If you run an ecommerce store, you've probably noticed that most AI phone services are built for dental offices and hair salons.
My AI Front Desk is a solid product, but its per-minute billing and appointment-focused features create problems for online sellers.
Ecommerce stores deal with different questions. Customers call about order status, shipping delays, returns, and inventory.
They call more during Black Friday and holiday sales, which means per-minute billing can spiral out of control.
This guide compares 7 alternatives that actually make sense for ecommerce.
Some offer unlimited minutes to prevent seasonal cost surprises. Others integrate directly with Shopify to pull order data automatically.
A few are budget-friendly options for stores just starting out.
What to look for in an ecommerce AI phone service
Before diving into specific tools, here's what actually matters for online sellers.
Ecommerce platform integration is the biggest differentiator. Native Shopify or WooCommerce connections let the AI pull real order data, not just read from a static FAQ. Generic Zapier workarounds work, but add setup complexity and potential failure points.
Pricing model determines whether you'll get hit with surprise bills. Per-minute billing creates risk during November and December when call volume spikes. Unlimited plans eliminate that uncertainty.
Order handling capabilities separate ecommerce-ready tools from appointment schedulers. Can it look up where a package is? Process a return request? Check if an item is back in stock? Most AI receptionists can't.
Setup speed matters because ecommerce sellers typically don't have IT teams. If deployment takes hours of configuration, it's probably not built for you.
Multilingual support helps if you sell globally. Some tools support 10 languages, others support 100+.
Quick comparison: My AI Front Desk alternatives for ecommerce
Here's how these 7 alternatives stack up for online stores.
Ringly.io is the only option with native Shopify integration and a 73% resolution rate
Best My AI Front Desk alternatives for ecommerce stores
1. Ringly.io
Ringly.io is the only tool on this list built specifically for ecommerce.
Its AI agent, Seth, connects directly to your Shopify store and pulls real order data during calls.
The numbers are worth noting. Seth resolves approximately 73% of calls without human intervention, according to data from 2,100+ Shopify stores using the platform.
That's not just handling FAQ questions.
It's actually looking up orders, processing returns, and answering product questions using live store data.
Setup takes about 3 minutes. Install the Shopify app, pick a phone number, and Seth starts answering calls.
Overage minutes cost $0.19/minute, which is transparent and predictable.
There's also a unique trial guarantee: billing only starts after Seth resolves 60% of calls over your first 100 calls within 21 days.
Pros:
- Native Shopify integration pulls real order data
- 73% resolution rate proven across 2,100+ stores
- 40 language support for global ecommerce
- 3-minute setup with no technical skills needed
Cons:
- Shopify-focused (WooCommerce support less developed)
- Higher starting price than budget alternatives
- Not unlimited minutes (though overages are reasonable)
Best for: Shopify stores handling 100+ calls per month who want true order automation, not just FAQ answers.
Try Ringly.io free for 14 days to see how Seth handles your customer calls.
2. GoodCall
GoodCall offers unlimited minutes on all plans, which solves the seasonal billing problem.
The platform has processed over 4.7 million calls since its founding in 2017.
The pricing model is interesting. Instead of charging per minute, GoodCall charges per unique customer.
Their Starter plan at $79/month includes 100 unique customers.
If you have repeat callers (common in ecommerce), this works in your favor.
Annual billing cuts 30% off these prices. Extra customers cost $0.50 each.
Pros:
- Unlimited minutes eliminates Black Friday surprises
- Per-customer pricing favors repeat callers
- 14-day free trial with full features
- HIPAA compliant if you sell health products
Cons:
- No native Shopify or WooCommerce integration
- Requires Zapier for order lookups
- Customer overages ($0.50 each) can add up with high volume
Best for: High-volume sellers doing 500+ calls per month who need cost predictability above all else.
3. Rosie
Rosie offers the lowest entry point for unlimited minutes at $49/month.
The platform handles calls naturally and maintains conversation context throughout the call.
All plans include English and Spanish support by default.
That's useful if your customer base spans the US and Latin America.
The Professional plan at $49 is genuinely unlimited with no hidden overages.
Rosie's FAQ confirms this directly, though they reserve the right to reach out if usage looks more enterprise-level.
Pros:
- Lowest cost for truly unlimited minutes
- Bilingual English/Spanish standard on all plans
- 7-day free trial to test everything
- Zapier connects to 1,000+ apps
Cons:
- No native ecommerce integration
- Designed for appointment scheduling, not order handling
- Manual configuration needed for ecommerce use cases
Best for: Budget-conscious sellers who want unlimited minutes without premium features.
4. Dialzara
Dialzara wins on setup speed. You can have an AI receptionist running in under 15 minutes.
The voice quality is notable. Multiple reviewers report that callers don't realize they're speaking with AI.
That matters for brand perception.
Overages cost $0.48/minute across all plans.
The pricing page includes a usage calculator to estimate which plan fits your call volume.
Pros:
- Lowest entry price at $29/month
- 15-minute setup (fastest tested)
- Natural voice quality that sounds human
- 7-day free trial, no credit card required
Cons:
- Per-minute overages create risk during high-volume periods
- 60 minutes on Lite plan only covers ~30 calls
- No ecommerce-specific features
Best for: Low-volume sellers (under 50 calls/month) who want the cheapest option with excellent voice quality.
5. Upfirst
Upfirst takes simplicity to the extreme.
Setup takes less than 10 minutes, and there's minimal configuration to worry about.
The pricing is call-based rather than minute-based. You pay for conversations, not talk time.
Annual billing saves 20%. A nice touch: spam and sales calls don't count toward your limit.
Pros:
- Simplest setup in the category
- Spam calls don't count toward limit
- 14-day free trial, no credit card
- 35+ languages supported
Cons:
- Call-based pricing unpredictable for long conversations
- Limited customization options
- No ecommerce platform integrations
- Overages can accumulate quickly
Best for: Solopreneurs who want basic call answering with the simplest possible setup.
6. Smith.ai
Smith.ai takes a different approach with a hybrid AI + human model.
Real North America-based agents answer calls, backed by AI for efficiency. This is the premium option for brands where caller experience directly impacts reputation.
The platform can process payments during calls (using Square, PayPal, or LawPay), which is rare among AI receptionists.
Base pricing isn't publicly listed on their website. You'll need to contact sales for a quote. However, their add-on pricing is transparent:
Pros:
- Human backup for complex situations
- Can process payments during calls
- 4.9 stars on G2, 4.8 on Clutch
- Best for premium brand perception
Cons:
- Pricing requires sales conversation
- Add-on costs make high volume expensive
- Designed for professional services, not ecommerce
- No native Shopify/WooCommerce integration
Best for: D2C brands where customer experience justifies premium pricing, or stores handling complex returns and warranty issues.
My AI Front Desk pricing vs. ecommerce alternatives
Let's break down why My AI Front Desk's pricing structure creates problems for ecommerce stores.
My AI Front Desk's current pricing:
The core issue is minute allocation. According to their own documentation, 50-65 calls can exhaust 200 minutes in about two weeks.
Here's a real scenario. Say you're a growing Shopify store receiving 300 calls per month with an average talk time of 4 minutes. That's 1,200 minutes.
Monthly cost comparison at 1,200 minutes:
Unlimited models like GoodCall and Rosie cost less than per-minute plans at high volume
For high-volume stores, unlimited models win on cost. But they lack the native Shopify integration that makes Ringly.io actually useful for ecommerce.
The price difference often pays for itself when Seth resolves 73% of calls without human intervention.
My AI Front Desk also restricts Zapier and API integrations to Enterprise plans only.
Start automating ecommerce phone support today
The right AI phone service depends on your call volume and integration requirements. Here's a quick framework.
Need native Shopify integration and order automation? Ringly.io is the only option with direct store connectivity. Seth pulls real order data and handles returns automatically.
High volume and need unlimited minutes? GoodCall ($79/mo) or Rosie ($49/mo) eliminate seasonal cost surprises. Neither integrates natively with ecommerce platforms, but both connect via Zapier.
Budget-conscious with low call volume? Dialzara starts at $29/month with excellent voice quality. Just watch the overage rates during busy periods.
Want human backup for complex situations? Smith.ai offers hybrid AI + human service at premium pricing. Best for D2C brands where caller experience matters most.
Just need basic call answering? Upfirst at $24.95/month is the simplest to set up and use.
For Shopify stores looking for real ecommerce phone automation (not generic FAQ handling), try Ringly.io free for 14 days.
Seth handles order questions, returns, and product inquiries using your actual store data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best My AI Front Desk alternative for ecommerce stores?
For Shopify stores, Ringly.io offers the best ecommerce-specific features with native integration and 73% automated resolution. For high-volume stores prioritizing cost, GoodCall and Rosie provide unlimited minutes. Budget-conscious sellers can start with Dialzara at $29/month.
Why isn't My AI Front Desk ideal for ecommerce?
My AI Front Desk uses per-minute billing that creates unpredictable costs during peak seasons like Black Friday. It also lacks native Shopify or WooCommerce integration (Zapier requires Enterprise), and the feature set focuses on appointment scheduling rather than order handling.
Which My AI Front Desk alternative offers unlimited minutes for ecommerce?
GoodCall ($79/month) and Rosie ($49/month) both offer unlimited minutes. GoodCall charges per unique customer instead of per minute, while Rosie includes truly unlimited calls on all plans with no overage charges.
Can My AI Front Desk alternatives handle order status inquiries for ecommerce?
Only Ringly.io has native Shopify integration that pulls real order data during calls. Other alternatives can handle order inquiries through Zapier connections, but require manual setup and won't have real-time inventory or order status without custom configuration.
What's the cheapest My AI Front Desk alternative for small ecommerce stores?
Upfirst starts at $24.95/month for 30 calls. Dialzara starts at $29/month for 60 minutes. Both are good for low-volume stores, though neither has ecommerce-specific features. Rosie at $49/month offers unlimited minutes if you expect growth.
Do any My AI Front Desk alternatives integrate with Shopify for ecommerce?
Ringly.io is the only alternative with native Shopify integration. It pulls order data, handles returns, and answers product questions using live store information. All other alternatives require Zapier workarounds to connect with ecommerce platforms.
How fast can I set up a My AI Front Desk alternative for my ecommerce store?
Dialzara deploys in under 15 minutes. Upfirst takes less than 10 minutes. Ringly.io requires about 3 minutes for Shopify stores since it installs as a Shopify app. GoodCall and Rosie typically take 15-30 minutes depending on customization needs.
