Virtual receptionist pricing comes in three models: per minute, per call, or per hour. Per-minute plans look cheap but add up fast with steady call volume. At MyRemoteVA a dedicated receptionist is $899 a month for 160 hours, or $5.62 an hour.
Virtual receptionist pricing is confusing on purpose. Some plans charge by the minute. Some charge by the call. Some charge by the hour. Searches for "virtual receptionist cost" and "cheap virtual receptionist" are rising, because small businesses are trying to compare these models side by side.
The right model depends on how many calls you get, not on the headline price.
How virtual receptionist pricing models work
A virtual receptionist answering service usually bills per minute of talk time. That is fine for a few calls a week. Once calls come in every day, the minutes stack up. Per-call plans are similar, and harder to budget. Hourly or monthly plans cost the same no matter how busy the phones get.
Virtual receptionist cost at MyRemoteVA
- Try it: $1 a month for 1 hour.
- Hourly blocks: from $33 for 3 hours.
- Pay-as-you-go: $12 an hour, hours never expire.
- Part-time dedicated: $500 a month for 80 hours.
- Full-time dedicated: $899 a month for 160 hours, or $5.62 an hour.
The same person also books appointments and follows up on leads, so you are not paying twice for reception and appointment setting.
Virtual receptionist for small business: which plan fits?
Count your calls for one week. Under 20 calls? Start with an hourly block. Calls every hour of the day? A dedicated receptionist on a flat rate will usually cost less per call.
Is a cheap virtual receptionist worth it?
A cheap virtual receptionist is only cheap if callers stay happy. A rushed operator reading a script to a stranger can cost you the client. A dedicated person who learns your business sounds like part of your team.
Stop paying by the minute. See the virtual receptionist service or start for $1.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a virtual receptionist cost?
It depends on the pricing model. At MyRemoteVA a full-time dedicated receptionist is $899 a month, part-time is $500, and hourly blocks start at $33 for 3 hours.
Is per-minute or hourly pricing cheaper?
Per-minute is cheaper for a handful of calls a week. Once calls come in every day, a flat hourly or monthly rate usually costs less.
What is the cheapest virtual receptionist option?
For low volume, a small hourly block. For steady volume, a dedicated receptionist on a flat monthly rate is usually the cheapest per call.
What is doing this yourself costing you?
Doing it yourself: $2,165 a month of your time.
The same hours at our $12/hr pay-as-you-go rate: $520. Dedicated plans start at $5.62/hr.
Simple maths from the numbers you enter. It assumes a VA can take on those hours.
Start for $1Written by the MyRemoteVA team. Search-trend figures come from Google Trends. Prices shown are our current plans. Last updated September 29, 2026. Questions or corrections? Contact us.
Reception & Appointment Setting
A virtual receptionist and appointment setter to answer calls, book meetings, qualify leads and follow up, in your business hours.
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