Quick answer
AI voice for any incoming volume above 200/month. IVR feels broken in 2026 — customers expect conversation.
Why this matters in 2026
The 2026 AI landscape moves weekly — what was best in Q1 isn't in Q3. This comparison reflects current production usage from Indian SMBs we work with, not vendor marketing claims.
Practical recommendation for Indian SMBs
For most under-500-employee Indian businesses, the right answer is: start small (one workflow, ₹5K-25K/month commitment), measure for 30 days, expand if ROI is clear. ZentroTECH's discovery audit (free 30 min) maps your specific situation to the 2026 AI stack — get a quote within 1 business day at /contact.
Common mistakes to avoid
(1) Buying SaaS for a problem AI can solve for ₹0 (ChatGPT Plus is enough for 60% of SMB AI needs). (2) Building custom AI when off-the-shelf works (waste of 6-12 months engineering). (3) Ignoring DPDP/MeitY compliance for "later" — fix it before deploying, not after. (4) Choosing English-only when Hindi/regional language support boosts response rates 2-3×.