Best Moneypenny Alternatives for 2025: Compare Top Virtual Receptionist Services

Introduction

You signed up for Moneypenny expecting professional call answering at a reasonable price. The website said plans start at $145 per month—affordable enough for your small business. Then the first bill arrived.

$145 base. $1,000 one-time setup fee. $1.65 for every call over 30. And if you want 24/7 coverage? That's another $125 per month.

Suddenly your "affordable" answering service is costing $350-400 per month—more than some part-time employees.

You're not alone. Many businesses discover Moneypenny's true cost only after they've already committed. The headline pricing doesn't tell the full story, and by the time you realize what you're actually paying, you've already invested in setup and training.

This guide compares the best Moneypenny alternatives for 2025—both live receptionist services and AI-powered options that have emerged as viable, affordable solutions. We'll show you the real costs (including the hidden fees no one talks about), compare features side by side, and help you choose the right alternative for your specific situation.

Why Businesses Look for Moneypenny Alternatives

Before diving into alternatives, let's be clear about why so many businesses are searching for options. It's not that Moneypenny is a bad service—it's that the pricing structure creates problems for small businesses.

The Hidden Cost Problem

Moneypenny's pricing looks simple on the surface: plans starting at $145 per month. But here's what the headline doesn't tell you:

Setup fee: $1,000 one-time charge just to get started. For a small business, that's a significant upfront investment before you've answered a single call.

Per-call charges: Your $145 base plan includes only 30 calls. After that, you're paying approximately $1.65 per call. A business receiving 50 calls per month is already paying an extra $33. A busy contractor handling 87 calls monthly (the average for roofing companies in our data) pays an additional $94 in overage—bringing the real monthly cost to $239 before that setup fee is even factored in.

24/7 coverage costs extra: Need calls answered outside business hours? That's an additional $125 per month. For many service businesses—plumbers, HVAC contractors, emergency services—24/7 coverage isn't optional. It's essential.

Let's do the real math for a typical small business:

Business with 87 calls/month (wanting 24/7 coverage):

• Base plan: $145
• Overage (57 calls over limit): $94
• 24/7 add-on: $125
• Monthly total: $364
• Annual cost: $4,368 + $1,000 setup = $5,368 in Year 1

That's a lot more than $145 per month.

Common Moneypenny Complaints

According to customer reviews on Trustpilot, Moneypenny generally provides quality service—but several issues come up repeatedly:

Billing after cancellation: Some users report receiving invoices even after closing their accounts. One user mentioned they closed their account but continued to receive bills for the monthly amount.

Unpredictable costs: The per-call pricing model means your bill changes every month based on call volume. During busy seasons, costs can spike unexpectedly.

Setup fee barrier: For small businesses testing answering services for the first time, a $1,000 commitment before seeing any results is a significant risk.

UK-based service: Moneypenny is headquartered in the UK. While they serve US businesses, some users report preferences for US-based alternatives.

What to Look for in an Alternative

Based on these common frustrations, here's what the best Moneypenny alternatives should offer:

• Transparent, predictable pricing — No surprise bills at the end of the month
• No or low setup fees — Minimal upfront investment to get started
• 24/7 coverage included — Emergency calls don't wait for business hours
• No per-call limits — Or at least generous limits with reasonable overage
• Easy cancellation — Month-to-month options without penalties
• US-based or high-quality AI — Consistent quality for your callers

Let's look at what's available.

Best Live Receptionist Alternatives to Moneypenny

If you want human receptionists answering your calls, these are the top alternatives to consider.

Ruby Receptionists

Starting price: $230/month for 50 calls Setup fee: $0 24/7 coverage: Included in most plans

Ruby (formerly Ruby Receptionists) is one of the most established virtual receptionist services in the US. Based in Portland, Oregon, they've been operating since 2003 and have a strong reputation among small businesses.

Pros:

• US-based receptionists with professional training
• Excellent mobile app for managing calls on the go
• Integrates with common business tools
• No setup fees—start immediately
• Strong reputation in legal and home services industries

Cons:

• Per-call pricing adds up quickly ($4.50 per call over your plan limit)
• Can get expensive for high-volume businesses
• Some features require higher-tier plans

Best for: Established small businesses wanting reliable, US-based live receptionists and willing to pay for quality.

Smith.ai

Starting price: $292.50/month for 30 calls Setup fee: $0 24/7 coverage: Included

Smith.ai combines live, North America-based receptionists with AI assistance to handle a broader range of tasks than traditional answering services.

Pros:

• Receptionists can answer business questions, not just take messages
• Lead qualification and intake capabilities
• Appointment scheduling and payment collection
• 30-day money-back guarantee reduces risk
• Strong software integrations (CRMs, calendars)

Cons:

• Higher starting price than competitors
• $9.75 per call overage is steep
• May be overkill for businesses needing simple call answering

Best for: Professional services (legal, financial, consulting) needing lead qualification and detailed intake, not just message-taking.

AnswerConnect

Starting price: $325/month Setup fee: $0 24/7 coverage: Included

AnswerConnect was voted #1 Answering Service in 2025 by Forbes. Their differentiator is a commitment to human-only service—no AI, no bots, just real people.

Pros:

• 24/7 live human answering—never AI
• Comprehensive feature set including live chat
• CRM integration and appointment scheduling
• Strong reputation backed by Forbes ranking

Cons:

• Higher price point than most alternatives
• Per-minute charges can apply
• May not be necessary if AI can handle your call types

Best for: Businesses that absolutely require human touch for every interaction and have the budget to support it.

Abby Connect

Starting price: $329/month Setup fee: $0 24/7 coverage: Included

Abby Connect uses a dedicated team model—you get the same small group of receptionists who learn your business intimately over time.

Pros:

• Dedicated team model means receptionists know your business
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) options available
• Personalized service feels like in-house staff
• Strong in legal, dental, accounting industries

Cons:

• Premium pricing for dedicated team model
• May not suit businesses with simple answering needs
• Higher investment for the personalized approach

Best for: Businesses that value relationship building and want receptionists who feel like part of their team.

Best AI Receptionist Alternatives to Moneypenny

Here's where things get interesting. AI receptionist services have matured significantly, and for many businesses, they offer a compelling alternative to expensive live services.

Why AI Receptionist Services Are a Viable Alternative

You might be skeptical. Can AI really replace a human receptionist?

The honest answer: not for everything, but for most calls? Yes.

Consider what the typical business call looks like:

• "What are your hours?"
• "Do you service my area?"
• "How much do you charge for [service]?"
• "Can I schedule an appointment?"
• "Please have someone call me back about a quote."

These routine inquiries make up 60-80% of all business calls. They don't require human judgment, relationship building, or complex problem-solving. They require accurate information and professional delivery.

AI handles these perfectly—24/7, without per-call fees, without breaks, without bad days.

For the 20-40% of calls that do need human attention—emergencies, complex quotes, upset customers—AI routes them directly to you or takes a detailed message.

The result: Your customers get immediate service for simple questions, you handle the calls that actually need you, and you save thousands annually.

NextPhone: AI Receptionist for Small Businesses

Price: $199/month unlimited calls Setup fee: $0 24/7 coverage: Included

NextPhone is built specifically for contractors, home services, and small businesses—the businesses most hurt by missed calls and most burdened by expensive answering service fees.

Here's how it works:

1. Call comes in — AI answers in 2-3 rings, sounds natural and professional

2. AI determines intent — Is this a simple question, appointment request, or emergency?

3. AI takes action:

• Simple questions → Answered immediately from your business info
• Appointments → Booked directly in your calendar
• Complex requests → Detailed message taken for your callback
• Emergencies → Routed to your phone immediately

4. You get a summary — Every call logged with transcription and action taken

Pros:

• $199/month flat—no per-call fees, no overages, ever
• No setup fee—start immediately
• 24/7 coverage included at no extra cost
• Unlimited calls—whether you get 20 or 200
• Built for contractors who understand trade terminology
• Emergency routing gets urgent calls to you in seconds
• Automatic spam filtering saves you from robocalls

Cons:

• It's AI, not a human (though most callers don't realize this)
• Less suited for complex lead qualification requiring conversation
• Best for routine calls; complex situations still need your personal touch

Best for: Small businesses, contractors, and trades wanting 24/7 coverage at the lowest cost with predictable monthly bills.

The math is straightforward:

Moneypenny (87 calls/month with 24/7): ~$364/month = $4,368/year + $1,000 setup = $5,368 Year 1

NextPhone: $199/month = $2,388/year, no setup fee

Annual savings: $2,980 in Year 1, $1,980 every year after.

That's enough to pay for the service itself twice over—while never missing a call.

See how NextPhone's AI handles calls →

Other AI Options to Consider

NextPhone isn't the only AI receptionist service, though it's the most focused on small businesses and trades. Other options include:

Dialzara — AI virtual receptionist with conversation capabilities Various IVR systems — Automated phone trees (though these frustrate callers)

The key with any AI service: look for natural-sounding voice AI, not robotic menus. The best AI receptionists sound like real people and handle conversations, not just button presses.

Pricing Comparison: Moneypenny vs. Alternatives

Let's put all the numbers in one place.

Monthly Pricing Table

The True Cost: Hidden Fees Revealed

That table shows base prices, but what do you actually pay each month?

For a business receiving 50 calls/month:

For a business receiving 87 calls/month (roofing industry average):

The difference is dramatic. High-volume businesses save hundreds per month with flat-rate AI services.

Annual Cost Comparison

Winner for cost savings: NextPhone, saving $2,000-7,000+ annually compared to live alternatives.

Stop paying per call. Get unlimited AI answering →

Feature Comparison: What Each Service Offers

Price isn't everything. Here's how the services compare on features.

Core Features Comparison

When Live Receptionists Win

Live services have advantages for specific use cases:

Complex lead qualification: Smith.ai's receptionists can have detailed conversations, ask qualifying questions, and make intake decisions. AI takes messages; humans build relationships.

Sensitive industries: Legal intake, medical practices, and financial services often benefit from human judgment and empathy that AI can't replicate.

High-touch sales: If your business relies on the first phone call to close deals, human receptionists can sell in ways AI cannot.

When AI Wins

AI services excel in other areas:

Cost predictability: Flat monthly rate regardless of call volume means no surprise bills.

24/7 at no extra cost: Live 24/7 coverage is expensive. AI is the same price at 3 AM as 3 PM.

Spam filtering: AI automatically identifies and blocks robocalls. Live services may answer and charge you for spam.

Speed: AI answers immediately. Live services have some hold time during high volume.

How to Choose the Right Moneypenny Alternative

Here's a simple framework for deciding.

Choose AI (NextPhone) If:

• Budget is your primary concern — You want professional call answering under $200/month
• You need 24/7 coverage — But can't afford $125+/month extra for live after-hours
• Most of your calls are routine — Hours, pricing, scheduling, callback requests
• You're in home services or trades — AI understands your industry terminology
• You hate per-call fees — You want predictable costs every month
• You're on job sites during the day — Can't answer calls anyway, just need them handled

Choose Live Receptionist If:

• You need complex lead qualification — Detailed intake conversations matter for your sales process
• Every caller expects human interaction — Your industry or clientele demands it
• Budget is less of a concern — You can afford $300-500/month for premium service
• You handle sensitive situations — Legal, medical, or financial conversations requiring judgment
• You want a dedicated team — Receptionists who know your business like employees

Quick Decision Guide

Under $200/month budget? → NextPhone (AI)

Need 24/7 but budget under $250/month? → NextPhone (AI)

Need live humans for every call, $300+ budget? → Ruby or AnswerConnect

Need detailed lead qualification? → Smith.ai

Want dedicated team relationship? → Abby Connect

High call volume (100+/month)? → NextPhone (AI) — the savings are massive

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Moneypenny really cost per month?

Moneypenny's base price starts at $145/month, but true costs are typically $250-400/month when you factor in the $1,000 one-time setup fee (amortized over 12 months = $83/month), overage charges at approximately $1.65 per call after 30 included calls, and the $125/month add-on if you need 24/7 coverage. A business receiving 50 calls per month would pay approximately $300/month all-in during Year 1. Higher-volume businesses pay even more.

What is the cheapest Moneypenny alternative?

NextPhone is the most affordable alternative at $199/month for unlimited calls with no setup fee and 24/7 coverage included. This AI-powered service saves most businesses $100-200/month compared to Moneypenny's true costs. For businesses specifically wanting live human receptionists, Ruby starts at $230/month (for 50 calls) with no setup fee—still more affordable than Moneypenny once you add overages and 24/7 coverage.

Is AI as good as live receptionists?

For routine calls—questions about hours, pricing, scheduling, and callback requests—AI performs comparably to live receptionists. Modern AI handles 60-80% of typical business calls effectively, and most callers don't realize they're speaking with AI. However, live receptionists are better for complex lead qualification, sensitive conversations requiring empathy, and situations needing human judgment. Many businesses use AI for routine calls and reserve personal follow-up for complex situations.

Can I switch from Moneypenny without losing my business number?

Yes. Most alternatives, including NextPhone, allow you to either port your existing business number directly to the new service or set up call forwarding from your current number. The transition is typically seamless—customers continue calling the same number they always have. Moneypenny requires one month's notice to cancel service, so plan your transition accordingly.

Which Moneypenny alternative is best for contractors?

NextPhone is designed specifically for contractors and home services businesses. It understands industry terminology (emergency repairs, quote requests, scheduling estimates) and costs $199/month flat with unlimited calls—no surprises during busy seasons. For contractors who specifically prefer live human receptionists, Ruby has experience with home services clients, though costs run higher at $230+/month with per-call fees that add up during peak periods.

Do Moneypenny alternatives offer free trials?

Yes, most alternatives offer trials to reduce risk: Moneypenny itself offers a 7-day free trial, Smith.ai provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, Ruby offers a 21-day money-back guarantee, and NextPhone offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. We recommend testing 2-3 services before committing to find the best fit for your business needs and call patterns.

Conclusion: Make the Switch That Makes Sense

Moneypenny provides quality live receptionist service—there's no dispute about that. But the pricing structure creates real problems for small businesses: the $1,000 setup fee, per-call charges that make costs unpredictable, and $125/month extra just to get 24/7 coverage.

The alternatives we've covered offer solutions to each of these pain points:

For live service without the fees: Ruby and AnswerConnect both eliminate setup costs while including 24/7 coverage in their base pricing. You'll still pay per-call overages, but the pricing is more transparent and predictable.

For maximum cost savings: NextPhone's AI receptionist costs $199/month flat—unlimited calls, 24/7 coverage, no setup fee. For businesses receiving 50-100+ calls monthly, the annual savings compared to Moneypenny reach $2,000-3,000 or more.

For complex lead qualification: Smith.ai offers sophisticated intake and qualification that neither Moneypenny nor AI services can match—if your business model justifies the premium pricing.

If you're leaving Moneypenny primarily due to cost concerns, start with NextPhone. You'll save $100-200/month while getting the 24/7 coverage that Moneypenny charges extra for. If AI doesn't meet your needs after the free trial, you've lost nothing—and you can switch to Ruby or AnswerConnect knowing exactly what you need.

The worst option is doing nothing and continuing to overpay—or worse, letting calls go to voicemail because answering services are too expensive.

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