The honest comparison
Including the two rows where the other lot beat us. We've left them in.
The landscape
Answering services pick up the phone, then text you a summary that's buried by Tuesday. Voicemail apps keep an inbox but never answer. HeyVox does both — at app prices, not agency prices.
Category by category
We've compared ourselves against the category, not individual brands — prices move, and we'd rather this stayed true. Figures are the publicly advertised ranges for Australian providers as at July 2026.
| HeyVox | AU AI receptionist services | Overseas AI answering apps | Human answering service | Carrier voicemail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical monthly cost | $6.99 – $34.99 | $299 – $910 | $25 – $100 | $300 – $600 | Free – $5 |
| Setup fee | None | Often $1,500 – $7,500 | None | Sometimes | None |
| Live in… | Minutes, on your own | 2 – 4 weeks, managed | Minutes | Days | Already on |
| Answers the call for you | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, a person | No |
| Australian voice | Yes | Yes | Usually American | Yes | — |
| Every call kept in a searchable inbox | Yes | No — you get an SMS | Some | No — email or SMS | No |
| Transcript, AI summary & urgency on every call | Yes | Summary only | Varies | No | No |
| Separate setup for your work SIM & personal SIM | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Keep your existing number | Yes | Yes | Often a new number | Yes | Yes |
| Draft reply ready to send | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Books the job into your calendar by talking to the caller | Not yet | Yes | Some | Yes | No |
| Job-software integrations (ServiceM8, Simpro) | Coming | Yes | Some | Some | No |
| A real person on the phone | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Two rows above are red for HeyVox, and we've left them that way. The big Australian AI receptionist services will talk to your caller and book the job straight into ServiceM8 or Simpro. We don't do that yet. If a conversational booking agent is what you need and $300–$900 a month makes sense for your business, buy one of those — genuinely.
And if you want a human voice, an answering service gives you one. We won't pretend otherwise.
What we'd say is this: most sole traders and small crews were never going to spend $500 a month, so their calls just ring out. HeyVox answers them, keeps every one, and costs less than a tank of fuel.
Most missed calls become someone else's customer. Here's what each option actually gets you.
The overseas apps sound American. The Australian services cost a fortune and still skip the everyday features. HeyVox gives you the lot, the AI receptionist and the best voicemail inbox you've ever had.
Swipe to compare
Comparison reflects typical offerings in each category for a solo operator or small business. Features and prices vary by provider and plan.
Try the full live demo first, activate only when you’ve seen it work. Cancel anytime. No lock-in contracts.
Better voicemail for anyone tired of your phone's built-in system. Read messages, block spam, get every message by email.
Everything you need to never miss a lead. Push & email summaries, draft replies, shared inbox, and connect to your other tools.
A 24/7 AI receptionist that answers, has the conversation, and books the job, for a fraction of a $99+ answering service.
For busy businesses capturing every lead. More AI calls, same simple flat price, no per-minute meter.
For multi-number operations and small teams. Serious call volume, two numbers, and dedicated support.
Dual SIM works with one number included; add your second number for $4.99/month. Starter Pro and Receptionist plans include one shared-access seat; add extra seats for $5.99/month each. AI calls under 15 seconds don't count toward your monthly allowance. Billed monthly through Google Play, cancel anytime.
We're opening a limited number of founding spots. Come on board early and you'll help shape where HeyVox goes, and we'll look after you for it.
$24.99/mo, forever. When the price rises to $39.99, yours never moves.
Go to the front of the queue whenever you need a hand.
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Free to try with the live demo. Activate a plan only when you’re ready.