Phone-based AI is having a moment. More businesses are automating their inbound calls, whether it's for recruiting candidates or handling customer support.
Rootle AI has gained attention as a phone-based Voice AI platform, but it's not the only option out there.
If you're looking for Rootle AI alternatives, you're probably wondering what else is available and how the options compare.
Some platforms focus specifically on recruitment automation. Others handle customer support calls. A few do both.
Pricing varies widely, from affordable options for small businesses to enterprise-grade solutions with custom quotes.
In this guide, we'll look at 7 Rootle AI alternatives worth considering. We'll cover what each platform does best, how much it costs, and who it's right for.
By the end, you'll have a clear picture of which voice AI solution fits your needs.
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What is Rootle AI?
Rootle AI is a phone-based Voice AI platform designed for recruitment and customer support.
It handles inbound and outbound calls with human-like, multilingual conversations.
The platform offers 31+ languages, real-time voice interactions, and integrations with ATS and CRM systems.
You can build custom call flows using a drag-and-drop interface, and the system includes sentiment analysis to gauge caller mood.
Rootle uses usage-based pricing with three tiers:
Source: GeniusFirms Rootle AI Review
Rootle doesn't publish public pricing, which requires contacting their sales team for a custom quote.
This lack of transparency is one reason businesses look for alternatives, especially smaller companies that need predictable costs.
How we evaluated these Rootle AI alternatives
We looked at several factors when comparing these platforms:
- Voice AI quality - How natural do the conversations sound? Can the AI handle complex queries?
- Pricing transparency - Is pricing publicly available? Are there hidden costs?
- Integration ecosystem - Does it connect with your existing ATS, CRM, or help desk?
- Multilingual support - How many languages are supported for global operations?
- Ease of setup - Can you get started quickly without technical expertise?
- Use case fit - Is it designed for recruitment, customer support, or both?
Here's how the alternatives stack up:
The 7 best Rootle AI alternatives
1. Ringly.io
Best for: E-commerce businesses needing phone support automation
Ringly.io offers an AI phone agent called Seth that handles customer support calls for online stores.
It's specifically designed for e-commerce, with deep Shopify integration that lets the AI look up orders, process returns, and answer product questions.
The platform supports 40 languages and resolves around 73% of calls without human intervention.
Setup takes about 3 minutes, and you don't need technical expertise to get started.
Key features:
- Order lookups and return processing
- 24/7 call answering
- Call transcripts and analytics
- Smart escalation to human agents
- Knowledge base integration
Pricing:
Overage is $0.19 per minute. A 14-day free trial is available.
Pros:
- Purpose-built for e-commerce with Shopify integration
- Fast 3-minute setup with no coding required
- High resolution rate (~73% of calls)
- Transparent pricing with clear overage rates
Cons:
- Primarily focused on e-commerce (not recruitment)
- Custom integrations limited on lower tiers
2. Humanly
Best for: High-volume hiring and conversational recruiting
Humanly is an AI recruiting platform built for companies that process large numbers of candidates.
It handles sourcing, engagement, screening, scheduling, and interviewing, all in one platform.
The AI recruiter engages candidates 24/7 via chat, phone, and video. It can automatically screen and score applicants, then schedule interviews with your best-fit candidates without back-and-forth emails.
Key features:
- AI Recruiter for 24/7 candidate engagement
- AI Interviewer for structured, autonomous interviews
- AI Notetaker for automatic interview summaries
- Talent CRM for sourcing and nurturing
- Built-in ATS for pipeline management
Performance metrics:
Source: Humanly
Pricing: Contact for custom quote (not publicly disclosed)
Pros:
- End-to-end hiring automation from sourcing to interviewing
- Strong candidate experience (4.8/5 rating)
- Purpose-built for recruitment workflows
- Good for enterprise hiring volume
Cons:
- Pricing not transparent (requires sales contact)
- May be overkill for small businesses with occasional hiring needs
3. Intercom Fin
Best for: AI customer service across multiple channels
Intercom Fin is an AI Agent for customer service that works across live chat, email, SMS, WhatsApp, and social channels.
It's ranked #1 on G2 for AI agents and resolves complex queries at a higher rate than competitors.
Fin can work with your existing helpdesk (Zendesk, Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.) or as part of the full Intercom Customer Service Suite.
The AI is powered by the patented Fin AI Engine, which optimizes for accuracy and reliability.
Key features:
- Resolves queries across all channels (voice, email, chat, SMS, WhatsApp)
- Works with existing helpdesks or Intercom's platform
- AI Copilot for agent assistance
- Customizable tone and answer length
- Takes actions on external systems
Pricing:
Fin can also be used standalone with existing helpdesks for $0.99 per resolution (minimum 50/month).
Pros:
- #1 AI Agent on G2 with proven performance
- Resolution-based pricing (only pay when it works)
- Works with existing helpdesk setup
- Strong multilingual support
Cons:
- Voice features require additional configuration
- Can get expensive at scale with per-resolution pricing
4. Zendesk AI
Best for: Enterprise customer service with AI augmentation
Zendesk is one of the most established names in customer service software.
Their AI features integrate with the full Zendesk Suite, offering omnichannel support across email, chat, phone, and social media.
The platform is built for larger teams that need robust reporting, advanced automation, and enterprise-grade security.
While it's more complex than some alternatives, it offers depth that growing organizations often need.
Key features:
- AI agents for automated responses
- Omnichannel support (email, chat, phone, social)
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Extensive integration ecosystem
- Enterprise security and compliance
Pricing:
Pros:
- Enterprise-grade features and reliability
- Extensive integration ecosystem (1,000+ apps)
- Robust reporting and analytics
- Strong security and compliance options
Cons:
- Complex setup for smaller teams
- Higher starting price point
- Can be overkill for simple use cases
5. Smith.ai
Best for: Small businesses needing virtual receptionists
Smith.ai offers both AI receptionists and live human agents for call answering.
The hybrid approach means AI handles routine calls, but live North American agents are available 24/7 when needed.
The platform integrates with 7,000+ platforms including HubSpot, Salesforce, Clio, Calendly, and Slack.
It's particularly popular with law firms, IT services, and home service businesses.
Key features:
- AI + human hybrid call handling
- Lead qualification and intake
- Appointment scheduling
- Call recording and transcription
- 24/7 live agent availability
Pricing:
Add-ons range from $0.25 to $1.50 per call for features like appointment booking, SMS notifications, and payment processing.
Pros:
- Human backup when AI can't handle a call
- Wide integration support (7,000+ platforms)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Good for professional services
Cons:
- Pricing not fully transparent (per-call model can vary)
- Less focused on recruitment specifically
- Add-ons can increase costs
6. Tidio
Best for: Small businesses wanting affordable AI support
Tidio is an all-in-one customer support platform with AI capabilities.
Lyro AI handles automated responses, while the platform also offers live chat, chatbots, and help desk features.
The free tier makes it attractive for businesses just getting started with AI support.
Paid plans remain affordable compared to enterprise alternatives.
Key features:
- Lyro AI agent for automated responses
- Live chat and chatbots
- Help desk and ticketing
- Visitor monitoring
- Email marketing integration
Pricing:
Pros:
- Free tier for getting started
- Affordable paid plans
- Easy setup and user-friendly interface
- Good for small teams
Cons:
- Voice/phone features are limited
- Less advanced AI than enterprise options
- Conversation limits on lower tiers
7. LiveAgent
Best for: Budget-conscious teams needing multi-channel support
LiveAgent is a multi-channel helpdesk solution with built-in call center capabilities.
It offers real-time live chat, ticketing, and phone support in one platform.
With 180+ help desk features, it's one of the most comprehensive budget options available.
The interface can feel dated, but the feature set rivals more expensive competitors.
Key features:
- Multi-channel helpdesk (email, chat, phone, social)
- Built-in call center
- Real-time live chat
- Ticket management
- Knowledge base
Pricing:
Pros:
- Very affordable starting price
- Comprehensive feature set
- Built-in call center on higher tiers
- Good for small to mid-size teams
Cons:
- AI features less advanced than competitors
- Interface can feel dated
- Setup can be complex for beginners
Choosing the right Rootle AI alternative
The best choice depends on your specific needs:
For e-commerce phone support: Ringly.io is purpose-built for online stores with deep Shopify integration. It handles order lookups, returns, and product questions automatically.
For high-volume recruitment: Humanly offers end-to-end hiring automation from sourcing through interviewing. It's designed specifically for recruitment teams.
For enterprise customer service: Zendesk or Intercom Fin provide the robust features and integrations large teams need.
For budget-conscious small businesses: Tidio offers a free tier and affordable paid plans, while LiveAgent provides comprehensive features at a low price point.
For professional services: Smith.ai offers the human backup that law firms, IT services, and consultancies often need.
Tips for implementing voice AI
Getting started with voice AI requires some planning. Here are a few tips based on what we've seen work:
Start with clear use cases. Define exactly what you want the AI to handle. Order status inquiries? Appointment scheduling? Candidate screening?
The clearer your use cases, the better your results.
Integrate early. Connect your voice AI to existing systems (CRM, ATS, help desk) from the start.
This prevents data silos and gives the AI access to the information it needs.
Train your team on escalation. Make sure your team knows when and how the AI will transfer calls to humans.
Clear escalation procedures prevent frustrated callers.
Monitor and optimize. Review call transcripts and analytics regularly. Look for patterns where the AI struggles and refine your setup accordingly.
Consider multilingual needs. If you serve a global audience, verify language support before committing to a platform.
Quality varies significantly across languages.
Get started with AI phone support today
Voice AI can transform how you handle recruitment or customer support calls. The right platform depends on your use case, budget, and integration requirements.
If you run an e-commerce store and want to automate phone support, Ringly.io offers a 14-day free trial. Their AI agent Seth integrates directly with Shopify and handles order lookups, returns, and product questions automatically.
For recruitment teams, Humanly provides comprehensive hiring automation. Customer support teams might prefer Intercom Fin or Zendesk depending on their size and existing tools.
The key is matching the platform to your specific needs rather than chasing the most features or the lowest price. Start with a clear understanding of what you want to automate, then choose the tool that handles those use cases best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Rootle AI alternatives for small businesses?
For small businesses, Tidio and LiveAgent offer affordable entry points with free or low-cost tiers. Smith.ai is also a good option if you need phone support with human backup, starting at $95/month for AI receptionists.
Which Rootle AI alternatives work best for recruitment?
Humanly is purpose-built for recruitment, offering AI-powered sourcing, screening, and interviewing. For a more budget-friendly option, some businesses use Ringly.io for candidate pre-screening calls, though it's primarily designed for customer support.
Are there any free Rootle AI alternatives?
Tidio offers a free tier with 50 conversations and 3 chat operators. LiveAgent provides a 14-day free trial with full features. Most voice AI platforms require paid plans, but trial periods let you test before committing.
How do Rootle AI alternatives compare on pricing?
Pricing varies significantly. Entry-level options like LiveAgent start at $9/agent/month, while Ringly.io starts at $99/month for phone AI. Enterprise options like Zendesk and Humanly require custom quotes for larger teams.
Can Rootle AI alternatives integrate with my existing tools?
Most alternatives offer extensive integrations. Intercom Fin works with Zendesk, Salesforce, HubSpot, and others. Smith.ai connects with 7,000+ platforms. Ringly.io offers native Shopify integration plus Zapier and Make.com connections.
Which Rootle AI alternative has the best voice quality?
Intercom Fin ranks #1 on G2 for AI agents and uses a patented AI Engine optimized for customer service conversations. Ringly.io reports a 73% call resolution rate with natural-sounding conversations. Quality often depends on how well you train and configure the AI for your specific use cases.
Do Rootle AI alternatives support multiple languages?
Yes, most platforms support multiple languages. Ringly.io supports 40 languages, while Rootle AI itself offers 31+ languages. Intercom Fin and Zendesk also provide multilingual support, though quality varies by language.
