The My AI Front Desk alternative you own
My AI Front Desk (now branded Frontdesk) is a credit-metered AI receptionist: a free starter tier, then $99/mo ($79/mo annual) for 200 voice minutes with $0.25/min overage that auto-reloads. The owned alternative is a one-time deployment with no credit meter and no monthly fee to me.
My AI Front Desk is cheap and fast to start — the free tier makes it nearly risk-free to test. The owned deployment isn't about beating $99/mo on price; it's for owners who want custom workflows, full data/script control, and no per-minute meter that auto-reloads at $0.25/min once 200 minutes (~3.3 hours) runs out.
My AI Front Desk · AI receptionist SaaS, monthly tier + usage credits
| Plan | Price | Billing | Included | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | monthly | 20 voice min/mo, 10 chats, 40 SMS — capped (not metered) | none (must upgrade) |
| Business-in-a-Box | $99/mo ($79/mo annual) | monthly or annual | 200 voice minutes/mo, chatbot, SMS, CRM routing | $0.25/min, auto-reloads $10 = 1,000 credits |
| Partner / Enterprise | Custom | contact sales | API, custom integrations, account manager | as low as $0.07/min at volume |
One-time deployment you keep — no subscription to me, no per-call meter.
| My AI Front Desk | Owned AI Receptionist | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free tier, then $99/mo + auto-reloading usage credits. | $8,000 one-time, then only your own provider usage. No credits. |
| Voice meter | 200 min/mo, then $0.25/min auto-charged via reload. | No meter — a busy month costs the same as a slow one. |
| Ownership | Keep your number; script + data ownership/export unclear. | Number, scripts, call flow, and data on your own accounts. |
| Upfront cost | Free / $99/mo — far cheaper to start (the genuine advantage). | Higher upfront; wins on control and high/long-horizon volume. |
- No usage credits and no auto-reloading per-minute overage.
- Custom call flows and integrations you keep — not a templated SaaS agent.
- Scripts, number, and call data on your own provider accounts.
- No recurring fee to me after the one-time deployment.
- ›You want the cheapest possible way to test an AI receptionist (the free tier).
- ›Your call volume fits comfortably inside ~200 minutes/month.
- ›A templated voice + chatbot + SMS agent covers your needs.
- ›You're not ready to invest in a custom owned build yet.
Is the owned deployment cheaper than My AI Front Desk? +
Not upfront — they have a free tier and a $99/mo plan, far cheaper in year one. The owned deployment is a premium you pay for control: custom workflows, no per-minute credit meter, and full ownership of the number, scripts, and data. It makes sense once you'd outgrow the 200-minute pool or want a build that isn't a templated SaaS agent.
What does My AI Front Desk's overage cost? +
Past the 200 included voice minutes on the $99 plan, usage bills at $0.25/min via auto-reloading credits ($10 = 1,000 credits). 200 minutes is ~3.3 hours/month, so busier shops hit overage. Publicly listed as of May 2026; note the product rebranded to 'Frontdesk' and older third-party prices are stale.
Do I keep my phone number? +
Yes with both — My AI Front Desk advertises 'keep your number,' and an owned deployment runs on your own number and provider accounts. The difference is script and call-data ownership, which an owned build keeps fully under your control.
When should I just use My AI Front Desk? +
If you want a near-zero-risk test (the free tier), have modest call volume, and a templated agent covers you, it's a reasonable start. I'll tell you honestly in the audit if that fits better than an owned build for your volume.
Want the owned alternative to My AI Front Desk?
Send your call volume, booking rules, and what happens after a missed call. I'll tell you whether the owned deployment beats the subscription math for your business — or whether a cheaper option is honestly enough.