Every hour your team spends on the phone repeating order status updates is hurting your brand’s growth.
You built a big team to handle the volume, but now you are just managing a high-priced call center instead of scaling.
It feels like you are stuck paying for human hours to do tasks a simple piece of code should handle.
And it will get worse.
This article will go over how to setup a phone support system for Shopify.
First, we compare the top phone systems.
Then, we show you how to pick the one that fits your scale.
Editor’s note: Want to hear some sample support calls made for your Shopify store?
- Just paste your store URL
- Get sample calls in under 20 seconds (no email required)
- Listen to demo calls for my store
What is a customer support phone system for Shopify?
A customer support phone system is more than just a business number on your website. It is a technology solution designed to handle your voice-based customer service efficiently.
Unlike traditional landlines, these modern systems include features like smart call routing, AI-powered agents, and integrations with tools you already use, such as Shopify. They operate on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which means calls are transmitted over the internet.
This technology allows remote teams to stay connected and enables various software functionalities.
How we chose the best customer support phone system for Shopify
To build this list, we evaluated each system from the perspective of a Shopify store owner. Here is what we focused on to ensure our recommendations are helpful.
Depth of Shopify integration
This was a primary consideration. A phone system should integrate smoothly with your Shopify store.
We looked for tools that can pull real-time order data, customer history, and product information directly from your backend. This context allows for accurate and automated answers.
Automation and AI capabilities
The goal is to reduce repetitive work. We prioritized systems that can automatically handle common questions, like order status inquiries.
This is how you can scale your support without necessarily scaling your team.
Ease of setup and use
Shopify merchants need tools that are straightforward to implement. We favored platforms with a simple, no-code setup that can be operational in minutes, not weeks.
Pricing and scalability
Your phone system should be able to grow with your business. We looked for clear pricing and plans that are suitable whether you are just starting or handling thousands of calls a month.
At a glance: Comparing the top customer support phone system for Shopify options
Every business has different needs, so the best system for you depends on your specific requirements. Here is a quick rundown of our top picks to see how they compare.
A deep dive into the 6 best customer support phone system for Shopify options
Now, let's get into the details. Here is a closer look at each platform, what they do best, their limitations, and their costs.
1. Ringly.io
Ringly.io offers an AI phone agent named Seth, a solution built specifically as a customer support phone system for Shopify stores.
Seth answers your phone 24/7, and its deep Shopify integration allows it to look up live order statuses, handle returns, and answer questions about your store policies.
It resolves around 73% of calls without human intervention.
Why it's on the list: Its focus on e-commerce phone automation is a key differentiator. You can get it set up in just 3 minutes with no code required, and it supports over 40 languages for stores with a global audience.
Ringly.io also has a unique guarantee: you do not pay until Seth successfully resolves at least 60% of your first 100 calls, which reduces the risk of trying the service.
- Pros: The high automation rate can save time and reduce costs. The AI is designed to avoid generating incorrect answers. If it is unsure, it escalates the call to a human agent.
- Cons: It is a specialized tool for phone automation and is not designed as an all-in-one helpdesk for email and social media.
- Pricing:
- Start: $99/month for 250 minutes.
- Grow: $349/month for 1,000 minutes (this plan begins after the guarantee is met).
- Scale: $1,099+/month for 3,000+ minutes and custom integrations.
2. Aircall
Aircall is a cloud-based phone system for sales and support teams.
It is known for its clean interface and ability to integrate with over 100 other business tools, including Shopify. This gives your human agents helpful context on their screen during a call.
Why it's on the list: For teams that need a reliable phone system for human agents, Aircall is a strong option.
It has solid collaboration features like call coaching, shared inboxes, and detailed analytics to track team performance.
- Pros: It is user-friendly for agents and connects with a wide range of software. They also emphasize call quality.
- Cons: While its Shopify integration is useful for context, it is not built to automate e-commerce tasks. Advanced AI features, like their AI Voice Agent, are add-ons that come with per-minute pricing.
- Pricing:
- Essentials: Starts at $30/user/month (billed annually, with a 3-user minimum).
- Professional: Starts at $50/user/month (billed annually) to unlock features like Salesforce integration.
3. Gorgias
Gorgias is a well-known customer service helpdesk built for online stores.
With its Gorgias Voice feature, it brings phone support into its main platform, alongside email, live chat, and social media DMs in one unified view.
Why it's on the list: Gorgias is known for its deep Shopify integration. Agents can see and edit orders directly inside the helpdesk while talking to a customer. This makes it an all-in-one platform for support teams.
- Pros: It is a suitable solution for those who want a single view of every customer interaction, regardless of the channel. Its built-in AI Agent can also automate a significant percentage of common questions across all channels.
- Cons: Voice is an add-on that requires an additional payment on top of the main helpdesk plan. The platform may offer more features than necessary for businesses solely focused on phone automation.
- Pricing:
- Basic: Starts at $50/month for 300 tickets.
- Pro: Starts at $300/month for 2,000 tickets.
- Note: Voice and SMS are additional channel costs that get added to your base plan.
4. Richpanel
Richpanel takes an AI-first approach to customer service that focuses on self-service.
It helps you build a customer portal where shoppers can track their own orders, start returns, and find answers without needing to contact your team.
Why it's on the list: Richpanel is effective at deflecting repetitive tickets before they are created. By empowering customers to solve their own problems, it aims to reduce ticket volume by 30%.
- Pros: The self-service portal is a powerful way to reduce common questions. It also has an "AI Sidekick" feature that helps agents write replies faster.
- Cons: The self-service portal, which is its main feature, is a paid add-on that starts at an extra $99/month. It is a complete helpdesk, so getting the most out of it may require more setup.
- Pricing:
- PRO Help Desk: $69/agent/month (billed annually).
- Self-Service Portal Add-on: Starts at an additional $99/month.
5. Phone Numbers & Calls - SBoard
Sometimes, the basics are sufficient. Phone Numbers & Calls - SBoard is a simple and affordable Shopify app for merchants who just need a business phone number.
It provides a toll-free number and forwards incoming calls directly to your personal phone.
Why it's on the list: It's a suitable entry-level option for new stores that want a professional appearance without a large financial commitment.
- Pros: It is easy to set up and has a low cost. It solves the basic problem of needing a dedicated business number.
- Cons: It does not offer deep integration with Shopify order data, automation, or AI features. It addresses the need for a number but not the need for scalable support.
- Pricing:
- Pay as you go: $8/month.
- Professional: $10/month for 250 minutes.
6. Zoom Contact Center
Many people know Zoom for video meetings, but Zoom Contact Center expands that platform into an enterprise-level solution for customer support.
It brings voice, video, chat, and SMS into one unified system.
Why it's on the list: For businesses already using the Zoom ecosystem, it offers a scalable platform for all customer communications.
It is backed by advanced tools like the Zoom Virtual Agent and AI Companion.
- Pros: It is a unified communications platform with robust features for larger teams.
- Cons: It was not built with e-commerce as the primary focus. Its feature set and pricing may be more than what is required for some Shopify stores. Integrating it to pull real-time order data from Shopify may require additional technical configuration.
- Pricing:
- Essentials Contact Center: Starts at $69/user/month (billed annually).
Pro tips for selecting your customer support phone system for Shopify
Here are a few practical tips to help you choose the right option for your store.
Calculate your current call volume
Before selecting a solution, it helps to understand your current needs. Track how many calls you receive over a week and how much time your team spends on them. This data can help justify investing in a tool to automate that work.
Identify your top call reasons
Understand why your customers are calling. If a high percentage of your calls are about order status or returns, a tool with high automation like Ringly.io may be a good fit. If calls are mostly complex, pre-sales questions, a system built for human agents, like Aircall, might be more suitable.
- ✅ You can list a real business number on your site (with a local area code)
- ✅ Text and call customers from the same number, using your phone or desktop
- ✅ Set up auto-text replies when you’re unavailable
- ✅ Route calls or share a number with team members as you grow (we just have 1 number for the whole team)
- ✅ It’s just $17/month, no extra fee per user (about $30 after taxes and fees)
- ✅ AI transcriptions and auto-call recording (so I can QA and offer my team further training)
Run a trial before you commit
Most services on this list offer a free trial. Use it to test the setup process, check the call quality, and see how well the automation works for your specific products and questions. A good system should demonstrate its value before you have to pay for it.
Decide between specialized vs. all-in-one
Consider your primary need. Do you want a single dashboard to manage every customer message, from email to social media (like Gorgias)?
Or do you have a specific pain point, like phone support, that you want to solve with a specialized tool (like Ringly.io)? Clarifying your goal will help you select the right platform.
Choosing the right phone system for your store
Choosing the right customer support phone system for Shopify depends on your store's growth stage, call volume, and main objective.
If you are just starting out, a simple number app might be all you need. If you are managing a large team across multiple channels, a full omnichannel helpdesk is a logical choice.
For businesses looking to automate phone support, reduce costs, and offer 24/7 service, a dedicated AI phone agent can be an efficient solution. Automating repetitive questions can free up your team for more complex tasks.
An AI phone agent like Seth from Ringly.io is designed to resolve over 70% of support calls. The service offers a guarantee where you don't pay until a certain resolution rate is met. You can start a free 14-day trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first step to setting up a customer support phone system for Shopify?
The first step is to determine your needs. Track your call volume for a week and identify why people are calling. If it's mostly simple, repetitive questions about orders, you will know to look for a system with strong automation.
Can a customer support phone system for Shopify really handle returns and order tracking automatically?
Yes. A modern customer support phone system for Shopify, especially one with deep integration like Ringly.io, can connect directly to your store's backend. This allows it to look up live order information and start processes like returns based on your store's policies, all without human help.
How much does a good customer support phone system for Shopify typically cost?
Prices vary significantly. A basic call forwarding app can cost as little as $8/month. More powerful helpdesks or systems for human teams often start around $30-$70 per user, per month. Specialized AI automation tools like Ringly.io typically have plans starting around $99/month, which covers a set number of automated minutes.
Do I need technical skills to integrate a customer support phone system for Shopify with my store?
Not necessarily. Most modern platforms, especially those built for Shopify merchants, are designed to be no-code. For example, you can get a tool like Ringly.io up and running in a few minutes by installing their Shopify app.
How does a customer support phone system for Shopify help a small but growing business?
A customer support phone system for Shopify allows a small team to provide the service of a much larger one. By automating common questions, it frees up founders or early employees to focus on growth, product development, and handling more complex customer issues that require a human touch.
Can I keep my existing business number when I switch to a new customer support phone system for Shopify?
Yes, in most cases. Many VoIP providers and contact center platforms, including Ringly.io, allow you to "port" your existing business number over to their service. This means you can upgrade your technology without changing your number.
