Vapi vs Retell AI pricing
Short answer. Both bill by the minute with the model and voice priced on top of a platform fee. Vapi charges $0.05 a minute for hosting, and its calculator puts 1,000 minutes at $82 to $129. Retell lists $0.07 to $0.31 a minute, and its calculator defaults to $0.11 a minute. Retell gives you 20 concurrent calls free. Vapi gives you 4 with no package. We read both pricing pages on October 26, 2026.
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Side by side
| Vapi | Retell AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | $0.05 a minute hosting | $0.055 a minute voice infra |
| Full per-minute range | $82 to $129 for 1,000 minutes, by its calculator | $0.07 to $0.31 a minute |
| Free to start | $5 in credits | $10 in credits |
| Concurrent calls free | 4 | 20 |
| Extra concurrency | $10 a line a month | $8 a concurrency a month |
| Monthly package | Core $29, Pro at a $999 minimum | Pay as you go, Enterprise custom |
| HIPAA | $2,000 a month add-on | Not priced on the page |
Source: Vapi pricing and Retell pricing, checked October 26, 2026.
Retell per-minute parts
| Part | Price a minute |
|---|---|
| Voice infra | $0.055 |
| Retell voices | $0.015 |
| ElevenLabs Flash voices | $0.040 |
| GPT 5.1 | $0.04 |
| GPT 4.1 mini | $0.0128 |
| Gemini 3.0 Flash | $0.016 |
| US telephony through Twilio | $0.015 |
Retell's calculator shows $0.11 a minute for its default setup with $0 telephony. Phone numbers cost $2.00 a month. Source: Retell pricing.
What 1,000 and 5,000 minutes cost
| Minutes a month | Vapi, no package | Retell default | Retell default with Twilio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $82 to $129 | $110 | $125 |
| 5,000 | $410 to $645 | $550 | $625 |
Our math from the prices above, before tax. Vapi works out to $0.08 to $0.13 a minute. Retell with Twilio is $0.125 a minute. If you need 10 more concurrent lines, Retell adds $80 a month and Vapi adds $100.
Which one fits a contracting business
- Pick Retell if you expect call spikes, such as storm days for a roofer or the first heat wave for an HVAC shop. The 20 free concurrent calls cover more at once.
- Pick Vapi if you want to swap in your own model and voice providers and tune the cost per minute.
- Both need a developer or an agency to set up. For a ready receptionist, see AI receptionist for HVAC and AI receptionist cost.
Related: Vapi pricing, Retell AI pricing, Vapi vs Bland AI, Bland AI vs Retell AI, Vapi listing, Retell AI listing, Vapi alternatives, Retell AI alternatives.
FAQ
Is Vapi cheaper than Retell AI? It depends on the model and voice. Vapi's calculator shows $82 to $129 for 1,000 minutes. Retell's default comes to $110 for 1,000 minutes, by our math.
How many calls can run at once on Vapi and Retell? Retell gives 20 concurrent calls free, then $8 per concurrency a month. Vapi gives 4 with no package, 10 on Core, and $10 a line a month for more.
Do Vapi and Retell have free credits? Yes. Vapi gives $5 in free credits. Retell gives $10.
What does a phone number cost? Retell charges $2.00 a month per number. Vapi lists its own telephony at $0 a minute, with one number on no package and 5 on Core.
Which costs less for HIPAA calls? Vapi lists HIPAA as a $2,000 a month add-on. Retell does not price HIPAA on its pricing page, so ask its sales team.
Checked 2026-10-26. Prices and policies change. Confirm on the source before you buy.
Sources
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