Della Desk isn't an answering service — it's a whole front office: she answers, books, texts back, takes the order and payment on the call, and sends signed proposals, from $35 a month, 7 days free, no credit card. Smith.ai runs on per-call pricing — Free $0/25 calls, Pro $150/mo, Enterprise $500/mo (≈$1.67–$3.00 per call).
"Flat monthly plan, priced by the minute — not a fee every time your phone rings."
| Smith.ai | Della Desk | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per call (≈$1.67–$3.00/call) | Flat plan + minutes dialed in advance — extra minutes always 30¢, never auto-billed past your cap |
| Predictable monthly bill | Varies with call volume | Yes — you set the number in advance |
| Takes payment on the call | No | Yes — order + total texted, payment link sent |
| Appointment booking | Yes | Yes — on every plan, even $35 |
| Languages | Bilingual | 20 languages |
| Human receptionists available | Optional escalation (AI-first now) | No — she transfers to YOUR team, free |
| Free trial | Free tier — 25 calls/mo | 7 days, no credit card |
| Your monthly volume | Smith.ai | Della Desk |
|---|---|---|
| 100 calls (~300 min) | ≈$167–$300 | $149 (Front Desk, dialed to 300 min) |
| their published per-call range across AI and human plans | ||
| 200 calls (~600 min) | ≈$334–$600 | $239 (Front Desk, dialed to 600 min) |
| their published per-call range across AI and human plans | ||
| 400 calls (~1,200 min) | ≈$668–$1,200 | $419 (Front Desk, dialed to 1,200 min) |
| their published per-call range across AI and human plans | ||
Assumes a ~3-minute average call. Run your own numbers in the cost calculator. Della prices are assembled in advance: every plan includes 100 minutes, and extra minutes are always a flat 30¢ — dialed ahead, never auto-billed. At your limit, your own setting pauses the line or steps you up — and a one-time $50 top-up adds 100 minutes anytime.
Start 7 days free — no credit card →
Most owners searching for a Smith.ai alternative want three things: every call answered, no per-minute anxiety, and a price that stays flat as they grow. That's the job Della was built for — a virtual receptionist who answers 24/7, books appointments, texts back missed calls, takes orders and payments, and sends proposals clients sign right from their phone, from $35 a month with every price public. The tables above are the honest comparison; the cost calculator runs your own numbers.
It depends on how busy your phone is. Smith.ai bills per call (≈$1.67–$3.00), so at 200 calls a month you're looking at roughly $334–$600; Della Desk's Front Desk dialed to 600 minutes is $239 flat — extra minutes are always 30¢, and you're never auto-billed past the cap you set. The busier your line, the more per-call pricing costs you, and the more a flat plan saves.
With Smith.ai, yes — you pay per call, so a busy month costs more. With Della Desk you set your minutes in advance and the number on your bill doesn't move; if you hit your cap, your pre-chosen action (pause, step up, or a one-time $50 top-up for 100 minutes) kicks in instead of a surprise charge.
Della Desk takes the order on the call, texts the customer the total, and sends your payment link. Smith.ai takes messages and books appointments but does not complete transactions.
Della transfers live callers to you or your team with a warm hand-off — the humans your customers actually want are yours, and they're free.
Della Desk is not affiliated with Smith.ai. Information about Smith.ai is based on publicly available sources as of 2026-07-15 and may have changed — always confirm current pricing on their site.