Moneypenny advertises virtual receptionist services starting at $145 per month.
That sounds reasonable until you factor in the $125 monthly add-on for 24/7 coverage, per-minute overage charges up to $2.99, and a potential $1,000 setup fee.
The real cost for most businesses lands between $300 and $400 per month.
I spent weeks testing alternatives to find services that actually deliver transparent pricing and include the features you need without surprise charges.
What is Moneypenny and why are businesses switching?
Moneypenny is a UK-based virtual receptionist and answering service founded in 2000.
They employ over 1,250 staff across UK and US offices, offering live telephone answering, appointment scheduling, message taking, and live chat services.
The company built a solid reputation for professional human receptionists.
But their pricing structure frustrates many customers who discover hidden costs after signing up.
Here are the main pain points driving businesses to search for alternatives:
- Hidden pricing structure: The advertised $145 per month often becomes $300 to $400 with typical usage
- 24/7 coverage costs extra: Most businesses need around-the-clock coverage, which adds $125 per month
- Steep setup fees: US outbound calling requires a mandatory $1,000 setup fee
- Per-minute overage charges: Going over your plan costs $1.65 to $2.99 per minute
- Contract lock-in: Most plans require 3 to 6 month commitments
A business taking 50 calls per month (about 5 minutes each) ends up paying roughly $303 monthly after all fees.
That same call volume costs $99 with some AI alternatives that include 24/7 coverage standard.
What to look for in a Moneypenny alternative
Before diving into specific alternatives, consider these criteria when evaluating your options:
- Transparent, published pricing: You should see exact costs online without scheduling a sales call
- 24/7 coverage included standard: After-hours calls matter, and the cost should be baked into your plan
- Low or no setup fees: Avoid services that charge hundreds or thousands upfront
- Month-to-month flexibility: Contracts lock you in even when service disappoints
- CRM and calendar integrations: Your receptionist service should sync with your existing tools
The market has split into two distinct categories. Human receptionist services typically run $230 to $575 per month.
AI-powered alternatives cost $24 to $200 per month.
Research shows that 60 to 80 percent of business calls involve routine inquiries.
Questions about hours, directions, appointment availability, and order status don't require human judgment. AI handles these efficiently at a fraction of the cost.
7 best Moneypenny alternatives
I tested both AI and human-based alternatives to cover different business needs and budgets. Here's how they compare at a glance.
1. Ringly.io
Best for: E-commerce businesses on Shopify
Ringly.io built an AI phone agent called Seth specifically for online stores.
Unlike generic answering services, Seth pulls real-time order data directly from Shopify to answer customer questions about tracking, returns, and exchanges.
The deep e-commerce integration sets Ringly.io apart.
When a customer calls asking "where's my order," Seth accesses their Shopify account to provide actual tracking information. No human receptionist can match that speed for routine order inquiries.
Setup takes about 3 minutes. You connect your Shopify store, choose a phone number, and the AI starts handling calls immediately.
No technical expertise required.
Ringly.io reports a 70 to 73 percent call resolution rate without human intervention.
That means roughly three out of four customer calls get resolved by Seth before needing escalation.
All plans include 24/7 coverage, and Ringly.io offers a 14-day free trial.
The unique risk-reversal guarantee means you pay nothing until Seth resolves at least 60 percent of your calls.
Pros:
- Native Shopify integration pulls real-time order data
- No setup fee and no contracts
- 24/7 coverage included on all plans
- Supports 40 languages for international customers
Cons:
- Best suited for e-commerce (not general business)
- AI-only model may not suit complex intake needs
2. Smith.ai
Best for: Professional services wanting hybrid AI plus human support
Smith.ai offers something most competitors don't: a true hybrid model where AI handles routine calls while human agents manage complex conversations.
This gives you the cost efficiency of AI with human backup when needed.
The CRM integration ecosystem is impressive. Smith.ai connects natively with over 30 platforms including HubSpot, Salesforce, Clio, and Pipedrive.
Your receptionist service actually updates your systems in real-time.
Lead qualification is a particular strength. Agents (both AI and human) ask customized intake questions, score prospects, and route high-value leads appropriately.
Law firms, accountants, and consultants find this especially valuable.
Smith.ai offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which removes the risk of trying their service.
Call transfers to human agents cost an additional $1.50 per call.
Pros:
- Hybrid flexibility between AI and human agents
- Excellent native CRM integrations (30+ platforms)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Strong lead qualification capabilities
Cons:
- Human tier gets expensive quickly ($412+/month)
- Per-call overage charges add up on hybrid plans
3. Ruby Receptionists
Best for: Businesses prioritizing premium human service
Ruby Receptionists has operated since 2003, making them one of the most established players in this space.
Every receptionist is US-based and trained specifically on your business protocols.
The mobile app stands out as best-in-class. You can manage calls, transfer to your line, and review messages from your phone with an interface that actually works well. No other competitor offers comparable app experience.
Ruby focuses entirely on human receptionists with no AI fallback.
For businesses where every caller expects a human touch, this matters. Medical practices, law firms, and high-end service providers often prefer this approach.
All plans include 24/7 coverage with no setup fee. Ruby offers a 21-day money-back guarantee to test their service risk-free.
Pros:
- Premium US-based human receptionists
- Industry-leading mobile app
- 20+ years of proven track record
- 21-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Higher price point than AI alternatives
- Spanish-speaking receptionists cost extra (requires quote)
4. Upfirst
Best for: Budget-conscious businesses wanting AI
Upfirst offers the lowest entry price among quality AI receptionists.
At $24.95 per month, it costs 85 percent less than Moneypenny's advertised rate.
The founder is an attorney who built Upfirst to serve professional service needs.
Features like customized intake questions, appointment booking, and spam blocking reflect this focus on legal, medical, and consulting practices.
Setup takes under 5 minutes. You configure custom questions (name, email, services needed), connect your calendar, and start receiving calls.
The AI handles everything from there.
Upfirst provides a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Month-to-month billing means you can cancel anytime without penalty.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable ($24.95/month entry point)
- 14-day free trial, no credit card required
- 24/7 coverage included on all plans
- Month-to-month, no contracts
Cons:
- Limited to 30 calls on base plan
- Zapier-only integrations (no native CRM connections)
5. AnswerConnect
Best for: Established businesses needing human service with 24/7 included
AnswerConnect has been answering business calls since 1994.
Three decades in the industry means they've refined their processes and built expertise across nearly every vertical.
Unlike Moneypenny, AnswerConnect includes 24/7 coverage as standard on all plans.
You won't pay extra for after-hours answering. Bilingual support (English and Spanish) is also built into the service without premium pricing.
Specialized features include lead qualification, appointment reminders, emergency dispatch, and overflow handling.
This works well for medical practices, home service companies, and other businesses with complex routing needs.
The $49.99 setup fee is modest compared to Moneypenny's $1,000.
Contract terms aren't explicitly stated online, so ask about flexibility before signing.
Pros:
- 24/7 human coverage included standard
- 30-year track record with proven reliability
- Bilingual support at no extra charge
- Industry-specific expertise
Cons:
- Higher base price ($350+/month)
- Per-minute overage billing can get expensive
- Contract terms not transparent online
6. Nexa
Best for: Industry-specific needs (legal, medical, home services)
Nexa trains receptionists specifically for your industry vertical. Real estate agents get MLS-savvy support.
Law firms get compliance-aware intake specialists. Medical practices get HIPAA-trained agents.
This specialization means agents understand your terminology, compliance requirements, and typical caller needs from day one.
Home service companies benefit from emergency dispatch logic and service area qualification built into the workflow.
The hybrid model combines AI efficiency with human judgment.
AI handles routine qualification while humans manage complex conversations requiring empathy or specialized knowledge.
Nexa requires a sales consultation for pricing.
This lack of transparency is a drawback, but the industry-specialized training may justify it for businesses in regulated verticals.
Pros:
- Industry-trained specialists (real estate, legal, medical, home services)
- Bilingual support available
- Vertical-specific compliance knowledge
- Lead qualification and scoring
Cons:
- No transparent online pricing
- Requires sales call for quotes
- Custom pricing may exceed budget expectations
7. Dialzara
Best for: Solopreneurs and micro-businesses on tight budgets
Dialzara offers the absolute lowest pricing in the market. At $29 per month, you get 24/7 AI call answering for less than a dollar per day.
The feature set is basic: call answering, recording, transcription, and message delivery.
No appointment scheduling or CRM integrations. For solo practitioners who just need professional call handling, that's often enough.
Overage pricing is transparent at $0.48 per minute across all tiers.
You won't encounter surprise charges or complicated billing structures.
No setup fee and month-to-month billing keeps things simple. A free trial is available to test before committing.
Pros:
- Lowest price point available ($29/month)
- No setup fee or contracts
- Transparent overage pricing
- 24/7 coverage included
Cons:
- Basic features only (no scheduling or CRM)
- Limited call volume on entry tier
- Minimal integrations
How Moneypenny pricing compares to alternatives
Numbers tell the real story. Here's what typical businesses actually pay across different services.
Scenario 1: Business with 50 calls per month (5 minutes average)
Moneypenny's real cost includes the $145 base, $125 for 24/7 coverage, and typical overage charges.
That pushes the monthly total past $300 for moderate call volume.
Scenario 2: Home services business with 87 calls per month (industry average)
Moneypenny's $1,000 setup fee hits hard in year one. AI alternatives with no setup costs save thousands over time.
The pattern is clear. Moneypenny's advertised pricing becomes significantly more expensive with typical usage.
Alternatives that include 24/7 coverage and have transparent overage rates end up costing less.
Start automating your calls with AI today
The virtual receptionist market has changed. AI now handles 60 to 80 percent of routine business calls effectively, from order status checks to appointment scheduling to basic FAQ responses.
Your choice depends on what matters most for your business:
- E-commerce on Shopify: Ringly.io offers the best Moneypenny alternative with native integration, 70 percent resolution rates, and pricing that starts at $99 per month with 24/7 included
- Professional services needing CRM integration: Smith.ai provides 30+ native integrations with hybrid AI and human support starting at $95 per month
- Premium human touch: Ruby Receptionists delivers US-based agents with 20 years of experience starting at $230 per month
- Tight budget: Upfirst and Dialzara offer professional AI reception under $30 per month
All seven alternatives beat Moneypenny on pricing transparency. Most include 24/7 coverage standard. None require $1,000 setup fees.
Ringly.io offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Their unique guarantee means you pay nothing until Seth resolves at least 60 percent of your calls.
For e-commerce businesses ready to automate phone support, that's a risk-free way to test whether AI reception works for your store.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Moneypenny alternative for small businesses?
For budget-conscious small businesses, Upfirst offers AI reception at $24.95 per month, making it the most affordable Moneypenny alternative with professional features. Ringly.io at $99 per month provides better automation for e-commerce specifically.
Which Moneypenny alternative offers the best 24/7 coverage?
All seven Moneypenny alternatives in this list include 24/7 coverage as standard. Moneypenny charges $125 monthly extra for around-the-clock service, while competitors like Ringly.io, Ruby, and Upfirst include it in base pricing.
Can AI handle calls as well as human receptionists as a Moneypenny alternative?
For routine inquiries (60-80% of typical business calls), AI Moneypenny alternatives like Ringly.io handle calls effectively with 70-73% resolution rates. Complex emotional situations or specialized intake may still benefit from human services like Ruby or Smith.ai.
What is the cheapest Moneypenny alternative that actually works?
Dialzara offers the cheapest Moneypenny alternative at $29 per month for basic AI reception. For more features, Upfirst at $24.95 per month includes appointment booking and custom intake questions while remaining extremely affordable.
Which Moneypenny alternative has the best CRM integrations?
Smith.ai leads with 30+ native CRM integrations including HubSpot, Salesforce, Clio, and Pipedrive. This makes Smith.ai the best Moneypenny alternative for businesses that need receptionist services connected directly to their existing systems.
Is there a Moneypenny alternative with no setup fees?
Yes, most Moneypenny alternatives have no setup fees. Ringly.io, Smith.ai, Ruby, Upfirst, and Dialzara all charge $0 upfront. AnswerConnect charges a modest $49.99 setup fee. Only Moneypenny requires up to $1,000 for US outbound calling setup.
What Moneypenny alternative is best for e-commerce stores?
Ringly.io is the best Moneypenny alternative for e-commerce, specifically Shopify stores. Their AI pulls real-time order data to answer tracking questions, process returns, and handle exchanges automatically, something no other alternative offers.
