Looking for a Moneypenny alternative?
Updated 29 October 2026
Moneypenny is one of the best-known telephone answering services in the UK, with real receptionists who answer calls in your business name. For many firms that personal touch is exactly right.
But if you're a small business that mostly needs calls answered, appointments booked and messages passed on, an AI receptionist can do that around the clock for less, and HaloTasker adds the booking diary, reminders and payments on top. Here's an honest comparison.
Where a human answering service shines
Real receptionists are great at unusual, sensitive or complicated calls, and some callers simply prefer a person. If most of your calls need judgement, such as a law firm's new-client calls, a human service may still be the right choice. Moneypenny also offers AI answering plans, so check what they currently offer.
Where HaloTasker is the better fit
If your calls are mostly bookings, availability questions and messages, HaloTasker is built for exactly that.
- Books into a live diary during the call, using the same calendar as your online booking page.
- Answers every call at once, so nobody waits on hold on a busy morning.
- Pay-as-you-go call credit instead of a monthly receptionist fee.
- You choose when it answers: straight away, after a few rings, or only outside your hours.
- Transfers callers to you based on your rules and tells you who's calling first.
- Online booking, reminders, payments, prepaid credit and a client portal included in the same platform.
Switching is simple
Set up your AI receptionist in HaloTasker, test it on a new number, then forward your business number to it. You can run both side by side for a while, for example HaloTasker after hours and your existing service during the day, until you're confident.
HaloTasker vs a human answering service
| Human answering service | HaloTasker | |
|---|---|---|
| Who answers | A trained receptionist | An AI receptionist trained on your business |
| Calls at the same time | Limited by staff on shift | Unlimited |
| Books into your diary | If given access to your diary | Yes, built-in live calendar |
| Pricing model | Monthly fee plus per call or minute (check their site) | Plan plus pay-as-you-go call credit |
| Online booking, reminders and payments | Not included | Included |
| Best for | Complex or sensitive calls | Bookings, enquiries and messages |
Frequently asked questions
Is HaloTasker a direct replacement for Moneypenny?
For calls that are mostly bookings, enquiries and messages, yes. If many of your calls need a person's judgement, you may want to keep a human service for those and use HaloTasker for the rest.
Can I keep my number if I switch?
Yes. Forward your existing business number to HaloTasker.
Can callers still reach a real person?
Yes. The AI can transfer calls to you or a colleague based on your rules, or take a message and book a call-back.
