Beside vs PolyAI
Which Customer Support AI tool is better in 2026?
Beside
An AI receptionist for the real economy that never misses a call
PolyAI
The world's most lifelike voice AI agents for enterprise customer service.
Side-by-side
PolyAI is the more established option (raised $120M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Beside | PolyAI |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | An AI receptionist for the real economy that never misses a call | The world's most lifelike voice AI agents for enterprise customer service. |
| Foundedi | 2024 | 2017🏆 |
| HQi | Paris, FR | London, GB |
| Employeesi | 11-50 | 201-500🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 57 | 58🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $32M | $120M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series A | Series C · May 2024 |
| Valuationi | — | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed | — |
| Free plani | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Enterprise · Contact sales |
| Pricing summaryi | Free | 1 published plans |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Beside and PolyAI.
| Capability | Beside | PolyAI |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | 2 (JavaScript, Python) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Beside
- Offers a free plan
- Newer company (2024)
🔵 Strengths of PolyAI
- Has raised more capital ($120M vs $32M)
- Higher Neuron score (58 vs 57)
- More mature (2017)
Which should you choose?
Choose PolyAI if price matters most — it starts at Enterprise · Contact sales, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Customer Support tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose PolyAI if you want the most established option — it has raised $120M, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Beside vs PolyAI — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Beside is the leaner option; PolyAI has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Beside cheaper than PolyAI?
No — PolyAI's cheapest paid plan is Enterprise · Contact sales, while Beside's is Free.
Do Beside and PolyAI offer free plans?
Beside: Yes, has a free plan. PolyAI: Free trial only.
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