What does a digital reception actually cost? And when is it cheaper than someone at the desk? In this article we break down Charlie's cost structure — using the figures on our pricing page so you can calculate for yourself.
What does Charlie actually do?
Before comparing prices, it helps to know what you're paying for. Charlie is essentially a 55" touchscreen kiosk that receives visitors without a fixed reception employee. The kiosk can, among other things:
- Call employees via VoIP when a visitor arrives
- Register visitors (optional), including via a QR code on the screen that the visitor scans with their own phone
- Accept parcels and notify the recipient automatically (optional)
- Direct visitors to the right company, department or contact — useful in office buildings and multi-tenant buildings
Charlie mainly replaces the reception and routing function of a receptionist, not full office management.
Hardware: buy or lease
Charlie offers two routes for the physical kiosk:
| Option | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Buy | €4,250 for the 55" touchscreen with phone handset, plus €525 one-time on-site installation and onboarding |
| Lease | No large upfront investment; hardware is included in your monthly fee (lease rates on request) |
If you buy, the kiosk is yours. If you lease, hardware costs are spread over the subscription term.
Monthly base plans
On top of that you pay a software subscription. Charlie has three base plans (prices excl. VAT, minimum 1-year contract, then monthly cancellable):
| Plan | Monthly price (monthly billing) | Monthly price (billed annually) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | €129.50 | €112.50 | Single-tenant offices |
| Silver | €174.95 | €152.00 | Growing multi-tenant buildings |
| Gold | €249.50 | €217.00 | Larger or prestige buildings |
Each plan includes kiosk software, VoIP calling and employee notifications. The difference is mainly in the number of company listings (5, 10 or 15+), notification types (email, SMS, app) and which modules are included by default. See the full comparison on the pricing page.
Optional add-ons
Not everything is included in every base plan. Modules you can add separately:
| Module | Monthly | One-time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor registration | €55 | €450 | Not available in Bronze |
| Smart Parcel Service | €30 | €100 | Available in Gold |
| Automatic door opener | €30 | €295 | Access control integration |
| Multimedia content delivery | €30 | €0 | Slideshow on screen; not in Bronze |
| Custom style & themes | — | €275 | One-time, no subscription |
| Multilingual support | — | €125 | One-time, no subscription |
This way you only pay for what you need.
Where the real saving is
The biggest cost Charlie can reduce is staff at the desk.
A part-time receptionist quickly costs more than €35,000 per year in salary, employer costs and benefits. A full-time role runs significantly higher. On top of that, a receptionist is usually not available 24/7: evenings, weekends and breaks often leave the desk empty, while couriers, suppliers and visitors still arrive.
Charlie takes over those standard reception tasks:
- Welcoming visitors and calling the right person
- Optionally registering who is in the building (useful for emergencies)
- Optionally registering parcels without anyone needing to be present
- Guiding visitors to the right place in the building
Calculate conservatively: if you replace or supplement a part-time reception role (0.5 FTE), you quickly save €15,000–€20,000 per year in direct staffing costs — often more. Against that you have monthly subscription costs plus hardware (bought or leased) and modules.
Example calculation (indicative)
Suppose you choose Silver on annual billing (€152/mo) and buy the hardware (€4,775 one-time). In the first year you pay roughly:
- Hardware + installation: €4,775
- Subscription: €152 × 12 = €1,824
- Year 1 total: ~€6,600
From year 2 that drops to ~€1,800 per year in fixed costs. Compare that with €35,000+ for a part-time receptionist — the difference is substantial, even if you supplement rather than fully replace staff.
When does it make sense?
Whether the math works depends on your situation:
- Office with a single desk — often interesting when the desk is unstaffed for long periods or the receptionist has other duties
- Multi-tenant building — one kiosk serves several tenants; cost per organization is then low
- Healthcare or service buildings — especially where privacy-friendly registration and routing matter
Also read: Replace or supplement your receptionist? if you're deciding between full replacement and supplementation.
In short
A digital reception isn't free, but it is a predictable cost instead of a flexible staffing line. Your exact total — buy or lease, which plan, which modules — determines the bottom line. On the pricing page you can compare plans and modules side by side; for a tailored calculation you can always get in touch.