How Much Does an Answering Service Cost?

The average answering service cost in 2025 is between $135-$400. However, that does not account for businesses that have lower call volumes, or ones with much higher call volumes, which can go up to $2,945+.

When you need an answering service, your first question is probably, "How much does an answering service cost?" You'll soon learn transparency in pricing for answering services is vague (and has been historically).

Over the 90-ish years of answering calls and seeing the industry change firsthand, we know how many factors impact your bill. You might be looking for a service to provide your business after hours coverage and want to know . Or, you might want an absence management hotline for your company. Either way, you deserve just the facts about the pricing of these services.

But in this definitive guide, we’ll clarify exactly how much phone answering services cost in 2025, including detailed comparisons and real-world examples.

1. Quick Overview of How Much Answering Services Cost in 2025
2. How are Answering Service Plans Charged?
3. 5 Standard Answering Service Plans
4. What Affects the Cost of Answering Services
5. Which Answering Service Pricing Plan is Right for Your Business?

Quick Overview of How Much is an Answering Service in 2025

In short, the cost of an answering service is between $135 to $2,945+ per month, depending on the features and usage. Basic services with limited minutes can start around $135, while packages with more minutes included can exceed $1000. Factors like call volume, features required, and the pricing model (per-minute, per-call, or flat-rate) all influence the final cost. 

Many answering services will charge you extra for features that should be free with your plan. We get into what those features are below.

1. How are Answering Service Plans Charged?

Though most call centers now charge based on a per-minute basis, you should still know the differences between per-minute and per-call billing.

Per-Call Pricing

Per-call pricing is exactly what it sounds like - you’re charged for every call you receive. But how your answering service company defines a “call” may be less straightforward.  Many charge the same rate for calls from wrong numbers as they would if your customer called in, for example. So, you’d be paying the same amount of money for a 5 second butt dial as you would a prospect calling in.

Some call centers even bill sending texts, emails, or faxes as “calls''. We suggest clarifying whether your answering service company includes message delivery options in your plan or not.

Per-Minute Pricing

Per-minute pricing, on the other hand, better reflects the value your business receives. This pricing model is based on the time your call center actually spends supporting your business. This could be through answering or placing calls, sending texts or emails, or looking up information on your behalf. But keep in mind that their per-minute rate will likely be higher to accommodate the supplemental work they may also perform outside their standard service plans.

Wondering how much money those missed calls of yours are costing you? Check out our free missed call cost calculator here!

2. 5 Standard and After Hours Answering Service Pricing Plans

Though we have been able to curate pricing plans based on the size of a business’ workforce and the amount of calls they receive monthly, there isn’t a one-size fits all plan we can recommend to every business.

Every company is different.

Answering service plans cover a large spectrum, from small businesses to multinational corporations. So, you have the ability to choose a plan that’s in your sweet spot of call volume and needs.

The five plans outlined below are the standard or after hours answering service pricing plans for in 2025. But keep in mind that every call center is different. This is simply a general breakdown to help you determine how much you may spend based on what we and our competitors charge.

100-minute plan

This plan is typically priced at a monthly rate, in addition to supplemental fees for extra services or minutes used. Cost ranges between $135 and $250/month, plus additional charges.

250-minute plan

This plan also is typically priced at a monthly rate with additional supplemental fees but is cheaper on a per-minute basis. It tends to be the most popular plan in terms of average usage. Cost ranges between $330 and $525/month, plus additional charges.

500-minute plan

The best value plan for companies with around 250 calls, this kind of plan can vary greatly in cost due to the many additional services you may want for your business. Cost ranges between $495 – $925/month, plus additional charges.

1000-minute plan

For companies with a large volume of calls - around 500. This plan would be a good starting point and varies in cost due to additional services necessary for a business this size. Cost ranges between $950 – $1,595/month, plus additional charges.

2500-minute plan

The best value plan for a company with a large influx of calls. If you know you receive around 1,200 calls a month, this plan is right for your business. Cost ranges from $2,945/month, plus additional charges.

That may be a lot of numbers for you to take in. Now that you know what answering services cost, it’s time you know why it costs the way it does.

3. What Affects the Cost of Answering Services?

Here, we’re going to look into what drives the cost of these services. From what raises them, lowers them, and any hidden charges you might not have heard of.

What Increases An Answering Service’s Cost?

As mentioned in the previous section, there are a few supplemental services that you may want for your business.

Here are a few examples of what additional services your answering service might offer:

• Secure text messaging (HIPAA compliant message delivery)
• Appointment scheduling and registering inbound leads
• CRM integration
• Enhanced call reporting

While they come with added cost, the question you should be asking is “will this feature add great value?”. If it’s a no, you can forgo it. If it becomes a need later on, you can always add it to your answering service plan to keep your costs low.

What Lowers An Answering Service’s Cost?

If cost is a concern, you should know that there are a few ways to lower the cost of your service. Service plans tend to come with a few bells and whistles, some of which we listed above. But, if you would want to lower the cost of your answering service, you should look into getting a voicemail prescreen, keeping your data updated, and matching your customer’s caller ID.

What Hidden Fees Do Call Centers Have?

Some call centers' charge is known as the “13th Invoice.” Their billing cycles are four weeks long, even though several months last longer than 28 days. If your answering service partner bills this way, you should expect to receive 13 invoices in a year. And, some call centers charge an additional fee for answering calls over the holidays. Make sure you review your call center’s pricing page, to ensure whether they’ll charge a holiday fee.

4. Which Answering Service Pricing Plan is Best for Your Business?

Like we said above, there isn’t a one-size fits all pricing plan. Pricing plans vary, some offer different features, and most importantly, not all of them provide the same level of service. This can make it a little harder when deciding what’s best for your business moving forward.

You might be thinking “Which answering service is right for me?” or “How do I select an answering service?”

You may also be asking yourself “What else should I know about answering services before I get one?”

Make sure you can find a plan that fits the needs of your business and delivers the best value for the money.

To learn more about Ambs Call Center’s answering service prices, you could request a quote from us today! We'd love to help you figure out which answering service plan is right for you. Even if you won't be doing business with us, we like to sleep at night knowing your business has the best solution for it. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Answering Service Costs

How much does it cost to hire an answering service?

Typically, monthly costs range between $150 to $400, varying with features and usage volume.

What's the answering service cost per month for small businesses?

Small businesses typically pay $150-$250/month, depending on features selected.

Is there a low-cost answering service available?

Yes, affordable answering services start at approximately $175/month for basic packages.

What affects answering service costs the most?

Additional features such as CRM integrations, HIPAA compliance, and appointment scheduling can significantly increase costs.