Fixly vs Ruby Receptionist for Contractors: 2026 Comparison
Compare Fixly AI to Ruby Receptionist for plumbers, HVAC, and electricians. See pricing, features, and which wins for contractors.
Fixly vs Ruby Receptionist: Contractor Comparison
Ruby Receptionist is a popular live answering service. Fixly is an AI-first service built specifically for contractors. Here's how they compare.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fixly | Ruby Receptionist |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $0 | $189-399 base |
| Per-Call Fees | $0 core | $1.75-2.50/min |
| Typical Monthly | $0-50 | $350-600 |
| Answer Speed | <10 seconds | 30-60 seconds |
| Hold Times | Never | Common at peak |
| Calendar Booking | Automatic | Manual relay |
| 24/7 Coverage | Included | Extra cost |
| Contractor-Specific | Yes | No (generic) |
Cost Analysis
Ruby Receptionist Pricing
- Starter: $189/mo + $1.95/min (50 min included)
- Growth: $299/mo + $1.85/min (100 min included)
- Premium: $399/mo + $1.75/min (200 min included)
Average contractor call: 3 minutes
Typical call volume: 80 calls/month
Ruby monthly cost: $299 + (80 × 3 × $1.85) = $743/month
Fixly Pricing
- Core Features: $0
- Optional Follow-ups: $1/job
Fixly monthly cost: $0-80/month
Annual savings with Fixly: $7,956-$8,916
Feature Comparison
Answer Speed
Ruby: 30-60 seconds average
- Callers hear hold music
- Peak times mean longer waits
- Agents juggle multiple clients
Fixly: <10 seconds, every time
- No hold queue
- Instant, consistent greeting
- 24/7 same quality
Winner: Fixly — 35% of callers hang up after 20 seconds of waiting.
Calendar Integration
Ruby:
Fixly:
Winner: Fixly — Direct booking eliminates delays and double-booking.
Contractor Knowledge
Ruby: Generic scripts for all businesses
- "How may I direct your call?"
- No trade-specific questions
- Can't assess plumbing vs HVAC urgency
Fixly: Trained on contractor calls
- Recognizes "burst pipe" = emergency
- Asks relevant questions (gas vs electric)
- Captures job details you need
Winner: Fixly — Built for contractors, not law firms.
Consistency
Ruby: Quality varies
- New agents learning
- Experienced agents distracted
- Night shift different than day
Fixly: 100% consistent
- Same quality at 3AM as 3PM
- Never tired or distracted
- Improves with updates
Winner: Fixly — AI doesn't have bad days.
When Ruby Makes Sense
Ruby may be better if you:
- Need complex consultative sales calls
- Have an existing great relationship with an agent
- Require human verification for legal/compliance reasons
For most contractors: Standard job booking doesn't need these. Fixly handles it better and cheaper.
Making the Switch
Test in Parallel
What to Expect
- Week 1: Learn Fixly's capabilities
- Week 2: Compare conversion rates
- Week 3-4: Full transition
- Month 2: Cancel Ruby, save $700+/month
Related Resources
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Try the free alternative. Start with Fixly →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Ruby cost vs Fixly?
Ruby starts at $189/month + $1.75-2.50/minute. Most contractors pay $350-600/month. Fixly is free for core features.
Is Ruby better because it's human?
Not necessarily. Ruby has hold times and quality varies by agent. Fixly AI answers instantly, 100% consistently, and books directly to your calendar.
Can I try both?
Yes. Many contractors test Fixly free while keeping Ruby, then switch when they see comparable or better results.
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