Short answer: Smith.ai answers your calls with an AI receptionist, and Ruby answers with live, trained people. Smith.ai has a free plan with 25 calls a month, and Pro is $150/mo. Ruby's plans start at $250/mo.
Last updated: · 2 tools · How we pick
About this comparison
Smith.ai answers calls 24/7 with an AI receptionist, asks callers questions to find good leads, books appointments and writes up a summary of each call.
Ruby answers calls 24/7 with live receptionists, takes down new leads, books appointments and passes calls to you.
The big choice: do you want an AI voice or a real person on the line? More picks are on our AI receptionist list.
The tools
AI receptionist answers calls, books, and takes messages.
Any BusinessFree plan · Pro $150/moEasy
Live receptionists answer calls 24/7.
Any BusinessFrom $250/moEasy
Compare them side by side
| Tool | What it does | Best for | Price (maker’s site) | Setup | Time saved | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith.ai | AI receptionist answers calls, books, and takes messages. | Any small business that misses calls and wants them answered, sorted, and booked. | Free plan (25 calls/mo); Pro $150/mo | Easy | Maker hasn't shared this. Our estimate: ~1–3 hrs/wk | Maker’s page for Smith.ai |
| Ruby | Live receptionists answer calls 24/7. | Any small business that wants a real person, not a robot, answering its calls. | From $250/mo | Easy | Maker hasn't shared this. Our estimate: ~1–3 hrs/wk | Maker’s page for Ruby |
Prices are what each maker’s own pricing page showed on Oct 25, 2026. “See site” means the page did not show a clear price. What it does, setup and hours come from our listing and its source. “Our estimate” is our guess from similar tools, not a measured number. The directory is free to search; the tools are paid products from each maker, and prices change often. None of these links pay us.
Who each one fits best
- Smith.ai: Any small business that misses calls and wants them answered, sorted, and booked.
- Ruby: Any small business that wants a real person, not a robot, answering its calls.
From each tool’s page on BusyWorkBots. We don’t pick a winner, and no maker paid to be here.
Questions people ask
Is Smith.ai an AI or a person?
The Smith.ai plan we list is an AI receptionist. Ruby uses live, trained people.
How much do Smith.ai and Ruby cost?
Smith.ai's pricing page shows a free plan with 25 calls a month ($3 per call after that) and Pro at $150/mo. Ruby says its plans start at $250/month. We read both on Oct 25, 2026.
Is either one free?
Smith.ai lists a free plan with 25 calls a month. Ruby does not list one. The directory is free to search. The tools themselves are made and priced by each maker.
How does BusyWorkBots pick these?
Every listing links to a real source, a case study, a builder's post, or the maker's page. Numbers from the company selling the tool are labeled as a maker or vendor claim. We don't test every tool.
