Smith.ai vs. Abby

Juggling calendars, client appointments, and that constant buzz of incoming calls can pull you and your team in a dozen directions at once. Enter AI call answering: a seamless, 24/7 solution that picks up every inquiry — then either resolves it or hands it off to a human when it matters most.

Below, we compare two AI call-answering options: AI Receptionist from Smith.ai and Abby’s AI receptionist, so growth-minded businesses can choose a reliable and intelligent call handling tool.

Features: What both solutions offer

• 24/7 call handling: Capture leads 24/7 with always-on coverage.
• Appointment scheduling: Auto-book meetings directly into your calendar.
• Call routing & transfers: Direct callers to the right person or department.
• Bilingual support: Serve a broader customer base with English and Spanish.
• FAQ handling: Answer common questions using your own business info.
• Recording & transcription: Access AI-generated transcripts and recordings for review.
• Simultaneous call handling: Connect multiple callers at once with no queue.
• AI voice customization: Tailor voice, tone, and speed to match your brand.
• Reporting & analytics: Track performance with call summaries, usage stats, and more.
  

What sets Smith.ai apart

While both solutions cover the essentials of AI call answering — Smith.ai pulls ahead with seamless 24/7 human escalation, custom lead-qualification playbooks built around your business, transparent, competitive per-call pricing, and a sterling reputation backed by five-star reviews.

24/7, reliable human support

With AI Receptionist from Smith.ai, your callers have access to 24/7 escalation to human receptionists whenever their needs exceed the AI’s scope. Our hybrid approach to AI call answering means our proprietary AI is supported by professional human receptionists who can step in at any time of day to resolve caller needs, should your clients need it. Our human receptionists are trained to know your business and earn five-star reviews across Trustpilot, G2, and Clutch — so you never worry about awkward handoffs when your team is unavailable.

Abby’s AI receptionist also offers human handoff to their receptionists, but their public reviews don’t consistently hit five stars. When complex questions arise, you want confidence that the human-backed support is as strong as the AI itself.

Advanced lead qualification

AI Receptionist uses custom call playbooks tailored to your business — screening leads, gathering essential details, and passing only qualified prospects to your team. Our intelligent screening and intake boost sales efficiency.

Abby’s AI receptionist lists call screening and routing, but doesn’t highlight any lead-qualification framework. If you need structured intake — such as gathering case type, budget, or project details — you may find gaps in Abby’s standard offering.

Competitive per-call pricing, uninterrupted coverage

AI Receptionist starts at under $100/month for 30 calls, with transparent tiers that scale as you grow, and unlimited 24/7 coverage built in.

Abby’s pricing starts with a free plan (up to 20 minutes) and a $99 monthly starter plan (50 minutes), neither of which seems sufficient for growing businesses. If your business is facing demand spikes and increased call volume, minute-based billing can get expensive — especially if you’re fielding longer calls.

Beyond these general pricing concerns, Abby touts "24/7 call answering," yet a closer look at their terms reveals that true around-the-clock coverage incurs an extra fee. Abby's coverage limitations present another significant drawback for businesses that need reliable support. Their standard services only operate during business hours (5am-9pm PST weekdays), with complete blackouts on major holidays — forcing businesses to pay extra for true 24/7 call answering coverage. Smith.ai delivers genuine 24/7/365 availability as a standard feature, ensuring your business never misses important calls regardless of the time or date.

Proven expertise

AI Receptionist from Smith.ai was launched in 2024, building on over a decade of AI-powered call handling and human-in-the-loop expertise. Our reviewers consistently praise our services on Trustpilot, Clutch, and G2.

Abby has been in the live-receptionist industry for 20 years before launching its AI solution. However, Abby's customer satisfaction reviews aren’t as uniformly glowing — and with far fewer positive reviews backing their service, choosing Abby risks your business’s reputation when it matters most.

Smith.ai prevails: The smarter tool for your business

For growth-minded business owners who value reliable 24/7 coverage, intelligent lead qualification, predictable and scalable pricing, and highly rated service, AI Receptionist from Smith.ai is the superior choice over Abby’s AI receptionist. Partner with Smith.ai and never miss a call — or a lead — again.