AI answering servicepricing that works

Per-Minute Pricing vs Plans With Included Minutes

Most answering services charge per minute or per call, making monthly costs unpredictable. A 3-minute call to schedule an HVAC tune-up and a 45-second booking confirmation cost different amounts, so your bill fluctuates with call volume and caller behavior — exactly the things you cannot control. Callbook uses monthly plans with included minutes. The Starter plan at $79 per month includes 250 AI minutes, which covers many typical calls depending on complexity. If you exceed your plan, overage is $0.40 per minute rather than a surprise on next month's invoice.

What Included Minutes Actually Cover

Every inbound call answered by the AI receptionist counts against your plan minutes. This includes the full conversation: greeting, collecting caller details, checking your connected calendar, booking the appointment, and confirming the time. Calls that go to voicemail or are forwarded to your personal line before the AI picks up do not consume minutes. The ROI calculator can help estimate how many minutes your business typically needs based on your call volume and average call length.

How AI Answering Compares to Hiring

A full-time receptionist costs $35,000 to $45,000 per year, covers roughly 40 hours per week, and cannot answer two calls at once. The Pro plan at $299 per month covers up to 1,500 minutes — more than most five-person teams generate — and works every hour of every day including weekends and holidays. For a detailed comparison, the break-even point where AI becomes cheaper than a dedicated hire is reached within a few weeks for most service businesses. Most service businesses cross that threshold in their first month of operation — whether it is a cleaning company, salon, or moving company. Read our full cost comparison for 2026 numbers.