AnswerConnect
AnswerConnect, a brand of AnywhereWorks, Inc., provides 24/7 live virtual receptionist and call answering services to SMBs and franchises across healthcare, legal, real estate, e-commerce, and finance, using a distributed human-staffed model supported by a cloud portal, mobile apps, and 28+ integrations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AnswerConnect does
AnswerConnect is a US-based 24/7 live virtual receptionist and answering service operating as a brand of AnywhereWorks, Inc., a privately held corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The company provides live call answering, live chat support, and appointment scheduling through a distributed workforce of human customer-experience experts, serving primarily small and mid-sized businesses across nine primary verticals: e-commerce, healthcare (HIPAA-compliant), real estate, legal, finance and insurance, service providers, franchise, marketing and media, and MSP/IT. Named customers span SMBs (Early Impact, CPC Direct, G Hold), enterprises (Fujitsu, Oldcastle), and franchise systems (Fresh Coat Painters, Threshold Brands), with Fujitsu representing the largest disclosed logo.
The underlying technology is a cloud-based virtual receptionist platform comprising an AnswerConnect Portal (web dashboard) and an AnswerConnect App (iOS, Android, and desktop) for message management, call recording, transcription, and account configuration. Core technical components include a custom scripting system with decision-tree call flows, an IVR engine with Find Me/Follow Me and Round Robin routing, verified-contacts recognition logic, multi-location account management, and 28+ third-party integrations covering CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Zendesk, Pipedrive, Freshsales, Freshdesk, Insightly, Keap, ConnectWise, ActiveCampaign, Podio), communications (Slack, Microsoft Teams), scheduling (Setmore), automation (Zapier, Webhooks), and vertical-specific platforms (ServiceMinder, Workiz, FranConnect, Lexicata, Improveit360). No AI/ML models are part of the disclosed stack; the IVR and routing features are rule-based.
The business model is subscription-based with usage-based overages. Three pricing tiers are publicly disclosed: Entry at $350/month for 200 minutes with a $49.99 setup fee, Growth at $395/month for 300 minutes with no setup fee (positioned as best value), and Standard at $575/month for 400 minutes. Overage rates range from $1.85 to $2.50 per additional minute, and a first 30 interactions under 30 seconds per billing cycle are free. Go-to-market combines self-serve online signup for SMB customers, inside sales consultations booked through Setmore for mid-market, and a dedicated franchise sales team for enterprise and franchise systems. Distribution channels include direct online signup, a franchise sales organization, mobile-app distribution, and integration-driven partner ecosystems. The company is led by CEO Natalie Ruiz and operates 1,001-5,000 employees. Note: firmographic founding year is reported as 2002, while one internal source dates founding to 2016; this discrepancy is not resolved by available data.
AnswerConnect firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AnswerConnect
- Legal name
- AnywhereWorks, Inc.
- Website
- https://answerconnect.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- AnswerConnect, a brand of AnywhereWorks, Inc., provides 24/7 live virtual receptionist and call answering services to SMBs and franchises across healthcare, legal, real estate, e-commerce, and finance, using a distributed human-staffed model supported by a cloud portal, mobile apps, and 28+ integrations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AnswerConnect industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Virtual Receptionist Services
- NAICS
- Telephone Answering Services (561421), Telephone Call Centers (56142)
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Appointment Scheduling & Service Dispatch Support (BPAAABAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Omnichannel Patient Communications & Contact Center (Voice/SMS/Email/Chat) (HLACAEAC)
Keywords
Where AnswerConnect is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AnswerConnect business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Monthly Subscription Plans: Recurring monthly plans based on allocated minutes (200-400 minutes). Customers choose a monthly plan and are billed on the 1st of each month. Usage beyond allocated minutes incurs overage charges at per-minute rates. The service calculates minutes based on total time to handle calls, including after-call work.
- Overage Charges: Charges applied when customers exceed their monthly minute allocation. Overage rates vary by plan tier ($1.85-$2.50 per additional minute). Customers are notified at 80% and 100% usage thresholds.
- Setup Fees: One-time setup fees for new accounts. Entry plan includes $49.99 setup fee; Growth plan has no setup fee.
- Franchise Services: Dedicated franchise sales and client services teams offering specialized plans for franchise systems, including multi-location management capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Entry: 200 minutes for $350/month with $49.99 setup fee |
| Subscription | Monthly | Growth: 300 minutes for $395/month with no setup fee |
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard: 400 minutes for $575/month |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
AnswerConnect product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AnswerConnect provides 24/7 live call answering and virtual receptionist services staffed by trained human agents who answer on behalf of client businesses using custom scripts. The service includes live chat support, appointment scheduling, after-hours coverage, lead capture, IVR call routing, and order management, accessible via web portal and mobile apps. Industry-specific offerings serve healthcare (HIPAA-compliant), legal, real estate, finance, e-commerce, franchise, service providers, and MSP/IT verticals.
Product overview
AnswerConnect operates as a human-powered virtual receptionist and answering service platform, providing 24/7 live call answering, live chat support, and appointment scheduling services. The core offering is the Live Call Answering service staffed by trained human receptionists who answer calls in clients' business names using custom scripts. This is supported by the AnswerConnect Portal (web dashboard) and AnswerConnect App (iOS/Android/web applications) for account management, reporting, and call monitoring. Additional capabilities include IVR call routing, custom scripting, verified caller contacts, call transcription/recording, and industry-specific solutions for healthcare (HIPAA-compliant), legal, e-commerce, real estate, franchise, and financial services. The platform integrates with 28+ third-party tools including major CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Pipedrive), communication platforms (Slack, Microsoft Teams), scheduling tools (Setmore), and automation services (Zapier). Pricing is structured in three tiers (Entry at $350/200min, Growth at $395/300min, Standard at $575/400min) with per-minute overage charges.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Live Call Answering
Quantifiable outcome
- 85% of consumers prefer speaking to a real person over AI for customer service
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AnswerConnect
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AnswerConnect technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration28 records
AI capability3 records
Feature7 records
AnswerConnect partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- International Franchise Association (IFA)coreAnswerConnect is IFA's preferred answering service for franchise businesses. This partnership positions AnswerConnect as the recommended customer service solution for franchise systems seeking consistent, branded customer interactions across multiple locations.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AnswerConnect competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ruby (formerly Ruby Receptionist): Ruby is one of the largest US-based virtual receptionist and answering service providers, offering 24/7 live call answering, chat, and lead qualification for SMBs and professional services firms. Directly comparable in service mix, target customer (SMBs/legal/medical), and human-powered positioning.
- PATLive: PATLive is a long-standing US answering service offering 24/7 live call answering, message taking, and appointment scheduling for SMBs across multiple verticals. Direct competitor with similar subscription pricing tiers and human-staffed call center model.
- MAP Communications: MAP Communications is a US-based answering service and call center provider serving healthcare, legal, HVAC, plumbing, and other SMB verticals with 24/7 live call answering and dispatch support. Highly comparable in vertical focus (especially service providers), service mix, and SMB target market.
- Smith.ai: Smith.ai provides live virtual receptionist, AI-augmented chat, and outreach services for SMBs in legal, consulting, and home services verticals. Closely comparable in core offering (human-powered call/chat handling), pricing model, and target verticals including legal and home services.
- Abby Connect: Abby Connect is a virtual receptionist and answering service focused on SMBs in legal, financial, real estate, and healthcare verticals. Direct peer offering similar live call answering, lead qualification, and appointment scheduling with comparable subscription pricing.
- VoiceNation: VoiceNation provides 24/7 live answering, message taking, order entry, and appointment scheduling for SMBs across the US. Direct peer with similar service model, multi-vertical coverage, and live-agent-only positioning (no IVR/automated focus).
- Davinci Virtual Office Solutions: Davinci Virtual offers virtual office, live receptionist, and answering services for SMBs and professionals. Comparable in providing human-staffed call answering and live receptionist services for small businesses, though with broader virtual office positioning.
- Nexa Receptionist: Nexa Receptionist is a virtual receptionist service offering 24/7 live call answering, appointment scheduling, and lead capture for SMBs and professional services. Direct peer with similar pricing tier structure and human-agent model targeting SMBs.
Broad incumbents
- Teleperformance: Teleperformance is a global BPO and customer experience management giant operating inbound/outbound contact centers at massive scale across healthcare, retail, and financial services. While much larger and broader in scope, it competes with AnswerConnect in outsourced customer communications for mid-market and enterprise clients.
- TTEC Holdings: TTEC is a large public customer experience technology and BPO company offering omnichannel customer support, including voice answering and helpdesk services. Operates across all of AnswerConnect's verticals but at a different scale and customer profile (enterprise-focused).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
AnswerConnect social profiles
Digital presenceAnswerConnect compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
AnswerConnect financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AnswerConnect leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AnswerConnect funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AnswerConnect M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AnswerConnect
What does AnswerConnect do?
AnswerConnect provides 24/7 live call answering and virtual receptionist services staffed by trained human agents who answer on behalf of client businesses using custom scripts. The service includes live chat support, appointment scheduling, after-hours coverage, lead capture, IVR call routing, and order management, accessible via web portal and mobile apps. Industry-specific offerings serve healthcare (HIPAA-compliant), legal, real estate, finance, e-commerce, franchise, service providers, and MSP/IT verticals.
Is AnswerConnect a public or private company?
AnswerConnect is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was AnswerConnect founded?
AnswerConnect was founded in 2016. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is AnswerConnect based?
AnswerConnect is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does AnswerConnect make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Monthly Subscription Plans are the primary driver. The others are overage Charges, setup Fees and franchise Services.
Who are AnswerConnect's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ruby (formerly Ruby Receptionist), PATLive, MAP Communications, Smith.ai, Abby Connect, VoiceNation, Davinci Virtual Office Solutions and Nexa Receptionist. Broad incumbents are Teleperformance and TTEC Holdings.
Does AnswerConnect have an API?
No public API is recorded for AnswerConnect.
What industry is AnswerConnect in?
AnswerConnect's product category is Virtual Receptionist Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAAABAO, Appointment Scheduling & Service Dispatch Support, with a secondary code of HLACAEAC, Omnichannel Patient Communications & Contact Center (Voice/SMS/Email/Chat). Its NAICS code is 561421 and its SIC code is 4813.