Question 1

How does the free trial work?

Accepted Answer

Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial that includes 100 AI talk minutes — enough for a real week of live calls. A card is required but nothing is charged until day 7, and you can cancel anytime before then. If you use all 100 trial minutes early, the AI pauses (calls forward to your fallback number) until the trial converts; your setup is untouched.

Question 2

How does overage billing work?

Accepted Answer

Each plan includes a monthly allowance of AI talk minutes (300, 500, 800, or 1,200 by tier). Past the allowance, service never pauses — extra minutes bill automatically at a flat rate ($0.29, $0.25, $0.22, or $0.20 per minute by tier) on your next invoice, and you're emailed at 80% and 100% of your allowance so it's never a surprise. SMS works the same way minus the bill: texts keep sending past your plan's SMS allowance and there's no per-message overage charge today — you get the same 80% and 100% alerts, and if heavy texting becomes your normal, a higher tier includes more.

Question 3

What counts as a minute?

Accepted Answer

Time the AI spends on a live call with a caller, rounded per call. Escalation rings to your team while the caller holds are part of the same call. SMS notifications draw from your plan's separate SMS allowance.

Question 4

Can I bring my existing business number?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Porting is handled with you by our support team and typically takes 1–2 weeks; your current service stays live during the switch, so nothing goes dark. You can also start in overflow mode — keep your number and forward only missed or after-hours calls — or pick a new local or toll-free number at signup.

Question 5

What happens if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Monthly plans are month to month with no contracts; annual plans give you 2 months free and run for the year. Cancel anytime and service runs to the end of the paid period. Your number is yours — port it out whenever you like, and you can export your recordings, transcripts, and configuration.

Question 6

How is this different from a human answering service?

Accepted Answer

Live services typically charge $135–450+ per month plus per-minute or per-call fees that spike 30–50% in storm or heat season — and most take a message rather than dispatching. CallsAround is a flat monthly price, answers every call instantly 24/7, and for real emergencies rings your on-call chain until an actual human accepts the call.

Plan	Monthly	Annual (2 months free)	AI minutes / mo	SMS / mo	Overage per extra minute
Starter	$79/mo	$790/yr ($66/mo)	300 included	50 included	$0.29/min flat
Receptionist	$149/mo	$1,490/yr ($124/mo)	500 included	100 included	$0.25/min flat
Dispatch	$229/mo	$2,290/yr ($191/mo)	800 included	250 included	$0.22/min flat
Dispatch+	$299/mo	$2,990/yr ($249/mo)	1200 included	500 included	$0.20/min flat

Option	Typical cost	After hours	Busy season	Emergencies
CallsAround	$79–299/mo flat	Included — 24/7 is the product	Flat overage per minute; no per-call fees	Escalation chains until a human answers
Human answering service	$135–450+/mo + per-minute or per-call fees	Usually a 25–50% premium	Bills spike 30–50% in storm/heat season	Takes a message; relays it
Office staff (one hire)	$35,000+/yr + benefits	One shift only — nights still uncovered	One person, one call at a time	Depends entirely on who picks up
Owner's cell (today)	"Free"	You are the night shift	Missed calls go to the next Google result	You, at 2 AM, every time

One line. One monthly price.

Starter

Receptionist

Dispatch

Dispatch+

Plans at a glance

What are missed calls costing you?

How this compares to a human answering service

Pricing questions