Pricing / Compared
While You Work vs Smith.ai
Smith.ai sells both AI receptionists and live human receptionists to many kinds of business. While You Work is AI only, set up for owner-run trades and service businesses, and costs less.
Smith.ai figures are from third-party pricing write-ups in October 2026, which do not all agree. We have not used Smith.ai's service ourselves. Check smith.ai for current plans.
The short answer
Choose While You Work if you run a trade or service business, want the details of every missed call within a minute, and want to pay from $39 a month instead of $95 or more. Choose Smith.ai if you want the option of live human receptionists, or you get more calls than our plans cover.
Side by side
Smith.ai and While You Work compared
| Smith.ai | While You Work | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | AI plans reported at roughly $95 to $150 a month (sources differ; check their site) | Starter $39 a month, Pro $79, Business $149 |
| Calls included | AI plans reported at about 50 to 75 calls | 50 on Starter, 150 on Pro, 400 on Business |
| Human receptionists | Yes, on separate, higher-priced plans | No, AI only |
| Money-back guarantee | Check with Smith.ai | Full refund if you cancel within 14 days of your line going live |
| Contract | Check with Smith.ai | None, cancel any time |
| Set up by trade | Check with Smith.ai | Yes: questions and urgent calls set per trade |
| Text alerts in the US | Check with Smith.ai | Coming soon, waiting on carrier registration |
Choose Smith.ai if
Choose Smith.ai if you want the option of live human receptionists, or you get more calls than our plans cover.
Choose While You Work if
Choose While You Work if you run a trade or service business, want the details of every missed call within a minute, and want to pay from $39 a month instead of $95 or more.
Switching
How to switch in three steps
Check your notice
Look at your current provider's terms for any notice period or unused credit.
Tell us about your business
A short form for your kind of business: hours, area, services and what callers should be told.
Change your call forwarding
Point forwarding for the calls you miss at your While You Work number. Your callers keep calling the same number. Codes for each carrier.
How ours works: from a missed call to a callback in about a minute, and every price on our pricing page.
Other comparisons: While You Work vs HeyJodie.
Smith.ai is a trademark of its owner. While You Work is not connected with Smith.ai.
Hear what it does with your own missed calls
Call (866) 977-5432 toll-free and hear our own receptionist answer, or talk to Ellie in your browser. Priced per call, not per minute: Starter $39 and Pro $79 a month, with a 14-day money-back guarantee. US sign-ups open in November.