Unlimited Calls vs $3.25-$9.75 Per-Call Overage Fees
TL;DR Smith.ai charges $97.50-$292.50/mo for just 30 calls with $3.25-$9.75 overage fees per additional call. Dialbox offers unlimited calls from $59/mo CAD with no overage charges and PIPEDA compliance built in.
Smith.ai offers a hybrid AI-assisted human receptionist service with pricing starting at $97.50/month for just 30 calls. Dialbox provides a fully automated AI solution with unlimited calls, PIPEDA compliance, and significant cost savings. No more tracking call counts or worrying about overage fees.
Why businesses look for Smith.ai alternatives
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Per-call pricing adds up quickly. 30 calls/month isn't enough for most businesses.
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Overage fees of $3.25-$9.75 per call create unpredictable monthly costs
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Human receptionist quality varies. You might get a great operator or someone having an off day.
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No PIPEDA compliance for Canadian privacy requirements.
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Complex pricing tiers make it hard to budget. Plans range from $97.50 to $825+/month.
What is Smith.ai?
Smith.ai is a US-based hybrid receptionist service that combines AI technology with human operators. Their AI Receptionist plan starts at $97.50/month for 30 calls ($3.25/call overage). Their human Virtual Receptionist plan starts at $292.50/month for 30 calls ($9.75/call overage). They focus heavily on the legal industry but the per-call pricing model becomes expensive as call volume grows.
What is Dialbox?
Dialbox is a Canadian AI phone answering service built specifically for Canadian businesses. Unlike services with per-call or per-minute pricing, Dialbox offers unlimited calls with flat monthly rates. Our AI provides consistent quality 24/7, bilingual support in English and French, and full PIPEDA compliance. We integrate seamlessly with your CRM, calendar, and business tools to capture leads, book appointments, and convert more callers into customers.
Ready to replace voicemail with AI? Dialbox answers every call professionally, 24/7.
Dialbox vs Smith.ai
See why Canadian businesses are choosing Dialbox.
Dialbox
- Unlimited calls from $59/mo CAD
- Consistent AI quality on every call, 24/7
- PIPEDA compliant with Canadian data storage
- Instant call answering with zero wait time
- Bilingual (English and French) included on all plans
- Predictable flat monthly pricing
- Searchable call transcripts with detailed analytics
Smith.ai
- $97.50/mo for only 30 calls, then $3.25-$9.75 per additional call
- Human quality varies by operator and time of day
- No PIPEDA compliance for Canadian businesses
- May have hold times when operators are busy
- Bilingual available but may require premium tiers
- Bills can spike from $97.50 to $400+ with overages
- Call summaries but limited searchable features
Dialbox by the numbers
Key Benefits of Dialbox vs Smith.ai
- Unlimited calls with flat monthly pricing
- Consistent call quality without human variability
- No per-call fees or overage charges
- Detailed call analytics with searchable transcripts
- PIPEDA-compliant data handling for Canadian businesses
- Seamless integration with your existing business tools
Which should you choose?
Here's a simple framework to help you decide.
Choose Smith.ai when...
- You specifically require human operators for every call
- You're in the legal industry and need specialized intake
- You have very low call volume (under 20 calls/month)
- Budget is not a primary concern
Choose Dialbox when...
RECOMMENDED- You're a Canadian business that needs PIPEDA compliance
- You want unlimited calls without per-call fees
- You need predictable monthly pricing
- You need bilingual support (English and French)
- You want consistent quality on every call
- You need detailed analytics with searchable transcripts
Switching from Smith.ai
What transfers
- Your existing phone number (via forwarding)
- Business hours and availability settings
- Custom greetings and call scripts
- FAQ responses and common scenarios
Migration support
Self-service setup in under 10 minutes. Our team can help configure complex workflows if needed.
Timeline
Most businesses go live same day. No lengthy onboarding process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about switching from Smith.ai to Dialbox
How does Dialbox's pricing compare to Smith.ai?
Smith.ai charges per-call with plans starting at $97.50/month for just 20 calls, and additional calls cost $4.25 to $6 each. This can quickly add up for businesses with moderate call volume. Dialbox offers unlimited calls on all plans with flat monthly pricing, making it up to 80% more cost-effective for most businesses while eliminating the stress of tracking call counts.
Is Dialbox's AI quality comparable to Smith.ai's human receptionists?
Dialbox uses advanced conversational AI that delivers consistent, high-quality interactions on every call. Unlike human receptionists who can have off days or variable performance, Dialbox provides the same exceptional experience 24/7. Our AI is continuously improving and can handle unlimited concurrent calls without wait times.
Can Dialbox handle legal intake like Smith.ai?
Yes. Dialbox can be configured for legal intake with custom scripts, lead qualification, and appointment scheduling. While Smith.ai specializes in legal, Dialbox offers flexible configuration for any industry, including legal practices, with the added benefits of unlimited calls and consistent AI quality.
How does Dialbox's data security compare to Smith.ai?
Dialbox was built for Canadian businesses with PIPEDA compliance at its core. All data is stored in Canada with enterprise-grade encryption. Smith.ai has standard data protection but lacks PIPEDA compliance. For Canadian businesses, Dialbox provides peace of mind.
Ready to Leave Smith.ai Behind?
Join Canadian businesses enjoying unlimited AI calls with predictable pricing and PIPEDA compliance.