Comparison
AI receptionist vs answering service
Both promise that you never miss a customer. The difference is what happens next: an answering service takes a message, while an AI receptionist like Lumi answers questions from your own business settings and takes the booking request right there on your booking link — for a flat monthly price.
| Lumi (AI receptionist) | Live answering service | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Flat monthly plans from $29/month. No per-call or per-minute charges. | Usually billed per call or per minute, so a busy month costs more. |
| Availability | Answers every chat instantly, 24/7, including weekends and holidays. | 24/7 cover costs extra with many providers; queues at peak times. |
| Booking | Checks your real availability and takes booking requests on the spot. | Takes a message; you still call the customer back to book. |
| Knowledge | Answers from your own services, prices, hours, staff and policies. | Works from a script; may not know your prices or policies. |
| Control | You approve every booking request before anything is confirmed. | Messages are passed on; bookings depend on your follow-up. |
| Consistency | Same accurate answers every time, in your business's words. | Quality varies between operators and shifts. |
A part-time receptionist costs $1,500+/month. Lumi works 24/7 from $29.
Which should you choose?
An AI receptionist fits if…
- Your customers are happy to chat or book online rather than phone.
- You want predictable monthly costs that don't grow with call volume.
- You want every answer to match your actual prices, hours and policies.
- You want to approve each booking request yourself before it's confirmed.
An answering service fits if…
- Most of your customers insist on speaking to a human on the phone.
- You handle urgent or sensitive calls that need human judgement.
- You're comfortable paying per call and following up on messages yourself.
Many small businesses use both: Lumi handles the booking link and everyday questions, while the phone stays for the few customers who truly need a call. See how Lumi works.
Let Lumi handle the bookings while you focus on your business.
Questions? Email us at support@lumireceptionist.com. We respond within 24 hours.