AI receptionist vs hiring a receptionist
A good receptionist is brilliant, but for a small business the cost, cover and hours are hard to justify. An AI receptionist covers the phone, texts and email 24/7 for a fraction of the price, and you can still hire later.
Side by side
| AI receptionist (The AI Front Desk) | Hiring a receptionist | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | From £399 | Typically well over £2,000 once salary, employer NI and pension are included |
| Hours | 24/7, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays | Working hours, minus breaks, holidays and sick days |
| Calls at once | Unlimited | One at a time |
| Texts and emails | Answered straight away | When they get to them |
| Bookings and reminders | Automatic, into Google Calendar or Cliniko | Manual |
| Judgement and unusual cases | Follows your rules and books urgent jobs in first, with a text to you | Strong: can handle anything |
| Time to start | About 5 minutes | Weeks of hiring and training |
What a person does better
Complex, emotional or unusual conversations, and work beyond the front desk like admin, payments and greeting people in person.
What an AI receptionist does better
Never missing a call, answering at 10pm on a Sunday, handling several callers at once, and doing it for a flat monthly price. Many businesses use both: AI for the phone, texts and out of hours, and a person for everything else.
Questions
How much does a receptionist cost in the UK?
Salary is only part of it: employer National Insurance, pension contributions, holidays and cover mean a full-time receptionist typically costs well over £2,000 a month.
Can an AI receptionist replace a receptionist?
For answering calls, texts and emails, taking bookings and sending reminders, yes. For in-person and complex work, it's best alongside a person.
Can I try it before deciding?
Yes. The AI Front Desk has a 1-week free trial with no card needed.
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