CallTradie vs Johnni AI: Which AI Receptionist Wins?
Choosing between CallTradie and Johnni AI? Smart move comparing before committing.
This side-by-side breaks down real costs, features, and trade-offs—no marketing fluff. Both are solid options. The right choice depends on your specific tradie business needs.
Quick answer: CallTradie wins on per-call pricing and emergency handling. Johnni AI wins on high-volume tradies.
Quick Comparison: CallTradie vs Johnni AI
| Feature | CallTradie | Johnni AI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $0.50–$1.00/min | $300-500/mo |
| Model | Pay per call | Flat monthly |
| Setup Fee | $0 | Varies |
| Contract | Month-to-month | Check terms |
| Emergency Transfers | ✅ Instant | ❓ Check |
| Australian Voice | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| ServiceM8 | ✅ Native | ✅ Yes |
| Simpro | ✅ Native | ✅ Yes |
| Best For | Solo-med tradies | High-volume tradies |
Real Cost Comparison (No Hidden Fees)
CallTradie:
- $0.50–$1.00/min of actual call time
- Average tradie: 200-400 mins/month = $100–$400/mo
- Scale with volume (pay only when busy)
Johnni AI:
- $300-500/mo/month flat
- Fixed cost regardless of volume
- Predictable but expensive if low volume
Break-even analysis: If you use < 300 minutes/month → CallTradie cheaper If you use > 800 minutes/month → Johnni AI might be cheaper
ROI comparison: Both pay for themselves with just 1-2 saved jobs/month. Real question: which fits your call pattern better?
Where CallTradie Beats Johnni AI
1. Emergency Call Intelligence Our AI detects urgent language ("burst pipe NOW", "no power") and transfers to your mobile immediately—even bypassing Do Not Disturb. Critical for emergencies.
2. Pay-Per-Call Pricing Solo tradie getting 40 calls/month? Pay $75–$150, not $$300-500/mo. Better for seasonal/growing businesses.
3. Australian-First Design Built specifically for Aussie tradies. Understands suburbs, slang ("no worries mate"), integrates with ServiceM8/Simpro natively.
4. No Lock-In Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. No penalties. Try for 7 days free.
Where Johnni AI Beats CallTradie
Being honest: Johnni AI has real advantages.
Trade-specific training
Good integrations
Predictable Billing: If you handle 1,000+ minutes/month consistently, flat pricing = easier budgeting.
Best for: High-volume tradies
How to Switch from Johnni AI to CallTradie
Zero-downtime migration (10 minutes):
- Sign up CallTradie - No credit card for 7-day trial
- Get your number - New number or forward existing
- Run parallel - Keep Johnni AI active, test CallTradie for a week
- Compare results - Track which service books more jobs
- Cancel Johnni AI - When ready, no penalties
Most tradies run both for 3-7 days before fully committing. Smart way to validate before switching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CallTradie and Johnni AI at the same time?
Yes. Many tradies run both for a week to compare results. Forward some calls to CallTradie, some to Johnni AI, track which books more jobs.
Which one actually answers faster?
CallTradie averages 1.8 seconds (under 2 rings). Johnni AI's speed varies—test both with your trial.
Do I need to port my number?
No. Just forward your existing number to whichever service you choose. Keep your current number, switch providers anytime.
Have Questions?
Our team is here to help. Get in touch and we will respond within 24 hours.
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