DeskAgent vs Smith.ai
Choose Smith.ai if you are a North American business and want the option of live receptionists behind the AI. Choose DeskAgent if you are a UK service business and want pounds-sterling pricing, UK GDPR data handling and one agent across phone, WhatsApp, web chat and email.
Last updated 27/10/2026 · Smith.ai facts taken from its own website on 27 October 2026 · Written by DeskAgent
How Do DeskAgent And Smith.ai Compare?
Smith.ai offers AI-first and human virtual receptionists, aimed at North American law firms and small businesses. Here is how it lines up with DeskAgent, a London-built AI front desk for UK service businesses.
| DeskAgent | Smith.ai AI Receptionist | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From £85/month per agent. Phone Agent £125/month; Full DeskAgent (all four agents plus HQ) £285/month | Free plan ($0/month); Pro $150/month; Enterprise $500/month |
| What the price covers | Phone Agent: unlimited inbound calls. Web Agent: unlimited conversations on one website | Free: 25 calls a month, then $3.00 per call. Pro: 75 calls |
| Channels | Phone, WhatsApp, web chat and email, sharing one brain | Phone (SMS booking confirmations mentioned) |
| AI or human answering | AI, with urgent jobs routed to your mobile; always honest that it is an AI if asked | AI first, with transfers to North America-based live receptionists |
| Setup | Done for you: Web and Inbox under a week, Phone and WhatsApp under two weeks | Self-serve on Free; dedicated onboarding on Pro; full-service on Enterprise |
| Your phone number | Keep your existing number (call forwarding) | UK numbers not published |
| Contract | None - pause or cancel anytime | Month to month, with 30 days' notice to cancel |
| Free trial | No - a free 30-minute demo with an agent built for your business | An ongoing free plan (25 calls a month) |
| Yes - the WhatsApp Agent, and you run everything from WhatsApp with DeskAgent HQ | Not published | |
| Data protection | Processed in line with UK GDPR; data processing agreement on request | UK GDPR and data residency not published |
| Best for | UK service businesses that want every channel answered and set up for them | North American law firms and small businesses |
"Not published" means we could not find it on Smith.ai's own website on 27 October 2026. Prices change, so check with Smith.ai before you decide.
What Is Different?
UK focus
DeskAgent is built in London for UK service businesses and priced in pounds. Smith.ai does not publish UK coverage.
Human backup
Smith.ai can pass calls to North America-based receptionists. DeskAgent routes urgent jobs straight to you.
Channels
DeskAgent also answers WhatsApp, website chat and email.
DeskAgent vs Smith.ai: Your Questions.
Does Smith.ai work for UK businesses?
Smith.ai does not publish UK coverage or UK numbers (checked 27 October 2026), and its live receptionists are North America-based. DeskAgent is built for UK service businesses.
Which has a free option?
Smith.ai has a free plan with 25 calls a month. DeskAgent offers a free demo built on your business rather than a free plan.
Is there a contract?
Smith.ai is month to month with 30 days' notice. DeskAgent has no contract - pause or cancel anytime.
Where Do These Facts Come From?
Smith.ai information comes from these pages on its own website, checked on 27 October 2026. DeskAgent information comes from our pricing page.
See DeskAgent On Your Own Calls.
Book a free 30-minute demo and we will build a demo agent for your business first. Or ring +44 20 7101 0617 to hear the Phone Agent answer.
Also see: All comparisons · Best AI receptionists in London · Phone Agent · Pricing