The Remi blog

Running a front desk, without the front desk.

What things actually cost, what the law allows, and what the research says — written for service businesses in South Africa and the UK, with the sources shown.

AI receptionist for UK dental practices: what it should handle, and what it must not

What an AI receptionist should handle in a UK dental practice — new-patient calls, recalls, emergencies and deposits — and what it must never touch.

AI receptionist for UK physio clinics: rebooking, DNAs and the phone nobody can answer mid-treatment

What an AI receptionist should do in a UK physio clinic, the 2026 data on DNAs and rebooking, and what to ask about Cliniko and Nookal before you switch.

Is an AI receptionist worth it? An honest UK breakdown for 2026

The sum to do before buying an AI receptionist: missed calls, what a customer is worth, what the alternatives cost, and four cases where the answer is no.

AI receptionist for small business (UK): what it does, what it costs, how to choose

What an AI receptionist actually does for a UK small business, the published 2026 prices, and the seven questions that separate it from smart voicemail.

Remi vs Retell AI: build or buy an AI receptionist

Retell AI is a developer platform with no monthly plan and component-based per-minute pricing. Remi is a done-for-you UK front desk from £89/mo. Compared.

Remi vs Synthflow: build or buy an AI receptionist

Synthflow is now enterprise-only from $30,000 a year. Remi starts at £89/mo ex VAT with 500 minutes. An honest UK comparison of what each actually does.

Remi vs Nextiva AI Receptionist: Which for UK Clinics?

Nextiva's AI Receptionist costs $99/month on top of a paid seat, and its 100 resolutions are not 100 calls. Here is how it compares with Remi in the UK.

Remi vs GoTo Connect AI Receptionist: an honest look

GoTo publishes no price for its AI receptionist, so we compare on capability instead: what each one actually does once the caller has said hello.

Remi vs Hey Jodie: an honest UK AI receptionist compare

Hey Jodie is £49 to £199 with unlimited minutes, but the £49 tier cannot book. So the real comparison is £99 vs Remi’s £89 to £149. Figures dated and checked.

Remi vs IONOS AI Receptionist: an honest UK comparison

IONOS AI Receptionist is £39 to £99 ex VAT and bills per call, not per minute. Remi is £89 to £149 and books, reminds, takes deposits and chases invoices.

Remi vs 3CX AI Receptionist: which fits a UK clinic?

3CX bundles its AI receptionist into a flat annual licence with no per-minute overage, but caps every AI call at three minutes. An honest UK comparison.

Remi vs Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist: a UK guide

Zoom gives 100 minutes, needs a separate Scheduler licence to book, and callers cannot reschedule on the call. An honest UK comparison with Remi, figures shown.

Remi vs Moneypenny: AI or Human Receptionist for UK Clinics

Moneypenny is a hybrid of AI and human PAs, with no published rate card. An honest look at when humans win and when software wins for a UK clinic.

Remi vs RingCentral AI Receptionist: UK cost and fit

RingCentral AIR gives you 100 minutes then 40p a minute, and its UK page still lists booking as coming soon. Remi gives 1,000 minutes and books the slot.

AI receptionist pricing UK: what per-minute costs

UK AI receptionist prices start at £32 a month — until the minutes add up. The real cost at clinic volume, compared on published 2026 rates.

AI receptionist for GP surgeries (UK, 2026)

What an AI receptionist can and can't do for a UK GP surgery — NHS-integrated tools vs a simpler option for private practices, the rules, and the real cost.

AI receptionist vs a human answering service (UK, 2026)

A human answering service and an AI receptionist solve the same problem differently. Where each one wins in 2026, with real UK prices, so you can choose.

How much does an AI receptionist cost in the UK? (2026)

AI receptionists are priced three ways, and the sticker price is not the whole story. What the UK market charges in 2026, from published rate cards.

The no-show policy template every UK clinic and salon needs

A copy-paste no-show and cancellation policy for UK clinics and salons, plus the one thing that decides whether it works. Free template, no sign-up.

What a receptionist really costs in the UK (2026)

A UK receptionist is advertised at about £25,578, but National Insurance, pension, holiday and recruitment push the real cost to roughly £29,200 a year.

How much does an AI receptionist cost in South Africa? (2026)

AI receptionists are priced three ways, and the sticker price is not the whole story. What each model means, what to pay in South Africa, and how it compares.

How to reduce no-shows (without charging a fee)

A no-show fee recovers a fraction of the slot and costs you the relationship. What actually reduces no-shows, ranked by what the evidence says works.

Can a South African practice charge for a no-show? What the law actually says

The Consumer Protection Act allows a reasonable cancellation charge and HPCSA guidance permits it. The conditions, and the one case you may never charge.

Receptionist salary in South Africa (2026) — and the real cost to employ one

What does a receptionist earn in South Africa? Sourced 2026 market data by role, the hourly rate, and what employment actually costs on top of the salary.

WhatsApping your patients under POPIA — what's actually allowed

An appointment reminder is not direct marketing, and POPIA says so. Where the line sits, what section 69 requires, and WhatsApp's own second rulebook.