If you are a Shopify merchant using Consio, there might be other tools better suited for you. If your primary problem is high customer support costs, Consio is not the answer.
I looked at the top voice platforms for Shopify to show you which tool is the best alternative for Consio.
The TL;DR Short Answer:
Your perfect alternative is based on your biggest pain point:
- To Eliminate Inbound Labor Costs: Choose Ringly.io. (Guaranteed 60% support automation.)
- To Build Complex, Custom AI Workflows: Choose CallFlows.
- For Human Agent Stability and Context: Choose Aircall. (Reliable, global telephony with live Shopify pop-ups.)
Your One-Stop Shop: The Guide's Core Value
We tested every tool on a live Shopify store to find its true specialty. Everything you need is below.
1. The Comparison Table: Immediately below, you will find the most scannable resource available.
2. In-Depth Reviews: Following the table, find the full, single-paragraph reviews for every tool.
TLDR of Consio alternatives
1. Ringly.io: AI phone support for shopify stores
Ringly's AI agent can handle things like refunds and order edits. This fundamentally changes your support cost structure. It acts as a full-time, self-sufficient support rep from day one.
Best for: Shopify stores that need an AI capable of resolving at least 70% of their support calls. And want to save money.
Also read: Ringly vs Consio
the autonomy advantage
The key difference from most alternatives is Native Write Access.
Ringly is built to execute actions, not just read data. This means it can:
- Process a refund or edit an order directly in Shopify via the phone.
- Function as a true, self-sufficient support rep for complex transactional issues.
- Come pre-trained for all core e-commerce flows (WISMO, returns).
how fast can you launch?
The setup process from install to an active phone number took me only 4 minutes.
The knowledge base is automatically uploaded in the background upon connection.
The tool focuses on Guaranteed Resolution. They are the first to tie their value directly to performance.
the performance metric
- 76% of calls were resolved autonomously during the trial period.
- Billing only begins once the AI hits a 60% resolution rate benchmark.
understanding the cost commitment
Ringly’s pricing is usage-based but has a cost floor.
Plans start at $99/month (250 minutes).
- The easy Shopify installation requires read and write access for full transactional capability.
the core trade-off with consio
If you choose Ringly, you must accept a mostly inbound support focus.
It does allow you to make outbound calls, but most features are set up for support.
You are trading outbound sales recovery for inbound labor cost elimination. Ringly is for support scale; Consio is for sales scale.
Editors note: Ringly.io opened 5 spots for Shopify stores to pay $0 until AI resolves 60% of your support calls. You can book a call to claim it.
2. callflows – ai phone agent: the highly customizable autonomy engine
CallFlows is built for automating routine calls with granular control over the AI. This makes it ideal for those who need specific, consistent transactional actions.
Best for: Medium-to-large Shopify stores needing 24/7 call deflection.
Also read: Ringly vs CallFlows
the autonomy advantage
The core difference is its Agent Skills Customization. The platform allows merchants to:
- Offer scalable concurrency, supporting up to 25 simultaneous calls to handle peak volume.
- Build highly complex and specific AI workflows tailored to their business logic.
how fast can you launch?
The setup focus is on installing the app and enabling the AI agent’s knowledge base. The key test was setting up "Agent Skills".
The platform gives detailed call reports, including things like sentiment analysis.
the performance metric
The platform's performance is measured by how it automates calls. The level of customization for AI personality was superior in testing.
- The system is good at automating actions rather than just providing simple information.
understanding the cost commitment
CallFlows uses tiered, minute-based plans:
- Plans start at $39/month (100 mins).
- Extra minutes are charged at a variable rate, scaling from $0.19 to $0.14/min.
the core trade-off with consio
Consio is built around a proactive, revenue-focused outbound dialer for human agents.
CallFlows is a reactive, highly customizable agent builder for deflection.
You trade Consio's ability to recover abandoned carts for CallFlows' ability to build complex AI workflows.
3. aircall: reliable telephony with in-call e-commerce context
Aircall is a telephony built for human agent resolution. It is recognized as a stable, global phone system.
Best for: Growing support teams handling moderate to high call volume. That need a human-centric phone system with live Shopify data pop-ups.
the human agent advantage
Aircall is human-centric. Key features focus on efficiency:
- Native Shopify sidebar displays customer details and order info inside the agent's view.
- This immediate context screen-pop significantly accelerates human resolution time.
- The platform provides a mature, globally stable infrastructure for high volume.
how fast can you launch?
Setup involves installing the core Aircall platform and connecting the native Shopify app. The key metric tested was the success of the context screen-pop during a live inbound call.
This system relies on agents; it has no autonomous AI resolution like Ringly or CallFlows.
the performance metric
Aircall is known for Global Telephony Stability. Its strength is maximizing existing capacity.
- The optional AI Assist add-on provides AI-generated call summaries for coaching.
- Its focus is on accelerating human capacity, rather than replacing it with automation.
understanding the cost commitment
Pricing is per-license with a high entry barrier.
- Plans start at $30/license/month for Essentials.
- There is a three-license minimum, setting a high $90/month minimum entry cost.
- AI features, advanced analytics, and the AI Voice Agent are paid add-ons.
the core trade-off with consio
Consio is built to use AI and a power dialer for outbound sales and revenue qualification.
Aircall is built for human support teams and inbound stability.
You trade Consio's sales outreach for Aircall's reliable, established phone system for human staff.
4. unicall.ai – ai phone support: ultra-realistic voice & low-cost entry
Unicall.ai provides 24/7 support using an extremely human-like AI voice to minimize customer frustration. It is the most budget-friendly starting point for AI support on this list.
Best for: Small-to-medium Shopify stores looking for a budget-friendly starting point for AI support.
the autonomy advantage
The platform focuses heavily on the customer experience and accessibility.
- It uses advanced voice synthesis, resulting in Ultra-realistic Voices that sound natural.
- This focus on voice quality helps to deliver a premium-sounding service.
- It instantly provides a dedicated US phone number upon installation for 24/7 coverage.
how fast can you launch?
The setup is fast, often taking 5 minutes via the one-click Shopify app installation. The key test was assessing the quality of the "Ultra-realistic Voices" feature.
The AI is designed for immediate, simple resolution, syncing data on customers and orders for real-time tracking.
the performance metric
- It provides the most cost-effective entry point for an AI solution using advanced voice synthesis.
- It excels at handling simple, high-volume FAQs, reducing frustration.
understanding the cost commitment
The cost structure is low entry, but high-risk for scaling.
- The base plan starts at just $19/month, offering a low barrier to entry.
- The top-up rate of $0.20 per minute on the base plan is the highest in this competitive set.
- This high top-up cost is a major drawback for stores that misjudge call volume.
the core trade-off with consio
Consio is feature-dense, combining a dialer with sales qualification.
Unicall is voice-quality dense, focused on inbound customer experience.
You trade Consio's outbound sales focus for Unicall's focus on inbound customer experience.
5. omakase.ai – voice AI agent: proactive conversational sales concierge
Omakase.ai focuses on maximizing on-site conversion by using a voice AI to proactively engage and recommend products. It acts as a virtual, voice-powered sales associate on your website.
Best for: E-commerce brands dedicated to maximizing on-site conversion.
the autonomy advantage
The platform is designed to sell and guide the customer.
- The agent is trained for Proactive Sales Intent, actively guiding customers to products.
- It supports Multi-Modal interaction, handling both voice and text/chat within the widget.
- It features Effortless Setup, requiring only the store URL for training (scraping).
how fast can you launch?
Installation of the website widget is straightforward using the store URL to train the agent. The key metric tested was the agent’s ability to compare two distinct products and offer a personalized recommendation.
The agent has deep read-access to the product catalog and store content to guide purchasing decisions.
the performance metric
- The agent excels at proactive sales engagement rather than post-purchase support.
- It is a front-end "personal shopper," turning the AI into a revenue generator.
understanding the cost commitment
Pricing is based on tiered, conversation-based plans.
- Plans start at approximately $49/month (Intern Plan).
- Costs increase based on the total volume of customer engagement.
- This conversation-based pricing can lead to volatile costs with high site traffic.
the core trade-off with consio
Both tools share a sales conversion focus.
Consio is an outbound phone dialer for recovery, whereas Omakase is an inbound website widget.
You trade Consio's ability to chase abandoned carts for Omakase's ability to close the customer while they browse.
6. shopdigits: mobile-native human call center
Shopdigits enables human agents to deliver professional support with customer context while on the go. It is designed around making the mobile phone a professional, context-rich business line.
Best for: Small stores (1-3 employees) where the owner or agent frequently handles customer support calls.
the autonomy advantage
The platform focuses entirely on maximizing human efficiency on a mobile device.
- The core difference is its Mobile-Native Apps, the primary interface for managing calls and SMS.
- It features In-Call Context, displaying customer details, order history, and abandoned carts.
- It is built to optimize the efficiency of the human agent.
how fast can you launch?
Setup involves installing the dedicated mobile app (iOS/Android) and setting up the local business phone number. The key metric tested was the ability to pull up the customer's order history on the mobile screen.
The system is fundamentally human-centric; there is zero AI, IVR, or automation feature available.
the performance metric
The system's performance is measured by its low cost and the convenience of seeing order history on a mobile device.
- It provides a professional, context-rich support channel for the single-operator store.
- It is a tool that creates work (answering calls), it does not automate it.
understanding the cost commitment
Pricing is simple and flat-fee, making costs predictable.
- Plans start at $20/month (1 employee) with unlimited US/Canada calls/texts.
- This low cost comes at the expense of automation; there are no AI or autonomous resolution features.
the core trade-off with consio
Consio is built for AI-driven automation and outbound sales.
Shopdigits is a human-staffed mobile call center.
You trade Consio's revenue recovery for Shopdigits' low-cost, professional mobile human efficiency.
7. heygena – mobile ai assistant: voice-activated owner data
HeyGena gives store owners instant, voice-activated access to analytics. It functions purely as a personal, on-demand AI assistant for the founder.
Best for: Shopify store owners/founders who need a personal AI assistant for reports and customer data.
the autonomy advantage
The system focuses on management efficiency and instant data access.
- It enables Voice/Text Data Query, allowing owners to check sales, LTV, and inventory by calling or texting Gena.
- It offers Proactive Consulting via automated AI insights and alerts about sales dips.
- It provides Mobile Accessibility without needing to log into dashboards.
how fast can you launch?
Setup involves connecting the Shopify app to ingest data and setting up the phone/text line for the owner's use. The key metric tested was the speed and accuracy of Gena's voice response to complex business queries.
It grants the app deep read-access to orders, customers, and store analytics to power Gena's responses.
the performance metric
Users praise its effectiveness in making checking sales and order data "effortless". Its focus is entirely on management efficiency.
- It is the only product in this category that uses a voice interface to solve business analytics, not customer support.
- It functions as a personal, 24/7 business helper.
understanding the cost commitment
Pricing uses a simple, flat fee with no variable usage costs.
- Plans start at $50/month (AI Plus plan) for the owner assistant.
- This fixed cost may be expensive for the very smallest stores that do not need frequent, mobile data access.
the core trade-off with consio
This tool is Owner-Centric Only and is not a customer service tool.
Consio helps the team sell to customers. HeyGena helps the owner know the numbers.
You trade Consio's customer sales and support automation for HeyGena's mobile business intelligence.
8. vocify – ai voice assistant: free on-site voice widget
Vocify adds a voice-guided product assistant to the website to answer pre-purchase questions. It offers the easiest, most risk-free way to integrate voice assistance.
Best for: Shopify stores looking for a zero-risk, front-end voice solution to boost conversions.
the autonomy advantage
The platform focuses on front-end customer experience and conversion rate.
- The tool provides an On-Site Voice Widget embedded on product and store pages.
- It uses high-quality voice synthesis via an ElevenLabs API integration.
- This focus on the front-end helps drive Conversion Rate optimization by tackling pre-sale doubts.
how fast can you launch?
Setup involves installing the app and connecting the external ElevenLabs API key for voice generation. The key metric tested was the speed and accuracy of the AI's response to product questions.
The core functionality is available on a Free Plan for basic testing and deployment.
the performance metric
Users praise its simplicity and the fact that a functional version is available for free, making it low risk.
- The performance is gauged by the AI's ability to answer product-specific questions instantly.
- This is designed to solve the problem of pre-purchase friction on your site.
understanding the cost commitment
The platform offers a Free Plan for limited features, with paid tiers up to $29.99/month.
- The crucial point is that you must manage and pay for the separate ElevenLabs API usage.
- This external usage cost means the core functionality relies on a separate API, leading to unpredictable fees.
the core trade-off with consio
Consio is a phone system built for call deflection and outbound sales.
Vocify is a website widget only; it does not handle traditional inbound phone calls.
You trade Consio's focus on sales recovery for Vocify's focus on on-site conversion rate optimization.
9. vinsi.ai: developer platform for custom voice automation
Vinsi.ai is a flexible, white-label platform that enables complex, non-standard voice workflows. It is designed for maximum developer control.
Best for: Large brands or developers needing a flexible, white-label platform to build a custom voice solution.
the autonomy advantage
The platform provides maximum control for specialized projects.
- It allows for Custom Flow Design, enabling specialized, complex voice agents.
- It offers API/Webhook Integration for connecting with any external CRM, ERP, or database.
- It is Channel Agnostic, deployable across web widgets, phone numbers, or custom apps.
how fast can you launch?
There is no simple, one-click Shopify integration. The key metric is evaluating the platform's documentation for connecting external systems.
The system offers maximum flexibility but requires significant developer resources.
the performance metric
The performance is measured by the depth of control and flexibility it offers for enterprise voice projects. It is designed for solving highly specific operational requirements.
- As a platform, it lacks a public Shopify review profile.
- Enterprise feedback praises its ability to handle complex, specialized voice tasks.
understanding the cost commitment
Pricing is generally custom/subscription-based, depending on the complexity and call volume.
- It is tailored for enterprise projects.
- The cost includes a high technical barrier to entry, as it requires developer expertise for setup and maintenance.
the core trade-off with consio
Consio is a plug-and-play e-commerce app focused on outbound sales.
Vinsi.ai is a full-stack, build-your-own solution for specialized voice AI.
You trade the ease and simplicity of Consio for the infinite complexity and white-label control of Vinsi.ai.
What to look for in a Consio alternative (4 things)
- Make sure the tool you pick connects to your current stack.
- Think of how much of your support AI should handle, and what tool offers that capability.
- Can the tool scale without hiring more humans?
- Does the pricing model fit with your business?
Conclusion: choose the right alternative to Consio for your business
Switching from Consio is not just about finding a cheaper alternative. The goal should be to give your customers the best experience possible.
- If you want AI phone support for Shopify, Ringly.io is the best option. You only start paying when the AI resolves your support calls autonomously.
- If you’re on a budget (Lowest Entry Cost), Unicall.ai is the right starting point. It offers a $19/month base plan for ultra-realistic voice quality.
- If you’re a larger or growing business (Customization & Scalability), CallFlows is recommended. It offers Agent Skills customization and high concurrency for complex, high-volume needs.
While deciding, make sure the support platform you pick will:
- Make your customers happier (increase CSAT)
- Reduce handle time
- Not cost you a fortune
- Fit your cost module at 2-5x the volume
FAQs
Is there a free alternative to Consio? There is no fully free, phone-based Consio alternative that handles calls. Vocify offers a Free Plan for its on-site voice widget, but requires paying for external API usage to function.
Which Consio alternative integrates best with Shopify? Ringly.io offers the best integration due to its guaranteed Native Write Access. This allows the AI to autonomously execute refunds and order edits directly in Shopify.
How do I migrate from Consio? Migration involves three steps: 1. Back up and export your contact lists and call logs. 2. Set up your new phone number and knowledge base with the chosen alternative (e.g., Ringly). 3. Cancel your Consio account and port your number if necessary.
That's it!
If you have questions on how to set up good support. Find out how Ringly.io is helping merchants like you save time and money.
