Best AI Receptionist in the UK: 10 Compared for 2026
10 Best AI Receptionists in the UK
| Tool | Best for | UK numbers | Voice and accents | Entry price | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moneypenny | UK AI and human hybrid | Keep your number and divert to one Moneypenny provides | Persona voices, including a Yorkshire accent; voice cloning | Not published, requires a sales call | Trustpilot: 4.5 (476) G2: 4.4 (52) |
| CloudTalk | Multi-location teams needing a phone system | Port your number or get a UK landline and mobile (+44) | 70+ languages; British accent included | Free 50 minutes, then €99/mo (~£83) for 200 min | G2: 4.4/5 (1,950+) |
| Ringmere | UK booking-led small businesses | UK number included or keep your own; 0800 on Pro | Same voice model on every plan; 30+ languages | ~£47/mo for 150 calls | Trustpilot: 3.8 (2 reviews) |
| IONOS | Low cost, unlimited calls | Dedicated number included; forward your own | Up to 14 voices | £39/mo for 30 calls | Trustpilot:4.7 (42,689), company-wide |
| Fasthosts | No call recording | Dedicated number included; forward your own | Up to 8 voices across a range of accents | £39/mo for 30 calls | Trustpilot: 4.8 (22,758), company-wide |
| ARROW | Done-for-you setup for trades | Keep your existing number | Natural voice; accent not stated | £99/mo for 150 min | No reviews found |
| Answer.co.uk | Pay as you go, low volume | Select a number or divert | 32 languages supported | £10/month plus £0.85 a call | Trustpilot: 4.2 (2,026), company-wide |
| BookedSolid | UK allied health clinics | Keep or get a number | Not stated | £49/mo for a single practitioner (billed annually) | Trustpilot: 4 (5) |
| My AI Front Desk | AI calls, chat and SMS in one | Keep or get a number | 20+ languages | $99/mo or $79 billed annually | G2: 4.8 (15) |
| RingCentral AIR | UK teams already on RingCentral | Works with any phone number | 8 custom voice options; EN, French and ES | £32/account/month for 100 min | G2. 4.4 (55) |
UK customers might be famously patient when it comes to queuing, but none of us likes waiting for a business to answer the phone. When business owners are busy with customers, important calls can easily go unanswered, costing them valuable opportunities.
And customers still rely on phone calls when it matters most. CCMA research found that 55% of UK adults call when an issue gets complex, rising to 68% when it's urgent.
That's where an AI receptionist comes in. But choosing one in the UK means looking beyond automated call answering. You need to know whether it supports UK numbers, handles caller data appropriately, charges in pounds and sounds natural to British callers.
We've compared 10 AI receptionists on these factors, alongside their features, pricing and customer reviews, to help you find the right fit.
How I Evaluated the Best AI Receptionists for UK Businesses
I reviewed each tool against its own pricing page and product docs, plus G2 and Trustpilot reviews with their counts. I scored every AI receptionist against six criteria:
- UK numbers and porting: Can it answer on a UK landline, mobile or 0800 number, or take a ported number, or does it only work through call forwarding?
- A natural, British-sounding voice: Does the vendor document British accents, and can you hear the voice before you pay?
- Live transfer and booking: Can it pass urgent calls to a person and book into your calendar or practice software during the call?
- Data location and UK GDPR: Where are recordings and transcripts stored, and is there a data processing agreement?
- Price in £ with VAT and overage: Is the rate card published in pounds, does it include VAT, and what does an extra minute or call cost?
- Setup and support: Who builds the first agent, and how fast can you go live?
One honest line: CloudTalk is our product, and I ranked it second, behind Moneypenny, as Moneypenny is a strong fit for businesses looking for a UK-focused solution. CloudTalk is a good option for UK teams operating across multiple sites or countries that want AI call answering and a complete phone system in one platform.
10 Best AI Receptionists in the UK in 2026
Every virtual receptionist for UK businesses below is reviewed on the same points: UK numbers, voice, price in pounds, data location and what's missing. The list mixes UK-built AI receptionists, UK answering services that added AI, and platforms with UK coverage, so read the "Best for" line first.
1. Moneypenny: Best UK AI Receptionist With a Human Receptionist Fallback
What Is Moneypenny?
Moneypenny is a UK telephone answering company, handling calls since 2000, that now sells an AI Receptionist alongside its human receptionists. It suits UK businesses that want AI to take routine calls but need a real person to pick up when a caller gets complicated or frustrated.
What Are the Key Features of Moneypenny's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- Human fallback, 24/7: The AI hands over when it spots a high-value or complex call, senses frustration, or when a caller asks for a person, to your team or a Moneypenny receptionist.
- British voice options: Pre-built personas include a "Warm Regional" voice with a Yorkshire accent, and you can clone your own voice instead.
- Keep your UK number: You divert calls to a number Moneypenny provides, so your published number stays the same.
- Booking and integrations: Books appointments into your calendar and connects with HubSpot, Salesforce and Calendly.
- Managed setup: A Solutions Architect builds the call flows with you, and most clients go live within a few days, according to the vendor.
What Is Moneypenny Missing?
- No published rate card: The page says "from £49 a month", but the real price comes from a quote, so you can't compare per-call costs before a sales call.
- Reviews describe the people, not the AI: Most G2 and Trustpilot feedback covers the human receptionist service, so evidence on the AI product is thin.
- Live answering costs extra: Real receptionists stepping in is a selling point, but check how those minutes are billed in your quote.
What Is Moneypenny Best For?
UK small and mid-sized businesses in legal, property, hospitality, automotive or private healthcare, where a mishandled call costs a client. It fits teams that want a UK brand, a British-sounding voice and a human safety net from the same supplier.
How Much Does Moneypenny Cost in the UK?
Moneypenny's AI Receptionist starts from £49 a month, with the final price built around your call types and volume after a quote. The page doesn't say whether that figure includes VAT, so ask for an ex VAT and inc VAT figure, plus the cost of any live receptionist minutes.
What Do Customers Say About Moneypenny?
Most reviews describe Moneypenny's human answering, which tells you more about the fallback than the AI itself. Customers praise its professional, reliable call handling, 24/7 coverage, and bilingual English-Spanish support. On the downside, some find the service expensive, particularly when spam calls count toward usage, and mention room for improvement in phone system integrations and consistency in agent performance.
G2 rating: 4.4/5 from 50+ reviews
Trustpilot rating: 4.8/5 based on 1,300+ reviews.
Pros and Cons of Moneypenny Based on G2 and Trustpilot Reviews
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reliable 24/7 answering: Customers value knowing calls are handled professionally outside business hours. | High costs: Some reviewers find pricing expensive, especially when spam calls count toward usage. |
| Responsive account managers: Reviewers praise quick help when they need changes made. | Contract and cancellation issues: Some customers report unexpected paid commitments after trials and difficulties cancelling. |
| Long-term trust: UK reviewers mention using the service for many years. | Inconsistent accuracy: Some reviewers report incorrect message details, recording issues, and missed instructions. |
2. CloudTalk: Best AI Receptionist for UK Multi-Location Teams That Need a Phone System
What Is CloudTalk?
CloudTalk is a business phone system with an AI Receptionist on the front: it answers inbound calls 24/7, takes a message, writes a call summary, answers from your knowledge base, transfers to a person and can book appointments. Underneath sit routing, recording and CRM logging, with UK landline and mobile numbers and numbers in 160+ countries, which is why it suits UK teams running several sites or markets from one account.
What Are the Key Features of CloudTalk's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- Appointment booking: Books calendar events in Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, and Cal.com.
- UK numbers: UK virtual landline and mobile (+44 7) numbers, with SMS-capable UK mobiles, plus number porting.
- Summaries and CRM: A call summary after every call, with AI notes pushed to HubSpot, Pipedrive and Zoho and 100+ integrations in total.
- Languages and voices. It supports 70+ languages and accents and can switch between several on the same call by auto-detecting the caller’s language.
- Branded Caller ID: Show your business name on outbound calls to UK mobiles, so customers recognize you before they pick up.
What Is CloudTalk Missing?
- No pound pricing: Plans are priced in EUR, so UK customers should check GBP billing and VAT arrangements with the sales team.
- Quality depends on setup: A well-structured knowledge base and a clear greeting make the difference. Callers hang up on a weak after-hours agent, so test for a week before you move away from a human service.
- Limited support on entry plans: Self-serve AI Receptionist plans don’t include 1:1 support, which is available only with the AI Specialist plan.
What Is CloudTalk Best For?
UK small and mid-sized teams that run more than one office or serve callers in several countries, and want an AI receptionist tied to a phone system with UK numbers, CRM logging and routing.
How Much Does CloudTalk's AI Receptionist Cost in the UK?
CloudTalk's pricing for its AI Receptionist starts free with 50 minutes, then €99 (~£83) a month for 200 minutes, billed monthly with a 1-month minimum.
| Plan | Price | Minutes or calls included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Receptionist 200 | €99/month (~£83) | 200 minutes | $0.50/minute |
| AI Receptionist 500 | €199/month (~£166) | 500 minutes | $0.50/minute |
| AI Receptionist 1,000 | €299/month (~£250) | 1,000 minutes | $0.50/minute |
| AI Receptionist 2,500 | €699/month (~£584) | 2,500 minutes | $0.35/minute |
| AI Specialist Build | €349/month (~291) | 1,000 minutes | $0.50/minute |
Phone plans are a separate product: Starter $25, Essential $29 and Expert $49 per user per month, billed annually.
What Do Customers Say About CloudTalk on G2 and Reddit?
Customers highlight reliability, ease of use, and call quality, as well as the value of having integrations and telephony built into the same platform. AI users particularly praise its fast, natural-sounding conversations, multilingual capabilities, and ability to capture leads when teams can’t answer.
G2 Rating: 4.4/5 (1961+ reviews)
Pros and Cons of CloudTalk Based on G2 Reviews
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| AI features save time: Call summaries and transcriptions help teams review conversations and reduce manual work. | Advanced settings take time to learn: Getting familiar with advanced options and configuring integrations may require extra time. |
| Easy to set up and use: Reviewers praise the intuitive interface, making it easier for small teams to adopt AI answering and manage calls. | Reporting options could be more flexible: Filtering data and customizing reports may be less flexible for teams with specific reporting needs. |
| Keeps calls and customer data connected: CRM integrations, call notes, and call history help teams manage customer interactions in one place. | Custom integrations need extra setup: Tailoring integrations to more specific workflows may require additional configuration. |
3. Ringmere: Best UK-Built AI Receptionist for Booking-Led Small Businesses
What Is Ringmere?
Ringmere is a UK-built AI receptionist for service businesses that take bookings by phone. It answers calls, WhatsApp and texts, books into your calendar and publishes its prices in pounds ex VAT.
What Are the Key Features of Ringmere's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- UK number included: Every plan includes one UK number, or you keep your own; Pro adds a freephone 0800 option.
- Booking that goes further: In-call booking into Google Calendar or Outlook, plus rescheduling and cancellations on the call, text confirmations and reminders.
- Salon and hospitality links: Texts callers your Booksy, Fresha or Treatwell link, and takes table reservations and takeaway orders.
- Transfers and routing: Live transfer to your team on every plan; routing to up to 5 departments on Growth.
- Languages and channels: 30+ languages with auto-detect and two-way WhatsApp and SMS chat on Growth and Pro.
What Is Ringmere Missing?
- Almost no reviews yet: 2 Trustpilot reviews and none on Capterra or GetApp, so you're relying on the trial, not other customers.
- Starter is English-only: Extra languages, department routing and WhatsApp chat start on Growth at £99.
- Department transfers use minutes: Talk time after a transfer to a department counts toward your plan.
What Is Ringmere Best For?
UK salons, barbers, clinics, trades, restaurants and B&Bs with roughly 1 to 20 staff whose calls are mostly bookings, changes and cancellations. It suits owners who want transparent pound pricing and can set the receptionist up themselves from their website or price list.
How Much Does Ringmere Cost in the UK?
Ringmere pricing starts at £49 a month ex VAT for 150 call minutes, with extra minutes at £0.25 (£0.20 on Pro). Every plan has a 7-day free trial for UK cards.
| Plan | Price | What's included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | £49/month ex VAT | 150 call minutes, UK number, booking, live transfer, English | £0.25/minute |
| Growth | £99/month ex VAT | 240 minutes across calls and chat, 30+ languages, 5 departments, WhatsApp | £0.25/minute |
| Pro | £249/month ex VAT | 700 minutes, unlimited departments, 0800 option, priority support | £0.20/minute |
| Agency and Enterprise | Quote only | White label and multi-location management | Volume pricing |
What Do Customers Say About Ringmere?
Customers praise its professional, reliable AI call answering, saying it helps prevent missed leads. Reviewers also highlight the easy setup, helpful customer support, and choice of phone numbers. While the feedback is positive, the very limited number of reviews means there isn't enough evidence to draw broader conclusions about customer satisfaction or long-term reliability.
Trustpilot rating: 3.8 based on 2 reviews.
Pros and Cons of Ringmere Based on Its Pricing Page and Docs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Transparent UK pricing: Plans are priced in GBP, excluding VAT, with published overage rates and a spending cap. | Limited customer feedback: Only one public review, offering little evidence of real-world call quality. |
| Flexible appointment management: Callers can reschedule or cancel appointments during the call. | Limited Starter features: English-only support and no department routing on the entry-level plan. |
| UK calling options: A UK phone number is included, with an 0800 number available on Pro. | No international numbers: Currently limited to UK numbers. |
4. IONOS AI Receptionist: Best Low-Cost AI Receptionist With Unlimited Calls
What Is IONOS AI Receptionist?
IONOS is a European web hosting group, and its AI Receptionist is a self-serve add-on that answers calls, advises callers and books appointments around the clock. It suits UK small businesses that want a predictable monthly bill, with an unlimited-calls plan at £99 ex VAT.
What Are the Key Features of IONOS's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- Dedicated number plus forwarding: Every plan includes its own phone number, and you keep your existing number by forwarding calls to it.
- Voices: Choose from up to 10 voices with a formal or friendly tone.
- Calendar booking: Google Calendar, Outlook, Cal.com and Calendly on Flex Pro and Unlimited.
- Transfers: 1 forwarding contact on Flex, 5 on Flex Pro and unlimited on Unlimited, with email summaries after every call.
- CRM and API: Advanced API integration and a website call widget on Unlimited.
What Is IONOS AI Receptionist Missing?
- Booking isn't on the entry plan: Flex at £39 takes messages and forwards calls but doesn't book appointments.
- Reviews cover the host, not the receptionist: IONOS's ratings mostly describe hosting and email, so there's little feedback on the AI product itself.
- Limited call capacity on lower-tier plans. Flex includes 30 calls and Flex Pro 100 calls, with additional charges for overages.
What Is IONOS AI Receptionist Best For?
UK sole traders and small teams who already buy hosting or email from IONOS, take a steady flow of routine calls and want one fixed price. The £99 Unlimited plan is the cheapest way on this list to cover a high call volume.
How Much Does IONOS AI Receptionist Cost in the UK?
IONOS AI Receptionist pricing starts at £39 a month ex VAT for 30 calls, then £0.49 a call. All prices exclude 20% VAT, and the first month is free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Plan | Price | What's included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flex | £39/month ex VAT | 30 calls, 1 forwarding contact | £0.49/call |
| Flex Pro | £69/month ex VAT | 100 calls, 5 forwarding contacts, calendar booking | £0.39/call |
| Unlimited | £99/month ex VAT | Unlimited calls and forwardings, booking, API, website widget | None |
What Do Customers Say About IONOS AI Receptionist?
Customers generally praise IONOS for its helpful support team and quick access to human agents. However, feedback on its AI assistants is mixed, with some users reporting frustrating interactions and difficulty getting their queries resolved.
Trustpilot rating: 4.6/5, based on 45,800+ reviews.
Pros and Cons of IONOS AI Receptionist Based on Trustpilot Reviews
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Helpful customer support: Quick access to knowledgeable human agents. | Limited AI support: Some customers report that AI assistants struggle to understand their queries. |
| Personalised assistance: Patient staff who guide customers through technical issues. | Service issues: Some customers report slow resolutions and difficult cancellations. |
| 24/7 availability: Access to technical support and dedicated personal consultants. | Billing confusion: Some customers report unclear invoices and unexpected charges. |
5. Fasthosts AI Receptionist: Best for UK Businesses That Don't Want Calls Recorded
What Is Fasthosts AI Receptionist?
Fasthosts is a UK hosting company and, like IONOS, part of the IONOS Group, and its AI Receptionist uses the same plan structure and prices as IONOS. The difference that matters: Fasthosts says it doesn't record calls, holding audio only in memory and deleting it when the caller hangs up.
What Are the Key Features of Fasthosts's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- No call recordings: Audio isn't retained, while written summaries and the caller's contact details are stored for follow-up.
- Voices and accents: Up to 8 voices across a range of accents with adjustable speech speed (2 voices on Lite).
- Languages: English plus more than 30 additional languages on every plan.
- Booking: Google Calendar and Outlook, with Cal.com and Calendly, on Plus and Unlimited.
- UK support: Expert support by phone or chat, around the clock, and a dedicated number on every plan.
What Is Fasthosts AI Receptionist Missing?
- No recordings to review: Good for privacy, but you can't replay a call for training or a dispute.
- Booking starts at £69: The Lite plan takes messages and forwards calls only.
- EU, not UK, data hosting: Fasthosts says call data sits in EU-based data centers.
What Is Fasthosts AI Receptionist Best For?
UK sole traders and small teams in trades, retail and services that want an affordable, self-serve AI receptionist and would rather not hold call recordings at all. It also suits existing Fasthosts customers who want everything on one UK account.
How Much Does Fasthosts AI Receptionist Cost in the UK?
Fasthosts AI Receptionist pricing starts at £39 a month (VAT excluded) for 30 calls, then £0.49 a call, with the first month free on every package and pay-as-you-go monthly billing.
| Plan | Price | What's included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | £39/month | 30 calls, 2 voices, call forwarding, 30+ languages | £0.49/call |
| Plus | £69/month | 100 calls, 8 voices, calendar booking | £0.39/call |
| Unlimited | £99/month | Unlimited calls, API and CRM integrations, website call function | None |
What Do Customers Say About Fasthosts AI Receptionist on Trustpilot and Reddit?
Customers consistently praise Fasthosts for its knowledgeable, patient support staff and quick issue resolution. Some mention difficulties navigating the website, but overall feedback on customer service is overwhelmingly positive.
Trustpilot rating: 4.8/5 from 22,700+ reviews, company-wide.
Pros and Cons of Fasthosts AI Receptionist Based on Trustpilot
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Knowledgeable support team: Customers praise staff for resolving complex technical issues. | Website usability: Some customers find the dashboard and interface unclear. |
| Quick issue resolution: Reviewers highlight efficient support via phone and live chat. | Navigation difficulties: Some users need assistance finding settings and managing their accounts. |
| Patient assistance: Staff receive positive feedback for clear, step-by-step guidance. | Limited product-specific feedback: Trustpilot reviews don't establish how well the AI Receptionist performs. |
6. ARROW: Best Done-for-You AI Receptionist for UK Trades
What Is ARROW?
ARROW is an AI call answering service for UK trades and service businesses that builds your receptionist for you after an onboarding call. It answers 24/7, captures and qualifies leads and texts or emails you the details.
What Are the Key Features of ARROW's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- Built for you: A short onboarding call, then ARROW trains the receptionist on your business and goes live in 3 to 7 days.
- Lead qualification: Asks your questions and captures name, number and job details on every call.
- Keep your number: You route your existing number into ARROW.
- Instant alerts: SMS and email notifications, plus call analytics.
- Trade personas: Example receptionists for removals, plant hire, garages, cleaning, estate agents and lettings.
What Is ARROW Missing?
- One published plan: Above 150 minutes, pricing follows your usage, and the overage rate isn't published.
- VAT not stated: The £99 figure doesn't say whether VAT is included.
- Slower start: Done-for-you means waiting up to a week, where self-serve tools can go live the same day.
What Is ARROW Best For?
UK tradespeople and small service firms who miss calls on site and would rather hand the setup to someone else than build call flows themselves.
How Much Does ARROW Cost in the UK?
ARROW pricing starts at £99 a month with 150 minutes of call time, no contract and no published setup fee. If you need more minutes, ARROW matches a plan to your call volume after you test it.
| Plan | Price | What's included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | £99/month (VAT not stated) | 150 minutes, 24/7 answering, lead capture and qualification, SMS and email alerts | Not published |
What Do Customers Say About ARROW?
ARROW's site points to case studies rather than review platforms.
Pros and Cons of ARROW Based on Its Website
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Done-for-you setup: No need to build the call flow yourself. | Unclear pricing: Overage fees and higher-tier pricing aren't published. |
| Lead qualification included: : Captures key details from callers to help identify promising leads. | Longer setup time: Takes up to seven days to go live. |
| No long-term commitment: No contract required, with a public test line to try before buying. | Limited customer feedback: No public review base available. |
7. Answer.co.uk AI Receptionist: Best Pay-As-You-Go AI Receptionist for Low Call Volumes
What Is Answer.co.uk?
Answer.co.uk is a UK telephone answering company that now sells Answer AI, an AI receptionist for sole traders and small businesses, alongside its human receptionists. Its Lite plan costs £10 a month plus a price per call, so a quiet month costs very little, and four plans let you step up to included call bundles, live transfers and booking as volume grows.
What Are the Key Features of Answer.co.uk's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- UK number included: You get a 0207 or 0208 number at no extra cost, to advertise directly or to divert your existing line to.
- Self-serve setup: Add your website or knowledge base, pick a voice and go live in under 10 minutes, with a test call before you choose a plan.
- Message delivery: Messages arrive by email and in the online portal, with SMS at 10p a message and an optional full call transcript.
- Live transfer: From the Growth plan, the AI can pass important calls to you, your team or Answer's human receptionists (additional fees apply).
- Booking and languages: Appointment scheduling, multilingual callers and advanced FAQs with custom prompts on the Plus and Advanced plans.
What Is Answer.co.uk Missing?
- Booking starts at £120: Appointment scheduling and multilingual support are only on the Plus and Advanced plans.
- No live transfer on Lite: Transfers start on Growth at £30, and they carry extra fees on every plan.
- Call routing and integrations cost extra: Routing is a premium add-on, and bespoke integrations are arranged on request.
What Is Answer.co.uk Best For?
UK sole traders and micro-businesses that get a handful of calls a week and want AI answering for pennies, with room to add bundles, booking and human receptionists from the same UK supplier as call volume grows.
How Much Does Answer.co.uk Cost in the UK?
Answer.co.uk's AI Receptionist starts at £10 a month plus £0.85 a call on Lite, with a £25 minimum deposit to activate your account. Bundles start at £30 a month for 50 calls, and every extra call costs £0.85. Plans are monthly with no long-term contract, and you can switch or cancel at any time.
| Plan | Price | What's included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | £10/month ex VAT | Pay per call, basic FAQs, custom voice, live customer support | £0.85/call |
| Growth | £30/month ex VAT | 50 calls, basic FAQs, custom voice, live transfer (extra fees) | £0.85/call |
| Plus | £120/month ex VAT | 200 calls, advanced FAQs and custom prompts, multilingual, booking, live transfer (extra fees) | £0.85/call |
| Advanced | £300/month ex VAT | 500 calls, everything in Plus, account manager option | £0.85/call |
What Do Customers Say About Answer.co.uk?
AI Receptionist reviews highlight its ability to answer business-specific questions using website content, while customers also appreciate the helpful onboarding and support team. However, feedback on the AI service is mixed, with one customer reporting persistent technical issues that made it unreliable.
Trustpilot rating: 4.3/5 from 2,020+ reviews.
Pros and Cons of Answer.co.uk Based on Trustpilot Reviews
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Professional call handling: Customers value the reliable, professional service and positive impression it creates for callers. | AI reliability concerns: One customer reports ongoing technical issues that prevented the AI Receptionist from working properly. |
| Flexible pricing: The pay-as-you-go model makes it an affordable option for businesses with lower call volumes. | Costs can add up: Customers with higher call volumes may find per-call pricing less cost-effective than monthly plans. |
| Easy setup and customization: Reviewers praise the straightforward onboarding process and the ability to tailor the AI. | Occasional service inconsistencies: Some customers report variations in call-handling quality. |
8. BookedSolid: Best AI Receptionist for UK Allied Health Clinics
What Is BookedSolid?
BookedSolid is a London-based AI receptionist built for healthcare clinics in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. It answers calls, texts, emails and web chat and books straight into your practice management software, priced per practitioner rather than per minute.
What Are the Key Features of BookedSolid's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- Practice software integrations: Cliniko, Nookal, Splose, Semble, PracSuite, PracticeHub, Coreplus and ClinicOffice.
- All channels included: Inbound calls, SMS, email and web chat inquiries on one plan.
- Appointment reminders: Reminders sit alongside call answering and booking.
- Multi-location support: Unlimited locations on every plan.
- Security: ISO 27001 certified, with a published data processing agreement.
What Is BookedSolid Missing?
- Allied health, not dental or GP: The integrations list doesn't include UK dental or GP systems, so dental practices and surgeries need to check before buying.
- Per-practitioner pricing: Costs increase with every practitioner added, which may make the platform more expensive for larger clinics.
- Limited public review base: There are only 5 Trustpilot reviews, making it difficult to assess overall customer satisfaction.
What Is BookedSolid Best For?
UK physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, podiatry, audiology and psychology clinics, from single-site practices to clinic groups, that run Cliniko, Semble or a similar system and want the AI to book straight into it.
How Much Does BookedSolid Cost in the UK?
BookedSolid pricing is per practitioner: the pricing page shows £59 a month ex VAT for 1 practitioner, billed monthly, with calls included, no setup fee, no contract, and a 7-day free trial. There's also a pricing calculator on the page, so check it to see how the cost changes based on the number of practitioners in your clinic.
| Plan | Price | What's included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| One practitioner | £59/month ex VAT | Calls, SMS, email and web chat, full platform, unlimited locations | None stated |
| Two-four practitioners | £109/month ex VAT | Calls, SMS, email and web chat, full platform, unlimited locations | None stated |
| Five practitioners | £119/month ex VAT | Calls, SMS, email and web chat, full platform, unlimited locations | None stated |
| Enterprise | Quote only | Custom contracts and SLAs, volume pricing, setup support | Custom |
What Do Customers Say About BookedSolid on Trustpilot and Reddit?
Customers praise BookedSolid for automating appointment bookings, cancellations and rescheduling across multiple communication channels, helping clinics reduce admin work and avoid missed bookings. However, some initial setup is needed to train the AI on clinic-specific information, and one reviewer reports occasional voice-recognition issues with strong accents.
Trustpilot rating: 4/5, based on 5 reviews.
Pros and Cons of BookedSolid Based on Trustpilot Reviews
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Automated appointment management: Patients can book, cancel and reschedule without waiting for a callback. | Initial setup required: Clinics need to spend time adding business information so the AI can respond accurately. |
| Omnichannel communication: Handles calls, email, SMS and web chat, with messages and transcripts syncing to practice management systems. | Voice recognition issues: One reviewer reports difficulty understanding a caller with a strong accent. |
| Responsive support and updates: Customers praise the team's support and frequent improvements based on clinic feedback. | Email address confirmation: One reviewer found that the AI reads email addresses back too quickly, making them difficult to follow. |
9. My AI Front Desk: Best All-in-One AI Receptionist, Chat and SMS Bundle
What Is My AI Front Desk?
My AI Front Desk, now branded Frontdesk, is a US platform that bundles an AI phone receptionist with web chat, two-way SMS, a CRM and follow-up automations in one plan. It suits UK small businesses that want one tool for every inbound channel.
What Are the Key Features of My AI Front Desk's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- Voice plus other channels: 200 voice minutes, 100 chatbot conversations and 400 SMS a month on the Business plan.
- Languages: 20+ languages.
- Built-in CRM: Updates from every call, chat and text, with sequence automations.
- Integrations: Zapier on the Business plan; API access on Partner and Enterprise.
- Fast setup: The vendor says you can go live in 5 minutes, with a 7-day free trial.
What Is My AI Front Desk Missing?
- Limited knowledge base capacity: Supports up to 20 pages on its main plan.
- Short history on the entry plan: Data retention is limited to the last 200 logs on Business.
- Overage drawn from credits: Extra voice minutes cost 25 credits ($0.25) each from a shared pool.
What Is My AI Front Desk Best For?
UK small businesses, such as property managers and retailers, that want calls, website chat and texts handled by one AI and are happy to pay in dollars.
How Much Does My AI Front Desk Cost in the UK?
My AI Front Desk pricing starts at $99 a month, or $79 a month billed annually, for 200 voice minutes. Extra voice minutes cost 25 credits each, which works out at $0.25 a minute, billed in US dollars.
| Plan | Price | What's included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business-in-a-Box | $99/month or $79/month billed annually | 200 voice minutes, 100 chats, 400 SMS, CRM, Zapier | $0.25/minute |
| Partner and Enterprise | Custom | Volume pricing, API, account manager, custom retention | From 7 credits/minute |
What Do Customers Say About My AI Front Desk on G2 and Reddit?
Users highlighted easy setup, a reliable 24/7 AI receptionist, and lead capture, but noted limited customization and integrations, occasional robotic responses, a learning curve for advanced workflows, and pricing concerns at higher call volumes.
G2 Rating: 4.8/5, based on 15+ reviews.
Pros and Cons of Frontdesk Based on G2 Reviews
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 24/7 call handling: Answers calls around the clock and helps businesses capture more leads. | Setup complexity: Initial setup and writing instructions can be time-consuming. |
| Natural-sounding voice: Reviewers praise the realistic voice and fast response times. | Limited customization: More advanced call flows and integrations may require external tools. |
| Automated call handling: Answers FAQs, schedules appointments, filters spam and routes urgent calls. | Integration gaps: Some reviewers want deeper integrations with scheduling tools. |
10. RingCentral AI Receptionist: Best for UK Teams Already on RingCentral
What Is RingCentral AI Receptionist?
RingCentral AI Receptionist (AIR) is an AI agent from the US cloud phone company RingCentral that answers calls, handles FAQs and routes callers by name, location or keyword. In the UK it's sold as an add-on to RingCentral's RingEX phone plans, so it suits teams that already run their calls on RingCentral or are replacing their phone system anyway.
What Are the Key Features of RingCentral's AI Receptionist for UK Businesses?
- UK English voice: 8 custom voice options, with English (US, UK and Australian), French (Canadian and European) and Spanish listed as supported languages.
- Routing with context: Sends calls to any contact, extension or phone number by name or by what the caller needs.
- Works with your number: RingCentral says it works with any phone number, and extra UK local numbers start at £2 a month on RingEX.
- Self-serve setup: Import content from your website, upload unlimited documents and run unlimited agents on one account.
- Transcripts and analytics: Call transcripts are included, with metrics on call volume and trends.
What Is RingCentral AI Receptionist Missing?
These are some of the reasons UK teams might consider RingCentral alternatives:
- No booking yet in the UK: Appointment scheduling with Google and Outlook calendars is listed as "coming soon" on the UK pricing page.
- Two bills to budget for: AIR is a RingEX add-on, so you pay for phone system seats on top of the £32 a month.
- Minutes run out fast: 100 minutes is about 40 calls at 2.5 minutes each, and overage is billed in 30-second increments.
What Is RingCentral AI Receptionist Best For?
UK teams of roughly 5 to 100 people that already use RingCentral, or are moving to it, and want an AI front door that routes callers to the right person or office. It's less suited to businesses that need the AI to book appointments today.
How Much Does RingCentral AI Receptionist Cost in the UK?
RingCentral pricing for its AI Receptionist in the UK starts at £32 per account per month with 100 minutes included, then £0.40 a minute, rounded up and billed in 30-second increments. You also need a RingEX plan, which starts at £12.99 per user per month (£17.99 paid monthly).
| Plan | Price | What's included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Receptionist (RingEX add-on) | £32/account/month | 100 minutes, 8 voices, routing, transcripts, unlimited agents | £0.40/minute, billed in 30-second increments |
| RingEX Essentials | £12.99/user/month (£17.99 monthly) | 100 minutes per user, apps, team messaging | n/a |
| RingEX Standard | £19.99/user/month (£23.99 monthly) | 750 minutes per user, call recording, multi-level IVR | n/a |
| RingEX Premium | £24.99/user/month (£28.99 monthly) | 2,000 minutes per user, CRM integrations, multi-site admin | n/a |
What Do Customers Say About RingCentral AI Receptionist on G2 and Reddit?
RingCentral AI Receptionist reviews praise its easy setup, natural-sounding conversations, and 24/7 call handling, while common complaints include usage-based pricing and unexpected overage costs.
G2 rating: 4.4/5 based on 55+ reviews.
RingCentral AIR Pros and Cons From G2
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use: Reviewers praise its straightforward setup and simple management. | High usage costs: The 100-minute allowance can run out quickly, and overage fees can make costs unpredictable. |
| Efficient call handling: Automates routine questions, routes callers and helps reduce missed calls. | Struggles with complex requests: Unusual questions can lead to misunderstandings, repetitive responses or transfers. |
| Useful appointment booking: Integrates with calendars and sends SMS confirmations and follow-ups. | Limited customization: Some users want more control over workflows and call handling. |
Can an AI Receptionist Answer on a UK Number?
Yes. Most AI receptionists for UK businesses either give you a UK number or answer calls you forward from your existing one, so customers keep dialling the number on your van, website and Google listing. The difference is whether the AI owns the number or sits behind a divert.
Which UK Numbers Can an AI Receptionist Use?
UK businesses usually publish one of four number types: a geographic landline (01 or 02, such as a London 020 number), a non-geographic 03 number, a mobile (+44 7) or a freephone 0800 number. Check which of these your vendor can host, and whether it can take over your current number by porting it.
- Divert or forward: The simplest route. You keep your number with your current provider and forward calls to the AI's number. IONOS, Fasthosts, Moneypenny, ARROW and Answer.co.uk all work this way, and Answer.co.uk issues an 0208 number for the divert.
- A number included: Ringmere includes a UK number on every plan and adds an 0800 option on Pro; IONOS and Fasthosts include a dedicated number too.
- A number on a full phone system: Platforms such as CloudTalk and RingCentral combine business phone numbers, call management and AI-powered call handling in one system. Both support number porting and international numbers if you also take calls from abroad.
What Do UK Rules Say About Call Recording and AI Receptionists?
UK businesses using AI receptionists need to understand the rules for recording and making calls, as well as their provider’s approach to handling personal data.
Call Recording and Outbound Marketing Rules
UK businesses must follow these sets of rules when using AI receptionists:
Call Recording (UK GDPR)
- Lawful basis: You need a valid legal reason to record and process calls. You must decide on it before you start and write it down.
- Caller notification: Under the right to be informed, you must tell callers when you’re collecting and using their personal data, which includes recording their calls.
- Data protection: Recordings and transcripts count as personal data, so UK GDPR requirements apply.
Outbound Marketing (PECR)
- TPS and CTPS: Don’t make live marketing calls to numbers registered with either service unless the person has specifically consented. This applies even to existing customers. For B2B calls, check both registers (ICO telephone marketing guidance).
- Automated calls: Marketing calls made with automated systems need specific consent. General marketing consent isn’t enough.
- Caller ID: PECR requires you to display a number people can call back. Ofcom’s caller ID guidance requires that number to be valid, dialable and unique to you.
Is an AI Receptionist UK GDPR Compliant?
An AI receptionist can be used in a UK GDPR-compliant way, but compliance depends on how you configure the service and how your provider processes data. Before signing up, check:
- Data storage: Where are recordings and transcripts stored (UK, EU or US), and can you choose?
- Subprocessors: Which third parties handle your data, including speech recognition and AI providers?
- Data retention: How long is information kept, and can you delete it on request?
- Caller notification: How does the system tell callers their conversations are recorded, if applicable?
- Data processing agreement: Does the provider offer a DPA covering its role as a processor?
- AI training: Is your data used to train AI models? Ask for written confirmation.
How Much Does an AI Receptionist Cost in the UK?
An AI receptionist in the UK costs from about £10 a month plus a per-call fee on pay-as-you-go plans, to £250+ for done-for-you or higher-volume plans, before VAT. Most UK vendors quote ex VAT, so add 20% where it applies.
Worked Example: 300 Calls a Month at 2.5 Minutes Each
Let's say your business handles 300 calls a month, averaging 2.5 minutes each. That's 750 minutes in total. Here's what you'd pay with each provider's cheapest published plan that covers this usage, before VAT and currency conversion:
| Tool | Cheapest plan for 750 minutes or 300 calls | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| IONOS | Unlimited | £99 |
| Fasthosts | Unlimited | £99 |
| Ringmere | Starter (150 minutes + 600 extra at £0.25) | £199 |
| Answer.co.uk | Plus (200 calls + 100 extra at £0.85) | £205 |
| CloudTalk | AI Receptionist 1,000 | €299 |
| My AI Front Desk | Business (200 minutes + 550 extra at $0.25) | $236.50 |
| RingCentral | AI Receptionist (100 minutes + 650 extra at £0.40) | £292, plus RingEX seats [VERIFY VAT] |
| Moneypenny | Quote | Ask for a quote |
| ARROW | Overage not published | Ask for a quote |
| BookedSolid | Per practitioner, calls included | Depends on team size |
The cheapest plan isn't always the best value. Compare the total cost at your expected call volume, including overage fees, and make sure the plan covers the features your team needs.
How to Choose an AI Receptionist for Your UK Business
Choosing an AI receptionist for a small business in the UK comes down to six decisions. Work through them before you book a demo.
- Does it use or port my UK number? Decide whether you'll divert your number or move it, and check the vendor hosts your number type.
- Does it sound British and natural? Call the demo line and listen for accent, pace and how it handles interruptions.
- Where does my data live? Ask for storage location, retention and a DPA in writing.
- What does it cost in £ with VAT and overage? Price your real call volume, and check whether you pay per call, per minute or per seat.
- Does it book into my calendar or software? Calendar booking is common; booking into practice or salon software is rarer. Compare options in our AI appointment scheduling guide.
- Can I trial it on my real number? Most tools here offer a free trial or free minutes; use it on live calls, not a script.
How Do You Set Up an AI Receptionist in the UK?
Most self-serve AI receptionists go live in under an hour; done-for-you services take up to a week. Whatever you pick, follow the same six steps:
- Choose or port a UK number: Use the vendor's number, divert your existing one, or port it if you're moving your phone system too.
- Connect your calendar: Link Google Calendar, Outlook or your booking software and set appointment lengths.
- Write the greeting and FAQs: Add opening hours, prices, service areas and the questions callers ask most.
- Test five calls: A new caller, someone who interrupts, a strong regional accent, a booking and a transfer to a person.
- Go live after hours first: Let the AI cover evenings and weekends for a week before it takes daytime calls.
- Review the summaries weekly: Read call summaries, fix wrong answers and add missing FAQs.
Which AI Receptionist Should You Choose for Your UK Business?
The best AI receptionist for your UK business depends on your industry, the calls you handle and the software you already use. Here’s which providers to consider for five common business types.
For Dental Practices and GP Surgeries
- Consider BookedSolid if you need automated appointment management, but confirm it supports your specific UK practice management system.
- Choose Ringmere if you run a dental practice and want an AI receptionist with a dedicated dental solution.
For Estate Agents and Lettings Teams
- Consider CloudTalk if you need to capture inbound leads, handle inquiries around the clock and book viewings through Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly and Cal.com.
- Consider ARROW if you want a done-for-you AI receptionist for estate agents in the UK, tailored to estate and lettings agents.
- Choose Moneypenny if you want to automate viewing and valuation inquiries, as well as maintenance requests, with human backup available.
For Trades and Home Services
- Choose ARROW if you want a UK-focused receptionist that handles enquiries and takes care of the setup.
- Consider Ringmere if you need industry-specific call handling for plumbing, electrical or heating services.
- Consider CloudTalk if you need to answer calls while your team is out on jobs, capture customer details, and route inquiries to the right person.
- Explore IONOS or Fasthosts if you're a sole trader looking for a lower-cost option, with plans from £39 a month.
For Salons and Clinics
- Choose Ringmere if you use Booksy, Fresha or Treatwell and want to share booking links or reschedule appointments during calls.
- Consider BookedSolid if you need automated bookings and reminders connected to your clinic software.
For Law Firms and Professional Services
- Choose Moneypenny if you need legal-specific call handling with human support for urgent or sensitive inquiries.
- Consider Answer.co.uk if you want an AI answering service for law firms that captures new client inquiries and schedules consultations, with booking on its Plus and Advanced plans.
FAQs About AI Receptionists in the UK
It depends on what you need. Moneypenny suits UK businesses that want a human fallback, CloudTalk suits multi-location teams that need a phone system too, Ringmere suits booking-led small businesses, and IONOS or Fasthosts suit tight budgets.
It can be, depending on your setup and provider. Check where recordings are stored, who processes them, how long they're kept and whether your provider offers a Data Processing Agreement (DPA). You must also have a lawful basis for processing calls and inform callers when they're recorded.
Yes. Most work by diverting your existing UK number, and several include a number: Ringmere includes a UK number with an 0800 option on Pro, and Answer.co.uk issues an 0208 number. CloudTalk offers UK landline and mobile numbers with porting.
Some do, but test before you buy. Moneypenny offers a Yorkshire-accented voice and voice cloning, Fasthosts offers voices across a range of accents and IONOS offers up to 10 voices. CloudTalk supports more than 70 languages and accents.
From £10 a month plus 85p a call (Answer.co.uk) to £39 to £99 a month for self-serve plans (IONOS, Fasthosts, Ringmere), before VAT. CloudTalk AI voice agent pricing starts free for 50 minutes, then €99 a month for 200 minutes. Price your real call volume, including overage.
A UK answering service uses human receptionists, usually to take messages, while an AI receptionist answers instantly and can complete the booking itself. AI costs less per call and never queues; people handle sensitive calls better. Many businesses use both. See our phone answering service guide.
Yes, into a connected calendar. CloudTalk books into Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly and Cal.com. IONOS, Fasthosts and Ringmere book into Google Calendar and Outlook on most plans.
Not fully free, but you can test free. CloudTalk includes 50 free minutes, IONOS and Fasthosts give the first month free, and Ringmere offers a 7-day trial. Free tiers usually limit booking, languages or support.
Yes, but check your practice software. BookedSolid integrates with UK clinic systems such as Semble and PracticeHub, and Ringmere has a dental page; neither lists UK dental or GP systems, so confirm yours. Don't assume NHS approval.
Yes, if you have a lawful basis and tell callers. Recordings are personal data under UK GDPR, and outbound marketing calls fall under PECR. Read the ICO's PECR guide and ask your counsel.
Minutes for a basic self-serve receptionist: IONOS and Fasthosts say under 15. Done-for-you services such as ARROW take 3 to 7 days, and connecting a CRM or porting a number can take days more. Test five real calls before you go live.
CloudTalk is a strong choice for small businesses that want AI call answering, CRM integration and a complete business phone system in one place. For tighter budgets, IONOS and Fasthosts are worth considering, while Ringmere is a better fit for businesses focused on appointment booking. See our guide to the best AI receptionists for small businesses for more options.
