AI phone plans: what they cost in 2026

What are the pricing models?

Per minute, in a bundle. You pay a monthly or per-period fee that includes a number of minutes, and extra minutes cost more. This is the most common AI model, and it is how prepaid.ai's AI phone plans work. It suits businesses whose calls are short and varied.

Per call. You pay for each call handled, usually with some included in a monthly plan. Predictable if your calls are many and short.

Per unique caller. You pay per different person who rings in a month, and repeat calls from the same person are not charged again. Good if the same customers ring often.

Human answering services. Monthly plans of receptionist minutes or calls, with extra charges for add-ons such as booking. Higher prices, because trained people take the calls.

What do the main providers charge?

These figures are what each provider's own public pricing page said as of 29 Oct 2026, from their pricing page. Prices move, so check the page before you decide. Currency is as listed there. Details of each plan, such as what is excluded, are on those pages.

For side-by-side detail see our comparisons, including Smith.ai, Goodcall and Dialzara. Each shows where the other provider is the better fit, because for some businesses it is.

Two things the table cannot show: Rosie's page offers monthly or annual billing and does not say which its $49 figure is, and Allo's seat price is for a seat in a team phone system, not only the receptionist.

What does a prepaid AI phone plan cost?

prepaid.ai sells its AI phone line as three prepaid plans, each running 30 days with a local number, AI answering and minutes included:

Prices are shown in the currency of the country you choose: New Zealand, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom or Canada. The pricing page always has the live numbers.

How the money behaves, much like a prepaid SIM:

• Calls are metered per second, not rounded up to the minute.
• Included minutes are used first, then top-up credit.
• Top-up credit rolls over while a plan is active.
• You pay in advance on a prepaid plan, so there is no surprise invoice. Recharge before the plan ends to keep your number.
• There is no contract, and the 7-day free trial needs no card.

How do I estimate what I will need?

Work through it in four steps.

1. Count your calls. Look at your phone records for a typical month: how many calls come in, and how many go unanswered.
2. Estimate an average length. Business calls are often short. A booking or a simple question may take a couple of minutes; a detailed enquiry takes longer.
3. Multiply. Calls times average minutes gives you a monthly minute figure. Add a margin for busy weeks.
4. Compare plans against that figure. If you sit comfortably inside a plan's included minutes, a bundle is good value. If your calls are many but very short, a per-call model might be cheaper. If the same people ring repeatedly, a per-unique-caller model might be.

Use the missed-call calculator to put a figure on what unanswered calls cost you now. That is the number to weigh the plan price against.

What else should I check besides the price?

• What happens at the limit. Some providers charge overage rates; with prepaid, you add credit or recharge.
• Contract and cancellation. Month to month, notice periods, minimum terms.
• A real trial. Can you hear your own AI before paying?
• What is included. Booking, transfers, messages, recordings and summaries.
• Hidden extras. Booking fees, number fees, add-on integrations.

Is a human service ever the better value?

Yes. If your callers are distressed, the calls are long and sensitive, or you want a person on every call, a live service is the right product even at a higher price. An AI phone is built for routine calls and cover when you cannot pick up. prepaid.ai does not offer human receptionists, and we say so plainly on the comparison pages.

FAQ