Why teams look at Reception.ai alternatives
- The AI sends texts but doesn't reply to them conversationally, and a US number needs your own Twilio number to send SMS. (Reception.ai usage and limits)
- Concurrency is 1, 3 or 10 calls at once by plan. (Reception.ai usage and limits)
- Overage runs $0.30 to $0.45 per minute. (Reception.ai usage and limits)
From Reception.ai's own pages, checked October 20, 2026.
- Monitor, whisper to or take over any AI call, on every plan, in the web app
- Customers text your number and get a reply from the AI or your team, on every plan
- AI overage of $0.16 to $0.25 per minute, with 250 to 2,000 voice minutes and texts included by plan
- Google Calendar and Outlook booking on every plan; automations with 100+ templates (Pro and up)
- Pro ($79/mo) covers your whole team with no per-seat fees, on iPhone, Android and web
What changes when you switch
| Feature | Reception.ai | FAST RESPONSE AI |
|---|---|---|
| Live takeover of AI calls | Not described | All plans (web app) |
| Replies to customer texts | Sends texts; no conversational replies | Two-way SMS/MMS, AI or team |
| SMS on a US number | Needs your own Twilio number | Built in; we handle registration |
| AI overage | $0.30 to $0.45/min | $0.16 to $0.25/min |
| Booking | Built around booking and orders | Google Calendar and Outlook, all plans |
Reception.ai figures are from Reception.ai's own site, checked October 20, 2026, in USD before taxes and fees. FAST RESPONSE AI figures are from our pricing page.
Catch every call, text, and chat, even the ones you can't take
Every missed conversation goes to whoever picked up first. From the first ring to the follow-up, FAST RESPONSE AI runs your front desk: answer, reach out, record, and automate.
AI answers, or your team does. Either way, you're in control.
You decide how every call is handled, and your people are never locked out of the AI. Ring the team first, or let the AI answer and step in whenever you want.
Listen in on any AI call, whisper to it, or take it over, on every plan (web app).
Start at $29. $79 covers your whole team.
Starter is $29 a month for one user with the AI receptionist, two-way texting, web chat, recording and the CRM included. Pro is $79 a month for your whole team on one number, plus automations and integrations. Scale is $249 with mass outbound calling and texting. Priced per account, never per seat.
Then pay as you go: extra AI minutes $0.16 to $0.25, extra voice minutes and texts 4 to 6 cents. Extra numbers $9 a month each. No contract.
See every feature, plan by plan →A growth toolkit, not an add-on
A built-in AI CRM on every plan, automations on Pro and up, and no per-seat upgrades. Live in about 5 minutes, with no enterprise rollout.
Text a caller back the moment they ring, remind customers before a booking, or push call details to your other tools by webhook, filtered by conditions on what was said. 100+ templates.
A Monday-morning spike doesn't hit a busy signal. Simultaneous callers are each answered, and your team can still pick up or take over any of them.
Every call and text logged, with the recording, transcript and summary, in a CRM that builds itself. Follow-up tasks suggested from each call. No data entry.
Leave Reception.ai in an afternoon
Keep your number: port it or forward it. No contract, live in about 5 minutes, and we handle your texting registration so you text from day one.
Port it over, or forward it while you try us. Your callers never notice the change.
Month to month, cancel anytime. Start free before you move anything.
No setup call, no rollout. The AI is answering before lunch.
Frequently asked questions
Reception.ai can send texts, but its docs say the AI doesn't hold a text conversation, and a US number needs your own Twilio number to send SMS. FAST RESPONSE AI includes two-way SMS/MMS on every plan, and the AI or your team can reply.
Its docs list 1, 3 or 10 simultaneous calls by plan and overage of $0.30 to $0.45 per minute. FAST RESPONSE AI includes voice minutes, AI minutes and texts on every plan, and AI overage is $0.16 to $0.25 per minute.
Live monitoring or takeover isn't described on Reception.ai's site. FAST RESPONSE AI lets you monitor, whisper to or take over any AI call on every plan, in the web app.
Yes. Port it or forward it, with no contract. Most teams are live in about 5 minutes and texting from day one, since we handle the texting registration.