Nucleus vs Smith.ai: which receptionist fits your business?
Which is right for you?
Choose Nucleus if you want to sign up yourself, get a Canadian or US number in minutes and start on a free plan. Choose Smith.ai if you want trained human receptionists available behind the AI, plus a long list of CRM, scheduling and payment integrations. Smith.ai does not mention Canadian numbers on the pages we read, and Nucleus offers them.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Nucleus | Smith.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Answers calls 24/7 | Yes | Yes |
| Human receptionists available | Not offered on the self-serve plans | Yes, North America-based receptionists as a per-call add-on |
| Pricing model | Free plan, then a flat monthly plan | Monthly fee for a set number of calls, plus per-call overage and add-ons |
| Free plan or trial | Free plan, no credit card required | No free trial listed; 30-day money-back guarantee for new clients |
| Canadian phone number | Yes, new US or Canadian number | Not mentioned |
| Keep your existing number | Yes, on the paid plan | Yes, number porting at no charge |
| Call transfer to your team | Yes, to US or Canadian numbers (some limitations apply) | Yes, warm transfer; free transfer destinations depend on the plan |
| Call recording and transcripts | On the paid plan | Listed as a per-call add-on on its pricing page; its AI receptionist page says every call is recorded |
| Languages | Not stated | English and Spanish |
| Integrations | Not on the self-serve plans | CRM, scheduling and payment tools, including HubSpot, Salesforce, Clio, Calendly and Zapier |
| Contract | No long-term contracts | Month-to-month |
| SOC 2 / HIPAA | In progress, targeted for the end of 2027 | Not stated |
Nucleus is the better fit when
- You want to try it for free and set it up yourself, with no app or hardware.
- You want a new Canadian phone number, or to forward your existing one.
- You are a small team that needs call answering and message-taking, not a full intake process.
Smith.ai is the better fit when
- You want real people available to take over a call.
- You need integrations with practice-management, payment or scheduling tools.
- You want a Spanish-language option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nucleus cheaper than Smith.ai?
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The plans are built differently, so compare them on your own call volume. Nucleus has a free plan and a flat monthly paid plan. Smith.ai charges a monthly fee for a set number of calls, then per-call overage and add-ons. Check both pricing pages.
Do Smith.ai and Nucleus have human receptionists?
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Smith.ai does: its site describes North America-based receptionists available as a per-call add-on. Nucleus's self-serve plans are AI-only.
Can I use a Canadian phone number?
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With Nucleus, yes. The free plan includes a new US or Canadian number. Smith.ai's pricing and AI receptionist pages refer to a local or toll-free number and do not mention Canada. Ask Smith.ai directly.
Can I keep my existing business number?
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Yes, with both. Nucleus lets you bring your existing number on the Premium plan. Smith.ai's pricing page offers number porting at no charge.
Can I try Nucleus without a credit card?
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Yes. The Nucleus free plan does not need a credit card.
Competitor details were read from their own websites in October 2026 and may have changed since.
See also: Nucleus pricing · Nucleus vs Rosie · Nucleus vs Goodcall