Quick verdict: Bland AI for high-volume outbound, Vapi if you have engineers, Retell AI for the mid-market middle ground, Synthflow if you want no-code or to resell white-label, and Aircall if you want the agent inside your existing phone system.
| Platform | Best for | Real cost picture |
|---|---|---|
| Bland AI | Outbound teams running consented call campaigns | $0.14/min on the free Start plan |
| Vapi | Engineering teams building custom voice agents | $0.05/min platform fee, plus provider costs |
| Retell AI | Mid-market teams that want builder + API | From $0.07/min, all-in typically $0.13–0.31/min |
| Synthflow | Non-technical teams and agencies | Enterprise / pay-as-you-go — see pricing |
| ElevenLabs | Voiceovers, audio ads, conversational voice | See current pricing |
| Aircall AI Voice Agent | Sales and support teams on Aircall | AI Voice Agents from $100/mo add-on |
In February 2024 the FCC ruled that AI-generated voices are "artificial voices" under the TCPA. Practically: AI calls follow the same consent rules as robocalls. Written consent for marketing calls, honour opt-outs immediately, identify the caller. The platforms differ; the law doesn't. Build the consent flow first, then pick the tool.
Headline rates are platform fees. All-in cost adds the language model, speech-to-text, the voice itself and telephony — a $0.05/min platform typically lands at $0.10–0.30/min in production. Budget on the all-in number, and test on your own call recordings before you scale.
See every voice and chat tool in the directory.