Cheap apps catch the call.We keep the customer.
There are now dozens of missed call and AI receptionist services for UK trades, most of them launched this year. They come in three types. Here is how each one works, what the price does not tell you, and where LocalWins is different.
The three types you will come across
AI voice apps
A robot voice answers when you cannot.
Good: Landline callers get an answer.
Watch for:
- Some callers hang up as soon as they hear a robot
- Often a 7 day trial, then limits on minutes or calls
- You set it up yourself in an app
- It usually stops when the call ends
Basic text-back tools
One automatic text, then it is down to you.
Good: Cheap and simple.
Watch for:
- The same canned message to everyone
- No conversation, so no job details or postcode
- Landline and withheld callers get nothing
- Nothing happens after the call
Agencies and managed builds
Someone builds it for you, at a price.
Good: You do not have to set anything up.
Watch for:
- Setup fees from hundreds to thousands of pounds
- Contracts, and changes that wait on the agency
- Every extra channel or feature costs more
- Hard to tell what you are getting until you have paid
Side by side
Typical prices and trial lengths from our review of the services selling to UK trades in October 2026. Every service is different, so check the details of any you are considering.
What your caller gets
LocalWinsA text in your business name within seconds, then a real conversation by text
- AI voice apps:
- A robot voice
- Basic text-back:
- One automatic text
- Agency builds:
- Depends on the build
Landline and withheld callers
LocalWinsAn alert with the number to ring back, and an AI receptionist in your name if you want one
- AI voice apps:
- Answered by the robot
- Basic text-back:
- Missed
- Agency builds:
- Depends on the build
The job, postcode and urgency
LocalWinsTaken by text and sent to your phone
- AI voice apps:
- Usually taken
- Basic text-back:
- Not taken
- Agency builds:
- Depends on the build
Free trial
LocalWins30 days free
- AI voice apps:
- Often 7 days
- Basic text-back:
- Often 7 to 14 days
- Agency builds:
- Rare
Who sets it up
LocalWinsPaul, the founder, with you. No setup fee
- AI voice apps:
- You, in an app
- Basic text-back:
- You
- Agency builds:
- Them, for a setup fee
After the call
LocalWinsReview requests, due again reminders, win-back offers, work near you and a weekly business review
- AI voice apps:
- Usually nothing
- Basic text-back:
- Nothing
- Agency builds:
- Extra cost
Proof it works
LocalWinsLive numbers from real customers, updated every ten minutes
- AI voice apps:
- Rarely published
- Basic text-back:
- Rarely published
- Agency builds:
- Varies
Price
LocalWins£99 a month after 30 days free, no setup fee, cancel any time
- AI voice apps:
- Typically £20 to £60 a month, plus minute or call limits
- Basic text-back:
- Typically £30 to £80 a month
- Agency builds:
- Often £100 or more, plus setup
A £39 app does one job.We do the whole lot.
Catching the call is where most services stop. LocalWins carries on: it asks for the review when the job is done, texts the customer when their service is due again, sends an offer when it goes quiet, finds work near you every morning and tells you every Monday how the business is doing. And you get 30 days to see it working on your own calls before you pay anything.
Work out what your missed calls are worth800
missed calls caught for our customers
428
texts sent back to callers
129
jobs captured with the details
2s
typical time to the first text
Live totals from real LocalWins customers, refreshed every ten minutes. How we count them.
Six questions to ask any provider
Ask these before you hand over your calls, whoever you go with.
- 1
What will my caller actually see or hear?
Ring it yourself before you sign up. You can ring ours now on 07426 713522, hang up, and watch what lands on your phone.
- 2
What happens to landline and withheld callers?
A text cannot reach them, so ask what does. With LocalWins you get an alert with the number to ring back, and our AI receptionist can answer them in your name if you want it.
- 3
How long can I try it, and who sets it up?
Seven days is not long enough to see a quiet week and a busy one. We give you 30 days free, and Paul sets it up with you on the phone.
- 4
Who do I speak to when something goes wrong?
Look for a real UK company you can ring, not just an app. We are LocalWins Ltd, Companies House 17242503. Ring us on 0330 043 3007.
- 5
What happens after the call?
Catching the call is the start. The money is in the review afterwards, the service reminder next year and the offer when it goes quiet. All of that is included with LocalWins.
- 6
Can you show me real numbers?
Anyone can say they never miss a call. Our homepage shows live totals from real customers, and our press page explains exactly how each one is counted.
Built by a business owner, not an app factory
Paul Airey runs a property business in Hampshire and a 2,000-member gym in Hoddesdon. He built LocalWins because both were missing too many calls. His three brothers, a plumber, an electrician and a builder, use it every day. When you sign up, it is Paul who rings you to get you set up.
More about LocalWinsTry it on your own calls.Free for 30 days.
Sign up in a minute, ring the number yourself and see what your callers will get. Then £99 a month, no setup fee, cancel any time.