A live answering service ensures there’s always someone to take your calls, note messages and concerns, or route the call to the appropriate person. When choosing answering services for small business, consider the affordability and key features, such as bilingual agents, custom scripts, and 24/7/365 call answering. In this guide, we outline the seven best answering services for a small business so you can improve the efficiency of your business communications.
- VoiceNation: Best overall answering service
- Ruby Receptionist: Best for message-taking services
- MAP Communications: Best for affordability
- Go Answer: Best for legal receptionist services
- Abby Connect: Best for artificial intelligence (AI) tools
- Davinci Virtual: Best for administrative support
- AnswerConnect: Best for high call and chat volumes
Best Answering Services Compared
Providers | Monthly Starting Price | Key Features | FSB Rating |
---|---|---|---|
$135 |
| 4.85 out of 5 | |
$235 |
| 4.64 out of 5 | |
$47 |
| 4.61 out of 5 | |
$175 |
| 4.49 out of 5 | |
$299 |
| 4.19 out of 5 | |
$129 |
| 4.14 out of 5 | |
$350 |
| 4.12 out of 5 | |
Are you new to voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP)? Read our guide about VoIP phone systems, their key features, and how they can improve how your business operates.
VoiceNation: Best Overall Answering Services
What We Liked
- Allows transfer to any U.S. number
- Receptionists take and process simple orders
- Allows number porting and provides a local or toll-free number
Where It Falls Behind
- Lacks annual or volume-based discounts
- Limited third-party integrations
- Free trial is only seven days or 30 minutes, whichever is achieved first
VoiceNation Monthly Pricing*
Live Answering
- 50 minutes: $135
- 100 minutes: $229
- 150 minutes: $319
- 250 minutes: $525
- 500 minutes: $925
- 1,000 minutes: $1,595
Live Chat
- Pay-as-you-go chats: $75
- 30 chats: $150
- 90 chats: $405
- 150 chats: $675
- 250 chats: $1,125
- 500 chats: $2,250
- 750 chats: $3,375
- 1,000 chats: $4,500
*Contact VoiceNation’s sales team to customize a plan if you need more than VoiceNation’s 1,000 plans
VoiceNation topped our list of best answering services because it’s an all-in-one solution with fully loaded plans that include features like bilingual operators, local and toll-free calling, reporting, and an online dashboard. All users get the same features and only vary in allocated monthly minutes. All virtual receptionist plans include instant activation, 24/7 service, free call transfer, custom call scripting, and mobile app download.
VoiceNation allows you to further your business by providing customers with 24/7/365 support via live answering and live chat solutions. The provider’s trained operators answer your calls without holiday or after-hours fees, emphasizing to your clients that you are reliable. Get insights on how your answering service is performing, from call trends to caller locations, by checking the logs and data in VoiceNation’s detailed reports.
While VoiceNation offers generous subscription inclusions, it’s limited to chat and live call receptionist services. Try Davinci if you’re looking for a provider offering advanced calling and administrative assistance. Receptionists can help manage calendars, schedule deliveries, and take orders. Premium plan subscribers can access virtual receptionists trained to handle complex call flows and questions about your business.
VoiceNation Features
- Bilingual operators: Make your callers comfortable by letting them converse with agents in their native language. VoiceNation offers Spanish-speaking representatives for free with its live answering service.
- Call forwarding: All plans come with free call transfers, allowing you to decide which calls you take and which will be transferred to employees. Use call forwarding to send incoming calls from one phone line to another.
- Custom call scripts: Create tailored scripts that ensure your messaging and tone are consistent across the board. Custom scripts also ensure you collect and provide all the necessary information using a well-crafted spiel.
Ruby Receptionist: Best for Message-taking Services
What We Liked
- Offers custom after-hours call routing
- Has seven hold music options
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant services available
Where It Falls Behind
- Lacks robust third-party integrations
- Limited call reporting and analytics capabilities
- Slow customer service support
Ruby Receptionist Monthly Pricing*
Reception Plans
- Call Ruby 50: $235 for 50 receptionist minutes
- Call Ruby 100: $375 for 100 receptionist minutes
- Call Ruby 200: $680 for 200 receptionist minutes
- Call Ruby 500: $1,640 for 500 receptionist minutes
Chat Plans
- Chat Ruby 10: $135 for 10 chats
- Chat Ruby 30: $315 for 30 chats
- Chat Ruby 50: $490 for 50 chats
Bundled Plans
- Bundled Chat Ruby 10: Add $109 to your Call Ruby plan for 10 chats
- Bundled Chat Ruby 30: Add $252 to your Call Ruby plan for 30 chats
- Bundled Chat Ruby 50: Add $392 to your Call Ruby plan for 50 chats
*Save 20% on chat when you opt for its bundled receptionist and chat plans.
Ruby Receptionist is a live answering solution with virtual receptionists and managed website chat offering excellent message-taking services. All messages are sent immediately to you via email and/or text, but they’re also stored in the Member Services Area. This is useful if you accidentally delete a message or are looking for one from a few months ago. Messages on the Member Services Homepage can be filtered and sorted by company or time frame.
In addition to live receptionist services, Ruby also offers managed live chat plans with 24/7/365 website coverage and HIPAA-compliant chat services. Users get chat transcripts, and the call connect feature links warm leads directly to your cell phone. Its chat boxes are designed to fit seamlessly into your website.
Messages received append the caller ID name and number to all messages and come with a timestamp in your local time zone. While it offers bilingual receptionists and custom call routing, its comprehensive plans are more expensive than those of other providers in this guide. MAP Communications’ pay-as-you-go plan is an excellent option for companies with low call volume looking for a simple service to answer your calls and handle basic questions.
Ruby Receptionist Features
- Robust mobile app: Get real-time notifications and stay on top of your answering system using the Ruby app. Use your phone to update your status, check messages, access call records, and set up your caller ID.
- Flexible call forwarding: Determine who answers what calls when with flexible call forwarding. Answer only the calls you prioritize or choose to send all or select calls to Ruby.
- Robocall filtering: Ruby automatically filters robocall voicemail so virtual receptionists don’t answer the calls or charge your business.
MAP Communications: Best for Affordability
What We Liked
- Round-the-clock live answering services
- Bilingual answering service
- Includes online account analytics
Where It Falls Behind
- Limited mobile app functionality
- Fewer plan options than providers like Ruby and VoiceNation
- Answering services are limited to calls
MAP Communications Monthly Pricing
- Pay-as-you-go: $47 with a rate of $1.37 per additional minute
- Business: $177 for 125 minutes and a rate of $1.30 per additional minute
- Enterprise: $296 for 225 minutes and a rate of $1.28 per additional minute
When it comes to budget-friendly pricing, MAP Communications is at the top of this list thanks to its pay-as-you-go option, where users are only charged for their service usage. Its entry-level per-minute plan starts at just $47 monthly with a budget-friendly $1.37 per additional minute. All plans, whether pay-as-you-go or with inclusive minutes, include HIPAA compliance, a toll-free or local number, and 24/7 coverage, including all major holidays.
Receptionists answer calls with your custom script and can take calls and messages, transfer calls, and fill out single web page forms during phone calls. However, MAP Communications’ mobile app has limited functionality. Users must use the client web portal to make account and settings changes. For a powerful mobile app, check out Ruby, which lets you make settings adjustments and shows updated activities on its app.
MAP Communications Features
- Security compliance: All MAP Communication plans are HIPAA-compliant and certified by the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST). This emphasizes MAP Communications’ rigorous standards for handling high-risk data.
- Live call transfer: Professional receptionists screen all your calls and provide information or take messages as necessary. Depending on your preference, they also facilitate cold and warm call transfers to specific persons or departments.
- Custom scripts: Scripting ensures receptionists follow predefined talking points to ensure a consistent interaction with all your customers, regardless of who answers the phone.
Go Answer: Best for Legal Receptionist Services
What We Liked
- All plans come with a dedicated account manager
- Has HIPAA-trained agents
- Includes unlimited message delivery via email and text
Where It Falls Behind
- Setup fee of $75 associated with virtual receptionist and web chat services
- Sign-up and activation process is tedious and confusing
- New dedicated accounts have a 90-day minimum contract period
Go Answer Monthly Pricing*
Virtual Receptionist Plans
- 100 minutes: $175 with a $1.75 rate per additional minute
- 200 minutes: $300 with a $1.50 rate per additional minute
- 500 minutes: $550 with a $1.10 rate per additional minute
- 1,000 minutes: $1,100 with a $1.10 rate per additional minute
Web Chat Plans
- 20 chats: $140 with a $7.00 rate per additional chat
- 50 chats: $300 with a $6.00 rate per additional chat
- 150 chats: $750 with a $5.00 rate per additional chat
*New members for dedicated accounts have a 90-day minimum contract period.
Go Answer is our top answering service for small businesses looking for expert virtual legal receptionists. Its comprehensive legal intake service includes client screening, data gathering, appointment scheduling, and data input into your customer relationship management (CRM) solution and calendar. It provides 24/7 bilingual answering services useful for mass tort and class action lawsuit cases.
Streamline your process of engaging potential new clients using Go Answer’s legal inbound services. While it offers round-the-clock support for virtual receptionists and web chat services, it’s limited to inbound customer interactions and basic message-taking. Davinci is a better fit if you’re looking for an answering service that includes customer interaction, incorporation, and virtual office and administrative support.
Go Answer Features
- 24/7 live virtual receptionist: Never miss a call with Go Answer’s virtual receptionists, who are available round-the-clock. If you’re a retail business that can’t keep up with your peak season call volumes, having 24/7 receptionists helps with basic message-taking and live call transfer.
- Free custom scripting: Customize your call scripts and workflow to meet your operational needs. Provide consistent messaging and information to clients using Go Answer’s custom scripts.
- Free CRM integration: Go Answer seamlessly integrates with your existing business tools, such as calendars and CRM software, so information is loaded directly into your system.
Abby Connect: Best for AI Tools
What We Liked
- No credit card or contracts required
- Offers custom answering hours
- Includes tailored call handling
Where It Falls Behind
- Limited third-party integrations
- Fairly high additional per-minute charges
- Does not offer custom scripts
Abby Connect Monthly Pricing*
Receptionist Plans
- 100 minutes: $299 for 100 minutes and $2.99 per additional minute
- 200 minutes: $549 for 200 minutes and $2.75 per additional minute
- 500 minutes: $1,199 for 500 minutes and $2.40 per additional minute
Live Chat Plans
- 10 chats: $129 for 10 chats and $12.90 per additional chat
- 30 chats: $299 for 30 chats and $9.96 per additional chat
- 50 chats: $469 for 50 chats and $9.38 per additional chat
Bundled Plans
- Abby 10: Add $99 to your receptionist plan for 10 live chats
- Abby 30: Add $249 to your receptionist plan for 30 live chats
- Abby 50: Add $399 to your receptionist plan for 50 live chats
*Save up to $70 per month when you opt for a bundled plan.
Abby Connect offers human receptionist services supported by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, equipping human receptionists with automation tools that improve consistency, service quality, and efficiency. Virtual receptionists route calls and communicate with callers using features like call summaries and transcripts to enhance productivity and call management. Use AI-generated call transcripts to get a play-by-play of calls and AI-powered call summaries to get an error-free call synopsis.
With its automation technology, Abby Connect uses Abby Intelligence (AI) to support human agents. It helps you optimize your account, ensure consistent messaging, and provide analytics and call insights. However, if you’re looking for a straightforward, pay-as-you-go plan, Abby Connect only offers inclusive minutes and chat plans. Give MAP Communications a try. It costs $47 per month, and additional minutes are $1.37 per minute.
Abby Connect Features
- Custom call transfer tunes: Choose what your customers hear while their call is being transferred.
- AbbyGo app: This powerful app gives you more control over your account even when you’re on the go. You can track minute usage, look at call trends, set call availability, and submit receptionist feedback from your phone.
- Live chat: Besides call answering, Abby Connect offers live chat services with features like post-chat surveys, scheduling assistance, and multi-language support.
Davinci Virtual: Best for Administrative Support
What We Liked
- Customizable live chat greetings
- Premium plans come with administrative support, such as scheduling deliveries and returning calls
- Offers full-time and meeting space services
Where It Falls Behind
- Appointment scheduling and order processing are only available for Premium plans
- There are one-time charges for number porting ($75) and vanity number ($100)
- Live receptionist and web chat services have a $95 and $50 setup fee, respectively
Davinci Virtual Monthly Pricing*
- Business 50: $129 for 50 live answer minutes and call management
- Business 100: $239 for 100 live answer minutes and call management
- Premium 50: $249 for 50 live answer minutes for call management and admin support
- Premium 100: $319 for 100 live answer minutes for call management and admin support
Live Web Chat
- Live Web Chat 25: $79 for 25 chat sessions
- Live Web Chat 50: $129 for 50 chat sessions
- Live Web Chat 75: $199 for 75 chat sessions
*The initial term for Davinci Virtual communication solutions is one month and requires a 30-day written notice. For location services, the initial contract term is six months.
Davinci Virtual offers extensive services beyond live chat and answering, including virtual office and meeting spaces. It’s ideal for solopreneurs and small teams looking for cost-effective business services like mail receipt and forwarding, professional business addresses, and meeting space rentals. Virtual office support allows businesses to keep overhead expenses and staffing low while gaining access to essential services as needed.
Davinci’s premium virtual receptionists handle all administrative assistant tasks like scheduling deliveries, travel planning, meeting support, customer assistance, and voicemail management. If you’re not ready to take on a full-time office administrator, delegate office tasks to your Davinci virtual assistant and focus on more complex business concerns.
Other live receptionist offerings include handling complex call flows and appointment scheduling, but it’s best when these services are available 24/7/365. Unfortunately, Davinci’s live receptionist team only answers calls between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time from Monday through Friday. However, it does offer complimentary 24/7 automated support. For a 24-hour solution, consider VoiceNation, which provides the fastest new account activation.
Davinci Virtual Features
- Proactive live chat: Create and automatically send visitors a welcome message when they land on your webpage. It ensures customer engagement and gives a great first impression.
- Administrative assistant tasks: Virtual receptionists help with day-to-day duties, such as customer support, calendar management, and delivery scheduling. Receptionists are trained in the specific operations of your business so you can focus on running your business.
- Voicemail management: Add your hold music, transfer messages, and introductions to your virtual voicemail management system. It comes with voicemail-to-email, but you can add the voicemail-to-text service and save time by reading your messages at your convenience.
AnswerConnect: Best for High Call & Chat Volumes
What We Liked
- Offers appointment scheduling
- Call transfers of up to 500 minutes each month are free
- Provider is HIPAA-compliant
Where It Falls Behind
- Live answering plans (except the Growth Plan) have a one-time setup fee of $49.99
- Call transfer limited to 500 minutes
- Bilingual support is an added service starting at $19.99 per month
AnswerConnect Monthly Pricing*
- Entry: $350 for 200 minutes with a rate of $2.50 per additional minute, basic scripting, CRM integration, and desktop and mobile app
- Growth: $395 for 300 minutes with a rate of $1.85 per additional minute, custom scripting, and live chat support
- Standard: $575 for 400 minutes with a rate of $1.85 per additional minute
Larger volume plans, from 550 to more than 100,000 minutes, are available starting at $795 per month for 550 minutes and a rate of $1.85 per additional minute.
*There are no charges for the first 30 interactions under 30 seconds per billing cycle.
AnswerConnect is our best live answering service for small businesses with high-volume call traffic because of its large volume plans. Its base plan comes with a generous 200 minutes, and you can upgrade to 550 and further up to a maximum of 100,000 minutes, making it an excellent platform for businesses of all sizes. All live answer plans have business features like appointment setting, 24/7/365 support, and custom scripting.
Some of AnswerConnect’s key features include lead capture and lead intake form completion, live web chat, bilingual answering services, 24/7 live call answering, and appointment scheduling. It’s a great option for businesses looking for answering services with receptionists who can take notes and schedule simple appointments.
All AnswerConnect’s plans include live chat support, while other providers like Ruby charge an additional fee. However, it charges for services like bilingual support and HIPAA compliance, which is free with other providers. If you’re looking for affordable and straightforward billing, check out MAP Communications. Unlike AnswerConnect, MAP Communications has a pay-as-you-go plan with bilingual support and HIPAA and HITRUST compliance.
AnswerConnect Features
- Calendar management: Allow customers to make an appointment with your team and get instant updates about bookings in real time. Receptionists can add new appointments directly to your schedule, and AnswerConnect offers this service free of charge.
- Client web access: All clients receive access to a client portal upon signing up. This one-stop shop dashboard outlines all interactions, personalizes your account, and stores all your data.
- Teleport video: Connect and collaborate with customers and colleagues or host webinars with Teleport. Host free video calls for up to 50 people with features like screen sharing, video call lock, and virtual backgrounds.
How We Evaluated the Best Answering Services
Adding answering services for small business operations is a cost-effective way to enhance your customer support services and improve operational efficiency. Leading solutions offer affordable per-minute rates, 24/7 answering support, bundled chat services, and multi-language support. To evaluate the best answering service for small business, we compared different providers and ranked the best live receptionist providers that balance pricing with functionality.
Learn how we evaluated the best answering service for small business by clicking on the tabs below:
15% of Overall Score
Price was a major consideration because small businesses are looking for cost-effective solutions. We looked at which service providers offer free trials, discounts, and cost-effective subscription plans. Providers with lower additional per-minute fees and those with no setup charges gained more points.
30% of Overall Score
We considered the essential services for small businesses, such as live virtual receptionist services, custom scripting, and voicemail solutions. Our criteria also included the availability of custom answering hours and message taking and delivery.
15% of Overall Score
For niche features, we looked for providers with bilingual live receptionists, live chat services, and appointment scheduling. Similarly, we awarded additional points if its features include outbound calling.
10% of Overall Score
To find the best answering service for small business, we assessed each platform’s user-friendliness by taking our own experience and other user reviews. We considered whether there was a learning curve for new users or challenges during the setup and configuration phase.
10% of Overall Score
We evaluated the level of customer support by checking out which communication channels each provider offers to clients. Providers with live chat, phone, email ticketing, and help centers were given higher points. We also prioritized platforms with 24/7 service hours.
20% of Overall Score
We determined the best answering services for small businesses by looking at the value for money. We looked at each solution’s standout features, popularity, and ease of use, which would make them a top choice for businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Live answering services have a professional human receptionist picking up calls and responding to clients on your behalf. On the other hand, an answering machine is a digital device with a prerecorded greeting that records your caller’s message.
Virtual receptionists field incoming calls and resolve basic customer inquiries and needs. Adding a virtual receptionist and including live answering for your business phone system streamlines incoming call management workflows and improves professional credibility. It enhances customer experiences by providing clients personalized interactions, multilingual support, and reduced wait times.
The answering services are usually based on the number of minutes used. Plans typically range from $50 to $300 per month, while per-minute rates range from $1 to $3. Some providers, like MAP Communications, offer pay-as-you-go plans, and most plans come with phone answering, custom scripting, and message-taking services.
Bottom Line
A live answering service is an efficient and cost-effective way to deliver top-quality customer service and elevate your business’ credibility. We found VoiceNation to be the best answering service for small businesses. All plans have bilingual operators, custom call scripting, and instant activation. A monthly subscription starts at $65 and comes with 20 minutes. Instant activation allows you to start using the service immediately. Sign up for its seven-day free trial now.