What are the best AI answering services? 2024 Guide
AI answering services are transforming customer service.
In general, these tools can handle a range of inquiries, from basic questions to complex issues, making them essential for businesses today.
This post will guide you in choosing the right service. You'll learn how AI can boost your customer service efficiency and improve customer satisfaction.
Methodology
In this section, we’ll dive into a comparison of five standout AI answering services: Allô, Dialzara, IsOn24, Curious Thing, and Slang.ai.
We’ve personally used these services for several months, testing their capabilities in real business scenarios.
Technology Behind
All our selection leverages several advanced technologies to deliver their services:
- Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR): Converts spoken language into text, enabling the system to process and understand caller inputs.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): Analyzes and interprets the transcribed text to comprehend the caller's intent and context, facilitating appropriate responses.
- Machine Learning: Continuously learns from interactions to improve response accuracy and adapt to specific business needs over time.
- Text-to-Speech (TTS): Generates human-like speech responses, ensuring natural and engaging interactions with callers.
Summary
- Allô: A cost-effective, mobile-first solution ideal for solo entrepreneurs and small teams who want to manage calls efficiently on the go.
- Dialzara: A budget-friendly option for small businesses needing an affordable yet effective automated answering service.
- IsOn24: A versatile tool for mid-sized businesses that handle high call volumes, especially those in service-oriented industries.
- Curious Thing: Perfect for medium to large enterprises looking for scalable AI solutions with features like outbound calls, lead qualification, and compliance.
- Slang.ai: Tailored for the restaurant industry, providing specialized tools for call management, reservations, and customer interactions.
| Product | Business Size | Call Volume | Budget Sensitivity | Number of Employees | Industry Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allô | Small businesses, solo entrepreneurs, and startups | Moderate to low | Ideal for cost-conscious businesses; affordable starting at $20/month | Perfect for teams of 1-10 who need a second business line on their personal phones | Freelancers, consultants, restaurants, real estate agents, and mobile service providers |
| Dial Zara |
Startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs with limited budgets | Low to moderate; not ideal for handling very high call volumes | Excellent for cost-sensitive businesses; starts at $29/month | Suitable for small teams (under 15 employees) who want to automate call handling without hiring full-time staff | Legal services, real estate agents, and small local businesses |
| Is On24 |
Mid-sized businesses and service-oriented industries | High; can efficiently manage large volumes of inbound calls and scheduling | A bit higher cost but offers robust features, starting at $49/month | Works well for businesses with 20-50 employees, especially those with dedicated customer support or sales teams | Healthcare, home services, and appointment-driven industries |
| Curious Thing |
Medium to large enterprises | High; ideal for businesses with substantial customer interaction needs | Higher investment; starting at $99/month, reflecting its advanced capabilities | Suitable for organizations with 50+ employees, particularly those with dedicated customer service departments | Healthcare, finance, and retail sectors |
| Slang. ai |
Small to medium-sized restaurants and hospitality businesses | Moderate to high; ideal for establishments receiving numerous daily inquiries | Higher investment; starting at $299/month, reflecting its specialized features | Suitable for businesses with 10-50 employees, particularly those without dedicated front-of-house staff for phone management | Restaurants, cafes, and hospitality venues |
Let’s continue with the deep explanation of our selection.
Disclaimer:
- Most of these services are recent, so it was difficult to find third-party reviews to evaluate the different options.
- These answering services all rely on third-party APIs that evolve quickly. So while some demos sound quite outdated, it is likely that these services have evolved since. We decided not to use the public demos to evaluate the accuracy or the quality of the service.
Allô
What Sets Allô Apart?
Allô is a versatile AI phone answering service designed for small to streamline business communications by providing a second professional phone number managed by a virtual assistant.
It offers features like smart call management, AI-generated call summaries, and customizable greetings, and even pre-qualify leads, all accessible through a user-friendly mobile app.
Who Is It Best For?
- Allô is ideal for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals who need to manage business and personal calls efficiently without hiring additional staff.
- It's particularly beneficial for those who are frequently on the move and require a mobile-first solution to handle client communications without missing important calls or messages.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable starting price at $20/month | Might not suit large enterprises with complex workflows |
| Mobile app for handling calls anywhere | Dependence on mobile app for full functionality |
| Customizable greetings and multi-language support | Limited advanced features for large-scale operation |
| AI-generated call summaries and transcriptions |
Key Features
- Second Professional Phone Number: Allô provides a dedicated business line, allowing users to maintain separate personal and professional communications on the same device.
- AI-Powered Call Management: The service includes features like Whisper Mode, which informs users about who is calling and why before they answer, enabling prioritization of important conversations and blocking unwanted distractions.
- Call Transcription and Summarization: Allô automatically transcribes and summarizes calls, highlighting key points to help users stay organized and respond promptly to client needs.
- Customizable Greetings: Users can personalize voicemail greetings to deliver a professional and welcoming experience to every caller, setting the right tone from the first ring.
- Mobile App Accessibility: Allô works on an app that allows users to manage calls, view conversation histories, and access AI-generated summaries directly from their smartphones.
Pricing
- Starting at $20/month, making it one of the most cost-effective solutions on the market with unlimited inbound calls.
Dialzara
What Sets Dialzara Apart?
Dialzara is an AI-driven phone answering service designed to automate inbound calls for businesses. It offers AI receptionists capable of handling calls 24/7, providing instant summaries, and integrating with over 6,000 applications through Zapier for enhanced post-call workflows.
Who Is It Best For?
Dialzara is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses seeking an affordable, efficient, and scalable solution to manage inbound calls.
It's particularly beneficial for companies that experience high call volumes outside regular business hours or lack the resources to maintain a full-time receptionist.
Industries such as real estate, legal services, and healthcare, where timely and accurate call handling is essential, can significantly benefit from Dialzara's services.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Seamless integration with a wide range of applications via Zapier | Limited customization options compared to more advanced platforms |
| Provides detailed call summaries and transcriptions | May not handle highly complex or nuanced customer interactions |
| Limited multilingual support | |
| Dependence on third-party integrations for certain functionalities |
Key Features
- 24/7 Call Answering: Dialzara's AI agents are available around the clock, ensuring no call goes unanswered, which is crucial for businesses aiming to provide continuous customer support.
- Lifelike AI Voices: Utilizing advanced natural language processing, Dialzara's AI understands and responds to callers with high accuracy and low latency, delivering a human-like interaction experience.
- Call Summarization: After each call, the system generates detailed summaries, including transcriptions, enabling businesses to review interactions and follow up effectively.
- Integration Capabilities: Through Zapier, Dialzara connects with over 6,000 applications, allowing businesses to build powerful workflows and integrate the AI receptionist with CRM systems, text messaging platforms, and more.
Pricing
Dialzara’s price starts at $29/month with 60 minutes included.
IsOn24
What Sets IsOn24 Apart?
IsOn24 is an AI-driven voice assistant designed to handle business phone calls, appointments, and customer interactions seamlessly.
It offers features like automated call answering, appointment scheduling, and two-way texting, aiming to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency.
Who Is It Best For?
IsOn24 is ideal for companies seeking to automate customer interactions and improve service availability.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive feature set including call answering, appointment scheduling, and texting | Higher starting price point at $49/month |
| Customizable AI voices to match brand identity | May require time to set up and customize according to specific business needs |
| Automatic call queue ensures no missed calls | Limited multilingual support |
Key Features
- AI Voice Assistant: IsOn24 answers incoming calls using AI, providing responses that mimic human interaction.
- Appointment Scheduling: The system allows clients to book appointments over the phone, via text messages, and online. These appointments integrate with the user's existing calendar, streamlining scheduling processes.
- Two-Way Texting: IsOn24 facilitates real-time text communication with customers, enabling businesses to send and receive messages from any device.
- Automatic Call Queue: During high call volumes, IsOn24 queues incoming calls, allowing the team to answer them in order from any phone, tablet, or computer, ensuring no call is missed.
- Integration Capabilities: The platform integrates with various applications, including CRM systems and calendars, through Zapier, enabling businesses to create customized workflows and automate tasks.
Pricing
IsOn24 starts at $49/month with 1,000 minutes included.
Curious Thing
What Sets Curious Thing Apart?
Curious Thing is an AI-powered voice assistant designed to enhance customer engagement through natural conversations.
It offers features like outbound calling, FAQ handling, and appointment scheduling, aiming to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.
Who Is It Best For?
- Medium to large enterprises that require scalable customer engagement solutions.
- Suitable for organizations with 50+ employees, particularly those with dedicated customer service departments.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Advanced AI capabilities for complex interactions | AI Virtual receptionist costs $99/month when other plans are included in the starter plan |
| Scalable solution suitable for large businesses | Requires technical expertise for setup |
| Robust data security and compliance features | Limited to industries with specific compliance needs |
| Offers a free plan with basic features |
Key Features
- Outbound Calling: Curious Thing can initiate calls to customers for various purposes, such as reminders, feedback collection, or re-engagement campaigns, helping businesses maintain proactive communication.
- FAQ Handling: The AI assistant is capable of answering frequently asked questions, reducing the workload on human agents and providing instant responses to customer inquiries.
- Appointment Scheduling: It can manage appointment bookings and reminders, integrating with existing calendar systems to streamline scheduling processes.
- Customizable Voice and Language: Businesses can choose the voice personality and language of the AI assistant to align with their brand identity and cater to a diverse customer base.
- Scalability: Curious Thing is designed to handle a large volume of interactions, making it suitable for businesses experiencing rapid growth or seasonal spikes in customer engagement.
Pricing
Curious Thing offers flexible pricing plans designed to fit various business needs, starting with a free tier for those looking to explore the service before committing.
Lucy Business is the plan that includes the virtual AI receptionist and its price is $99/month.
Slang.ai
What Sets Slang Apart?
Slang.ai is an AI-powered voice assistant tailored specifically for the restaurant and hospitality industry.
It automates phone call handling, including answering common questions, managing reservations, and directing callers to online ordering platforms, aiming to enhance customer experience and streamline operations
Who Is It Best For?
- Small to medium-sized restaurants and hospitality businesses.
- Restaurants, cafés, and hospitality venues seeking to automate customer interactions and improve service efficiency.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Specialized features for the restaurant industry | Higher cost at $199/month |
| Streamlines order and reservation management | Not suitable for industries outside hospitality |
| Customizable to match brand voice | May require integration with existing reservation systems |
Key Features
- Automated Call Handling: Slang.ai answers incoming calls, providing information on menu items, hours of operation, and other frequently asked questions, reducing the burden on staff.
- Reservation Management: The AI assistant can book and modify reservations, integrating with existing reservation systems to ensure seamless scheduling.
- Order Direction: It directs callers to online ordering platforms, facilitating takeout and delivery orders without human intervention.
- 24/7 Availability: Slang.ai operates around the clock, ensuring customers can reach the restaurant at any time, which is crucial for establishments with late hours or high call volumes.
Pricing
Slang.ai offers different pricing plans to meet the diverse needs of restaurants.
- Starting plan costs $199/month including outbound SMS and call reporting
Conclusion
Evaluate your call volume, industry, and specific business requirements to select the service that aligns best with your goals. And remember, many of these platforms offer free trials or basic plans, so you can test their capabilities before making a long-term commitment.
- Allô looks like the best option for small businesses because of its mobile apps that let you handle your business on the go.
- Dialzara is the cheapest and might be the best option for cost-conscious entrepreneurs who don’t receive many calls.
- Curious thing is probably the best option for larger companies who value compliance and are ready to invest a significant budget in their AI assistant.
