- Figures with stated assumptions
- No small print
Which is better: an AI agent, a receptionist, voicemail or a custom voice platform?
If you get more calls and messages than you can handle, a Multichannel AI Agent like AkkaSignal is usually the most cost-effective option: it answers 24/7 on Voice, WhatsApp, Instagram and Email, books and takes deposits from €49/month excl. VAT. A receptionist brings the human touch; voicemail only records. Try free for 7 days.
7 days free with a card · charged on day 8 · cancel anytime
How do they compare on cost, hours and channels?
Rough ranges. Figures marked as estimates come from the assumptions explained below the table.
| Criterion | AkkaSignal (AI agent) | Receptionist | Voicemail | Custom voice platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough monthly cost | From €49/month excl. VAT, voice included; call usage may cost extra depending on use | Estimate: €1,900–2,200/month for a full-time employee in Spain (see assumption 1) | Estimate: €0 to about €15/month; often included in your line (see assumption 2) | Estimate: per-minute fees to several providers plus development and upkeep; highly variable (see assumption 3) |
| Coverage | 24/7, several conversations at once | Their working hours (about 40 h/week); one call at a time | 24/7, but it only records the message | 24/7 if built that way |
| Channels | Voice, WhatsApp, Instagram and Email in one history | Phone, and whatever they can handle at once | Phone only | Usually voice; the rest has to be built |
| Time to launch | A few minutes with the Assistant | Weeks: hiring, contract and training | Minutes | Weeks or months of development |
| Bookings and deposits | Books in your calendar and sends the deposit link (Stripe, PayPal or Redsys) | Yes, by hand | No | Only if you integrate it |
| Maintenance | We maintain it; you keep your information up to date | Holidays, sick leave and cover | Almost none | Yours or your tech provider's: telephony, models and bugs |
| Privacy and GDPR | Spanish company, processing agreement in the terms and data hosted in Europe | Depends on your internal processes | Messages stay in your carrier's mailbox | Depends on the providers you choose; you manage it |
| Best option if… | You get lots of repetitive calls and messages and want to book and get paid without watching your phone | You need face-to-face service, office tasks or human judgement in every case | You get very few calls and calling back is enough | You have a tech team and a very specific flow |
Where do the figures come from?
- Assumption 1 (receptionist, Spain): gross salary between the 2026 Spanish minimum wage (€17,094/year, 14 payments of €1,221, Royal Decree 126/2026) and about €20,000/year, plus roughly 32% employer social security. Excludes holiday cover, sick leave and replacements. Varies by collective agreement and region.
- Assumption 2 (voicemail): many carriers offer voicemail free or at low cost; a virtual switchboard with voicemail usually costs a few euros a month. It doesn't answer or book: it only records.
- Assumption 3 (custom platform): you pay per minute for telephony, voice and the AI model, plus development hours, calendar and payment integration, and upkeep. We don't give a figure because it depends on the project.
- AkkaSignal: public prices on the pricing page, excl. VAT. Figures reviewed in October 2026.
When is an AI agent NOT right for you?
We'd rather tell you before you pay:
- If you get very few calls and messages: calling back yourself may be enough.
- If every conversation needs professional judgement (a diagnosis, legal or financial advice): the agent informs and refers, it doesn't decide.
- If your customers need to speak to a person from the very first second.
- If your services, prices and hours aren't written down: the agent only answers with what you give it.
What else is worth knowing before you choose?
Can an AI agent replace a receptionist?
For answering, booking and taking deposits, often yes. For face-to-face service, office tasks or judgement calls, no. Most businesses combine them: the agent handles the repetitive work 24/7 and passes to your team whatever needs a person.
How much does an AI agent cost compared with a person?
AkkaSignal starts at €49/month excl. VAT with voice included; call usage may cost extra depending on use. By our estimate, a full-time employee in Spain costs the business about €1,900–2,200/month. They don't do the same job: compare it with what goes unanswered today.
Why isn't voicemail enough?
Because it only records. Many people hang up without leaving a message, and those who do wait for you to call back. The agent answers on the spot, checks your calendar and books.
What if I'd rather build my own voice agent?
You can if you have a tech team: you'll need to connect telephony, voice, an AI model, calendar and payments, and keep it all running. AkkaSignal gives you that ready-made, with Voice, WhatsApp, Instagram and Email in a single dashboard.
Can I try it before deciding?
Yes: 7 days free with a card · charged on day 8 · cancel anytime. You set it up in a few minutes with the Assistant.
Why not test it with your own calls?
Create your agent in a few minutes and try it with real customers before you decide.
7 days free with a card · charged on day 8 · cancel anytime
Last updated: