What is a virtual receptionist?

A virtual receptionist answers a business phone line from outside the office. It greets callers, answers routine questions, qualifies the enquiry, books appointments and routes urgent calls to the right person. Providers are either human-staffed services billed per minute, or AI receptionists such as Voksha billed per call.

How much does a virtual receptionist cost?

Human virtual receptionist services typically start between $99 and $350 per month for a small block of minutes, then bill per minute above it, often with extra charges for after-hours coverage. Voksha starts at $14 per month for 15 calls, charges $1 per additional call, and applies no after-hours surcharge.

What is the difference between a virtual receptionist and an answering service?

An answering service mainly takes messages and forwards urgent calls. A virtual receptionist does more of a real front-desk job: following your call script, qualifying the caller, booking appointments into your calendar, and transferring to the right person. Voksha does both jobs on a single line, with appointment booking and live call transfer on the Premium plan.

Is an AI virtual receptionist as good as a human one?

On speed, coverage and consistency, AI wins: it answers on the first ring, works 24/7/365 at the same price, and follows the identical script on every call. A human is still better on genuinely unusual conversations, which is why Voksha takes a detailed message and alerts you straight away, and on Premium can route those calls to your team on rules you define.

Can I keep my existing phone number?

Yes. You forward the number already printed on your listings, vehicles and business cards. There is no port, no downtime, and removing the forward reverses the change instantly.

How long does setup take?

Under 5 minutes. You describe what your business does and how calls should be handled, then forward your existing number and the receptionist starts answering. On Premium you can also connect your calendar.

Virtual Receptionist

The Virtual Receptionist
That Answers on the First Ring.

Voksha answers every call on the first ring, 24/7, qualifies the caller and sends you the details, from $14/month billed per call. Appointment booking on Premium. No per-minute meter, no hold queue, no after-hours premium.

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Virtual Receptionist Services

By Industry & Need.

See how an AI virtual receptionist compares with an outsourced human service for your business, hour and budget.

Virtual Receptionist Pricing

Human virtual receptionist services quote a low monthly base, then bill you per minute on top. Voksha charges $14/month for 15 calls and $1 per call after that, with nights and weekends at the same price.

Virtual Receptionist Companies

Most virtual receptionist companies sell the same thing with different minute bundles. The real decision in 2026 is whether you want a human queue billed per minute or an AI that answers on the first ring billed per call.

HVAC Virtual Receptionist

Furnace calls come at 11pm in January and AC calls come during the heatwave when every line is busy. Voksha answers on the first ring, sorts the emergency from the maintenance request, and gets you the details right away.

Real Estate Virtual Receptionist

A sign call you miss is a lead your competitor gets. Voksha answers every listing enquiry on the first ring, qualifies the caller, and sends you the lead straight away. On Premium, it books the showing into your calendar too.

Salon Virtual Receptionist

You cannot answer the phone mid-colour. Voksha answers every booking call on the first ring and, on Premium, books the right service length with the right stylist.

After Hours Virtual Receptionist

Many live services charge extra for the hours you actually need covered. Voksha answers at 3am for the same $1 per call as 3pm, flags the emergency, and captures the rest.

Virtual Receptionist for Small Business

A full-time receptionist costs more in a week than Voksha costs in a year. Every call answered, every lead captured, from $14/month with no per-minute meter.

Law Firm Virtual Receptionist

Legal callers contact several firms in one sitting and retain whoever answers first. Voksha answers on the first ring, runs your intake questions, and gets the lead to you before they dial the next firm.

Medical Virtual Receptionist

Patients call during their lunch break and after work, when your front desk is at its busiest or already gone. Voksha answers every call, captures what the patient needs, and flags anything urgent.

Dental Virtual Receptionist

An unfilled hygiene slot is revenue you cannot recover. Voksha answers every call and, on Premium, books the right appointment length.

Plumbing Virtual Receptionist

A flooding customer calls until someone answers. Voksha answers on the first ring, confirms it is an emergency, captures the address and shut-off details, and alerts you straight away.

Property Management Virtual Receptionist

Tenants call about heat, water and lockouts at every hour. Voksha answers each one, decides what is a genuine emergency, captures the work order, and on Premium only wakes your on-call staff when it should.

FAQ

Virtual Receptionist FAQs.

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: A virtual receptionist answers a business phone line from outside the office. It greets callers, answers routine questions, qualifies the enquiry, books appointments and routes urgent calls to the right person. Providers are either human-staffed services billed per minute, or AI receptionists such as Voksha billed per call.
: Human virtual receptionist services typically start between $99 and $350 per month for a small block of minutes, then bill per minute above it, often with extra charges for after-hours coverage. Voksha starts at $14 per month for 15 calls, charges $1 per additional call, and applies no after-hours surcharge.
: An answering service mainly takes messages and forwards urgent calls. A virtual receptionist does more of a real front-desk job: following your call script, qualifying the caller, booking appointments into your calendar, and transferring to the right person. Voksha does both jobs on a single line, with appointment booking and live call transfer on the Premium plan.
: On speed, coverage and consistency, AI wins: it answers on the first ring, works 24/7/365 at the same price, and follows the identical script on every call. A human is still better on genuinely unusual conversations, which is why Voksha takes a detailed message and alerts you straight away, and on Premium can route those calls to your team on rules you define.
: Yes. You forward the number already printed on your listings, vehicles and business cards. There is no port, no downtime, and removing the forward reverses the change instantly.
: Under 5 minutes. You describe what your business does and how calls should be handled, then forward your existing number and the receptionist starts answering. On Premium you can also connect your calendar.