Disclosure: this list is written by Froko, and Froko is ranked first. It is our own assessment, not an independent test. For every other company we only state what is on their own public pages (as of 11 October 2026). Where we write "not stated", it means we did not find that information on the page, not that it does not exist.
What we looked at
- Does it answer the phone live, and is it a person or AI?
- The listed entry price per month.
- Is there any EU data handling or GDPR information on the page?
- Which languages does it speak?
- Is it self-serve, or does it need a custom setup?
The ranking
| # | Option | Type | Listed entry price | EU / GDPR on the page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Froko (froko.eu) | AI, live phone answering, email, SMS, quotes, appointments; self-serve | €30/mo (Starter), €50 (Pro), €150 (Scale) + usage | Data stored in the EU; privacy policy on the site |
| 2 | Goodcall (USA) | AI phone assistant | $79/mo (up to 100 unique customers), $129, $299 | Not stated |
| 3 | Apex Web (Hungary) | AI receptionist and chatbot, custom setup | AI receptionist from HUF 39,900/mo, chatbot from HUF 24,900/mo | Stated: its own site says customer data is handled according to GDPR, main databases are configured in an EU region "where possible", and limited processing outside the EEA may occur with SCCs |
| 4 | Ruby (USA) | Live human receptionists, AI as an optional add-on | $250/mo (50 min), $395 (100 min), $720 (200 min) | Not stated (links to a DPA) |
| 5 | Smith.ai (USA) | Live human agents, AI and hybrid options | $300/mo (30 calls), $810 (90 calls), $2,100 (300 calls) | Not stated |
Prices are shown in different currencies on each site, so we did not convert them: exchange rates change and the plans are not identical. For Goodcall, Ruby and Smith.ai we reviewed the pricing page; other pages of theirs may contain data-handling information.
1. Froko
Froko is a digital assistant that answers your business phone live, speaks the caller's language, takes down the details, replies to emails and messages, drafts quotes and proposes appointments based on your real calendar. It says at the start of the call that it is an AI assistant, not a person, and for urgent matters or complaints it hands over to the owner instead of guessing. Data is stored in the EU. It is self-serve: set up in minutes, usage is paid from a prepaid balance, and when the balance runs out the add-ons pause.
Limits: we do not currently offer a live phone demo, the product is in early access, and it is not the right choice if you want live human receptionists.
2. Goodcall
US-based AI phone assistant. According to its pricing page, plans are based on unique customers per month rather than minutes, and every plan includes a local number or forwarding. We did not find supported languages or EU data handling on the pricing page. Source: goodcall.com/pricing.
3. Apex Web
A Hungarian provider building AI receptionists and chatbots with a custom setup for small businesses ("the exact package and setup is tailored to your needs"). Its site lists a live in-browser voice demo, a one-off free callback demo, and a 14-day paid trial whose fee is credited to the first monthly fee. It speaks Hungarian. Strengths: personal setup, ways to try it first, and a GDPR statement on the site. Source: apexweb.hu.
4. Ruby
Live human receptionists (US provider) on minute-based plans. Its pricing page describes AI as an optional add-on and lists Spanish and bilingual call handling. Source: ruby.com/pricing.
5. Smith.ai
US provider with live human agents ("real people", 24/7) on call-count plans; its page also links to AI-first and hybrid options. Source: smith.ai/pricing.
When Froko is not the right fit
- If you want live human receptionists only: Ruby or Smith.ai.
- If you want a personal custom setup and a website too, or to hear a phone demo before buying: Apex Web.
- If most of your calls are highly complex and need custom flows.
If you spot an inaccuracy here, write to hello@froko.eu and we will correct it.