CompleteLine vs Smith.ai
CompleteLine vs Smith.ai: per-call AI with human backup, or a flat-price AI front desk
Smith.ai pairs an AI receptionist with live North America-based agents who can take over. CompleteLine is a flat-price AI front desk built around missed calls: it answers, texts back, books and asks for the review.
Two different products, honestly compared
Short answer: Smith.ai is the stronger choice if you want a human to be able to take over any call. CompleteLine is the simpler buy if you want a flat monthly price that covers the phone, the text follow-up and review requests together.
Both answer the phone with AI and both book appointments. The differences are how you pay (per call vs flat), what happens to calls nobody answers, and what else is included.
Pricing
Smith.ai’s published AI receptionist pricing (as of October 2026): Free with 25 calls/mo then $3.00 per call, Pro from $150/mo for 75 calls ($2.00 per extra call), and Enterprise from $500/mo for 300 calls, month to month with 30 days’ notice to cancel. CompleteLine Pro is $499/mo with 500 receptionist minutes and 2,000 texts, plus a one-time $1,000 setup; Core is $249/mo plus $500 setup for text-back and AI messaging without the phone receptionist.
Side by side
| Feature | CompleteLine | Smith.ai |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Flat monthly: Pro $499 with 500 minutes | Per call: $150/mo for 75 calls, then $2.00 a call (Pro) |
| Human takeover | No live agents. The owner gets the conversation and can reply | Yes, calls can transfer to live receptionists any time |
| Missed call text back | Core feature: a text in about 5 seconds, then an AI conversation | Not the core product; the focus is answering the call |
| Review requests | Included: automatic post-job request with your Google link | Not part of the receptionist plans |
| Contract | Month to month, 30-day money-back guarantee | Month to month, 30 days’ notice to cancel |
Competitor details reflect Smith.ai's published materials and independent reviews as of August 2026 and may change — verify current pricing on their site.
When Smith.ai is the better choice
- You want a live person able to take over any call the AI cannot handle.
- You get few calls a month, so the free or $150 plan costs less than a flat price.
- Your calls are intake-heavy (law firms, agencies) where Smith.ai has deep experience.
When CompleteLine is the better choice
- You get enough calls that per-call fees add up. At $2.00 a call past 75, 300 calls a month costs more than Pro’s flat $499.
- You want missed calls texted back and worked as conversations, not only answered.
- You want review requests and website chat in the same price.
Common questions
Is CompleteLine cheaper than Smith.ai?
It depends on call volume. Under about 100 calls a month, Smith.ai’s per-call plans are usually cheaper. Above that, CompleteLine’s flat $499 Pro plan (500 minutes, texting and reviews included) usually costs less.
Can a person take over a CompleteLine call?
Not a live agent. You see every conversation and can step in by text yourself. If live takeover matters to you, Smith.ai offers it.
Try the difference on your own phone
Once your texting is approved, miss a call and watch CompleteLine text back in about 5 seconds and hold the conversation. From $249/mo plus a one-time $500 setup, month to month, 30-day money-back guarantee.