TextBack Pro vs HeyJodie: Which is better for UK tradespeople?
HeyJodie is an AI receptionist that answers calls for you. TextBack Pro is an instant SMS auto-reply that fires within 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.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | TextBack Pro | HeyJodie |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Instant SMS reply to missed calls | AI answers calls live |
| Response time | Within seconds | Depends on AI queue |
| Setup time | Under 5 minutes | Days of AI training required |
| Price | £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 | Available at extra cost |
| Follow-up for quiet leads | Automated | Not available |
| UK-native numbers | Yes, +44 Twilio numbers | Available for UK |
| Built for tradespeople | Yes, trades-first design | General purpose |
The key difference: answering vs texting back
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 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:
- Callers already expect to text a business in 2025. A text reply feels natural.
- You do not need to train TextBack Pro on your services, pricing, or FAQs. It just sends your message.
- If a caller wants more detail, they reply to the SMS and your AI chat handles it from there.
- No risk of the AI saying something wrong about your pricing or availability.
Setup: 5 minutes vs days
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.
Price: £47 vs £200+
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 is £47/month (up to 300 leads a month). That is one recovered job per month to break even, for most UK trades.
When would you choose HeyJodie instead?
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.
Try TextBack Pro free for 14 days
No credit card. No training. Works in 5 minutes. Cancel anytime.
Start Free Trial →No credit card required. Keep your existing number.