Comparison
Hilda AI vs. hiring a receptionist
A good receptionist is hard to beat and we will not pretend otherwise. The honest comparison is about coverage and cost, not capability, because a hire covers roughly forty hours of a one-hundred-and-sixty-eight hour week.
| Hilda AI | a hired receptionist | |
|---|---|---|
| Hours covered per week | 168 | About 40 |
| Cover for holiday and sickness | Not needed | Needs arranging |
| Simultaneous callers | Unlimited | One |
| Judgement on an unusual situation | Limited (escalates) | Strong |
| Greets people at the door, handles post, supports the team | No | Yes |
| Builds a relationship with regulars | Recognises them; does not befriend them | Yes |
| Ramp-up time | Minutes | Weeks |
| Monthly cost | Fixed subscription | Salary, employer costs, cover |
Choose a hired receptionist if…
- You need someone physically present for visitors, post and the wider team
- Your calls demand genuine judgement more often than not
- Relationship-building on the phone is central to how you win work
Choose Hilda if…
- You cannot justify a full-time hire, or cannot fill the role
- Your gap is evenings, weekends and peak overflow rather than nine to five
- You already have a receptionist and want to stop them drowning at peak