ReceptionHQ has been a go-to virtual receptionist service for years.
But if you run an online store, you've probably noticed something: most receptionist services weren't built with e-commerce in mind.
They can take messages and schedule appointments just fine.
Ask them to look up an order status or process a return, though, and you're out of luck.
This guide covers seven ReceptionHQ alternatives, from AI-powered solutions that integrate directly with Shopify to premium human receptionist services.
Whether you need 24/7 order support or just someone to answer calls during business hours, you'll find an option that fits.
Editor’s note: Want to hear some sample AI support calls made for your Shopify store?
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What to look for in a ReceptionHQ alternative
Not every receptionist service handles e-commerce well. Here's what actually matters for online stores:
Order lookup and tracking capabilities. Your customers call asking "where's my order?" more than anything else.
A good solution should pull real-time tracking info without human intervention.
Returns and exchange handling. Returns are a reality of e-commerce.
The right tool should walk customers through the process and update your systems automatically.
Integration with your platform. If you use Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce, your receptionist should connect to it.
Otherwise, you're stuck doing manual data entry.
Multilingual support. Selling globally? You'll need support in multiple languages, not just English.
24/7 availability. Online stores don't close. Your phone support shouldn't either.
Pricing transparency. Per-minute billing adds up fast during busy seasons.
Look for predictable pricing or high enough limits that you won't worry about overages.
One more thing to consider: human vs AI receptionists. Human agents offer a personal touch but cost more and work limited hours.
AI agents handle high volumes, work around the clock, and cost less, but they can't match human empathy for complex situations.
Quick comparison: all 7 ReceptionHQ alternatives
Top 7 ReceptionHQ alternatives for your business
1. Ringly.io
Best for: Shopify stores that want AI-powered phone support
Ringly.io is the only solution on this list built specifically for e-commerce.
Their AI agent, Seth, handles the exact calls that eat up your support team's time: order lookups, returns, exchanges, and product questions.
Here's how it works. Seth connects directly to your Shopify store and can pull order details in real-time.
When a customer calls asking about their package, Seth has the tracking info instantly.
When they want to return something, Seth walks them through the process and updates your system automatically.
The numbers are impressive. Across 2,100+ Shopify stores using Ringly, Seth resolves 73% of calls without any human involvement.
That's nearly three out of four calls handled entirely by AI.
Key features:
- Native Shopify integration for order lookups and returns
- 40+ languages supported for global stores
- 24/7 availability with no wait times
- Call recordings and transcripts for quality review
- Setup in under 3 minutes, no coding required
Pricing:
Overage minutes cost $0.19 each. Ringly also offers a unique guarantee: you pay nothing until Seth resolves at least 60% of your first 100 calls within 21 days.
The bottom line: If you run a Shopify store and want to automate repetitive phone support, Ringly.io is purpose-built for exactly that.
The main limitation? It's designed for e-commerce, so service businesses won't get as much value.
2. Ruby Receptionists
Best for: Businesses that prioritize human connection over automation
Ruby has been in the virtual receptionist business for over 20 years.
They've built a reputation on one thing: friendly, professional human agents who answer your calls as if they worked in your office.
Every call gets answered by a US-based receptionist trained to represent your brand.
They can schedule appointments, qualify leads, take messages, and even process payments over the phone.
Ruby also offers a well-reviewed mobile app so you can check messages and call logs on the go.
For healthcare businesses, Ruby provides HIPAA-compliant answering.
For legal practices, they understand intake procedures and confidentiality requirements.
Key features:
- 24/7/365 live answering with US-based agents
- Bilingual support in English and Spanish
- Appointment scheduling and lead qualification
- Mobile app for real-time notifications
- Robocall filtering to reduce spam
Pricing:
Ruby also offers live chat add-ons starting at $115/month for 10 chats. There are no setup or activation fees.
The bottom line: Ruby delivers premium human receptionist service at a premium price.
If your business depends on building personal relationships over the phone, the cost may be worth it.
For e-commerce stores dealing with high volumes of repetitive queries, though, per-minute billing can get expensive fast.
3. Smith.ai
Best for: Businesses that want flexibility between AI and human agents
Smith.ai offers something most competitors don't: a true hybrid model.
You can start with their AI receptionist and escalate to human agents when needed, or choose one or the other exclusively.
The AI handles routine tasks like screening calls, scheduling appointments, and answering common questions.
When a call requires human judgment, it transfers seamlessly to a North America-based receptionist.
This flexibility makes Smith.ai popular with law firms, consultants, and service businesses that have varying call complexity.
Integration is a strength here. Smith.ai connects with 7,000+ apps including HubSpot, Salesforce, Clio, and Zapier. You can create custom "playbooks" that tell agents exactly how to handle different call types based on your business rules.
Key features:
- Choose AI-only, human-only, or blended receptionist service
- 7,000+ software integrations
- Custom call playbooks for different scenarios
- Outbound calling available on higher tiers
- North American-based technical and client support
Pricing:
Smith.ai offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
The bottom line: The hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds: AI efficiency for routine calls, human touch when it matters.
The extensive integrations make it a good fit for businesses already invested in CRM and marketing tools.
For pure e-commerce use cases, though, the lack of native Shopify integration means you'll miss out on automated order support.
4. My AI Front Desk
Best for: Service businesses needing affordable multi-channel support
My AI Front Desk focuses on one promise: omnichannel AI reception for small businesses.
Their platform handles phone calls, SMS text messages, and website chat through a single system.
The setup is fast. Most businesses are live in under 5 minutes. The AI can handle unlimited parallel conversations, so you'll never get a busy signal during peak times.
For businesses that want a consistent brand voice, My AI Front Desk even offers voice cloning, you can train the AI to sound like you or a specific team member.
With 7,000+ integrations through Zapier, you can connect the platform to most business tools.
The built-in CRM helps track leads without needing a separate system.
Key features:
- Phone, SMS, and web chat in one platform
- Unlimited concurrent conversations
- 100+ voice options plus voice cloning
- 7,000+ integrations via Zapier
- Built-in CRM for lead management
Pricing:
A free trial with 10 credits lets you test the service before committing.
The bottom line: My AI Front Desk offers the lowest entry point for AI receptionist service and covers more channels than most competitors.
The trade-off? The AI is general-purpose, not trained specifically for e-commerce workflows.
If you need order lookups and return processing, you'll need to build custom integrations.
5. AnswerConnect
Best for: Businesses wanting transparent billing and global agent coverage
AnswerConnect operates 24/7/365 with receptionists based in both the US and UK.
This dual-location setup provides natural coverage across time zones without relying on offshore call centers.
What sets AnswerConnect apart is their approach to billing transparency.
They publish extensive documentation explaining exactly how minutes are calculated, what counts as billable time, and how to read your invoices.
For businesses burned by hidden fees or confusing bills from other services, this clarity matters.
The service includes standard receptionist features: message taking, appointment booking, lead capture forms, and CRM integration.
Plans are flexible, you can scale up or down as your needs change without penalties.
Key features:
- 24/7/365 live answering with US and UK agents
- Transparent billing policies with detailed documentation
- Flexible plan changes without penalties
- Appointment booking and lead capture
- CRM integration with popular business tools
Pricing:
AnswerConnect uses minute-based pricing with custom quotes provided after consultation.
They emphasize that you'll know exactly what you're paying for before signing up.
The bottom line: AnswerConnect is a solid choice if you value billing transparency and want receptionists who understand both American and British business contexts.
The custom pricing model means you'll need to speak with sales to get numbers, which some businesses find inconvenient.
Like other human receptionist services, there's no native e-commerce platform integration.
6. PATLive
Best for: Small businesses wanting affordable human answering without contracts
PATLive keeps things simple: US-based agents, straightforward pricing, no long-term commitments.
Their entry-level plan starts around $59 per month for 25 minutes, making them one of the most affordable human receptionist options available.
All agents work from US locations, which matters if your customers prefer domestic support or if you have compliance requirements.
The service includes message taking, call transfers, appointment scheduling, and an optional web chat add-on.
The 14-day free trial lets you test the service risk-free. Since there are no contracts, you can cancel anytime if it doesn't work out.
Key features:
- 100% US-based agents
- No long-term contracts, month-to-month service
- 14-day free trial
- Message taking and live call transfers
- Optional web chat add-on
Pricing:
No setup fees on any plan.
The bottom line: PATLive offers an affordable entry point for businesses that want human receptionists but don't have enterprise budgets.
The US-only agent policy and no-contract approach reduce risk for small businesses testing receptionist services for the first time.
Just be aware that per-minute billing can add up during busy periods, and there are no e-commerce-specific features.
7. Nexa Receptionists
Best for: Industry-specific businesses needing specialized intake
Nexa takes a different approach from generalist receptionist services. They train agents specifically for verticals like legal, medical, home services, and real estate.
If you run a law firm or medical practice, this specialization means agents already understand your terminology, compliance requirements, and intake procedures.
Beyond answering calls, Nexa offers outbound follow-up services.
Their agents can call leads who filled out forms but haven't scheduled appointments, or follow up with customers after service visits.
This proactive approach helps convert more leads into customers.
Custom scripting lets you define exactly how different call types should be handled.
You can create complex workflows for new client intake, appointment scheduling, or emergency dispatch.
Key features:
- Industry-trained agents for legal, medical, home services
- Custom call scripting and workflows
- Outbound calling and follow-up services
- 24/7/365 coverage
- Local and toll-free number options
Pricing:
Nexa provides custom quotes based on your expected call volume and required features. You'll need to speak with their sales team to get pricing.
The bottom line: Nexa is ideal if you operate in a specialized industry where generic receptionist training isn't enough.
The custom workflows and outbound capabilities add value for complex businesses.
However, the opaque pricing and industry focus make it less suitable for straightforward e-commerce operations.
Like other human services, there's no Shopify or platform integration.
How to choose the right ReceptionHQ alternative for your store
With seven solid options, how do you pick? Start by asking what your business actually needs.
Choose AI (Ringly.io, My AI Front Desk) if:
- You handle high call volumes with repetitive queries
- Cost efficiency matters more than human touch
- You need true 24/7 coverage without paying night shift premiums
- Most calls are about orders, returns, or FAQs
Choose human receptionists (Ruby, AnswerConnect, PATLive, Nexa) if:
- Your business depends on building personal relationships
- Calls are complex and require empathy or judgment
- You serve high-value clients who expect white-glove service
- Industry compliance requires human handling
Choose hybrid (Smith.ai) if:
- You want to start with AI and gradually add human support
- Your call volume varies significantly
- You need flexibility to scale up or down
For e-commerce specifically, consider your order volume, international customer base, and integration requirements.
If Shopify powers your store and phone support eats up your team's time, an AI solution with native integration will save hours every week.
Why AI makes sense for e-commerce phone support
E-commerce has unique characteristics that make AI receptionists particularly effective.
Most customer calls fall into predictable categories. "Where's my order?" "I want to return this." "Do you have this in stock?"
These aren't complex emotional situations. They're data lookups and process workflows that AI handles exceptionally well.
Volume spikes are another factor. During Black Friday or holiday seasons, call volume can triple overnight.
Hiring and training temporary staff is expensive and slow. AI scales instantly without quality dropping.
Time zones matter too. If you sell globally, customers call at all hours. AI provides consistent support whether it's 3 PM or 3 AM in your timezone.
Cost scaling is the final piece. Human receptionists charge per minute or per call. During busy periods, costs rise linearly with volume.
AI has fixed monthly costs, making budgeting predictable even during your busiest seasons.
Ringly.io built their platform specifically for these e-commerce realities.
Seth understands order workflows, speaks 40+ languages for global stores, and integrates directly with Shopify so customers get real-time answers without your team lifting a finger.
Start automating your phone support today
The right ReceptionHQ alternative depends on your business model. Human receptionists excel at relationship-building and complex inquiries.
AI solutions dominate for high-volume, repetitive tasks common in e-commerce.
If you run a Shopify store and want to stop losing hours to "where's my order?" calls, Ringly.io offers a 14-day free trial.
Seth can be live on your store in under 3 minutes, handling returns, looking up orders, and answering product questions while you focus on growing your business.
Start your free trial and see how much time you can reclaim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ReceptionHQ alternatives for Shopify stores?
Ringly.io is the only option with native Shopify integration, making it the clear choice for online stores. It handles order lookups, returns, and exchanges automatically. For stores not on Shopify, My AI Front Desk offers affordable AI receptionist service with Zapier integrations.
How do ReceptionHQ alternatives compare on pricing?
AI receptionists generally cost less than human ones. My AI Front Desk starts at $79/month, while Ringly.io starts at $99/month. Human services like Ruby start at $250/month, and PATLive offers entry-level human receptionists around $59/month for minimal usage. Per-minute billing on human services adds up faster during busy periods.
Can ReceptionHQ alternatives handle returns and exchanges?
Most cannot. Human receptionist services (Ruby, AnswerConnect, PATLive, Nexa) take messages but don't process returns. Of the AI options, only Ringly.io has built-in returns and exchange handling through its Shopify integration. My AI Front Desk and Smith.ai would require custom workflows to handle returns.
Which ReceptionHQ alternatives offer 24/7 support?
All seven options in this guide offer 24/7 availability. However, AI services (Ringly.io, My AI Front Desk, Smith.ai's AI option) provide consistent service at all hours without additional costs. Human services charge the same rates regardless of time, but you're limited by agent availability during holidays or peak periods.
Do any ReceptionHQ alternatives support multiple languages?
Ringly.io leads here with 40+ languages supported, essential for global e-commerce. Ruby offers English and Spanish. Smith.ai provides bilingual support. For other languages, AI-based services generally have broader capabilities than human receptionist companies.
What's the difference between AI and human ReceptionHQ alternatives?
AI receptionists handle high volumes, work 24/7 without extra cost, and excel at data-driven tasks like order lookups. Human receptionists build relationships, handle complex emotional situations, and provide judgment that AI can't match. For e-commerce, AI typically makes more sense due to the repetitive nature of order-related calls.
