Exotel pricing in India: plans, credits and what an AI voice agent needs on top
As on 17 September 2026, Exotel publishes three prepaid Business Phone System plans: Dabbler at ₹9,999 for 5 months, Believer at ₹19,999 and Influencer at ₹49,499 for 11 months, each split into rental and credits where 1 credit is ₹1. Per-minute call rates and AgentStream voice streaming for AI voicebots are not published, so you get those from Exotel. Convo360 connects your own Exotel account with zero markup.
Prices as on 17 September 2026. Figures were checked against the provider's official pages on that date. Providers change prices and rules without notice, so confirm on the official page before you budget. Convo360 adds no markup: you pay the provider directly with your own account. Convo360 is not affiliated with Exotel. Exotel, ExoPhone and AgentStream are trademarks of their owner. Prices were read from Exotel's official pages on 17 September 2026 and may change; always confirm on the official pricing page. Nothing here is legal advice on TRAI or DND rules.
- Exotel's published plans are Dabbler ₹9,999 (5 months), Believer ₹19,999 (11 months) and Influencer ₹49,499 (11 months).
- Each plan is rental plus credits, and Exotel states 1 credit = ₹1, used for calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages.
- Exotel does not publish per-minute call rates; calls deduct credits at the rates in your own bill plan.
- Voice Streaming (AgentStream), which an AI voicebot needs, is excluded from the listed plans and priced on request.
- Exotel accounts are prepaid with validity: recharge before expiry or unused credits are lost, and 18% GST applies.
Exotel plans and prices as on 17 September 2026
These figures were read from Exotel's official Business Phone System pricing page as on 17 September 2026, in rupees exactly as published.
| Plan | Price | Validity | Rental | Credits | Exotel phones | Agents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dabbler | ₹9,999 | 5 months | ₹4,999 | 5,000 | 1 | 3 |
| Believer | ₹19,999 | 11 months | ₹10,499 | 9,500 | 2 | 6 |
| Influencer | ₹49,499 | 11 months | ₹10,499 | 39,000 | 10 | Unlimited |
Exotel states that credits are used for calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages and that 1 credit = ₹1. In each plan the rental and the credits add up to the plan price. An Exotel phone, or ExoPhone, is the virtual number you dial from or receive calls on. All three plans list multi-level IVR.
The page also offers a 7-day free trial with 500 free credits, and a startup programme with ₹6,000 of free SMS and call credits for six months. Enterprise contact centre plans sit on a separate page, and the Communication APIs and AI and Automation tabs say Contact Sales. Check the live figures on Exotel's pricing page.
What Exotel does not publish: per-minute rates and streaming
Two things an AI voice project needs are not on the public price list, so this page does not state a number for them.
- Per-minute call rates. Exotel's help docs say calls are charged at the applicable rates specified by your bill plan. You see that rate inside your own Exotel account or in the quote from their sales team.
- Voice streaming. The pricing page carries this disclaimer: Voice Streaming (Agent Stream) is excluded from the plans listed and is available as a separate offering, with access and pricing through hello@exotel.com.
Exotel's docs also explain that incoming calls to an ExoPhone are charged, because the platform places an outbound leg to connect your team member. In that standard connect flow, the docs say an outbound call costs twice as much as an inbound call, since two legs are dialled. That describes calls routed to human agents. How a voicebot call is rated is not published, so ask Exotel for it in writing before you buy.
So an AI voice agent on Exotel has three cost lines: the plan (rental plus credits), the per-minute deduction from credits, and the AgentStream charge Exotel quotes you.
Prepaid validity, top-ups and GST
Exotel describes the account as prepaid, like a prepaid SIM. It works only while the validity is active and credits are available.
- Validity packs extend the expiry date. A recharge made before expiry carries the pending balance forward.
- After expiry, Exotel's payment terms say unused pending balances are lost.
- Top-ups add credits when validity remains but the balance is low.
- Refunds and pauses: Exotel says it does not refund pre-payments and that an account cannot be suspended temporarily.
- GST: Exotel's GST article says 18% GST is charged on its services. Its example shows a payment of ₹1,180 as ₹1,000 of service value plus ₹180 of tax. Invoices are raised monthly on actual usage, and input credit follows the invoice, not the receipt voucher.
The plan page marks only SMS as GST applicable, so confirm the final payable amount for a plan at checkout.
AgentStream, the Voicebot applet and KYC
AgentStream is Exotel's name for real-time voice streaming. Per Exotel's guide, it is enabled through the Voicebot applet (two-way audio between caller and bot over a WebSocket) or the Stream applet (one-way audio).
Getting access follows these steps in Exotel's guide:
- Open the account on the right instance. Exotel recommends the Mumbai instance for Indian customers.
- Complete KYC. AgentStream access requires it.
- Email hello@exotel.com asking to enable the Stream or Voicebot applet for your Account SID, with a short note on your use case. Exotel says KYC and enablement can run in parallel.
For a registered company, Exotel's KYC page lists a certificate of incorporation (or MSME certificate), the company PAN card, an address proof such as a GST registration certificate or electricity bill, and a photo of a director or authorised signatory. Partnerships, trusts and sole proprietors have their own lists. Documents must match your Company Info details.
Consent, DND preferences under TRAI rules and calling hours for your own campaigns need your care on any provider. This is not legal advice; see TRAI and DND care for AI calling.
A cost-per-call formula with illustrative minutes
Because the per-minute rate is not public, the formula keeps it as R, the rate in your Exotel bill plan for that call direction. The volumes are ILLUSTRATIVE.
- Credits used per call = billed minutes × R
- Minutes your credits cover = plan credits ÷ R
- Fixed cost per month = rental ÷ validity months
- Total = rental + credits used + AgentStream charge as quoted, then GST
From the published figures, Dabbler's rental works out to ₹4,999 ÷ 5 = about ₹1,000 a month, and Believer's or Influencer's to ₹10,499 ÷ 11 = about ₹954 a month.
Illustrative volume: 1,000 calls a month at 2.5 billed minutes each is 2,500 minutes a month, or 12,500 minutes across Dabbler's 5 months. Credits needed = 12,500 × R. If that is more than the 5,000 credits in the plan, the difference is your top-up. Remember that SMS and WhatsApp messages draw from the same credits.
The AI side of the bill is separate. See AI voice agent cost per minute in India.
How to connect Exotel in Convo360
Convo360 is an India-first platform for AI voice calls and WhatsApp chatbots where you bring your own provider accounts. Voice calling is part of the Pro plan at ₹2,999/month excluding GST, with zero markup on Exotel usage.
- In Exotel, finish KYC, choose a plan and get the Voicebot applet enabled.
- In Convo360 open Settings → Provider Keys, choose Exotel and fill in the API Key, API Token, Account SID and Subdomain. The Voicebot App ID and Caller ID (ExoPhone) fields are optional. Press Test.
- Open Phone Numbers, register your ExoPhone and pick Exotel as its provider.
- The number card shows a URL with a copy button. In your Exotel dashboard create an App, add a Voicebot applet, paste that URL, set the audio format shown on the card, and attach the App to the ExoPhone.
- Choose the voice agent from the dropdown on the number.
- Call the ExoPhone from your mobile as a test. For outbound, run a small campaign to team phones first.
- Review transcripts, AI call summaries and Analytics.
If the Exotel credentials fail or credits run out, provider health monitoring shows a clear alert. More in the voice and phone numbers docs.
Ways to keep the Exotel bill down
- Never let validity lapse. Recharge before the expiry date so unused credits carry forward.
- Size the plan to real usage. Use the 500 trial credits to measure actual call lengths, then pick the plan whose credits you will use within its validity.
- Keep calls short. A crisp greeting and a prompt goodbye reduce the minutes deducted from credits.
- Grow inbound. A caller who dials your ExoPhone already wants to talk, so there are no unanswered attempts to pay for. Ask Exotel how inbound and outbound voicebot minutes are rated. See the cost of missed calls.
- Call at sensible hours when customers pick up, within permitted calling hours and DND preferences, so you need fewer retries.
Looking at other providers too? Read Plivo pricing in India and how to choose a telephony provider.
Step by step
- Get Exotel readyComplete KYC in Exotel, choose a plan and email Exotel to enable the Voicebot applet for your Account SID.
- Add your Exotel credentialsIn Convo360 go to Settings → Provider Keys → Exotel, enter the API Key, API Token, Account SID and Subdomain, and press Test.
- Register the ExoPhoneUnder Phone Numbers, register your ExoPhone with Exotel as the provider and copy the URL shown on the number card.
- Add the Voicebot appletIn the Exotel dashboard create an App with a Voicebot applet, paste the copied URL and attach the App to the ExoPhone.
- Attach an agent and testChoose the voice agent on the number, call it from your mobile, then review the transcript and Analytics.
Example conversation
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Frequently asked questions
What are Exotel's plans and prices in India?
As on 17 September 2026, Exotel's Business Phone System page lists Dabbler at ₹9,999 with 5 months validity, Believer at ₹19,999 and Influencer at ₹49,499 with 11 months validity. Each plan combines a rental amount with credits, where 1 credit equals ₹1.
What is Exotel's call rate per minute?
Exotel does not publish a per-minute call rate on its pricing pages. Its help docs say calls are charged at the applicable rates in your bill plan and deducted from your credits. Check the rate inside your Exotel account or ask their sales team for a written quote.
Are incoming calls free on Exotel?
Exotel's own help article says incoming calls to an ExoPhone are charged at your bill plan rate, because the platform dials an outbound leg to connect your team. How incoming calls answered by a voicebot are rated is not published, so confirm it with Exotel.
Is voice streaming for AI voicebots included in Exotel plans?
No. Exotel's pricing pages state that Voice Streaming, called AgentStream, is excluded from the listed plans and is a separate offering. Access needs completed KYC and a request to hello@exotel.com, and the price is quoted by Exotel rather than published.
Is GST extra on Exotel?
Exotel's GST help article says it charges 18% GST on its services, with an example where a ₹1,180 payment is ₹1,000 of service value plus ₹180 tax. Invoices are raised monthly on actual usage. Confirm the payable amount for a plan at checkout.
Does Exotel have a free trial?
Yes. Exotel's pricing page describes a 7-day, fully functional free trial with 500 free credits for calls and SMS. Exotel says everything works the same in a trial account, so you can test call flows and integrations before paying. Voice streaming for a voicebot still needs KYC and a separate enablement request.
Official sources
- Exotel: Business Phone System plans and pricing (official)
- Exotel support: Quick guide to streaming services, AgentStream (official)
- Exotel docs: KYC verification (official)
- Exotel docs: Why am I charged for incoming calls? (official)
- Exotel support: Payment terms and pricing model (official)
- Exotel support: All about GST, Indian and international accounts (official)
Related reading
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