Quick Answer
Ruby and Smith.ai both answer calls with live receptionists but bill differently. Ruby charges per minute ($250 a month for 50 minutes, $720 for 200). Smith.ai charges per call ($300 for 30 calls, $810 for 90). Short calls favor Ruby; long intake calls favor Smith.ai. Both cost far more per call than AI.
We checked both pricing pages today. Neither lists a setup fee. Smith.ai adds charges for some notifications and extra transfer destinations.
The math by call length
Take 90 calls a month. At 2 minutes each that's 180 minutes: Ruby's 200-minute plan, $720. At 5 minutes each it's 450 minutes: Ruby's 500-minute plan, $1,725. Smith.ai's 90-call plan is $810 either way.
- Calls around 2 minutes: Ruby usually costs less.
- Calls of 3 minutes or more: Smith.ai usually costs less.
- Either way: roughly $8 to $10 a call.
Where AI changes the math
An AI front office bills on a different scale. Sockly is $997 for up to 500 calls, about $2 a call, and answers every call on the first ring, nights included. A person on the line is the advantage of Ruby and Smith.ai; the cost per call is the trade-off.
Ruby vs. Smith.ai vs. AI
| Service | Type | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby | Human, per minute | $250/50 min · $395/100 · $720/200 · $1,725/500 |
| Smith.ai | Human + AI, per call | $300/30 calls · $810/90 · $2,100/300 (overage $8.50–$11.50 a call) |
| Sockly | AI front office, set up for you | $997/mo for up to 500 calls, $0 setup, billed per call |
Prices and plan details from each company's own pricing page, checked November 5, 2026. "Not published" means the vendor quotes on a sales call. Confirm on their site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a law firm?
Intake calls run long, so per-call billing (Smith.ai) usually costs less than per-minute (Ruby). If you want every call answered instantly at a lower cost per call, compare AI.
Do they charge setup fees?
Neither lists one on its pricing page as of November 5, 2026.
Call 470-280-8910 and say your business name to hear an AI front office answer as you.
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Related Resources
Published: November 5, 2026
Last Updated: November 5, 2026