HeyJodie is an AI receptionist that answers calls for you. TextBack Pro is an instant SMS auto-reply that fires within 5 seconds of a missed call. If you want to stop losing jobs while you're on site, TextBack Pro is faster, cheaper, and requires zero training. HeyJodie suits businesses that want calls answered live, but costs 4x more and needs days of setup.
| Feature | TextBack Pro | HeyJodie |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Instant SMS reply to missed calls | AI answers calls live |
| Response time | Under 5 seconds | Depends on AI queue |
| Setup time | Under 5 minutes | Days of AI training required |
| Price | From £47/month | ~£200+ / month |
| Free trial | 14 days, no credit card | Yes, card usually required |
| Keep your existing number | Yes, call forwarding | New number often required |
| Works without internet | Yes, SMS via Twilio | Requires live connection |
| Calendar booking | Built-in (Pro + Scale) | Available at extra cost |
| Follow-up sequences | Automated (Pro + Scale) | Not available |
| UK-native numbers | Yes, +44 Twilio numbers | Available for UK |
| Built for tradespeople | Yes, trades-first design | General purpose |
HeyJodie is an AI receptionist. When someone calls your number, a virtual assistant picks up, has a conversation, and takes a message. It is designed to replace a human receptionist.
TextBack Pro works differently. It does not answer the call at all. When your phone rings out, TextBack Pro fires an SMS to the caller within 5 seconds. The message tells them you saw the call, you are busy right now, and gives them a way to book or reply.
For most UK tradespeople, the texting approach wins. Here is why:
HeyJodie requires you to upload your business information so the AI can answer questions accurately. That takes time, and if your prices or services change, you need to update it. There is also a risk the AI gives wrong answers to callers.
TextBack Pro setup takes under 5 minutes. You enter your business name, your phone number, and your SMS message. Then you enable call forwarding on your phone using a short code we send you. That is it.
HeyJodie does not publish pricing on their website, which usually means it is expensive. Based on comparable AI receptionist tools, expect to pay £150 to £300 per month depending on call volume.
TextBack Pro starts at £47/month on the Starter plan (200 leads/month). That is one recovered job per month to break even, for most UK trades.
HeyJodie makes sense if you need a human-sounding voice to answer calls, your business takes complex enquiries that need back-and-forth conversation, or you have the budget and time to train the AI properly.
If you are a sole trader or small team and you want missed calls handled automatically, without training, without credit card risk, and without paying 4x more, TextBack Pro is the better fit.
No credit card. No training. Works in 5 minutes. Cancel anytime.
Start Free Trial →No credit card required. Keep your existing number.