Missed calls = missed revenue, so having a receptionist is a must for any business that wants to grow. Goodcall is a well-known AI receptionist, but it’s not the best fit for every business. If you need faster setup, better integrations, industry-specific workflows, or human backup when AI falls short, these five alternatives may work better in 2025.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best Goodcall alternatives and compare them on pricing, integrations, human backup, and use cases for industries like healthcare, legal, home services, wellness, and retail.

Quick Comparison Table

What to Look For in a Goodcall Alternative

Goodcall powers over 2,000 AI phone agents today, but it has limits. Here’s what businesses often need beyond Goodcall:

• More customization – Flexible call flows, industry compliance, multilingual options

• Broader integrations – Deep CRM, scheduling, and automation support

• Human backup – Escalation to live receptionists when calls are sensitive

• Smarter AI – Less scripted, more natural conversation

• Simpler pricing – Flat-rate or predictable models

Where Goodcall Falls Short in 2025:

• Customization caps – Limited logic flows and contact directories

• Integration gaps – Narrower CRM + workflow connections compared to peers

• No human backup – Risk of losing leads in high-value scenarios

• Scripted feel – Less natural in edge cases

• Rigid pricing – Pay-per-agent model + overage fees for unique customers

1. Central – Best All-in-One AI Receptionist for SMBs

Central is built for small and mid-sized businesses that need reliable, 24/7 call handling without the complexity or hidden costs of many other AI receptionist platforms. It delivers instant setup, accurate lead capture, real-time scheduling, and human backup when necessary, making it an all-in-one solution for replacing or upgrading from Goodcall.

• Trains in Seconds from Your Website

Central builds its knowledge base instantly by scanning your website or uploaded documents. This allows it to answer FAQs, explain services, and provide accurate information from day one without weeks of manual programming.

• Flat Monthly Pricing Without Per-Minute Fees

Every plan includes a set number of calls for a flat monthly rate, so there are no per-minute charges or surprise overages. Pricing starts at $89/month for 90 calls, with higher tiers for growing teams and high-volume operations.

• Human Backup When Needed

If a call requires more nuanced handling or a personal touch, Central can escalate to a live receptionist without losing context. The transfer is seamless, ensuring callers receive help without repeating themselves.

• Integrations with Popular Scheduling and Workflow Tools

Central connects directly with Google Calendar, Calendly, Cal.com, and Acuity to book appointments in real time. Through Zapier, it can also sync call data and actions with over 6,000 business apps, including CRMs and marketing tools.

• Custom Greetings, Call Summaries, and Transcripts

You can set personalized greetings and call flows to match your brand voice. Every call is logged with a clear summary, transcript, and any actions taken, so you always know what happened and can follow up confidently.

2. Brevo (Formerly Yodel.io) – VoIP + AI Reception Combined

Brevo is a cloud-based VoIP phone system with built-in AI call handling features, starting at $26 per month per user. It’s designed for teams that want to combine traditional telephony with AI capabilities in a single platform, offering local and international numbers, call management tools, and integrations with popular collaboration apps.

• Designed for Remote Teams Needing Phone + AI Reception

Brevo functions as both a business phone system and an AI-assisted receptionist. It allows users to create or port business numbers, manage contacts, view call history, and store recordings and transcripts in one place. 

Teams can make and receive calls via desktop, browser, or mobile app, making it well-suited for distributed teams needing consistent access to a central phone line.

• Integrations with Slack and Microsoft Teams

Brevo integrates with Slack and Microsoft Teams to notify staff about incoming calls, voicemails, and transcripts. This allows teams to manage calls and follow-ups from their existing communication hubs, reducing the need to switch between platforms.

• Limitation: Not Tailored for Industry-Specific Needs

While Brevo offers solid VoIP and AI call handling features, it’s not designed with sector-specific workflows in mind. Businesses in industries like healthcare, legal, or home services may find they need additional customization or integrations to match their specific scheduling, compliance, or customer engagement requirements.

3. OpenPhone – Budget-Friendly AI for Startups

OpenPhone is a business phone system with AI capabilities, starting at $15 per user per month. It combines VoIP calling, SMS, and contact management in one interface, with AI-powered features to handle voicemails, route calls, and automate follow-ups.

• AI Voicemail, Call Routing, and SMS Automation

OpenPhone’s AI agent, Sona, can answer calls 24/7, capture key details, and provide tailored responses based on stored business information. The platform supports call routing, auto-replies, scheduled messages, and voicemail transcription. It also offers AI-generated call summaries, transcripts, and automatic tagging to streamline follow-up and record-keeping.

• Cost-Effective for Small Teams

With shared numbers, internal threads, and call collaboration tools, OpenPhone is designed for teams that want centralized communication without high costs. It also has optional AI features available as an add-on.

• Limitation: Not a Full-Service Receptionist

While OpenPhone provides AI assistance for answering and routing calls, it does not function as a complete receptionist service. It lacks built-in human backup and advanced industry-specific workflows, so businesses needing more personalized call handling may need additional solutions.

4. Aircall – Call Center + AI for Sales Teams

Aircall is a cloud-based phone and call center platform starting at $30 per user per month. It combines AI-powered conversation tools with advanced call management features, making it a fit for businesses running sales teams or high-volume customer support operations.

• AI Transcriptions, Analytics, and 100+ Integrations

Aircall offers AI-generated call transcriptions, real-time analytics, and workflow automation. It integrates with over 100 tools, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, Intercom, Shopify, and Microsoft Teams. 

These integrations allow teams to sync customer data, manage cross-channel conversations, and automate follow-ups directly from their existing systems.

• Best for Sales-Focused Teams and Large Call Volumes

The platform includes AI voice agents for handling and qualifying inbound calls, real-time conversation intelligence for coaching, and WhatsApp messaging capabilities. Features like shared inboxes, call recordings, and IVR routing are geared toward teams managing large numbers of daily calls, particularly in sales and customer service environments.

• Limitation: Not Fit for Smaller Businesses

For SMBs with low call volumes or simpler receptionist needs, Aircall’s extensive feature set may be more than necessary. Its per-user pricing model can also make it less cost-effective for teams that only need basic call answering and appointment scheduling compared to lighter, receptionist-focused solutions.

5. Kixie – AI Sales Calling with CRM Sync

Kixie is a sales-focused communication platform combining AI-driven calling tools with CRM integration. It’s built for revenue teams prioritizing outbound lead generation and follow-up, rather than inbound service calls. Kixie starts at $35 per month per user.

• Voice AI with CRM Sync for Lead Follow-Up

Kixie’s AI features include automated call summaries, sentiment tracking, and keyword detection, all synced directly to connected CRMs like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive. Calls can be routed automatically based on CRM data, and the platform supports voicemail drop, call coaching, and compliance with DNC regulations.

• Outbound Sales and Prospecting Focus

The platform is optimized for outbound performance through tools like the multi-line PowerDialer, local presence dialing with ConnectionBoost™, and shared team SMS inboxes for rapid follow-up. These capabilities help sales teams increase connection rates and manage large-scale outreach campaigns efficiently.

• Less Suited for Service-Based Inbound Calls

While Kixie offers inbound routing, its feature set and pricing are primarily geared toward sales teams. Businesses needing AI receptionist capabilities for appointment scheduling, customer inquiries, or industry-specific call handling may find it less aligned with their needs.

Who Should Switch from Goodcall to Its Alternatives?

Goodcall is a solid choice for businesses needing a simple 24/7 AI receptionist, but it may not be the best long-term fit. You might benefit from alternatives if you need:

• Faster onboarding – Instant setup or prebuilt workflows for seasonal or high-volume needs.

• Lower costs – Predictable flat-rate or per-call pricing instead of per-user fees.

• Broader integrations – Direct connections to CRMs, schedulers, or industry software.

• Industry-specific features – Compliance, tailored call flows, or multilingual support.
  
  
  

• Human backup – Escalation to live receptionists for critical calls or compliance risks.

Final Thought: Finding the Right Goodcall Alternative for Your Business

Goodcall is a capable 24/7 AI receptionist. But Central offers a faster start, human backup, and affordable integrations. 

Set up your AI receptionist in under 5 minutes. Visit trycentral.com to start your free trial.