Explore top phone answering services that provide professional, 24/7 call handling, appointment scheduling, and customer support to help businesses enhance responsiveness and improve client satisfaction. Check out leading US-based phone answering services that specialize in delivering reliable, personalized support tailored to domestic markets.

Organic rankings are determined by five factors: top services, reviews, portfolio, awards/press, and team expertise. Sponsored listings pay for a placement that appears above organic positions. Sponsorship does not affect star ratings or review content - read more on our methodology page.

Government × Under $1,000 ×
  • 24/7 Live Answering, Virtual Receptionist & Call Center Solutions

    AnswerFirst helps businesses stay connected with real, helpful people answering every call day or night. No bots. No scripts. Just trained Customer Service Professionals who know how to support your customers when it matters most...

    Top Services:

    • Phone Answering Services
    • Call Centers
    • Customer Support
    Location
    Tampa, Florida
    Number of Employees
    100 - 249
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000

    AnswerFirst Communications Services

    • Phone Answering Services
    • Call Centers
    • Customer Support
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • AAMCO
    • ABM
    • AFC Urgent Care
    • AFLAC
    • Bauer Food, LLC (Operates McDonald's)
    • Berkshire Hathaway
    • Brookhaven National Lab
    • Coldwell Banker
    • Century 21
    • Cushman and Wakefield
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    AnswerFirst Communications Reviews & Testimonials

    • LinMo
      LinMo Review from Google
      5.0★

      LinMo's Review Sourced from Google

      Porting my phone number over to Answer First was ver easy and simple. Allison was quick to find answers to my concerns and walked me through the process efficiently. I am really happy with my experience.

    • Justine Karren
      Justine Karren Review from Google
      5.0★

      Justine Karren's Review Sourced from Google

      Recently signed up with AnswerFirst and couldn't be happier! We've also received nothing but positive feedback from our clients. We also contacted support for the first time and our request was completed within a half-an-hour of creating the ticket.

    • Karen Mason
      Karen Mason Review from Google
      1.0★

      Karen Mason's Review Sourced from Google

      Extremely disappointed. After assuring me that they could pre-qualify callers, they decided that they really couldn't do that and re-wrote the scripts in such a way that I might as well use AI or even a simple voice activated call routing system. They declined even the simplest request: I wanted them to add callbacks to the first available time slot on my schedule -- NOT to schedule the callback time with the client, just to put the message on MY calendar so I would have time carved out to return the call. For some reason that was too hard for them. They did, however, send me messages that were supposedly for me, even though I had never forwarded my lines to them.The response below says they couldn't schedule a callback without the callers permission, which only proves my point that they didn't listen so they didn't get it: all I wanted them to do was add the message to call back to my calendar rather than just taking a message. How is that doing anything without the caller's consent? It was just meant to block time in MY day. Nothing more.If you couldn't qualify callers in your environment, you should have said so when I asked.

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
  • Award Winning Quality Driven

    For over 60 years, Answer United has been a trusted leader in the answering services industry, providing call center and live telephone answering services to businesses of all sizes. We offer 24/7 support to ensure seamless customer interactions that help businesses grow while keeping costs down...

    Top Services:

    • Phone Answering Services
    • Call Centers
    • Customer Support
    • Staff Augmentation
    • Show more
    Location
    Kalamazoo, Michigan
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000

    Answer United Services

    • Phone Answering Services
    • Call Centers
    • Customer Support
    • Staff Augmentation
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Food and Beverage Industry
    • Energy & Mining Industry
    • Health Care Industry
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    Answer United Reviews & Testimonials

    • Jackie B
      Jackie B Review from Google
      1.0★

      Jackie B's Review Sourced from Google

      Extremely disappointing experience with Answer United. We signed up expecting a professional answering service that would follow our script, properly represent our company, and provide transcripts/recordings of calls as promised. None of that happened.Within the first weekend of service, we lost multiple jobs due to calls being handled poorly and the script not being followed. The representatives often sounded unfamiliar with our business and procedures, which reflected badly on our company.When we requested transcripts and recordings, we were told would be available; they were never provided. Customer service was also very frustrating to deal with. When I asked for a refund because the service was not delivered as agreed, I was told they had already invested time setting up the account and script. We invested employee time into that process as well, only for the agreed-upon procedures to be ignored.After bringing up these issues, communication largely stopped, and calls/emails went unanswered. Based on our experience, I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere if you want an answering service that will professionally represent your business.

    • Deep R
      Deep R Review from Google
      3.0★

      Deep R's Review Sourced from Google

      I used their service for a little over a year. They are very good at taking calls and usually answer them promptly. They would then pass on the message via email, though often some things in the message didn't make it across. However, if that was all I needed, then an answering machine would have been enough, I hired them as a virtual receptionist and to make appointments. Ultimately I left their service because, after more than a year they seemed to know very little about my business, they routinely had trouble answering callers' basic questions about the business. They often bungled appointment taking and I felt they were costing me business.I worked with them multiple times to change the script but still to no avail, they just didn't do a very good job as a VR.I think using them as a message-taking service is fine but would not expect anything more of them.

    • Mairreaner Johnson
      Mairreaner Johnson Review from Google
      5.0★

      Mairreaner Johnson's Review Sourced from Google

      One of the most best call centers ever!!!! Thank you for being so nice and yet professional! I really loved working there and can’t wait to go back

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
  • Effortlessly Accurate, Every Time

    Instant Solution is a top BPO company in Bangladesh, offering world-class call center, data management, and business support services globally. With expertise in data processing, customer support, healthcare BPO, and e-commerce, we ensure secure, accurate, and efficient solutions. Operating in Bangladesh and...

    Top Services:

    • BPO
    • Business Consulting
    • Call Centers
    • Phone Answering Services
    • Customer Support
    • Show more
    Location
    Dhaka, Bangladesh
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $8/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
    Portfolios Count
    1 Project Listed

    Instant Solution Services

    • BPO
    • Business Consulting
    • Call Centers
    • Phone Answering Services
    • Customer Support
    • Transcription Services
    • Translation Services
    • Market Research
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Health Care Industry
    • Dental Industry
    • Corporate Services Industry
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
  • Empowering Growth with Expert Contact Center & Digital Solutions Tailored to Your Needs

    Magellan Solutions USA delivers expert contact center and digital marketing services tailored to your business needs. From inbound and outbound support to live chat, telemarketing, and SEO, we help businesses enhance customer engagement and drive growth. As a small, minority-owned business with diverse...

    Top Services:

    • Call Centers
    • Phone Answering Services
    • BPO
    • Customer Support
    • Show more
    Location
    Melbourne FL, Florida
    Number of Employees
    100 - 249
    Average Hourly Rate
    $29/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000

    Magellan Solutions USA Services

    • Call Centers
    • Phone Answering Services
    • BPO
    • Customer Support
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • US Department of Veterans Affairs
    • US Department of Treasury
    • North Texas Tolling Authority
    • San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
    • Service One of Brevard
    • TMS Insurance Brokerage
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    Magellan Solutions USA Reviews & Testimonials

    • Alex Lavarsse
      Alex Lavarsse Review from Google
      5.0★

      Alex Lavarsse's Review Sourced from Google

      super attentive, helped me a lot when I needed it most, I highly recommend it, excellent professional, I would give 1000 stars

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
  • When You Succeed, We Succeed

    IT Advisors Online (ITAdOn) is a growing team of technology experts who are passionate about helping companies like yours boost their effectiveness. Join ITAdOn today and grow your business. When you succeed, we succeed!...

    Top Services:

    • IT Services
    • Managed Services
    • HR Outsourcing
    • UI/UX Design
    • IT Compliance Solution
    • Show more
    Location
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $10/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
    Portfolios Count
    1 Project Listed

    ITAdOn IT Solutions Services

    • IT Services
    • Managed Services
    • HR Outsourcing
    • UI/UX Design
    • IT Compliance Solution
    • Cybersecurity
    • Cloud Consulting
    • Phone Answering Services
    • Staff Augmentation
    • CRM Consulting
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • AI Industry
    • HR Industry
    • Hardware & Networking Industry
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    ITAdOn IT Solutions Reviews & Testimonials

    • Riel
      Riel Review from Google
      5.0★

      Riel's Review Sourced from Google

      I've had my ups and downs hiring various IT professionals to assist in our tech operations. A trusted friend recommended this firm, and since then, I haven't looked back. Dealing with ITAdOn has been delightful; they have been our most reliable partner so far, and no provider I've ever hired has come close in terms of responsiveness, accountability, and professionalism.I've achieved great results with them, receiving fantastic IT support and meeting our recruiting needs. Huge thanks to the ITAdOn team for helping us scale our business.

    • Donald Romeo
      Donald Romeo Review from Google
      5.0★

      Donald Romeo's Review Sourced from Google

      I have been very satisfied with the IT Support we have received from ITAdOn. ITAdOn has helped us build a secure IT infrastructure that gives us peace of mind (especially where there are a lot of cybersecurity and ransomware risks nowadays). Every staff member is very competent, responsive, and easy to work with. They treat us like their own and do whatever it takes to properly get the job done. The team members at ITAdOn are truly the professionals you want on your team helping you out when your technology snags an issue. Knowing I can rely on them, they are our go-to IT support company here in Philadelphia! I highly recommend them.

    • Cameron Anchondo
      Cameron Anchondo Review from Google
      5.0★

      Cameron Anchondo's Review Sourced from Google

      ITAdOn has been managing our IT infrastructure for the last few months and we couldn’t be happier. The technical support team is very responsive and extremely knowledgeable. I feel great that our network, server, and our workstations are up to date and running smoothly. They recently upgraded our workstations to Windows 11 which was effortless on our end and everything is working seamlessly. Very happy with their service.

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
  • Empower Your Business With AI Solutions

    Cognexa is an AI automation agency helping businesses work smarter through intelligent workflows, AI powered agents, and cutting-edge web solutions. From voice and WhatsApp AI agents to custom CRMs, lead generation, and social media automation we build the systems that let your business run itself...

    Top Services:

    • AI Development
    • Software Development
    • Phone Answering Services
    • Web Development
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Show more
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $50/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000

    Cognexa AI Services

    • AI Development
    • Software Development
    • Phone Answering Services
    • Web Development
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Mobile App Development
    • Business Consulting
    • Advertising
    • Digital Marketing
    • Digital Strategy
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Nike
    • Prada
    • Jeep
    • Mercedes
    • Porsche
    • Burger King
    • KFC
    • Klook
    • Maestro
    • Woolworths
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
  • The first and only Filipino-owned talent & revenue execution firm.

    TRACTIONCORE is the first and only Filipino-owned talent and revenue execution firm. We dont just rent seats; we deliver outcome-driven systems. Backed by a decade of experience, we build, vet, and manage high-performing global teams powered by human-AI synergy. From fractional experts to fully built...

    Top Services:

    • BPO
    • AI Development
    • HR Outsourcing
    • Accounting
    • Software Development
    • Show more
    Location
    Quezon City, Philippines
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $5/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000

    TRACTIONCORE Services

    • BPO
    • AI Development
    • HR Outsourcing
    • Accounting
    • Software Development
    • Phone Answering Services
    • IT Services
    • Blockchain
    • Customer Support
    • Managed Services
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • RE/MAX
    • Lionbridge
    • Meta
    • Digital Cloud
    • Google
    • Appen
    • Asmara
    • Baker Consulting
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

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Phone Answering Services FAQs

What are phone answering services?

Phone answering services are third-party companies that handle incoming calls for businesses. Instead of letting calls go to voicemail or pulling staff away from their work, these services provide trained professionals who answer on behalf of the business, take messages, transfer calls, or provide basic information. 

How do professional answering services help businesses improve customer communication?

Professional answering services improve customer communication by making sure every call is answered quickly and professionally. This reduces wait times, prevents missed opportunities, and ensures customers always reach a real person instead of voicemail. For many businesses, this consistency builds trust and improves overall customer satisfaction.

Which types of businesses benefit most from using phone answering services?

Businesses that benefit the most from using phone answering services include: 

  • Small businesses and startups gain professional call handling without hiring full-time staff 
  • Medical, legal, and service providers ensure clients always reach someone for urgent or time-sensitive needs 
  • E-commerce and customer support teams manage high call volumes and improve response times 

What are the top-rated phone answering service providers on DesignRush in 2025?

The top-rated phone answering service providers on DesignRush in 2025 are: 

  1. AnswerConnect  
  2. Hugo 
  3. Moneypenny USA 
  4. Endicott  
  5. Face For Business  
  6. Nexa  
  7. Answering Service Care, LLC 
  8. AnswerFirst Communications 
  9. Smith.ai  
  10. Westpark Communications  

What core and specialized services do phone answering companies provide?

Core services phone answering companies provide include: 

  • Live call answering 
  • Message taking and forwarding 
  • Call transfers and routing 
  • Appointment scheduling 
  • Basic customer support and FAQs 

Specialized services: 

  • Order processing and payment handling 
  • Bilingual or multilingual support 
  • After-hours and 24/7 coverage 
  • Industry-specific scripts (e.g., medical intake, legal intake) 
  • CRM and software integrations for seamless data management 

How much do phone answering services cost in 2025?

In 2025, phone answering services typically cost between $0.80 and $1.17 per minute, which equals about $20 to $45 per hour. Pricing depends on how calls are billed; some providers charge by the minute, some charge a flat fee per call, and others use a monthly subscription that includes a set number of minutes with extra charges for overages. 

The final price also varies by factors like call volume, call duration, transfers, and how providers handle wrong numbers or spam calls. 

How quickly can a business see improvements after adopting phone answering services?

Most businesses see improvements almost immediately after adopting a phone answering service. Calls stop going to voicemail, customers reach a live person faster, and staff get clear, timely messages. This shift alone can raise customer satisfaction from day one. 

Over a few weeks, the benefits compound: fewer missed leads, smoother appointment scheduling, and better responsiveness to urgent issues. For companies with high call volumes, the difference in efficiency and professionalism is often visible within the first month. 

What should you look for when choosing a phone answering service provider?

When choosing a phone answering service provider, look for: 

  • 24/7 availability and quick response times 
  • Professional, well-trained agents who represent your brand 
  • Transparent pricing and clear call reporting 
  • Flexible plans that match your call volume and budget 
  • Extra features like bilingual support, CRM integration, or industry-specific scripts 
  • Strong reviews and proven track record with businesses like yours 

What red flags suggest a phone answering service may not be reliable?

Red flags that suggest a phone answering service may not be reliable are: 

  • Long hold times or frequent missed calls during testing 
  • Vague or hidden pricing without clear breakdowns 
  • Poor communication or unprofessional behavior from agents 
  • Lack of transparency in call reports or performance data 
  • No references, reviews, or proven track record 
  • Limited availability, such as no after-hours or weekend coverage

What key questions should you ask before hiring a phone answering company?

Key questions you should ask before hiring a phone answering company include: 

  • What pricing model do you use (per minute, per call, or monthly)? 
  • How do you handle after-hours, weekends, and holidays? 
  • Can your agents follow customized scripts for my industry? 
  • Do you offer bilingual or multilingual support? 
  • Which CRMs or tools can you integrate with? 
  • How do you report on call activity and service performance? 

How do professional answering services differ from in-house receptionists or call software?

An in-house receptionist works only during business hours and requires a salary, benefits, and training. Software solutions, while cheaper, usually rely on automated menus or voicemail, which can frustrate customers looking for a real person. 

Answering services combine the best of both: live human support without the overhead of full-time staff. They provide 24/7 coverage, industry-specific scripts, and multilingual options, which most small teams can’t manage alone. Unlike software, they add empathy and judgment to calls, and unlike a single receptionist, they scale with call volume.

Which tools, CRM integrations, and multilingual features do top phone answering services use?

Top phone answering services use: 

  • Tools: IVR systems, call recording, analytics dashboards, VoIP/softphones, helpdesk ticketing 
  • CRMs: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics 
  • Multilingual: Bilingual agents, multilingual call scripts, real-time language support 

 

 

How legitimate is the content in the FAQs?

We’re committed to providing practical and accurate information to both businesses and agencies, so we turned to Chike Agbai, founder and CEO of Azumo, a fast-growing software development company. He shared his perspective on what qualifications to look for when hiring a customer support partner. 

Chike Agbai spent nearly two decades as an investment banker on Wall Street, where he advised leading software companies such as Oracle, Salesforce, and Dell on high-stake transactions, before founding Azumo in 2016. Under his leadership, Azumo has grown into a multi-million-dollar business, creating software solutions for global brands like Meta, Discovery, and Zynga, as well as high-growth startups.