Ringbrook vs Smith.ai: a simpler, flat price for trade businesses
Smith.ai offers live receptionists and AI plans, with add-on fees for some features. Ringbrook is one flat-priced AI receptionist built for trades. Here's how they compare.
Price and what you get
| Ringbrook | Smith.ai | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $99 a month | Live receptionists: $292.50 a month. AI plans also offered |
| Included | 250 minutes (about 100–125 calls) | Live plan: 30 calls |
| Bigger plans | $179 for 600 min · $299 for 1,200 min | Live: $532.50 for 60 calls · $975 for 120 calls |
| Extra fees | None. Texts, recordings and calendar booking are included. Extra minutes 25¢ | Some features are billed per call or per item |
| Who answers | Brook, an AI (and she says so) | Live people or AI, depending on the plan |
| Built for | Plumbers, HVAC, electricians, roofers and other trades | Many kinds of businesses |
| Contract | None. Cancel anytime | See their terms |
| Try it | Free for 7 days, no card, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee | See their site |
Prices from each company's published pricing, checked October 2026. They can change, so check their site before you decide.
Which one fits your shop
Pick Smith.ai if…
You want live people, lots of software hookups, or intake for a law or medical office. They have a lot of features.
Pick Ringbrook if…
You want one flat price, no add-on fees, and a receptionist that already knows how a trade call goes: name, problem, address and whether it's an emergency.
The math
100 missed calls a month on Smith.ai's live plans means the $975 plan. On Ringbrook, 100 short calls fit inside Starter at $99.
What owners ask us
Is Ringbrook cheaper than Smith.ai?
For live receptionist plans, yes by a wide margin: Smith.ai's start at $292.50 a month for 30 calls, and Ringbrook is $99 for about 100–125 calls. Smith.ai also sells AI plans, so check their site for those.
Does Ringbrook charge per call for texts or booking?
No. Every plan includes the text after each call, the recording and Google Calendar booking. The only extra is minutes past your plan, at 25 cents each.
Who is Ringbrook for?
Trade businesses: plumbers, HVAC, electricians, roofers, pest control, septic, towing, cleaning and more.
Is there a contract?
No. Month to month, no setup fee, a free first week with no card, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Hear Brook answer your business, out loud
Type your business name and trade, and Brook makes a short recording of herself answering a call for you. Or call 580-312-2692 and pretend you're one of your customers.
580-312-2692