The 6 best Flip CX alternatives in 2026: I tested them all

In this article, we will go over the best Flip CX alternatives in 2026
Ruben Boonzaaijer
Written by
Ruben Boonzaaijer
Maurizio Isendoorn
Reviewed by
Maurizio Isendoorn
Last edited 
February 9, 2026
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In this article

Flip CX is a solid AI voice assistant for automating inbound calls, charging $0.15 per successfully handled call.

It works well for businesses wanting to reduce repetitive customer service tasks without paying for calls that get transferred to humans.

But it may not fit every situation. Maybe you need deeper e-commerce integration, a full omnichannel platform, or enterprise-grade workforce management.

This guide covers 6 Flip CX alternatives I tested, ranging from AI phone agents built for Shopify stores to complete contact center solutions.

Flip CX AI voice assistant platform

What is Flip CX?

Flip CX (by RedRoute) is an AI-powered voice assistant designed to handle inbound customer calls automatically.

It manages simple, repetitive requests like order status inquiries, FAQs, and basic support tasks without requiring a human agent.

The platform uses natural language processing to understand callers and respond conversationally.

It creates support tickets and call transcriptions automatically, integrating with existing customer service systems to keep everything organized.

Flip CX operates on a usage-based pricing model at $0.15 per call or per-minute billing.

You only pay for calls the AI successfully handles, so transfers to human agents are free.

This model makes it cost-effective for businesses with variable call volumes.

One thing worth noting: Google sometimes confuses "Flip CX" with "Flip" (a worker communication app by Workvivo).

They are completely different products. Flip CX is specifically for customer experience automation, not internal team communication.

Flip CX competes in several software categories including customer service software, call center software, contact center software, and conversational AI platforms.

The alternatives below span these same categories, with different strengths depending on your needs.

How I evaluated these Flip CX alternatives

To make this comparison useful, I tested each platform against consistent criteria. Here is what I looked for:

Pricing model was the first consideration. Some platforms charge per call, others per user, and some offer flat monthly fees. The right model depends on your call volume and team size.

AI capabilities mattered significantly. I evaluated natural language processing quality, intent recognition accuracy, and voice quality for platforms offering voice automation.

Integration ecosystem determined how well each tool would fit into existing workflows. Platforms connecting with popular CRMs, help desks, and e-commerce systems scored higher.

Setup complexity varied widely. Some options deploy in minutes while others require weeks of professional services. I noted time-to-value for each.

Best-fit use case helped categorize each alternative. E-commerce stores have different needs than enterprise contact centers or local service businesses.

Pricing across these alternatives ranges from $15/user/month to enterprise-level custom quotes, so there is an option for most budgets.

6 best Flip CX alternatives

1. Ringly.io

Best for: E-commerce stores needing AI phone support with Shopify integration

Ringly.io AI phone agent for Shopify stores

Ringly.io offers an AI phone agent named Seth, built specifically for e-commerce.

Unlike Flip CX's general-purpose approach, Seth connects directly to Shopify stores to pull order data, process returns, and answer product questions in real-time.

The platform currently serves over 2,179 Shopify merchants with an average 73% call resolution rate without human intervention.

That resolution rate comes from deep store integration, where Seth actually knows your products, inventory, and order history without manual configuration.

Key features:

  • Native Shopify integration with order lookup and returns handling
  • Resolves approximately 70% of calls without human intervention
  • 40+ language support for international stores
  • Call recordings, transcripts, and analytics dashboard
  • Smart escalation when the AI cannot help
  • Handles 15+ concurrent calls simultaneously

Seth is trained to say "I don't know" rather than provide incorrect information.

When callers get frustrated or the AI cannot resolve their issue, it transfers to human agents automatically based on configurable rules.

Pricing:

Plan Price Minutes Included Overage Cost
Start $99/month 250 minutes $0.36/minute
Grow $349/month 1,000 minutes (~500 calls) $0.19/minute
Scale $1,099+/month 3,000+ minutes $0.19/minute

Ringly.io offers a unique performance guarantee: pay $0 until Seth resolves at least 60% of calls over 100 calls within 21 days.

If that target is not met, no billing occurs. The 14-day free trial requires no credit card to start.

Pros:

  • Deep e-commerce integration that Flip CX lacks
  • 3-minute setup with no technical skills required
  • Performance guarantee reduces risk
  • 5.9x average documented ROI

Cons:

  • Focused on e-commerce; not ideal for non-retail businesses
  • Per-minute pricing may cost more for very short calls

Why choose over Flip CX: If you run a Shopify store, Ringly.io's direct integration means Seth actually knows your products, orders, and policies without manual configuration. The native Shopify connection eliminates the setup work required with general-purpose voice assistants.

2. Zendesk Suite

Best for: Businesses wanting a full customer service platform with voice capabilities

Zendesk Suite omnichannel customer service platform

Zendesk is the established player in customer service software, serving over 200,000 companies globally.

Their Suite includes ticketing, live chat, email, and voice support with AI-powered features across all channels.

The platform goes beyond voice automation to provide unified omnichannel support.

If you need to manage customer conversations across phone, chat, email, and social media in one place, Zendesk delivers that capability with a mature, proven infrastructure.

Key features:

  • Omnichannel support (voice, chat, email, social)
  • AI agents that resolve customer conversations autonomously
  • AI-powered ticket routing and suggested responses
  • 1,000+ pre-built integrations in their marketplace
  • Detailed analytics and reporting dashboards
  • Copilot AI assistant providing real-time agent suggestions

Zendesk's AI agents can handle entire conversations without human involvement, while their Copilot feature assists human agents with suggestions during calls.

The combination means you can automate where appropriate and enhance human agents where needed.

Pricing:

Plan Price (Billed Annually) Key Inclusions
Suite Team $55/agent/month Ticketing, messaging, 1 help center, essential AI agents, 1,000+ integrations
Suite Growth $89/agent/month SLAs, self-service portal, multilingual support, private conversations
Suite Professional $115/agent/month Skills-based routing, advanced analytics, IVR/phone trees, HIPAA compliance

Voice and phone support require the Professional tier.

Premium AI features also require higher tiers, so budget accordingly if those capabilities matter.

Pros:

  • Mature, proven platform with 4.4/5 rating (4,064+ reviews)
  • Comprehensive feature set beyond just voice
  • Strong third-party integration ecosystem
  • SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA compliant

Cons:

  • Per-user pricing gets expensive with large teams
  • Steeper learning curve than voice-only alternatives
  • AI voice features require higher tiers

Why choose over Flip CX: When you need more than voice automation and want a unified platform for all support channels, Zendesk provides that comprehensive solution.

3. LiveAgent

Best for: Budget-conscious teams needing help desk with call center features

LiveAgent help desk with call center features

LiveAgent combines help desk ticketing with built-in call center functionality at a fraction of competitor pricing.

Starting at $15/user/month, it offers excellent value for businesses that want voice support without enterprise-level costs.

The platform is designed for human agents with software support rather than full AI automation.

If your strategy involves training and empowering human support reps (rather than replacing them with AI), LiveAgent provides the tools to make those agents more effective.

Key features:

  • Unlimited call recordings at all tiers
  • Automatic call distribution for intelligent routing
  • IVR and callback features
  • Built-in ticketing and live chat
  • 5-minute deployment with no setup fee

Setup takes 5 minutes according to LiveAgent, and the 14-day free trial requires no credit card.

The simplicity extends to daily usage, though the interface can feel dated compared to newer platforms.

Pricing:

Plan Monthly Price (Annual Billing) Key Inclusions
Growth (Small) $15/agent/month Ticketing, basic automation, SLAs, 1,000+ marketplace apps
Pro (Medium) $49/agent/month Advanced reporting, custom roles, multilingual support, CSAT surveys
Enterprise (Large) $79/agent/month Skill-based routing, sandbox, audit logs, IP whitelisting

Every tier includes unlimited call recordings, which competitors often charge extra for.

No setup fees and cancel anytime terms keep the commitment low.

Pros:

  • Excellent value at $15/user starting price
  • 4.7/5 rating with 1,746+ verified reviews
  • All-in-one solution (no separate tools needed)
  • Unlimited call recordings included

Cons:

  • Less AI-focused than Flip CX
  • Requires human agents for calls (not fully automated)
  • Interface can feel dated

Why choose over Flip CX: If you want human agents handling calls with software support rather than full AI automation, LiveAgent offers great value.

The $15/user starting price is significantly lower than per-call models for teams with moderate call volumes.

4. Podium

Best for: Local businesses focused on reviews, messaging, and customer communication

Podium AI communication and review management platform

Podium takes a different approach by combining AI-powered communication with review management and lead conversion.

Marked as "Top Pick 2026" on several review platforms, it focuses on helping local businesses build reputation while converting more leads.

The platform positions itself around lead generation rather than pure call handling.

If your business depends on local reputation (think dentists, auto dealers, home service companies), Podium bundles customer communication with review generation in one platform.

Key features:

  • AI voice agent for automated phone handling
  • AI text messaging for lead conversations
  • Review generation and management system
  • Unified inbox for messages from multiple channels
  • Lead scoring and conversion tools
  • 24/7 AI operation (what Podium calls an "AI Employee")

Podium's AI handles initial customer contact, qualification, and appointment scheduling automatically.

The review management component solicits reviews after interactions, helping build the online reputation that drives more leads.

Pricing:

Plan Price (Monthly) Key Inclusions Notes
Essential $39/seat Shared inbox, basic ticketing, Fin AI Agent access, Slack integration $29/seat if billed annually; best for startups
Advanced $99/seat Workflows (automation builder), 20 free Lite seats, multiple team inboxes $85/seat if billed annually; includes round-robin routing
Expert $139/seat SSO, HIPAA compliance, SLAs, 50 free Lite seats, multibrand support $132/seat if billed annually; advanced security and scale

The $399/month entry price is higher than other alternatives, but that includes review management capabilities that competitors do not offer.

Contact sales for specific feature breakdowns at each tier.

Pros:

  • Strong focus on local business needs
  • Review management included (unique differentiator)
  • 4.4/5 rating with 2,075+ reviews
  • Industry-specific packages for auto, home services, dental

Cons:

  • Higher entry price than other alternatives
  • Less focus on pure call automation
  • May be overkill if you only need voice AI

Why choose over Flip CX: When reviews and local reputation matter as much as call handling, Podium bundles both together.

For service businesses where online reputation drives customer acquisition, this integrated approach makes sense.

5. Genesys Cloud CX

Best for: Enterprise contact centers needing omnichannel orchestration

Genesys Cloud CX platform for enterprise contact centers

Genesys Cloud CX is enterprise-grade contact center software trusted by organizations across 100+ countries.

It handles customer and employee experience orchestration at scale, with advanced workforce management and predictive analytics built in.

This platform is significantly more powerful than Flip CX but designed for larger operations with dedicated support teams.

If you manage a contact center with 100+ agents and need enterprise-level compliance, Genesys delivers those capabilities.

Key features:

  • AI-powered virtual agents and agent copilot
  • Predictive routing to match customers with best agents
  • Workforce engagement management (scheduling, forecasting)
  • Outbound campaign management
  • Speech and text analytics for compliance
  • Low-code AI Studio for custom experiences

The predictive routing feature uses AI to route customers to agents most likely to resolve their issue quickly.

Combined with workforce management tools for scheduling and performance tracking, Genesys provides end-to-end contact center operations.

Pricing:

Plan Monthly Price (Annual Billing) Key Inclusions
Genesys Cloud CX 1 $75/user Inbound/outbound voice, basic IVR, call recording, and 250 AI tokens/mo
Genesys Cloud CX 2 $115/user Digital channels (chat, email, SMS), quality management, and 250 AI tokens/mo
Genesys Cloud CX 3 $155/user Workforce Management (WEM), sentiment analysis, and speech/text analytics
Genesys Cloud CX 4 $240/user Full AI Experience: Agent Copilot, Virtual Supervisor, and journey management

Volume discounts are available for large deployments. Contact sales for enterprise pricing and custom integrations. Additional fees may apply for premium AI features.

Pros:

  • Enterprise-ready scalability
  • Comprehensive workforce management tools
  • 99.9%+ uptime SLA

Cons:

  • Complex setup and implementation timeline
  • Pricing designed for large teams
  • Overkill for small businesses
  • 4.3/5 rating (261 reviews)

Why choose over Flip CX: When you are running a large contact center operation and need enterprise-level features, workforce management, and strict compliance certifications, Genesys provides that comprehensive infrastructure.

6. Gladly

Best for: Customer-centric brands wanting personalized support without tickets

Gladly people-centric customer service platform

Gladly reimagines customer service by organizing conversations around people, not tickets.

Instead of assigning ticket numbers, every interaction becomes part of a continuous customer timeline visible to any agent who helps that person.

With a 4.8/5 rating (the highest among alternatives analyzed), Gladly is highly regarded by brands focused on building long-term customer relationships.

Companies like TUMI, Ulta, UGG, and Allbirds trust the platform for their customer experience.

Key features:

  • People-centered design (no ticket numbers)
  • AI-powered responses and smart routing
  • Voice, chat, email, and social in one unified timeline
  • Complete customer history visible across all channels
  • Conversation summarization for quick context
  • AI assistance without requiring agents to leave conversations

When an agent picks up a call or chat, they see the customer's entire history: past purchases, previous issues, preferences, and prior conversations.

This context enables personalized service without asking customers to repeat themselves.

Pricing:

Plan Price (Annual Billing) Key Inclusions Notes
Task-Based $38/user/month Self-service, intelligent routing, customizable workflows Entry-level option for high-volume, low-complexity tasks
Hero $180/user/month Unified customer view, People Match®, Sidekick AI, reporting Requires a minimum of 10 users (Heroes)
Superhero $210/user/month Advanced scaling tools, deep customer context, premium support Requires a minimum of 45 users (Heroes)

Pricing is not publicly listed. The enterprise positioning and premium brand customers suggest per-user pricing similar to Zendesk's higher tiers. Request a demo through their website for specific quotes.

Pros:

  • 4.8/5 rating (highest among alternatives)
  • Unique people-first approach to customer conversations
  • Strong AI assistance built in
  • Trusted by world-class brands

Cons:

  • Enterprise pricing (not budget-friendly)
  • Requires commitment to their non-ticket philosophy
  • Less suited for transactional support

Why choose over Flip CX: When building long-term customer relationships matters more than pure call deflection, Gladly provides the tools for agents to see complete customer history and deliver personalized service.

Flip CX alternatives comparison table

Alternative Best For Starting Price Key Differentiator Rating
Ringly.io Shopify E-commerce $99/month Native order tracking & AI phone refunds 4.5/5
Zendesk Suite Scaling Teams $55/user/month Massive app ecosystem (1,000+ tools) 4.3/5
LiveAgent Budget SMBs $15/user/month Fastest chat widget & social integrations 4.5/5
Podium Local Service/Retail $399/month Combined review & lead management 4.4/5
Genesys Cloud CX Enterprise Centers $75/user/month Cloud-native AI workforce management 4.3/5
Gladly D2C Brands $180/user/month People-centered (no ticket numbers) 4.7/5

Entry prices vary from $15 to $399/month, with e-commerce and budget options on the lower end

Choosing the right Flip CX alternative for your business

The best choice depends on your specific situation. Here is a quick decision framework:

Choose Ringly.io if:

  • You run a Shopify or e-commerce store
  • You want AI that knows your products and orders automatically
  • Fast setup matters (3 minutes vs days or weeks)
  • Per-minute pricing fits your call volume

Choose Zendesk Suite if:

  • You need more than voice (email, chat, social)
  • Integration ecosystem is a priority
  • You have an established support team
  • Compliance requirements matter (SOC 2, HIPAA)

Choose LiveAgent if:

  • Budget is your primary concern
  • You want human agents with software support
  • You need help desk plus call center in one
  • Unlimited call recordings matter

Choose Podium if:

  • Local reputation and reviews matter
  • You are a service business (dental, automotive, home services)
  • Text-first communication fits your customers
  • Lead generation drives your business

Choose Genesys Cloud CX if:

  • You run a large contact center operation
  • Enterprise features and compliance matter
  • You need workforce management tools
  • Predictive routing and analytics are priorities

Choose Gladly if:

  • Customer relationships drive your business
  • You dislike ticket-based support
  • You want agents to see complete customer history
  • Premium brands inspire your service standards

For e-commerce stores looking to automate phone support without complex setup, Ringly.io's Seth handles order inquiries, returns, and product questions with direct Shopify integration.

Start your 14-day free trial to see how many calls Seth can resolve for your store.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free Flip CX alternatives?

LiveAgent offers a 14-day free trial with full features at $15/user/month after. Ringly.io provides a 14-day free trial with no credit card required and a performance guarantee where you pay $0 until their AI resolves 60% of calls. True free alternatives are limited in the AI voice assistant category.

Which Flip CX alternative works best for e-commerce stores?

Ringly.io is built specifically for e-commerce with native Shopify integration. Their AI agent Seth connects directly to your store to pull order data, handle returns, and answer product questions automatically. It achieves a 73% call resolution rate across 2,179+ Shopify stores.

How do Flip CX alternatives compare on pricing?

Pricing models vary significantly. Flip CX charges $0.15/call. Ringly.io starts at $99/month for 250 minutes. LiveAgent starts at $15/user/month. Zendesk Suite begins at $55/user/month. Podium starts at $399/month. Enterprise options like Genesys Cloud CX start at $75/user/month.

What is the difference between Flip CX and Flip?

Flip CX (by RedRoute) is an AI voice assistant for automating inbound customer calls. Flip (by Workvivo) is a worker communication app for internal team messaging. They are completely different products from different companies despite the similar names.

Which Flip CX alternative has the best AI capabilities?

It depends on your use case. Ringly.io excels at e-commerce-specific AI with Shopify integration. Zendesk offers AI agents and copilot features across multiple channels. Genesys Cloud CX provides predictive routing and AI-powered workforce management for enterprise needs.

Can Flip CX alternatives integrate with my existing tools?

Yes. Zendesk offers 1,000+ pre-built integrations. Ringly.io integrates with Shopify, Twilio, and Zapier. LiveAgent connects with popular CRMs. Genesys Cloud CX has API-first architecture for custom integrations. Check each platform's integration marketplace for your specific tools.

Which Flip CX alternative is easiest to set up?

Ringly.io claims 3-minute setup with no technical skills required. LiveAgent advertises 5-minute deployment. These voice-focused tools deploy faster than full omnichannel platforms like Zendesk or Genesys, which may require weeks of implementation for enterprise features.

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Ruben Boonzaaijer
Article by
Ruben Boonzaaijer

Hi, I’m Ruben! A marketer, chatgpt addict and co-founder of Ringly.io, where we build AI phone reps for Shopify stores. Before this, I ran an ai consulting agency which eventually led me to start a software business. Good to meet you!

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