7 Best Small Business Answering Service Options for 2025

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.

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.

• 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.

3. Smith.ai

Smith.ai blends human receptionists with AI screening to maximize conversions. It is designed for revenue-focused teams that need lead capture, qualification, and scheduling without juggling multiple vendors.

• Choose AI-only, human-only, or hybrid coverage to manage costs.
• Per-call pricing works well for short, transactional conversations.
• Connects to Salesforce, HubSpot, Clio, Zapier, and hundreds of apps.
• Bilingual receptionists included at no additional price.

Pricing: Paid tiers start at 20, 50, and 150 relevant calls per month (minute-based plans available for longer conversations).

Learn how to align Smith.ai with your phone strategy in our small business phone answering guide.

4. PATLive

PATLive delivers dependable US-based live answering with clear, contract-free pricing. Month-to-month plans and a 14-day free trial make it easy to test coverage before you commit.

• 24/7 coverage, including weekends and holidays.
• No setup fees, no long-term contracts, and a 14-day trial.
• Agents integrate with your calendar to book appointments directly.
• Optional Spanish-language support expands your reach.

Pricing: 100, 250, and 500-minute bundles with competitive overage rates.

Compare minute-based pricing with other models in our answering service pricing breakdown.

5. VoiceNation

VoiceNation caters to startups and solo operators with affordable 24/7 live answering. Get up and running in minutes and add minutes as your call volume grows.

• Includes English and Spanish receptionists on every plan.
• User-friendly dashboard for messages and call analytics.
• Transparent overage fees so you can budget for busy months.

Pricing: 30-, 100-, and 250-minute plans with no contracts.

See how VoiceNation compares with other SMB services in our telephone answering services guide.

6. MAP Communications

MAP Communications specializes in secure, bilingual answering for regulated industries. HIPAA, HITRUST, and PCI compliance make it a favorite for healthcare, finance, and legal teams handling sensitive data.

• HIPAA, HITRUST CSF, and PCI-DSS certified handling.
• Custom scripts for lead capture, order processing, and escalation.
• Secure portal for monitoring activity and reviewing analytics.

Pricing: Pay-as-you-go minute plans starting at $1.29 per minute with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Ideal for clinics, legal offices, and finance teams requiring audited, compliant communication.

7. G2 Virtual Receptionist Services Category

G2 is not a provider--it is your research hub. The Virtual Receptionist Services category aggregates reviews, pricing notes, and user satisfaction scores for dozens of vendors so you can shortlist the best fits before scheduling demos.

• Thousands of verified reviews and ratings.
• Side-by-side comparisons to evaluate pricing, features, and satisfaction.
• Advanced filters for industry, company size, and required features.
• G2 Grid® reports that highlight leaders versus niche players.

Visit G2's Virtual Receptionist Services category to create your shortlist before booking trials.

Comparison at a Glance

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.