Running an ecommerce store means fielding the same questions over and over.
Where's my order? Can I return this? Is it in stock?
Nexa promises to handle those calls, but their generalist approach leaves many online retailers looking for something more tailored.
After comparing pricing, features, and ecommerce-specific capabilities across the market, we found seven alternatives worth considering.
Some offer live human agents, others use AI automation, and one is built specifically for Shopify stores.
What is Nexa and why look for alternatives?
Nexa is a 24/7 virtual receptionist service that combines human agents with AI technology.
They handle inbound calls, appointment scheduling, lead qualification, and basic customer support for businesses across multiple industries.
The service works well for professional services like law firms and medical practices.
But ecommerce stores have different needs.
Your customers call about order tracking, product availability, and return policies.
They want real answers pulled from your actual inventory, not scripted responses from an agent reading from a generic FAQ.
Nexa serves eight different industries, from real estate to healthcare to automotive.
That broad focus means their receptionists aren't trained on ecommerce-specific workflows.
While they mention retail support, they don't offer native integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, or other ecommerce platforms.
Common reasons to explore alternatives include:
- Pricing transparency: Nexa requires contacting sales for a quote, making it hard to budget
- Ecommerce integrations: No direct connection to your store's order management system
- AI automation level: Some stores want more automation, others want less
- Order handling depth: Generic answering vs. actually looking up order status
What to look for in a Nexa alternative for ecommerce
Not every answering service fits an online store. Here's what actually matters when you're comparing options.
Ecommerce integrations come first. Can the service connect with Shopify, WooCommerce, or your order management system? Without this, the person (or AI) answering your phone can't actually look up orders. They're just taking messages.
Order handling capabilities separate general answering services from ecommerce-ready solutions. You want something that can tell a customer their package shipped yesterday, not just promise to pass along the question.
Pricing model affects your budget differently depending on call volume. Per-minute billing works for stores with short, predictable calls. Per-call pricing suits low-volume businesses. Flat monthly fees make sense when you have consistent, high call traffic.
AI vs. human is the core trade-off. AI call handling handles routine questions cheaper and faster. Humans manage complex situations better. Hybrid approaches try to get the best of both.
24/7 availability matters because your ecommerce customers shop around the clock. If your answering service charges extra for after-hours, do the math on whether that fits your patterns.
Multilingual support becomes essential as you scale internationally. Not every service handles multiple languages equally well.
Comparison table: Nexa alternatives at a glance
Before diving into details, here's how these seven alternatives stack up across the criteria that matter most for ecommerce.
Ringly.io offers the lowest entry price with native Shopify integration while most competitors require Zapier workarounds
The table shows a clear split. Budget options start around $44-99/month.
Premium human services run $250-395/month. There's one outlier (Dialpad) that's really a phone system, not an answering service.
The 7 best Nexa alternatives for ecommerce
1. Ringly.io
Ringly.io takes a different approach than most alternatives on this list.
Instead of generic receptionists who take messages, their AI phone agent (named Seth) actually connects to your Shopify store and handles calls end-to-end.
Why ecommerce stores choose it:
Seth pulls real-time order data directly from Shopify. When a customer calls asking where their package is, Seth checks the order, finds the tracking number, and provides the actual status.
The setup takes about three minutes. Install the Shopify app, connect your store, pick a phone number, and Seth starts answering calls.
You can upload your FAQs, return policies, and product information to train the AI on your specific business. Ringly.io reports that Seth resolves around 70% of calls without human intervention.
For the calls that need a person, Seth transfers to your team with context about what the caller already tried.
Pricing:
The 14-day free trial lets you test with real calls. Billing only starts after Seth resolves at least 60% of your calls over 100 interactions in the first 21 days.
Pros:
- Native Shopify integration pulls actual order data
- Handles returns and exchanges automatically
- Supports 40+ languages for international customers
- No technical knowledge needed for setup
Cons:
- AI-only (no human agents on staff for complex escalations)
- Best optimized for Shopify (other platforms need custom setup)
Best for: Shopify stores handling high call volumes who want to automate routine inquiries like order tracking and returns without hiring staff.
2. Ruby Receptionist
Ruby Receptionist is a live virtual receptionist service with over 20 years in business.
Every call gets answered by a real person working from Ruby's offices, not an AI or overseas call center.
Ruby has handled over 20 million calls for 15,000+ small businesses according to their website.
Their average answer time is under 10 seconds, and they filter out over 20,000 robocalls monthly.
Pricing:
You can add managed live chat for an extra $143-520/month, with a 20% discount when bundling with phone service.
Pros:
- Human touch on every single call
- 5,000+ integrations available through their platform
- HIPAA-compliant services for regulated industries
- No hidden fees for setup or extended coverage
Cons:
- No native ecommerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce require Zapier)
- Unused minutes don't roll over
- Can't look up order status in real-time without manual processes
Best for: Professional service businesses that prioritize human interaction over automation and have predictable call volumes.
3. Smith.ai
Smith.ai combines AI call handling with access to 500+ live North American agents.
The AI handles initial screening and routine questions, then escalates to humans when needed.
Founded in 2015, Smith.ai has handled over 20 million calls for 5,000+ businesses.
Their hybrid model means about 20% of AI-answered calls get transferred to human agents for complex issues.
Pricing:
The per-call charges on top of the monthly fee can add up quickly for high-volume stores.
Pros:
- 7,000+ integrations including HubSpot, Salesforce, and Calendly
- AI handles volume spikes without staffing issues
- 99.7% accuracy rate on human-handled calls
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Per-call pricing ($2-5/call) increases costs unpredictably
- No native Shopify or ecommerce platform integration
- More suited for law firms and service businesses than retail
Best for: Businesses that need lead qualification and CRM integration with human backup for complex calls.
4. AnswerConnect
AnswerConnect is a 24/7 live answering service voted Best Answering Service for 2026 by Forbes.
They maintain a 4.9/5 rating on Trustpilot with over 1,364 reviews.
Their philosophy is "People, Not Bots." Every call gets answered by a real person, with no AI involved in the customer interaction.
Pricing:
The Growth plan offers the best value with no setup fee and the lowest overage rate. First 30 interactions under 30 seconds each month are free across all plans.
Pros:
- True 24/7/365 coverage with live agents
- Bilingual English/Spanish support included
- Live website chat included in Growth and Standard plans
- Integrates with Salesforce, Zendesk, Slack, and Zapier
Cons:
- Higher price point than AI alternatives
- No ecommerce-specific features or integrations
- Per-minute billing requires predicting call volume accurately
Best for: Businesses that need around-the-clock human coverage and value award-winning service with a comprehensive client portal.
5. Abby Connect
Abby Connect takes a different approach with dedicated receptionist teams.
Instead of a rotating pool of agents, you get a team of 5-10 receptionists assigned specifically to your account.
They learn your business and build relationships with repeat callers.
All Abby agents work from their Las Vegas office with no outsourcing or remote distributed teams.
Pricing:
The dedicated team model means you're paying for consistency, not just coverage.
Pros:
- Same receptionists learn your business over time
- Mobile app for real-time call control
- Direct integrations with HubSpot, Clio, Lawmatics, Zapier
- AI Receptionist add-on available for extended hours
Cons:
- 24/7 coverage costs extra beyond standard hours
- Higher pricing than competitors for similar minute allocations
- Integrations focused on legal and professional services, not ecommerce
Best for: Businesses that value relationship-based service with a consistent team handling calls, particularly in professional services.
6. Specialty Answering Service (SAS)
Specialty Answering Service has operated for over 35 years, making them one of the most established options on this list.
They're also the most budget-friendly, with plans starting at $44/month.
What sets SAS apart is billing granularity. They bill by the second, not rounded up to the nearest minute.
For businesses with lots of short calls, that adds up to real savings.
Pricing:
Both plans include a 2-week free trial. You can upgrade or downgrade anytime without penalties.
Pros:
- Most affordable option on this list
- Order processing with payment collection and upselling capability
- ISO 27001 certified, HIPAA and PCI compliant
- Billing by the second (most granular available)
Cons:
- No AI automation (human agents only, which limits scalability)
- No native ecommerce platform integrations
- Quality can vary with per-call pricing tier
Best for: Budget-conscious businesses that need basic call answering without advanced ecommerce features.
7. Dialpad AI
Dialpad is different from everything else on this list. It's not an answering service but a business phone system with AI features built in.
Your team still answers the calls. Dialpad provides AI transcription, real-time coaching, sentiment analysis, and call summaries.
Think of it as making your existing team smarter, not replacing them.
Pricing:
For a 3-person team, you're looking at $81-105/month minimum.
Pros:
- Native AI transcription and call summaries
- Real-time coaching during live calls
- Integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk
- Sentiment analysis helps track customer satisfaction
Cons:
- Not a true answering service (your team must answer)
- Complex setup compared to dedicated receptionist services
- Per-user pricing expensive for larger teams
- No ecommerce-specific integrations
Best for: Growing businesses that want an AI-enhanced phone system rather than outsourced call handling.
How to choose the right Nexa alternative
The right choice depends on your specific situation. Here's how to match your needs to the best option.
Choose Ringly.io if:
- You run a Shopify store and want AI to handle order inquiries automatically
- Most of your calls are routine (order status, returns, product questions)
- You want to reduce support costs while maintaining 24/7 availability
- You need multilingual support for international customers
Choose a live receptionist service (Ruby, AnswerConnect, Abby) if:
- Your customers expect to speak with a human every time
- You need lead qualification and appointment scheduling
- You're in a service industry where relationships matter
- Call volume is low enough that per-minute pricing makes sense
Choose SAS if:
- Budget is your primary concern
- You need basic message-taking and call forwarding
- Call volume is low and unpredictable
- You want to test answering services without a big commitment
Choose Dialpad if:
- You want a full business phone system, not just answering
- Your team handles calls internally but needs AI assistance
- You need advanced analytics and call coaching
- You already have staff dedicated to phone support
For most ecommerce stores, the gap between general answering services and ecommerce-specific solutions is significant.
A generic receptionist can take a message, but they can't tell your customer that their order shipped from your warehouse yesterday and will arrive Thursday.
Start automating ecommerce phone support with AI
The virtual receptionist market offers plenty of options, but most weren't built with online retailers in mind.
They're designed for law firms scheduling consultations, medical practices confirming appointments, or service businesses qualifying leads.
Ecommerce support is different. Your customers want concrete answers about their orders, not a promise that someone will call them back.
They want to know if they can return the shoes that don't fit, not leave a voicemail for your support team.
Ringly.io bridges that gap. Seth connects directly to your Shopify store, pulls real order data, and handles the repetitive questions that eat up your support team's time.
The 70% resolution rate means seven out of ten callers get their answer without waiting for a human.
If you're tired of paying for answering services that just take messages, it might be time to try something built specifically for ecommerce.
Start your free 14-day trial and see how many calls Seth can handle for your store.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Nexa alternative for ecommerce stores?
For ecommerce specifically, Ringly.io is the best Nexa alternative because it offers native Shopify integration that actually looks up order status in real-time. Most alternatives can only take messages without accessing your store data.
How much does a Nexa alternative for ecommerce typically cost?
Nexa alternative pricing ranges from $44/month (SAS budget option) to $395/month (AnswerConnect Growth plan). AI-powered options like Ringly.io start at $99/month with 250 included minutes.
Can a Nexa alternative for ecommerce handle order tracking calls?
Only if it integrates with your store. Most general answering services cannot look up orders. Ringly.io is the only Nexa alternative on this list with native Shopify integration for real-time order data.
Which Nexa alternative for ecommerce offers 24/7 coverage without extra fees?
Ringly.io and AnswerConnect both include 24/7 coverage in their base pricing. Abby Connect charges additional fees for around-the-clock service, and Ruby includes it only in higher-tier plans.
Is there a free trial available for Nexa alternatives in ecommerce?
Yes, several options offer trials. Ringly.io provides a 14-day free trial with a unique guarantee (billing starts only after 60% resolution rate). SAS offers a 2-week trial, and Abby Connect has a 14-day trial period.
What's the difference between AI and human Nexa alternatives for ecommerce?
AI alternatives like Ringly.io handle calls automatically using artificial intelligence, typically at lower cost but with less flexibility for complex situations. Human alternatives like Ruby and AnswerConnect provide live agents for every call but cost more per minute.
Which Nexa alternative for ecommerce supports multiple languages?
Ringly.io supports over 40 languages through AI, making it the most multilingual option. Ruby and AnswerConnect offer bilingual English/Spanish support with human agents during certain hours.
