#1 on EVA-BenchEVA-Bench is ServiceNow's independent benchmark for voice agents in enterprise workflows like customer support. It scores each agent on how accurately it completes the task and on the caller's experience.
#1 on Speech Agent ArenaSpeech Agent Arena is Artificial Analysis' independent benchmark for grading speech to speech models on enterprise tasks using human evaluators.
Callers prefer Cartesia Managed Agents to the OpenAI Realtime API
Cartesia hosts the agent and runs every call, including its phone number, transfers, and hang-ups, so your server doesn't have to.
Caller preference
Artificial Analysis Speech Agent Arena Elo, October 2026
1116
Managed Agents
1042
GPT-Live-1 (Sol, low)
Agent price per minute
Each vendor's pricing page, checked October 2026
$0.03
Plus the LLM
$0.05
GPT-Live-1, plus the backend model
Hear why callers prefer Cartesia to OpenAI Realtime
Weighing the OpenAI Realtime API? Pick a job, talk to a live Cartesia agent in your browser, then clone it to start building.
Caller preference
Callers prefer Cartesia Managed Agents to every OpenAI realtime model
- Artificial Analysis puts people in blind, live voice conversations with two agents on tasks like booking an appointment, then records which one they prefer. Elo turns those choices into one rating: the higher it is, the more often people preferred that agent.
- Cartesia Managed Agents ranks first of 30 agents, 74 points above GPT-Live-1 (Sol, low), OpenAI's highest-rated model.
Speech Agent Arena: preference Elo
Higher is better.
Task success
Cartesia Managed Agents completes more tasks than any OpenAI realtime model
- In the same conversations, Artificial Analysis checks whether the agent made the tool call that finishes the caller's request, such as booking the slot or placing the order. Task success rate is the share of conversations where it did.
- Cartesia Managed Agents completes 91.7% of tasks. OpenAI's best, GPT-Realtime-2.1 High, completes 91.5%.
Task success rate
Share of conversations that end with the task done. Higher is better.
What each platform includes
Compare how each platform connects to your systems, handles calls, and bills for usage. Check what is included before choosing a plan.
Caller preference
People hold blind, live conversations with two agents and pick the one they would rather keep talking to.
Cartesia Managed Agents1116 Elo#1 of 30 agentsOpenAI Realtime API1042 EloGPT-Live-1 (Sol, low), OpenAI's highest ratedOctober 2026
Task success
Whether the agent finishes what the caller asked for, such as booking the slot or placing the order.
Cartesia Managed Agents91.7%OpenAI Realtime API91.5%GPT-Realtime-2.1 High, OpenAI's highestOctober 2026
Price
Cartesia Managed Agents$0.03/min plus the LLM.OpenAI Realtime APIGPT-Live-1 $0.05/min plus the backend model.Phone calls
Cartesia Managed AgentsCartesia-provided phone numbers at $0.014/min.OpenAI Realtime APISIP. You buy numbers from a SIP trunking provider.Call actions
Cartesia Managed AgentsBuilt-in end call, transfer, keypad tones, and voicemail detection, plus webhook and client tools.OpenAI Realtime APIYour code runs each function. Transfers and hang-ups are separate SIP requests, and keypad tones work on GPT-Live only.Setup
Cartesia Managed AgentsConfigure and test agents in the Cartesia playground or through the API. Cartesia hosts each call.OpenAI Realtime APIAn API reached over WebRTC, a WebSocket, or SIP, with the session set up from your server.
Support calls answered from your ticket system
Pick a voice and an AI model, write instructions, and connect your support tools.
Connect your support tools
The agent looks up the caller's ticket and updates it during the call.
Let Cartesia handle the voice
Cartesia handles listening, turn-taking, and speech. Callers can interrupt, and the agent follows.
Move one OpenAI Realtime workflow to Cartesia
Recreate one agent by hand, test it with your own calls, then move the number.
Follow the agent configuration guideRecreate the session as an agent
The session instructions carry over as text, and each function your code ran becomes a tool Cartesia calls during the call.
Test the agent, then move your production calls
Call the agent from your browser with real tickets and score every call before you move the number.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Speech Agent Arena measure?
Artificial Analysis's Speech Agent Arena puts people in blind, live conversations with two voice agents on tasks like booking appointments and ordering takeout, and records which agent they prefer. It also scores whether each conversation ends with the tool call that completes the task. The results on this page are from the October 2026 release, with GPT-5.5 as Managed Agents' LLM.
Can Managed Agents use an OpenAI model?
Yes. Managed Agents' model catalog includes OpenAI models, along with Anthropic and Google Gemini models. Cartesia manages the integration, so you don't need an OpenAI account or API key. Cartesia's Ink 2 listens and Sonic 3.6 speaks, whichever model you choose.
How is Managed Agents different from the OpenAI Realtime API?
The OpenAI Realtime API connects your server to OpenAI's realtime models over WebRTC, a WebSocket, or SIP. Your code runs the functions the model asks for, and phone numbers come from your SIP trunking provider. Managed Agents is a hosted agent: you configure it in the Cartesia playground or through the API, and Cartesia runs the call, its phone number, and built-in actions such as transfers and hang-ups.
How do the prices compare?
Managed Agents costs $0.03 per minute plus the LLM, and a Cartesia-provided phone number adds $0.014 per minute. OpenAI lists GPT-Live-1 at $0.05 per minute with the backend model charged separately, and prices gpt-realtime models per token.
Can I import my OpenAI Realtime setup?
There is no automatic import. Recreate one agent's instructions and actions in your Cartesia dashboard, test it with your own calls, then move the number.
Sources
OpenAI Realtime API pricing and features checked on .
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