In 2026 an AI receptionist for a UK small business typically costs between £30 and £150 a month, with growing businesses paying £150 to £500 and larger organisations more. Orra costs £149, £299 or £549 a month plus VAT, including 250, 600 or 1,500 call minutes, with a 3-day free trial and no contract. If it wins you even one extra job or booking a week, it usually pays for itself.
Typical UK prices in 2026
| Business size | Typical monthly cost | Usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Small business | £30 to £150 a month | One location, up to a few hundred calls |
| Growing SME | £150 to £500 a month | Several staff, more calls, more languages or locations |
| Larger organisation | £500 to £2,000+ a month | Multiple sites, integrations, high call volumes |
Price bands as published by Fasthosts in its 2026 UK AI receptionist guide.
Orra's prices
| Plan | Per month (plus VAT) | Call minutes | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptionist | £149 | 250 | English plus one more language, bookings, call summaries |
| Professional | £299 | 600 | 10+ languages, follow-up calls, website and WhatsApp chat, dashboard, morning report |
| Practice | £549 | 1,500 | Up to 5 numbers or locations, your own voice and brand name, priority support |
Extra minutes are 39p each. Yearly billing gives two months free. Every plan starts with a 3-day free trial and there's no contract. Start a trial.
Per minute, per call or flat fee?
- Minutes included (like Orra): predictable. Check the overage rate.
- Per call: cheap if you get very few calls, expensive if you get lots of short ones.
- Flat unlimited: rare, and often limited by a "fair use" policy.
Hidden costs to check before you buy
- Set-up or onboarding fees.
- Charges for extra languages, extra numbers or call transfers.
- Whether calendar or CRM connections cost extra.
- The price after any introductory period.
- Minimum contract length and notice period.
Work out your own payback
Take the number of calls you miss in a typical week and the share that would have turned into paying work. Multiply by what an average job or booking is worth to you. If that weekly figure is more than about £35, a £149 plan pays for itself. For example, a plumber who misses five calls a week and would have won one £150 job from them is losing around £600 a month.
See what Orra says to callers in your trade: plumbers, dentists, restaurants and more. Comparing options? Read AI receptionist vs answering service.
Test Orra on your own business, right now
Tap Talk to Orra, say your business name and town, then play one of your customers. She answers as your receptionist. Free, no sign-up, about two minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an AI receptionist cost per month in the UK?
Typically £30 to £150 a month for a small business in 2026, £150 to £500 for a growing SME and more for larger organisations. Orra costs £149, £299 or £549 a month plus VAT.
Is there a free AI receptionist?
Some providers have limited free tiers, but most charge monthly. Orra lets you try a live demo free with no sign-up, and every plan starts with a 3-day free trial.
How many call minutes do I need?
Multiply your monthly calls by the average call length. If your calls average two to three minutes, 250 minutes covers roughly 80 to 120 calls a month.
What happens if I go over my minutes?
With Orra, extra minutes cost 39p each. Calls keep being answered, so you never miss one because of a limit.
Is VAT included in Orra's prices?
No. Orra's prices exclude VAT.
Sources
Prices and features of other providers change. Check each provider's own website before you buy. Orra is our product, so we've kept this guide factual and shown where other options suit some businesses better.