Compare · Voicemail
Voicemail vs AI receptionist
Voicemail is free and always on, but it doesn't answer anyone. An AI receptionist like Sayra picks up every call, answers questions and sends you the details. Here's when each makes sense.
Quick verdict
Voicemail is enough if you get few calls and callers are happy to wait. It usually comes free with your phone service and takes a minute to set up.
An AI receptionist is worth it if a missed call can mean a missed job. Many callers hang up rather than leave a message. Sayra answers every call, 24/7, from $49 a month, and puts urgent calls through to your cell.
Side by side
Voicemail vs Sayra
| Sayra (AI receptionist) | Voicemail | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Starter $49/month for 250 minutes · Growth $99/month for 400 | Usually included with your phone service |
| What callers hear | A natural voice answering in your business name, in English or Spanish | Your recorded greeting and a beep |
| Questions | Answers common questions: hours, prices, services, service area | None; the caller waits for a call back |
| Details captured | Asks for who's calling, what they need and when suits them, so the message is complete | Whatever the caller chooses to say, if they leave a message at all |
| Urgent calls | Transferred live to your cell or on-call number, by your rules; emailed right away if nobody answers | Wait in the mailbox until you check it |
| How you find out | Email summary after every call, with recordings and transcripts in your dashboard | Listen to each message, sometimes with a transcript, depending on your service |
| Setup | About 2 minutes; keep your number and forward calls to Sayra | Record a greeting |
Which fits you
Be honest about what you need.
When voicemail is fine
- You get only a few calls a week. You can call everyone back the same day.
- Callers already know you. Regulars and existing clients will usually leave a message.
- Nothing is urgent. If a call can wait until tomorrow, voicemail costs nothing.
When an AI receptionist fits
- New customers find you by phone. People calling around often move on to the next business rather than leave a message.
- You can't pick up on the job. Under a sink, in a chair or on a ladder, Sayra answers for you.
- Some calls can't wait. You decide what's urgent, and those calls are put through to your cell.
- You want the details, not a voicemail backlog. A written summary of every call lands in your inbox.
- Calls come at night and on weekends. Sayra answers 24/7.
Curious what missed calls might be costing you? Try the missed call calculator.
FAQ
Common questions.
Can Sayra answer only the calls I miss?
Yes. You keep your number and forward calls to Sayra: every call, only the ones you don't answer, or just after hours. You can switch forwarding off any time, and nothing is ported.
Does it sound like a robot?
No. Sayra speaks in a natural, conversational voice and handles interruptions. She never pretends to be human: if a caller asks, she says she's an AI assistant. Call (305) 699-5217 to hear her.
Are calls recorded?
Yes. Calls are recorded and transcribed so you can check what was said, and callers are told so in the greeting. Recordings are kept for 90 days by default, then deleted.
How much does it cost compared with voicemail?
Voicemail usually comes free with your phone service. Sayra is $49 a month for 250 minutes or $99 for 400, with a 14-day free trial and no contract. Most calls take 1 to 2 minutes, so Starter covers about 150 calls a month.
Hear Sayra answer as your business.
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