixed costs into variable ones.
• Outbound Calling Capability: The service goes beyond answering calls by qualifying leads and booking appointments.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: Plans start at $145 monthly, which costs more than other options.
• Setup Fee for Outbound Services: A one-time $1,000 fee applies to outbound calling services.
• Plan Restrictions: You’ll need pricier plans to access features like appointment scheduling.
• Higher Overage Fees: Going over plan limits costs more compared to competitors.
• Limited Free Trial: The 7-day trial period might not give you enough time to evaluate fully.

Moneypenny pricing

The company offers clear pricing with two main plans:

Essential Plans:

• $145 monthly starting price
• Simple call transfer and message taking
• Scripted responses
• Unlimited caller information collection
• Unlimited employee contacts
• A toll-free or local number
• Bilingual receptionist service

Personalized Plans:

• $189 monthly for 50 minutes
• All Essential plan features plus:
• CRM integration
• Appointment scheduling
• Order processing
• Custom form population
• Call dispatching
• On-call management

Both plans come with 24/7 service at no extra holiday or weekend charges. Your costs increase with higher minute allocations.

Additional Services:

• Live chat services begin at $75 monthly
• Outbound calling includes 500 free minutes with a $1,000 setup fee

The service doesn’t offer pay-as-you-go options, which might limit businesses with variable call volumes.

Moneypenny best use cases

Multi-Location Businesses: Companies with multiple sites benefit from smooth call handling across locations. Microsoft Teams integration ensures calls reach the right person anywhere.

Healthcare Providers: Medical practices appreciate the HIPAA compliance and trained staff who handle sensitive information properly. Patient confidentiality remains a top priority.

Legal Firms: Lawyers value the professional call handling and detailed information capture from potential clients. The legal field depends on strong first impressions.

Manufacturing Companies: The switchboard helps manufacturers stay responsive in today’s 24/7 business world. This adaptability proved crucial during the pandemic’s remote work shift.

Businesses Going Through Change: Growing companies and those moving to hybrid work models find the flexible support helpful. The service grows with your business.

Companies with International Clients: Businesses serving customers across time zones benefit from round-the-clock availability. International callers always reach a live person.

Businesses Valuing First Impressions: Companies where each lead matters see better conversion rates thanks to professional call handling.

Moneypenny serves as a true extension of your team. Their blend of dedicated receptionists and AI creates a solution that grows with your business while maintaining personal connections. The service helps you project professionalism at all hours without full-time staff costs, even though it comes at a premium.

Ruby

Ruby brings a fresh perspective to phone answering services by creating genuine human connections that leave your customers smiling after every call. Their team handles over 1.1 million conversations monthly, making them a trusted name in the industry.

Ruby key features

Ruby stands out by combining human expertise with smart technology:

24/7 Live Answering: Your customers will always hear a friendly, professional receptionist who represents your business. Ruby’s team answers calls in less than 10 seconds on average.

Human-Centered Service: Ruby puts real human interactions first. Their receptionists know how to read conversational nuances, handle complex customer situations, and make decisions that line up with your business values.

Bilingual Support: The receptionists speak both English and Spanish fluently, which helps you reach more customers and makes every caller feel valued whatever their language preference.

Smart Call Routing: The team routes calls based on your custom criteria – by department, urgency, caller type, or staff availability. They screen out spam and solicitation calls and only pass along legitimate callers.

Payment Processing: Customers can make payments directly during calls, which creates a smooth experience. The team also captures essential lead information that helps your sales team prioritize prospects.

Appointment Scheduling: Ruby combines smoothly with popular calendar systems to book appointments right away. The team handles scheduling, rescheduling, and special requests while keeping everything accurate.

Call Logging and Transcription: The system records and transcribes each conversation automatically, giving you a searchable archive of customer interactions. Voicemail transcription helps you spot urgent messages.

HIPAA Compliance: Ruby follows strict healthcare privacy regulations and handles sensitive patient information securely through their app and online portal.

Ruby pros and cons

Pros:

• Human Expertise: Live, trained professionals create genuine conversations that automated systems are nowhere near matching
• Bilingual Coverage: The core team speaks Spanish and English 24/7, which expands your market reach
• All-Inclusive Features: Core features like scheduling and payment processing come without hidden fees
• Industry Compliance: HIPAA-compliant service makes Ruby a great fit for healthcare and other sensitive industries
• Customizable Experience: Their well-laid-out onboarding process helps receptionists understand your business like actual team members
• Mobile App Convenience: Their user-friendly app lets you control answering services with just a couple of clicks

Cons:

• Higher Pricing: Plans start at $235 for just 50 minutes, which costs more than many alternatives
• Overage Costs: Extra minutes beyond your plan cost more, which might surprise high-volume businesses
• Setup Time Investment: Getting everything configured and training takes time to achieve quality service
• Limited Technical Support: You might need to handle very specialized or highly technical questions yourself
• Annual Price Increases: Ruby raises rates yearly, which affects long-term budget planning

Ruby pricing

Ruby structures their pricing based on monthly minutes:

Standard Plans:

• $235/month for 50 minutes
• $385/month for 100 minutes
• $705/month for 200 minutes
• $1,640/month for 500 minutes

Each plan includes 24/7 bilingual support, appointment scheduling, call routing, and payment collection at no extra cost.

Additional Offerings:

• Phone answering with managed website chat starts at $112/month
• You can try the service risk-free for 14 days before committing

Ruby costs more than other solutions. Their basic plan runs $245 monthly for 50 minutes of call handling.

Another provider offers unlimited minutes for just $49 monthly, making Ruby about 14 times more expensive for similar services.

Ruby best use cases

Healthcare Providers: Medical practices, dental offices, and therapy clinics love Ruby’s HIPAA-compliant service. The team securely handles appointments, patient intake, and sensitive information.

Law Offices: Lawyers count on Ruby to answer client calls, screen potential clients, and keep communication flowing. The professional approach matches what law firms need.

Consulting and Professional Services: Agencies, accountants, and consultants find Ruby helps them handle client communication and capture leads while they focus on billable work.

Real Estate and Property Management: Agents and property managers use Ruby to book showings, qualify leads, and handle tenant questions professionally.

Service-Based Businesses: Contractors, plumbers, electricians, and HVAC professionals book appointments and capture leads efficiently through Ruby.

Small Businesses Without Reception Staff: Companies too small for a full-time receptionist still sound professional with Ruby’s help.

Businesses With Medium Call Volume: Ruby works best for companies that get steady calls but not enough to hire dedicated staff. One owner shared how Ruby found new clients and rescheduled appointments during busy times.

Ruby shines when businesses value personal client interactions and will pay more for human receptionist services. Their team answers calls in under 10 seconds and captures over 1.6 million leads yearly for customers. This makes Ruby more than an answering service – they’re partners helping small businesses sound bigger and more professional.

One customer summed it up: “Ruby gives us exactly what we need as a new business with limited staff. It provides a professional experience for our clients while minimizing the hours needed to man a reception desk”.

Answer Our Phone

Small business owners know the frustration of phones ringing while they juggle multiple tasks. Answer Our Phone acts as a virtual lifeline that handles calls so you can focus on what matters most.

Answer Our Phone key features

Answer Our Phone’s phone answering services provide optimized call management with several core features that make it a standout phone answering service:

24/7 Coverage: Their operators answer calls around the clock, 365 days a year without weekend or holiday fees. This constant coverage prevents opportunities from slipping through the cracks.

US-Based Receptionists: Friendly American-based agents handle all calls and provide a personable, professional experience. Their personal touch helps callers feel valued instead of processed.

Custom Scripting: Operators use your business name and follow your specific instructions to create a seamless experience for callers.

Fast Notification: You receive immediate updates via email or text message with all relevant details after each call. This quick communication keeps you informed without being tied to the phone.

Appointment Scheduling: Their receptionists can access your calendar system and book appointments directly for businesses that need this service. This feature removes scheduling hassles and cuts down administrative work.

Tiered Service Options: You can pick between simple message taking or advanced call handling based on your needs. This flexibility lets you pay only for services you use.

Answer Our Phone pros and cons

Pros:

• Affordability: Their services start at just $68.95 per month, making them available to small businesses with tight budgets.
• No Long-Term Contracts: They work on a month-to-month basis, letting you cancel or change your subscription anytime without penalty.
• Transparent Pricing: The company promises “no hidden fees,” so your monthly bill won’t have surprise charges.
• Customizable Options: Their modular system lets you set up services based on your needs instead of paying for unused features.
• Live Reception vs. Automation: Studies show customers are substantially more satisfied when they talk to real people rather than automated systems.

Cons:

• Limited Integration Options: They offer fewer third-party software integrations than some competitors.
• Simple Interface: Their platform focuses on functionality over advanced features some businesses might want.
• Per-Call/Per-Minute Limitations: Extra calls or minutes beyond your plan’s limits cost more, which could increase during busy times.

Answer Our Phone pricing

Answer Our Phone has clear pricing with two main plans:

Advanced Message (Per Call Billing):

• $68.95 for 35 minutes per month
• Operators answer with your business name
• Collect caller’s name, phone number, and nature of call
• Immediate notification via email or text
• $1.29 per additional call beyond the 30 included

Advanced Message (Per Minute Billing):

• $68.95 for 35 minutes per month
• Custom call answering script
• Call transfers with caller information
• Call routing based on your instructions
• Appointment scheduling capability
• $1.69 per additional minute (billed in 1-second increments)

High Volume Advanced Message:

• $124.99 for 90 minutes
• Custom pricing available for higher volumes

They also offer optional call forwarding numbers:

• Standard call forwarding number: $7.50/month
• Local call forwarding number: $12.50/month
• Toll-free call forwarding number: $15.00/month

The pricing becomes more attractive because there are no setup fees, holiday fees, or long-term contracts. This pay-as-you-go model helps predict your monthly expenses.

Answer Our Phone best use cases

Small Business Operations: The small business answering service excels for small enterprises that need professional communication without dedicated reception staff. Their small business focus makes them an ideal fit for this market segment.

After-Hours Coverage: Businesses operating during standard hours can get continuous coverage without staff overtime when they receive important calls outside regular hours.

Customer Experience Enhancement: Research shows customers are 69% more likely to buy from businesses that provide good customer service and quick responses. Answer Our Phone helps create that positive first impression.

Building Customer Loyalty: First-time customers turn into repeat buyers 93% of the time when they receive prompt, professional responses. This service helps turn one-time purchases into loyal customers.

Growth Phase Businesses: Companies in growth stages but not ready to hire more staff find this service bridges the gap well. They can boost their customer service without increasing headcount.

High-Call-Volume Periods: The service handles overflow calls during marketing campaigns or seasonal rushes that might otherwise go unanswered.

Appointment-Based Businesses: Service providers like contractors, consultants, or medical professionals benefit from scheduling features. Calls convert directly into booked calendar slots without your involvement.

Answer Our Phone positions itself as “not a cheap small business answering service, but one that’s tailored to handle your incoming calls while stripping away features you don’t need”. This targeted approach provides value to small operations looking for straightforward solutions without complexity.

The service handles routine communication tasks and frees up time to focus on core business activities that propel development and profitability. You get expanded customer service capacity without the overhead costs of hiring more employees.

Go Answer

A Forbes “Top Call Center” recognition makes you notice. Go Answer earned this difference in 2024. The company serves thousands of businesses throughout North America with high-quality virtual receptionist services.

Go Answer key features

Go Answer brings several standout features with support that never stops:

24/7/365 Availability: Live virtual receptionists handle calls whenever your customers reach out. Your business stays open every day of the year.

Bilingual Communication: Fluent Spanish-speaking agents remove language barriers. This helps you connect with a wider customer base.

100% Live Web Chat: The service runs web chat support without interruption. This boosts conversions and customer involvement beyond phone service.

Dedicated Account Management: You get a dedicated account manager who coordinates service delivery and becomes your point of contact.

Custom Scripting: Your business gets custom call scripts. Receptionists speak to customers in a way that lines up with your brand voice.

Seamless Integration: The platform merges with your existing tools like CRM and appointment scheduling platforms. This creates a smoother workflow.

Multichannel Platform: One system handles calls, emails, texts, and chat messages. This makes communication management simple.

Call Routing and Message Management: Your specifications guide how receptionists handle call transfers, messages, and appointment scheduling.

Go Answer pros and cons

Pros:

• Forbes Recognition: The company won Top Call Center for 2024. This shows industry-leading quality
• Global Expansion: Call centers in New York, Florida, St. Lucia, and Belize give backup options and wide coverage
• Free 30-Day Trial: You can test the service without risk
• Dedicated Teams: The core team receives training for specific industries like legal, HVAC, and healthcare
• Second-by-Second Billing: The exact time used determines your cost, not rounded minutes
• Performance Analytics: Up-to-the-minute data analysis helps track effectiveness

Cons:

• Setup Fee Required: You pay a one-time setup fee of USD 75
• Minimum Contract Terms: Shared agent accounts need 30 days minimum. Dedicated accounts require 90 days
• Limited Outbound Services: The team handles outbound calling case by case
• Volume Requirements for Dedicated Agents: You need at least five dedicated agents for eight-hour shifts

Go Answer pricing

The service shows clear, volume-based pricing for virtual receptionist and web chat services:

Virtual Receptionist Plans:

• 100 Minutes: USD 175/month (USD 1.75/minute)
• 200 Minutes: USD 300/month (USD 1.50/minute)
• 500 Minutes: USD 550/month (USD 1.10/minute) – Most Popular
• 1,000 Minutes: USD 1,100/month (USD 1.10/minute)

Web Chat Plans:

• Up to 20 chats: USD 140/month (USD 7.00/chat)
• Up to 50 chats: USD 300/month (USD 6.00/chat)
• Up to 150 chats: USD 750/month (USD 5.00/chat)

All plans include:

• 24/7/365 support
• Bilingual agents
• Dedicated account manager
• Call patching
• Unlimited message delivery via email/text
• Online account access
• Free custom scripting
• Free CRM integration
• HIPAA trained agents

High call volumes can reduce rates to USD 1.00 per minute.

Go Answer best use cases

Small Businesses: Small teams, startups, and freelancers can sound bigger and more established without hiring full-time staff.

Legal Practices: Virtual legal receptionists handle legal intake. This lets attorneys focus on billable hours.

Retail and E-commerce: The service processes client orders and delivers unique customer experiences. Your business won’t miss a sale.

Medical Practices: Healthcare providers get secure, compliant call handling from HIPAA-trained agents that protect patient information.

Home Service Contractors: Plumbers, HVAC technicians, landscapers, and roofers capture more leads while working in the field.

Finance Professionals: CPAs, tax experts, and financial advisors keep professional communication flowing while focusing on client work.

Real Estate Firms: Property agents capture leads and schedule showings without interruption.

Educational Institutions: Schools and training organizations handle student inquiries and manage communication.

Businesses Needing After-Hours Coverage: Standard-hours companies get support for important after-hours calls.

Clients love Go Answer’s quality. One customer shared: “We’ve used a lot of companies in the last few years to handle our overflow and after-hours, and we’ve always been disappointed…and then we met 1-888-GO-ANSWER! who is so clearly in a league of their own”.

Another highlighted the team’s quality: “The agents we have working for us are kind, critical thinking, self-motivated and hard-working individuals”.

This family-founded company acts more like a partner than a service provider. Their focus on individual-specific experiences makes them ideal for businesses that need reliable, flexible answering services. You can capture leads and optimize operations without excessive costs.

MAP Communications

MAP Communications brings a unique approach to phone answering services as an employee-owned company. Team members own a financial stake in your success. This creates a service built on mutual benefit rather than simple transactions.

MAP Communications key features

MAP Communications stands out with these capabilities:

USA-Based Service: The company headquarters sits in Chesapeake, Virginia with multiple call centers throughout the United States. All calls stay within the country without overseas outsourcing.

24/7 Availability: Operators work around the clock, including weekends and holidays, without extra charges.

Bilingual Support: Operators handle calls fluently in English and Spanish to help you reach more customers.

HIPAA Compliance: Staff receives full training on healthcare privacy regulations, making them ideal for medical practices and sensitive information handling.

Appointment Scheduling: The service merges with your existing scheduling software to manage your calendar and book appointments.

Lead Qualification: The team screens leads based on your criteria and forwards only calls meeting your standards.

Quick Setup: Most accounts become operational within 48 hours, letting you start right away.

MAP Communications pros and cons

Pros:

• Employee Ownership: Every agent has a financial investment in delivering quality service.
• US-Based Call Centers: Multiple locations ensure backup systems and consistent service quality.
• Secure Communications: The first answering service achieving HITRUST certification.
• Fast Onboarding: Urgent needs receive same-day activation.
• Second-by-Second Billing: Charges apply only to actual talk time, not rounded minutes.

Cons:

• Cost: Per-minute rates average $1.12, higher than some competitors.
• Feature Abundance: The range of services overwhelms some clients.
• Limited Integration: Deep connections with specialized industry software might not work.
• Inconsistent Reviews: Service quality issues appear in some user reports.

MAP Communications pricing

MAP Communications shows clear, tiered pricing:

Pay As You Go: $49/month with $1.37 per minute.

Business Plan: $179/month for 125 minutes, $1.30 for additional minutes.

Enterprise Plan: $339/month for 250 minutes, $1.28 for additional minutes.

Premium Plan: $649/month for 500 minutes, $1.28 for additional minutes.

Each plan comes with a free phone number, 24/7 coverage, secure client portal access, bilingual support, HIPAA compliance, HITRUST certification, and full customization. Your needs can change freely with no long-term contracts.

MAP Communications best use cases

Small to Medium Businesses: Professional support works without needing a large in-house team.

Healthcare Providers: Medical practices benefit from HIPAA compliance for appointment scheduling and patient information handling.

E-commerce Operations: Online retailers get efficient management of customer inquiries and orders.

Real Estate Agencies: Property inquiries and showing requests receive professional handling.

Financial Services: Customer support improves for sensitive financial matters.

High Call-Volume Businesses: Peak periods stay manageable with consistent service levels.

After-Hours Coverage: Professional support continues when your office closes.

MAP Communications delivers quality service backed by years of experience. Businesses looking for reliable phone answering services with domestic operations and employee investment will find value here. The flexible pricing structure works for various business sizes, making them a solid choice for your virtual receptionist needs.

Conclusion

The right phone answering service can transform how your small business handles customer calls. These five services give you many advantages over hiring full-time receptionists. Each service delivers great value at different price points that match specific business needs.

Answer Our Phone gives you a simple solution at $68.95 per month to start. Moneypenny takes things up a notch with dedicated receptionists who get to know your business inside and out. Ruby creates genuine human connections that make it worth its higher price, especially if each call could bring in substantial revenue.

Forbes-recognized Go Answer shines with its second-by-second billing flexibility. On top of that, MAP Communications brings something unique – their USA-based team members own the company, so they have a personal stake in your success.

Your business loses potential clients every time you miss a call. Small businesses typically gain 1-2 new leads each week and save hours every month with these services. You can focus on growing your company while these services handle your calls.

Think over your call volume, budget limits, and what you really need before you choose a service. Do you just need messages taken or full appointment scheduling? Could bilingual support help you reach new customers? If you’re watching every penny, AI options start at $25 monthly, though they lack the personal touch these five services give you.

Here’s what matters most: phone answering services pay for themselves by catching leads you’d otherwise miss. Your business projects a more professional image, stays open 24/7, and makes better first impressions without hiring extra staff. That’s both great customer service and smart business thinking.