Competitor Review
Cost Comparison for 100 Call‑Offs (90‑second average)
This chart assumes 100 phone call‑off reports in a month at a 90‑second average, generated by roughly 200 employees (based on a typical absence rate of 0.5 call‑offs per person per month). Web/text reports cost $0.25 each and are not included.
| Provider | Setup / One‑Time Fees | Monthly Minimum | Pricing Model | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTC AbsenceCheck | None – setup, training and programming changes are free | None – no monthly minimums or contracts | Per‑Use (2.7¢ per 6s) or Flat $0.45/report | 24 languages; month‑to‑month; integrated texting; pay the lower of per‑use or flat rate |
| CMS (Continental Message Solutions) | $80/hr setup/programming; security deposit equal to base plan | Base package required (e.g., 100 minutes/28‑day cycle) | Per‑minute + base package | Overages ~$1/min; 28‑day billing; call‑center style with deposits |
| AMBS Call Center | Not publicly listed | Plan‑based (e.g., $149 for 100 min) | Per‑minute + overage ($1.29/min over base) | Live‑agent service; limited transparency on fees |
| Answer United (Basic) | $399 one‑time programming fee; support $0.99/min | $249/28‑day package (includes 100 absences) | Per‑absence package + overage ($1.50/absence) | English & Spanish included; 28‑day billing |
| TeamSense | Not publicly listed | $500/mo minimum or $5–8 per employee/mo | Per‑employee (text‑only platform) | Text‑only solution; no phone hotline; different model |
Where AbsenceCheck Excels
- No hidden fees – AbsenceCheck never charges setup, training or programming change fees, and there are no monthly minimums.
- Flexible pricing – Choose between per‑use billing (2.7¢ per six seconds) and a flat $0.45/report; web/text reports are just $0.25 each.
- Pay less as you grow – Unlike per‑employee solutions that cost $3–7 per user per month, our pay‑for‑what‑you‑use model scales affordably.
- Multilingual support – 24 languages included with no extra charge for additional languages.
- Integrations & notifications – Modern API integrations, role‑based dashboards and real‑time SMS/email notifications included.
- No long‑term contracts – We earn your business every month with transparent month‑to‑month billing.
Why call‑center pricing costs more
Traditional call centers charge a base package for included minutes, then tack on programming fees, security deposits, and per‑minute overage rates around $1.00 per minute. These hidden costs add up quickly when employees call off.
Why per‑employee plans can over‑charge
Per‑employee SaaS models bill a flat fee for every person on your roster—often $3–7 per month per employee—whether or not they call off. For large workforces this pricing can be 2–3× more expensive than paying per call or report. In our scenario, with 200 employees generating 100 call‑offs, a $5/employee plan would cost about $1,000 per month—far more than our per‑use or flat rate options.