AnswerForce starts at $349/month with a 90-day commitment and $75 setup fee.
That alone sends many ecommerce store owners looking elsewhere.
But the bigger problem is how they bill. Per-minute pricing with rounding means your costs become unpredictable, especially during seasonal spikes when overage charges hit $1.85-$2.00 per minute.
For stores handling Black Friday rushes or holiday returns, those numbers add up fast.
This guide covers seven alternatives that solve these pain points with better pricing models, ecommerce integrations, and AI-powered automation.
Why ecommerce businesses look for AnswerForce alternatives
The AnswerForce pricing model creates specific challenges for online stores.
Per-minute billing rounds up every call, so a 2-minute-and-10-second conversation costs the same as a full 3 minutes.
Ecommerce calls tend to be short and frequent (order status checks, shipping questions), which makes this rounding particularly expensive.
With overage rates between $1.85 and $2.00 per minute, a busy holiday weekend can blow through your budget quickly.
There's also the 90-day minimum commitment. If the service doesn't work for your store, you're locked in for three months.
Canadian merchants face an additional hurdle: AnswerForce lacks PIPEDA compliance, which is required for handling customer data in Canada.
Most importantly, AnswerForce doesn't offer native integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, or other ecommerce platforms.
This means receptionists can't look up orders or check inventory in real-time during calls.
What makes a good answering service for ecommerce
Before diving into alternatives, here's what to look for in an ecommerce-focused answering solution.
Real-time order lookup is essential. When customers call asking "where's my order?", your answering service should pull that information instantly from your store. Without this, agents are reading from scripts or asking customers to hold while they search manually.
Platform integration matters more than feature counts.
A service with native Shopify or WooCommerce connections will handle order tracking, returns, and product questions more effectively than a generic service with dozens of CRM integrations but no ecommerce focus.
Predictable pricing protects your margins. Flat monthly rates or per-call pricing (rather than per-minute) helps you budget accurately.
This becomes critical during peak seasons when call volumes spike 3-5x.
Comparison table: AnswerForce alternatives at a glance
Here's a quick reference before the detailed breakdowns.
7 best AnswerForce alternatives for ecommerce
Each option below solves the AnswerForce pain points differently. Some focus on AI automation, others on human quality, and a few offer hybrid approaches.
1. Ringly.io
Ringly.io built Seth, an AI phone agent specifically for Shopify stores.
Unlike generic answering services, Seth connects directly to your store and understands orders, products, and return policies without manual setup.
The AI resolves roughly 70-73% of calls without any human involvement.
For a typical ecommerce store, that means order tracking questions, return requests, and product availability checks happen automatically, 24/7, in over 40 languages.
The pricing structure is flat monthly with predictable overages. Compare that $0.19/minute overage to AnswerForce's $1.85-$2.00, and the math becomes clear for high-volume stores.
Setup takes under 3 minutes through the Shopify app. No developer work, no lengthy onboarding calls.
The 14-day free trial includes a guarantee: you pay $0 until Seth resolves at least 60% of your calls.
Pros:
- Native Shopify integration pulls order data automatically
- 70-73% call resolution without human agents
- Fastest setup in the category (under 3 minutes)
Cons:
- Shopify-focused (other platforms need API configuration)
- Complex edge-case questions may still need human escalation
Best for: Shopify stores wanting to automate the majority of phone support without hiring.
2. Gorgias
Gorgias takes a different approach as an omnichannel helpdesk rather than a standalone phone service.
It consolidates email, live chat, SMS, social media, and phone into one dashboard.
The platform is built specifically for ecommerce with deep integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento.
Agents can look up orders, process refunds, and check shipping status without leaving the support interface.
Phone is an add-on feature rather than core functionality. You'll need to contact sales for phone pricing on top of the base plans.
Pros:
- True omnichannel inbox for all customer communication
- Built specifically for ecommerce workflows
- Revenue tracking per support conversation
Cons:
- Phone requires additional add-on pricing
- Still requires human agents (not AI-automated)
- Ticket-based pricing scales with volume
Best for: Ecommerce businesses that need unified chat, email, and phone support in one platform.
3. Dialbox
Dialbox solves a specific problem: unlimited calls at a flat monthly rate.
For stores with unpredictable or high call volumes, this eliminates the anxiety of per-minute billing entirely.
The service is Canadian-focused with PIPEDA compliance and Canadian data storage. If you serve Canadian customers, this compliance isn't optional.
All plans include unlimited calls with no per-minute billing and no overage charges. The pricing page shows this clearly: what you see is what you pay.
Setup takes about 20 minutes. Dialbox offers a 7-day free trial on the Scale plan.
Pros:
- Unlimited calls eliminates cost surprises
- PIPEDA compliant for Canadian businesses
- Bilingual English/French support built-in
Cons:
- Canada-focused (unclear availability for US-only businesses)
- No native ecommerce platform integration
- HubSpot CRM integration listed as "coming soon"
Best for: Canadian ecommerce businesses with high call volumes wanting predictable monthly costs.
4. Marlie.ai
Marlie.ai offers pay-as-you-go pricing with no monthly commitment.
You pay $0.25 per minute only when calls come in.
The AI answers in under 2 seconds, faster than most human services. It's optimized for service businesses (plumbing, HVAC, locksmiths), but the core functionality works for ecommerce.
The pricing structure suits stores with irregular or low call volume.
If you receive 100 minutes of calls per month, that's $25 total, far less than most monthly plans.
Pros:
- No monthly commitment or minimum
- Sub-2-second call pickup
- Affordable for low-volume stores
Cons:
- No ecommerce platform integrations
- Service business focus, not retail-optimized
- Per-minute pricing still creates variability
Best for: Ecommerce stores with very low call volume who want to pay only for actual usage.
5. Smith.ai
Smith.ai uses per-call pricing instead of per-minute. This solves the cost unpredictability problem differently: a 2-minute call costs the same as an 8-minute call.
The service combines AI screening with North American human receptionists.
AI handles initial qualification, then hands off to trained agents for complex conversations.
Spam calls don't count against your quota, which reduces effective cost.
The pricing page lists optional add-ons like appointment booking ($1.50/call) and call recording ($0.25/call).
Pros:
- Per-call pricing eliminates per-minute anxiety
- AI + human hybrid maintains quality
- Extensive CRM integrations (20+ platforms)
Cons:
- Expensive for high-volume ecommerce
- No native Shopify/WooCommerce integration
- Human agents need product training
Best for: Premium ecommerce brands wanting human-quality phone support with predictable per-call costs.
6. AnswerConnect
AnswerConnect offers something rare in this category: combined phone and live chat from the same service.
Most answering services handle one or the other.
Forbes named them the #1 answering service in 2025, and they maintain a 4.9/5 rating on Trustpilot with over 1,300 reviews.
All receptionists are USA-based with bilingual English/Spanish support.
Pricing requires contacting sales (their pricing page returns a 404).
Third-party comparisons suggest per-minute rates similar to AnswerForce.
Pros:
- Phone + chat in one service (rare)
- Forbes #1 rating, high Trustpilot score
- 100% USA-based agents
Cons:
- Per-minute pricing (same issue as AnswerForce)
- No ecommerce platform integration
- Pricing not publicly available
Best for: Ecommerce businesses needing combined live chat and phone support with human agents.
7. Posh
Posh emphasizes mobile-first management.
The app lets you control call handling, update scripts, and monitor activity from anywhere.
Entry pricing is the lowest in the human receptionist category at $65/month.
However, that base plan includes zero minutes, so your first call is immediately billable.
The pricing tiers offer flexibility for scaling, with per-minute rates dropping as you move up.
All agents are 100% USA-based with bilingual English/Spanish availability.
Pros:
- Mobile app for on-the-go call management
- Lowest entry price in human receptionist category
- Seven pricing tiers for gradual scaling
Cons:
- Per-minute billing on top of base fee
- $65 base includes zero minutes
- No ecommerce integration
Best for: Mobile-first ecommerce entrepreneurs who need flexible call handling while on the go.
How to choose the right AnswerForce alternative for your store
With seven options, the decision comes down to a few key factors.
By call volume: If you handle fewer than 100 calls per month, Marlie.ai's pay-as-you-go model or Posh's low entry price makes sense. For medium volume (100-500 calls), Ringly.io's Grow plan or Gorgias provide better value. High-volume stores (500+ calls) should look at Dialbox's unlimited plan or Ringly.io's Scale tier.
By platform: Shopify stores get the most value from Ringly.io's native integration. WooCommerce and BigCommerce merchants should consider Gorgias for its omnichannel support. Platform-agnostic businesses can work with Smith.ai or AnswerConnect, though without the ecommerce-specific features.
By budget: The lowest cost options are Dialbox ($59 CAD/month unlimited) and Marlie.ai ($0.25/minute). Mid-range sits at Ringly.io ($99-$349/month). Premium human service starts at Smith.ai ($300+/month).
By support type: AI-only services (Ringly.io, Dialbox, Marlie.ai) offer the best cost efficiency but less flexibility for unusual situations. Human-only services (Smith.ai, AnswerConnect, Posh) handle complex conversations better but cost more. Gorgias offers a hybrid approach with automation plus human agents.
Start with your Shopify/WooCommerce choice, then follow the path to your best match
Try Seth free for 14 days
For Shopify stores specifically, Ringly.io solves the core AnswerForce pain points: per-minute billing, lack of ecommerce integration, and the 90-day lock-in.
Seth connects directly to your store data. It already knows your orders, products, and policies before the first call comes in.
The 70-73% autonomous resolution rate means most customer calls complete without human involvement.
Setup takes under 3 minutes through the Shopify app. The 14-day trial is fully functional, and Ringly.io guarantees you pay $0 until Seth proves it can resolve 60%+ of your calls.
Start your free trial and see how many calls Seth handles in your first week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best AnswerForce alternative for ecommerce stores?
For Shopify stores, Ringly.io offers the best ecommerce-specific alternative with native integration that pulls order data automatically. Gorgias works well for WooCommerce and BigCommerce stores needing omnichannel support across chat, email, and phone.
Which AnswerForce alternative has the lowest cost for ecommerce businesses?
Dialbox offers unlimited calls for $59 CAD/month, making it the lowest fixed-cost option. Marlie.ai's $0.25/minute pay-as-you-go model works out cheaper for stores with fewer than 100 call minutes monthly.
Are there AI-powered AnswerForce alternatives for ecommerce?
Yes. Ringly.io's Seth AI resolves 70-73% of calls without human involvement for Shopify stores. Dialbox and Marlie.ai also offer AI answering at lower price points, though without native ecommerce platform integration.
What AnswerForce alternative works best for Canadian ecommerce merchants?
Dialbox is the only AnswerForce alternative with PIPEDA compliance and Canadian data storage. It also offers bilingual English/French support and unlimited calls, making it ideal for Canadian merchants.
Which AnswerForce alternative offers the best ecommerce integration features?
Ringly.io provides native Shopify integration for real-time order lookup, returns handling, and product questions. Gorgias offers broader ecommerce integration across Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento with its omnichannel helpdesk.
Is there an AnswerForce alternative with no monthly commitment for ecommerce?
Marlie.ai offers pay-as-you-go pricing at $0.25/minute with no monthly minimum or commitment. You only pay for calls received, making it suitable for stores with irregular or seasonal call patterns.
What AnswerForce alternative provides both phone and chat support for ecommerce?
AnswerConnect combines phone and live chat in one service with USA-based agents. Gorgias offers omnichannel support including phone, chat, email, and social media for ecommerce businesses needing unified customer communication.
