AI receptionist or answering service: which suits you?
A telephone answering service puts a person on your calls to take messages. An AI receptionist answers every call, WhatsApp and website chat, sorts the enquiry and books it in. They work well together: people for the calls that need them, Zatio for the rest.
What each one does
Telephone answering service
Call handlers answer in your business name, follow the script you agree with them and pass messages on. Callers always reach a person, during the hours the service covers.
AI receptionist (Zatio)
Answers your phone, WhatsApp and website chat using your own business information. It qualifies, books into your calendar (Microsoft Bookings, Calendly or Cal.com) and hands your team what needs a person, with the full context.
When each one fits
Every caller should reach a person
An answering service gives callers a human voice and a message taken for you.
Enquiries arrive while you’re on a job
Zatio answers straight away, helps the caller and leaves you a summary, day or night.
The same questions come up again and again
Hours, areas, rough prices, how to book: Zatio answers them from your website.
You want both
Set Zatio to answer only when your team can’t, or out of hours, and keep a person for the calls you choose.
Decision table
| What we compare | Answering service | AI receptionist (Zatio) | Both together |
|---|---|---|---|
| Answers questions about your business | As far as the agreed script goes | Yes, from your website and anything you add | Yes |
| Books appointments | Depends on the provider | Yes, into Microsoft Bookings, Calendly or Cal.com | Yes |
| WhatsApp and website chat | Depends on the provider | Yes, in every plan, same assistant | Yes, with Zatio |
| Out of hours | During the hours the service covers | 24/7, or only when you choose | Zatio covers the gaps |
| Languages | Depends on the provider | British English plus Polish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Spanish | Yes |
| Set-up | Agree a script with the provider | About 10 minutes: reads your website, you review it | Forward unanswered calls to Zatio |
| Price | Set by each provider | From £69 a month ex VAT, with 400 voice minutes | Your current service plus a Zatio plan |
Questions
Can I keep my number and my current phone setup?
Yes. Set up conditional call forwarding (when busy or unanswered) to your Zatio number and your team’s phone always rings first. Zatio is ready in about 10 minutes from your website.
How long does my phone ring before Zatio answers?
You choose under “When Zatio answers”: during your hours your phone rings first, for 10 to 40 seconds, and if nobody picks up or the line is busy, Zatio answers. Out of hours it answers straight away. It’s included in all 3 plans.
How much does an AI receptionist cost compared with an answering service?
Zatio is £69, £129 or £259 a month excluding VAT, with 400, 1,000 or 2,000 voice minutes plus WhatsApp and website chat included. Answering services set their own prices, often by call volume, so ask your provider for a like-for-like quote.
What happens to calls that need a person?
Zatio hands the call to your team when it should, or takes the caller’s name and reason so you can ring back, and leaves you a summary. It never makes things up: if it doesn’t know, it says so.
Which languages does it speak?
British English, and your customers’ own languages when they need it: Polish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Spanish. If the caller switches language, Zatio switches too.
Can I try it first?
Yes. Free 14-day trial with no card, including 30 voice minutes and 100 chat conversations. Your phone number and WhatsApp go live when you add your card.
Hear how Zatio would answer your phone
Leave your mobile and Zatio rings you within seconds.
- Keep your number
- No annual commitment
- 60-day guarantee
Rather talk to a person? Book a 20-minute demo.