Most businesses today are using some form of AI for customer communication. But here’s the question:

Should you invest in a chatbot, an AI call assistant, or both?

Many companies assume that a chatbot on their website or social media is enough. But what about customers who still prefer to call? What happens when you’re missing phone inquiries or wasting time handling calls manually?

The reality is that AI call assistants and chatbots serve different purposes. Understanding their strengths (and weaknesses) can help you decide which one is best for your business.

What’s the Difference Between a Chatbot and an AI Call Assistant?

🟢 Chatbot: A text-based assistant that interacts with customers via chat (website, social media, messaging apps).

🟢 AI Call Assistant: A voice-based AI that answers phone calls, handles customer inquiries, and routes calls when necessary.

FeatureAI Call AssistantChatbot

Handles voice calls?

✅ Yes

❌ No

Works via text/chat?

❌ No

✅ Yes

Answers FAQs?

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

Books appointments?

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

Transfers to a human?

✅ Yes

❌ No

Works 24/7?

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

If your customers mostly communicate via phone, a chatbot won’t help. If most inquiries are handled through web chat, an AI call assistant won’t be your first priority.

For many businesses, the best solution is using both.

When Do You Need an AI Call Assistant?

AI call assistants are best for handling voice calls without needing a human on the line.

📌 Your business needs an AI call assistant if:

✅ You’re missing calls and losing potential leads.

✅ Your team spends too much time on the phone answering repetitive questions.

✅ You need an automated way to book meetings and follow up.

✅ You want to provide after-hours phone support without hiring extra staff.

🚀 Example: A real estate agency uses an AI call assistant to answer incoming calls, provide property details, and schedule viewings—so agents can focus on closing deals instead of picking up the phone.

When Do You Need a Chatbot?

Chatbots are great for handling text-based conversations on a website, social media, or messaging apps.

📌 Your business needs a chatbot if:

✅ Most customer inquiries come through your website or social media.

✅ You want to automate basic questions (pricing, availability, support).

✅ You don’t receive many phone calls, but need help handling online messages.

✅ You want to qualify leads through chat before sending them to sales.

🚀 Example: An e-commerce store uses a chatbot to handle customer questions about products, orders, and returns—so human agents don’t have to step in unless necessary.

Can AI Call Assistants and Chatbots Work Together?

Yes! In fact, using both can create a seamless customer experience.

Here’s how businesses are combining chatbots and AI call assistants for maximum efficiency:

🔗 A chatbot handles website inquiries while an AI call assistant manages phone calls.

📞 If a customer starts with chat but prefers a call, the chatbot connects them to AI voice assistance.

💬 If someone calls and prefers a text response, the AI call assistant follows up via SMS or email.

🚀 Example: A medical clinic uses a chatbot to answer website visitors' questions about services, while an AI call assistant handles phone scheduling and appointment confirmations.

This ensures that every customer gets help instantly—whether they prefer to call or chat.

Which One Should You Choose?

If your business relies on phone calls for sales, appointments, or customer support → AI Call Assistant

If you get most customer interactions through your website or social media → Chatbot

If you want the best of both worlds → Use both together for full automation.

The bottom line? AI call assistants and chatbots aren’t competing technologies—they complement each other.

If you’re missing sales because of unanswered calls, an AI call assistant is the fastest way to fix it.

Try Callberry today and start handling calls automatically.