Why businesses look for a Talkify alternative
- You build it yourself. Talkify gives you a builder. Writing the call flows, connecting your calendar, testing and fixing answers is your job, every month.
- Setup help comes with a contract. Talkify's Custom Setup starts from $499 on a 12-month contract.
- The entry price rises. $129 a month for 3 months, then $199.
- Support hours. Human support is Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
The full side-by-side, with sources and a calculator for the hours you'd spend building it yourself, is on FirstVoice vs Talkify.
Every NZ Talkify alternative, grouped by who sets it up
Each row is from the provider's own pricing page, checked on 5 October 2026 and linked. Prices are entry plans in NZ dollars, as each provider publishes them.
| Alternative | Entry price | Included | Setup | Trial and contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set up for you, included in the priceSpecialists build the voice, script and calendar connection and test it with you. No setup fee. | ||||
| FirstVoice AINZ businesses that want it built and managed for them | $297 a month (Starter), no GST added | 200 / 600 / 1,500 minutes | Done for you, included. Script updates every month | Free 2 weeks on your real calls, set up for you, no cardMonth to month |
| AppAITrades and service businesses | $350 a month (Standard), + GSTStandard texts you summaries; bookings and live transfers are on Concierge, $750 + GST. | No minute cap (talks to you above about 1,500) | Done for you, included | None (money-back guarantee)Month to month |
| Set up for you, for a one-off feeSetup is done for you if you pay for it, from $199 to $499 where published, sometimes with a contract. | ||||
| Bizzy BossTrades | $147 a month plus about 25c a minute, + GSTLabelled introductory pricing ending 30 September, still shown on 5 October. | Billed by usage | $250 one-off (what it covers isn't published) | Not publishedNo contracts |
| HellodeskTrades, clinics, car dealers | $149 a month (Solo), + GST | 200 minutes | Done for you, $299 to $499 one-off | Not publishedNo lock-in |
| TradieCallTrades | $129 a month (Starter), incl. GST | 100 minutes | Optional done-for-you setup, $199 one-off | 7 days, card requiredNo lock-in |
| You set it up yourselfYou write the script, connect your calendar and test it in their app, or no setup service is published. | ||||
| AnswRGeneral business | $99 a month (Starter), GST not stated | 200 minutes | You configure it, with guidance from their team | 7 daysCancel any time |
| H3lloTrades and clinics, Kapiti and Wellington | $75 a month (AI 60, message taking), + GSTIts marketing says agents start from $300 a month (AI 200). | 60 minutes | Not published | Not publishedNo long-term contracts |
| Hey JodieGeneral small business | $99 a month (Basic), + GST | Unlimited minutes | No setup fee | 7 days, no cardMonth to month |
| KiwiAgentGeneral business | $49 a month (Starter), + GST | 100 minutes (free plan: 30) | No setup fee | Free plan, 30 minutes a monthMonth to month |
| KiwiCallsTrades (builders at the moment) | $69 a month (Starter), GST not stated | Up to 150 minutes | No setup fee | Not publishedNo lock-in |
| LazyMagnetTrades and clinics | $297 a month (AI Receptionist on its own), + GSTMainly a text, chat and ads system; the receptionist is $200 when added to its $697 AI Complete plan. | Not stated | Not published for the receptionist on its own | Not publishedNo lock-in |
| RecepfloTrades, clinics, service businesses | $79 a month (Starter), + GSTAlso answers web chat, WhatsApp and Messenger. | 120 voice minutes | No setup fee. Onboarding support on its $399 Business plan | 14 days, no cardNo lock-in |
| Waboom AIGeneral business, outbound calling | $130 a month plus 95c a minute, + GSTFirst payment is $630: the $130 platform fee plus $500 of call credit that tops itself up. | Pay per minute from $500 prepaid credit | Not published | Not publishedMonth to month |
For comparison, Talkify: $129 a month for 3 months, then $199 (Broadcast), 200 minutes. Custom Setup from $499, on a 12-month contract. Otherwise you build it yourself. Source: talkify.nz/pricing. Every provider with published NZ prices is on AI receptionist prices in NZ.
How to choose
- Decide who does the work. If you'd rather not learn voice AI, shortlist the alternatives that set it up for you.
- Work out your minutes: calls a month times your average call length (most calls run 2 to 4 minutes).
- Ask what you'll pay each month including GST once any introductory rate ends.
- Check for contracts, especially on paid setup.
- Test it on real calls before you commit. Our guide to testing an AI receptionist has 14 test calls to try.
Switching from Talkify to FirstVoice
Tell us how you want your calls handled. We build your receptionist, test it with you and set it up on your real calls for a free 2-week trial. Keep your existing number with call forwarding, or take a new NZ number. After the trial, plans are $297, $597 and $997 a month for 200, 600 and 1,500 minutes, month to month, with no GST added and script updates included. Questions? Call 09 875 3924. See pricing.