Is a per-minute answering service cheaper?

Only if your call volume is low and steady. Busy seasons, long emergency calls and hold time can push per-minute bills well above a flat plan.

Do answering services charge more after hours?

Many do. Check for higher night, weekend and holiday rates before you sign. Callista's price is the same at any hour.

What is the cheapest way to stop missing calls?

The cheapest option is the one that turns the most missed calls into booked jobs for the price. Compare plans by cost per booked job, not cost per minute.

How much does an answering service cost?

Updated October 26, 2026

Answering services charge in three main ways: by the minute, by the call, or a flat monthly price. The cheapest plan on paper is not always the cheapest in practice. What matters is what each answered call turns into.

This guide explains each pricing model, the costs that hide in the fine print, and a simple way to work out what you can afford to pay.

The three ways answering services charge

Per minute: you buy a bundle of minutes each month. Long calls, hold time and after-call work can all count against it. Busy months cost more.
Per call: a set price for each call answered. Short calls and wrong numbers often cost the same as a real customer.
Flat monthly: one price for a set number of calls. Easy to budget, and the price does not go up in your busiest week.

Costs to check before you sign

Setup or onboarding fees.
Higher rates at night, on weekends and on holidays.
Extra charges for booking appointments, transferring calls or sending texts.
Overage rates when you go past your plan.
Minimum contract length and the notice needed to cancel.

Live, virtual and AI receptionists

A live answering service puts a person on each call. They take messages well, but most cannot see your schedule or quote your prices, so the customer still waits for a call back.

An AI receptionist answers in one ring, day and night, and can book straight into your calendar. It knows only what you give it, so it should be set up with your real prices, fees and service area.

How to work out what you can afford

Start with the calls you miss in a week, how many of those callers would have booked, and your average job value. The result is what missed calls cost you each month.

If an answering service wins back even one extra job a month, it usually pays for itself. Our missed-call calculator does the math in a few seconds.

What Callista costs

Callista is a flat monthly price: Pro is $497 a month for up to 500 calls, and Elite is $997 a month for up to 2,000 calls. There is no per-minute charge and no extra fee for nights or weekends.

Every plan starts with a 14-day free trial. If it does not book you a job in that time, you do not pay.

Hear it answer for your business

Paste your website and Callista builds an AI receptionist that knows your services, hours and service area. Then call it from your browser. It takes about a minute.

Try the free demo What do missed calls cost you?

Questions

Is a per-minute answering service cheaper?: Only if your call volume is low and steady. Busy seasons, long emergency calls and hold time can push per-minute bills well above a flat plan.
Do answering services charge more after hours?: Many do. Check for higher night, weekend and holiday rates before you sign. Callista's price is the same at any hour.
What is the cheapest way to stop missing calls?: The cheapest option is the one that turns the most missed calls into booked jobs for the price. Compare plans by cost per booked job, not cost per minute.