Smith.ai vs. Distance

For home service businesses, every missed call is lost revenue. Today's most successful operators know that choosing the right AI answering solution isn't just about automating calls — it's about turning conversations into booked jobs and delivering experiences that keep customers coming back. 

While several AI platforms promise to handle your calls, the reality is that not all solutions deliver the same level of sophistication, reliability, or results. Compare AI Receptionist from Smith.ai to Distance to see which platform truly moves the needle for growing service businesses.

Features that both solutions offer

• 24/7 call handling: Answer every call around the clock.
• Lead qualification: Identify high-value prospects and filter out unqualified leads.
• Multilingual call support: Serve diverse customer bases.
• FAQ handling: Provide instant, accurate answers to common questions.
• AI voice customization: Select an AI voice that aligns with your brand personality.
• Robust CRM integrations: Connect seamlessly to the tools you use most.

What sets Smith.ai apart

Both Smith.ai and Distance offer core AI answering capabilities. But AI Receptionist stands out with optional 24/7 human escalation, end-to-end appointment booking, transparent pricing, and a decade of proven results handling over 20 million calls for thousands of businesses.

Complete coverage, not just AI

AI Receptionist delivers full-spectrum call handling 24/7/365 by combining efficient AI with the option to add professional human receptionists who step in when complexity demands it. Whether callers need quick answers or require hands-on support for verification, payments, or sensitive situations, you can scale your coverage to match your needs. This flexible approach ensures exceptional experiences across every scenario, including for callers who prefer speaking with a real person.

Distance runs a predominantly AI-only platform. Their website focuses heavily on automation but provides minimal detail about call routing, transfers, or human escalation — critical capabilities that ensure customers receive proper care when AI alone isn't enough. For businesses that value consistent service quality, this gap matters.

Booking jobs end-to-end

AI Receptionist doesn't stop at answering questions and qualifying leads — it closes the loop by booking appointments directly over the phone. While both platforms handle FAQs and lead screening, Distance sends callers a booking link to complete scheduling on their own, introducing friction and drop-off risk. AI Receptionist schedules jobs directly through Housecall Pro or leverages our human receptionists to book using any calendar link, keeping the momentum going from first contact to confirmed appointment.

Offloading scheduling to your customers might seem efficient, but it costs conversions. When callers hang up to "book online later," many never do. Smith.ai removes that barrier entirely.

Investment transparency

Smith.ai publishes upfront pricing on our website so business owners can make informed decisions without surprises or sales pressure. Our pricing model respects your time and puts you in control with predictable costs that scale with your business.

Distance requires contacting sales to learn about costs, creating uncertainty for decision-makers who need to budget and compare options efficiently. Hidden pricing erodes trust before you've even started.

Verified customer success

Smith.ai has spent over a decade perfecting AI-powered call handling, processing more than 20 million calls for thousands of businesses across industries. Hundreds of 5-star reviews on Trustpilot, Clutch, and G2, plus documented case studies, prove that Smith.ai delivers results in the real world. When you choose Smith.ai, you're partnering with a team that's been building, refining, and supporting call solutions long before voice AI became mainstream.

Distance launched in 2021 and lacks meaningful presence on major review platforms, making it difficult to verify service quality or customer satisfaction. For businesses investing in their customer experience, proven track records reduce risk and increase confidence.

The smarter choice for service businesses

For growth-minded business owners who value complete coverage with human backup, end-to-end appointment booking, transparent pricing, and a battle-tested reputation that delivers exceptional results, AI Receptionist is the superior choice for your AI customer engagement and conversion partner over Distance.