How to start a pay per call business
Pay per call means getting paid for phone calls you generate for buyers. Here's the practical path from zero to your first paid calls, with links to sourced software pricing at each step.
Updated Nov 1, 2026 · General information, not legal advice.
1. Pick a vertical
Start where you understand the customer and the rules. Insurance (Medicare, ACA, final expense) pays well but has the heaviest compliance burden. Home services, legal and SSDI are other common verticals. See our vertical guides for each.
2. Set up the business
Register the business, get an EIN, and decide whether callers or agents will be employees or contractors (the IRS explains the difference). Get insurance and an attorney who knows the TCPA.
3. Find buyers
Buyers are networks, agencies and end advertisers. Get clear written terms: payout, buffer, hours, states, caps, duplicate window, dispute window and payment terms.
4. Set up call tracking
You need numbers, routing, recordings and reporting. Pay-per-call platforms like Ringba, Retreaver, TrackDrive, CallGrid and CallScaler publish their pricing, and our comparison pages do the math at typical volumes.
5. Get compliant before you scale
- Consent proof on every lead form
- DNC and litigator scrubbing for any outbound contact
- TCPA calling hours and state rules
- Vertical rules (CMS for Medicare, 45 CFR 155.220 for ACA)
6. Generate traffic and measure RPC
Track revenue per call (RPC) by source, cut the losers and scale the winners. Watch per-minute and number costs, which grow with volume.
Tools to look at
- Ringba pricing: Business $147/mo (billed monthly) + usage
- Retreaver pricing: From $0.05/min + $1/number/mo, no platform fee
- TrackDrive pricing: Pay-as-you-go: $4/number/mo, $0.055/min local
- CallGrid pricing: $199/mo static; $995/mo RTB + usage
- CallScaler pricing: Call Tracking $65/mo; Pay Per Call $400/mo (annual) + usage
- TrustedForm pricing: Usage-based; no per-certificate rate shown
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start pay per call?
Software can start near $0 in platform fees on pay-as-you-go platforms, plus per-minute and number charges; see our call tracking pricing table. Traffic is usually the biggest cost.
Do I need a license to do pay per call?
Generating and routing calls usually doesn't need a license, but selling insurance does, and insurance marketing has extra rules. Ask an attorney about your situation.
What's the best call tracking software for beginners?
Look for no or low platform fees, clear per-minute rates and ring-tree routing. Compare Retreaver, TrackDrive, Ringba, CallGrid and CallScaler on our call tracking page.