In 2026, the average e-commerce brand loses 25% of its potential profit to "operational friction" from manual phone support.
You have to decide between hiring expensive local staff or settling for developer-heavy tools that take months to launch.
But there is a fix.
This guide will go over the top 5 voice AI platforms that automate your phone support and sync with Shopify.
First, we compare the best no-code tools for founders.
Then, we break down which platform scales your revenue without adding a single person to your payroll.
Editor’s note: Want to hear some sample support calls made for your Shopify store?
- Just paste your store URL
- Get sample calls in under 20 seconds (no email required)
- Listen to demo calls for my store
What are AI voice agents and why do they matter for e-commerce?
AI voice agents are an evolution from traditional IVR menus and text-based chatbots.
These are automated systems that can have natural, human-like conversations with your customers over the phone, 24/7. They can understand what someone is saying, interrupt when it makes sense, and perform tasks.
For an online store, this technology can be very beneficial. An AI agent can look up an order status, start a return, or answer product questions at any time.
This allows businesses to lower support costs, provide customers with instant answers, and handle all incoming calls. For instance, some AI agents can resolve a high percentage of customer calls without human intervention.
Criteria for evaluating Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce
To create a useful comparison, the evaluation was based on a few ground rules.
The goal was to find tools that solve real problems for online merchants, not just showcase technology.
Here’s what was considered:
- E-commerce specialization: Does the tool have features made for retail? This includes integrations with platforms like Shopify to handle order and return requests correctly.
- Ease of setup: Can you get it running without extensive technical knowledge? Priority was given to no-code solutions that a store owner could launch quickly.
- Conversation quality: Does the AI sound natural and helpful? The evaluation included low latency, smooth conversation flow, and the ability to handle interruptions.
- Pricing transparency: Is the pricing simple, or does it require complex calculations? Platforms with clear, all-in-one pricing were favored.
- Integration capabilities: How well does it connect with the tools you already use? This includes built-in connections to e-commerce platforms, CRMs, and help desks.
A quick comparison of the top Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce
5 popular Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce
Here’s a detailed look at some popular platforms, covering their strengths and weaknesses for online store owners.
1. Ringly.io
Ringly.io is designed as an AI phone support representative for Shopify stores. Its AI agent, Seth, is a specialized tool for this environment.
It can be set up in about three minutes and is designed to handle common e-commerce calls like "Where's my order?" and "How do I start a return?".
The platform has been deployed in over 2,100 stores and achieves an average resolution rate of 73%.
- Pros: The native Shopify integration is a key feature. Seth can pull up order details, product info, and return policies in real-time to give customers accurate answers. The no-code setup is accessible for non-technical teams, and the pricing is straightforward. The company also offers a guarantee where you pay nothing until the agent resolves at least 60% of calls.
- Cons: Its primary focus is on Shopify, so it may not be suitable for stores on other platforms like BigCommerce or Magento. More advanced, custom integrations are limited to its higher-tier Scale plan.
Pricing:
- Start Plan: $99/month for 250 call minutes.
- Grow Plan: $349/month for 1,000 call minutes.
- Scale Plan: $1,099+/month for 3,000+ minutes and custom support.
- Overage: $0.19 per extra minute on Grow and Scale plans.
Why it's on the list: For merchants on Shopify, it is a direct, plug-and-play solution that automates phone support without requiring a developer.
2. Synthflow
Synthflow is a no-code option for businesses that want to visually map out their AI agent's conversations.
It uses a drag-and-drop interface to build complex call flows without writing code. Their BELL framework (Build, Evaluate, Launch, Learn) provides a structured way to design and improve an agent over time.
- Pros: The visual builder is user-friendly yet powerful, allowing non-technical teams to create custom call logic. It has a wide range of voice options and over 200 integrations, making it a flexible fit for businesses not on Shopify or for teams who prefer a visual design process.
- Cons: The pay-as-you-go pricing can be harder to predict than a flat monthly fee, which can be a consideration for budgeting. While the builder is effective, it might not offer the same level of granular control as a developer-first platform.
Pricing:
- Synthflow uses a pay-as-you-go model, with additional costs for the selected language model. For example, using GPT-4.1 adds another $0.05/minute.
- Custom enterprise plans are available for teams expecting over 10,000 minutes per month.
Why it's on the list: It's a suitable choice for stores that need a customizable, no-code solution but are not on Shopify. It’s also a good fit for teams that prefer to design their agent's behavior with a drag-and-drop tool.
3. Bland AI
Bland AI is an API-first platform built for scale. It’s made for developers who need to run large voice and SMS campaigns and can handle up to 1 million concurrent calls.
It is an engine for large operations with the engineering resources to build a custom solution from the ground up.
- Pros: Bland AI's main feature is its capacity to handle a high volume of calls. Its per-minute pricing is tied to clear monthly plans, which helps with forecasting costs on large outbound campaigns.
- Cons: This is a tool for technical users. Building and maintaining an agent requires coding. It also has a minimum charge of $0.015 for outbound calls, even if they don't connect.
Pricing:
- The pricing is usage-based and tied to monthly plans.
- Start (Free): $0.14 per connected minute.
- Build ($299/mo): $0.12 per connected minute.
- Scale ($499/mo): $0.11 per connected minute.
- More details are available in their billing documentation.
Why it's on the list: It’s a strong option for larger e-commerce brands with an in-house development team needing a highly scalable, custom voice AI solution for tasks like outbound marketing.
4. Vapi
Vapi is another tool aimed at developers, offering flexibility by allowing technical teams to select each part of the voice AI stack. With its "bring-your-own" setup, you can select your preferred large language model (LLM), text-to-speech (TTS) engine, and phone provider to build a completely custom solution.
- Pros: Vapi's key strength is its flexibility. Developers can adjust every part of the system to optimize for performance and cost, which can lead to extremely low latency (under 500ms).
- Cons: This flexibility requires a steeper learning curve, and the pricing model can be unpredictable. You pay Vapi's fee plus separate costs from multiple other vendors like OpenAI, Deepgram, and Twilio. It's more of a toolkit for engineers than a finished product for merchants.
Pricing:
- Vapi Hosting Cost: You pay Vapi a platform fee of $0.05 per minute.
- Provider Costs: On top of that, you pay variable charges from third-party services for the LLM, Speech-to-Text (STT), and Text-to-Speech (TTS) engines you use.
- A HIPAA-compliant add-on is also available for an extra $1,000/month.
Why it's on the list: It's an option for highly technical e-commerce teams that want total control over every aspect of their voice agent and prioritize raw performance.
5. Goodcall
Goodcall is designed for small, local service businesses like salons or restaurants. Its main function is simple, automated call answering, taking messages, and booking appointments using a set of easy-to-use templates.
It functions more as a virtual receptionist than a dedicated e-commerce support tool.
- Pros: Its primary benefit is simplicity. It’s very easy to set up, even for those who are not tech-savvy. The pricing is also predictable, with flat monthly plans based on the number of "unique customers" who call.
- Cons: This simplicity means it is less suited for e-commerce. It lacks the deep integrations needed for order tracking, processing returns, or answering product questions. It is not built for the typical needs of an online store.
Pricing:
- Monthly plans are based on unique customers, not minutes.
- Starter: $79/month for 100 unique customers.
- Growth: $129/month for 250 unique customers.
- Scale: $249/month for 500 unique customers.
- A 14-day free trial is available. More details are on their pricing page.
Why it's on the list: It’s a solid option for solo entrepreneurs or very small businesses whose main phone need is basic call answering and scheduling. It gets the job done for users who do not require deep e-commerce integrations.
How to choose a suitable Retell AI alternative for e-commerce
The right choice comes down to answering three questions about your business.
1. Do you have a developer on your team?
If the answer is no, you should focus on no-code platforms like Ringly.io or Synthflow. These tools are designed to be set up and managed by anyone. If you do have engineering resources, tools like Bland AI or Vapi open up more customization options.
2. Is your store on Shopify?
If it is, a solution with a deep, native Shopify integration like Ringly.io can provide significant value. It can automatically understand your orders and products, leading to more helpful conversations. With other platforms, you may need to do custom work to get the same level of insight.
3. What’s your preferred pricing model?
If you need a predictable budget, the flat-rate monthly tiers from Ringly.io or Goodcall are a safe bet. If you're running a high-volume, developer-led project and want to optimize costs, a usage-based model from Vapi or Bland AI might be more economical.
Finding the best fit for your store
While Retell AI is a capable tool for developers, the market offers many alternatives that are better suited to the specific needs of merchants.
The best choice for your store will always depend on your e-commerce platform, technical resources, and budget.
For most Shopify merchants, a solution that offers a balance of power and simplicity is often the most effective.
It’s not just about answering every call; it’s about solving customer issues quickly with an AI that understands your business.
Learn more about AI for Shopify
Ready to see how an AI phone agent designed for your store can save you time and money?
Seth from Ringly.io is designed to handle support calls, from order tracking to returns, so you can focus on growing your business.
Start your free 14-day trial today. Setup takes just a few minutes, with no developer needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce if I don't have a developer?
If you're not technical, your best options are no-code platforms. Ringly.io is designed for Shopify stores because it sets up in minutes and integrates directly with your orders and products. Synthflow is another good option with its visual drag-and-drop builder, which works well for stores on other platforms.
How do the pricing models differ for Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce?
Pricing varies quite a bit. Some, like Ringly.io and Goodcall, offer predictable monthly plans with a set number of minutes or customers. Others, like Synthflow, Bland AI, and Vapi, use a pay-as-you-go model where you're billed per minute, which can be less predictable but potentially more cost-effective for fluctuating call volumes.
Are there any free Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce?
While most platforms are paid, some offer free trials or starter tiers. For example, Bland AI has a free "Start" plan with a certain number of minutes, and Ringly.io offers a 14-day free trial. Goodcall also has a free trial. These are great for testing the service before committing.
Which Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce integrate best with Shopify?
Ringly.io is a notable choice for Shopify integration. It was built specifically for the platform and has a deep, native integration that allows its AI agent, Seth, to handle order lookups, returns, and product questions. Other platforms might connect to Shopify through third-party tools like Zapier, but this often requires more setup.
What should I look for when choosing between Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce?
Focus on three key things: your technical resources (do you need a no-code solution?), your e-commerce platform (is a deep Shopify integration a must-have?), and your budget (do you prefer a predictable monthly fee or usage-based pricing?). Answering these will quickly narrow down your options.
Can Retell AI alternatives for e-commerce handle more than just customer support calls?
Yes, some can. Developer-focused platforms like Bland AI are powerful enough for large-scale outbound campaigns, like marketing calls or customer notifications. Simpler tools like Goodcall are effective for appointment booking. However, most on this list are optimized for handling inbound customer service inquiries.
