How Much Does an AI Receptionist Cost in Canada?

Pricing for AI receptionists in Canada is all over the map — and most providers don't publish numbers, which makes it impossible to compare. This guide cuts through it with real CAD pricing for AI receptionists, virtual receptionists, answering services, and full-time hires in 2026.

Why pricing is so confusing

Three reasons. One: most US-based AI receptionists quote in USD, leaving Canadian buyers to guess at exchange and tax. Two: per-minute billing models make monthly bills unpredictable — your slow month and your busy month can be 4x apart. Three: providers hide setup fees, integration costs, and overage charges that only show up after you sign.

We publish our pricing publicly. Here's how the market actually breaks down in Canadian dollars.

The four options Canadian businesses choose between

Option 1: Full-time receptionist. $40,000–$55,000 CAD per year, fully loaded, in most Canadian cities. Plus benefits, sick days, and turnover. Best if you have steady 40-hours-a-week call volume and need physical presence.

Option 2: Traditional virtual receptionist (humans). $1.50–$3.00 CAD per minute, typically $300–$1,500/month depending on call volume. Best if calls need nuance, sales conversations, or industry expertise the AI can't yet match.

Option 3: Answering service. $100–$300 CAD/month for basic message-taking. Best if you only need someone to grab a name and number after hours.

Option 4: AI receptionist. $147–$597 CAD/month depending on plan, plus usage. Best for businesses that want 24/7 coverage, automatic booking, and predictable monthly cost.

What Underdog Engine actually costs

Two simple plans, all in CAD:

Starter — $147/month CAD. AI receptionist with basic automations: inbound call answering, FAQ handling and calendar booking. AI usage billed pay-as-you-go based on your call volume.

Growth — $597/month CAD. Everything in Starter, plus unlimited voice AI usage and advanced automations.

Plan fees are billed in CAD. AI usage charges (Starter plan) are billed separately in USD based on your call volume.

Need more? Custom plans available for multi-location and high-volume operations.

Where AI saves money vs the alternatives

• +
  vs full-time hire

  Save $25,000–$45,000/year while gaining 24/7 coverage.

• +
  vs virtual receptionist

  Predictable monthly cost. No per-minute meter running every call.

• +
  vs answering service

  Books appointments instead of just taking messages. Higher conversion.

• +
  vs missed calls

  Industry data shows 27% of missed calls are new revenue. At a $400 average job, even 5 saved calls/month pays for itself.

• +
  vs DIY chatbot

  No build cost, no maintenance, no model upgrades to manage. We handle it.