How Much Does an Answering Service Cost in 2025?
Depending on call duration, an answering service costs between $1.39 to $2.69 per call. The cost per minute will average $1.36-$1.43. Find out how much you will pay according to the type of services you need by starting here.
Featured Solutions
Specialty Answering Service
- Sub-account $10 Per Month
- IVR $.15 Per Minute
- $38/Month Base Rate
Calculating the Cost to Hire an Answering Service
An answering service provides an off-site team of receptionists, sales representatives, and/or customer service representatives who handle inbound business calls. Answering services offer small businesses and companies of all sizes greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness than keeping inbound call handling entirely in-house. The cost of an answering service is a fraction of in-house staff and typically charge either for a discrete block volume of calls or a number of minutes per month. The below table can be used to calculate the cost to hire an answering service by your specific niche.
Average Answering Service Cost
Industry | Average Cost/Call | Low End $ | High End $ |
---|---|---|---|
Medical | $1.60 | $1.39 | $4.70 |
Legal | $1.55 | $1.37 | $4.35 |
Real Estate | $1.44 | $1.45 | $3.45 |
HVAC | $1.39 | $1.25 | $2.99 |
Higher Education | $1.50 | $1.43 | $4.00 |
*Price ranges call center and call duration |
Compare Answering Service Prices by Company
To help get you started in shopping around for a professional answering service, we’ve gathered some sample pricing structures from some of the best answering service companies that help businesses avoid missed telephone calls and capture more potential customers.
AnswerNet Cost
As of January 3, 2025 the cost to work with AnswerNet is $49 a month. Answernet has some of the cheapest answering service plans for small businesses. AnswerNet’s answering service delivers efficient and flexible call handling, catering to diverse business sectors. Their responsive agents offer commendable customer interaction, though service consistency can vary. With scalable solutions and robust technology integration, it’s a competent service, albeit with room for user experience improvement. An adaptable, if not impeccable, option.
- 31 Call Centers
- 250 Languages Interpreted
- Chat and Text Service
- 1200 Employees
Ansafone Cost
In 2025 Ansafone rates are $1.39 per minute, and they also offer several packages for larger use. Ansafone’s answering service overall had some of the cheapest price plans and provides reliable 24/7 customer support, ensuring no call is missed. Their professional operators handle calls with care and precision, offering a seamless extension of any business. The customizable plans fit various needs, though some may find the interface less intuitive. Overall, a solid choice for continuous connectivity.
- 24×7 call answering
- Outbound contact center services
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
- 50 Years of experience
Answer America Cost
Located in Willow Grove, PA, Answer America offers a range of pay-as-you-go plans. As of January 11, 2025, the rates start at $1.50 per call and fall to as low as $1.14 per call for larger packages.
Answer America requires no monthly fees, operates 24 hours with US-based agents, and much more
There are a few things that are included in your plan:
- no monthly fee
- 24-hour answering
- email messaging
- text messaging
- wrong number or hoax calls are free
Responsive Answering Service Cost
If you need an answering service for a specific industry then RAS can help. Their plans start at $29 a month.
- virtual receptionist
- message delivery
- dispatching
- appointment scheduling
- registration service
- 24/7 answering services
call screening
Expect the cost to rise as you select from the service offered.
COMPARE QUOTESAnswering Service United Cost
Located in Lake Havasu, AZ, ASU can offer customized plans to fit your specific needs. As of January 10, 2025 the most basic plan will start at $50 a month. Included with all plans is a dedicated help desk and disaster recovery back up.
They will customize your plan so that it fits your business needs. This could include any of these services.
- bilingual answering
- 24-hour answering
- dedicated agents
- call overflow
- appointment scheduling
AnswerConnect Cost
In 2025 there are several plans for you to choose from that start at $350 a month and go up to $575 a month. For $350 you will receive 200 operator minutes and each additional minute will be billed at $2.50. The $575 per month program allots 400 minutes, and it’s billed at $1.85 per minute for any overage time. Both plants require a $49.99 set up fee.
The lowest-priced plan charged $1.85 per additional minute, and all other plans charge $.1.39 per additional minute. All plans require a $49.99 setup fee. Then you’ll get a suite of included services with your plan.
- email & SMS messaging
- message taking
- 24×7 answering
- appointment setting
Specialty Answering Service Cost
SAS is the most scalable answering service for your business. You can start with them at the most basic of plans at a low $38 a month at a rate of $1.39 per minute.
Then you can incrementally increase your plan all the way up to their top tier at $589 per month for 500 minutes. Then each additional minute is $1.19.
All plans require a $50 setup fee. There are no holiday fees, weekend fees, or line fees. You will pay additional fees for other services though. They also offer a 2-week free trial.
- sub-account $10 per month
- IVR $.15 per minute
- Voicemail $.15 per minute
- Patching $.10 per minute
Ruby ReceptionistCost
Newly updated in 2025 the starting plan for Ruby is $245 per month which will cover 50 minutes of receptions time. Additionally, you can purchase 200 minutes for $705 , or 500 minutes for $1695 per month.
Ruby Answering Service is a virtual receptionist and live remote answering service that assists businesses in managing calls and client interactions. It offers personalized greeting, call forwarding, message taking, and appointment scheduling services, ensuring that businesses never miss important communications. Note that details could have changed since my last update, and I’d recommend checking their current offerings directly for the most accurate information. Advantages:
- 24/7 Availability: Ruby Answering Service provides constant, around-the-clock availability, ensuring that businesses do not miss any important calls or client interactions.
- Professional Customer Interaction: Trained virtual receptionists manage calls with a professional demeanor, providing high-quality customer service and enhancing business image.
- Scalable Solutions: Tailored to meet various business needs, the service can adapt to varying call volumes and specific industry requirements, offering scalable solutions that grow with the business.
AnswerForce Cost
Recently, updated on their webpage, the entry plan in 2025 for AnswerForce is $349 a month plus a one time set up fee of $75. This plan a lot for 200 minutes of operator time +50 online chats. Overtime is billed at $2.00 per minute. For $389 a month for business will receive 300 minutes +100 online chats, and again overage time is billed at $1.85 per minute/chat.
AnswerForce provides a 24/7 live answering service, offering virtual receptionist solutions to businesses across various industries. They handle customer calls, web chats, and texts, ensuring consistent communication. Services include appointment scheduling, bilingual support, and lead capture, aiding businesses in maintaining a professional image and enhancing customer service quality. Note: Specifics might have updated. Advantages:
- 24/7 Accessibility: Ensures continuous, round-the-clock communication with clients, preventing missed opportunities and providing constant customer support.
- Multichannel Support: Offers a range of communication channels, including phone, text, and web chat, catering to diverse customer preferences and enhancing user experience.
- Bilingual Services: Provides support in multiple languages, enabling businesses to cater to a wider demographic and ensuring clearer communication with a varied customer base.
Reception 247 Cost
Businesses can get started with reception 247 for just $39 a month which will include 25 minutes of operator time. Any overtime would be billed at $1.59 a minute. Alternatively, for $269 a month businesses can receive 200 minutes of talk time, billed at $1.39 for any overage time.
Reception 24/7 is a UK-based company providing 24/7 virtual receptionist and telephone answering services. They handle calls, take messages, and manage appointments, ensuring businesses never miss important communications. Note that for updated and detailed information, please verify from their website or contact them directly. Advantages:
- 24/7 Availability: Ensures that businesses are always reachable, providing continuous customer support and never missing important calls or inquiries.
- Professional Call Handling: Trained virtual receptionists provide a professional customer experience, managing calls, messages, and appointments proficiently.
- Flexible Packages: Offers a variety of service packages that cater to diverse business needs, ensuring cost-effective and scalable solutions for companies of all sizes.
AnswerFirst Cost
As of January 4, 2025, the published rate for AnswerFirst is $30 a month, with rates running from $1.50 to $1.85 per minute, based on your overall usage. The company has a pay-as-you-go program with no minimum usage, and additionally, bills in true one second billing increments.
AnswerFirst is an answering service and customer support solution provider, offering 24/7 live answering services, including message taking, appointment scheduling, and customer support. It caters to various industries, ensuring businesses maintain reliable communication channels with clients and do not miss essential calls, while potentially enhancing customer satisfaction. Advantages:
- 24/7 Live Answering: Ensures uninterrupted communication with customers, offering continuous support and ensuring no missed opportunities or calls.
- Diverse Industry Application: Tailors services to various industries, adapting to specific needs and providing relevant customer support and communication solutions.
- Flexible Service Options: Offers a range of service plans and solutions, enabling businesses to select options that best fit their operational needs and budget.
Reception HQ Cost
Surprisingly reception HQ starts as little as $25 a month, which is a pay-as-you-go program and bills at $1.99 per phone call. Stepping up from there will cost you $85 a month which includes 50 calls, and any excess time would be billed at $1.90ma per phone call.
ReceptionHQ is a virtual receptionist and answering service provider. It offers personalized telephone answering, message taking, and appointment scheduling services for businesses, helping them manage calls efficiently without the need to hire a full-time receptionist. Advantages:
- Cost-Efficiency: Saves businesses money by offering virtual receptionist services without the overhead costs of an in-house employee.
- 24/7 Availability: Ensures that businesses never miss a call by providing around-the-clock, professional call answering.
- Customer Satisfaction: Enhances customer experience by providing prompt and professional responses to all calls and inquiries.
MAP Communications Cost
Getting started with MAP Communications starts at $49 a month, includes zero minutes but instead is billed add an additional $1.37 per minute used. The company also offers an enterprise plan which allows for 250 minutes, and this plane cost $339 a month and bills at $1.28/minute for any additional time used.
MAP Communications provides live 24/7 answering and call center services to businesses across various industries. They offer tailored solutions like customer support, appointment scheduling, and emergency dispatch, aimed at improving customer experience and ensuring that clients never miss a call, boosting both efficiency and customer satisfaction. Advantages:
- Customizable Services: Tailors its offerings, like customer support and appointment scheduling, to meet specific business needs.
- 24/7 Support: Offers continuous, round-the-clock live answering services, ensuring no call goes unanswered.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Aids businesses in providing prompt and professional customer interactions, improving satisfaction and loyalty.
Phone Answering Service Plan Types
You can expect virtual receptionist services to cost you anywhere from $0.85 to $1.67 a call, or for higher end services upwards of four dollars a call. Pricing plans and extra cost usually fluctuates depending on how many minutes you need, which generally is determined at the small business owner just needs basic information, collected, someone to schedule appointments, and other factors that impact the level of service.
Standardized Plans:
There are several plans that you will see when comparing answering services. Standardized plans usually are for a monthly subscription requiring less than 100 minutes per month, and mostly for businesses with very few inbound calls. Expect the base rate for this to be around $75-$149 per month.
Custom Plans:
If you have a high call volume of more than 500 minutes your best option is to get a custom plan. When you have a high call volume you have negotiating power to set a lower price per minute. Different plans at this level can cost around as $1.60 a call, and lower prices, if calls are answered during normal business hours, and last less than one minute. These plans are very popular with medical practices, attorneys, universities, and businesses with moderate call volume at simply need a live person to capture customer information.
Minutes | Description | Cost | Typical Fit |
---|---|---|---|
500 Minutes | High-volume customers likely to use additional services. Look for plans with more included services. | $590 – $780/month (can increase with add-ons) | Large-scale users requiring extensive additional services. |
200 to 250 Minutes | Mid-range usage. Compare plans carefully; per-call billing may be cheaper. Additional fees affect cost. | $270 – $390/month | Small law offices, HVAC companies, real estate firms, and small healthcare practices. |
100 to 150 Minutes | Low-volume plan where additional service fees can significantly impact the bill. | $150 – $240/month | Small businesses like roofers, plumbers, daycare centers, spas, restaurants, towing companies, and after-hours needs. |
Pay as You Go | Best for very low call volumes. Low monthly service fee with a per-minute charge. | $50/month + $1.40-$1.60/minute | Super low call volume users requiring flexible, usage-based pricing. |
Suggested Sites For Answering Service Providers: Association of TeleServices International, Amtelco, CamX
Answering Service: Per Minute vs Per Call. Which is Best?
Both per minute and per call answering services have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your business needs, call volume, and call duration. Here’s a comparison of the two:
- Per Minute: In a per-minute answering service, you are billed for the actual time your calls are handled by the answering service. This model can be beneficial for businesses with varying call volumes or shorter call durations.
Pros:
- Can be cost-effective for businesses with short call durations.
- You only pay for the actual time the service is used.
Cons:
- Can become expensive for businesses with longer call durations or high call volumes.
- It can be challenging to predict costs, as they depend on call durations and the number of calls.
- Per Call: In a per-call answering service, you are billed for the number of calls answered by the service, regardless of the call duration. This model is suitable for businesses with longer call durations or consistent call volumes.
Pros:
- Cost-effective for businesses with longer call durations.
- Easier to predict costs, as they depend on the number of calls.
Cons:
- May not be cost-effective for businesses with shorter call durations.
- You pay for each call, even if the call duration is minimal.
To determine which is best for your business, consider the following factors:
- Call volume: Estimate your average monthly call volume. If your business has a consistently high volume of calls, a per-call plan may be more cost-effective.
- Call duration: Assess the average duration of calls handled by the answering service. For businesses with shorter call durations, a per-minute plan may be more suitable, while a per-call plan may be better for those with longer call durations.
- Budget: Consider your budget and evaluate which pricing model aligns with your financial constraints.
- Predictability: Determine whether you prefer a predictable, fixed cost (per-call) or a variable cost based on usage (per-minute).
In summary, the best choice between a per minute and per call answering service depends on your specific business needs, call volume, and call duration. Evaluate these factors carefully to determine the most cost-effective and efficient option for your business.
COMPARE QUOTESFees to Avoid When Buying Answering Services
You need to pay attention when you start comparing different answering services. They do not use the same pricing structure or provide the same services per cost.
This can lead to extra fees that you may not have initially planned on. These fees can also result in the cheapest price service becoming one of the most expensive.
Fee Type | Description | How to Avoid |
---|---|---|
Late Fees | Charged if you pay your bill late. | Pay your bill on time to avoid this fee. |
Paper Billing Fees | Charged for receiving paper bills instead of electronic ones. | Opt for digital billing to save money. |
Overage Fees | Elevated pricing for exceeding your agreed-upon minutes. | Accurately predict your minute usage and select a plan with some padding for fluctuations. |
Short Billing Cycle | Some services use a 28-day billing cycle instead of 30 days, leading to an extra invoice annually. | Ensure your billing cycle is at least 30 days to align with standard monthly invoicing. |
Transfer Fees | Charged for transferring calls to you or your employees. | Pay attention to how transfer calls are charged and choose a plan that matches your specific needs. |
The best method for you is a flat fee per call. This is a flat rate for each transfer. Usually, this fee will range from $.25 to $1.25.
The other common method is billing for the time on the phone. You will pay for the entire time that you are on the phone. This means that your bill can get astronomical if your call then lasts 45 minutes.
- Time-Based Billing: You pay for the total time spent on the phone. Long calls can lead to high bills.
- Incremental Billing: Call times are rounded up to the next minute, which can inflate costs, especially for short calls. Ask about this if your call volume is high.
- Holiday Pricing: Some services charge extra on national holidays ($5–$15 per holiday). Evaluate if answering calls on holidays is necessary for your business.
- Foreign Language Fees: Additional fees apply if multilingual services are required, charged per call or as a flat rate.
- Simultaneous Call Answering Fees: Services may charge extra to handle multiple calls at once, which can be costly for high-volume businesses.
- Random Fees: Includes fees like telecomm recoupment, message retention, universal service fund, voice recording, HIPAA compliance, etc. Verify what these fees cover to avoid unnecessary charges.
While some of the fees are completely justifiable, you’ll need to confirm with the answering service what exactly you are getting for the extra fee.
COMPARE NOW!How Much Does an After Hours Answering Service Cost?
Typically, the cost of engaging an after-hours answering service aligns closely with the costs of a standard daytime call center. When considering an after-hours phone answering service, the price range is usually between $1.36 and $1.42 per minute. The cost for each call is calculated by multiplying the call’s duration by the per-minute rate. For example, a two-minute call would likely cost around $2.80.
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