An AI auto attendant is a conversational call answering service that replaces or sits on top of a keypad phone menu. It answers in plain conversation, resolves routine requests, and routes with context.
Rigid keypad menus are often frustrating when the customer doesn’t hear an option that fits exactly what they need, but an AI auto attendant will discern intent from natural language and ensure that the customer gets to the correct next step whether that is a human agent or a live calendar booking interface.
Most businesses do best keeping a simple menu for the first split while adding AI for FAQs, booking and after-hours calls. Read on to learn more about AI auto attendants, what they can do for your business, and our favorite providers.
What is an AI Auto Attendant?
An AI auto attendant is a phone system feature that answers incoming calls and understands spoken requests instead of keypad input. It discerns caller intent, determines appropriate next steps, and routes the call or initiates a workflow accordingly.
AI auto attendants are also sometimes called AI receptionists, AI virtual receptionists and conversational IVR. When a call comes in, the speech is automatically converted to text and a language model works out intent.
The company’s knowledge base supplies answers to common questions, and text-to-speech is used to reply to the caller.
AI Auto Attendant vs. Traditional Auto Attendant
A traditional attendant runs a fixed script while an AI attendant interprets free speech, so callers can say a name, a department or a problem. Here are some of the differences between AI and traditional auto attendants.
| Traditional auto attendant | AI auto attendant | |
| Caller input | Caller listens to menu options and chooses a number that will route them to another menu or agent | Caller states their needs in plain language |
| Routing logic | Fixed decision tree | Determines intent and routes the call based on company rules and call flows |
| Off-script requests | Not possible | Determines intent from any request |
| Ongoing upkeep | Need to be updated routinely and whenever there are changes in the business | Automatically improves as more data is collected, although monitoring is helpful especially in the beginning |
| Best for | Low volume businesses that mainly need voicemail services after hours | Multi-department, high volume businesses and companies that want to automate routine processes like appointment booking |
What an AI Auto Attendant Can Do
AI attendants have capabilities that go beyond a traditional phone menu. They can answer routine questions from a knowledge base and capture detailed messages and leads based on your specific company’s criteria. They can also connect to calendar integrations, determine availability, and book appointments directly into the company calendar during the call.
While traditional auto attendants allow for recorded greetings, AI auto attendants go further by automatically generating multilingual greetings or regional accents. Business admins can also choose from a selection of voices and personalities to match their brand.
AI auto attendants connect to the company CRM and can automatically send SMS follow-ups, log transcripts, and make updates.
Instead of routing based on a choice the caller made from a limited keypad menu, AI auto attendants utilize conversational routing by name, department, location or stated problem and can initiate a warm transfer to a human with a summary of the caller's issue and a full transcript.
Best AI Auto Attendants in 2026
Here is a quick glance at our favorite AI auto attendant providers and what they can do.
|
Provider |
Cost & Billing Model |
Standout Features |
Best For |
| Nextiva XBert | One conversation-bundled plan at $99/month for 100 interactions (must also purchase a Nextiva phone plan)
Overage: $1.50/interaction |
|
Companies that need omnichannel service |
| Quo Sona | Five call-bundled plans from $0-$199/month for 10-600 calls/month (must also purchase a Quo phone plan)
Overage: $0.45-$1/call |
|
Low volume SMBs that need after-hours call answering and lead capture |
| RingCentral AIR | Two Minute-bundled plans from $39-$49/month for 100 minutes/month
Overage: $0.50/minute |
|
Companies that need full resolution on routine calls |
| GoTo Connect | Credit-bundled plans
Custom, quote-based pricing |
|
International enterprises that need multilingual support |
| Dialpad | Pooled credit plans, outcome-based, custom pricing |
|
SMBs that need AI support primarily for triage and routing |
| Goodcall | Three unique customer-bundled plans from $79-$299/month for 100-2,000 unique customers/month
Overage: $0.15-$0.79/unique customer |
|
Service providers and trades businesses that have repeat callers and longer conversations |
| Smith.ai | Three call-bundled plans ranging from $0-$1,000+/month for 25-1,000+ calls/month
Overage: $2.10-$3/call |
|
Law firms and high volume enterprises that need advanced call handling |
Nextiva XBert
Nextiva XBert is an AI auto attendant that runs across multiple channels and works from within the Nextiva UCaaS platform.
XBert answers calls, books appointments, captures leads, answers questions, and routes calls. XBert stands out because it interacts with customers in plain language not only via voice, but also text and live chat with one memory. It connects to your company’s CRM and knowledge base for seamless and customized service.
Human handoffs include an AI-generated summary, overall sentiment (positive, excited, curious, etc.), and necessary customer details.
Pricing
XBert is only offered as an add-on to Nextiva UCaaS and CCaaS plans which range from $15 to $75 monthly, per user when paid annually.
XBert AI Employee starts at $99 per month which includes 100 conversations per month. Overage conversations are priced at $1.50 per conversation.
Standout Capabilities
- Real-time appointment scheduling: Callers are able to book appointments, cancel or reschedule directly with the AI agent with automatic updates to the company calendar
- Warm transfers: Routes interactions to human agents while displaying a summary of the AI interaction and any key details
- Automated follow-ups: Automatically sends booking links, reminders, and updates via SMS/text when trigger conditions are met
- Lead qualification: Engages incoming leads, runs a structured qualification according to your specific requirements, and writes the record
Where It Needs Improvement
- Not a Standalone: XBert only works within the Nextiva platform and cannot be used with other cloud phone systems
- Limited Languages: As of this writing, XBert is only offered in English and Spanish
Best for: Companies that are already using Nextiva (or are comfortable making the switch) and have customer interactions on multiple channels such as email, text/SMS, and social media.
Quo Sona
Quo Sona is a voice-based AI auto attendant that works within the Quo (formerly OpenPhone) platform. Quo stands out as being one of the only AI auto attendants that does not require an add-on fee and is included for all Quo users.
As of this writing, Quo only interacts with customers on the voice channel, but it can send text messages during the conversation with instructions, forms, or a scheduling link.
Quo Sona is also able to answer questions, capture leads, and transfer calls. Sona agents have three language options (English, Spanish, and French) and three tone options (casual, formal, and neutral).
Sona workflows are created by admins giving Sona instructions in plain language, or selecting a template for common scenarios.
Pricing
Quo Sona must be used with a Quo plan which ranges in price from $15-$35 monthly, per user when paid annually.
Each Quo plan includes 10 Sona calls. If more calls are needed, users can select from four paid plans ranging from $25-$199 per month and including 40-600 calls per month. Overage costs range from $0.45-$1 per call depending on the tier. Calls under 15 seconds do not count towards the total.
Standout Capabilities
- Monitoring and take-over: Human agents can watch Sona interact with callers in real time and take over with one-click if needed
- Intent-based routing: When a caller explicitly asks for a manager, exhibits frustration, or brings up a specific topic they will be routed according to custom transfer instructions
- Summaries and transcripts: AI-generated summaries and transcripts are provided for all Sona handled calls
- Call transfer: Sona always confirms with the caller before transferring to a workspace number, ring group (shared inbox), or external number
Where It Needs Improvement
- Limited channels: Sona does not converse with customers over text, web chat, or social media channels
- Leaves the call immediately after transfer: When Sona transfers a call to another agent or external number, it immediately disconnects so it cannot rejoin the conversation if no one at the destination picks up
Best for: SMBs, especially those that are already using Quo, that conduct most of their business on the phone and need assistance with after-hours calls
RingCentral AIR
RingCentral AIR is an AI auto attendant that answers calls, makes transfers, handles FAQs, captures leads and tracks key metrics. It works best within RingCentral’s cloud communications platform but can be purchased as a standalone and integrated with any phone system.
AIR stands out due to its customizability. It offers 8 different languages (with language detection and switching) and integrates with several CRM apps such as Salesforce, Zoho, and Hubspot in order to provide customized support to callers. AIR converses with customers over voice, text, and other communication channels.
AIR is able to transfer calls to users, extensions, queues, or external numbers. In human handoff, full context is given including name, reason for calling, summary of the call, and any collected details.
Pricing
AIR can be purchased as a standalone for $49/month. This includes 100 minutes and all features, with overage costs at $0.50 per minute.
When combined with RingEX (RingCentral’s UCaaS platform), the monthly price is reduced to $39 per month. RingEX plans range from $20-$35 monthly, per user when paid annually.
Standout Capabilities
- Deep analytics: Tracks call management, trends and performance metrics such as resolved vs unresolved interactions and primary caller intents
- Intelligent call routing: Supports skills-based and context-based routing in addition to routing by name, department, priority, etc.
- HIPAA compliant: RingCentral AIR is HIPAA compliant and can be used by medical offices to book patient appointments after hours
- SMS and omnichannel agents: AIR is able to converse with customers in natural language, answer questions, and conduct intake over text, WhatsApp, and web chat
Where It Needs Improvement
- Costly to scale: AIR plans only include 100 minutes and after that, overage charges can add up quickly
- Complicated setup for non-RingCentral users: While AIR works with other phone systems, setting up complicated call flows or forwarding unanswered calls to AIR from third party systems is cumbersome
Best for: Businesses that need a secure AI auto attendant that can resolve routine issues such as legal service teams that need intake and FAQ answering
GoTo Connect
GoTo Connect’s AI auto attendant is voice-focused AI agent that uses conversational intelligence to speak with callers, answer questions according to the company’s FAQ articles and knowledge base, and route calls by intent.
GoTo Connect stands out due to its many language options which include Portuguese, German, French, and American/UK English. It can only be used with one of GoTo Connect’s UCaaS or CCaaS plans, which include unlimited international calling, making this provider a great choice for global teams.
The AI auto attendant also integrates with a number of scheduling apps and completes actions during calls such as booking, updating, and canceling appointments, and sending SMS and email follow ups.
Pricing
GoTo Connect does not publish pricing for its AI auto attendant, or its UCaaS and CCaaS platforms in general. Two bundled plans are offered, each with 100 AI receptionist credits per month.
One plan combines the AI auto attendant with the GoTo Connect phone system, while the other combines AI auto attendant with GoTo Connect CX Complete- an omnichannel CCaaS platform.
Standout Capabilities
- Syncing contacts: AI agents connect to CRMs to make updates and access important context during conversations and handoffs
- Built-in reporting: Admins observe AI agents in real-time and can interrupt AI conversations at any time, or make adjustments in knowledge, personality, etc.
- Information capture: AI agents collect caller details and information that you specify and then emails a report to your team
- Instant responses: AI agents automatically scan company materials such as prepared answers to common questions and knowledge bases to respond to callers
Where It Needs Improvement
- Lack of transparency in pricing: GoTo Connect no longer publishes any of its pricing making it difficult to budget for
- Only voice interactions: While the GoTo Connect platform supports a number of communication channels, the AI auto attendant only converses with customers via voice
Best for: Growing SMBs and international enterprises that need multilingual support and high volume call handling, especially those already using GoTo products.
Dialpad
Dialpad’s AI auto attendant, known as Resolve, determines what the customer needs using natural language processing, orchestrates a response, acts on it, and then learns from the result. It offers 8 different languages including Japanese and Korean.
Resolve is able to interact with customers over voice and digital channels, and it works within Dialpad phone systems or as a standalone.
Resolve focuses on working with human agents to improve customer experience. Routine processes such as locking a card or fixing a routing bug are handled by AI agents, while interactions that need a human touch are handed off with full context including all previous interactions, customer intent, and data gathered.
Pricing
Dialpad does not list pricing for its AI auto attendant, but it states that pooled credit plans are available and that credits are only used when the AI delivers value (meaning that hang ups would not drain credits).
Standout Capabilities
- No code builder: Admins can design workflows for routing and actions without using code, and set deterministic guardrails for generative AI
- Outbound follow-up: Automate follow-up calls or texts for appointment reminders, outreach, engagement, etc.
- Data capture: Set up pre-handoff information collection guidelines so human agents get details such as issue type and caller intent before taking over a call
- Intent-based call routing: AI agents decide where to forward the call based on what the caller says and sentiment analysis
Where It Needs Improvement
- Lack of pricing details: Dialpad states that it charges by resolution, instead of by the minute, and that it offers pooled credit plans but doesn’t mention the cost or what you get in each bundle
- Customer support: Dialpad only includes live phone support in upper tier plans and there is no information on what kind of support you can get if your purchase Resolve as a standalone
Best for: Companies that need assistance with after-hours intake and overflow during peak times such as law offices and insurance companies
Goodcall
Goodcall is a standalone AI auto attendant that handles voice calls, takes messages, captures leads, and answers questions. While it is not a full contact center solution, it stands out thanks to its transparent pricing based on unique customers instead of minutes or calls.
Goodcall setup is unique and faster than most other AI auto attendants. Admins chat with Goodcall’s AI setup agent, Gabi, who guides you through setting up business hours, questions to ask, handoff rules, etc.
Every call is recorded, transcribed, and tagged, and supervisors can monitor conversion rates and other metrics, and ask Gabi to make changes when needed.
Pricing
Goodcall offers three bundled plans ranging from $79 to $299 per month. The plans include 100, 500, or 2,000 unique customers per month, and overage charges range from $0.15-$0.79 per unique customer depending on the plan.
Every unique phone number that calls in during the month counts as a unique customer. The number of “workers” (AI specialist agents such as an appointment booker, knowledge expert, message taker, etc.) is 5, 10, and 20 for the Starter, Growth, and Scale plans respectively.
Standout Capabilities
- Appointment booking: Connects to calendar apps such as Google Calendar and Calendly to book, cancel and change appointments in real-time
- Analytics dashboard: Tracks call volume, automation rate, and caller intent and displays data in charts and graphs
- Human handoff: When an escalation is triggered it will automatically transfer the call, trying up to three numbers if no one answers
- Lead capture: Asks callers the questions that you specify, spelling back names, numbers and emails to ensure accurate information
Where It Needs Improvement
- Complex call flows: Building complex call flows or call flows in niche industries such as insurance or healthcare are difficult with Goodcall as its built for generic uses and simplicity
- Does not support omnichannel conversations: Goodcall is voice only and focuses only on inbound calls
Best for: Local businesses that have many repeat callers and need an affordable, voice focused, user-friendly solution for overflow calls.
Smith.ai
Smith.ai is an answering service that offers both AI receptionists and human agents. Companies can choose an AI-first, human-first, or hybrid approach to off-hours and overflow call handling.
Smith.ai stands out as one of the few providers to offer a free forever plan that includes 25 calls each month. It also offers legal specific integrations such as MyCase and PracticePanther, making it a great choice for law firms.
Smith.ai is bilingual and offers a large selection of curated AI voices to choose from such as “clear and approachable” or “mature and authoritative”.
Pricing
AI auto attendant plans include a free plan with 25 calls per month, the Pro plan which costs $150-$500 per month and includes 75-300 calls per month, and the Enterprise plan which costs $500-$1,000+ per month and includes 300 to 1,000+ calls per month.
Overage costs range from $2.10-$3 per call. Only paid plans include dedicated onboarding and only Enterprise plans include custom AI prompting by Smith’s technical team and multi-location support.
Standout Capabilities
- Custom call playbooks: Create unique scripts, call flows, and routing rules for different business scenarios
- Warm transfers: Calls are escalated to human agents with full context and AI agents ensure that the human agent is ready to accept the call
- Custom intake: Admins give AI agents flexible instructions and they gather custom and company-specific information from callers
- Call intelligence: Real-time and historical call data is tracked in the online dashboard including AI-generated summaries and agent notes
Where It Needs Improvement
- Cost: At around $2 per call, and up to $3 per overage call, Smith.ai is one of the most expensive AI auto attendants
- Language limitations: As of this writing, Smith.ai agents are only able to speak English and Spanish
Best for: High volume law firms and enterprises that need custom intake, advanced analytics, or that want a full service hybrid human and AI agent solution.
How Much an AI Auto Attendant Costs
AI auto attendant pricing starts at around $50-$100 per month for entry-level plans, with additional charges if you exceed your plan’s allowance. Your total cost depends on call volume, call length, and whether your provider charges per minute, per call or conversation, or per unique caller.
If you go over the included amount, you will be charged an overage fee, which is usually a higher rate, using the same type of unit that is used in the bundle. Many providers offer further discounts if you pay for an entire year up front instead of month-to-month.
Entry tiers typically include 10-100 calls per month and features such as appointment booking, lead capture, and analytics. Most providers offer the same features in all plans and only increase the included credits, but advanced security or support may be gated to higher tiered plans.
When calculating your monthly AI auto attendant cost, you will also want to check for hidden costs such as setup fees and number fees, and compare your monthly cost to what it would be if you hired a live receptionist service.
Example: If you receive 110 calls in a month, and each call is three minutes in length, with a Nextiva XBert plan, you would pay $99 for the the first 100 calls, plus $15 for the 10 overage calls ($114 total), and with RingCentral AIR, you would pay $49 for the first 100 minutes, plus $115 for the overage 230 minutes ($164 total).
If you had the same number of calls (110), but each call was just one minute in length instead of three, AIR would cost a total of $54 for the month, while XBert would still cost $114. So if you have a lot of short calls it makes more sense to pay per minute, while if you have longer calls, per conversation bundles offer more value.
FAQs
Smith.ai offers a free forever plan that includes 25 calls/month, many providers offer free trials, and some providers (such as quo) include free AI auto attendant credits with their phone system.
Yes. Many AI auto attendants such as DIalpad, RingCentral AIR and Goodcall work with any business phone number.
Yes, although if you are dealing with sensitive financial or health data you will want to ensure the AI auto attendant has the necessary compliance such as HIPAA or PCI DSS.
AI auto attendants use plain language so callers will not necessarily know but it is considered best practice to let them know when they are talking to an AI agent.
