Frontring

AI receptionist, answering service or voicemail?

Three ways to get your phone answered when you can't. Here is the difference, and when each one suits you best.

The difference in short

AI receptionist (Frontring)Staffed answering serviceVoicemail
Who answers?Sofia, an AI assistant who always says she is an AIAn employee at an answering-service companyNobody. The caller leaves a message.
HoursAround the clock, including evenings, weekends and holidaysDepends on the company. Evenings and weekends aren't always included.Around the clock
Does the caller get an answer?Yes, from your own prices, opening hours and informationFrom what you've given the company. Many mainly take messages.No, the caller can only leave a message
LanguagesDanish, Swedish, Norwegian and EnglishDepends on the companyThe greeting you recorded yourself
The messageBy email with name, number and what it's aboutDepends on the company, often by email or textUsually a voice message you have to listen to
Phone numberSofia asks for the number and reads it back, so it's rightThe employee notes it downOnly if the caller remembers to say it
Transfer to youYes, during opening hours, if the caller asksDepends on the companyNo
Personal judgementShe doesn't guess or assess. She passes such questions on to you.An employee can use their judgement in unusual situationsNo
PriceFixed monthly price from 995 DKK excluding VATDepends on the company, often a monthly fee plus a charge per callOften included in your phone plan

An AI receptionist suits you when

  • You get many of the same questions: prices, opening hours and appointment requests.
  • The phone needs answering around the clock, including evenings and weekends.
  • Your customers speak different languages.
  • You're often in meetings or out with customers and can't take the phone.
  • You want messages written out and a fixed price.

A staffed answering service suits you better when

  • Calls often need personal judgement.
  • Calls are complicated or sensitive and rarely alike.
  • Your customers always expect to talk to a person.

Voicemail may be enough when

  • You get few calls when you can't pick up yourself.
  • Callers rarely need an answer before you call back.

Questions and answers

What is the difference between an AI receptionist and an answering service?

With an answering service, staff at another company answer your phone. An AI receptionist is a voice assistant who does the same around the clock and answers from your own information.

What is the difference between an AI receptionist and voicemail?

Voicemail records a message you have to listen to and follow up on. An AI receptionist takes the call, answers questions from your information and emails you the message.

Is an AI receptionist cheaper than an answering service?

It depends on how many calls you get and what the answering service charges. Frontring costs from 995 DKK a month excluding VAT for about 150 calls, including evenings and weekends.

How does Sofia replace voicemail?

You forward your number to Sofia when you can't get to the phone or when you're closed. Then she answers instead of the voicemail.

Can callers tell it's an AI?

Sofia always says at the start of the call that she is an AI assistant.

What if the caller wants to talk to a person?

Then Sofia transfers the call to you during opening hours. Outside opening hours she takes a message and emails it to you.

Hear the difference yourself.

Call Sofia in the browser. In the demo she answers the phone for a clinic.

Call SofiaSee pricing