Best AI Answering Services for Tradies in Australia (2026)
You're on a roof. Under a house. Up a ladder. Your phone rings. By the time you can safely answer, they've already called three other tradies — and booked the one who picked up first.
Some industry research suggests a large share of callers won't try again if they can't reach you the first time. For tradies, every missed call is a missed job. At $350–$800 per job, missing just 3 calls a week could add up to tens of thousands per year in lost revenue.
AI answering services solve this. They answer your phone 24/7, take messages, book jobs, and handle emergency calls — all while you're on the tools. But which one actually works for Aussie tradies?
Full disclosure: TransferToAI is our product. We believe it offers strong value for tradies, but we've included honest reviews of the other services listed.
We evaluated the top options using standardised trade business scenarios — emergency plumbing calls, after-hours electrical enquiries, quote requests, and appointment bookings. Here are the 10 that stood out for Australian tradies.
Methodology: We compared pricing, setup requirements, voice options, and integrations. We ran the same standardised call scenarios where trials or demos were available, and noted response time and voice quality. This article reflects what we could verify as at Feb 2026. Features and pricing may have changed since publication.
Quick Summary: Best AI Answering for Tradies
| Service | Best For | From (AUD/mo) | Setup Fee | Job Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TransferToAI | Best value + CRM | $99 | None | ServiceM8 |
| Reptri | Budget AU flat-rate | ~$200 | None | CRM included |
| LANA Software | Most integrations | $300–$600 | $1,000–$3,500 | SM8, Simpro, AroFlo, Ascora |
| Johnni AI | SM8 + Simpro + CRMs | ~$300+ | Not published | SM8, Simpro, HubSpot, Zoho |
| Get Fully Booked | ROI + automations | From $500 | Not published | SM8, SimPRO, AroFlo |
| TMC | Brand trust + human backup | $500 | None | Calendar, CRM |
| Sophiie.ai | All-in-one AU platform | ~$300 | ~$800 | CRM, Calendar, Zapier |
| Smith.ai | Human backup | ~$145 (50 calls) | None | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zapier |
| Rosie AI | Cheapest unlimited | ~$75 (unlimited) | None | Calendly, GCal, Zapier |
The Bottom Line for Tradies:
Based on published pricing as at Feb 2026, TransferToAI at $99/month with no setup fee is the lowest-priced Australian-built option on this list. The next cheapest AU option is Reptri at ~$200/month. Most other AU-built services start at $300–$500/month, often with setup fees of $400–$3,500. International options (Rosie, Smith.ai) are cheaper but lack Aussie accents and trade integrations.
Price & feature disclaimer: Prices shown are estimates in AUD based on published information and/or quotes collected as at Feb 2026, and may change. Where pricing is not publicly listed, we have noted estimates based on available information. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. We are not affiliated with the services listed unless stated.
Why Tradies Lose More From Missed Calls Than Any Other Business
You Can't Answer On The Tools
A sparkie up a ladder, a plumber under a house, a roofer on top of a building — you can't answer safely while working. That's 6-10 hours a day of missed calls.
Emergencies Don't Wait
A burst pipe at 2 AM. A power outage on Sunday arvo. An aircon failure during 40°C heat. Customers call everyone until someone answers first.
High-Value Jobs Walk
Emergency call-outs are your highest-margin jobs — $500-$2,000+ for after-hours plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work. Don't answer? That revenue goes to a competitor.
First-To-Answer Wins
In many cases, customers call multiple tradies and book the first one who answers. Not the cheapest. Not the most experienced. The first one to pick up.
This is why AI answering services are a game-changer for tradies. You get a virtual receptionist that answers every call instantly — even at 2 AM Saturday. For the full financial breakdown, see our article on how much missed calls really cost tradies.
What Tradies Actually Need
- 24/7 coverage — emergencies happen at 2 AM, not 9-5
- Australian accent — American robots kill trust instantly
- Emergency prioritisation — burst pipe gets different treatment than a quote request
- Job management integration — ServiceM8, Simpro, AroFlo create jobs automatically
- Instant SMS notifications — you see the summary immediately, call back between jobs
- Affordable pricing in AUD — tradies shouldn't pay $300+/month for a phone service
Detailed Reviews
TransferToAI
Best for: Tradies wanting the best value with a complete business platform
TransferToAI isn't just an AI that answers your phone — it's a complete business platform for tradies. You get a CRM dashboard to manage all your leads and clients, call analytics that classify every call and give you insights on your customer base, ServiceM8 integration for automatic job creation, and SMS summaries after every call.
The AI answers with a genuine Australian accent, understands trade terminology ("hot water system," "switchboard," "roof leak"), and knows that an emergency plumbing call at 2 AM deserves a different response than a quote request at lunchtime.
At $99/month with no setup fee, it's the lowest-priced Australian-built option on this list (as at Feb 2026). Other AU-built options range from ~$200/month (Reptri) to $500/month (TMC, Fully Booked), with many charging additional setup fees. TransferToAI also offers a 14-day self-serve free trial — no credit card, no demo call required.
Pricing (AUD):
- Starter: $99/month
- Pro: $299/month
- Setup fee: None
- Free trial: 14 days, no credit card required
Pros:
- Lowest-priced AU-built option on this list ($99 vs $200–$500+)
- Full CRM dashboard with client analytics and insights
- ServiceM8 integration — calls become jobs automatically
- Genuine Aussie accent, sub-second response
- 5-minute setup, no demo call needed, 14-day free trial
Cons:
- ServiceM8 integration only (Simpro/AroFlo coming soon)
- No human agent fallback (pure AI)
- Newer platform — less brand history than LANA or TMC
No credit card · No setup fee · Live in 5 minutes
LANA Software
Best for: Tradies wanting the most job management integrations
LANA has the widest integration list of any AI receptionist for tradies. It connects with ServiceM8, Simpro, and AroFlo, and includes a built-in CRM. The AI qualifies callers and creates job cards directly in your system. If you use multiple job platforms and need one AI to connect to all of them, LANA is the answer.
The trade-off? Price. LANA has three tiers: $300/month (calls + scheduling), $399/month (adds automatic job creation in Simpro/SM8/AroFlo/Ascora/OpenSolar), and $600/month (full CRM + AI suite with automations). Each plan has a significant setup fee for personalised AI training: $1,000, $1,500, or $3,500. Best for larger operations where the integration depth justifies the cost.
Pricing (AUD — published):
- AI Receptionist: $300/month (setup: $1,000)
- AI + Job Creation: $399/month (setup: $1,500)
- CRM + AI + JMS: $600/month (setup: $3,500)
Pros:
- ServiceM8 + Simpro + AroFlo + Ascora + OpenSolar
- Auto-creates jobs in your system
- Built-in CRM included
Cons:
- Expensive ($300–$600/mo + $1,000–$3,500 setup)
- No free trial — demo/consultation only
- No free trial
Johnni AI
Best for: Established tradies already using ServiceM8 or Simpro
Johnni AI targets Australian tradies and professionals specifically. Deep integrations with ServiceM8, Simpro, plus CRMs like HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho, and even Clio for lawyers. Johnni understands trade jargon, qualifies leads to your criteria, and books jobs directly in your system. Many users report callers "don't even realise it's AI."
Pricing is custom — Johnni emphasises being "the best, not the cheapest." Expected range is ~$300+/month. They offer a 7-day free trial (promoted on social media and their website). Best for established tradies with complex workflows who value tight job management integration.
Pricing (AUD estimated):
- Monthly: ~$300+/month (custom quotes)
- Setup fee: Not published — likely included
- Free trial: 7 days (promoted on social media)
Pros:
- Deep integrations: SM8, Simpro, HubSpot, Zoho, Clio
- Australian accent, trade jargon, industry customisation
- 7-day free trial available
Cons:
- No public pricing — custom quotes only
- Short 7-day trial (vs 14 days at TransferToAI)
- Best value with existing SM8/Simpro/CRM
Get Fully Booked
Best for: Tradies who want ROI-driven messaging and widest platform coverage
Get Fully Booked emphasises ROI and "lead leak" prevention — they claim missed calls can cost tradies thousands per month. They integrate with ServiceM8, SimPRO, and AroFlo, and include follow-up automations (requote reminders, Google review requests, SMS follow-ups). Pricing starts from $500 AUD/month all-inclusive. Setup takes about 2–4 weeks. No self-serve trial, but free demos available.
Pros:
- SM8, SimPRO, AroFlo + follow-up automations
- Strong ROI focus and "lead leak" assessment
Cons:
- $500/mo — 5x TransferToAI's price
- 2–4 week setup, no self-serve trial
Sophiie.ai
Best for: Service businesses wanting a well-known Australian brand
Sophiie.ai is one of the more established Australian AI receptionists, covering trades, medical, legal, and finance. It's a true "all-in-one" platform: calls, web chatbot, email/SMS, built-in CRM, and appointment management. Reports 67K+ calls handled and capacity for 10,000 simultaneous calls. At ~$300/month plus ~$800 setup (sometimes ~$400 via partners), it's more expensive than TransferToAI but offers multi-channel coverage beyond just phone calls. Demo call available without credit card.
Pricing (AUD estimated):
- Monthly: ~$300/month flat rate
- Setup fee: ~$800 ($400 with promo)
Pros:
- All-in-one: calls, chatbot, email, CRM, appointments
- Good Aussie accent, 67K+ calls handled
Cons:
- ~$300/mo + ~$800 setup (more expensive)
- No ServiceM8/Simpro job management integration
International Options (No Aussie Accent)
Smith.ai — Human + AI Hybrid (from USD $95/mo for 50 calls)
US-based, American accents. Combines AI with live human receptionists who step in for complex calls. Plans: USD $95 (50 calls), $270 (150 calls), $800 (500 calls), plus ~$2.10–$2.40 per extra call. 30-day money-back guarantee. Integrates with HubSpot, Salesforce, Calendly, Zapier. Best if you want guaranteed human backup. No Aussie accent, no Australian trade integrations.
Rosie AI — Cheapest Unlimited (from USD $49/mo)
US-based, American voice. All plans include unlimited minutes. Professional (USD $49/mo) is message-taking only. Scale (USD $149/mo) adds booking, transfers, and SMS. Growth (USD $299/mo) adds advanced training. 7-day free trial. Integrates with Google Calendar, Calendly, Acuity + Zapier. Bilingual English/Spanish. No Aussie accent, no Australian trade integrations.
Real-World Tradie Scenarios: Who Handles What Best?
| Scenario | TransferToAI | LANA | Johnni | Get Fully Booked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency 2 AM burst pipe | ✅ Urgent SMS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Book ServiceM8 job | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto |
| Book Simpro job | ❌ Coming | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto |
| Book AroFlo job | ❌ Coming | ✅ Auto | ❌ | ✅ Auto |
| CRM + client analytics | ✅ Built-in | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Call classification/insights | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Self-serve free trial | ✅ 14 days | ❌ | ✅ 7 days | ❌ |
| Monthly cost | $99 | $300–$600 | $300+ | $500 |
How to Choose
Choose TransferToAI if:
You want strong value ($99/mo), a full CRM + analytics, and you use ServiceM8. Or you just want to try something in 5 minutes without talking to a salesperson.
Choose LANA or Get Fully Booked if:
You need Simpro, AroFlo, or Ascora integration today. Budget isn't your main concern ($300–$600/month + setup fees is OK for you).
Choose Johnni AI if:
You're an established trade business with complex ServiceM8/Simpro workflows and want the deepest integration possible.
FAQ
How much does an AI answering service cost for tradies in Australia?
TransferToAI starts at $99/month with no setup fee. The next cheapest AU option on this list is Reptri at ~$200/month. Other Australian options (LANA, Johnni, Sophiie, Get Fully Booked, TMC) range from $300–$500+/month, some with setup fees of $400–$3,500. International options like Rosie AI start from ~USD $49/month (~$75 AUD) with unlimited minutes but lack Aussie accents and trade integrations. Prices as at Feb 2026.
Which AI services integrate with ServiceM8?
TransferToAI ($99/mo), LANA Software ($300–$600/mo), Johnni AI ($300+/mo), and Get Fully Booked ($500/mo) all integrate with ServiceM8. For Simpro, you need LANA, Johnni, or Get Fully Booked. For AroFlo, LANA or Get Fully Booked. LANA also supports Ascora and OpenSolar.
Will my customers know it's an AI?
With modern AI voice technology, most callers don't realise. TransferToAI responds in under 1 second with a natural Australian accent. The experience is far better than old "press 1 for sales" phone trees.
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Marcos — TransferToAI
Full disclosure: I'm the founder of TransferToAI. Built in Mackay, QLD for Aussie tradies. I evaluated every service listed using the same standardised test scenarios.