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Looking for the best phone answering service?
Missed calls driving you crazy? You're not alone. We all get frustrated by ringing phones and voicemails piling up. There just aren't enough hours in the day to return every call.
But what if you had an AI virtual assistant answering phone calls for you?
Conversational IVR systems with AI technologies like NLU, NLG, and TTS can help automate customer service interactions, freeing up agents for more valuable interactions and enabling complex, two-way conversations with customers, even during tricky collections calls, as seen with ING Bank.
After implementing this technology, ING Bank saw a 50% decrease in agent workloads and a nearly 60% increase in customer payment promises. [1]
This shows the potential benefits of AI-powered phone answering systems for businesses looking to improve customer support and efficiency.
In this article, I'll share the 6 best AI call answering services to try in 2023.
Let's DO it!
What is the Best AI Phone Answering Service?
Here are the best 6 AI answering services this year:
1. Simple Phones
Best Overall AI Answering Service
Millie's Take
Simple Phones allows you to create a customized virtual receptionist in just 60 seconds. It can answer your calls 24/7, book appointments, take messages, and route calls to the right people. With its robust customization features and flexible number options, Simple Phones is my top recommendation for businesses looking to optimize their phone system.
What is Simple Phones?
Simple Phones lets you create a customized AI agent in just 60 seconds. This virtual receptionist can answer and screen calls 24/7 using natural-sounding voices. It gets smarter over time to handle all your customers' needs.
The AI of Simple Phones can:
- Book appointments
- Take messages
- Provide answers
- Route calls to the right people
You'll have a record of every call and can tweak responses to match your brand.
Why Simple Phones is My Top Recommendation for AI Phone Answering?
As a business owner, I became increasingly overwhelmed trying to handle all my incoming calls. Between answering customer questions, booking appointments, and responding to inquiries, it was impossible to be available 24/7.
I tried many solutions - call forwarding, hiring staff - but nothing truly optimized our phone system.
Calls inevitably slipped through the cracks, leading to missed opportunities and frustrated customers.
That's when I discovered Simple Phones. After thoroughly researching AI phone answering services, Simple Phones stands out as my top recommendation. Here's why:
Easy Onboarding
Creating an AI agent took me less than 60 seconds right from their website. Without any technical skills, I customized a virtual receptionist to handle our exact business needs.
Seamless Call Handling
The AI seamlessly handles a wide array of caller needs - inbound and outbound calls, answering FAQs, booking appointments, taking messages, transferring calls, and more. It sounds completely natural having everyday conversations.
Robust Customization
I can customize everything - the virtual agent's voice, scripts, call routing, and integrations. Whenever I need tweaks, Simple Phones immediately implements them.
Helpful Features
Features like call logging, voice crawling web content, outbound calling, and real-time testing have made a big difference. My AI assistant improves every day.
Flexible Number Options
I easily kept my existing business number by forwarding missed calls to Simple Phones' number. They assign a new number if needed.
Wide Language Support
Simple Phones offers numerous language and accent options for live chat support. My AI agent handles English, Spanish, and French callers seamlessly.
Simple Phones also makes it easy to integrate their AI phone answering system with your existing CRM or back-end system. This ensures that customer requests are fulfilled and information flows to the right place.
Plus, they can work with popular tools like Zapier to send webhooks in a format that works for you, making it easy to manage customer information and streamline your workflow.
I hope that answers your questions about why I think Simple Phones is pretty awesome. But hey, don't just take my word for it.
You can start a 14-day free trial and see how it works for yourself.
Pricing
One of the great things about Simple Phones is that pricing is straightforward, with no hidden fees. Plans start at $49/mo for 100 calls/mo. This basic plan is perfect for small businesses just getting started with an automated answering service.
As your business grows, you can seamlessly upgrade your plan if you need to handle more business calls per month.
2. IsOn24
What is IsOn24?
IsOn24 isn't your average answering service - it's powered by an AI assistant that interacts with customers like a real human.
This virtual receptionist can field calls, do appointment scheduling, and send appointment reminders and other updates over text.
Customers get the white-glove treatment they expect, and you get to focus on the important stuff.
IsOn24 responds to customers in a friendly and professional way, helping your business build solid relationships and trust.
Whether you run an e-commerce outfit, home services company, or maintenance business, IsOn24 has a solution tailored to your needs.
Key Features
- AI Voice Assistant: IsOn24 has this amazing AI Voice Assistant that talks to your customers just like you do. Your customers can ask questions, and IsOn24 answers them even when you're not around.
- Texting Back: Not only does IsOn24 answer calls, but it also sends text messages back to your customers. So, if someone texts your business, IsOn24 chats with them too. It even keeps all your voicemails, texts, and online chats organized in one place.
- Appointments Made Easy: IsOn24 helps your clients book appointments over the phone and online. You know those times when you're too busy to answer the phone? IsOn24 can put callers in a queue and let your team answer from anywhere, even from their phones or tablets.
- Always Open for Business: IsOn24 is like having a 24-hour store for your business. IsOn24 is there to help your customers, even when you're catching some Zs.
- Trust-Building Instantly: Imagine you're a customer and you have a question. Would you like to wait for an answer? Nope, and neither do your customers. IsOn24 gives instant answers and helps your clients book appointments right away. Trust me, they'll love it!
- Time for Growth: If you're a superhero, your focus is your superpower, right? IsOn24 lets you focus on growing your business while it handles calls and appointments.
- Different Voices, Your Choice: IsOn24 can talk in different voices and even text, just like your business. You can improve customer experience while you do what you do best.
So, if you're running a business, a shop, or doing any kind of work, IsOn24 can be like your secret helper, answering questions, setting appointments, and keeping your customers smiling.
I think it's pretty cool, and you might want to give it a try. Go ahead, let IsOn24 be your super smart sidekick, and watch your business grow!
Pricing
- Starter: $39/mo billed annually or $49/mo billed monthly, 1,000 Minutes (~750 calls /mo*), 1,000 Texts, 1,000 Online replies, and more.
- Sprinter: $79/mo billed annually or $99/mo billed monthly, 3,000 Minutes (~2000 calls /mo*), 3,000 Texts, 3,000 Online replies, and more.
- Cruiser: $159/mo billed annually or $199/mo billed monthly, 7,500 Minutes (~4400 calls /mo*), 7,500 Texts, 7,500 Online replies, and more.
3. Slang.ai
Best for managing reservations
What is Slang.ai?
Slang AI is a digital phone assistant that uses AI to answer calls in a smart way. It can answer questions, take reservations, and satisfy callers around the clock.
It's great at understanding callers of all ages and accents, and it responds quickly without any frustrating phone menus.
It also has the ability to manage reservations, customize journeys, and transfer calls to real staff when needed, so you can keep that personal touch in your business.
Key Features
- Never Miss a Call: Sometimes, when we call places, they're too busy to answer, and we get a voicemail. But with Slang.ai, voicemails are no problem! It answers calls, talks to people, and even takes reservations. No more missed calls means happier customers!
- Everyone's Happy: People of all ages can call, and Slang.ai understands them. It can answer questions without making you press a bunch of buttons.
- Easy Reservations: If your customers want to book a table at your restaurant or change a reservation, they can do it with Slang.ai. And the cool part is that it doesn't need to bother the staff. They have more time to do other important things!
- Your Business, Your Way: Slang.ai lets businesses decide which calls it can handle and when it should let the staff take over. So, even though it's super smart, businesses can keep that friendly human touch.
And there's more! It's super easy to set up:
- Launch: You can set up Slang.ai in just 30 minutes. You get to pick how it sounds and what it says.
- Customize: You can make Slang.ai even smarter by updating its answers. It learns over time, just like we do in school. It even suggests new things to say based on what real customers ask!
- Monitor: You can see how well Slang.ai is working. It handles calls like a champ, saves tons of time (like a superhero!), and makes customers really happy.
So, if you're a business owner or just love helping businesses be awesome, you might want to tell them about Slang.ai. It's like a smart buddy for their phones, making customers happy and saving the day!
Pricing
Starter: $180/mo, Up to 500 Calls/mo
Growth: $270/mo, Up to 1,000 Calls/mo
Rocket: $540/mo, Up to 2,000 Calls/mo
Custom: High call volume, custom pricing
4. MrCall
What is MrCall?
MrCall is a helpful call answering assistant for handling business phone calls, and it's like having Alexa or Siri answer the phone for you.
It uses powerful artificial intelligence to manage customer calls. It can send messages on WhatsApp or SMS, create reports, and even transcribe conversations.
With MrCall, you can manage calls efficiently, customize responses, and receive notifications via email or its mobile app. It's great for small businesses, firms, shops, and even larger companies that need to handle lots of calls.
Key Features
If you have a business, MrCall can do all sorts of awesome stuff.
It can:
- Answer questions
- Take reservations
- Even talk to people who want to order something from your shop.
And you don't need any extra computer. You can use it on your Android or iPhone with special apps.
Plus, you can share it with your friends who work with you, and you can all work together to answer calls.
There are different versions of MrCall for different needs.
- If you're a small business or a doctor's office, it can help you manage calls so you don't miss any important messages.
- If you have a shop or a restaurant, it can even understand if someone wants to order food or make a reservation.
- If your business is really big and you get tons of calls, no worries! MrCall can handle lots of calls at the same time.
- If you ever need more calls than your plan allows, you can just ask for more. It's that easy!
Pricing
- Business+: €25/mo, Up to 300 Calls/mo, VoIP Account, Support for Connection to VOIP PBX, Personalization of Answers, Additional Managed Calls.
- Business: €15/mo, Up to 100 Calls/mo, Personalization of Messages, Sync with Google Business Account/Calendar, Sending Personalized Whatsapp/SMS, AI for Understanding Customer Requests/Booking Management, Call Forwarding.
- Private: €5/mo, Up to 15 Calls/mo, Dedicated Phone Number, Customized Messages, Caller Name Association, Notification of New Calls via Email/Whatsapp/App, Recognition of Contacts, Transcription and Audio of Messages.
5. answering.ai
What is answering.ai?
answering.ai t is designed to help businesses stay available and professional 24/7.
The advanced technology is trained with thousands of real customer service calls, which allows it to predict the best way to reply in real-time, even in complex scenarios for achieving high customer satisfaction.
The natural language processing algorithm makes it possible for the AI to understand and speak like a human in a phone conversation, giving callers a lifelike experience.
Answering.ai is easily customizable and can respond to frequently asked questions, take messages, and act like a human phone receptionist.
It is designed with solo practitioners and small businesses in mind, so you can set a goal in the dashboard and the AI phone receptionist will lead the call to complete it.
Answering.ai works with existing business phone numbers and can be easily integrated with phone providers or VoIP solutions.
Key Features
- Advanced AI technology trained with thousands of real customer service calls
- Natural language processing algorithm that can understand and speak like a real human in a phone conversation
- Easily customizable to respond to frequently asked questions and act like a human phone receptionist
- Aligns perfectly with your business goals and can lead the call to complete it
- Works with your existing business phone number and can be integrated with phone providers or VoIP solutions
- Add abilities with Skills, including basic information, taking messages, answering frequently asked questions, and webhooks for call summaries.
Pricing
- Basic: $99/mo for 250 minutes of AI service, 24/7 availability, advanced AI technology, customizable goals and skills.
- Premium: $299/mo for 1000 minutes of AI service, all Basic Plan features, multilingual receptionist support, and premium support.
- Pro: $499/mo for 2000 minutes of AI service, all Premium Plan features, dedicated account agent, and onboarding call.
6. Curious Thing
What is Curious Thing?
Curious Thing makes AI voice assistants to help businesses with their customer service. One of their main product is called Lucy - she's is an AI virtual receptionist that can answer calls, book appointments, and text customers 24/7!
Key Features
Here's what Lucy can do:
She answers every call right away so you never miss an important customer again. Whenever the phone rings, Lucy picks up so no sales opportunity gets lost.
Lucy also captures all the details like the person's name, number, and email on every call. So now you have a nice record of each new lead!
She can book appointments and meetings based on your calendar. So if someone wants to schedule a call with a sales rep, Lucy can get it on the books. Super helpful!
And I love that Lucy sends text messages to people after calls with extra info they need. It's a great extra touch to keep them engaged.
The best part is that Lucy is available 24/7. So even at night or on weekends, customers can call and Lucy will be there to assist. No more bad service after hours!
She can handle a ton of calls too - from 10 to 10,000! So you can scale up easily as your business grows.
Lucy speaks multiple languages as well so you can serve all kinds of customers.
And she works with your other software too like your CRM system. Everything connected and streamlined.
You even get call transcripts from Lucy so you can see exactly what she discussed with each person.
Pricing
The best way to get an accurate quote is to contact the Curious Thing sales team for pricing specific to your business needs.
What is an AI Phone Answering Service?
An AI phone answering service is a smart way to answer calls using artificial intelligence technology.
It's like having a virtual receptionist that can answer calls in a way that is indistinguishable from a human.
With an ai phone answering system, you can cover after-business hours and weekends, vacation days, or times when you're on the phone already.
It can help your customers place orders, make reservations, schedule visits, and more, letting you and your staff focus on the most important tasks.
AI answering machines are always on, always picking up, and always represent your brand. They seamlessly integrate with your current setup, so operations won't change.
Final Thoughts
After digging into the various AI phone answering services out there, one option stands head and shoulders above the rest - Simple Phones.
I can wholeheartedly recommend it as the best virtual receptionist service for any business looking to upgrade their customer service game.
With Simple Phones' advanced yet intuitive AI, calls are fielded seamlessly 24/7. The customizable responses and lifelike interactions make customers feel like they're talking to a real person, even if you're not available.
Unlike some services that sound robotic or offer limited flexibility, Simple Phones enables you to craft the perfect virtual agent to meet your business needs.
With affordable and straightforward pricing plans, it's a smart investment for companies of all sizes.