# Ernest

> Ernest is an AI customer support agent for ecommerce and small businesses. It learns a store's site, products, and policies, then handles customer conversations around the clock: answering questions instantly and taking real action — order lookups, cancellations, and returns in the chat, with refunds always held for merchant approval. Install is one toggle from the Shopify App Store with no setup; Ernest reads the site itself.

Key facts:

- Pricing: Free (first 100 conversations, no time limit), Starter $49/mo (500 conversations/mo), Growth $149/mo (2,000/mo), Scale $299/mo (10,000/mo). No per-seat fees.
- Works on Shopify (native app: order lookup, cancellations, returns, refunds with merchant approval) and on any site via a one-line script tag.
- Customers verify identity (email + order number) before Ernest shares order details. Ernest never issues refunds without explicit merchant approval.
- Escalates conversations needing human judgment to the merchant with full context.
- Answers in the customer's own language.

## Product

- [Home](https://heyernest.ai): what Ernest does and how it works
- [Pricing](https://heyernest.ai/pricing): plans and conversation limits
- [Shopify App Store listing](https://apps.shopify.com/ernest): one-click install for Shopify stores
- [Support staffing calculator](https://heyernest.ai/tools/staffing-calculator): estimate support costs vs. Ernest

## Blog

- [What an AI Agent Does for a Supplement Shopify Store](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-agent-supplements-shopify): What an AI agent for supplement stores should and should not answer: dosage and ingredient questions from the label, with a hard line at medical advice.
- [What an AI Agent Does for an Electronics Shopify Store](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-agent-electronics-shopify): What an AI agent for electronics Shopify stores handles: compatibility and spec questions before checkout, and warranty coverage questions after purchase.
- [What an AI Agent Does for a Beauty Shopify Store](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-agent-beauty-shopify): What an AI agent for beauty Shopify stores handles: shade match, ingredient and allergen questions, and routine building, grounded in your real catalog.
- [Chatbot vs AI Agent: What's Actually Different for a Shopify Store](https://heyernest.ai/blog/shopify-chatbot-vs-ai-agent): Chatbot vs AI agent, explained for Shopify stores: a chatbot matches your message to a script; an AI agent reasons over live data and takes real action.
- [AI to Answer Product Questions: Why Generic Chatbots Get Specs Wrong](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-answers-product-questions): AI to answer product questions needs grounding in your real catalog and site content, not general model knowledge. How it works, and where chatbots fail.
- [Chatbase Pricing: The Five Tiers, the Credit Meter, and the Add-Ons](https://heyernest.ai/blog/chatbase-pricing): Chatbase pricing runs $0 to $500/mo on a message-credit meter with agent limits. Every published tier and add-on, plus what the page still leaves unstated.
- [Crisp Alternative for Shopify and WooCommerce: Inbox With a Chatbot vs Store-Connected Agent](https://heyernest.ai/blog/crisp-alternative): Crisp is a well-built multichannel inbox for small SaaS teams. A Crisp alternative for stores that need live order lookup, catalog answers, and returns.
- [Crisp Pricing Explained: Flat Per-Workspace Plans and How the AI Credits Bill](https://heyernest.ai/blog/crisp-pricing): Crisp pricing is flat per workspace at $0, $45, $95 and $295 a month with unlimited conversations. Every tier, seat count and AI credit, fully priced out.
- [Crisp vs Tidio: Flat Per-Workspace Pricing Against a Per-Conversation Meter](https://heyernest.ai/blog/crisp-vs-tidio): Crisp vs Tidio turns on the billing unit: a flat $45 to $295 per workspace with unlimited chats, or Tidio's per-conversation meter plus a separate AI bill.
- [Drift vs Intercom in 2026: Only One of Them Is Still for Sale](https://heyernest.ai/blog/drift-vs-intercom): Drift vs Intercom is no longer a fair fight: Drift is being sunset into Salesloft. What Intercom actually costs, and what to buy for the job Drift did.
- [eDesk Alternative for Stores That Moved Off the Marketplaces](https://heyernest.ai/blog/edesk-alternative): eDesk is built for Amazon and eBay sellers. If your queue has moved to your own store, here is an eDesk alternative priced per conversation, not per seat.
- [Freshdesk Pricing in Full: Three Tiers and Four Things That Meter On Top](https://heyernest.ai/blog/freshdesk-pricing): Freshdesk pricing in full: $19, $55 and $89 per agent monthly, plus Freddy AI at $49 per 100 sessions, $29 per agent Copilot, day passes and task fees.
- [Front Alternative: Choosing Between a Shared Inbox and a Store-Aware AI Agent](https://heyernest.ai/blog/front-alternative): Front is a strong shared inbox, but it bills per seat and meters its AI per conversation. A Front alternative for stores that need order-aware answers.
- [Front Pricing Explained: Seat Tiers, AI Add-Ons, and What Moves the Bill](https://heyernest.ai/blog/front-pricing): Front pricing runs $25, $65, and $105 per seat per month, with AI billed on top. Every tier, add-on and billing term, plus who the seat model fits badly.
- [Gorgias Pricing: Two Meters, Four Tiers, and Where the Overage Bites](https://heyernest.ai/blog/gorgias-pricing): Gorgias pricing runs $40 to $1,430 a month across four tiers, billed by ticket volume rather than per agent. Every tier, overage rate and add-on, itemized.
- [Gorgias vs Tidio: One Is Where a Store Starts, the Other Is Where It Arrives](https://heyernest.ai/blog/gorgias-vs-tidio): Gorgias vs Tidio is decided by ticket volume, not features. Tidio starts free with a separate AI quota; Gorgias bundles tickets from $40 to $1,430 a month.
- [Gorgias vs Zendesk: One Meters Your Tickets, the Other Meters Your Team](https://heyernest.ai/blog/gorgias-vs-zendesk): Gorgias vs Zendesk turns on one ratio: tickets per agent. Gorgias bills ticket volume and never charges any seat fee; Zendesk bills $19 to $115 a seat.
- [Help Scout Alternative for Shopify Stores: Who Outgrows the Shared Inbox](https://heyernest.ai/blog/help-scout-alternative): Help Scout AI answers from your help docs, not your live orders, so order status still hits a human. A Help Scout alternative built for Shopify stores.
- [Help Scout Pricing: The Tiers, the Contact Limit, and $0.75 Per AI Resolution](https://heyernest.ai/blog/help-scout-pricing): Help Scout pricing runs $25, $45 and $75 per user per month plus $0.75 per AI resolution. Every tier, limit and add-on, and who the model suits badly.
- [Help Scout vs Zendesk: One Learns in an Hour, One Configures for a Quarter](https://heyernest.ai/blog/help-scout-vs-zendesk): Help Scout vs Zendesk on published prices: $25 a user against $19 an agent, $0.75 an AI resolution against $1.50, and how much setup each asks of you.
- [Hiver Alternative for Ecommerce: When the Queue Is Order Questions, Not Inbox Chaos](https://heyernest.ai/blog/hiver-alternative): A Hiver alternative makes sense when per-user cost climbs with headcount or when order and return questions, not inbox organisation, are the real load.
- [Hiver Pricing: Three Per-User Tiers, a Two-Seat Minimum, and a $30 Voice Add-On](https://heyernest.ai/blog/hiver-pricing): Hiver pricing runs $25 to $95 per user per month across three tiers, plus a $30 voice seat add-on, with every published figure and what the page omits.
- [HubSpot Service Hub Pricing: Seats, Credits, and the Onboarding Fee](https://heyernest.ai/blog/hubspot-service-hub-pricing): HubSpot Service Hub pricing runs free for 2 users, then $7, $90 and $150 per seat, plus credits and a required onboarding fee. Every tier explained here.
- [Intercom Pricing in 2026: Seats, Fin Outcomes, and What the Bill Actually Adds Up To](https://heyernest.ai/blog/intercom-pricing): Intercom pricing runs on two meters: a per-seat plan and $0.99 per Fin AI outcome. Full tier breakdown, every add-on fee, and who the model suits badly.
- [Intercom vs Zendesk: Two AI Meters and One Published Seat Price](https://heyernest.ai/blog/intercom-vs-zendesk): Intercom vs Zendesk on the two things that decide it: an AI meter at $0.99 an outcome against $1.50 a resolution, and a seat price only one of them shows.
- [LiveChat Alternative for Ecommerce: When Per-Agent Pricing Stops Making Sense](https://heyernest.ai/blog/livechat-alternative): LiveChat is priced per agent and its AI lives in a separate product. A LiveChat alternative for ecommerce stores whose queue is order status and returns.
- [LiveChat Pricing: $19 to $79 Per Agent, and the AI Bot Is a Separate Bill](https://heyernest.ai/blog/livechat-pricing): LiveChat pricing runs $19 to $79 per agent monthly on annual billing. Every published figure, what a seat includes, and why the AI chatbot costs extra.
- [LiveChat vs Tidio: Different Price Points, Same Trick With the AI](https://heyernest.ai/blog/livechat-vs-tidio): LiveChat vs Tidio compared on published prices: $19-$79 per agent against $0-$49.17 by conversation, and why both sell the AI as a second subscription.
- [ManyChat Alternative: Three Different Reasons People Search This](https://heyernest.ai/blog/manychat-alternative): People look for a ManyChat alternative for three separate reasons: contact-based billing, a different flow builder, or store support. Each has an answer.
- [ManyChat Pricing Explained: Every Tier, Every Overage Rate, and What an Active Contact Costs](https://heyernest.ai/blog/manychat-pricing): ManyChat pricing runs from $0 to $139/mo and bills by Active Contacts. Every tier, every overage rate, and the limits that quietly move your real bill.
- [ManyChat vs Tidio: Two Tools That Do Different Jobs, Priced on Different Meters](https://heyernest.ai/blog/manychat-vs-tidio): ManyChat vs Tidio compared on what each one is built for: social DM automation billed per active contact, versus storefront chat billed per conversation.
- [Podium Alternative: Work Out Which Job You're Replacing First](https://heyernest.ai/blog/podium-alternative): Podium starts at $399/month and is built for local businesses. An honest Podium alternative guide: who should switch, who should stay, what fits stores.
- [Podium Pricing: What Core, Pro, and Signature Actually Cost](https://heyernest.ai/blog/podium-pricing): Podium pricing starts at $399/month for Core and $599 for Pro, billed per location. Full tiers, phone seat fees, 10DLC costs and what Podium won't publish.
- [Tawk.to Alternative for Shopify Stores: Free Chat Still Needs Someone Answering It](https://heyernest.ai/blog/tawk-to-alternative): Tawk.to's live chat is free for life, but free chat still needs a human in it. A Tawk.to alternative for stores that can't staff the chat queue overnight.
- [Tidio Pricing: The Chat Plan and the Lyro AI Meter Are Two Separate Bills](https://heyernest.ai/blog/tidio-pricing): Tidio pricing bills three products separately: a chat plan from $24.17/mo, Lyro AI from $32.50/mo, and Flows. Every published figure, and what's missing.
- [Tidio vs Intercom: The Cheap Chat Tool vs the Enterprise Platform](https://heyernest.ai/blog/tidio-vs-intercom): Tidio vs Intercom compared on price floor, AI billing and seats: a Lyro quota from $32.50/mo against Fin at $0.99 per outcome, with a winner per case.
- [Trengo Alternative for Small Stores: When the Cheapest Plan Starts at 10 Seats](https://heyernest.ai/blog/trengo-alternative): Trengo's entry plan is €299/month for 10 users, and AI conversations carry a surcharge. A Trengo alternative for stores that want an agent, not an inbox.
- [Voiceflow Alternative for Shopify Stores: Are You Building an Agent or Buying One?](https://heyernest.ai/blog/voiceflow-alternative): Voiceflow is a platform for building AI agents. A Voiceflow alternative for a store is a product that already knows its own orders, returns, and catalog.
- [Willdesk Alternative for Shopify: What Willdesk's Overage Pricing Actually Adds Up To](https://heyernest.ai/blog/willdesk-alternative): A Willdesk alternative for stores hitting its stacked pricing: a base plan, per-100 conversation overage, per-100 order overage, and metered AI on top.
- [Zendesk Pricing: What Each Tier Costs Per Agent, and What AI Adds On Top](https://heyernest.ai/blog/zendesk-pricing): Zendesk pricing runs $19 to $115 per agent per month on annual billing, plus AI resolutions at $1.50 to $2.00 each. Every tier and add-on, itemized here.
- [Zendesk vs Freshdesk: The Seats Cost the Same, The AI Meters Don't](https://heyernest.ai/blog/zendesk-vs-freshdesk): Zendesk vs Freshdesk compared on real pricing: both start at $19 a seat, but the two AI meters bill on opposite events and split the invoice wide open.
- [What an AI Agent Does for a Fashion Shopify Store](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-agent-fashion-shopify): What an AI agent for fashion Shopify stores handles: sizing and fit questions before checkout, and the return volume those same questions cause after.
- [Freshdesk Alternative for Ecommerce: What Freddy AI Costs After the First 500 Sessions](https://heyernest.ai/blog/freshdesk-alternative): Freshdesk bills per agent, then meters Freddy AI separately at $49 per 100 sessions. A Freshdesk alternative for small stores where both numbers move.
- [Zipchat Alternative for Shopify: What 'Replies' Really Cost Per Conversation](https://heyernest.ai/blog/zipchat-alternative): A Zipchat alternative for stores that want predictable billing: Zipchat prices AI plans by reply count, not conversations, so a chatty thread costs more.
- [What Conversational Commerce Means for a Small Shopify Store](https://heyernest.ai/blog/conversational-commerce-small-stores): Conversational commerce for a small Shopify or WooCommerce store: what it actually means once you strip out enterprise WhatsApp and voice-channel hype.
- [Reduce Cart Abandonment by Answering the Question Instead of Chasing the Cart](https://heyernest.ai/blog/reduce-cart-abandonment-with-live-answers): How to reduce cart abandonment caused by unanswered pre-purchase questions, and why an instant answer beats a recovery email sent hours after the fact.
- [Tidio Alternative for Shopify and WooCommerce: When Lyro's Pricing Gets Complicated](https://heyernest.ai/blog/tidio-alternative): Tidio's free plan caps Lyro AI at 50 conversations for good, then bills the AI separately from the chat plan. A Tidio alternative for that pricing split.
- [AI Shopping Assistants for Ecommerce: Guided Discovery vs. Quizzes and Grids](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-shopping-assistant-ecommerce): An AI shopping assistant for ecommerce guides an undecided shopper to a product through chat instead of a quiz or grid. How it works, and its real limits.
- [Chatbase vs Ernest: Which One Fits a Shopify or WooCommerce Store](https://heyernest.ai/blog/chatbase-vs-ernest): Chatbase vs Ernest compared for Shopify and WooCommerce stores: a build-your-own agent platform versus one that ships already knowing orders and catalog.
- [Answering Pre-Sale Questions Automatically, Without Making Things Up](https://heyernest.ai/blog/answer-pre-sale-questions-automatically): How to answer pre-sale questions automatically: the taxonomy of questions that stall checkout, and how to automate answers honestly without guessing wrong.
- [AI Product Recommendations for Shopify: Conversational vs. Static Widgets](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-product-recommendations-shopify): AI product recommendations for Shopify come in two forms: static widgets and conversational chat. What each does, current app pricing, and when each wins.
- [How an AI Chatbot Increases Shopify Sales, and How to Prove It's Working](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-chatbot-increase-shopify-sales): An AI chatbot increases Shopify sales through three mechanisms, not magic. How each one works, what vendor lift numbers really measure, and what to track.
- [Chatbase Alternative for Ecommerce: What Shopify and WooCommerce Stores Need](https://heyernest.ai/blog/chatbase-alternative-for-ecommerce): Chatbase is a general AI agent builder you configure yourself. A Chatbase alternative for ecommerce should already know your orders, catalog, and returns.
- [What an AI Sales Agent Does for a Shopify Store](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-sales-agent-for-shopify): What an AI sales agent for Shopify does: answering the pre-sale questions that stall checkouts, recommending products from the live catalog, and pricing.
- [How to Automate Your Returns Process in 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/automate-returns-process): Transform your returns process in 2026. Discover three proven steps to automate returns effectively, streamline operations, and enhance customer satisfaction.
- [Best Zoho Desk Alternatives for E-Commerce in 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/zoho-desk-alternatives): Discover the best Zoho Desk alternatives for e-commerce in 2026. Find tailored solutions like Ernest for your Shopify store and more!
- [Best Intercom Alternatives for E-Commerce and SMB Teams](https://heyernest.ai/blog/intercom-alternatives): Discover the best Intercom alternatives for e-commerce and SMB teams. Explore top options like Ernest and Gorgias for cost-effective support solutions.
- [Gorgias Alternatives for Ecommerce Support Teams: 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/gorgias-alternatives): Explore the top Gorgias alternatives for ecommerce support teams in 2026. Discover tools like Ernest, Zendesk, and Freshdesk tailored to your needs.
- [The Best Reamaze Alternatives for Ecommerce in 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/reamaze-alternatives): Discover the best Reamaze alternatives for ecommerce in 2026. Choose the right support platform for your Shopify store now!
- [Best Zendesk Alternatives for E-Commerce AI Chat in 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/zendesk-alternatives): Zendesk prices per seat and gates AI behind upper tiers. Here are the alternatives that resolve order actions, compared on pricing and AI plan access.
- [Best Drift Alternatives for Ecommerce Stores in 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/drift-alternatives): Drift is built for marketing chat. If most of your volume is order status, cancellations and returns, here are the support-first alternatives to test.
- [Best Customer Service Chatbots for E-Commerce in 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/best-customer-service-chatbot): The best customer service chatbot for your store depends on pricing model and order automation. We compare Ernest, Gorgias, Intercom Fin, Zendesk and Tidio
- [Reduce Support Tickets: Playbook for Support Managers](https://heyernest.ai/blog/reduce-support-tickets): Cut support tickets by fixing the product issues that cause them, making self-service work, then automating what is left. A staged playbook for managers.
- [AI Customer Service for Shopify: Best Agents in 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ai-customer-service-shopify): Discover the best AI customer service for Shopify in 2026. Learn how Ernest and other agents enhance support and boost sales today!
- [Chatbot Human Handoff: A Practical Guide for Support Teams](https://heyernest.ai/blog/chatbot-human-handoff): Discover how to optimize your chatbot human handoff for seamless support. Learn key strategies that enhance conversation flow and agent efficiency.
- [30 Customer Service Statistics Small Businesses Should Know in 2026](https://heyernest.ai/blog/customer-service-statistics): 32 customer service statistics for 2026, sourced from PwC, Zendesk, Salesforce, Baymard and NRF, with what each number means for a busy small store owner.
- [A Customer Satisfaction Survey Template Small Businesses Can Actually Use](https://heyernest.ai/blog/customer-satisfaction-survey-template): A ready-to-copy customer satisfaction survey template plus the email to send it in. Fewer questions, better timing, and a simple way to read your CSAT.
- [Customer Service Conversation Examples (And What Makes Each One Work)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/customer-service-conversation-examples): Real customer service conversation examples for chat, phone, and email, with weak and strong versions compared so you see exactly why each reply works.
- [Self-Service Customer Service Is Saving Small Stores Hours Every Week](https://heyernest.ai/blog/customer-service-self-service): Customer service self-service can cut a small store's support volume in half. What it includes, how to set it up without a dev team, and how to measure it.
- [FAQ Page Examples (and How to Build One That Deflects Tickets)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/faq-page-examples): Real FAQ page examples for ecommerce, with copy-adaptable Q&As by category and a build framework sourced from real support tickets to deflect tickets.
- [Order Confirmation Email Examples and Templates for Shopify Stores](https://heyernest.ai/blog/order-confirmation-email): Copy-paste order confirmation email templates for Shopify: standard, pre-order, digital, and subscription. Set expectations and cut your support tickets.
- [Shopify Email Templates: The Transactional Emails Every Store Needs](https://heyernest.ai/blog/shopify-email-templates): A guide to the Shopify email templates every store should customize, with copy-paste snippets for order, shipping, refund, and back-in-stock notifications.
- [No Refund Policy Examples You Can Copy (By Business Type)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/no-refund-policy-example): A library of copy-paste no refund policy example text sorted by business type, plus plain-English notes on where each one holds up and where it fails.
- [Erlang C Calculator: How Many Customer Service Agents Do You Actually Need?](https://heyernest.ai/blog/erlang-calculator): Use our free Erlang C calculator to find exactly how many support agents your ecommerce store needs. A jargon-free guide to the formula for small teams.
- [Customer Onboarding for Ecommerce: The First 48 Hours After Purchase](https://heyernest.ai/blog/customer-onboarding-best-practices): Customer onboarding best practices for ecommerce stores: what to communicate, when to send each message, and how to prevent chargebacks and returns fast.
- [Customer Retention Strategies for Small Ecommerce Businesses](https://heyernest.ai/blog/customer-retention-strategies): Practical customer retention strategies for small ecommerce stores. Reduce churn, drive repeat purchases, and grow revenue without an enterprise budget.
- [Ecommerce Customer Service: What Small Stores Get Wrong (and How to Fix It)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/ecommerce-customer-service): What ecommerce customer service really looks like for small stores: the most common mistakes, response time benchmarks, and practical fixes that work.
- [How to Respond to Negative Reviews (With Copy-Paste Templates)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/how-to-respond-to-negative-reviews): How to respond to negative reviews: copy-paste templates for 6 common scenarios, a 3-part response framework, and tips to prevent bad reviews from landing.
- [How to Write a No Refund Policy (With Copy-Paste Templates)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/how-to-write-a-no-refund-policy): Learn how to write a no refund policy for your online store, with three copy-paste templates, real business examples, and clear plain-English explanations.
- [No Refund Policy for Services: How to Protect Your Business Without Losing Clients](https://heyernest.ai/blog/no-refund-policy-for-services): Learn how to write a no refund policy for services that holds up legally, keeps clients confident, and protects the billable time you've already invested.
- [How to Reduce Customer Churn in Ecommerce (Practical Playbook)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/reducing-customer-churn): A practical playbook for reducing customer churn in ecommerce. How to measure, diagnose, and fix the real reasons customers silently leave your store.
- [Refund and Return Policy Template for Ecommerce (Free, Copy-Paste Ready)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/refund-policy-template): Free refund policy template for ecommerce stores. Copy-paste ready, with every clause explained plus email templates for the most common refund scenarios.
- [Free Shipping Policy Template for Ecommerce (With Examples)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/shipping-policy-template): Copy-paste this free shipping policy template into your online store. Covers shipping rates, delivery times, tracking, lost packages, and brand examples.
- [Best Customer Service Software for Small Business in 2026: A No-Fluff Comparison](https://heyernest.ai/blog/best-customer-service-software-small-business): Compare the best customer service software for small business in 2026. Honest pricing, real tradeoffs, and a practical buying guide for teams under 10.
- [Customer Service for Small Business: What Works When You're Wearing Every Hat](https://heyernest.ai/blog/customer-service-for-small-business): Customer service for small business, minus the enterprise fluff: the right channels, realistic response times, and the tools that fit a very tiny budget.
- [How to Handle Customer Complaints Without Losing the Sale (Or the Customer)](https://heyernest.ai/blog/how-to-handle-customer-complaints): Learn how to handle customer complaints with a proven 5-step framework, word-for-word response scripts, and channel-specific playbooks for small business.