7 Best Small Business Answering Service Options for 2025
See how AI assistants, virtual receptionists, and live answering teams stack up so you can capture every caller and grow faster.
A ringing phone is revenue waiting to happen. For busy contractors, clinics, and boutiques, letting it roll to voicemail means the opportunity evaporates. Answering services stop that leak by greeting every caller, 24/7, with a consistent brand voice.
This guide reviews the seven best answering services for small businesses, from AI-driven assistants to premium live receptionist teams. We outline standout features, pricing, and ideal use cases so you can match the right solution to your workload and goals.
Want to pair your call strategy with stronger demand generation? Start with these lead generation essentials for small businesses.
1. Marlie AI
Marlie AI is a fully conversational AI receptionist that answers every call in under two seconds, handles 60-80% of routine requests, and hands off complex conversations to your team. It is purpose-built for service businesses that cannot afford to miss a lead.
Marlie AI automates appointments, FAQs, payments, and transfers without adding payroll.
Why Marlie AI stands out
Marlie acts like a digital front desk: booking jobs, collecting context, processing payments, and instantly routing urgent calls to on-call staff. Curious about the underlying tech? Read up on AI voice-to-text innovations that power natural conversations.
Answers calls in under two seconds with a polished brand voice.
Automates appointment scheduling, FAQs, and lead intake.
Offers smart human handoffs for sensitive situations.
Usage-based pricing at $0.25 per minute keeps costs predictable.
Clients report 94% caller satisfaction and 32% revenue growth.
Pricing: $0.25 per engaged minute (pay only for time spent assisting callers).
Best for: HVAC, towing, pharmacies, legal firms, and other service-based SMBs that need 24/7 coverage without hiring.
Pro tip: document your top ten FAQs so the AI can resolve the majority of calls on day one.
2. Ruby
Ruby is a premium live receptionist service known for friendly, US-based agents who sound like they sit inside your office. With more than two decades of experience, Ruby excels at brand-aligned conversations for law firms, medical practices, and high-touch service providers.
Ruby receptionists extend your brand with bilingual coverage and omnichannel chat.
English and Spanish receptionists deliver personalized greetings.
Optional live chat bundles create a unified phone and web experience.
Integrations with Clio, Zapier, and scheduling tools streamline handoffs.
HIPAA-compliant plans secure PHI for healthcare clients.
Pricing: Tiered receptionist-minute plans (100, 200, 500 minutes) with month-to-month flexibility.
Best for: Professional services prioritizing white-glove experiences and bilingual support.
Compare Ruby with other virtual receptionist options in our deep dive on virtual receptionists for small businesses.
Comparison at a Glance
| Service | Implementation 🔄 | Resources ⚡ | Outcomes 📊 | Ideal Use Cases 💡 | Advantages ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlie AI | Low - minutes to launch | Moderate - usage-based | High - 70% deflection, 32% revenue lift | Service SMBs needing 24/7 automation | Cost-effective AI, instant booking, payment support |
| Ruby | Medium - script & onboarding | High - premium pricing | Reliable live answering with omnichannel | Brands requiring polished human reception | Bilingual agents, strong integrations, HIPAA plans |
Making the Right Call: Key Takeaways
The best answering service depends on how you balance human empathy and AI efficiency. Ruby, PATLive, and MAP shine when sensitive conversations and compliance matter. Smith.ai and VoiceNation offer cost-effective live coverage with modern integrations. Marlie AI leads for instant automation that scales without payroll.
Human vs AI: Decide whether most calls require empathy or can be automated confidently.
Budget & scalability: Live services carry higher per-minute costs; AI delivers predictable pricing that scales.
24/7 coverage: After-hours demand favors AI or premium live plans.
Integrations: Ensure your choice syncs with calendars, CRMs, and payment systems to eliminate manual work.
Audit one week of calls, list your must-have features, and trial shortlisted providers. Hearing how they represent your brand is the best validation before signing.
Ready to automate the front desk and capture every lead? Explore Marlie AI today and give every caller a fast, professional experience.
Ready to Transform Your Business with AI?
Join hundreds of businesses already using Marlie AI to capture every call, book more appointments, and deliver exceptional customer service 24/7.
