Van Tech vs Smith.ai
AI receptionist at flat pricing vs human receptionists at per-call pricing.
Smith.ai provides live human receptionists who answer your calls, screen leads, and book appointments. Van Tech provides an AI receptionist that does the same thing with voice AI. The key difference is pricing: Smith.ai charges per call ($2.50-$4.25 per call), while Van Tech charges a flat $649/month regardless of call volume. For businesses that get 200+ calls per month, Van Tech is dramatically cheaper.
Van Tech Strengths
- Flat $649/month — no per-call charges
- Answers instantly, 24/7 — no hold times
- Industry-specific knowledge (plumbing, HVAC, electrical terms)
- Self-serve setup in 15 minutes
- Unlimited calls included
Smith.ai Strengths
- Human receptionists (some callers prefer humans)
- Legal intake specialization
- Live chat answering
- Outbound calling services
- Established brand with years of track record
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Van Tech if:
Home service businesses with high call volume that need 24/7 answering at a predictable flat cost
Choose Smith.ai if:
Law firms, medical offices, and businesses that specifically need human receptionists for complex conversations
Pricing
Van Tech: $649/month for unlimited calls. Smith.ai: $97.50/month for 30 calls, $390/month for 120 calls, $1,050/month for 300 calls. At 200+ calls, Van Tech saves $400+ per month.