ShopBrain vs Smith.ai
Smith.ai is a well-known virtual receptionist service that combines AI with live human agents. But it's built for lawyers, accountants, and general SMBs — not auto repair shops. Here's why that matters.
The Core Difference
Smith.ai is a generic answering service that works across every industry. ShopBrain is an AI service advisor built specifically for auto repair. That single difference changes everything:
- ShopBrain knows auto repair — brake pads, ROs, DVIs, bays, come-backs. Smith.ai's agents follow a script; ShopBrain understands the industry.
- ShopBrain reads your Tekmetric data — real-time repair status, customer history, vehicle info. Smith.ai agents can't access your shop management system during a call.
- ShopBrain gives real answers — "Mike is working on your Camry right now, installing new rotors. Should be done by 3pm." Smith.ai says "Let me take a message and have someone call you back."
Pricing: Smith.ai Gets Expensive Fast
Smith.ai
$500+/mo
Done-for-you plan, ~10 calls/day
$1.20–$2.40 per call overage
ShopBrain
$199/mo
Growth plan, 500 calls/mo
$0.60 per call overage
For a busy shop getting 20+ calls a day, Smith.ai can easily run $1,500–$2,000/month. ShopBrain Pro at $349/mo gives you unlimited calls — period.
Smith.ai Pricing Breakdown
- Self-service: $95/mo (~2 calls/day, $1.90/call overage)
- Mid-tier: $500/mo (~10 calls/day, $1.50/call overage)
- High-volume: $800–$2,000/mo (15+ calls/day, $1.20/call overage)
- Overages of $1.20–$2.40 per call add up fast for busy shops
ShopBrain Pricing
- Starter: $99/mo (200 calls)
- Growth: $199/mo (500 calls)
- Pro: $349/mo (unlimited calls — done)
- 14-day free trial, no credit card
- No setup fees
What Smith.ai Can't Do for Auto Shops
- No shop management integration — can't look up a customer's repair order, vehicle, or appointment in Tekmetric
- No real-time repair status — agents take a message instead of giving an answer
- No automotive knowledge — their agents handle law firms, plumbers, and dentists the same way they handle your shop
- No AI estimates — can't generate a quote with real parts pricing
- No payment collection — can't text a payment link when a vehicle is ready
- Slow scaling — adding capacity means paying more human agents. ShopBrain scales instantly.
What Smith.ai Does Well
- Human backup — for complex or sensitive calls, a real person can step in. This builds trust for some customers.
- 20+ year track record — established, reliable, well-reviewed
- Multi-channel — also handles chat, SMS, and web forms (though not auto-specific)
The Verdict
Smith.ai is a premium, generic answering service. If you're a law firm or accounting practice, it's great. But for auto repair shops, you're paying 2–5x more for agents who don't know a rotor from a radiator — and who can't look up your customers' repair orders. ShopBrain gives better answers at a fraction of the cost because it was built for your industry from day one.
Better answers. Lower cost. Built for your shop.
Try ShopBrain free for 14 days. Hear the difference between generic and auto-specific AI.
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