What is an AI receptionist?
A virtual phone assistant that answers every call instantly, books appointments and routes urgent callers — 24/7. Astra does it in Hindi and English, in under 2 seconds.
How much does it cost in India?
Astra is Rs.2,499/month with 500 included minutes and a dedicated number. A human receptionist costs Rs.15,000–25,000/month and handles one call at a time.
Does it work with my existing number?
Yes. Conditional forwarding (*004*) keeps your number — Astra picks up only when you're busy or don't answer. Cancel anytime with ##004#.
Can it take restaurant table bookings?
Yes — tables against live slots, party size confirmed, booking WhatsApped to your team. Even Friday 8pm.
How long does setup take?
About 5 minutes. Get your Astra number, dial *004*, test-call yourself. No hardware, no technician.
Is it cheaper than hiring a receptionist?
A human costs Rs.15,000–25,000/month, handles one call at a time, and goes home at night. Astra is Rs.2,499/month, unlimited concurrent calls, 24/7. One recovered customer covers it.
Which languages does Astra speak?
Hindi and English today, switching automatically to the caller. Regional languages are on the roadmap. You get every summary in English on WhatsApp.
Which ERP systems does it integrate with?
TallyPrime, Zoho, Marg and Odoo. Stock levels and appointment slots are checked live during the call — not just message-taking.
Is it better than IVR press-1 menus?
IVR deflects — 85% of callers hang up on voicemail-style systems. Astra converses, answers from your business data, and completes bookings. Callers usually can't tell it's AI.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Monthly billing, no lock-in. Dial ##004# and calls route back to your phone instantly.
What is the best AI receptionist in India?
The best one answers instantly, books against live data, and works in your callers' language. Astra does all three at Rs.2,499/month — compare our honest comparison before you decide.
How is Astra different from other AI receptionists?
Most rivals only take messages. Astra checks your ERP live mid-call, handles unlimited concurrent calls, and goes live in 5 minutes with no Rs.50,000 setup fee.
Is Astra available in my city?
Astra works anywhere in India — it only needs your phone's call forwarding. Priority onboarding is currently open for Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bangalore.
What happens after I request early access?
We call you back, map your business data, issue your Astra number, and walk you through the 5-minute forwarding setup. You test-call before paying a rupee.
Does Astra send booking confirmations?
Yes — your team gets a WhatsApp summary with transcript after every call: name, number, intent, slot booked. Nothing lives only in someone's memory.