Quick Overview
- 1#1: Intercom - Delivers AI-powered live chat, chatbots, and personalized customer messaging for websites and apps.
- 2#2: Zendesk - Offers robust live chat integrated with ticketing and omnichannel support for customer service teams.
- 3#3: LiveChat - Provides real-time live chat software optimized for sales, support, and customer engagement on websites.
- 4#4: Drift - Enables conversational marketing with live chat, bots, and lead qualification for sales teams.
- 5#5: HubSpot Chat - Free live chat tool with CRM integration for capturing leads and routing conversations.
- 6#6: Tidio - Combines live chat, AI chatbots, and automation for e-commerce customer support.
- 7#7: Freshchat - Scalable live chat platform with bots and team collaboration for customer engagement.
- 8#8: Crisp - Multi-channel live chat unifying email, social, and messaging for small businesses.
- 9#9: JivoChat - Cross-platform live chat with mobile apps, social integrations, and team inboxes.
- 10#10: Chatra - Simple live chat solution with group chats, offline messaging, and mobile notifications.
We curated and ranked these tools by evaluating core functionality, user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring the list includes options that cater to varied use cases, from small businesses to enterprise teams.
Comparison Table
This comparison table evaluates top livechat software tools including Intercom, Zendesk, LiveChat, Drift, and HubSpot Chat, guiding readers to understand their key features, pricing, and user experience. It simplifies decision-making for teams seeking efficient customer communication solutions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intercom Delivers AI-powered live chat, chatbots, and personalized customer messaging for websites and apps. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 2 | Zendesk Offers robust live chat integrated with ticketing and omnichannel support for customer service teams. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 3 | LiveChat Provides real-time live chat software optimized for sales, support, and customer engagement on websites. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Drift Enables conversational marketing with live chat, bots, and lead qualification for sales teams. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 5 | HubSpot Chat Free live chat tool with CRM integration for capturing leads and routing conversations. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 6 | Tidio Combines live chat, AI chatbots, and automation for e-commerce customer support. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | Freshchat Scalable live chat platform with bots and team collaboration for customer engagement. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | Crisp Multi-channel live chat unifying email, social, and messaging for small businesses. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | JivoChat Cross-platform live chat with mobile apps, social integrations, and team inboxes. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 10 | Chatra Simple live chat solution with group chats, offline messaging, and mobile notifications. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
Delivers AI-powered live chat, chatbots, and personalized customer messaging for websites and apps.
Offers robust live chat integrated with ticketing and omnichannel support for customer service teams.
Provides real-time live chat software optimized for sales, support, and customer engagement on websites.
Enables conversational marketing with live chat, bots, and lead qualification for sales teams.
Free live chat tool with CRM integration for capturing leads and routing conversations.
Combines live chat, AI chatbots, and automation for e-commerce customer support.
Scalable live chat platform with bots and team collaboration for customer engagement.
Multi-channel live chat unifying email, social, and messaging for small businesses.
Cross-platform live chat with mobile apps, social integrations, and team inboxes.
Simple live chat solution with group chats, offline messaging, and mobile notifications.
Intercom
enterpriseDelivers AI-powered live chat, chatbots, and personalized customer messaging for websites and apps.
Proactive messaging that triggers personalized chats based on real-time user behavior and data
Intercom is a comprehensive customer messaging platform renowned for its robust live chat capabilities, enabling real-time conversations with website visitors and app users. It combines live chat with AI-powered bots, automated workflows, targeted messaging, and a unified inbox for support, sales, and marketing teams. With deep integrations and analytics, it helps businesses personalize interactions and drive conversions at scale.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including AI chatbots and proactive messaging
- Seamless integrations with 300+ tools like Slack and Salesforce
- Powerful analytics and customer data platform for personalization
Cons
- Premium pricing that scales quickly with usage
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Overkill for very small teams needing basic chat only
Best For
Growing SaaS, e-commerce, and tech companies seeking an all-in-one platform for customer engagement, support, and growth.
Pricing
Starts at $74/month (Starter, 1 seat, up to 500 contacts); scales to $139/month (Pro) and custom Enterprise plans based on active contacts and features.
Zendesk
enterpriseOffers robust live chat integrated with ticketing and omnichannel support for customer service teams.
AI-powered Sunshine Conversations for contextual, multi-channel bot interactions that hand off seamlessly to human agents
Zendesk is a comprehensive customer service platform that offers robust live chat capabilities through its Zendesk Chat (now integrated into the Suite), enabling real-time customer engagement across web, mobile, and messaging channels. It seamlessly converts chats into tickets, supports AI-powered bots for automation, and provides omnichannel support including email, voice, and social media. With advanced analytics and reporting, it helps teams scale support operations efficiently while maintaining context across interactions.
Pros
- Seamless integration of live chat with full ticketing and CRM systems
- Powerful AI bots and automation for handling routine queries
- Comprehensive analytics and omnichannel support for large teams
Cons
- Higher pricing that may not suit small businesses or pure chat needs
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive feature set
- Customization can require developer involvement for advanced setups
Best For
Mid-to-large businesses seeking an all-in-one customer support platform with integrated live chat and omnichannel capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $55 per agent/month (billed annually) for Suite Team plan; scales to $89+ for Growth and Enterprise with more features.
LiveChat
specializedProvides real-time live chat software optimized for sales, support, and customer engagement on websites.
Proactive chat invitations and advanced visitor profiling for personalized, high-conversion conversations
LiveChat is a powerful live chat software platform that enables businesses to engage website visitors in real-time through customizable chat widgets. It includes features like proactive chat invitations, automated chatbots, ticketing integration, visitor tracking, and comprehensive analytics for optimizing customer interactions. Ideal for sales and support teams, it supports multiple channels and integrates seamlessly with CRMs, e-commerce platforms, and helpdesks.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with quick setup
- Extensive integrations with 200+ tools including Shopify and Salesforce
- Robust mobile apps for agents and detailed reporting dashboards
Cons
- Pricing scales up quickly for larger teams
- Some advanced automation features locked behind higher tiers
- Limited free plan; primarily trial-based
Best For
Mid-sized e-commerce and SaaS businesses seeking scalable real-time customer engagement with strong analytics.
Pricing
Team plan at $29/agent/month (annual billing), Business at $59/agent/month, Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial available.
Drift
specializedEnables conversational marketing with live chat, bots, and lead qualification for sales teams.
Conversational Playbooks that guide sales reps with dynamic, context-aware scripts during live chats
Drift is a conversational marketing and sales platform that provides live chat, AI-powered chatbots, and automation tools to engage website visitors in real-time. It focuses on qualifying leads, booking meetings, and personalizing conversations based on buyer intent signals. With deep integrations into CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, it's designed for sales and marketing teams aiming to convert chats into revenue.
Pros
- Advanced AI chatbots for lead qualification and meeting booking
- Strong integrations with sales and marketing tools
- Real-time buyer intent signals to prioritize hot leads
Cons
- High pricing makes it inaccessible for small businesses
- Steep learning curve for advanced playbooks and customizations
- Limited reporting depth compared to dedicated analytics tools
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise sales and marketing teams focused on revenue generation through conversational engagement.
Pricing
Free plan for basic chat; Pro starts at $2,500/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
HubSpot Chat
otherFree live chat tool with CRM integration for capturing leads and routing conversations.
Native CRM integration that pulls real-time visitor data and conversation history for personalized engagements
HubSpot Chat is a live chat solution embedded within the HubSpot CRM ecosystem, allowing businesses to engage website visitors in real-time via human agents or AI-powered chatbots. It excels in capturing leads, qualifying prospects, and routing conversations directly into the CRM for seamless sales and marketing workflows. With robust analytics and customization options, it's designed for inbound-focused teams looking to convert visitors efficiently.
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited chats and basic bots
- Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM for lead tracking
- Intuitive interface and quick setup
Cons
- Advanced features locked behind expensive paid tiers
- Limited standalone use without full HubSpot ecosystem
- Chat customization can feel restrictive on free plan
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses using HubSpot CRM who need integrated live chat for lead generation and sales handoffs.
Pricing
Free forever plan; Starter at $20/user/month; Professional at $800/month (billed annually).
Tidio
specializedCombines live chat, AI chatbots, and automation for e-commerce customer support.
Lyro AI chatbot, which autonomously handles up to 70% of customer queries with human-like responses
Tidio is a versatile live chat platform designed for websites and e-commerce stores, offering real-time chat, AI-powered chatbots, and visitor tracking to enhance customer engagement and support. It includes automation tools like flow builders for chatbots, ticketing integration, and multichannel messaging across web, Facebook, Instagram, and email. Ideal for streamlining customer service, Tidio helps convert visitors into leads with proactive messaging and personalized interactions.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop chatbot builder with no-code setup
- Generous free plan with core live chat features
- Seamless integrations with Shopify, WordPress, and 250+ apps
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Customization options for chat widgets are somewhat restricted
- Performance can lag during high-traffic periods on lower plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses seeking an affordable, user-friendly live chat solution with strong automation capabilities.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; paid tiers start at $29/month (Communicator or Chatbots), scaling to $499/month (Growth) and custom Enterprise pricing.
Freshchat
enterpriseScalable live chat platform with bots and team collaboration for customer engagement.
Freddy AI chatbot with visual builder for no-code automation and proactive messaging
Freshchat is a customer messaging platform by Freshworks that provides live chat, AI-powered chatbots, and omnichannel support across web, mobile apps, WhatsApp, and more. It enables teams to manage conversations in a unified inbox with automation, routing, and analytics for efficient customer engagement. Designed for scalability, it integrates seamlessly with CRMs and other Freshworks tools to deliver personalized support experiences.
Pros
- Advanced AI chatbot (Freddy) for automation and self-service
- Strong omnichannel capabilities including mobile SDKs
- Intuitive interface with no-code builders and extensive integrations
Cons
- Free plan is limited for growing teams
- Advanced analytics and customizations locked behind higher tiers
- Pricing scales quickly with agent count
Best For
Medium-sized businesses needing scalable omnichannel live chat with robust AI automation.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Growth at $15/agent/month, Pro at $29/agent/month, Enterprise custom (billed annually).
Crisp
specializedMulti-channel live chat unifying email, social, and messaging for small businesses.
Flat-rate pricing with unlimited agents on paid plans
Crisp is a customer messaging platform that provides live chat, shared team inbox, and multichannel support including email and social media. It features automation tools like chatbots, visitor tracking, and seamless integrations to streamline customer interactions. With a focus on simplicity and affordability, Crisp enables businesses to deliver real-time support across websites and mobile apps.
Pros
- Unlimited agents on all paid plans for excellent scalability
- Intuitive setup and user-friendly interface
- Robust automation and chatbot capabilities
Cons
- Reporting and analytics are somewhat basic
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- Limited advanced customization options
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses needing cost-effective live chat with team collaboration and automation.
Pricing
Free plan with core features; Pro at $25/month per website (unlimited agents); Enterprise custom pricing.
JivoChat
specializedCross-platform live chat with mobile apps, social integrations, and team inboxes.
True omnichannel inbox that consolidates chats from website, WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and email in one place.
JivoChat is a comprehensive live chat platform designed for websites, offering real-time customer engagement through customizable chat widgets and mobile apps for agents. It supports omnichannel communication, integrating chats from WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, email, and more into a single agent interface. Key features include AI-powered chatbots, visitor tracking, proactive chat triggers, and seamless CRM integrations to enhance support efficiency.
Pros
- Omnichannel support unifies multiple messaging platforms
- User-friendly interface with quick setup and mobile apps
- Robust automation including chatbots and triggers
Cons
- Free plan has significant limitations on chats and agents
- Advanced reporting and analytics locked behind premium tiers
- Some integrations require higher plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking affordable omnichannel live chat with strong mobile support.
Pricing
Free plan available (limited); Basic from $19/agent/month, Pro $39/agent/month, Premium $59/agent/month (billed annually).
Chatra
specializedSimple live chat solution with group chats, offline messaging, and mobile notifications.
Operator Group Chat, allowing multiple agents to collaborate and message each other directly within the same customer chat window
Chatra is a live chat software designed for websites, enabling real-time customer support through live agents, automated chatbots, and multichannel messaging including email and Facebook Messenger. It offers features like group operator chats, mobile apps for agents, typing previews, and offline forms to capture leads when agents are unavailable. Primarily targeted at small to medium-sized businesses, Chatra emphasizes simplicity, affordability, and seamless mobile management of conversations.
Pros
- Exceptionally user-friendly interface with quick setup and intuitive dashboard
- Excellent mobile apps for iOS and Android allowing full chat management on the go
- Affordable pricing with unlimited chats and no per-agent fees in higher plans
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting compared to enterprise tools
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors like Intercom or Zendesk
- Free plan has restrictions like no chatbots and limited agent seats
Best For
Small businesses and e-commerce stores seeking an affordable, easy-to-deploy live chat solution with strong mobile support.
Pricing
Free plan for 1 agent; paid plans start at $21/month (billed annually) for Basic (up to 6 agents), $69/month for Advanced (unlimited agents), and custom Enterprise pricing.
Conclusion
The top livechat tools in this review cater to varied needs, with Intercom leading as the top choice due to its AI-powered, personalized messaging that elevates customer interactions. Zendesk and LiveChat stand out as strong alternatives—Zendesk for its robust ticketing and omnichannel support, LiveChat for real-time sales and engagement—ensuring nearly every team finds a fit. Ultimately, the best pick depends on specific goals, but Intercom’s innovative tools make it the clear winner for driving meaningful connections.
Ready to transform customer interactions? Start with Intercom today to experience its leading livechat and AI capabilities firsthand.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison