Vapi vs Retell AI
Verdict
Both are platforms for building AI phone agents priced by the minute. Retell lists pay-as-you-go at $0.07 to $0.31/min with $10 of free credits. Vapi lists its per-minute platform cost with transcriber, model and voice costs separately.
- Consider Vapi if: Your developers want to pick and pay for each voice component separately.
- Consider Retell AI if: You want an all-in per-minute range and free credits to start.
Factual summary
- Both are listed under Voice AI & Dialers.
- Directly comparable starting prices are not available for both: Vapi — Usage-based per minute; component costs (transcriber, model, voice) listed separately; Retell AI — Pay as you go, $0.07–$0.31/min; $10 free credits.
This is a factual comparison drawn from vendor sites, not a recommendation. Which fits depends on your channels, volume and budget.
| Vapi | Retell AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Developer platform for building voice AI agents. | AI phone agents priced per minute. |
| Starting price | See vendor | See vendor |
| Pricing details | Usage-based per minute; component costs (transcriber, model, voice) listed separately | Pay as you go, $0.07–$0.31/min; $10 free credits |
| Model | usage | usage |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Channels | phone | phone |
| Last verified | 2026-10-16 | 2026-10-16 |