Alternatives / Jodie

Jodie or While You Work: which suits a sole trader?

Jodie is a UK AI receptionist for small businesses. Plans are £49, £99 and £199 a month plus VAT with unlimited minutes, a 7-day free trial with no card, no contract and an annual option with two months free. It has a mobile app and pages for dozens of industries.

Prices checked on heyjodie.com on 11 September 2026. Always confirm current prices with each provider.

The short answer

Jodie and While You Work are close. Choose Jodie if you want unlimited minutes, a mobile app or a free trial with no card today. Choose While You Work if you want £49 including VAT (Jodie’s £49 is £58.80 with VAT), a receptionist set up for your specific trade, and the founding price locked for as long as you stay.

Side by side

Jodie and While You Work compared

JodieWhile You Work
Price£49, £99 or £199 a month, plus VAT (£58.80, £118.80, £238.80 with VAT)£49 a month including VAT (founding members, locked for as long as you stay)
How you payFlat monthly, annual option with two months freeFlat monthly, no per-call or per-minute charges
Who answersAI receptionistAI receptionist with a separate script and set-up form for each trade
Hours24/724 hours a day, 365 days a year
Trial7-day free trial, no cardFirst week free once your line is live, full refund if you cancel in that week
ContractNone, cancel any timeNone, cancel any time
After the callSummary by text or email, mobile appText to you with name, number, postcode and the job, plus a confirmation text to the caller
Type of serviceAI receptionistAI receptionist
AvailableNowTaking founding members now. Lines go live for each trade by 31 October 2026, or a full refund

Choose Jodie if

  • You get a lot of calls and want unlimited minutes
  • You want a mobile app
  • You want to try it today without a card

Choose While You Work if

  • You want £49 including VAT, not plus VAT
  • You are a tradesperson or driving instructor and want a receptionist set up for your trade
  • You want the founding price locked for as long as you stay

Switching

How to switch in three steps

  1. Check your notice

    Look at your current provider’s terms for any notice period or unused credit.

  2. Tell us about your business

    A short form for your trade: hours, area, services and what callers should be told.

  3. Change your divert

    Point divert-on-no-answer at your While You Work number. Your callers keep ringing the same number.

Want the full picture on UK prices? Read how much a call answering service costs in the UK.

Questions

Jodie alternative FAQs

How much does Jodie cost?

Jodie’s UK plans are £49, £99 and £199 a month plus VAT, with unlimited minutes and a 7-day free trial. With VAT, the £49 plan is £58.80 a month.

What is the difference between Jodie and While You Work?

Both are UK AI receptionists at £49 a month. Jodie’s price is plus VAT and includes unlimited minutes and an app. While You Work’s £49 includes VAT, covers up to 150 answered calls, and each trade gets its own receptionist script and set-up form.

Can I try both?

Yes. Jodie offers a 7-day free trial. While You Work gives founding members their first week free once their line is live, with a full refund if they cancel in that week.

What is the best Jodie alternative for a sole trader?

It depends on how many calls you miss. For a sole trader who wants every missed call answered and the job texted to them for one flat price including VAT, While You Work is £49 a month for founding members. Jodie and While You Work are close. Choose Jodie if you want unlimited minutes, a mobile app or a free trial with no card today. Choose While You Work if you want £49 including VAT (Jodie’s £49 is £58.80 with VAT), a receptionist set up for your specific trade, and the founding price locked for as long as you stay.

Sources, checked 11 September 2026: Jodie UK pricing. Jodie is a trademark of its owner. While You Work is not connected with Jodie.

£49 a month including VAT, first week free

Founding price locked for as long as you stay. No contract. Lines go live for each trade by 31 October 2026, or a full refund.