How much does a small business answering service cost?

Small business answering services range from $50/mo for basic voicemail services to $1,750/mo and above for 24/7 live human agents. The right price depends on call volume, coverage hours, and whether you need industry-specific training such as HIPAA compliance or legal intake.

Is flat-rate or per-minute billing better for call center outsourcing?

For most businesses receiving more than 100 calls per month, flat-rate billing is significantly cheaper and more predictable. Per-minute billing works best for very low-volume needs under 50 calls per month. Growing businesses should prioritize flat-rate plans to avoid cost spikes during busy periods.

What is included in a $1,750/mo call center plan?

Estarta's $1,750/mo plan includes 24/7 inbound call handling, 100% human agents, industry-specific agent training, CRM integration, call recording, and a dedicated account manager. There are no per-minute fees, no setup charges, and no long-term contract required.

Are there call center outsourcing options with no contract?

Yes. Estarta offers month-to-month call center outsourcing plans with no long-term commitment. You can start with a free 3-day trial and cancel at any time. Most enterprise BPO providers require 12 to 36 month contracts, making Estarta the preferred option for businesses that need flexibility.

Pricing Guide

Call Center Outsourcing Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide

April 30, 20267 min read

How Much Does Call Center Outsourcing Cost?

Average costs range from $0.35/min (per-minute model) to flat monthly rates of $1,000 to $5,000+ for small businesses. Enterprise BPO contracts (Teleperformance, Concentrix) start at $50,000/mo. For most SMBs, flat-rate plans between $1,500 and $3,000/mo offer the best value.

The right price depends on your call volume, coverage hours, and industry. A locksmith needing 24/7 dispatch will pay differently than a law firm needing business-hours intake. Let us break down the options so you can find the best fit for your call center outsourcing needs.

Pricing Models Compared

Model	How It Works	Best For	Example Cost
Per-minute	Charged per call minute	Very low call volumes	$0.35 to $1/min
Per-call	Flat fee per call	Predictable inbound volume	$2 to $8/call
Flat monthly	Fixed monthly rate	Growing businesses	$1,750 to $5,000
Per agent/seat	Monthly per agent	Enterprise / large teams	$800 to $2,000
Enterprise BPO	Custom contract	Fortune 500 companies	$50,000+/mo

What Affects Call Center Outsourcing Pricing?

Call volume and average handle time
24/7 vs business hours only coverage
Inbound only vs inbound + outbound
Number of agents and dedicated vs shared
Industry specialization (HIPAA, legal, technical support)
Contract length - month-to-month costs more than annual

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Per-Minute vs Flat-Rate: Which Saves More?

For businesses receiving under 50 calls/month, per-minute billing can be cheaper. For businesses receiving 100+ calls/month, flat-rate consistently saves 30 to 60 percent compared to per-minute.

Example: 200 calls x 4min avg x $0.50/min = $400. Same volume on flat rate = $1,750/mo covers unlimited calls with 24/7 coverage. The flat-rate plan also protects you from cost spikes during busy seasons.

Estarta Pricing

Estarta offers flat-rate call center outsourcing starting at $1,750/mo. All plans include 24/7 coverage, 100% human agents, no per-minute fees, no contract, and go-live in 48 hours.

View our full call center outsourcing pricing page for detailed plan information, or explore our answering service and customer service outsourcing options.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Setup fees (Estarta charges none)
Per-minute overage fees on "flat rate" plans
HIPAA BAA add-on charges
Script change or update fees
Minimum monthly commitments even on "flexible" plans

Frequently Asked Questions

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