Hiring an answering service usually costs anywhere from $50 to $1,500 per month, but the real price depends on how many calls you get, how long those calls last, and whether you need 24/7 coverage. Every business is different, and pricing can be more or less than you might expect.
In this guide, let’s explore how answering service pricing works, cost to hire an answering service, what factors impact the cost, and how to find an option that fits your budget. We will also touch on affordable providers like AGTVA360, which offer flexible plans for businesses without high prices.
Let’s get started.
Firstly, What Is an Answering Service?
An answering service is a professional service that handles incoming calls for your business. Instead of voicemail, real agents answer your calls and take care of important tasks like:
- Greeting callers professionally
- Taking messages
- Answering common questions
- Scheduling appointments
- Transferring calls to the right person
Sounds great?
Let’s jump into how answering service pricing works.
How Does Hiring an Answering Service Pricing Work?
Answering services don’t all charge the same way. Most providers use a few common pricing models, and once you understand them, it’s much easier to avoid overpaying.
- Per minute pricing means you pay for the total time agents spend on your calls. If your calls are short and straight to the point, this can work well. But longer calls can push the bill up fast.
- Per call pricing charges a flat rate for each call answered, no matter how long it lasts. This is simple and predictable, especially if your call volume stays steady each month.
- Hourly pricing lets you pay for the actual hours agents work for your business. This is often a good fit if you want flexible support or partial coverage.
- Monthly plans bundle a set number of calls or minutes into a fixed monthly fee. If you want consistent costs and don’t want surprises on your bill, these plans are a great option for you.
Average Cost of Hiring an Answering Service
The cost of an answering service really depends on the size of your business and how busy your phone lines are.
- For small businesses, answering services usually cost around $30 to $300 per month. These plans cover basic call answering and message taking during business hours.
- For medium sized businesses, prices start from $300 to $1,000 per month. You get more calls covered, longer hours, and helpful extras like appointment booking or bilingual support.
- If you need a 24/7 answering service, costs are usually higher because calls are answered day and night. Many businesses pay $500 to $1,500 per month for full 24/7 coverage.
AGTVA360 offers flexible and more affordable options, including hourly pricing. This helps businesses control costs while still getting reliable 24/7 call coverage.
Factors That Affect Hiring Answering Service Costs
Several factors can increase or decrease the cost of an answering service.
- Call volume matters the most. If your business gets more calls, the cost will usually be higher.
- Service hours also affect pricing. If you want support only during business hours, the cost will be less than full 24/7 coverage.
- Call length plays a role in varying costs. Longer calls can increase your cost. Brief calls can reduce costs.
- Type of service also affects pricing. Live answering support may cost more than automated or AI services because it requires specially trained agents.
- Industry needs, like medical, legal, or real estate, require extra care regarding security, privacy, and call handling. Therefore, pricing will be higher in these cases.
- Custom features, such as appointment scheduling, order processing, bilingual support, and multilingual support, can also add to the total cost.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
- Setup fees: Some providers may charge setup fees when you first start the service.
- Holiday and overtime charges: These fees are common with some services. If 24/7 coverage is essential for your business, make sure you understand these charges.
- Overage charges: Overage charges can apply if you go over your monthly call or minute limit. These charges can be significantly higher than your regular rates.
- Long contracts: Long term contracts can lock you in, even if your needs change. If you decide to end a contract early, you may be charged high fees.
Is Hiring an Answering Service Worth the Cost?
Yes, for most businesses, hiring an answering service is worth the cost because it brings real value back to your business, such as:
- Better customer experience: People appreciate talking to a real person. When calls are answered quickly and professionally, customers are more likely to trust your business and come back.
- Cost savings: Reduced costs are another big benefit. You don’t need to hire full time receptionists, pay benefits, training costs, or office rent. You only pay for the services you need.
- Higher productivity: Calls are handled for you, so your team can focus on sales, clients, and daily tasks. This can lead to better business productivity.
Affordable Answering Service Options
If you are worried about cost, the good news is that there are many affordable options available. Many providers offer flexible plans so you only pay for the services you need.
To keep costs under control, small businesses often choose flexible plans like hourly or per-call pricing. Call Center Services in the Philippines are affordable all over the world.
Companies like AGTVA360 focus on affordable pricing without sacrificing quality, making it easier for businesses to get excellent support at a low rate. You can get 24/7 call center services for your business
Here are some of the best answering service providers, along with their packages and pricing, that you may consider:
1. AGTVA360
AGTVA360 provides affordable answering services with real live agents available 24/7. You should know that if you are a growing business owner, AGTVA360 will be the best choice for you. You can start small with simple hourly pricing from $5–$7 per hour. You can grow your business without long contracts or hidden fees, with excellent support.
Best for: Growing businesses looking for affordable live answering and sales support
Pricing model: Hourly, flexible plans
Starting price: $5-$7 per hour.
2. Smith.ai
Smith.ai uses smart AI with live receptionists to answer calls, qualify leads, and book appointments. They are a popular choice for small teams that want better call handling. Smith.ai has the best features, which are priced per call, which adds extra expense if you need more advanced services.
Best for: Solo business owners or small teams
Pricing model: Per call or monthly plans
Starting price: Around $300 per month
3. Ruby
If you don’t want to miss calls or turn away customers because of language barriers, Ruby is a great option for you. They are well known for bilingual answering services. They use real, friendly people to answer your calls and make your customers feel happy.
Small businesses choose Ruby to improve brand image and customer experience. You stay connected, sound professional, and give your customers a great experience with Ruby.
Best for: Small businesses that want a premium, friendly brand image
Pricing model: Monthly plans based on minutes
Starting price: Around $235 per month
4. AnswerConnect
AnswerConnect offers reliable 24/7 live answering, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They are ideal for businesses that can’t afford to miss calls outside regular hours. With flexible plans and experienced agents, AnswerConnect helps service based companies stay available and responsive at all times.
Best for: Businesses that need 24/7 answering and flexible coverage
Pricing model: Per minute and monthly plans
Starting price: Around $350 per month
5. PATLive
PATLive delivers customizable live answering services using trained agents. It is a good fit for growing companies that want professional call coverage with flexibility and consistent customer interactions. PATLive helps you save money by cutting staffing and office costs, and you only pay for what you use. That is a big win for small businesses
Best for: Growing businesses that need customizable call handling
Pricing model: Per minute monthly plans
Starting price: Around $250 per month
How to Choose The Right Answering Service for Your Budget
- Know your needs: Firstly, decide what you really need basic call answering, 24/7 coverage, or extra features like appointment booking.
- Check pricing flexibility: Choose a service with hourly, per call, or pay as you go plans so you don’t need to overpay.
- Avoid hidden fees: Watch out for setup fees, overages, long contract charges, or extra charges for after-hours calls.
- Compare value, not just price: A slightly higher cost is worth it if it helps you capture more calls or meet your needs.
- Start small: Pick a plan you can upgrade later as your business grows. Providers like AGTVA360 make this easy with flexible hourly pricing.
FAQs About Hiring Answering Service Pricing
Most answering services in the USA charge $50 to $300+ per month.
Per call pricing is easier to budget, and per minute pricing can be cheaper if your calls are short. The best option depends on how your business receives calls.
There are no setup fees to start the trial, and no setup fees if you decide to use the answering service following the trial.
Yes, security is taken seriously. All information is protected with SSL encryption to keep your data safe.
Yes, affordable answering service plans start at approximately $5–$7 per hour at AGTVA360.
Conclusion
Hiring an answering service doesn’t have to be expensive or confusing. The price really comes down to how many calls you get and what kind of support you need.More importantly, an answering service helps you stop missing calls, take better care of customers, and free up your time.
If you are looking for an affordable option, services like AGTVA360 let you start small and grow when you are ready, without high costs.
