A Plivo answering machine detection alternative
Plivo answering machine detection is part of Plivo's calling API: you ask for machine detection when you create a call. For outbound centers running VICIdial or Asterisk on their own trunks, nomoVM adds AI answering machine detection without changing carriers.
How Plivo AMD works
When you place a call through Plivo's API you can turn on machine detection (the machine_detection parameter), choose to hang up on machines or be told about them, and set how long detection may take. It applies to calls placed through Plivo.
Side by side
| Plivo AMD | nomoVM | |
|---|---|---|
| How you turn it on | A parameter when creating a call through their API | One EAGI line in your dialplan, or the WebSocket API |
| Works with VICIdial and Asterisk dialplans | Not directly: it's a setting on calls placed through their API | Yes: same AMDSTATUS variable |
| Carrier | Their network | Any SIP trunk or carrier |
| Verdict time | Depends on mode and settings | About 2 s, up to 3.2 s when unclear |
| Call screening as its own result | See their docs | Yes (SCREENING) |
| Recorded "Hello?" robots | See their docs | Fingerprint check across calls |
| Audio the model heard | See their docs | Playable in call logs, 1 to 90 days, deletable |
| Pricing | Per call, on top of their call charges (see their pricing page) | Free to 30,000 calls a month; from $99 for 1 million |
Based on Plivo's public documentation at the time of writing (2026-11-12). Products change: check their current docs and pricing before deciding.
When Plivo AMD makes sense
If your calls already go through Plivo's API, their machine detection is built in and quick to switch on.
When nomoVM is the better fit
- You run VICIdial, GoAutoDial or another Asterisk dialer and want to keep it.
- You use more than one carrier, or want to be free to change carriers.
- You want to see and hear why each call was judged the way it was.
- You want a flat monthly plan that doesn't grow with every attempt.
- You want to resell AMD under your own brand (white-label).
See how nomoVM decides: AI answering machine detection explained, and our measured accuracy. Comparing more options? Read compare answering machine detection options.
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