AI Receptionist Comparison 2026

Best AI Receptionist for Tradies in Australia

We compared the top AI answering services for Australian trades businesses on price, features, integrations, and setup. Here's how they stack up.

AI receptionist pricing and features compared

Prices and features as of April 2026. All prices in AUD.

Leva Relay

$199/mo
Setup: None
  • ServiceM8
  • Xero
  • Free trial
  • No per-minute charges

Sophiie AI

~$300/mo
Setup: ~$800
  • ServiceM8
  • Xero
  • Free trial
  • No per-minute charges

Johnni AI

~$300/mo
Setup: Unknown
  • ServiceM8
  • Xero
  • Free trial
  • No per-minute charges

LANA Software

$300+/mo
Setup: $1,000+
  • ServiceM8
  • Xero
  • Free trial
  • No per-minute charges

Hooroo AI

~$200/mo
Setup: None
  • ServiceM8
  • Xero
  • Free trial
  • No per-minute charges

Why Australian tradies choose Relay

$199
per month, flat rate

No per-minute charges, no setup fee, no contracts. The lowest price for a full-featured AI receptionist in Australia.

24/7
overflow call answering

After hours, weekends, holidays, and when you're on the tools. Every call answered instantly with your business name.

Deep
ServiceM8 + Xero integration

Relay doesn't just take messages — it creates jobs, checks your calendar, and recognises returning customers. No copy-paste.

Frequently asked questions about AI receptionists

What is the best AI receptionist for tradies in Australia?
For Australian trades businesses that use ServiceM8, Leva Relay offers the best combination of price ($199/mo), features (ServiceM8 + Xero integration, SMS summaries, 24/7 answering), and ease of setup (no setup fee, live within 24 hours). For general small businesses not in trades, Hooroo AI is a solid alternative.
How much does an AI receptionist cost in Australia?
AI receptionist pricing in Australia ranges from $99/mo for basic services to $500+/mo for premium options. Most trades-focused providers charge $200-$300/mo. Setup fees vary from $0 to $3,500. Relay is $199/mo with no setup fee and a 14-day free trial.
Is Sophiie AI good for tradies?
Sophiie AI is a general-purpose AI receptionist that works for trades, medical, and other service businesses. It handles calls well but doesn't integrate with ServiceM8 or Xero, and charges a significant setup fee (~$800). For trades businesses that use ServiceM8, Relay offers deeper integration at a lower price.
Does Johnni AI integrate with ServiceM8?
As of April 2026, Johnni AI does not offer direct ServiceM8 integration. Relay is the only AI receptionist that creates jobs, checks your calendar, and looks up customers directly in ServiceM8 during a call.
What's the difference between an AI receptionist and a virtual receptionist?
A virtual receptionist is a human who answers your calls remotely — typically $3-5 per call with limited hours. An AI receptionist uses artificial intelligence to answer calls 24/7 for a flat monthly fee. AI receptionists like Relay can also integrate with your business systems (ServiceM8, Xero, calendars) to take action, not just messages.
Can I switch from another AI receptionist to Relay?
Yes. Most tradies switch to Relay in under 24 hours. We read your website to train the AI, you set up call forwarding, and you're live. No hardware, no long-term contracts, and a 14-day free trial to make sure it works for your business.

Try the lowest-priced AI receptionist in Australia

$199/mo. No setup fee. 14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Start 14-Day Free Trial Hear a Demo