# Retell AI vs Vocode

> Retell AI vs Vocode: Retell AI is our pick, leading for agencies and ecommerce. Base rates $0.07 vs $0.00/min. They split on hipaa baa on base plan and no-code.

![Retell AI logo](https://www.versusref.com/logos/retell.png) ![Vocode logo](https://www.versusref.com/logos/vocode.png)

This is the verified Retell AI vs Vocode breakdown: Retell AI (API plus no-code, production telephony fast) and Vocode (Open-source framework) are Voice AI platforms, priced from $0.07/min and $0 license (self-host) respectively. The bottom line, head-to-head facts, and true cost tiers follow.

Voice AI platforms · 30 facts compared · all sourced · pricing verified Jul 15, 2026

## Bottom line

Retell AI wins on breadth of ready-to-use features for most teams. It includes a no-code agent builder (Vocode has none, per b235d200), partial white-label support versus none for Vocode (d9b359db vs 474ef2b2), SOC 2 Type II, GDPR tooling, a simulation suite, and native integrations with GHL, HubSpot, Make, and Twilio. Vocode's $0.00 base price (d27817de) appeals to pure developers who own all infrastructure, but Retell AI's $0/mo platform fee (4d6a6937) plus $10 free credits also starts at zero cost. Retell AI suits a broader range of teams, including non-technical builders and agencies.

## Verdict summary

| Use case | Winner | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No-code agency deploys | Retell AI | For a no-code agency deploying and white-labeling, Retell AI wins on both critical dimensions. |
| Custom pipeline control | Vocode | For engineering teams needing custom pipeline control, code-level flexibility and open architecture matter most. |
| Ecommerce support and orders | Retell AI | For ecommerce support flows, a no-code agent builder is critical for rapid iteration on order and support scripts. |
| Healthcare compliance | Vocode | For HIPAA-bound healthcare workflows, the key differentiators are HIPAA BAA availability and cost. |
| Outbound sales campaigns | Retell AI | Both tools support native outbound campaigns and warm transfer, but Retell AI adds a no-code agent builder (Vocode lacks one per b235d200) and partial white-label support versus none for Vocode (474ef2b2), which matter for sales teams and agencies. |
| SMB receptionist and booking | Retell AI | For an SMB receptionist and booking use case, ease of setup and cost transparency matter most. |

## Retell AI vs Vocode: head-to-head facts

| Fact | Retell AI | Vocode | Verified |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Base price / min | ~$0.07 ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | $0.00 ([source](https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/vocode)) | Jul 15 |
| Real production cost / min | ~$0.09-0.41 ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | n/a | Jul 15 |
| HIPAA BAA on base plan | ◑  Enterprise only ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | ◑  Paid add-on ([source](https://docs.vocode.dev/welcome)) | Jul 15 |
| Native SIP trunking | ✓  Yes ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | ✓  Yes ([source](https://docs.vocode.dev/welcome)) | Jul 15 |
| Concurrency limit (base) | ~20 calls ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | n/a | Jul 15 |
| Median e2e latency | Not verified | n/a |  |
| Bring-your-own LLM | ✓  Yes ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | ✓  Yes ([source](https://github.com/vocodedev)) | Jul 15 |
| Free tier credit | $10 free credits on signup ([source](https://www.retellai.com/pricing)) | n/a | Jul 15 |

## Retell AI vs Vocode pricing: true cost at 3 usage tiers

All-in monthly: platform fee + per-minute + telephony. Assumes GPT-4o class model, ElevenLabs voice.

| Volume | Buyer | Retell AI | Vocode | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1K min/mo | Solo builder | $250 | $0 | Includes estimated telephony. Free credits can offset the first month. |
| 10K min/mo | Agency | $2,500 | $0 | Volume pricing typically starts to apply at this tier. |
| 100K min/mo | Call center | $25,000 | $0 | Both platforms offer custom contracts at this tier. Negotiate. |

## Retell AI vs Vocode: verdicts by use case

### No-code agency deploys → Retell AI

For a no-code agency deploying and white-labeling, Retell AI wins on both critical dimensions. It has a no-code agent builder while Vocode explicitly does not. On white-label and sub-accounts, Retell AI offers partial support versus none from Vocode. These two facts are decisive for the stated use case. Retell AI also adds an affiliate program and native integrations including Go High Level, which is commonly used by agencies.

### Custom pipeline control → Vocode

For engineering teams needing custom pipeline control, code-level flexibility and open architecture matter most. Vocode has a $0.00/min base price (estimated), making it cost-free to experiment, and its API-first design matches developer workflows. Critically, Vocode lacks a no-code builder, which signals orientation toward code-driven customization rather than abstracted interfaces, giving engineers direct pipeline control. Retell AI has a no-code builder and bundles more managed abstractions, which can limit low-level pipeline access. Both are API-first, but Vocode's absence of a no-code layer and zero base cost lean it toward engineering-first custom pipeline use.

### Ecommerce support and orders → Retell AI

For ecommerce support flows, a no-code agent builder is critical for rapid iteration on order and support scripts. Retell AI offers a no-code builder while Vocode explicitly does not. Retell AI also integrates natively with HubSpot, Go High Level, Make, and Zapier-adjacent tools, enabling order data lookups without custom development work. Retell further provides a simulation and testing suite, helping teams validate order flows before launch. These combined advantages make Retell AI decisively better for ecommerce support without heavy engineering resources.

### Healthcare compliance → Vocode

For HIPAA-bound healthcare workflows, the key differentiators are HIPAA BAA availability and cost. Retell AI restricts its HIPAA BAA to enterprise plans only, meaning most users cannot obtain a BAA without a custom contract. Vocode offers a HIPAA BAA as a paid addon, making it accessible outside enterprise tiers. Vocode also carries a $0.00/min base price, lowering the cost barrier for healthcare teams that need compliance qualification without committing to enterprise pricing. The gap is narrow because both tools require some paid step to obtain a BAA, but Vocode's addon model is more accessible than Retell's enterprise-only gate.

### Outbound sales campaigns → Retell AI

Both tools support native outbound campaigns and warm transfer, but Retell AI adds a no-code agent builder (Vocode lacks one per b235d200) and partial white-label support versus none for Vocode (474ef2b2), which matter for sales teams and agencies. Retell AI also bundles native integrations with HubSpot, Go High Level, Make, and Zapier-adjacent tools (87853682) that are critical for outbound CRM workflows. Vocode's base price is $0.00/min (d27817de), though that figure is only an estimate, while Retell AI at $0.07/min (eeab817a) pairs its higher rate with a proven no-code builder and richer native integrations, giving it a concrete operational edge.

### SMB receptionist and booking → Retell AI

For an SMB receptionist and booking use case, ease of setup and cost transparency matter most. Retell AI offers a no-code agent builder while Vocode explicitly does not, making Vocode harder to deploy without developer resources. Retell AI also includes $10 free credits on signup, a $0/mo platform fee, self-serve signup, and native integrations with HubSpot and Go High Level, which are common SMB CRM tools. Vocode's base price is $0.00/min but is only an estimate, while Retell AI has clear published pricing. The no-code builder alone is decisive for a non-technical SMB buyer.

## Retell AI vs Vocode: common questions

### Which tool is cheaper per minute Retell AI or Vocode

Vocode lists a base price of $0.00/min (estimated), while Retell AI charges $0.07/min as its stated base rate. Once LLM and TTS usage is factored in, Retell AI's real production cost ranges from $0.085 to $0.415 USD/min. Vocode's true all-in cost is not confirmed in available data.

### Does Retell AI or Vocode support HIPAA compliance

Retell AI offers a HIPAA BAA for enterprise plans only, while Vocode provides HIPAA compliance as a paid add-on. Because neither tool includes a HIPAA BAA on a standard base plan, healthcare teams should budget for the appropriate tier on whichever platform they choose.

### Can I build a voice agent without coding using Retell AI or Vocode

Retell AI includes a no-code agent builder, while Vocode does not. This makes Vocode better suited to developer teams comfortable working directly with APIs.

### Do both platforms support bring-your-own LLM and custom TTS voices

Yes. Both Retell AI and Vocode support bring-your-own LLM and bring-your-own TTS voice, giving teams full flexibility to use their preferred models and voice providers on either platform.

### What is the concurrent call limit on Retell AI and does it cost extra to increase it

Retell AI includes 20 concurrent calls on its base plan, with additional concurrent lines available at $8 per month each. No equivalent base concurrency figure is available for Vocode in the current data.

### Which tool is better for agencies that need white-labeling or sub-accounts

Retell AI offers partial white-label and sub-account support, while Vocode offers no white-label capabilities. Agencies needing branded reseller environments will find Retell AI the closer fit, though its support is listed as partial only.

### Does Retell AI have a free trial or free credits to get started

Retell AI offers $10 in free credits on signup, charges no monthly platform fee, and supports self-serve signup, so you can start testing immediately without a sales call or any upfront commitment.

### Do Retell AI and Vocode both support native SIP trunking and outbound call campaigns

Yes. Both Retell AI and Vocode support native SIP trunking and native outbound campaigns, so either platform can handle high-volume outbound dialing over your existing telephony infrastructure.

Source: https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/retell-vs-vocode/