The 11 highest-rated ai receptionists

The highest-rated provider in the Top 11 RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026 is RingCentral AI Receptionist (AIR) at 8.9/9.4, followed by Nextiva XBert AI Receptionist (8.6/9.4).

Why this answer

Sorted by our 9.4-point composite score across 5 weighted criteria (see /methodology). Identical to the canonical ranking when the canonical ranking is also score-ordered.

Showing the top 11 of 11+ screened. Methodology at /methodology.

  1. #1RingCentral AI Receptionist (AIR)(rank #1 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    8.9/9.4

    Names its calendars and CRMs, works with any phone system, and prints the whole bill. From $49 a month.

    Full RingCentral AI Receptionist (AIR) review · Compare: RingCentral AI Receptionist (AIR) vs Nextiva XBert AI Receptionist · Alternatives

  2. #2Nextiva XBert AI Receptionist(rank #2 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    8.6/9.4

    The longest named connection list here, split into live and on request. $99 for 100 conversations.

    Full Nextiva XBert AI Receptionist review · Alternatives

  3. #3Upfirst(rank #3 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    8.4/9.4

    Books into six named calendars, bills per call, and starts at $24.95. No named CRM.

    Full Upfirst review · Alternatives

  4. #4Allo(rank #4 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    8.1/9.4

    Native booking and CRM write back for $32 an agent, on a phone system that is still young.

    Full Allo review · Alternatives

  5. #5Smith.ai AI Receptionist(rank #5 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    8/9.4

    AI first with human receptionists behind it, native Clio, HubSpot and Salesforce, and 25 free calls.

    Full Smith.ai AI Receptionist review · Alternatives

  6. #6Marlie AI(rank #6 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    7.8/9.4

    The only one here that texts a Square or Shopify checkout link mid call. From $49 for 250 minutes.

    Full Marlie AI review · Alternatives

  7. #7Frontdesk (My AI Front Desk)(rank #7 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    7.6/9.4

    Phone, chat, texts and forms for $99 with HubSpot and GoHighLevel named. Actions are capped.

    Full Frontdesk (My AI Front Desk) review · Alternatives

  8. #8Rosie(rank #8 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    7.4/9.4

    Simple and cheap, but direct booking starts at $149 and every CRM goes through Zapier.

    Full Rosie review · Alternatives

  9. #9Abby Connect(rank #9 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    7.2/9.4

    The deepest booking catalogue here, AI and humans together, at $1.65 an AI minute on Starter.

    Full Abby Connect review · Alternatives

  10. #10Goodcall(rank #10 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    7/9.4

    Unlimited minutes, billed by unique caller. CRMs and calendars through Zapier.

    Full Goodcall review · Alternatives

  11. #11Beyond Elevation(rank #11 in RingCentral vs Nextiva vs Upfirst: 11 Best AI Receptionists for Small Business 2026)

    —

    Seven of the ten name a CRM. None reaches the job, the quote or the invoice. That join is the work.

    Full Beyond Elevation review · Alternatives

Methodology: /methodology · No paid placement ever · Verified .