Quick Overview
- 1#1: Intercom - Comprehensive customer messaging platform with live chat, AI chatbots, and targeted messaging for support and sales.
- 2#2: Zendesk - Omnichannel customer service suite featuring live chat, AI bots, ticketing, and analytics.
- 3#3: LiveChat - Real-time live chat software with automation, visitor tracking, and multi-channel support.
- 4#4: Drift - Conversational marketing and sales platform using AI chat for lead qualification and support.
- 5#5: HubSpot - CRM-integrated chat tools for customer support, sales conversations, and automated workflows.
- 6#6: Freshchat - AI-driven live chat and messaging platform for seamless customer engagement across channels.
- 7#7: Tidio - Affordable live chat with chatbots, WhatsApp integration, and e-commerce features.
- 8#8: Gorgias - E-commerce-focused customer service platform with live chat, automation, and Shopify integration.
- 9#9: Crisp - Multi-channel customer communication tool combining live chat, email, phone, and CRM.
- 10#10: Help Scout - Shared inbox and live chat solution for personalized customer support experiences.
We ranked these tools by prioritizing a mix of feature depth (including chatbots, CRM connectivity, and omnichannel capability), user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring each entry represents a top-tier solution for distinct business needs.
Comparison Table
Explore an easy-to-compare guide of leading customer chat software, featuring Intercom, Zendesk, LiveChat, Drift, HubSpot, and more. This table outlines core features, pricing models, and usability to help you identify the tool that aligns best with your support goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intercom Comprehensive customer messaging platform with live chat, AI chatbots, and targeted messaging for support and sales. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 2 | Zendesk Omnichannel customer service suite featuring live chat, AI bots, ticketing, and analytics. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | LiveChat Real-time live chat software with automation, visitor tracking, and multi-channel support. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Drift Conversational marketing and sales platform using AI chat for lead qualification and support. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | HubSpot CRM-integrated chat tools for customer support, sales conversations, and automated workflows. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Freshchat AI-driven live chat and messaging platform for seamless customer engagement across channels. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Tidio Affordable live chat with chatbots, WhatsApp integration, and e-commerce features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 8 | Gorgias E-commerce-focused customer service platform with live chat, automation, and Shopify integration. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | Crisp Multi-channel customer communication tool combining live chat, email, phone, and CRM. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | Help Scout Shared inbox and live chat solution for personalized customer support experiences. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
Comprehensive customer messaging platform with live chat, AI chatbots, and targeted messaging for support and sales.
Omnichannel customer service suite featuring live chat, AI bots, ticketing, and analytics.
Real-time live chat software with automation, visitor tracking, and multi-channel support.
Conversational marketing and sales platform using AI chat for lead qualification and support.
CRM-integrated chat tools for customer support, sales conversations, and automated workflows.
AI-driven live chat and messaging platform for seamless customer engagement across channels.
Affordable live chat with chatbots, WhatsApp integration, and e-commerce features.
E-commerce-focused customer service platform with live chat, automation, and Shopify integration.
Multi-channel customer communication tool combining live chat, email, phone, and CRM.
Shared inbox and live chat solution for personalized customer support experiences.
Intercom
enterpriseComprehensive customer messaging platform with live chat, AI chatbots, and targeted messaging for support and sales.
Fin AI Copilot, an autonomous agent that resolves up to 50% of customer queries without human intervention
Intercom is a leading customer messaging platform that powers real-time chat, automated bots, targeted in-app messages, and email campaigns to engage users across web, mobile, and apps. It combines live support, self-service help centers, and advanced customer data analytics to help teams resolve issues faster and drive conversions. With AI-driven features like Fin and Resolution Bot, it scales support from startups to enterprises while providing deep insights into customer behavior.
Pros
- Powerful AI automation with Fin and chatbots for 24/7 support
- Extensive integrations with 300+ apps including Slack, Salesforce, and Shopify
- Advanced segmentation and analytics for personalized customer experiences
Cons
- High pricing that scales quickly with user volume
- Steep learning curve for full customization and advanced workflows
- Limited free tier with restrictive features for testing
Best For
Growing SaaS and e-commerce businesses needing an all-in-one platform for support, marketing, and sales conversations.
Pricing
Starts at $74/month (billed annually) for Starter plan; Pro from $109/month; scales per active user with custom Enterprise pricing.
Zendesk
enterpriseOmnichannel customer service suite featuring live chat, AI bots, ticketing, and analytics.
Sunshine Conversations for customizable, multi-platform messaging experiences
Zendesk is a comprehensive customer service platform with powerful live chat functionality, enabling real-time conversations, proactive messaging, and seamless integration with ticketing systems. It supports AI-powered chatbots, co-browsing, and multi-channel unification, turning chats into actionable tickets for efficient resolution. Designed for scaling support teams, it offers analytics, automation, and an extensive app marketplace to enhance customer engagement.
Pros
- Omnichannel integration combining chat, email, and social
- Advanced AI bots and automation for self-service
- Robust analytics and reporting for performance insights
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small teams or basic chat needs
- Steeper learning curve for full suite customization
- Overkill for businesses wanting simple standalone chat
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise businesses needing scalable, integrated customer support with advanced chat capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $55 per agent/month (Team plan, billed annually), with Growth ($89) and Professional ($115) tiers unlocking more features.
LiveChat
specializedReal-time live chat software with automation, visitor tracking, and multi-channel support.
Pre-chat surveys and targeted proactive chat invitations based on visitor behavior and page views
LiveChat is a robust live chat platform designed for websites, enabling real-time customer support through customizable chat widgets and proactive messaging. It includes features like AI-powered chatbots, visitor tracking, canned responses, and seamless integrations with CRMs, e-commerce platforms, and helpdesks. The software excels in managing high-volume conversations with routing rules, reporting dashboards, and mobile apps for agents.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with 200+ tools like Shopify, Zendesk, and Salesforce
- Advanced analytics and real-time visitor insights for targeted engagement
- Reliable uptime and scalable performance for growing teams
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with more agents and features
- Free plan limited to 14-day trial only
- Customization of chat widget can feel restrictive for advanced users
Best For
Mid-sized e-commerce and SaaS businesses seeking scalable, feature-rich live chat for proactive customer support.
Pricing
Starts at $20/agent/month (Starter plan billed annually), with Team ($39), Business ($59), and Enterprise (custom) tiers; 14-day free trial.
Drift
specializedConversational marketing and sales platform using AI chat for lead qualification and support.
Playbooks that enable dynamic, guided conversation flows to qualify leads and drive bookings
Drift is a conversational marketing platform that combines live chat, AI-powered chatbots, and automated workflows to engage website visitors in real-time. It enables businesses to qualify leads, book meetings, and personalize interactions using playbooks and integrations with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot. Primarily targeted at sales and marketing teams, Drift turns passive traffic into qualified opportunities through intelligent routing and messaging.
Pros
- Advanced AI chatbots for 24/7 lead qualification
- Seamless integrations with major CRMs and tools
- Playbooks for guided, personalized sales conversations
Cons
- High pricing that may not suit small businesses
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited reporting in lower-tier plans
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise sales and marketing teams focused on automating lead capture and conversion at scale.
Pricing
Free starter plan; Premium starts at $2,500/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
HubSpot
enterpriseCRM-integrated chat tools for customer support, sales conversations, and automated workflows.
Unified Conversations Inbox that consolidates chats, emails, and forms in one CRM-powered view
HubSpot's Conversations tool provides live chat, chatbots, and a unified inbox for customer support and sales teams, integrated seamlessly into its free CRM platform. It enables real-time visitor engagement on websites, automated lead qualification, and multi-channel messaging across chat, email, and forms. While powerful for inbound strategies, it's most effective within the broader HubSpot ecosystem.
Pros
- Deep CRM integration for personalized interactions
- Generous free tier with unlimited chats
- Strong automation and chatbot builder
Cons
- Overkill for simple chat-only needs
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Steep learning curve for non-HubSpot users
Best For
Inbound marketing and sales teams already using HubSpot CRM who want integrated chat for lead nurturing.
Pricing
Free CRM includes basic chat; Service Hub Starter at $20/user/month, Professional at $90/user/month for advanced bots and analytics.
Freshchat
specializedAI-driven live chat and messaging platform for seamless customer engagement across channels.
Freddy AI chatbots that handle complex queries and automate up to 80% of conversations
Freshchat is a customer messaging platform that provides live chat, AI-powered chatbots, and omnichannel support to enhance real-time customer engagement. It features a unified inbox for team collaboration, customizable chat widgets, proactive messaging, and integrations with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot. With mobile SDKs and self-service options, it helps businesses scale support while reducing response times and improving satisfaction.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup
- Powerful Freddy AI chatbots for automation
- Strong omnichannel support and integrations
Cons
- Advanced reporting limited to higher tiers
- Customization options restricted in free plan
- Occasional performance lags with high volume
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses seeking an affordable, AI-driven chat solution for proactive customer support.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Growth at $15/agent/month, Pro at $29/agent/month, Enterprise custom pricing (billed annually).
Tidio
specializedAffordable live chat with chatbots, WhatsApp integration, and e-commerce features.
Lyro AI chatbot, which uses generative AI for natural, context-aware conversations and resolves up to 70% of queries autonomously
Tidio is a versatile customer chat platform designed for websites, offering live chat widgets, AI-powered chatbots, and automation tools to streamline customer support. It includes visitor tracking, canned responses, ticketing, and seamless integrations with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Businesses can use it to engage visitors in real-time, automate routine inquiries, and convert chats into sales opportunities.
Pros
- Highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick setup
- Powerful AI chatbots like Lyro for 24/7 automation
- Strong integrations with 250+ apps including major e-commerce platforms
Cons
- Advanced analytics and reporting limited to higher plans
- Free plan caps conversations and lacks some premium features
- Customization options can feel restrictive for enterprise needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses and websites seeking easy-to-deploy live chat and chatbot automation without technical expertise.
Pricing
Free plan with basic features; paid plans start at $29/month (Communicator), $59/month (Chatbots), up to custom Enterprise pricing.
Gorgias
specializedE-commerce-focused customer service platform with live chat, automation, and Shopify integration.
Deep e-commerce data integration that pulls live order, product, and customer info into chat tickets
Gorgias is a customer service platform tailored for e-commerce businesses, offering a unified inbox that combines live chat, email, SMS, voice, and social media channels into one interface. It excels in automating support workflows with AI-powered tools, macros, and rules to resolve tickets faster. Deep integrations with Shopify and other e-commerce platforms allow agents to access order data directly in conversations, enhancing efficiency.
Pros
- Seamless Shopify and e-commerce integrations for contextual support
- Powerful automation rules and AI copilot to speed up responses
- Unified inbox reduces channel switching for agents
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with agents and volume
- Steeper learning curve for advanced automations
- Reporting and analytics could be more robust
Best For
E-commerce brands on Shopify or similar platforms needing omnichannel support with strong automation.
Pricing
Starts at $60/month (Starter plan for 1 agent), up to $3,600+/month for Enterprise; billed annually with per-agent scaling.
Crisp
specializedMulti-channel customer communication tool combining live chat, email, phone, and CRM.
Unified Inbox that consolidates all customer channels into a single, shared team interface
Crisp is an all-in-one customer messaging platform that provides live chat, AI-powered chatbots, and a unified inbox for managing conversations across channels like email, WhatsApp, Messenger, and more. It enables businesses to deliver real-time support, automate responses, and engage website visitors proactively. Designed for simplicity, Crisp offers customizable chat widgets, visitor tracking, and seamless integrations with tools like Slack and Zapier.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with quick setup
- Strong multichannel support and automation
- Generous free plan and affordable scaling
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Per-agent pricing can add up for large teams
- Fewer enterprise-grade security features
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses needing an easy, cost-effective live chat and support solution.
Pricing
Free plan available; Pro starts at €25/agent/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Help Scout
specializedShared inbox and live chat solution for personalized customer support experiences.
Unified Shared Inbox that treats live chats as emails for effortless multichannel support
Help Scout is a customer support platform with robust live chat capabilities, enabling teams to engage website visitors in real-time while integrating chats directly into a shared email inbox. It supports automation through bots, saved replies, and workflows to streamline responses, alongside reporting tools for performance insights. Ideal for support-focused teams, it emphasizes collaboration and context retention across channels without complex setups.
Pros
- Seamless integration of chat with email in a unified shared inbox
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and collaboration tools
- Strong automation and saved replies for efficient support
Cons
- Limited advanced chatbot and sales features compared to specialized tools
- No free tier or trial beyond 15 days
- Per-user pricing can become expensive for larger teams
Best For
Small to mid-sized customer support teams seeking an all-in-one inbox for both live chat and email conversations.
Pricing
Starts at $20/user/month (Standard plan, annual billing); higher tiers at $49 (Plus) and $69 (Pro); chat included in all plans with no seat minimum.
Conclusion
Among the top tools, Intercom leads with its comprehensive mix of live chat, AI chatbots, and targeted messaging for both support and sales. Zendesk and LiveChat follow as strong alternatives, with Zendesk’s omnichannel suite and LiveChat’s real-time automation and multi-channel focus, each offering value based on specific needs.
Take the next step in enhancing customer engagement—try Intercom today to experience its all-in-one approach that sets it apart as the top choice.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison