AI Receptionist · Vs. an answering serviceby Tactly
AI receptionist or answering service?
Both make sure a caller reaches something better than voicemail. They differ in what they can do on the call, what you receive afterwards, and how you are billed.
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Same call, two ways
- Answering serviceMessage taken, you call back to find a timeMessage
- AI ReceptionistTime booked on your calendar during the callBooked
- AI ReceptionistSummary and transcript in your inboxEmailed
Where the AI receptionist wins
Routine calls, handled completely
Bookings, not just messages
It checks your calendar and books the time while the caller is still on the line, instead of handing you a note to call them back.
The same answer every time
It works from your notes, so a question about your hours or service area gets the answer you wrote, on every call.
Every word written down
Each call comes with a summary and a full transcript, so you are not relying on someone's handwritten message.
A flat monthly plan
You pick a block of minutes at a set price. Calls under 15 seconds are free, and caps per day and per caller keep spam from adding up.
Where a person wins
When to choose a staffed service
We would rather you buy the right thing. A person on the phone is the better fit in these cases.
Calls that need judgement
Callers who are upset, confused or describing something unusual can need a person who can read the situation and improvise.
Languages other than English
The receptionist answers in English. If many of your callers prefer another language, choose a service that staffs for it.
Work you want done for you
Some services will place calls on your behalf, chase payments or run scripts you design. The receptionist answers incoming calls only.
Callers who will only talk to a human
The receptionist always says it is a virtual assistant. During your hours it can transfer to your team, but it is not a person.
Hear it answer
Listen to Tactly take a call
Example calls in Tactly's voice, with a sample voice playing the caller. Under each one is the summary the owner gets by email.
Plumbing · 0:26
Books a repair
Brightline Plumbing
A caller with a leaking water heater booked a visit for Thursday at 9 a.m. The summary and full transcript were emailed to the owner.
Read the transcript
- Tactly: Thanks for calling Brightline Plumbing. I'm the virtual assistant, and this call may be recorded. How can I help?
- Caller: Hi, yeah, my water heater's leaking. Is there any way someone can come out this week?
- Tactly: I'm sorry to hear that. I have Thursday at 9 or Friday at 1. Which works better?
- Caller: Oh, Thursday at 9 works. Thanks.
- Tactly: You're booked for Thursday at 9. We'll see you then.
HVAC · 0:41
Repair booking
Northwind Heating and Air
Paula Reyes called because her furnace is blowing cold air. She booked a no-heat repair for tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. at 41 Linden Court.
Read the transcript
- Tactly: Thanks for calling Northwind Heating and Air. I'm the virtual assistant, and this call may be recorded. How can I help?
- Caller: Hi, yeah, our furnace is blowing cold air, and it's getting pretty chilly in here.
- Tactly: Sorry about that. I can get a technician out to you. May I have your name and address?
- Caller: Sure, it's Paula Reyes, at 41 Linden Court.
- Tactly: Thanks, Paula. I have tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. Which works better?
- Caller: Oh, 8:30. The earlier the better, honestly.
- Tactly: You're booked for tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. at 41 Linden Court. The technician will see you then.
Law firm · 0:34
Transfer to a person
Calder and Voss Law
A new caller was in a car accident yesterday and has a sore neck. They are looking for a lawyer and were transferred to Dana in Intake.
Read the transcript
- Tactly: Thank you for calling Calder and Voss Law. I'm the virtual assistant, and this call may be recorded. How can I help?
- Caller: Hi. So, I was in a car accident yesterday, and I think I need a lawyer.
- Tactly: I'm sorry that happened. Is anyone hurt and in need of help right now?
- Caller: No, no, I'm home now. My neck's just sore, that's all.
- Tactly: Thank you. Dana in Intake handles new cases. Would you like me to connect you to her now?
- Caller: Yes, please, that would be great.
- Tactly: Connecting you to Dana now. One moment.
Cleaning · 0:42
Price question
Sparrow Home Cleaning
Dev Patel asked about a move-out clean for a three-bedroom house at the end of the month. He was told move-out cleans start at $250 up to two bedrooms and booked a walkthrough for Friday at 10 a.m.
Read the transcript
- Tactly: Good morning, Sparrow Home Cleaning. I'm the virtual assistant, and this call may be recorded. How can I help?
- Caller: Hi, so I'm moving out of a three-bedroom house at the end of the month, and I was wondering how much a move-out clean is.
- Tactly: Move-out cleans start at $250 for homes up to two bedrooms. For three bedrooms or more, the team does a quick walkthrough first so the quote is exact. Would you like to book one?
- Caller: Yeah, sure. Could we do Friday?
- Tactly: Friday at 10 a.m. is open. Can I take your name?
- Caller: Yeah, it's Dev. Dev Patel.
- Tactly: You're all set, Dev. Friday at 10 a.m. for the walkthrough.
Bakery · 0:35
A question it can't answer
Larkspur Bakery
Amy asked whether the bakery ships birthday cakes to another state, for her sister in Ohio. That was not in your notes, so she left a message for a call back.
Read the transcript
- Tactly: Hi, thanks for calling Larkspur Bakery. I'm the virtual assistant, and this call may be recorded. How can I help?
- Caller: Hi! Quick question. Do you ship birthday cakes out of state? It's for my sister in Ohio.
- Tactly: I don't have that information, and I'd rather not guess. I can have the owner call you back with an answer. Would that help?
- Caller: Yeah, that's fine. It's Amy, at 555 0163.
- Tactly: That's Amy at 555 0163. The owner will call you back about shipping a cake to Ohio.
More sample calls, with transcripts and downloads, on Tactly.ai ›
Side by side
How the two usually compare. Answering services vary widely, so check the details of any provider you are considering.
| Feature | AI Receptionist | Answering service |
|---|---|---|
| Who answers | A virtual assistant that says so | A trained operator |
| Books appointments | Yes, on your calendar | Sometimes, depending on the provider |
| Transfers to your team | Yes, during business hours | Usually |
| What you receive | Summary and full transcript by email | Usually a written message |
| Answers from your notes | Always, and never guesses | From the script you provide |
| How it is billed | A flat monthly plan of minutes | Usually per minute or per call |
Operator services, pricing and features differ by provider. This is a general comparison, not a review of any company.
Get AI Receptionist
Try it free first
7 days free on Tactly
Sign up on tactly.ai, pick a plan and the receptionist answers your calls the same day. The trial includes 30 answered minutes, with a card on file and nothing charged until it ends. Cancel anytime.
- ›Try a free test call and hear it for yourself.
- ›Keep your number: unanswered calls forward to the receptionist.
- ›Cancel from your account if it is not the right fit.
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Common questions
Is an AI receptionist cheaper than an answering service?
Will callers know it is not a person?
Can I use both?
What if a caller asks something it cannot answer?
Explore the AI Receptionist
See how it fits your business
Try it live: call (305) 928-1811. Our AI receptionist answers our own line.
Guides
Features
- After-hours answeringNights, weekends and holidays answered, with a booking or a message waiting in the morning.
- Appointment bookingCallers book open times on your calendar, confirmed only once the calendar accepts them.
- Call transferHands the caller to your team during business hours, and books a time when no one is free.
By industry
- DentistsNew patient calls and appointment requests answered while the front desk is with a patient.
- HVACNo-heat and no-cool calls answered while your techs are on a roof or in a crawl space.
- Law firmsProspective clients get an answer and a consultation time instead of a voicemail box.
- Med spasTreatment questions answered from your menu and consultations booked between appointments.
- PlumbersLeak and drain calls captured with the address and a confirmed callback number.
- Real estateBuyer and seller calls answered during showings, with a time on your calendar to talk.