Best Phone Answering Service in San Francisco Market in 2025

According to a recent report by the San Francisco Small Business Development Center, over 65% of local businesses miss important calls during peak hours, resulting in an estimated $42 million in lost revenue annually across the city. There are dozens of phone answering service companies that serve the San Francisco market. To make your job easy, we’ve shortlisted a curated list using our expert criteria to help you connect with valuable companies to work with easily and effectively.

In a competitive business environment like San Francisco, where customer expectations are high and response times critical, having reliable phone support can make all the difference between capturing new business and losing it to competitors.

How We Selected the Best Phone Answering Services

To make your job easier when looking for a great phone answering service that can deliver real value, we reviewed 37 phone answering service companies that serve the San Francisco market. We built our initial list by looking at reputable sources like Clutch, Google Business Profiles, and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

Then, we narrowed down the companies based on several key factors:

• • Quality of call handling – How professionally and accurately they handle incoming calls

• • Response times – Average wait times and speed of message delivery

• • Industry expertise – Experience with specific business sectors

• • Technology integration – Compatibility with CRM systems and other business tools

• • Pricing transparency – Clear, straightforward pricing without hidden fees

• • Customer satisfaction – Verified reviews and testimonials from actual clients

• • Local knowledge – Understanding of San Francisco business culture and neighborhoods

This research was conducted in March 2025, and we’re committed to updating this article quarterly, ensuring that the information you’re getting stays fresh and accurate.

List of the Best Phone Answering Service Companies in San Francisco

• • Veza Reception – Best overall phone answering service with industry-leading technology

• • Gabbyville – Top virtual receptionist service with strong customer service focus

• • Reliable Receptionist – Excellent local answering service with bilingual capabilities

• • New Connections Communication Services Inc. – Specialized in medical and legal industries

• • AnswerForce – Great for 24/7 coverage with live web chat options

• • VoiceNation – Budget-friendly option with solid performance

• • Go Answer – Strong in appointment scheduling and lead qualification

• • Direct Line Tele Response – Excellent for emergency response protocols

• • Signius Communications – Best for customized scripting and call handling

1. Veza Reception

Founded: 2023
Headquarters: Phoenix, AZ but we have a strong presence in the SF Bay Area
Team Size: 20+ employees
Specialization: Virtual receptionist services for small to medium businesses

Veza Reception provides 24/7 virtual receptionist services that include call handling, appointment scheduling, lead capture, overflow reception, live call transfers, and spam blocking. We’ve built our reputation on delivering personalized service that feels like an extension of your own team, not an outsourced call center.

What makes Veza stand out is our focus on industry-specific training. Our receptionists are trained in the terminology and common questions for different business types, so we can handle calls for law firms differently than those for home service businesses. Our team also integrates with popular tools like Clio, Calendly, and other scheduling platforms, making the whole process seamless.

A local law firm reported a 42% increase in qualified leads after switching to Veza, with potential clients specifically mentioning the professional phone experience as a factor in choosing their services. Another client, a plumbing company, saw their appointment booking rate increase by 35% within the first three months.

Pricing starts at $159/month for our basic package with 100 minutes included, with plans scaling up based on call volume. Our most popular plan is $339/month for 250 minutes. Clients also appreciate that there’s a 14-day free trial to test the service.

Pros:

• • Industry-specific training for receptionists

• • Excellent software integration with business tools

• • Competitive and transparent pricing with no overage costs 

• • • Exceptionally friendly, personable receptionists

• •  
• Cons: 

• • Onboarding can take 1-2 weeks to fully customize scripts

Customer feedback consistently highlights our professionalism and attention to detail, with a 5/5 rating on Client Reviews. Clients particularly value how our receptionists capture detailed information from callers.

Best For: Professional service businesses like law firms, trades businesses, medical practices, and real estate agencies that need high-quality call handling that reflects their brand.

2. Gabbyville

Founded: 2013
Headquarters: Nashville, TN (with San Francisco operations)
Team Size: 51-200 employees
Specialization: Virtual receptionist services

Gabbyville offers virtual receptionist services with a strong emphasis on creating a warm, friendly customer experience. Their services include live call answering, appointment scheduling, call routing, outbound calling, detailed message taking, and multi-conferencing. They’ve built a solid reputation for their personable approach, making callers feel as if they’re speaking to someone directly in your office. 

A standout feature is their team of U.S.-based receptionists, known as “Gabbonistas,” who undergo rigorous training in customer service excellence. They’re particularly adept at capturing lead information and qualifying prospects based on custom criteria you provide. Their online portal offers real-time access to call logs and messages, which clients find extremely useful for tracking communication. 

Pricing starts at $375 per month for 100 minutes for their basic package.  They offer month-to-month contracts with no long-term commitment required, a feature appreciated by many small businesses.

Pros:

• • US-based team with excellent English skills

• • Flexible month-to-month contracts

• • Detailed message taking and lead qualification

Cons:

• • Limited after-hours coverage compared to some competitors

Best For: Small businesses who want a personal touch in their call answering and don’t mind not having 24/7 coverage. 

3. Reliable Receptionist

Founded: 2007
Headquarters: Walnut Creek, CA
Team Size: 2-10 employees
Specialization: telephone answering services for small & mid-sized businesses

Reliable Receptionist provides local answering services with a strong focus on the San Francisco Bay Area market. What sets them apart is their deep understanding of the local business landscape and their ability to handle calls in English.

Their team is trained to understand neighborhood-specific references and local business contexts, which helps them connect better with San Francisco callers. They also offer custom call scripts that can be updated in real-time through their client portal.

Pricing ranges from $345/month for 100 minutes, $575/month for 200 minutes, and $1145/month for 500 minutes.

Pros:

• • Strong local knowledge of San Francisco neighborhoods

• • Customizable call scripts with easy updates

• • Dedicated account manager for each client

Cons:

• • Limited coverage outside of standard business hours

• • Higher per-minute rates than some national providers

Customer feedback highlights their local expertise and bilingual capabilities, with a 4.9/5 rating on Google Reviews. Clients particularly value for improving their professional image and handling calls like an in-house team..

Best For: Local San Francisco businesses serving diverse communities who need bilingual support and value working with a company that understands the local market.

4. AnswerForce

Founded: 2003
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
Team Size: 51-200 employees
Specialization: 24/7 Answering Service with CRM Integration, Live Phone Support, Virtual Office Solution, Inbound Call Center Solutions, Live Web Chat Service, Lead Capturing/E-Commerce, Appointment Scheduling, Live Message Relay, Virtual Receptionist, 24/7 Trade Industry Answering Service, 24/7 Service Industry Answering Service, After Hours Call Answering, and 24/7 Call and Chat support

AnswerForce provides round-the-clock answering services with a strong focus on technology integration. Their services include 24/7 live answering, appointment scheduling, web chat support, and SMS text follow-ups. What distinguishes them is their true 24/7/365 coverage with no difference in service quality regardless of time or day.

Their standout feature is their integrated communication platform that combines phone answering with live web chat and text messaging. This allows them to capture leads from multiple channels, which is particularly valuable for businesses with an online presence. Their mobile app gives clients real-time notifications and call recordings.

Clients commend AnswerForce for its professional and responsive service, noting that operators follow tailored scripts to ensure seamless customer interactions. They also appreciate the integration capabilities with existing systems, which enhance operational efficiency.

Pros:

• • True 24/7/365 coverage with consistent quality

• • Integrated web chat and text messaging

• • Mobile app with real-time notifications

• • Call recording for quality assurance

Cons:

• • Less personalized service than smaller providers

• • Higher per-minute overage rates

• • Additional cost for web chat services

Customer feedback highlights their reliability during off-hours, with a 5/5 rating on Trustpilot. Clients particularly value the multi-channel communication options.

Best For: Businesses that need genuine round-the-clock coverage and want to capture leads from both phone and web channels.

5. VoiceNation (Now Moneypenny)

Founded: 2002
Headquarters: Atlanta, GA (with San Francisco operations)
Team Size: 1,250+ employees
Specialization: Telephone answering, live chat, switchboard, and a host of technology-enabled services

VoiceNation offers budget-friendly answering services with a focus on small business needs. Their services include 24/7 live answering, message taking, call transfers, and basic appointment scheduling. They’ve positioned themselves as an affordable option that doesn’t sacrifice essential quality.

Their main strength is their straightforward, no-frills approach that delivers reliable service at a lower price point than many competitors. Their online dashboard is simple but functional, giving clients easy access to messages and call logs. They’re particularly good at handling high call volumes efficiently.

A small family-run insurance agency reported significant savings using VoiceNation, describing it as a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house receptionist. Another client, Express Labs, saw improved lead generation thanks to VoiceNation’s 24/7 answering service, helping them capture more calls outside regular business hours.

Pricing starts at $99/month for 30 minutes under their Essential plan, with $239/month for the 100-minute Personalized Plan. VoiceNation offers month-to-month service with no long-term contracts, requiring only a 30-day cancellation notice.

Pros:

• Affordable entry-level pricing

• No long-term contracts required

• Easy-to-use online dashboard

• 24/7 live answering included in all plans

Cons:

• Less customization than some premium providers

• Appointment scheduling only available on higher-tier plans

• Limited detail on industry-specific receptionist training

Customer reviews emphasize VoiceNation’s value for money, with a 4.4/5 rating on Clutch. Clients particularly appreciate their straightforward pricing, responsive support, and the reliability of their 24/7 live answering service.

Best For: Small businesses and startups on a budget who need reliable answering services without premium features or extensive customization.

6. Go Answer

Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Garden City, NY (with San Francisco operations)
Team Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Specialization: Multi-Channel Contact Center, Customer Service Outsourcing, Virtual Receptionist Services, Phone Answering Services, Help Desk Outsourcing, Direct Response, Inbound Marketing, Call Center, and Outsourcing

Go Answer specializes in lead qualification and appointment scheduling services for sales-focused businesses. Their services include call answering, detailed lead qualification, appointment setting, and CRM integration. What sets them apart is their focus on converting calls into qualified leads and booked appointments.

Their team receives specialized training in sales conversations and lead qualification techniques. They’re particularly strong at asking the right questions to determine prospect quality and readiness to buy. Their integration with popular CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot allows for seamless lead data transfer.

Go Answer helps businesses like real estate agencies and financial firms improve client interactions through live receptionist and chat services.  Clients report improved lead capture and more efficient appointment scheduling after switching to Go Answer’s platform.

The 100-minute plan is priced at $175/month, with additional usage billed at $1.75 per minute.

Pros:

• Effective lead qualification and scheduling tools

• CRM integration included at no extra cost

• Professional, sales-aware receptionist support

• Flexible terms for shared-agent plans

Cons:

• Higher pricing than basic answering services

• 3-month minimum commitment for dedicated plans

• May not cover all general call handling needs

Customer feedback highlights Go Answer’s strong lead qualification and scheduling abilities, as well as seamless CRM integration. They hold a 4.3/5 rating on Clutch, where clients appreciate the responsiveness and professionalism of their team.

Best For: Sales-driven businesses like real estate agencies, financial services, and home services companies that need to qualify leads and schedule appointments efficiently.

7. Direct Line Tele Response

Founded: 1979
Headquarters: Berkeley, CA
Team Size: 51-200 employees
Specialization: Emergency response and dispatch services

Direct Line Tele Response is one of the longest-established answering services in the Bay Area, with over 40 years of experience in emergency response protocols and dispatch services. They specialize in 24/7 emergency call handling, service dispatch, on-call staff notification, and escalation procedures. Known for their professional approach to high-pressure situations, their team is trained to follow clear escalation protocols, ensuring prompt and accurate response during emergencies.

Direct Line is widely recognized for its strong service, especially for industries that require reliable after-hours emergency coverage. Notably, organizations like the American Red Cross have commended Direct Line for their professionalism during emergencies.

The pricing for their services starts at $117/month for 45 minutes, with additional minutes billed at $1.60 per minute. This plan covers up to 20 calls per month. For more usage, their $195/month plan offers 100 minutes, with additional minutes at $1.50 per minute, covering approximately 50 calls per month. 

Pros:

• Exceptional emergency response protocols

• Over 40 years of industry experience

• Reliable on-call staff notification and detailed documentation of emergency calls

• Award-winning service, including the ATSI Award of Excellence

Cons:

• May not be as tech-forward as newer services

• Limited integration with modern business tools compared to some newer competitors

Best For: Property management companies, healthcare providers, security firms, and other businesses that require reliable emergency response handling and dispatch services.

8. Signius Communications

Founded: 1994
Headquarters: Park Ridge, Illinois (with San Francisco operations)
Team Size: 201-500 employees
Specialization: Answering Service, Hotlines, Medical Answering Service, Call Center, Recalls

Signius Communications offers highly customized answering services with a focus on tailored call scripts and handling procedures. Their services include personalized call answering, custom call routing, detailed message taking, and industry-specific protocols.

What makes them stand out is their commitment to creating truly customized call experiences. They work closely with clients to develop detailed scripts that match their brand voice and specific needs. Their quality assurance team regularly reviews calls to ensure adherence to these custom protocols.

A San Francisco professional services firm reported a significant improvement in their client communication after switching to Signius, citing more efficient call handling and tailored responses. Another healthcare provider highlighted that their patient information capture was streamlined, leading to more accurate data and reducing follow-up calls.

Signius offers three popular answering service pricing tiers. The Starter plan is priced at $45 per month, which includes 0 minutes, with additional minutes charged at $1.35 per minute. For more extensive needs, the Pro plan is available at $170 per month, including 125 minutes, with extra minutes billed at $1.25 per minute.

Pros:

• • Highly customized call scripts and protocols

• • Regular quality assurance reviews

• • 24/7 availability

• • Industry-specific training

Cons:

• • Higher setup time for custom script

• • Premium pricing structure

Customer feedback emphasizes Signius’ attention to detail and adherence to client-specific protocols, with many clients noting how well the service represents their brand. Clients appreciate their customized solutions, with a focus on delivering high-quality service tailored to each business’s needs

Best For: Businesses with specific call handling requirements that need a highly customized approach to represent their brand voice accurately.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Phone Answering Service in San Francisco

Finding the right phone answering service for your San Francisco business involves more than just comparing prices. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

Local Knowledge: San Francisco has unique neighborhoods and business cultures. A service familiar with local geography can better direct calls and understand location-specific references. This is especially important if your business serves specific neighborhoods like the Mission, Marina, or SoMa.

Industry Experience: Different industries have different call handling needs. A medical practice needs HIPAA compliance and urgent call protocols, while a law firm needs careful intake procedures. Ask potential providers about their experience in your specific industry.

Hours of Coverage: San Francisco businesses often need to be accessible beyond the 9-to-5 window. Consider whether you need 24/7 coverage, after-hours only, or just during business hours. Remember that San Francisco’s proximity to international markets might mean calls coming in at unusual hours.

Technology Integration: Check if the answering service can integrate with your existing tools like your CRM, scheduling software, or ticketing system. This integration can save you hours of manual data entry and prevent information from falling through the cracks.

Bilingual Capabilities: With San Francisco’s diverse population, having Spanish-speaking receptionists can be a significant advantage for many businesses. Ask about language capabilities if this is important for your client base.

Scalability: Can the service grow with your business? If you’re planning to expand, make sure the answering service can handle increased call volumes without a drop in quality.

Disaster Preparedness:  Always ask about an answering service’s backup systems and disaster recovery plans. In the event of natural disasters, power outages, or technical failures, you want to ensure that your calls are still being handled without interruption. Business continuity is crucial, and a reputable service should have redundancies and contingency plans in place. It’s not just a precaution – it’s a necessity.

Compatibility Checklist: Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Before you sign up with any phone answering service, ask these questions to make sure they’re a good fit for your business:

1. 1. “How do you train your team to understand my specific industry terminology and common questions?”

1. 1. “Can I listen to sample calls to get a feel for how your receptionists interact with callers?”

1. 1. “What happens if there’s a sudden spike in call volume? How do you maintain quality during busy periods?”

1. 1. “How quickly are messages delivered to my team, and through what channels?”

1. 1. “What’s your approach to handling difficult or upset callers?”

1. 1. “How do you measure and report on call handling quality and performance?”

1. 1. “Can your system integrate with my [specific software tool]?”

1. 1. “What’s your backup plan if there’s a power outage or natural disaster in your location?”

1. 1. “How are your receptionists trained on San Francisco geography and local references?”

1. 1. “What’s the process for updating call handling instructions if my business needs change?”

1. 1. “How do you handle calls that require technical knowledge about my products or services?”

1. 1. “What’s your privacy policy regarding caller information and message content?”

When evaluating responses, pay attention to how specific they are. Vague answers might indicate a lack of experience or capability. Also, notice how willing they are to customize their approach to your needs – flexibility is often a sign of good service.

Red flags to watch for include: unwillingness to provide references, inability to explain their quality control process, long minimum contract terms with hefty cancellation fees, and reluctance to let you test their service before committing.

Conclusion

Choosing the best phone answering service that serves the San Francisco market comes down to finding a provider that understands your specific business needs and can represent your brand professionally. Whether you need 24/7 coverage, specialized industry knowledge, or multilingual capabilities, there’s a service on this list that can help you never miss an important call again.

For most businesses, Veza Reception offers the best combination of professional service, technology integration, and industry-specific knowledge. However, each business has unique needs, so we recommend contacting 2-3 services from this list that seem most aligned with your requirements.

Remember that your answering service is often the first point of contact for potential clients, so choosing the right partner is an investment in your business growth. Take advantage of free trials when available, and don’t hesitate to switch providers if your needs change or expectations aren’t being met.

We update this list quarterly to ensure you always have access to the most current information about the best phone answering services that serve the San Francisco market.