Fixly vs Smith.ai for Contractors: 2026 Comparison
Compare Fixly to Smith.ai for plumbers, HVAC, and electricians. See pricing, features, and which AI answering service wins.
Fixly vs Smith.ai: Contractor Comparison
Both Fixly and Smith.ai use AI for phone answering. But they're built for different markets. Here's how they compare for contractors.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fixly | Smith.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $0 | $240-600 base |
| Per-Call Fees | $0 core | $6-7/call |
| Typical Monthly | $0-50 | $400-700 |
| Target Market | Contractors | Law firms, general |
| Calendar Booking | Automatic | Available |
| Trade Training | Yes | No |
| Emergency Detection | Yes | Limited |
Cost Analysis
Smith.ai Pricing
- Starter: $240/mo (20 calls included)
- Basic: $420/mo (40 calls included)
- Pro: $600/mo (80 calls included)
- Overage: $6-7 per additional call
Typical contractor (80 calls/month): $600/month
Fixly Pricing
- Core Features: $0
- Optional Features: $1/job
Typical contractor: $0-80/month
Annual savings with Fixly: $6,240-$7,200
Key Differences
Built for Contractors vs General Business
Smith.ai: Designed for law firms and professional services
- Generic intake questions
- No trade-specific training
- Doesn't recognize plumbing vs HVAC urgency
Fixly: Built specifically for contractors
- Trade-specific AI training
- Emergency detection for burst pipes, AC failures
- Understands job types and urgency
Calendar Integration
Smith.ai: Calendar booking available (extra setup)
Fixly: Native Google Calendar integration included free
Emergency Handling
Smith.ai: Basic urgency detection
Fixly: Trade-specific emergency recognition
- "Burst pipe" = Critical plumbing
- "AC dead" in Phoenix summer = Life-safety
- Automatic priority flagging
When Smith.ai Makes Sense
Smith.ai may be better if you:
- Run a law firm or professional services firm
- Need live transfer capabilities
- Want hybrid human+AI approach
For contractors: Fixly is purpose-built and significantly cheaper.
Migration Guide
From Smith.ai to Fixly
Related Resources
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Purpose-built for contractors. Try Fixly free →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Smith.ai cost vs Fixly?
Smith.ai starts at $240/month + $6-7 per call. Most contractors pay $400-600/month. Fixly is free for core features.
Is Smith.ai human or AI?
Smith.ai uses a hybrid of AI and human agents. Fixly is AI-first with instant response.
Which is better for contractors?
Fixly is purpose-built for contractors with trade-specific training. Smith.ai serves all industries with generic scripts.
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