How much does an answering service cost?Short answer: $200–$1,500/mo.
The full answer depends on call volume, hours, and add-ons. This guide breaks down realistic costs at every tier — plus how flat-rate AI changes the math entirely.
By entering your phone number, you consent to receive
a demo call from Front Desk. Privacy Policy · Terms
typical monthly cost range for small-business answering services
standard per-minute rate at human-staffed answering services
Front Desk starting price per location (Pro tier)
What Drives Cost
Four variables move the bill the most.
When you call for a quote, most answering services will only quote the base — the bill comes from these four other factors.
Call volume & length
Per-minute pricing means a small surge in calls or longer-than-average call lengths can double your bill with no warning.
After-hours & holidays
1.5x for evenings and weekends, 2x on federal holidays. The hours you most need coverage are the most expensive hours.
Bilingual & specialty add-ons
Spanish coverage (+$50–$150/mo), HIPAA BAA (+$50–$200/mo), industry specialization (legal, medical) all push costs higher.
By Volume Tier
Realistic monthly cost at three call volumes.
Use these as a quick reality check on any answering service quote you receive.
Low (under 200 min/mo)
Traditional: $150–$400/mo all-in. Suitable for very small practices. Front Desk plans start at $299 and include booking workflows.
Medium (500–800 min/mo)
Traditional: $500–$1,100/mo all-in. This is often where Front Desk tiered pricing wins clearly while adding live booking.
High (1,500+ min/mo)
Traditional: $1,200–$2,500/mo all-in. Busy practices typically fit better on higher Front Desk tiers with larger included usage.
Compare
What you get for the money.
When we called for quotes, every service gave us a number under $200. Our first month's invoice with one of them was $940. Front Desk was straightforward about tiered pricing and where we'd likely land.
— Megan Foster, Office Coordinator, Foster Family Vision
Built For
Pricing that works for every type of practice.
Plans from $299/mo
Transparent tiers
No setup fees
Live in 30 min
Includes booking
Not just messages
Includes HIPAA BAA
No add-on
FAQ
Common pricing questions, answered.
For most US small businesses, an answering service costs $200–$1,500 per month. The exact figure depends on call volume, after-hours coverage, and add-ons like HIPAA compliance or bilingual support. Low-volume practices (under 200 inbound minutes/month) might pay $150–$300; busy practices commonly pay $800–$1,500.
Per-call pricing ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 per inbound call, but most providers actually bill per-minute ($0.95–$2.50/min). A 4-minute call at $1.50/min = $6 per call; a 10-minute call at $2/min = $20.
24/7 coverage with a traditional service typically adds 25–50% to the base cost — about $300–$2,000+/month depending on volume. Front Desk's AI is 24/7 by default with plans starting at $299/mo per location.
Traditional HIPAA-compliant answering services typically cost $200–$2,000+/month — usually a $50–$200/month premium over standard service for the BAA and compliance features. Front Desk includes HIPAA BAA on paid plans with no separate compliance upcharge.
Spanish/English bilingual coverage adds $50–$150/month at most traditional services, plus often higher per-minute rates for Spanish-language calls. Front Desk includes bilingual English + Spanish at no extra charge.
The cheapest paid answering services start around $39/month for very low-volume (under 50 minutes). But "cheap" services often have poor agents, long hold times, and the highest per-minute rates. For real coverage, expect $200+ from a traditional service or plans starting at $299 from Front Desk.
For nearly any practice doing more than ~150 inbound minutes per month, AI is significantly cheaper. Front Desk plans start at $299 and are often 60–80% less than a comparable human service that includes booking, 24/7, HIPAA, and bilingual.
Per-call connection fees ($0.50–$1.50 each), after-hours premiums (1.5x), holiday surcharges (2x), message-relay fees, minimum-minute commitments, contract early-termination fees, and overage charges if you exceed your monthly bundle. Always ask for a sample invoice from a recent month.
Clear tiers. Predictable costs.
Stop estimating and comparing hidden line items. Front Desk starts at $299/month per location and scales with your volume.
Setup in 10 minutes•Cancel anytime