Missed call text back compared
There are several ways to handle a call you can’t take. Here is a plain comparison of voicemail, human answering services and named UK text-back tools, including ReplyFast. Prices as of Oct 2026 — check their sites for the latest.
Voicemail and answering services
| Option | Typical cost | What the caller gets | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voicemail | Usually included with your phone plan | A chance to leave a message, or they hang up | A recording to listen to later |
| Answering service | Often from about £15–£75 a month, plus per-call or per-minute charges | A person on the line | A message passed on; quality varies |
| Missed call text back | Flat monthly fee on most UK apps | An SMS they can reply to when it suits them | Job details in writing, with the caller’s number |
Voicemail is free but easy to ignore. Answering services suit firms that want a human voice. Text back suits tradespeople who want something simple that runs while they work.
Named text-back tools
Figures below are taken from each company’s public pricing pages in October 2026. They change, so check before you buy. This is not a ranking and we are not saying other products are bad.
| Service | Published price | What stands out on their site |
|---|---|---|
| TextTheCaller | £6.49 a month after a 7-day trial; 50 texts included | Low price, one simple plan, your own message template |
| CallBack | From £29.99 a month; setup fees listed up to £299.99 | Tiered plans by monthly text volume; trial with no card |
| ReplyFast | £29 a month after a 7-day trial; card needed to start; 300 texts | Urgent flag on replies, lead inbox, keep your number; Pro coming soon |
| Call2SMS | From £37 a month; plans for 36, 135 or 225 conversations | Automated text conversation that collects details and emails a summary |
| TextBack Pro | £47 a month on their site; 14-day trial with no card; up to 300 leads | Two-way text conversation, calendar booking and follow-ups on their plan |
Where ReplyFast sits
- Price: £29 a month after trial — higher than TextTheCaller, lower than TextBack Pro’s published plan, similar to CallBack’s starter monthly fee before setup charges
- Urgent flag: replies about leaks, no heating, no power, lockouts and similar are marked URGENT on your phone
- Lead inbox: every missed call and reply is listed on your dashboard
- What it does: one clear auto SMS in your business name, then your call back
- What it does not do yet: it does not run a long automated sales chat or book your calendar. ReplyFast Pro, with an AI voice receptionist, is coming soon at £69 a month
If you want the cheapest possible auto text and a low monthly volume, TextTheCaller may fit. If you want calendar booking and a longer automated chat, look at TextBack Pro or Call2SMS on their own sites. If you want a mid-price text-back with an urgent flag and a simple lead list, ReplyFast is built for that.
Try it
ReplyFast has a 7-day free trial, then £29 a month, no contract. Start a free trial or read the pricing page.
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