Ruby Receptionists has been a household name in virtual reception for over 20 years -- but is it still the best option for your business? SimpleAnswering takes a fundamentally different approach with AI-powered call handling at a fraction of the cost, with true 24/7 coverage including weekends.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to choose the right fit for your business -- with real pricing, real features, and an honest comparison.
Quick Comparison: Ruby Receptionists vs SimpleAnswering
| Feature | SimpleAnswering | Ruby Receptionists |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49/month | $245/month |
| Minutes included | 100 | 50 |
| Cost per minute | ~$0.49 | ~$4.90 |
| 24/7 availability | Yes (including weekends) | No (no weekends) |
| Simultaneous calls | Unlimited | Limited by staff |
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes | Days (onboarding required) |
| Setup fee | None | None |
| Contract required | No | No |
| Free trial | 14-day free trial | 14-day money-back guarantee |
| Call type | AI-powered | Live human receptionists |
| Bilingual | Yes | Limited (not 24/7) |
| Overage rate | $0.55/min | Varies by plan |
The numbers tell a clear story: SimpleAnswering offers twice the minutes at roughly one-fifth the price. But pricing is only part of the picture -- let's dig into what actually matters for your business.
Pricing Breakdown
SimpleAnswering Pricing
SimpleAnswering offers three straightforward plans:
- Starter: $49/month -- 100 minutes included, $0.55/min overage
- Pro: $99/month -- 250 minutes included, $0.45/min overage
- Scale: $199/month -- 500 minutes included, $0.35/min overage
No setup fees. No contracts. All plans include a dedicated local phone number, call recordings and transcripts, CRM access, and urgent call alerts. You can cancel anytime.
Ruby Receptionists Pricing
Ruby's pricing starts significantly higher:
- 50 minutes: $245/month
- 100 minutes: $385/month
- 200 minutes: $705/month
- 500 minutes: $1,640/month
Ruby's per-minute cost works out to roughly $3.28-$4.90 depending on the plan. For a business handling 100 calls per month at an average of 3 minutes each (300 minutes total), Ruby would cost approximately $1,640/month. The same volume on SimpleAnswering's Scale plan would cost $199/month -- a savings of over $1,400 per month.
Ruby also charges 30 seconds of time for hangups, which means spam calls and wrong numbers eat into your minutes.
The Case for Ruby: Where Human Receptionists Shine
Let's be fair about what Ruby does well. They have been in business since 2003, serve over 15,000 businesses, and their US-based receptionists are widely praised for warmth and professionalism. If your business depends on the human element of phone conversations -- such as high-touch client onboarding for a boutique law firm or handling emotionally sensitive calls -- a live receptionist can be genuinely valuable.
Ruby also offers live website chat (bundled at 20% off with receptionist plans), a mobile app for managing calls on the go, and custom call handling scripts built around your specific instructions.
For businesses where every phone interaction is a high-stakes moment, paying a premium for a real human voice may make sense.
The Case for SimpleAnswering: Why AI Is Winning
For the vast majority of small businesses, the math favors AI and it's not close.
True 24/7 Coverage
One of the most significant gaps in Ruby's service: they do not offer true 24/7 coverage. Ruby receptionists are not available on weekends, which is precisely when many businesses -- particularly home service companies, restaurants, and medical practices -- receive the most urgent calls.
SimpleAnswering answers calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There is no downtime, no holiday gaps, and no waiting for Monday morning.
Unlimited Simultaneous Calls
When your business gets multiple calls at once -- say, after a local ad runs or during a busy season -- Ruby can only handle as many calls as they have available staff. Overflow callers wait on hold or go to voicemail.
SimpleAnswering's AI handles unlimited simultaneous calls. Every caller gets an immediate answer, every time.
Instant Setup
Ruby requires a multi-day onboarding process where you work with an account manager to set up call scripts and preferences. SimpleAnswering scrapes your website and builds your AI receptionist in under 2 minutes. You can be up and running the same day you sign up.
Predictable Billing
Ruby bills by the minute, and costs can spike unpredictably during busy months. They also deduct 30 seconds for hangup calls, which eats into your plan even when no real conversation happens.
SimpleAnswering's plans include a set number of minutes with transparent overage rates. No hidden fees, no surprise charges.
Ruby's Billing Controversy
In 2021, Ruby was ordered to pay $12 million in a class action settlement over deceptive billing practices. Customers alleged that Ruby inflated call times, charged for calls that should not have been billed, and made it difficult to track actual usage. While the company has made changes since, this history is worth considering when evaluating a per-minute billing model where usage can be hard to verify independently.
Review Scores Compared
| Platform | SimpleAnswering | Ruby Receptionists |
|---|---|---|
| Capterra | New service | 4.1/5 |
| G2 | New service | 3.7/5 |
| ConsumerAffairs | N/A | Mixed reviews |
| Glassdoor (employee) | N/A | 2.1/5 |
Ruby's review scores are middling for an established brand. Their Glassdoor rating of 2.1/5 suggests internal challenges, with employees citing quality declines after their acquisition. Multiple customer reviews mention billing complaints and difficulty reaching support -- Ruby does not offer a direct support phone line, routing all support through message relay.
SimpleAnswering is newer to market, so direct review comparisons are not yet possible. However, all plans come with a 14-day free trial so you can test the service risk-free.
Who Should Choose Ruby?
Ruby is a solid choice if:
- You have a premium brand and every phone interaction must feel unmistakably human
- Your callers are in crisis or emotionally distressed (grief counseling, crisis services)
- You need complex negotiation or sales handled live on the phone
- Budget is not a primary concern, and you value a 20-year track record
- You only need coverage during weekday business hours
Who Should Choose SimpleAnswering?
SimpleAnswering is the better fit if:
- You need true 24/7 coverage including nights, weekends, and holidays
- You want professional call answering at a price that makes sense for a small business
- You receive high call volumes and need unlimited simultaneous call handling
- You want to be up and running in minutes, not days
- You are a solo operator or small team who misses calls regularly
- Predictable, transparent billing matters to you
For law firms, home service companies, medical practices, and real estate professionals -- businesses that cannot afford to miss a single call -- the combination of 24/7 availability, unlimited capacity, and 80% cost savings makes SimpleAnswering the clear value leader.
The Bottom Line
Ruby Receptionists is a legitimate, established service with real strengths -- particularly the warmth and professionalism of their live receptionists. They have earned their place in the market over two decades.
But the landscape has shifted. Modern AI receptionists deliver natural, professional conversations at a fraction of the cost. For most small businesses, paying $245/month for 50 minutes of coverage that doesn't include weekends is no longer the best use of limited resources -- especially when $49/month gets you twice the minutes with true 24/7 coverage.
The best way to decide? Try SimpleAnswering free for 14 days and see how it handles your actual calls. If you need a live human for every interaction, Ruby may still be right for you. But for the 80% of calls that are routine inquiries, appointment requests, and information questions, AI handles them just as well -- and your business never misses a beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SimpleAnswering cheaper than Ruby Receptionists?
Yes, significantly. SimpleAnswering starts at $49/month for 100 minutes, while Ruby starts at $245/month for just 50 minutes. That makes SimpleAnswering roughly 80% cheaper per minute of call handling. Both services offer no-contract plans, but SimpleAnswering also includes a 14-day free trial.
Does Ruby Receptionists offer true 24/7 answering?
No. Despite marketing 24/7 availability, Ruby does not provide receptionist coverage on weekends. Calls outside business hours are handled differently. SimpleAnswering's AI receptionist answers calls 24/7/365, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Can callers tell they are talking to an AI with SimpleAnswering?
Modern AI voice technology has improved dramatically. Most callers cannot distinguish SimpleAnswering's AI from a human receptionist. The AI speaks naturally, understands context, and handles multi-turn conversations. For the small percentage who do notice, they typically do not mind -- as long as their question gets answered quickly.
What happens if I get more calls than my plan includes?
Both services charge overage fees. SimpleAnswering charges $0.55/minute on the Starter plan, while Ruby's overage rates vary by plan but are generally higher. SimpleAnswering's Pro ($99/month for 250 minutes) and Scale ($199/month for 500 minutes) plans offer lower overage rates for growing businesses.
Can I switch from Ruby to SimpleAnswering easily?
Yes. SimpleAnswering can be set up in under 2 minutes by scanning your website. You can keep your existing business phone number and forward calls to your new SimpleAnswering number. There is no contract with Ruby, so you can cancel anytime. Many businesses run both services in parallel during a trial period before fully switching.