The AI receptionist that comes with your phone system.
Smith.ai, Ruby, and Rosie are standalone answering services: a separate subscription that sits on top of whatever phone system you already pay for. Sage is CallSprout's AI receptionist, and it comes included with the phone system itself. Here is a fair look at how the four compare.
Four ways to answer the same call
Meet Sage, CallSprout's AI receptionist. Sage is included with both CallSprout phone plans. Usage is billed by the second after the first 30 seconds of each call free. It answers 24/7 in a natural conversation, not a press-one menu, and its AI self-introduction is configurable.
Smith.ai, Ruby, and Rosie are standalone services, and the competitor figures below are per their published pricing. Smith.ai prices per call and lets you choose AI-first or human-first in the same tiers. Ruby uses human receptionists with AI enhancements included, but does not offer an AI-only product. Rosie is an AI-only service that lets you keep your current phone provider.
CallSprout vs Smith.ai, Ruby & Rosie, line by line
| Feature | Sage (CallSprout) | Smith.ai | Ruby | Rosie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | AI receptionist included with the CallSprout phone system | AI-first or human-first answering service | Human virtual receptionists (with AI assists) | Standalone AI answering service |
| Comes with a phone system | Yes, included on both CallSprout plans | No, standalone service | No, standalone service | No, standalone service |
| Answers 24/7 | Yes | Yes, live-staffed 24/7 | Coverage depends on your plan | Yes, 24/7 on all plans |
| Published pricing | Phone plans $22.95-$39.95 per user per month. Sage usage is separate: $0.39/min after the first 30 seconds of each call free, billed by the second | From $300/mo for 30 calls, with per-call overages | From $250/mo for 50 receptionist minutes | From $49/mo for 250 minutes |
| Appointment booking | When connected to your scheduling system with a compatible API | Available as a per-call add-on | Follows your call-handling instructions | Direct calendar booking on Scale plans and up |
| Captures name, number, and reason | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transfers with context | Yes, with the caller's details and reason | Yes, transfer destinations vary by plan | Yes, live transfers by your instructions | Warm and live transfers on Scale plans and up |
Booking and calendar features work through your existing scheduling system and depend on that system offering a compatible API. Availability varies by provider.
Where Sage fits differently
The receptionist and the phone system come together.
Sage comes with both CallSprout phone plans instead of sitting on top as a standalone subscription.
Sage answers 24/7 in a natural conversation, not a press-one menu. Its AI self-introduction is configurable.
Sage captures the caller's name, number, and reason, then transfers with those details.
Sage books when connected to your scheduling system with a compatible API.
Where each standalone service wins
No phone system is right for everyone. Here is where Smith.ai, Ruby & Rosie is the stronger pick.
- Smith.ai prices per call. Starter is $300/mo for 30 calls, with $11.50/call over, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It lets you choose AI-first or human-first in the same tiers, making it a strong pick when you want humans on the line with AI as an option.
- Ruby is human receptionists first, billed per receptionist minute from $250/mo for 50 up to $1,725/mo for 500. AI enhancements are included, but there is no AI-only product. It is the pick when a human voice is the point.
- Rosie is AI-only and inexpensive standalone at $49/mo for 250 minutes, with a 7-day free trial and cancel anytime. It is the pick if you want cheap AI answering and keep your current phone provider.
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Switching, answered.
- Is Sage a standalone answering service?
- No. Sage is CallSprout's AI receptionist, and it is included on both CallSprout phone plans.
- How is Sage usage billed?
- Sage usage is billed by the second after the first 30 seconds of each call free.
- Can Sage book appointments?
- Yes, when connected to your scheduling system with a compatible API.
- Which options put a human receptionist first?
- Ruby is human receptionists first. Smith.ai lets you choose AI-first or human-first in the same tiers.
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