Affordable and More Realistic Alternative to Smith.ai
Stop paying per call. Switch to Marlie.ai for $0.35/min AI answering that sounds just like your best employee.
TLDR:
If you're researching Smith.ai Alternatives, you're already sold on the idea of AI answering your calls. The question isn't whether you need this technology, it's which approach actually saves you money while converting more leads.
We built this comparison because the decision matters. Both platforms handle inbound calls intelligently. Both integrate with your existing tools. Both promise to end missed leads and overwhelmed phone lines. But the architecture, pricing model, and real-world costs differ dramatically depending on your business profile.
Choose Marlie AI if:
- You want predictable, minute-based pricing that rewards efficiency instead of penalizing volume
- You need instant answering for simultaneous calls without hold times, ever
- You care about having a realistic AI agent answer your calls.
- You're capturing after-hours leads where 24/7 coverage drives significant revenue
- You serve multilingual customers and need native language support without premium fees
- You prefer AI-first automation that escalates to YOUR team with full context
Choose Smith.ai if:
- You want to focus more on using real agents answering your phones.
- You prefer bundled per-call pricing with preset monthly limits
- You're willing to pay premium rates for hybrid AI/human coverage
- You need human interaction, lead screening, or real complex call handling.
Looking for Smith.ai alternatives?
If you're researching Smith.ai alternatives, you're likely feeling the pain of per-call pricing or inconsistent agent quality. While Smith.ai offers a hybrid model with human backup, many businesses find the costs prohibitive as they scale. Marlie.ai provides a modern, AI-first approach that maintains high quality at a fraction of the cost.
Real AI receptionist, not an overpriced AI voicemail
Smith.ai answers calls well, but its functionality stops there. It can’t cancel or reschedule appointments, accept payments, or complete real workflows, so most calls still end in summaries instead of actions.
That makes it feel more like an AI voicemail than a full AI receptionist, especially if you expect calls to be handled end-to-end without manual follow-up.
Smith.ai pricing can be hard to predict as usage grows
Smith.ai uses a usage-based pricing model that charges per call and also applies additional fees when certain tools are used during a call.
For example, booking an appointment through an external scheduling tool can incur extra costs. This structure can work well for low-volume use cases, but for teams with growing call volume, it can make monthly costs harder to predict compared to simpler, all-inclusive pricing models.
FAQ about Smith.ai
This FAQ offers a comparative overview of Smith.ai and Marlie.ai, covering key areas such as pricing, features, AI capabilities, and contact management. Use this guide to quickly understand the strengths of each platform and make the best decision for your business.
Smith.ai does not offer a traditional free trial
Smith.ai does not provide a standard free trial where you can test the product without payment. Instead, access requires signing up for a paid plan, with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you choose to cancel.
While this approach reduces risk for some teams, it can be a barrier for users who prefer to fully evaluate an AI receptionist in real scenarios before committing financially.
Limited Customization and integrations
Smith.ai offers basic configuration for call handling, but customization options and integrations are relatively constrained. Teams that need deeper control over call flows, conditional logic, or tighter integration with internal tools may find it limiting over time.
This setup works well for standard use cases, but can be less flexible for businesses with more complex workflows or evolving operational needs.
Discover how Smith.ai compare with Marlie.AI
Compare Smith.ai features and pricing side by side in the table below
To show why Marlie.ai is the best choice for call answering, we've compared it against over 4 competitors.
Why businesses switch from Smith.ai
Smith.ai is a great service, but their per-call pricing model punishes you for growing. Marlie.ai aligns with your success.
Fair Pricing
We charge by the minute, not the call. Short calls cost cents, not dollars. No hidden transfer fees.
Instant Setup
Train your AI in minutes using our self-serve dashboard. No need to wait for a sales call or onboarding specialist.
Natural Conversation
Our advanced AI models sound more human and handle complex queries better than rigid scripts.
Better Scalability
Designed for growing teams that need automation without being penalized for success.
Free Trial
Test real workflows with a free trial before committing to a paid plan.
Workflow Flexibility
Customize call flows and integrations to match how your business actually operates.
Better than Smith.ai. Cheaper too.
Switch to Marlie.ai today and start saving. 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
What Our Customers Say
“Marlie has dramatically improved our reservation process, reducing missed calls by 40%.”
“Our takeout orders increased by 25% since implementing Marlie to handle busy call times.”
“Student enrollment is up 30% with Marlie handling after-hours inquiries about our programs.”
“Marlie has become an essential part of our customer service strategy across all our places.”
“The AI voice agents integrate seamlessly with our existing systems, creating a truly omnichannel experience.”
Get set up in minutes
Create your receptionist in 15 minutes and start receiving calls immediately. Try it for 2 weeks risk-free with our money-back guarantee.
