ElevenLabs Realtime launched on 20 Oct 2026: two speech-to-speech models, Mini and Max, for AI voice agents. What each one is for, the $0.08-a-minute list price plus AI model usage, who can use it yet, and what it means for an AI phone agent.
Comparison AI voice receptionists
Looking for the best AI receptionist for small business? We compared Upfirst, Rosie, Goodcall, Frontdesk, Dialzara and RingCentral on price (USD), what each one counts, booking and use outside the US, from each maker's own pages on 22 Oct 2026.
AI that answers your phone when you can't: it greets callers, answers common questions, takes messages and books or moves appointments. We cover how these tools connect to your phone number and calendar, how natural they sound, and how they charge, which is often per minute or per call.
We look at call handling on everyday scenarios, such as a new booking, a cancellation and a question the AI can't answer, and at how the call is passed to a person. We check pricing and limits as shown on each maker's page, with the date we checked, and whether the tool supports phone numbers outside the US. Posts are research-based unless marked Tested hands-on.
Listen for how a tool handles accents, background noise and callers who interrupt. Check whether it can transfer a live call to your mobile, how per-minute charges add up on a busy week, and whether callers are told they are speaking to an AI where the law requires it.
Clinics, salons, repair shops and other businesses where a missed call can mean a missed booking. If you want to answer website and WhatsApp messages too, see AI customer chat.
Prices, free plans and limits here are what each maker listed when we checked, and every post shows that date. Plans change often, so check the maker's own page before you buy. Spotted something out of date? Email [email protected] and we will fix it.
