Virtual receptionist cost UK: prices compared (2026)
A UK virtual receptionist is priced one of two ways: a human service charges a monthly fee that tracks your call volume, while an AI receptionist charges a flat licence — Odette is from £19/month plus call usage paid at cost. The difference is whether you are paying for someone’s time or for software, and it decides whether a busy month costs you more.
What you get at each price point
| Human virtual receptionist | AI virtual receptionist (Odette) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical monthly cost | A bundle of minutes or calls, plus overage | £19–£99 flat + usage at cost |
| Hours | Business hours; 24/7 costs extra | 24/7 included |
| Busy periods | Queues when all PAs are busy | Answers every call at once |
| Consistency | Varies by person and day | Identical greeting and knowledge every time |
| Knows your business | Brief + notes you supply | Reads your whole website, re-checked nightly |
When a human service is still right
If your calls are long, sensitive consultations, a person may be worth the premium. For the classic receptionist job — answer fast, help with common questions, take an accurate message, transfer what is urgent — AI now does it consistently and at a fraction of the price.
Full breakdown: telephone answering service costs · Odette pricing.
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Start free trialFrequently asked questions
How much does a virtual receptionist cost in the UK?
Human virtual receptionist services sell a bundle of minutes or calls each month with an overage rate above it, so the cost tracks your volume — check the provider’s own site for current rates. An AI virtual receptionist like Odette is a flat £19–£99/month licence, with call usage paid at cost — usually about £30/month on a busy line.
Is a virtual receptionist cheaper than hiring a receptionist?
Substantially. An employed receptionist costs their salary plus employer National Insurance, pension, holiday and cover for absence — and still answers one call at a time, during their hours. A virtual receptionist is a monthly fee instead, and an AI one is cheaper still: typically under £700 a year all-in, answering around the clock.
Do virtual receptionists work out of hours?
Human services usually charge extra for evenings and weekends. AI receptionists answer 24/7 as standard, because there is no shift to staff.