On the phone
A virtual receptionist answers a company's incoming calls from outside the office. The term covers two different things: a human answering service working under the company's name, and an AI phone assistant doing the same job in software. Both greet the caller, take the request and pass it on.
Also called: Remote receptionist · Digital receptionist
Both are sold under the same name, which is why it is worth asking. A human virtual receptionist is an agent in a call centre working from a script about your business. An AI virtual receptionist is software on your number. The difference shows in the price, in the opening hours and in how many calls can be taken at once.
A virtual receptionist does not do the work behind the call. It can book, answer and route, but it cannot give advice that requires a licence, agree a price it was never given, or make a judgement call about a customer. Those belong with a person, which is why the handover matters more than the coverage.
Last checked 2026-09-23
Software that answers the business phone and finishes the task.
Read the definitionAn outside team that takes the message. The work still comes back to you.
Read the definitionPassing the context with the call, not just the line.
Read the definitionFree to start, on your own number, live in about a week.
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