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Compare your call answering options
The short answer
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AI receptionist vs human receptionist
A calculator for the real yearly cost of a receptionist in NZ (KiwiSaver, ACC, leave cover) next to an AI receptionist, and when a person is the better choice.
Read the comparisonAI receptionist vs answering service
How AI call answering compares with NZ call answering services.
Read the comparisonAI receptionist vs voicemail
Why callers hang up on voicemail and what an AI receptionist does instead.
Read the comparisonAI receptionist prices in NZ
Every NZ AI receptionist with published prices, side by side: entry price, minutes, setup fees, GST and trials, grouped by who sets it up for you, dated and linked to each source.
Read the comparisonTalkify alternatives in NZ
Every New Zealand alternative to the Talkify AI receptionist, grouped by who sets it up for you, with prices, setup, trials and contracts from each provider's own site.
Read the comparisonFirstVoice vs Talkify
Learn voice AI and build it yourself, or leave it to the experts. A dated, sourced comparison with a time-cost calculator.
Read the comparison
At a glance
The options side by side.
| Feature | FirstVoice AI receptionist | Human receptionist | Answering service | Voicemail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hours | 24/7, including public holidays | Business hours, plus cover for breaks and leave | Depends on the provider and plan | 24/7 |
| Calls at the same time | Up to 20 | One | Depends on staffing | Takes messages only |
| Books into your calendar | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Calls new leads back | Typically within 60 seconds (add-on) | When they're free | Rarely | No |
| Knows your business | Trained on your services, prices and FAQs | Yes, once trained | Works from a script | No |
| Monthly cost | From $297, setup included | A salary, plus KiwiSaver, leave and cover | Usually per call or per minute | Free, but callers often hang up |
| Getting started | Done for you, usually live within a week | Recruiting and training | A few days | Minutes |
Hear your own AI receptionist before you commit.
Book a 30-minute call. We'll set up a sample receptionist for your business so you can ring it yourself.
Free personalised demo in 24 hours · Free 2-week trial, set up by us · No credit card · Then from $297 a month