RingCentral vs Smith.ai
RingCentral
Unified communications platform with phone, video, and messaging
From$20/user/mo
Core (annual)Last verified 47 days ago
Smith.ai
Live virtual receptionists and AI voice agents that answer for your business
Kitfinch pick for 1 job across 8 trades.
From$300/mo
StarterLast verified 44 days ago
How they differ
| Feature | RingCentral | Smith.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $20/user/moCore (annual) | $300/moStarter |
| Free plan | Not stated | Not stated |
| Free trial | Not stated | Not stated |
| Phone & answering | ||
| Suits | plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, landscapers | plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, landscapers |
Users on the horizontal axis. Entry plans only, from verified prices; yearly prices divided by 12; vendor minimums applied; a line stops where a plan's user cap is reached. Taxes and add-ons excluded.
RingCentral
Strengths
- Established, enterprise-grade reliability for business phone service
- Video meetings and team messaging included alongside calling
- Wide range of desk phone and headset hardware compatibility
Drawbacks
- No confirmed affiliate or referral program for this kit
- Feature set can be more than a small trades business needs
Smith.ai
Strengths
- Live receptionists plus AI voice agents under one plan
- Appointments booked directly into the business calendar
- Call qualification and routing reduce time spent on unqualified leads
Drawbacks
- Per-conversation pricing structure makes cost variable and harder to budget
- Overage rates on outgrown plans can get expensive
Frequently asked questions
What do RingCentral and Smith.ai have in common?
Both cover phone & answering.
Is RingCentral cheaper than Smith.ai?
On entry plans for one user, RingCentral costs $20 a month and Smith.ai $300 a month, so RingCentral is cheaper to start. The gap changes with team size and billing terms; see the chart above.