Typical price bands
Most UK providers price by included AI minutes per month. As a guide, ParlioTec's own plans are Solo at £39/month for 200 phone-only minutes, Starter at £79/month for 500 minutes, Growth at £239/month for 2,000 minutes and 10 dashboard users, and Scale at £559/month for 5,000 minutes — each with a phone number, SMS allowance, email and messaging channels and analytics included. Prices exclude VAT. Current prices are always on the pricing page.
- A 3-minute average call means 500 minutes ≈ 160 answered calls a month
- Overage is billed per minute, so a busy month costs a little more, not double
- Extra numbers, users or mailboxes are usually tiered rather than priced individually
What's normally included — and what isn't
Included: the AI agent itself, a UK phone number, call recordings and transcripts, appointment booking, transfers, text follow-ups and a dashboard. Often extra: additional numbers, a very large team, premium support or onboarding done for you. Check whether the provider charges for the minutes you spend on hold during a transfer and whether SMS is metered separately.
How it compares with the alternatives
A human answering service in the UK typically charges £1–£2 per call plus a monthly fee, so 300 calls a month is £300–£600 for messages, not bookings. A part-time receptionist costs £22,000–£28,000 a year including on-costs and covers one line, in hours only. Doing nothing is the most expensive option: UK SMEs miss 30–40% of inbound calls, and 60–70% of callers who can't get through try a competitor instead.
Working out your own number
Count last month's inbound calls (your phone bill or provider portal shows this), multiply by three minutes, and pick the plan whose included minutes cover it with 20% headroom. Then estimate the value of one won job and the share of calls you currently miss — if the AI rescues even two of those a month it usually pays for itself several times over.
Common questions
Is there a set-up fee?
Most self-serve platforms, including ParlioTec, have none. Done-for-you onboarding is sometimes a paid add-on.
Do I need a contract?
Plans are usually monthly with no minimum term. ParlioTec offers a 14-day free trial with no card.
Are calls to my mobile from the AI charged?
Transfers to your team use call minutes like any other part of the call; check how the provider meters the human leg.
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