Vapi vs Smith AI: Who is number 1?

Vapi - a quick overview

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Founded in San Francisco, California, Vapi is a fast-growing voice AI company started by Jordan Dearsley and Nikhil Gupta. Their mission is to make it easy for developers and businesses to build and deploy AI-powered phone agents that sound natural and handle millions of calls—perfect for customer service, sales, or support teams who want to scale their voice operations without hiring more people.

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Vapi’s platform stands out with features like ultra-low latency (under 251ms response time), customizable workflows using visual blocks, multi-assistant collaboration called Squads, and seamless integration with CRMs and enterprise systems. While the exact user base size isn’t publicized yet, Vapi is quickly becoming a favorite among tech-savvy teams looking for flexible, scalable voice solutions. In the next section, we’ll explore Vapi’s features in detail—alongside pros/cons, pricing models—and see how it stacks up against Smith AI and Ringly.io.

Vapi's Features

• Developer-Centric API Platform
  Vapi is designed for developers, offering a highly configurable API-first approach to building and deploying advanced voice AI agents. This flexibility allows deep customization and integration with existing tech stacks, making it ideal for teams that want granular control over their voice solutions. While Smith AI focuses more on ready-made virtual receptionist services, and Ringly.io prioritizes business user simplicity with no-code setup, Vapi’s strength lies in technical adaptability—though this can mean a steeper learning curve for non-developers.
• Multilingual Voice Agents (100+ Languages)
  Vapi supports conversations in over 100 languages out of the box, enabling global reach for businesses needing multilingual support. This coverage surpasses many competitors; Smith AI offers limited language options focused on English-centric markets, while Ringly.io covers 20+ languages but emphasizes e-commerce use cases rather than broad internationalization.
• Bring Your Own Models & Integrations
  With Vapi, you can plug in your own transcription APIs, LLMs (large language models), or text-to-speech engines—including self-hosted models—for maximum flexibility and privacy control. This appeals to enterprises with strict data requirements. In contrast, Smith AI uses proprietary systems with less model choice. Ringly.io integrates seamlessly via Zapier/Make.com but abstracts away the technical details so users don’t need to manage models themselves.
• Automated Testing & A/B Experiments
  Vapi enables automated test suites of simulated calls to identify hallucination risks before going live—a feature aimed at engineering teams seeking reliability at scale. You can also run A/B tests on prompts or voices to optimize agent performance continuously. While this is powerful for iterative development cycles, business-focused platforms like Ringly.io offer simpler analytics dashboards without requiring manual test scripting.
• Tool Calling & Custom Actions via API Hooks
  Developers can connect any external API as a “tool” within Vapi agents—fetching real-time data or performing actions during calls (e.g., checking order status). This mirrors some custom action capabilities found in Ringly.io but requires more hands-on configuration; Ringly’s no-code triggers are easier for non-technical staff.
• Inbound & Outbound Call Handling at Scale
  Vapi handles both inbound and outbound call flows efficiently through its robust telephony integrations (Twilio/Vonage), supporting millions of concurrent calls if needed. However, some users report latency issues after long call durations (~19 seconds) and robotic-sounding voices compared to more natural competitors like PolyAI or Ringly.io’s human-like TTS engine.
• Knowledge Base Integration
  You can upload knowledge bases so your agents answer questions using company-specific content—not just generic responses—which aligns closely with features offered by both Smith AI and Ringly.io. However, updating knowledge sources may require manual intervention versus the automatic daily sync provided by platforms like Ringly.io that keep answers always current without extra effort from your team.
• Real-Time Monitoring & Post-Call Analysis
  Vapi provides live monitoring tools plus post-call analytics such as transcriptions and summaries—helpful for quality assurance across large-scale deployments. These insights are comparable to those from other leading platforms; however, actionable suggestions based on customer mood/trends are more deeply integrated into solutions like Ringly.io.

While Vapi excels as an engineer’s toolkit—with unmatched configurability—it often demands significant developer resources for setup and ongoing management. For organizations wanting rapid deployment without coding headaches or those prioritizing e-commerce automation (like abandoned cart recovery), solutions such as ours provide faster time-to-value alongside advanced phone agent features tailored specifically toward business growth rather than just technical experimentation.

Pros

• Easy to use for beginners – Many users say Vapi is simple to get started with, even if you’re new to voice AI or coding.
• Fast setup and deployment – You can build, test, and launch voicebots in minutes instead of months.
• Highly customizable conversations – Users love how flexible the platform is for creating natural-sounding conversations that fit their needs.
• Affordable pricing compared to alternatives – Reviewers mention that Vapi offers transparent pricing and is generally cheaper than similar tools.
• Low-latency voice interactions – The platform delivers smooth, quick responses during calls—though sometimes too fast can be a problem (see Cons).

Cons

• Limited functionality in some areas – Some users feel certain features are missing or not as robust as they’d like.
• No chat texting feature for testing – Unlike some competitors (such as Synthflow), you can’t interact with your assistant via text chat during testing—only through phone or web calls.
• No web embed option out-of-the-box – If you want to put your assistant on a website without coding, this isn’t currently possible; it requires extra development work.
• Phone number purchasing interface could be better – Users find buying phone numbers through the platform less intuitive than expected.
• Can feel overwhelming for beginners wanting advanced features – While easy at first glance, diving into custom models or fine-tuning may confuse those new to AI tools—more guides would help here too (and this is where Ringly.io shines by offering more guided onboarding).

These points reflect what real users are saying about their experiences with Vapi. If you value simplicity but also need deep customization—or if having built-in web embeds or chat-based testing matters most—it might be worth comparing options before making your choice.

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Smith AI - a quick overview

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Founded in 2015 in Palo Alto, California, Smith.ai was created by Aaron Lee and Justin Maxwell, veterans from tech giants like Google, Apple, and Home Depot. The company specializes in AI-driven virtual receptionist services that handle calls, texts, web chats, lead qualification, appointment scheduling, and customer intake for small to mid-sized businesses across North America.

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Smith.ai’s innovative blend of live receptionists and AI technology supports over a million client interactions annually. Their seamless CRM integrations and 24/7 availability help businesses save time while boosting responsiveness and lead conversion. With a strong reputation backed by high employee satisfaction ratings and industry recognition as one of the best places to work, Smith.ai stands out as a leader in virtual receptionist solutions.

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The following section will explore Smith.ai’s features, pros and cons, pricing models, and user reviews compared with competitors like Vapi and Ringly.io to help you determine the best fit for your business needs.

Smith AI's Features

• AI-Powered Customer Service: Smith AI offers AI-driven customer service solutions, automating routine inquiries and freeing human agents for complex issues. While Vapi focuses on building custom voice AI agents, Smith AI provides a more streamlined approach to customer support, similar to how Ringly.io automates specific tasks like order status checks.
• Lead Qualification and Follow-Up: Smith AI helps qualify leads and follow up with potential customers, enhancing sales efficiency. This feature is more specialized compared to Vapi's broader voice AI capabilities, but both lack the direct integration with e-commerce platforms seen in Ringly.io's abandoned cart recovery feature.
• Appointment Scheduling: Smith AI allows for automated appointment scheduling, which is useful for businesses needing to manage bookings. Vapi also supports similar functionalities through its workflow builder, but Ringly.io's focus on customer support and sales automation might make it less relevant for scheduling tasks.
• Integration with CRM Systems: Smith AI integrates with CRM systems to update customer interactions, similar to Vapi's ability to connect with various tools. However, Ringly.io's custom actions feature offers more flexibility in integrating with a wide range of business tools.
• Real-Time Analytics: Smith AI provides real-time analytics to track customer interactions and agent performance. While Vapi offers analytics as well, Ringly.io's AI call analysis provides deeper insights into call outcomes and customer mood, helping businesses refine their strategies.

Next, let's look at Smith AI's pros and cons. We studied dozens of reviews from real Smith AI users from platforms like G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. Then we identified commonalities and summarized the main pros and cons of Smith AI based on real user feedback for you here:

Pros

• Professionalism & Quality Service – Users consistently praise the professionalism of Smith AI’s virtual receptionists and chat agents, noting their attention to detail with callers and ability to follow custom scripts accurately. This leads to a positive impression for clients calling or chatting in.
• Saves Time & Reduces Missed Opportunities – Many reviewers highlight that Smith AI helps them avoid missed calls or chats, which translates directly into fewer lost leads or business opportunities. This is especially valued by small businesses that can’t always answer every inquiry themselves.
• Seamless CRM Integrations – The platform integrates well with popular CRMs (like Wealthbox), automatically pushing contact details, call notes, and appointments into users’ systems—saving significant admin time.
• User-Friendly Setup & Dashboard – Customers find onboarding easy; managing settings such as chat disclaimers or scripts is straightforward via the dashboard. The system is generally described as intuitive.
• Responsive Customer Support – Multiple reviews mention prompt responses from support staff who are helpful in resolving issues quickly.
• Bilingual & North America-Based Agents Available – For businesses needing English/Spanish coverage or US-based service quality standards, this has been a noted benefit.
• Able to Scale Up/Down Easily With Call Volume – Virtual receptionist services flexibly handle both peak periods and quieter times without requiring staffing changes on the client side.
• Aids Lead Capture From Website Visitors After Hours – Live chat helps capture leads who prefer not to call; it’s particularly effective during nights/weekends when staff aren’t available.

Cons

• Pricing Can Be High for Small Businesses or High-Volume Needs – Several users note that while pricing is fair for what’s offered, it can become expensive if your business receives many calls/chats due to per-minute/per-chat billing models. Some features are only available on higher-tier plans.
• No Mobile App Currently Available for Admins/Owners – While notifications can be sent via email or CRM integrations, there isn’t a dedicated mobile app yet for managing interactions on-the-go—a feature some competitors offer natively.
• Sporadic Missed Calls/Chats During Off-Hours Weekends/Holidays – A few reviewers mention rare instances where calls were missed outside regular hours; while infrequent, this could impact critical lead capture if not monitored closely.
• Chatbot Limitations: Occasional Irrelevant Responses – Some customers report that automated chatbot answers sometimes miss the mark if questions are nuanced or technical; live agents may also struggle with highly specialized queries.
• Minor Usability Annoyances in Dashboard Navigation – When reviewing past call/chat logs, navigating back sometimes resets filters, requiring extra clicks—an inconvenience when auditing multiple records.

Pricing - Vapi vs Smith AI

Note: The pricing information below is accurate at the time of writing and may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date pricing, please visit each company's pricing page.

Vapi pricing

• Pro plan appears in some sources as an alternative mid-tier option at $375/month; confirm directly with Vapi sales.
• All plans include access to the platform and some bundled call minutes. Overage is charged at $0.05/minute.
• Additional SIP lines can be added at ~$10 per line per month if more concurrent calls are needed.

Additional Details

• Discounts: Annual billing offers a ~20% discount compared to monthly rates on paid plans.
• Cancellation Fees: No explicit cancellation fees are mentioned. Users can cancel subscriptions without penalty; however, service termination and refunds are subject to terms below.
• Refund Policies: Refunds are available on a pro-rata basis for any prepaid amount remaining after account termination by the user. There is no mention of a money-back guarantee.

Feature Highlights Across Plans

• Bundled Minutes: Each paid plan includes a set number of call minutes; overages billed per minute.
• Concurrent Calls/SIP Lines: Paid plans include multiple SIP lines; more can be purchased as needed.
• Subaccounts & Workflows: Supported in Agency/Startup/Enterprise tiers—enables managing multiple projects or clients from one account.
• Support Levels: Standard support included in lower tiers; dedicated/account-managed support in Enterprise.
• Compliance & Security: SOC2, HIPAA, PCI compliance available especially on higher tiers/custom solutions.
• Integration Flexibility: All plans allow integration with external telephony providers (Twilio/Vonage/etc.)—these costs billed separately.

If you need further breakdowns of feature differences between specific plans or have questions about add-ons/extras not covered here, let me know!

Smith AI pricing

• Contract Length: All plans are month-to-month—no long-term contracts required. You can pay monthly or get a 10% discount for annual prepayment on some services.
• Cancellation Fees: No cancellation fees or penalties for downgrading or canceling; simply finish out your current prepaid month.
• Refund Policies: Smith.ai offers a money-back guarantee to new clients. For most services: Full refund within the first 14 days if unsatisfied (up to $1,000; overage charges excluded). Some plans may offer up to 30 days—confirm which applies to your plan at signup.

• All receptionist and chat plans include: spam blocking, lead qualification/intake, appointment scheduling/integration, and custom call/chat handling instructions.
• Higher tiers add more included volume and advanced routing/customization options.

For detailed outreach campaign pricing or further breakdowns of add-ons/custom enterprise packages, contact Smith.ai sales directly.

Ringly.io pricing

Ringly.io has simple, usage-based pricing with no hidden fees or long-term commitments. Test drive it risk-free for 14 days, then scale up or down on month-to-month terms—or book a demo for fully tailored enterprise support.

Online customer reviews: Vapi vs Smith AI

Vapi AI

Vapi AI is a developer-focused voice AI platform designed for building, testing, and deploying voicebots quickly. It’s praised for its flexibility and deep customization but has limited online reviews from major platforms.

Total Reviews & Average Rating:
- G2: 1 review, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
- No reviews found on Capterra or Trustpilot.

What users are saying about Vapi:

"Best open source product" – Anonymous (G2 Reviewer)
Best open source product and ease of use for the beginner... provides scalable ai voice agents...

"Could improve on pricing structure" – MissNoCalls commenter
While VAPI AI’s real-time analytics are impressive, I found MissNoCalls’ intuitive IVR navigation system to be much more user-friendly. Has anyone else felt that VAPI AI could improve on their pricing structure?...

Additional User Insights

- Users appreciate the platform's smooth conversations, robust API options, and lower price compared to alternatives.
- Criticisms include lack of chat texting features, a less intuitive phone number purchasing interface, no embeddable web widget, and that its advanced model options might overwhelm beginners.
- There are not enough reviews available to provide broad buying insight; prospective buyers should proceed with caution due to the limited feedback base.

Smith.ai

Smith.ai offers live website chat services with both human receptionists and after-hours bots. It is widely used by law firms and service businesses seeking reliable client communication.

Total Reviews & Average Rating:
- Capterra: Over 100 verified reviews (exact number not specified), average rating approximately 4.8 out of 5 stars.
- No recent G2 or Trustpilot ratings found in search results.

What users are saying about Smith.ai:

"A huge asset to my Firm" – Anonymous (Law Firm Owner)
My experience with the Chat Service and Smith altogether has been tremendous... Their customer support is outstanding...

"AI Robot can get confused sometimes" – Anonymous (Small Business Owner)
The AI Robot that answers after-hours can get confused sometimes but it's only seldom when that happens...

Additional User Insights

- Positive feedback highlights exceptional customer service, easy setup process, customizable Q&A features for after-hours bots, personal touch from live staff during business hours.
- Critical comments mention occasional confusion from the bot during after-hours calls as well as integration challenges with some case management platforms.
- Some users note they would prefer more transparency about whether a real person or bot is answering chats at any given time.

Summary Table

ProductPlatform(s)Total ReviewsAvg RatingNotable StrengthsCommon CriticismsVapiG215.0Customization; developer toolsLimited templates; UI quirksSmith.aiCapterra~100+~4.8Customer support; easy setupBot confusion; integration issues

Both products have strengths in automation but differ in user base size—Smith.ai enjoys broader adoption while Vapi remains niche yet highly rated by its few reviewers. If you’re considering either tool for your business needs, weigh these insights alongside your specific requirements—and note where review volume may limit reliability of overall sentiment.

What users are saying about Ringly.io:

Ringly.io is known for its simplicity, and a focus on e-commerce, with features like abandoned cart recovery and order status lookups. It has a 4.8 star rating from 12 reviews on Product Hunt and other platforms.

"it stands out significantly ahead" - Bertrand, Director. We are at the initial stage of testing and have made only a few calls so far. Consequently, I have rated the product with four stars for now. However, I must express that the product has shown significant promise. When compared to competitors, it stands out significantly ahead.

"This is such a great product" - Jim Miranda, Founder. This is such a great product. I have been with you for less than a week and already closed 3 deals with it."

"It really sounds like a human" - Laix, Founder. Tried Ringly.io today and the quality of the phone calls surprises me! It really sounds like a human, and it reacts really fast. Will need to deploy it in action to see the full capabilities.

"How to automate customer service? -> Ringly.io" - Sidra Husnain, Founder.

Vapi vs Smith AI: Which is best for you?

Who Vapi is best for…

• Tech-Savvy Teams & Developers
  If you have developers in-house or like to get hands-on with code and APIs, Vapi gives you full control over how your voice AI agents work. You can build custom call flows, plug in your own AI models, and run deep experiments.
• Businesses with Complex, Custom Needs
  Large or enterprise teams that need to integrate with lots of in-house systems—or want to connect every part of their workflow exactly how they like—will love Vapi’s flexibility and automation power.
• Companies with Global or Multilingual Customers
  Need support in over 100 languages? Vapi is strong here, supporting broad internationalization for businesses who want to speak with customers all over the world.
• Organizations with Dedicated IT Resources
  Since setup and ongoing customization often require engineering time, Vapi is best for teams who don’t mind spending extra cycles getting it just right.

Who Smith AI is best for…

• Small to Midsize Service Businesses
  Lawyers, real estate agents, clinics, and local service providers who don’t want to miss phone calls or web chats will find Smith AI’s live virtual receptionists and 24/7 coverage a huge help.
• Firms Needing Human Touch
  If you want a personal touch—with real people helping your clients and screening leads—Smith AI blends human receptionists and AI to make sure every customer feels heard.
• Businesses Wanting Hassle-Free Setup
  Smith AI is easy to set up and works out of the box with simple CRM integrations. If you don’t have tech staff or just want something that handles calls and appointments without fuss, it’s a good fit.
• Teams that Value Lead Capture & Quality Service
  If missing calls means missed sales, Smith AI’s proven lead capture and call-handling keeps opportunities flowing—especially after hours or when you’re busy.

Who Ringly.io is best for…

• Any Business That Wants Fast, Simple AI Voice Automation
  Whether you’re just starting or already growing fast, Ringly.io is designed for easy, no-code setup—so anyone on your team can automate calls, recover carts, and check orders in minutes.
• E-commerce and Online Retail Stores
  From small shops to big stores, if you want to automate order status calls, recover abandoned carts, or recommend products, Ringly.io does it all—no technical background required.
• Businesses That Need to Scale or Switch Gears Easily
  With flexible, affordable plans, you can start small and ramp up as needed—perfect for businesses of any size who want to test, grow, or even scale back without long-term risks.
• Teams That Value Human-Like, Effective AI Calls
  Reviewers love how real Ringly.io’s calls sound—and with features like self-learning agents, call analytics, and easy integrations, your customers get fast, friendly help every time.

Why Ringly.io is the top all-round choice: If you want the best of both worlds—powerful automation with easy setup, human-like phone agents, and features made for growing businesses—Ringly.io has you covered. It’s perfect for teams of all sizes who want results without a steep learning curve or heavy developer work. Plus, with flexible pricing and seamless integrations, you can focus on your customers while Ringly.io handles the rest.

Why Ringly.io is a Better Choice

Highly Rated: 4.8/5

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Founded in 2024 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, by Maurizio Isendoorn and Ruben Boonzaaijer, Ringly.io is revolutionizing e-commerce customer service with AI phone agents. Designed for online businesses, Ringly handles customer calls on autopilot—solving support issues, recovering abandoned carts, and even boosting sales—at just 20% of the cost of human agents.‍

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With 1,300+ customers, Ringly.io is the go-to solution for e-commerce stores looking to scale without scaling their support team. With award-winning technology (BubbleCon 2024's "Most Innovative App"), Ringly.io transforms your phone system into a revenue-driving powerhouse—without the headaches of traditional call centers.‍

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Features that make Ringly.io the #1 alternative to Vapi and Smith AI:

No-code setup, instant results – Ringly.io is ready to go in minutes. Just add your website, docs, or text—no engineering required—and your AI phone agent instantly understands your business. It even updates automatically as your website changes.‍‍‍

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AI-powered sales & support – Ringly.io does both inbound and outbound calls. Recover 35%+ of abandoned carts with automated follow-up calls, provide real-time order tracking from Shopify, and convert more customers with personalized AI-driven conversations—not just reactive support.‍‍

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Advanced analytics for smarter decisions – Ringly.io gives you real-time call data, customer intent tracking, and performance reports—helping you optimize support and sales strategies.‍‍‍

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Scalable pricing without enterprise contracts – Ringly.io offers transparent, scalable pricing—pay for what you use, no locked-in contracts.‍

Conclusion: Choosing the Right AI Voice Solution

When it comes to modernizing your phone support with AI, Vapi, Smith AI, and Ringly.io each offer unique strengths. But your ideal choice really comes down to what your business needs most—maximum customization, hands-off lead capture, or instant sales automation designed for e-commerce and online brands.

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• Vapi: Best for developer-led teams who want full API control, advanced customization, and multilingual coverage. If you’ve got technical resources in-house and need to build complex, highly-tailored voice agents, Vapi fits the bill. Just keep in mind, setup and ongoing maintenance will require more engineering hands.
• Smith AI: A strong match for service businesses who value a live, human touch with easy onboarding. Great for smaller teams who want to capture every call or chat, schedule appointments, and seamlessly manage leads—even outside business hours. No technical skills needed, but advanced automations and integrations are somewhat limited.
• Ringly.io: The go-to choice for any online business that wants turnkey phone automation and real results fast. With no-code setup, scalable pricing, and features built to grow sales (like cart recovery and smart follow-ups), even non-technical teams can launch and scale AI phone agents in minutes—not months.

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So when should you choose each one?

• Choose Vapi if you need deep developer tooling, custom workflows, or global language support and have engineering time to invest.
• Go with Smith AI if your business thrives on capturing every lead and offering a personal, human-first touch—especially if you don’t want to worry about setup or scripts.
• Pick Ringly.io if you want a modern AI phone system that just works out of the box, automates both support and sales, and gets smarter as you grow—with smooth, natural-sounding calls your customers will love.

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Why does Ringly.io stand out? Unlike “tech-heavy” or “human-receptionist” approaches, Ringly.io blends the flexibility of automation with the ease your team (and your customers) will appreciate. You get rapid deployment, seamless e-commerce tools, and analytics to supercharge results—without getting bogged down in complexity or sky-high costs.

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If you’re looking to boost support, drive more sales, and never miss a customer again—try Ringly.io and see how effortless AI phone automation can be.

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Want to compare other players in the market? Check out our other comparisons:

• Vapi vs Poly AI
• Vapi vs Retell AI
• Vapi vs Bland
• Vapi vs Goodcall
• Vapi vs Air AI
• Vapi alternatives

• Smith alternatives