Best AI Phone Screening Solutions for Retail Hiring in 2026

In 2026, the retail sector continues to grapple with high turnover rates, especially in hourly roles. A staggering 60% of retail employees leave their jobs within the first six months. This churn not only disrupts operations but also inflates hiring costs, which can reach as high as $4,000 per hire. Enter AI phone screening solutions—an innovative way to streamline the hiring process, engage candidates, and reduce time-to-hire. Below, we explore the best AI phone screening tools that are transforming retail hiring this year.

1. NTRVSTA

• What It Does: NTRVSTA offers real-time AI phone screening 24/7, allowing candidates to engage via phone at their convenience.
• Pricing: Starting at $3,000/month for small businesses; enterprise pricing available.
• Key Differentiator: Multilingual capabilities (9+ languages) and integration with 50+ ATS platforms.
• Best For: Retailers needing high-volume screening and multilingual support.
• Limitations: May require additional customization for specific retail workflows.

2. HireVue

• What It Does: Combines AI phone screening with video interviews, allowing for a hybrid approach.
• Pricing: Contact for pricing; typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 annually.
• Key Differentiator: Strong analytics on candidate performance.
• Best For: Large retailers with diverse hiring needs.
• Limitations: Video component may deter some candidates.

3. Pymetrics

• What It Does: Uses neuroscience-based games to assess candidates and phone screening for initial engagement.
• Pricing: Starts at $4,500/month.
• Key Differentiator: Focus on cognitive and emotional traits.
• Best For: Retailers looking for cultural fit, especially in customer-facing roles.
• Limitations: Less effective for technical skill assessments.

4. X0PA AI

• What It Does: AI-driven candidate screening with real-time phone interviews and scoring.
• Pricing: $3,500/month with tiered pricing for larger businesses.
• Key Differentiator: Automated scheduling and follow-ups.
• Best For: Retailers with high turnover needing quick turnaround.
• Limitations: Limited language support.

5. Talview

• What It Does: Offers a comprehensive hiring platform with AI phone screening as a key feature.
• Pricing: Contact for pricing, generally starts around $2,000/month.
• Key Differentiator: Strong mobile support for candidates.
• Best For: Retailers focused on mobile-first hiring strategies.
• Limitations: May lack advanced analytics compared to competitors.

6. myInterview

• What It Does: AI phone screening combined with video interviews.
• Pricing: Starting at $1,500/month.
• Key Differentiator: User-friendly interface for candidates.
• Best For: Small to mid-sized retailers.
• Limitations: Limited integration capabilities.

7. Interview AI

• What It Does: Focuses on AI-driven phone interviews with actionable insights.
• Pricing: $2,500/month.
• Key Differentiator: Emphasis on data-driven decision-making.
• Best For: Retailers wanting to enhance their hiring strategy with insights.
• Limitations: May require significant initial training for staff.

8. Clevy

• What It Does: Provides AI chatbots for initial candidate engagement and phone screening.
• Pricing: Starts at $1,200/month.
• Key Differentiator: Chatbot technology that can handle multiple queries.
• Best For: Retailers with a tech-savvy candidate pool.
• Limitations: Limited phone screening capabilities compared to dedicated solutions.

9. HiredScore

• What It Does: Integrates AI screening with existing ATS systems for seamless workflows.
• Pricing: Contact for pricing; generally starts at $3,000/month.
• Key Differentiator: Strong focus on diversity hiring.
• Best For: Retailers committed to improving diversity in hiring.
• Limitations: Requires robust ATS integration.

10. RecruitBot

• What It Does: AI-driven recruitment platform that includes phone screening.
• Pricing: Approximately $2,000/month.
• Key Differentiator: Strong sourcing capabilities alongside screening.
• Best For: Retailers looking to enhance their sourcing strategies.
• Limitations: Could be overwhelming for smaller teams.

| Name | Type | Pricing | Integrations | Languages | Compliance | Best For | |--------------|---------------|--------------------|----------------------------------|---------------|-----------------------|---------------------------------| | NTRVSTA | AI Phone | $3,000+/month | 50+ ATS integrations | 9+ | SOC 2, GDPR, EEOC | High-volume retail hiring | | HireVue | Hybrid | $5,000-$10,000/yr | Various ATS | English | GDPR, EEOC | Large retailers | | Pymetrics | Cognitive | $4,500/month | Limited | English | GDPR, EEOC | Cultural fit assessments | | X0PA AI | AI Phone | $3,500/month | 20+ ATS | English | SOC 2, GDPR | Quick turnaround | | Talview | Comprehensive | $2,000+/month | 15+ ATS | English | GDPR, EEOC | Mobile-first hiring | | myInterview | Hybrid | $1,500/month | Limited | English | GDPR | Small to mid-sized retailers | | Interview AI | AI Phone | $2,500/month | Various ATS | English | GDPR | Data-driven insights | | Clevy | Chatbot | $1,200/month | Limited | English | GDPR | Tech-savvy candidates | | HiredScore | AI Screening | $3,000/month | 30+ ATS | English | SOC 2, GDPR | Diversity hiring | | RecruitBot | AI Recruitment| $2,000/month | 10+ ATS | English | GDPR | Enhanced sourcing |

Our Recommendation

• For High-Volume Retailers: Choose NTRVSTA for its real-time phone screening and multilingual support.
• For Large Retail Chains: HireVue offers a comprehensive hybrid approach but requires a larger budget.
• For Small Retailers: Consider myInterview for an affordable, user-friendly solution that combines phone and video screening.

Conclusion

As the retail sector continues to evolve in 2026, leveraging AI phone screening solutions is essential for staying competitive. Here are three actionable takeaways:

1. Focus on Integration: Ensure your chosen solution integrates seamlessly with existing ATS systems to streamline workflows and enhance data accuracy.
2. Prioritize Candidate Experience: Opt for tools that offer real-time engagement and multilingual support to cater to diverse candidate pools.
3. Measure Effectiveness: Regularly assess the performance metrics of your AI screening tools to ensure they are delivering on your hiring goals.

Adopting the right AI phone screening solution can significantly reduce your hiring timelines and improve candidate quality, making it a valuable investment for retailers in 2026.