Last updated: March 2026. Pricing and features verified against ruby.com and thecalltaker.com.
The Call Taker and Ruby Receptionists both answer calls for small businesses, but they take completely different approaches. Ruby uses human receptionists based in Portland, Oregon who take messages and relay them to you. The Call Taker uses an AI receptionist named GIDEON that answers in under 2 seconds and books appointments live on the call. Here is how they compare on pricing, features, and speed.
| Plan | The Call Taker | Ruby Receptionists |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | $97/month (After-Hours) | $235/month (50 calls) |
| Mid plan | $497/month (24/7 Starter) | $415/month (100 calls) |
| High plan | $997/month (Pro) | $680/month (200 calls) |
| Per-call charges | None. Unlimited calls. | $4.75 per call over plan limit |
| Free trial | 14 days, no credit card | No free trial |
| Contract | No contract. Cancel anytime. | Month to month |
Ruby charges per call, which means your bill goes up as your business grows. A plumbing company receiving 150 calls per month would pay $680 on Ruby's 200 call plan. That same company pays $97 on The Call Taker's After-Hours plan or $497 for full 24/7 coverage with unlimited calls.
| Feature | The Call Taker | Ruby Receptionists |
|---|---|---|
| Answer speed | Under 2 seconds | 10 to 20 seconds (human routing) |
| Availability | 24/7/365 | 24/7 (staffing dependent) |
| Appointment booking | Books live on the call | No appointment booking |
| What callers get | Confirmed appointment before hanging up | Message taken for callback |
| Lead qualification | Asks intake questions on the call | Basic message taking |
| Texts you details | Instant SMS after every call | App notification + email |
| Industries trained for | 17 industries with custom prompts | General receptionist (not industry-specific) |
| CRM integration | GoHighLevel native | Zapier, Clio, Grasshopper |
| Bilingual | Not yet | English and Spanish |
| Human voice | AI voice (natural sounding) | Real human receptionists |
The Call Taker answers faster, costs less, and books appointments live instead of just taking messages. Ruby is the better choice if having a human voice on every call matters more than speed and cost. For service businesses that need appointments booked on the spot and want unlimited calls without per-call fees, The Call Taker is the stronger option at a fraction of the price.
The Call Taker starts at $97 per month with unlimited calls on every plan. Ruby starts at $235 per month for 50 calls, with additional calls charged at $4.75 each. A business receiving 100 calls per month would pay $97 with The Call Taker and $415 with Ruby.
No. Ruby takes messages and relays them to you through their app or email. You then have to call the customer back to schedule the appointment. The Call Taker books appointments directly into your calendar while the customer is still on the phone.
The Call Taker answers every call in under 2 seconds. There is no hold time, no queue, and no routing delay. Ruby routes calls to available human receptionists, which typically takes 10 to 20 seconds. During busy periods, wait times can be longer.
Yes. The Call Taker serves 17 industries with AI receptionists trained specifically for each one. GIDEON knows HVAC terminology, plumbing emergency types, locksmith scenarios, dental scheduling, and more. Ruby uses general receptionists who handle every industry the same way.
The Call Taker offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. You forward your calls and see real results before paying anything. Ruby does not offer a free trial.
For service businesses that want appointments booked on the call and unlimited calls without per-call fees, The Call Taker is the best Ruby alternative. It costs $97 per month compared to Ruby's $235 starting price, answers in under 2 seconds, and books appointments automatically. The only reason to choose Ruby is if you specifically need a human voice on every call.
Hear GIDEON answer for your business. Takes 30 seconds.
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