RingCentral AI Receptionist Alternatives: Leading 7 Picks for SMBs

When your phone rings, it could be a new lead, a loyal customer checking in, or a support call waiting to be resolved. However, businesses often fail to capitalize on those moments. Forbes reports that 60% of customers hang up out of frustration before they reach an agent. 

With today’s expectations of instant, friendly service, that’s a risk small businesses can’t afford. Modern AI receptionists are revolutionizing the way calls are handled, guiding conversations, and turning every ring into an opportunity. 

If you’re exploring alternatives to RingCentral AI Receptionist, this guide showcases top‑rated virtual receptionists built for real conversations, fewer missed calls, and smarter growth.

1. Nextiva

Nextiva is one of the most intuitive and feature-rich alternatives for small businesses seeking a reliable AI receptionist. Its XBert AI handles calls quickly, accurately, and professionally without requiring technical expertise or complex setup. Unlike some platforms that rely on costly add-ons, Nextiva offers a streamlined experience out of the box.

Why It Works for Small Teams

• Fast setup: Launch in minutes, no IT team or custom coding required.
• Omnichannel support: Manage calls, texts, chats, and email from one dashboard.
• Live onboarding help: Nextiva Consultants guide setup and tuning.
• Custom call flows: Edit greetings, responses, and routing with no extra fees.
• Cost savings: Nextiva reports that XBert AI is significantly more affordable than hiring full-time staff.
• AI Concierge: Helps with bookings, scheduling, and customer questions across industries.

Built for Ease and Impact

With instant deployment and the ability to handle multiple calls simultaneously, Nextiva is a suitable fit for growing businesses that can’t afford to miss opportunities. Its virtual receptionist can manage after-hours coverage, reduce hold times, and even sync with a live chat widget to help across channels. 

Customer reviews frequently mention faster response times and easier call handling after switching to Nextiva.

2. Grasshopper

Grasshopper is designed for entrepreneurs and very small businesses looking to upgrade their phone setup without deep technical work. While it doesn’t offer the full conversational AI capabilities found in some higher-tier platforms, it delivers solid automated call handling and a professional presence.

Key Features for Basic Call Management

• Call forwarding: Route calls to your mobile or landline.
• Custom greetings: Set professional voice prompts.
• Shared numbers: Let multiple users answer from one line.

Pricing & Fit

Grasshopper’s plans start at $14/month when billed annually for the entry plan, making it a budget-friendly option for micro-businesses. It’s well-suited for solo entrepreneurs or small teams that primarily need to ensure calls are answered professionally without complex routing or AI-driven conversation flows.

Good Fit If:

• You’re a solo business owner or tiny team.
• You just need a business number, a greeting, and a call-forwarding service.
• You don’t need full AI conversation, scheduling automation, or deep CRM integrations today.

Less Ideal If:

• You need advanced AI agent capabilities (such as conversational scheduling or smart routing).
• Your call volume is high, or you anticipate scaling to a multi‑agent contact centre.
• You require extensive integrations with CRM, ticketing, or voice analytics tools.

3. Ruby Receptionists

Ruby blends live receptionists with automation, offering a hybrid model that suits businesses wanting human warmth along with tech-driven call handling.

Why this mix appeals:

• Custom call flows adapt to the time of day or caller’s identity.
• Routine calls are automated; live agents step in when needed.
• Bilingual support (English & Spanish) helps reach a broader customer base.
• Mobile app lets you view messages and manage calls anywhere.

Fit and Limitations

Ruby is a strong fit for businesses that prioritize a personal touch but also need round‑the‑clock availability. It may not offer as deep AI‑only automation as some purely automated platforms, and pricing tends toward higher‑tier plans when live receptionists are involved.

4. Vonage Virtual Receptionist

Vonage offers a virtual receptionist tailored for businesses with changing call volumes and scheduling needs. Its auto-attendant feature allows you to create time-based call flows, routing calls differently during business hours, weekends, or holidays. 

While it doesn’t include conversational AI, Vonage integrates with popular CRM software and collaboration tools, making it a practical solution for growing teams that want phone system control without complexity.

Highlights:

• IVR menus for routing calls based on caller input
• Time-based call flows (after-hours, holidays, lunch breaks)
• CRM integrations for better caller tracking
• No AI, but reliable and scalable for everyday needs

5. 8×8

8×8 Virtual Office bundles cloud voice, messaging, and a virtual receptionist designed for hybrid and distributed teams. Its built-in assistant offers professional greetings, call routing, and voicemail transcription without needing separate systems. 

The admin portal enables businesses to create IVR menus and time-based routing rules, ideal for handling after-hours, peak periods, or holidays. While it doesn’t offer the full conversational AI capabilities of top-tier agents, it provides growing teams with a solid platform featuring unified communication and call-handling tools. 

Highlights:

• IVR menus to route callers based on option selections
• Time‑based rules to shift routing after hours or during off‑hours
• Unified voice, video, SMS, and chat in one dashboard (good for hybrid teams)

With 8×8 embedding AI and automations into its offerings, it stands as a practical alternative for teams that prefer one vendor for voice, chat, and messaging.

6. Ooma Office

Ooma Office is designed for fast, do-it-yourself deployments in small businesses. The auto-attendant routes calls and handles greetings, making it easy to set up a professional experience without an IT department.

Auto Attendant and Virtual Receptionist Tools

• Custom schedules: The auto-attendant changes greetings or routing based on the time of day.
• Directory assistance: Callers find people or departments using touch-tone navigation.

Support and Scalability

Ooma stands out for its 24/7 customer support, ideal for non-technical business owners who want live help. While the system doesn’t include AI features like Nextiva, its ease of use and no-contract pricing appeal to businesses starting with virtual reception for the first time.

7. Dialpad

Dialpad Ai Voice brings real-time AI to business calls with live transcriptions, call summaries, and intelligent routing. It’s designed to help small teams stay organized and resolve issues quickly, without getting bogged down in administrative work. While not as plug-and-play as Nextiva, it offers flexible controls for businesses that are growing.

• Live transcription captures conversations instantly.
• AI routes calls based on caller intent and keywords
• Simple setup via web and mobile, no IT required

Best for: Teams that prioritize conversation tracking, speed, and AI-powered support without a steep learning curve.

The Bottom Line for AI Receptionists

Choosing the right RingCentral AI Receptionist alternative depends on what matters most: ease of setup, reliable automation, and support that actually helps. 

Nextiva leads the market with XBert AI, offering instant deployment and expert guidance, making it ideal for small teams that want to achieve real impact quickly.

For simpler needs, Grasshopper and Ooma offer budget-friendly options, while Ruby and Dialpad bring in more advanced AI and hybrid features for growing businesses.

As more customers expect fast, personalized responses, having a competent virtual receptionist is no longer a luxury; it’s essential. For small businesses seeking to enhance their service without added complexity, Nextiva remains the top choice.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the best alternatives to RingCentral AI Receptionist for small businesses?

Top options include Nextiva XBert AI, Grasshopper, Ruby Receptionists, Vonage Virtual Receptionist, 8×8 Virtual Office, Ooma Office, and Dialpad AI Voice. Each offers unique strengths tailored to meet the needs of small businesses.

How does Nextiva compare to RingCentral AI Receptionist?

Nextiva offers faster setup, more intelligent automation, and accurate omnichannel communication. Businesses often report improved customer satisfaction and up to 40% more calls answered, making it a standout option for those seeking better performance and ease of use.

Are there affordable virtual receptionist options for small teams?

Yes. Grasshopper and Ooma Office are ideal for budget-conscious businesses. They provide essential call handling features, such as auto-attendants and call forwarding, without requiring contracts or complex IT support.

Which solutions offer both AI and human receptionist support?

Ruby Receptionists combine conversational AI with live agents. The AI manages routine calls, while human receptionists step in for more personalized or complex needs.

Can these virtual receptionists connect with my CRM or tools?

Yes. Platforms like Vonage and 8×8 integrate with popular CRMs and productivity apps. This lets your team manage call data, automate workflows, and maintain context across platforms.