Dialbox has made a name for itself as a Canadian AI phone answering service with unlimited calls and PIPEDA compliance.
But it's not the right fit for every business.
Whether you're looking for different pricing, more features, or better integration with your existing tools, there are plenty of solid alternatives worth considering.
We researched and tested the top Dialbox alternatives to help you find the best match. Here's what we found.
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What is Dialbox and why look for alternatives?
Dialbox is a Canadian AI phone answering service built specifically for Canadian businesses.
It offers unlimited calls with flat monthly rates, bilingual English and French support, and full PIPEDA compliance with Canadian data storage.
The service works well for businesses that need predictable pricing and Canadian compliance.
But there are valid reasons to look elsewhere.
Some businesses need features Dialbox doesn't offer, like deep Shopify integration or support for more languages.
Others might find better value with per-minute pricing if their call volume is low. And some simply need a solution that's built for their specific industry.
When evaluating alternatives, consider your pricing model preference (unlimited vs per-minute), compliance requirements, integration needs, and language support.
Quick comparison of the best Dialbox alternatives
Here's how the top alternatives stack up at a glance:
Top 7 Dialbox alternatives reviewed
1. Allo
Allo is an AI-powered phone system launched in 2024 that combines full VoIP functionality with built-in AI answering.
Unlike standalone answering services, Allo gives you a complete business phone system with AI features integrated natively.
Pricing starts at $18 per user per month for the Starter plan, which includes 30 minutes of AI receptionist usage.
The Business plan at $32 per user per month offers unlimited AI receptionist usage. Both plans include a 7-day free trial.
What stands out:
- Full phone system with call recording, transcriptions, and smart notes
- AI assistant that drafts follow-up emails and SMS after calls
- Native integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, Attio, Pipedrive, Zoho, Notion, and Google Sheets
- Mobile-first design for iOS and Android
- Multilingual support (English, French, Spanish)
- Crystal-clear call quality via Ericsson partnership
Pros:
- Complete phone system, not just answering service
- Transparent flat-rate pricing
- Strong mobile apps
- Natural-sounding AI voices (powered by ElevenLabs)
Cons:
- Newer product (launched 2024), less mature than competitors
- No complex workflow builder for advanced call routing
Allo works best for small teams that need a complete phone system with AI features built-in, not bolted on.
2. Smith.ai
Smith.ai is unique among Dialbox alternatives because it combines AI with North American-based human receptionists.
Founded in 2015, it's the only service on this list that offers hybrid human + AI handling.
Pricing ranges from $95 to $800 per month based on call volume.
The Starter plan includes 50 calls for $95/month with a $2.40 overage per additional call. The Pro plan offers 500 calls for $800/month with $2.10 overage per call.
What stands out:
- Human agents handle complex calls, AI handles routine inquiries
- North American-based receptionists
- Outbound campaign capabilities
- 24/7 answering availability
- Appointment scheduling
- CRM integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Calendly
Pros:
- Human touch for sensitive or complex calls
- Professional receptionist quality
- Outbound calling capabilities
- Bilingual English/Spanish support
Cons:
- Most expensive option in this comparison
- Manual onboarding process
- Can take weeks to adjust guidelines for human agents
Smith.ai fits companies that aren't ready to trust 100% AI handling and have the budget for premium service.
3. Ringly.io
Ringly.io takes a different approach from general-purpose answering services.
It's built specifically for e-commerce businesses, with deep Shopify integration that lets its AI agent "Seth" handle order lookups, returns, and product questions automatically.
The platform serves over 2,179 Shopify stores and resolves an average of 73% of calls without human intervention.
Pricing starts at $349 per month for the Grow plan, which includes 1,000 minutes (approximately 500 calls). Overage is $0.19 per minute. The Scale plan at $1,099+ per month includes 3,000+ minutes and custom setup.
What stands out:
- Deep Shopify integration for order tracking and returns
- Supports 40 languages for global customer base
- 3-minute setup with automatic training from your store
- Call recordings and analytics
- Escalation to human agents when needed
- Private Slack channel add-on for dedicated support
Pros:
- Purpose-built for e-commerce
- Resolves ~73% of calls autonomously
- Multilingual support (40 languages)
- No billing until AI resolves 60% of calls
Cons:
- Per-minute pricing (not unlimited)
- E-commerce focused (though works for general business)
- Higher starting price than some alternatives
Ringly.io excels for e-commerce stores that need order-related phone support automation and want to serve customers in multiple languages.
4. Goodcall
Goodcall focuses on deep customization and workflow automation.
It's designed for businesses that want granular control over how calls are handled, with a powerful workflow builder that lets you configure each step of the call process.
Pricing is per agent (phone number) and ranges from $79 to $249 per month.
The Starter plan includes 100 unique customers per month, Growth includes 250, and Scale includes 500. Additional customers cost $0.50 each across all plans. All plans include unlimited minutes.
What stands out:
- Powerful workflow builder for custom call flows
- Lead collection during calls with customizable questions
- Google Voice integration
- HIPAA compliance for healthcare businesses
- Zapier integration for automation
- Unlimited minutes on all plans
Pros:
- Deep customization options
- HIPAA compliant
- Unlimited minutes
- 14-day free trial (no credit card)
Cons:
- Expensive if you need multiple agents (phone numbers)
- Limited voice options
- No SMS support
Goodcall suits companies that need precise control over their answering service configuration, especially healthcare and privacy-sensitive businesses.
5. Rosie
Rosie is designed for small businesses that can't answer every call but lose leads when calls go to voicemail.
It offers some of the most affordable unlimited pricing in the market.
The Professional plan starts at $49 per month and includes message taking with custom questions.
The Scale plan at $149 per month adds appointment links, call transfers, and text replies. The Growth plan at $299 per month includes file uploads for AI training. All plans include unlimited minutes.
What stands out:
- Unlimited minutes on all plans
- Learns from your website and Google Business Profile
- Custom FAQ creation
- Instant notifications and AI call summaries
- Zapier integration with 8,000+ apps
- 7-day free trial
Pros:
- Most affordable unlimited option
- Simple, predictable pricing
- Quick setup
- No per-minute worries
Cons:
- Base plan doesn't include appointments or call transfers
- Requires a separate phone system (they don't provide one)
- Less advanced than competitors
Rosie fits budget-conscious small businesses that want simple, unlimited call answering without complexity.
6. Sona by Quo
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Sona is an AI answering add-on for Quo (formerly OpenPhone), a business phone system. If you're already using Quo, Sona integrates seamlessly.
If not, you'll need both subscriptions.
The Quo base subscription starts around $19 per user per month.
Sona adds $25 to $199 per month depending on call volume: $25 for 40 calls, $49 for 100 calls, $99 for 250 calls, or $199 for 600 calls.
What stands out:
- Customizable workflow configuration
- Automatic SMS during calls
- AI call summaries and transcripts
- Natural-sounding voices
- Operating hours configuration
- Full phone system features via Quo
Pros:
- Seamless integration if you already use Quo
- Customizable workflows
- Good voice quality
Cons:
- English only
- No free trial for Sona (must subscribe to Quo first)
- Pay-per-call model can get expensive
- Requires Quo subscription
Sona works best for teams already using Quo that want to add AI answering without switching platforms.
7. IsOn24
IsOn24 is the oldest service in this comparison, founded in 2014. It has evolved from a simple auto-attendant to a full AI answering system with SMS capabilities included.
The Starter plan is $49 per month and includes 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts, and 1,000 online replies.
The Sprinter plan at $99 per month includes 3,000 of each, and the Cruiser plan at $199 per month includes 7,500 of each.
What stands out:
- Includes SMS and text messaging
- Native integrations with Square and Jobber
- Call forwarding capabilities
- Zapier integration
- Affordable entry point
- 7-day free trial
Pros:
- SMS included in all plans
- Affordable pricing
- Long track record (founded 2014)
Cons:
- US and English only
- Dated interface
- Voices sound more robotic than competitors
- Product doesn't seem actively maintained
IsOn24 suits microbusinesses that need a simple, affordable solution with SMS capabilities.
How to choose the right Dialbox alternative
The best choice depends on your specific needs. Here's a simple framework:
Choose Smith.ai if: You need human operators for complex calls and have the budget for premium service.
Choose Ringly.io if: You're an e-commerce store (especially Shopify) or need multilingual support across 40 languages.
Choose Rosie if: Budget is your top concern and you want unlimited minutes at the lowest price.
Choose Goodcall if: You need deep customization or HIPAA compliance for healthcare.
Choose Allo if: You need a complete phone system with AI built-in, not just an answering service.
Choose Sona if: You already use Quo and want to add AI answering without switching platforms.
Choose IsOn24 if: You need basic coverage with SMS included at an affordable price.
Key factors to weigh: pricing model (unlimited vs per-minute), compliance requirements, integration needs, and language support.
Switching from Dialbox to an alternative
Most businesses can migrate from Dialbox to an alternative with minimal disruption. Here's what typically transfers:
- Your existing phone number (via forwarding or porting)
- Business hours and availability settings
- Custom greetings and call scripts
- FAQ responses and common scenarios
Most services offer same-day setup, and many provide migration assistance. Take advantage of free trials to test the service before committing.
Start automating your phone support today
Dialbox offers solid value for Canadian businesses needing PIPEDA compliance and bilingual support.
But depending on your needs, alternatives may serve you better.
If you run an e-commerce store, Ringly.io offers deeper integration with your order systems.
If you need a complete phone system, Allo provides more than just answering. And if budget is tight, Rosie delivers unlimited minutes at the lowest price point.
The best approach is to identify your must-have features, test a couple of options with free trials, and choose the one that fits your workflow.
Ready to see what AI phone support can do for your business?
Try Ringly.io's 14-day free trial and only pay once Seth resolves at least 60% of your calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Dialbox alternatives for small businesses?
For small businesses, Rosie offers the most affordable entry point at $49/mo with unlimited minutes. Allo at $18/user/mo is excellent if you need a full phone system. IsOn24 at $49/mo provides good value with SMS included.
Which Dialbox alternatives offer unlimited calls?
Several alternatives offer unlimited calls: Rosie includes unlimited minutes on all plans starting at $49/mo. Goodcall offers unlimited minutes on all tiers ($79-249/mo). Allo's Business plan at $32/user/mo includes unlimited AI receptionist usage.
Are there any Dialbox alternatives with human receptionists?
Smith.ai is the main alternative offering hybrid AI + human receptionists. They combine AI for routine calls with North American-based human agents for complex situations. This comes at a premium ($95-800/mo) compared to AI-only services.
What Dialbox alternatives work best for e-commerce?
Ringly.io is purpose-built for e-commerce with deep Shopify integration. Its AI agent Seth can look up orders, process returns, and answer product questions automatically. It resolves approximately 73% of calls without human intervention for Shopify stores.
Which Dialbox alternatives support multiple languages?
Ringly.io leads with support for 40 languages. Allo supports English, French, and Spanish. Smith.ai offers bilingual English/Spanish support. Most other alternatives are English-only.
Do any Dialbox alternatives offer HIPAA compliance?
Goodcall explicitly mentions HIPAA compliance, making it suitable for healthcare and privacy-sensitive businesses. Smith.ai also offers HIPAA-compliant options for medical practices.
Can I try these Dialbox alternatives before committing?
Most alternatives offer free trials. Ringly.io offers 14 days with a unique guarantee (pay only after 60% resolution rate). Allo, Rosie, Goodcall, and IsOn24 all offer 7-14 day trials. Smith.ai offers trials upon request.
