Ruby is a live virtual receptionist service: real people answer your calls 24/7 in English and Spanish, with AI used behind the scenes for transcripts, screening and call flows. It is the right choice for owners who want a human on every call and can pay for it, starting at $250 a month for 50 minutes. If you mainly need routine calls answered and booked, an AI receptionist costs a fraction as much.
What Ruby is
Ruby is a US virtual receptionist company that has served small businesses for more than 20 years Ruby home ↗. Unlike the AI receptionists in our guide, Ruby uses live, human receptionists. The company says an AI receptionist that independently answers calls is not how Ruby works Ruby home ↗.
AI plays a supporting role. Ruby uses it for transcripts, AI assisted call flows, sentiment analysis, information gathering and screening out robocalls Ruby home ↗. These AI enhancements are optional and included on every plan at no extra cost Ruby pricing ↗.
Ruby says more than 15,000 businesses use it and that it handles over 1.1 million conversations a month Ruby home ↗. Hands on testing is in progress.
What it does well
A real person every time. Receptionists answer 24/7, including weekends and holidays, with an average answer time under 10 seconds, according to Ruby Ruby home ↗. Upset or unusual callers get human judgment, which AI still struggles with.
Bilingual and HIPAA options. A bilingual English and Spanish receptionist is available around the clock, and HIPAA compliant service is offered for healthcare practices Ruby pricing ↗ Ruby home ↗.
More than message taking. Receptionists can schedule appointments, qualify leads and handle intake, process payments and make outbound calls Ruby home ↗. Ruby also offers managed live chat for your website Ruby pricing ↗ Ruby home ↗.
Flexible coverage. You can have Ruby answer every call, only some calls, or act as backup when you are busy Ruby home ↗. A mobile app lets you manage it on the go Ruby home ↗.
Well reviewed. Ruby has a 4.5 out of 5 TrustScore on Trustpilot from 852 reviews, with reviewers praising friendly, professional receptionists and smooth onboarding Trustpilot ↗.
No setup fees. Ruby says there are no extra fees for activation, onboarding or setup Ruby pricing ↗.
Where it falls short
It is expensive per minute. The entry plan is $250 a month for 50 minutes, about $5 a minute Ruby pricing ↗. AI receptionists such as Upfirst start at $24.95 a month for 30 calls Upfirst pricing ↗.
Every call rounds up. Minutes are billed in 60 second increments, so a 10 second call counts as a full minute Ruby billing help ↗. Hold time is included Ruby billing help ↗.
Unused minutes are lost. Minutes and chats do not roll over Ruby billing help ↗. Overage is billed at your plan's rate, but the per minute figure is not published on the pricing or billing pages Ruby pricing ↗ Ruby billing help ↗.
Downgrades are slow. After the first three billing cycles, you can only downgrade after three consecutive billing periods on the same plan Ruby billing help ↗.
Robocalls can eat minutes. Some Trustpilot reviewers say spam and hang ups used up billable minutes; Ruby replies that it offers robocall blocking at no extra charge Trustpilot ↗.
Pricing and plans
Receptionist plans: $250 a month for 50 minutes, $395 for 100 minutes, $720 for 200 minutes and $1,725 for 500 minutes Ruby pricing ↗. Larger plans are by quote Ruby pricing ↗.
Live chat plans: $143 a month for 10 chats, $335 for 30 and $520 for 50 Ruby pricing ↗. Added to a receptionist plan, the same chat bundles cost $115, $268 and $416, about 20 percent less Ruby pricing ↗.
Included on all plans: 24/7 answering, after hours and holiday coverage, and optional AI features Ruby pricing ↗. Spanish and HIPAA service are listed as available without a separate price Ruby pricing ↗.
Billing: 60 second increments, no rollover, overage at your plan's rate Ruby billing help ↗. Trustpilot's company profile mentions a 21 day money back guarantee, capped at 500 minutes or 50 chats Trustpilot ↗. Confirm the terms with Ruby before signing.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: law firms, clinics and high value service businesses where one missed or mishandled call costs real money.
- Good fit: businesses with Spanish speaking callers or HIPAA needs.
- Good fit: owners who want callers to always reach a person.
- Skip it if: most calls are routine questions about hours, prices or booking.
- Skip it if: you get many short calls; per minute rounding adds up.
- Skip it if: your budget is under $250 a month.
Alternatives worth a look
- Upfirst: our top AI pick, from $24.95 a month for 30 calls, with booking and a 14 day free trial Upfirst pricing ↗.
- Smith.ai: an AI receptionist that can hand calls to live North American receptionists, from $150 a month for 75 calls, with a free plan for 25 calls Smith.ai pricing ↗.
- Rosie: AI answering in English and Spanish from $49 a month for 250 minutes Rosie pricing ↗.
Where it appears
ComparedThe Best AI Receptionist for Small BusinessesWhat’s good
- Real people on every call
- Bilingual coverage
- HIPAA option
What to know
- Expensive per minute
- Overage and contract terms not stated
Key features
- 24/7 live answering
- English and Spanish service
- Scheduling, lead intake and payment collection
- HIPAA compliant services
- AI transcripts and robocall screening
- Live website chat plans
Works with
Questions people ask
How much does Ruby cost?
Receptionist plans start at $250 a month for 50 minutes and go up to $1,725 for 500 minutes Ruby pricing ↗.
Is Ruby an AI receptionist?
No. Ruby uses live human receptionists. AI supports them with transcripts, call flows and robocall screening Ruby home ↗.
How does Ruby bill minutes?
In 60 second increments, rounded up, including hold time. Unused minutes do not roll over Ruby billing help ↗.
Does Ruby answer calls in Spanish?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish receptionists are available 24/7 Ruby home ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views. Hands on testing is in progress.
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