What is a virtual receptionist?
A plain definition of a virtual receptionist, how it differs from an answering service and an AI receptionist, typical pricing, and when each makes sense.
Updated October 17, 2026
A virtual receptionist is a remote person, usually at a staffing company, who answers your business line in your name, screens calls, takes messages and sometimes schedules. You pay per minute or per call, typically $250 to $750 a month for a few hundred minutes. An AI receptionist does the same work in software, around the clock, for a fraction of the per-minute price.
Definition
"Virtual" means off-site: the receptionist works from a call centre or from home, following a script you approve. Services like Ruby, Smith.ai and AnswerConnect sell this model.
Virtual receptionist vs answering service
An answering service takes messages. A virtual receptionist does more: screening, basic intake, sometimes scheduling. The pricing model is the same, minutes or calls, with overage.
Virtual receptionist vs AI receptionist
An AI receptionist answers in a natural voice, knows your services and prices, books against your calendar, and escalates urgent calls by rules you set, 24/7. Elavo Answer starts at $299/month for 1,200 minutes with no overage.
Which to choose
If a human voice on every call is non-negotiable and volume is low, a virtual receptionist. If you need every call answered and booked at a predictable price, an AI receptionist.