Retell AI vs Sera
Retell AI is an ai voice platform, whereas Sera is a field service platform. The core trade-off for a home service owner is which front office model fits how you answer calls, book jobs, and follow up.
Sarah Mitchell · Senior Staff Writer · How we score comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers grounded in the public capability matrix and linked sources on this page.
- Which is better for small home service businesses: Retell AI or Sera?
- It depends on the front office model you need. Compare Retell AI and Sera on AI voice, booking, CRM, and live backup in the capability matrix on this page, then weigh customer reviews and pricing pages linked on this comparison.
- How do Retell AI and Sera pricing models differ?
- We do not invent prices on this page. Open each vendor’s pricing link in the Pricing model section to see current public plans, then factor call volume and add-ons.
- Do Retell AI and Sera offer AI voice for inbound calls?
- Retell AI: Partial. Sera: No. Scored for AI Voice (Inbound). Hover the matrix cells for sourced evidence excerpts.
- Do they integrate with field service platforms like Jobber or ServiceTitan?
- Retell AI: No. Sera: Yes. Scored for FSM Integrations. Check each vendor’s evidence link for the specific FSM connectors they publish.
- Where can I see alternatives to Retell AI and Sera?
- Browse the Retell AI alternatives and Sera alternatives pages linked below this FAQ, plus the Living Grid and methodology for how we score capabilities.
Related: Retell AI alternatives · Sera alternatives · Living Grid · Methodology
Capabilities, side by side
Each tool is scored on its own terms, by the same set of categories. Hover any cell for the definition and the source behind it.
| Capability | Retell AI | Sera |
|---|---|---|
| AI Voice (Inbound) | Partial* | No* |
| AI Voice (Outbound) | Partial* | No* |
| SMS Follow-up | Partial* | No* |
| Appointment Booking | Partial* | Partial* |
| Native CRM | No* | Yes |
| Payments | Partial* | Partial* |
| Dispatch & Scheduling | No* | Yes |
| Review Management | No* | No* |
| Live Human Backup | Partial* | No* |
| Trade Templates | No* | Partial* |
| FSM Integrations | No* | Yes |
Yes / Partial / No reflect each tool on its own terms, scored from its public materials. Hover a cell for the definition and source. * marks limited evidence.
Buyer profile
Industries and qualitative fit from public roster fields. Cost model, automation model, and primary use case appear when verified. Setup, call volume, and starting price stay “not published” unless a comparable plan-price figure is sourced (add-on or feature mentions do not count).
| Profile | Retell AI | Sera |
|---|---|---|
| Industries served | HVAC | HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical |
| Best for | smaller home service teams exploring the category; especially buyers evaluating AI voice as a standalone call layer across HVAC. | larger home service operators comparing category leaders; especially operators consolidating field ops and the front office in one platform across HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical. |
| Setup time | Not published. Vendors rarely share a comparable figure for this. | Not published. Vendors rarely share a comparable figure for this. |
| Call volume handled | Not published. Vendors rarely share a comparable figure for this. | Not published. Vendors rarely share a comparable figure for this. |
| Cost model | Not yet verified | Subscription Detected Jul 7, 2026 |
| Automation model | Not yet verified | Automated software platform (FSM) with human technicians performing the field work, supported by automated dispatching, scheduling, and job tracking tools. Detected Jul 7, 2026 |
| Primary use case | Not yet verified | Field service management for home services (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) — scheduling, dispatching, job tracking, margin pricing, and customer memberships. Detected Jul 7, 2026 |
| Pricing (starting) | Not published. Vendors rarely share a comparable figure for this. | From 399 USD/month Detected Jul 7, 2026 |
Pricing model
Pricing changes often and each tool prices differently (per seat, per minute, per call, or usage based). Rather than freeze a number that goes stale, we link straight to each vendor’s own pricing page so you see the current model at the source.
Detailed analysis
Side-by-side notes on automation model, primary use cases, and pricing caveats. Only when each claim is backed by a public source.
Technology vs. human touch
Retell AI
Not yet verified from public sources.
Sera
Automated software platform (FSM) with human technicians performing the field work, supported by automated dispatching, scheduling, and job tracking tools.
“Get more trucks out the door daily with automated dispatching that matches skill, availability, and routes perfectly.”
Primary use cases
Retell AI
Not yet verified from public sources.
Sera
Field service management for home services (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) — scheduling, dispatching, job tracking, margin pricing, and customer memberships.
“While other platforms pile on features, Sera focuses on what actually matters for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical teams... Margin Pricing: See exactly what you earn and spend on every job.”
Pricing and hidden costs
Retell AI
Not yet verified from public sources.
Sera
$149/month per additional technician beyond the 4 included in the Core Essentials plan.
“Core Essentials $399/month (includes unlimited admins and up to 4 technicians).”
What customers say
Verbatim public reviews, praise and complaints both, each linked to where it was posted. We do not edit or cherry-pick for tone. Ratings appear only from third-party review sources.
Retell AI
5/5 · 33 reviews“Babybots provided detailed analytics before the project implementation and kept the solution easy to understand.”
“I think the SMS function is a little bit expensive”
“convenience, ability to connect to Google Calendar, great ability to create in the JSON system”
“I think the SMS function is a little bit expensive”
Sera
3/5 · 23 reviews“Been amazing best thing that ever happened to my business”
“I find their data management has issues, the mobile app crashes, and login doesn't always work.”
“Focuses on driving and revenue and has everything you need.”
“I'm frustrated with Sera because it hangs up and the tech is slow.”
Trade fit
The home service trades each tool is tracked for.
Retell AI
- HVAC
Sera
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Electrical
Verdict
Who should choose what
Retell AI (ai voice platform) vs Sera (field service platform): pick the model that matches how you want calls handled.
- Choose Retell AI if you want highly customizable AI voice for inbound and outbound calling.
- Choose Sera if you need field service ops (jobs, dispatch, technicians) as the system of record.
- Consider ServiceAgent if you want an AI front office that answers 24/7, books the job, and takes payment without forcing a per-minute receptionist model.
One of these is ours. Here is the honest pitch.
ServiceAgent is the AI front office built for home service teams. It answers every call, books the job, and keeps your records straight. Try it and judge for yourself.