Alternatives / Moneypenny
Moneypenny is the best-known UK answering company, with human receptionists and, more recently, an AI Receptionist. It does not publish receptionist prices on its website; you ask for a quote. Its AI Receptionist is listed "from £25 a month".
Prices checked on moneypenny.com on 11 September 2026. Always confirm current prices with each provider.
The short answer
Choose Moneypenny if you want a dedicated human team, call transfers to staff and a large, established provider, and you are happy to get a quote. Choose While You Work if you are a sole trader who wants every missed call answered and the job texted to you for one published, flat price.
Side by side
| Moneypenny | While You Work | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Quote on request for human receptionists. AI Receptionist from £25 a month | £49 a month including VAT (founding members, locked for as long as you stay) |
| How you pay | Set by quote | Flat monthly, no per-call or per-minute charges |
| Who answers | Human receptionists, or the AI Receptionist | AI receptionist with a separate script and set-up form for each trade |
| Hours | Check your quote | 24 hours a day, 365 days a year |
| Trial | Free trial offered, details on request | First week free once your line is live, full refund if you cancel in that week |
| Contract | Check your quote | None, cancel any time |
| After the call | Messages and call transfers, depending on the service | Text to you with name, number, postcode and the job, plus a confirmation text to the caller |
| Type of service | Human receptionists, plus an AI Receptionist product | AI receptionist |
| Available | Now | Taking founding members now. Lines go live for each trade by 31 October 2026, or a full refund |
Switching
Look at your current provider’s terms for any notice period or unused credit.
A short form for your trade: hours, area, services and what callers should be told.
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
Moneypenny does not publish its receptionist prices; you request a quote. Its AI Receptionist is listed from £25 a month on its website. While You Work is £49 a month including VAT for founding members, published and flat.
Moneypenny serves businesses of every size. Sole traders who mainly need missed calls answered and the details passed on often want a simpler, flat-priced service, which is what While You Work is built for.
Yes. Point your divert-on-no-answer at your While You Work number instead of Moneypenny’s, check your notice period with Moneypenny, and your callers keep ringing the same number.
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. Choose Moneypenny if you want a dedicated human team, call transfers to staff and a large, established provider, and you are happy to get a quote. Choose While You Work if you are a sole trader who wants every missed call answered and the job texted to you for one published, flat price.
Sources, checked 11 September 2026: Moneypenny virtual receptionist service, Moneypenny AI Receptionist. Moneypenny is a trademark of its owner. While You Work is not connected with Moneypenny.
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.