Alternatives
Smith.ai alternative: Onda
Onda is a lower-priced alternative to Smith.ai for businesses whose customers reach them online. Smith.ai's live receptionists start at $300 a month for 30 calls. Onda's AI assistant starts at $39 a month and answers on your website or a shared link by voice or chat. Phone answering is coming soon to Onda.
Prices and features checked Oct 30, 2026.
| Feature | Onda | Smith.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free Sandbox; Starter $39/month | Starter $300/month |
| What's included | Starter: 150 voice minutes, then $0.24 a minute up to a cap you set | Starter: 30 calls, then $11.50 a call; Basic $810/month for 90 calls; Pro $2,100/month for 300 calls |
| Who answers | An AI assistant, always disclosed as AI before the conversation starts | Live-staffed with expert agents 24/7, per its pricing page |
| Answers your phone | Not yet: phone answering is coming soon | Yes: call answering |
| Where it answers today | Your website's "Talk to us" button and a link you share, by voice or chat | Phone calls |
| Before you pay | Free Sandbox: build it and hear it for about 5 minutes | No free trial listed; 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Contract | Monthly plans | Month-to-month, per its pricing page |
What Smith.ai's pricing page says
- Plans start at $300 a month for 30 calls, with $11.50 for each call after that.
- Pricing is by call volume: Basic is $810 a month for 90 calls and Pro is $2,100 for 300.
- No free trial is listed; there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How Onda differs
- An AI assistant, always disclosed as AI, that answers from information you've approved and says so when it doesn't know.
- Starter is $39 a month with 150 voice minutes, and the Sandbox is free.
- Emails you at once, with details and the transcript, for anything urgent or when someone asks for a person.
What to check before you switch
- Whether your customers phone you: Onda doesn't answer phones yet.
- Whether you want a person or an AI answering for your business.
- Onda isn't an emergency service.
Questions
Is this Smith.ai comparison current?
The prices were checked Oct 30, 2026, from smith.ai/pricing. Prices change, so check their page too.
Sources: smith.ai/pricing. Checked Oct 30, 2026.