What is an AI receptionist? How it works, what it costs, and how to choose one

What is an AI receptionist? How it works, what it costs, and how to choose one

October 17, 2026•Industry

Summary by Link AI

An AI receptionist answers your business calls and messages, books appointments and captures leads. What it does, what it costs, and how to pick one.

Introduction

An AI receptionist answers your business calls and messages, books appointments, takes the details of a request, and passes the conversation to a person when a person should handle it.

What it does

•Answers inbound calls on your business number, any hour.
•Answers questions from your knowledge: hours, services, policies, prices.
•Books appointments on your calendar and sends the confirmation.
•Collects details through a conversational form and saves them on the customer's profile.
•Opens a ticket or transfers the call when a person should finish it.
•Calls new leads back quickly. In Link AI, Call Connect rings your available salespeople first and, when one accepts, calls the lead and connects them.

What it costs

Pricing models vary: per minute, per call, per resolved conversation or a flat plan. With Link AI, phone starts on the Growth plan at $199 a month, which includes 300 voice minutes. Extra standard voice minutes are $0.15 in the US, and a business number is $6.75 a month. Every plan starts with a 14-day free trial.

How to choose

•Same number in and out. You should not need a second system for outbound calls.
•Beyond the call. Check that calls are recorded, transcribed and attached to the customer's history.
•Handoff. A person should be able to join, and see what was already said.
•Messages too. Customers who call also text, WhatsApp and DM. One agent across channels beats a phone-only tool.

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What Is an AI Receptionist? How It Works, Cost and How to Choose (2026)