Best Smith.ai Alternative 2026
AI receptionist intelligence at a fraction of the per-call cost.
Smith.ai is a premium virtual receptionist service that combines AI technology with human backup operators to answer calls, qualify leads, and book appointments for businesses—primarily law firms, home service companies, and professional services. Plans range from $95 to over $800 per month depending on call volume, with per-call overage fees adding up quickly. While the hybrid AI+human model delivers high accuracy, the cost makes it prohibitive for many small businesses. SchedulingKit takes a fundamentally different approach: instead of charging per-call fees for receptionist services alone, it bundles an AI receptionist into a complete scheduling and CRM platform. The AI receptionist handles inbound calls, qualifies leads, and books appointments directly into your calendar. The AI chatbot extends this coverage to your website, social media, and messaging apps. The built-in CRM captures every interaction. Smart scheduling optimizes your availability. All of this starts free, with full AI features from $12/month—the cost of roughly one call on Smith.ai's lowest plan.
Try SchedulingKit FreeWhy Switch from Smith.ai?
Here's what makes SchedulingKit a better choice for your scheduling needs.
Key Differences at a Glance
A quick comparison of the most important differences.
| Area | SchedulingKit | Smith.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + $12/mo for AI features | $95-$800+/mo |
| Scope | Scheduling + CRM + AI receptionist | Receptionist service only |
| Overage Fees | None | $7-12 per extra call |
| Multi-channel | Phone + web + chat + social | Phone + chat |
| CRM Included | Yes, full CRM | No, requires integration |
Full Feature Comparison
See how SchedulingKit stacks up against Smith.ai feature by feature.
| Feature | SchedulingKit | Smith.ai |
|---|---|---|
| AI receptionist | ||
| AI chatbot booking | Limited | |
| Smart scheduling | ||
| Built-in CRM | ||
| Free plan | ||
| No per-call fees | ||
| Multi-channel coverage | Phone + chat | |
| Calendar management | Via integration | |
| Lead qualification | ||
| Human operator backup | ||
| Bilingual support | ||
| Automated follow-ups | Limited |
What Users Say After Switching
“Smith.ai was costing us $400/month for call answering alone. SchedulingKit's AI receptionist handles our calls, the chatbot covers our website, and the CRM tracks everything—all for $12/month.”
Switching from Smith.ai? FAQs
Common questions from users considering the switch.
Is SchedulingKit's AI receptionist as good as Smith.ai's human+AI model?
SchedulingKit's AI receptionist uses advanced natural language processing to handle scheduling calls, answer FAQs, and qualify leads. For complex legal intake or highly nuanced conversations, Smith.ai's human backup has an edge. But for booking-focused calls—which make up 70-80% of inbound volume—SchedulingKit performs comparably at a fraction of the cost.
What happens if the AI can't handle a call?
SchedulingKit's AI receptionist can transfer calls to your team, take detailed messages, or schedule a callback. You set the escalation rules based on your business needs.
Can I use SchedulingKit alongside Smith.ai?
Yes. Some businesses use SchedulingKit's AI receptionist for routine scheduling calls and Smith.ai for complex intake calls. SchedulingKit's CRM captures leads from both channels.
Our Verdict
Smith.ai delivers premium receptionist services, but at premium prices. SchedulingKit bundles an AI receptionist into a full scheduling and CRM platform for a fraction of the cost—making it the smart choice for businesses where most calls are about booking appointments.
Explore More Resources
Learn more about scheduling solutions and find the perfect fit.
Ready to Switch from Smith.ai?
Teams are switching to SchedulingKit