What is an AI receptionist?
An AI receptionist is software that answers your business's phone calls in a natural, conversational voice. It answers callers' questions from your business's own information, books appointments, takes down details and passes the call to a person when one is needed, at any hour. Instead of reaching voicemail, the caller gets an answer straight away.
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Updated October 2026
How it works
Four steps, on every call.
What happens between the phone ringing and you reading the summary.
- 01
Calls are forwarded to it
You keep your number and forward calls to the AI receptionist: every call, after a set number of rings, only when the line is busy, or only after hours.
- 02
It answers like your front desk
It's set up with your services, hours, prices, policies and FAQs, and answers from that information in the caller's language.
- 03
It handles the call
It books the appointment and texts a confirmation, takes down the details of a new enquiry, or transfers the caller to your team, following the rules you set.
- 04
You see every call
Each call is recorded and summarised, so you know who called, what they needed and what happened.
Compare
AI receptionist vs voicemail, answering service and staff.
A receptionist does far more than answer the phone, so many businesses use an AI receptionist for overflow and after-hours calls rather than to replace anyone.
| Voicemail | Answering service | Receptionist | AI receptionist | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Answers at night and on weekends | Often | If scheduled | ||
| Answers questions about your business | Some | |||
| Books appointments during the call | Some | |||
| Handles several calls at once | ||||
| Languages | – | Varies | The ones your staff speak | 50+ |
| How it's priced | Free | Monthly base + per minute or call | Hourly wage | Monthly plan + per minute |
Comparing costs? See the Canadian pricing guide and calculator.
Who uses one
Any business that loses customers to missed calls.
Usually the ones where the person who'd answer is busy doing the work.
- Home servicesPlumbers, Electricians, HVAC, Roofers, Pest control, Painters, Handymen, Landscapers, Cleaning services, Pool services
- AutomotiveAuto repair, Collision shops, Tire shops, Detailing, Towing, Dealerships
- Health & wellnessHealthcare clinics, Massage & RMT, Chiropractors, Dental clinics, Med spas
- Salons & barbersHair salons, Barbershops, Nail salons
- Professional servicesLaw firms, Accountants, Mortgage brokers, Insurance brokers
- Real estate & propertyRealtors, Property managers, Real estate consultants
- FitnessGyms, Personal trainers, Yoga & Pilates studios, Fitness studios
- Pet servicesVeterinary clinics, Groomers, Dog daycare, Dog trainers, Dog walkers
- EventsWedding venues, Photographers, DJs, Caterers
- Education & trainingTutoring centres, Driving schools, Training centres
- HospitalityRestaurants, Hotels, Tour operators
Pricing
Every plan is open 24/7.
Simple plans in CAD, billed monthly or yearly. Pick the one that matches how your business takes calls and bookings.
Who takes bookings?
Switch to yearly to see what you'd save.
Professional
Everything you need to answer every call.
Billed monthly · $499 one-time setup
Get started- 500 minutes / month included
- 24/7 AI answering in 50+ languages
- Appointment booking & SMS confirmations
- Human call transfer
- After-hours / overflow mode
- Basic lead capture
Business
For teams with more calls and more to route.
Billed monthly · $499 one-time setup
Get started- 1,000 minutes / month included
- Advanced lead capture
- Lead qualification
- Multiple calendars / staff
- Custom call workflows
- Urgent-call routing
- Missed-lead follow-up SMS
- Custom intake forms
Growth
For busy teams ready to grow.
Billed monthly · $499 one-time setup
Get started- 1,500 minutes / month included
- Everything in Business
- Review automation
- Customer reactivation
- Custom voice / voice clone
- Advanced reporting
Included in every plan
- 24/7 AI answering
- 50+ languages
- FAQs & business knowledge
- Call recordings & summaries
- SMS confirmations
- Appointment booking
- Human call transfer
- After-hours / overflow mode
Plan details: minutes, usage and billing
| Plan | Included minutes / month | Additional usage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional | 500 | $0.75 / minute |
| Business | 1,000 | $0.65 / minute |
| Growth | 1,500 | $0.55 / minute |
- Plans are billed monthly or yearly. All prices are in CAD.
- Setup is a one-time $499 on every plan, paid before your 7-day live trial starts. If you don't continue after the trial, we refund 50% of it.
- Pay yearly after your trial: 11 months upfront gets you 12, and your setup fee is refunded in full.
FAQ
Questions about AI receptionists.
Something we haven't covered? Ask us directly.
What is an AI receptionist?
An AI receptionist is software that answers your business's phone calls in a natural, conversational voice. It answers callers' questions from your business's own information, books appointments, takes down details and passes the call to a person when one is needed, at any hour. Instead of reaching voicemail, the caller gets an answer straight away.
Is an AI receptionist the same as a phone menu?
No. A phone menu asks callers to press buttons. An AI receptionist understands what callers say in their own words and replies in conversation.
What can't an AI receptionist do?
It works from the information your business gives it. It shouldn't give medical, legal or financial advice, and it can't do in-person front-desk work like check-ins or taking payments at the counter. When a question goes beyond what it knows, it should pass the call to your team instead of guessing.
Do I need a new phone number?
No. You keep your number and forward calls to the AI receptionist through your phone provider, so you decide when it answers.
How much does an AI receptionist cost in Canada?
Most are monthly plans with included minutes. Frontdesk AI costs $299, $499, $699 a month in CAD, with 500, 1,000, 1,500 minutes included, plus a one-time $499 setup.
How long does it take to set up?
With Frontdesk AI, usually less than a week. We set everything up around your business, then your 7-day live trial starts on your real calls.
What does an AI receptionist sound like?
Hear it for yourself: tap “Talk to Frontdesk AI” at the top of this page and call it like one of your customers would.
Book a demo
Keep your front desk open 24/7.
Leave your details and we'll set up a short call. We'll look at how your business handles calls, show you how Frontdesk AI would work for you, and answer your questions.
- Hear it handle calls like yours
- Find the right plan and coverage
- See how booking would work for your business