Each missed call costs an online retailer an average of $155, and in 2026, 85% of those customers will never call you back.
You’ve spent years building a brand that customers love, but now the sheer volume of "Where is my order?" calls is drowning your team.
You know that hiring more human staff is a massive overhead, yet watching your hard-earned leads hang up and head to a competitor is a punch to the gut.
But there's a fix.
This guide will go over the best AnswerConnect alternatives for eCommerce.
First, we will look at the best AI and human tools for Shopify.
Then, we will break down the pricing and setup steps to get you live in minutes.
Editor’s note: Want to hear some sample support calls made for your Shopify store?
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- Listen to demo calls for my store
What is an answering service?
At its core, an answering service is a company you hire to handle your incoming calls.
For a long time, this meant a team of actual people who would take messages, book appointments, and forward calls.
They give you a professional front so customers always reach a person instead of your voicemail.
Things have changed, especially for ecommerce. The new wave of answering services is often powered by AI.
Instead of just writing down a message, these AI agents can connect directly to your store's backend to look up order statuses, process returns, and answer questions about products. It’s a jump from simple message-taking to automated problem-solving, which is what many busy online stores need.
Our criteria for the best AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce
To make a fair comparison, I focused on the features that matter to a growing online business. Here’s what I was looking for:
- Ecommerce integration: How well does the service plug into platforms like Shopify? A good alternative needs to access real-time order data to give correct answers, not just read from a pre-written script.
- Resolution vs. message taking: Does the service relay information, or does it use AI to fix common issues on its own? Automation helps scale support without increasing costs.
- 24/7 availability model: Online stores are always open, so support should be too. I looked at services offering true round-the-clock help, paying close attention to the price difference between 24/7 human teams and 24/7 AI agents.
- Pricing model and ROI: The pricing has to make sense for an ecommerce brand. That means predictable costs, fair billing (per minute vs. per call), and the ability to handle busy seasons without a massive bill.
- Ease of setup: You don't have time for a complicated setup process. Extra points were given to solutions that you can get up and running in minutes, not weeks.
A comparison of the top AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce
The top 6 AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce stores in 2026
Here’s a closer look at the services I tested, starting with my number one pick for ecommerce.
1. Ringly.io
Ringly.io provides an AI phone agent named Seth, built for Shopify stores.
You can get it set up in a few minutes by installing the Shopify app, and it can immediately start handling common questions like "Where is my order?" or processing returns on its own.
As of late 2025, Seth is used by over 2,100 Shopify stores and resolves around 73% of calls without needing a human.
A key feature is its deep Shopify integration, which lets Seth give callers accurate, up-to-the-minute information.
It also supports over 40 languages and includes a guarantee: billing begins only after Seth resolves 60% of at least 100 calls.
The system is designed to pass complex or emotional calls to a human, working alongside an existing team for specific cases rather than as a complete replacement.
- Pricing:
- Grow Plan: $349/month for 1,000 minutes.
- Scale Plan: $1,099+/month for 3,000+ minutes.
- Overage: $0.19 per extra minute on the Grow and Scale plans.
Ringly.io is included in this list because it is built to address specific phone support challenges for ecommerce stores.
Its model focuses on resolving issues through automation, distinguishing it from services that primarily take messages.
2. Moneypenny
Moneypenny is another major player that offers both human receptionists and an AI Voice Agent, giving businesses flexibility.
Their human agents are available 24/7 for tasks like taking messages and qualifying leads, while their AI can handle routine calls like answering FAQs or scheduling appointments.
Having that choice is helpful. The AI is a generalist tool, not one designed specifically for ecommerce.
It cannot natively check Shopify order details, which is a factor for businesses looking for automated problem resolution. The human-powered plans start at $165 per month for 50 minutes, which can add up with frequent short calls.
- Pricing:
- Human Answering: Starts at $165/month for 50 minutes.
- AI Answering: Starts at $99/month for 50 calls.
Moneypenny is a solid choice for businesses that want a mix of traditional and modern support, but the lack of deep ecommerce features is a consideration for Shopify stores.
3. Smith.ai
Smith.ai has an interesting hybrid model that combines an AI Receptionist with live, North America-based human agents.
Their system uses AI to screen out spam and handle the first part of the call, then seamlessly passes it to a human when needed.
They stand out with their transparent, per-call pricing, which can be easier to predict than per-minute billing.
The clear per-call pricing (you don't pay for spam calls) and the blend of AI and human support are notable.
It also integrates with thousands of CRMs and tools. For ecommerce stores that receive many short, frequent inquiries, the per-call pricing model may be a consideration in terms of budget compared to per-minute billing.
- Pricing:
- AI Receptionist: Starts at $95/month for 50 calls.
- Human Receptionists: Starts at $300/month for 30 calls.
- Overage: $2.40 per call on the starter AI plan.
Smith.ai is a strong option for businesses like law firms where calls are less frequent but more in-depth, while ecommerce stores should evaluate the pricing model against their typical call patterns.
4. Ruby
Ruby is a premium virtual receptionist service focused on creating high-touch first impressions.
Their U.S.-based receptionists are known for being friendly and professional. Ruby also provides live chat services and has a well-regarded mobile app.
Ruby is known for the premium, personalized experience it provides. Its pricing is at the higher end of the market, with per-minute billing in 60-second increments.
These factors are important for ecommerce stores to consider when evaluating their budget.
For example, a call that lasts one minute and 12 seconds is billed as two full minutes.
- Pricing:
- Receptionist Plans: Start at $250/month for 50 minutes.
- Higher-tier plans can exceed $1,725 per month.
Ruby is a suitable option for brands that prioritize a premium, high-touch service model.
Businesses focused on cost efficiency may find other alternatives more aligned with their financial goals.
5. Clerx AI
Clerx AI offers a 24/7 AI receptionist named Donna, built specifically for service-based businesses like law firms.
It is effective at qualifying leads, booking appointments, and integrating with legal software like Clio and MyCase.
Its automation for service workflows is a benefit, helping reduce administrative costs.
However, it is not designed for ecommerce, as it lacks the native Shopify integration needed to look up order details or handle returns. Clerx demonstrates the effectiveness of a specialized AI, highlighting the importance of choosing a tool built for a specific industry's needs.
- Pricing:
- Pricing isn't public; you have to book a demo for a tailored quote.
Clerx is on this list to make a point. It shows why a purpose-built solution is important for the data-heavy needs of an ecommerce store.
How to choose the right AnswerConnect alternative for ecommerce
Picking the right service comes down to your call volume, what you need it to do, and your budget.
If you only get a few high-value calls a day that need a personal touch, a human-powered service like Moneypenny or Ruby could work.
But if your phone is frequently ringing with the same questions about orders, shipping, and returns, an AI-powered solution can offer greater efficiency and scalability.
You can analyze your past support tickets. If 70-80% of them are the same few questions, a tool like Ringly.io could provide value by automating that traffic.
Finally, think about your tech stack. If you're on Shopify, a service with a native integration will save you time and give your customers a better experience than a generic tool that can only take a message.
Ecommerce support: Resolution over answering
Traditional answering services like AnswerConnect ensure that a call is answered.
However, modern ecommerce often requires immediate issue resolution. This is where AI-powered, ecommerce-specific solutions offer a different approach.
By integrating directly with an online store, these tools can resolve issues on the first call.
For Shopify stores seeking automation and scalability, a specialized AI agent is a compelling option to consider.
To see how an AI phone agent can work for your business, you can set one up in a few minutes.
Start a free trial of Ringly.io.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce if I'm on Shopify?
For Shopify stores, an AI agent with native integration, such as Ringly.io, is a strong option. It can access real-time order information to instantly resolve common questions like "Where is my order?", which is something generic services can't do.
How do AI-powered AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce handle complex customer issues?
Smart AI alternatives like Ringly.io are designed to handle common, repetitive questions on their own. For truly complex or emotional calls, they are programmed to seamlessly pass the conversation to a human agent on your team, making sure the customer always gets the right support.
Is it expensive to switch to one of these AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce?
The cost varies quite a bit. Traditional human services often use per-minute billing that can become expensive. AI solutions like Ringly.io typically offer predictable monthly plans based on call volume, which is often more cost-effective. Ringly.io also offers a guarantee where billing starts after the tool meets a specific performance threshold.
What's the main difference between human-powered and AI AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce?
The biggest difference is resolution versus message-taking. Human services like AnswerConnect take a message for your team to deal with later. AI alternatives built for ecommerce integrate with your store to resolve issues (like order lookups or returns) on the first call, 24/7.
How quickly can I set up AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce like Ringly.io?
A key advantage for modern alternatives is setup speed. A service like Ringly.io, which is built specifically for Shopify, can be installed and running in just a few minutes. Traditional services can sometimes take much longer to get their scripts and agents trained.
Do AnswerConnect alternatives for ecommerce offer 24/7 support?
Yes, most of the top alternatives provide 24/7 availability. The cost model is the main difference. Having 24/7 human agents can be more costly, while an AI agent like Ringly.io's Seth includes round-the-clock support as a standard part of its service, making it a scalable option for online businesses.
