Independently tested ranking
Best Live Chat Software in 2026
We compared the best live chat software on chat features, AI and chatbots, integrations, ease of setup and real pricing, from free widgets to full help desks.
- Tools compared
- 10
- With a free plan
- 5 of 10
- Median entry price
- $37/mo
- Average rating
- 4.5
On this page
What is the best live chat software?
The best live chat software in 2026 is LiveChat for dedicated sales and support teams, Intercom for live chat with an AI agent, Tidio for small businesses and online stores, Zendesk for chat inside a full help desk, and Crisp for flat per-workspace pricing. On a zero budget, tawk.to is free with unlimited agents. Intercom starts at $29 per seat per month billed annually, plus $0.99 per AI resolution.
Our top picks
Best overall
LiveChat
A polished, dedicated live chat tool with strong routing, reports, ecommerce features and a large app marketplace.
Paid plans from Per agent
See why we picked itBest with AI
Intercom
Its messenger and Fin AI agent answer routine chats automatically and hand harder ones to your team.
Paid plans from $29/seat/mo annual
See why we picked itBest free
tawk.to
Completely free live chat with unlimited agents, ticketing and a knowledge base.
Paid plans from Free (paid add-ons)
See why we picked itKey takeaways
- tawk.to is the only pick that is completely free with unlimited agents. Tidio, Crisp, Zoho SalesIQ and Help Scout also have free plans with limits.
- Watch the pricing model, not just the headline price. Per agent (LiveChat, Zendesk, Olark), per workspace (Crisp) and per conversation (Tidio) tools get expensive in very different ways.
- AI agents now answer routine chats, but they are often billed separately. Intercom charges $0.99 per Fin resolution on top of seats.
- For an online store, check for Shopify order data and product cards in the chat. Tidio and LiveChat are strongest here.
- If chat is one of several support channels, buy a help desk with chat built in (Zendesk, Help Scout) rather than a standalone chat widget.
What is live chat software?
Live chat software is a tool that adds a chat widget to your website or app so visitors can message your team in real time, and gives agents an inbox to answer those chats. Good live chat software also shows who is on your site, routes chats to the right person, saves transcripts and turns missed chats into tickets or emails.
Most live chat tools now go well beyond a chat box. Many add chatbots that greet visitors and capture leads after hours, AI agents that answer common questions from your help content, and a shared inbox for email, WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram. The best live chat software for your website depends on who answers the chats, how many conversations you get, and whether chat is your main support channel or one of several.
Best live chat software compared
| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan | Paid plans from | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LiveChat |
Dedicated live chat for teams | No (14-day trial) | Per agent | ★4.5 |
| 2 | Intercom |
Live chat plus AI agent | No (14-day trial) | $29/seat/mo annual | ★4.5 |
| 3 |  Tidio |
Small sites and stores | Yes (limited conversations) | $29/mo | ★4.7 |
| 4 |  Zendesk |
Chat plus enterprise ticketing | No (14-day trial) | $55/agent/mo annual | ★4.3 |
| 5 |  Crisp |
Flat per-workspace pricing | Yes (2 seats) | €45/mo per workspace | ★4.6 |
| 6 | tawk.to | Free, unlimited agents | Yes (free forever) | Free (paid add-ons) | Not yet reviewed |
| 7 | Zoho SalesIQ | Visitor tracking and Zoho CRM | Yes (limited) | Per operator | Not yet reviewed |
| 8 | Freshchat | Messaging apps and Freshdesk | No (free trial) | Per agent | Not yet reviewed |
| 9 |  Olark |
Simple, reliable website chat | No (14-day trial) | Per agent | ★4.3 |
| 10 |  Help Scout |
Chat, docs and shared inbox | Yes (limited) | Free plan; paid plans vary | ★4.6 |
Our ratings come from MakeSuccessOnline's hands-on reviews. Prices are the cheapest paid plan, billed monthly unless marked annual, checked November 2026. Many live chat tools price per agent, so multiply by your team size.
The 10 best live chat software in 2026
There is no single best live chat tool for everyone. Dedicated chat tools, AI-first messengers, free widgets and full help desks each win for a different team, and each pick below leads a specific need.
#1Best overall live chat software
LiveChat
A dedicated live chat platform for sales and support teams, with ticketing, chat routing, ecommerce tools and a large app marketplace.
- Paid plans from
- Per agent
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- Small to mid-sized support and sales teams, ecommerce stores and agencies
- Works on
- Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
LiveChat is the best live chat software for teams that treat website chat as a real sales and support channel. It has been focused on live chat since 2002. Chats route to the right person or group automatically, and visitor tracking lets agents see who is browsing and start a conversation before a buyer leaves.
Around the chat window you get ticketing for missed chats and emails, canned responses, and reports on response times, satisfaction and agent performance. Ecommerce stores can send product cards and cart previews inside the chat. The trade-off is cost: plans are priced per agent, there is no free plan, and the ChatBot and HelpDesk products from the same company are billed separately.
Key features
- Chat routingSends chats to agents automatically or by group, with transfers between agents, so busy teams spread the load and customers reach the right person.
- Visitor trackingShows who is on the site and which page they are viewing, and lets agents start proactive chats with visitors who look ready to buy.
- TicketingTurns missed chats and emails into tickets, so nothing that comes in after hours is lost.
- Ecommerce toolsProduct cards and cart previews inside the chat let agents recommend items and help shoppers check out without leaving the conversation.
- Reports and marketplaceReports cover chat volume, satisfaction, response times and agent performance, and hundreds of marketplace apps connect LiveChat to Shopify, WordPress, HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk and Zapier.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Higher | Live chat, basic widget customization, limited chat history |
| Team | Higher | Unlimited history, full customization and reports |
| Business | Higher | Staffing prediction, work scheduler and advanced routing |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated account manager and advanced security |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. All plans are priced per agent, billed monthly or annually. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Polished, reliable product focused on live chat
- Strong routing and reporting
- Large integration marketplace
- Ecommerce tools for selling in chat
Cons
- No free plan
- Per-agent pricing is high compared with rivals
- Chatbots and help desk cost extra as separate products
Is it right for you?
Choose LiveChat ifYour team answers website chats every day and you want the most complete, dedicated live chat tool with strong reports.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a very small business on a tight budget or want chat, bots and a help desk in one subscription.
#2Best for live chat with an AI agent
Intercom
An AI-first customer service platform that pairs the Fin AI agent with a help desk, messenger, live chat and help center.
- Paid plans from
- $29/seat/mo annual
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- SaaS and tech companies, plus ecommerce and B2C businesses wanting AI-led support
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android, in-app and web messenger SDKs, API
Intercom is the live chat software to pick if you want AI to answer a large share of chats for you. Its Messenger sits on your website or inside your app and handles live chat, proactive messages and help articles in one place. Fin, the AI agent, answers from your help center and hands harder questions to a person in the shared inbox.
It is especially strong for SaaS companies, because the in-app messenger SDKs let users chat without leaving the product. Tickets, a shared inbox and a help center are included from the Essential plan, and reports cover response times, CSAT and Fin performance. Costs need watching, though: you pay per seat, plus $0.99 for each conversation Fin resolves, and many automation features start on Advanced.
Key features
- MessengerA website and in-app messenger for live chat, proactive messages and self-serve help, so visitors can get answers without opening an email.
- Fin AI AgentAnswers customer questions from your help content across chat, email and other channels, and is charged only when it resolves a conversation.
- Help desk inboxOne shared inbox where agents handle live chats and tickets from every channel, so nothing is split across tools.
- Help centerPublish searchable articles that customers can read and that Fin uses as its knowledge source, which cuts repeat chats.
- ReportingDashboards for conversation volume, response times, CSAT and Fin performance show whether AI and agents are keeping up.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $29/seat/mo annual | Messenger, shared inbox, ticketing, help center and Fin AI agent |
| Advanced | Higher | Workflows automation, multiple help centers and more |
| Expert | Higher | SLAs, multibrand, HIPAA support and advanced security |
| Fin AI Agent | $0.99 per resolution | Charged per successful resolution on any plan |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Fin is billed per resolution on top of seats. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fin is one of the strongest AI support agents
- Polished messenger and in-app experience
- Strong for SaaS product support
- Help center, tickets and inbox included
Cons
- Seat plus per-resolution pricing gets expensive
- Lowest seat price needs annual billing
- Many automation features start on Advanced
Is it right for you?
Choose Intercom ifYou run a SaaS or tech product and want AI to resolve routine chats while agents handle the rest.
Look elsewhere ifYou have a tight budget and high chat volume, or just need a simple website chat box.
#3Best for small businesses and online stores
Tidio
A customer service platform that combines live chat, a help desk, no-code chatbots and the Lyro AI agent for small and ecommerce businesses.
- Paid plans from
- $29/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (limited conversations)
- Best for
- Small businesses and ecommerce stores, especially on Shopify and WordPress
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Tidio is the easiest live chat software for small businesses and online stores to get running. It installs quickly on Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, Wix and BigCommerce, and the free plan covers live chat and a basic help desk with a limited number of conversations. The interface is friendly enough for owners who answer chats themselves.
Where Tidio stands out is automation for small teams. Flows, the no-code chatbot builder, can greet visitors, collect leads or recover abandoned carts, and the Lyro AI agent answers common questions from your help content. Agents can see Shopify order data in the chat. Just budget for growth: paid plans scale with conversations, and Lyro and Flows are billed on top.
Key features
- Live chat widgetA customizable website chat that shows visitors in real time and lets you reply instantly from web, desktop or mobile apps.
- Lyro AI agentAnswers common questions from your help content and hands off to a person when needed, which helps small teams cover evenings and weekends.
- Flows chatbot builderA no-code visual builder for bots that greet visitors, collect leads or recover abandoned carts.
- Multichannel inboxBrings website chat, email, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp into one inbox, so a small team works from one screen.
- Ecommerce integrationsShows order data and lets agents act on Shopify orders from inside the chat.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Live chat, basic help desk, Lyro AI trial allowance, limited conversations |
| Starter | $29/mo | Live chat, basic analytics and more conversations |
| Growth | Higher | Advanced analytics, more conversations and permissions |
| Plus | Higher | Higher volumes and dedicated support |
| Premium | Custom | Managed AI setup and dedicated success manager |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Plans are priced by conversation volume, and Lyro AI and Flows are billed separately. 7-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan to get started
- Easy setup on Shopify and WordPress
- Live chat, chatbots and AI in one product
- Friendly for non-technical teams
Cons
- Costs grow with conversation volume
- Lyro AI and Flows cost extra
- Free plan limits are tight for busy stores
Is it right for you?
Choose Tidio ifYou run a small business or online store and want free or low-cost live chat with chatbots you can set up yourself.
Look elsewhere ifYou run a large support team that needs advanced ticketing, SLAs or flat pricing at high chat volume.
#4Best for live chat inside a full help desk
Zendesk
An omnichannel customer service platform with ticketing, messaging and live chat, a help center, and AI agents.
- Paid plans from
- $55/agent/mo annual
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- Support teams from growing small businesses to large enterprises
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android, API
Zendesk is the right live chat software when chat is one channel among many. Its messaging and live chat work on your website, in your app and on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, and conversations persist across sessions so customers do not repeat themselves. Every chat becomes part of the same ticketing system as email, social and phone requests.
Suite Team includes ticketing, messaging, a help center and essential AI agents that answer common questions before handing off to a person. Higher plans add skills-based routing, SLAs, multiple brands and advanced reporting. It scales from growing teams to enterprises, but it costs more per agent than chat-only tools, and admin is more involved than with LiveChat or Tidio.
Key features
- Messaging and live chatChat on your website, in your app and on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, with conversations that persist across sessions.
- TicketingChats, emails, social messages and calls land in one shared inbox as tickets, with views, macros and triggers to work them.
- AI agentsAutomated agents answer common questions across messaging and email before handing off to a human.
- Routing and SLAsOn higher plans, route conversations by skill, priority or capacity and track SLA targets.
- Help center and marketplaceBuild a branded knowledge base customers can search, and connect CRMs, ecommerce and dev tools from 1,000+ marketplace apps.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Suite Team | $55/agent/mo annual | Ticketing, email, messaging and live chat, help center and essential AI agents |
| Suite Professional | Higher | Skills-based routing, SLAs, multiple brands and advanced reporting |
| Suite Enterprise | Higher | Custom roles, sandbox and advanced workflows |
| Enterprise Plus | Custom | Largest-scale deployments |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Mature, full omnichannel platform
- Help center and AI agents included from Suite Team
- Huge app marketplace
- Scales from small teams to enterprises
Cons
- Expensive per agent past Suite Team
- Many AI features are add-ons or usage-based
- Setup and admin can be complex
Is it right for you?
Choose Zendesk ifYou need live chat as part of a full help desk with ticketing, a help center and room to scale.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a small team that only needs a chat box on your website.
#5Best flat-priced live chat for growing teams
Crisp
An all-in-one customer messaging platform with live chat, a shared inbox, chatbots, AI and a knowledge base, priced per workspace rather than per agent.
- Paid plans from
- €45/mo per workspace
- Free plan
- Yes (2 seats)
- Best for
- Startups, SaaS companies, small businesses and ecommerce stores
- Works on
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Crisp is the best value live chat software for small teams that are growing. Instead of charging per agent, it charges per workspace, so a team of several people pays one flat monthly price. The free plan gives 2 seats with the chat widget, a shared inbox and mobile apps, which is enough for a founder and one helper.
Paid plans turn it into a full messaging platform. Essentials adds a multichannel inbox for email, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, a knowledge base, a chatbot builder and AI tools. MagicBrowse co-browsing lets agents see a visitor's screen to help in real time. The interface can feel busy with so many modules, and prices are in euros.
Key features
- Live chat widgetA lightweight, customizable chat widget for websites and apps, quick to add to any site.
- Shared inboxCollects chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp and other channels in one team inbox.
- Chatbot builder and AI agentA visual scenario builder automates greetings, routing and FAQs, and the AI agent answers from your knowledge base and past conversations.
- MagicBrowse co-browsingLets agents see a visitor's screen in the browser and guide them in real time, which helps with setup and checkout problems.
- Knowledge baseA hosted help center customers can search, also available inside the chat widget to deflect simple questions.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | €0 | 2 seats, live chat widget, shared inbox and mobile apps |
| Mini | €45/mo | Unlimited conversation history, email channel and more integrations |
| Essentials | €95/mo | Multichannel inbox, knowledge base, chatbot and AI tools |
| Plus | €295/mo | Advanced automation, AI, CRM and routing features |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices are per workspace in euros, billed monthly, with seat limits on each plan. 14-day free trial of paid plans.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flat per-workspace pricing instead of per-agent fees
- Free plan for very small teams
- Broad multichannel support
- MagicBrowse co-browsing for live help
Cons
- Prices are in euros
- Seat limits per tier can force an upgrade
- Interface can feel dense
Is it right for you?
Choose Crisp ifYou want chat, a shared inbox and a knowledge base for a small team without paying per agent.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a large enterprise that needs complex SLAs and compliance controls.
#6Best free live chat software
tawk.to
A free live chat, ticketing and knowledge base platform with unlimited agents, funded by optional paid add-ons.
- Paid plans from
- Free (paid add-ons)
- Free plan
- Yes (free forever)
- Best for
- Small businesses, startups, nonprofits and ecommerce stores on a budget
- Works on
- Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
tawk.to is the best free live chat software for teams with no budget. The core product costs nothing, with unlimited agents and unlimited chats, so a nonprofit or small business can put five or ten people on chat without a bill. It installs easily on WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace and Joomla.
The free plan is more than a chat box. It includes ticketing for offline messages, a hosted knowledge base, visitor monitoring with proactive chat, canned shortcuts and triggers, and a shareable chat page for businesses without a website. tawk.to makes money from optional add-ons: removing its branding, AI Assist, and hiring tawk.to-staffed agents to cover your chat hours.
Key features
- Unlimited agents and chatsThe live chat widget is free with no cap on agents or conversations, so costs never grow with your team.
- TicketingTurns offline messages and emails into tickets, so chats that arrive after hours still get answered.
- Knowledge baseA free hosted help center customers can browse to answer simple questions themselves.
- Visitor monitoring and triggersShows live visitors, lets agents start proactive chats, and sends automated messages based on visitor behavior.
- Hire agentsOptionally pay for tawk.to-staffed agents to cover chat hours you cannot staff yourself.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited agents and chats, ticketing, knowledge base, CRM, mobile and desktop apps |
| Remove Branding add-on | Higher | Removes tawk.to branding from the widget, per property |
| AI Assist add-on | Higher | Usage-based AI chatbot and reply tools |
| Hired agents | Higher | Outsourced live chat agents billed per hour |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. The core product is free; add-ons are optional.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Core product is genuinely free with unlimited agents
- Ticketing and knowledge base at no cost
- Easy to install on most website builders
- Option to hire chat agents
Cons
- Branding stays unless you pay for removal
- Fewer automation and reporting features than paid tools
- Interface feels dated
Is it right for you?
Choose tawk.to ifYou need live chat for several people and have no budget for it.
Look elsewhere ifYou want advanced AI automation, detailed analytics or a fully white-labeled widget for free.
#7Best for sales teams and Zoho users
Zoho SalesIQ
Zoho's live chat, chatbot and website visitor tracking tool for sales and support teams.
- Paid plans from
- Per operator
- Free plan
- Yes (limited)
- Best for
- Small and mid-sized businesses, especially those using other Zoho apps
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Zoho SalesIQ is the live chat software to choose if chat is mainly a sales tool. Visitor tracking shows who is on your site, which pages they view and where they came from, and lead scoring ranks visitors by behavior so reps start with the hottest prospects. The free plan covers basic live chat with a limited number of operators and chats.
It also handles support. Zobot chatbots can qualify leads or answer questions, built with a no-code builder or code, and Answer Bot replies from your knowledge base articles. WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger sit alongside web chat, and a mobile SDK adds chat inside apps. The biggest payoff comes when you already use Zoho CRM or Zoho Desk.
Key features
- Visitor trackingShows who is on your site, what pages they view and where they came from, so reps can time their outreach.
- Lead scoringScores visitors by behavior to help sales prioritize which chats and leads to follow up first.
- Zobot chatbotsBuild chatbots with a no-code builder or code to qualify leads and answer questions around the clock.
- Answer BotAI that answers visitor questions from your knowledge base articles.
- Zoho integrationSyncs chats and leads with Zoho CRM and Zoho Desk, so conversations land where your team already works.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic live chat with limited operators and chats |
| Basic | Higher | Live chat and visitor tracking, per operator |
| Professional | Higher | Chatbots, automation and integrations, per operator |
| Enterprise | Higher | Advanced controls and analytics, per operator |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Paid plans are priced per operator and vary by region. 15-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan available
- Visitor tracking and lead scoring built in
- Strong value inside the Zoho ecosystem
- Desktop and mobile apps
Cons
- Interface can feel busy
- Best features are tied to higher tiers
- Pricing varies by region
Is it right for you?
Choose Zoho SalesIQ ifYou use Zoho CRM or Zoho Desk, or want chat that helps sales spot and score website leads.
Look elsewhere ifYou want a minimal chat widget or deep store-platform automation for ecommerce.
#8Best for Freshworks users and WhatsApp support
Freshchat
Freshworks' messaging and live chat product for websites, apps and social channels, with bots and the Freddy AI agent.
- Paid plans from
- Per agent
- Free plan
- No (free trial)
- Best for
- Small to mid-sized and growing support teams, especially those already using Freshworks tools
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android, mobile SDKs
Freshchat is a modern messaging and live chat tool for teams that talk to customers on more than just their website. Web chat and mobile app SDKs sit next to WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and Apple Messages for Business in one inbox, so agents handle every conversation in the same place. Intelligent routing assigns each chat to the right agent or group.
Automation comes from a no-code bot builder for FAQs, lead capture and routing, and Freddy AI, which answers routine questions and assists agents. Proactive messages can trigger based on visitor behavior or page. It fits best if you already use Freshdesk or Freshsales, since contacts and tickets are shared. Pricing is per agent, and Freddy AI usage is usually billed on top.
Key features
- Omnichannel messagingHandles WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and Apple Messages for Business next to web chat in one inbox.
- Freddy AI agentAnswers routine questions and assists agents, which cuts response times on busy channels.
- Bot builderNo-code bots for FAQs, lead capture and routing, set up without a developer.
- Intelligent routingAssigns conversations to the right agent or group automatically.
- Freshworks integrationShares contact data and tickets with Freshdesk and Freshsales, so chat history follows the customer.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | Higher | Live chat, messaging channels and basic bots, per agent |
| Pro | Higher | Advanced routing, more automation and reporting, per agent |
| Enterprise | Higher | Advanced security, customization and controls, per agent |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Plans are priced per agent, and Freddy AI usage is typically billed on top. Free trial available.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong omnichannel messaging including WhatsApp
- Tight integration with Freshdesk and Freshsales
- Mature bot and AI features
- Scales to larger contact centers
Cons
- Pricing and packaging change often
- Freddy AI usage costs extra
- Best value only inside Freshworks
Is it right for you?
Choose Freshchat ifYou already use Freshdesk or Freshsales, or support many customers over WhatsApp and social messaging.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a solo founder who wants a simple free widget or flat, predictable pricing.
#9Best simple live chat for small sales teams
Olark
A simple, long-running live chat tool for websites, with chat transcripts, CRM integrations and automation rules.
- Paid plans from
- Per agent
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- Small and mid-sized businesses, universities and sales teams
- Works on
- Web (browser-based agent console)
Olark is straightforward live chat software for teams that only need reliable website chat. Setup is quick, the agent console runs in the browser, and the Standard plan includes all the core features rather than splitting them across tiers. Visitor insights show location, pages viewed and past chats while you talk, which helps sales reps qualify a lead mid-conversation.
Every chat is saved as a searchable transcript and also sent by email, and CRM integrations push chat data into Salesforce, HubSpot and other systems. Automation rules trigger proactive messages and route chats based on behavior. The widget is built with accessibility in mind, which makes it popular with schools and public sector sites. It lacks social and WhatsApp messaging, and agents work from a browser console.
Key features
- Chat transcriptsA searchable history of every conversation, also sent by email, so nothing a lead said gets lost.
- Visitor insightsShows visitor location, pages viewed and past chats while you chat, which helps reps qualify leads.
- Automation rulesTriggers proactive messages and routes chats based on visitor behavior.
- CRM integrationsPushes chat data to Salesforce, HubSpot and other CRMs, and connects with Zendesk, Slack and Google Analytics.
- Accessible widgetBuilt with accessibility in mind, which suits education and public sector websites.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Higher | Live chat, transcripts, reporting and integrations, per agent |
| Pro | Custom | Managed setup, advanced customization and premium support |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Standard is priced per agent, billed monthly or annually. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very simple to set up and use
- All core features on one plan
- Good CRM integrations
- Accessible chat widget
Cons
- No free plan
- Mainly website chat, few other channels
- Agent console is browser-based only
Is it right for you?
Choose Olark ifYou want plain, dependable website chat that logs leads into your CRM, or you need an accessible widget.
Look elsewhere ifYou need WhatsApp and social messaging or advanced AI chatbots.
#10Best for chat plus self-service help
Help Scout
A help desk built around a shared email inbox, with a Beacon chat widget, knowledge base and AI tools for small and growing teams.
- Paid plans from
- Free plan; paid plans vary
- Free plan
- Yes (limited)
- Best for
- Small businesses, ecommerce stores and SaaS startups that value a personal, email-like support experience
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android, API
Help Scout is a good fit when you want live chat without being on chat all day. Its Beacon widget combines live chat, Docs help articles and a contact form, so visitors search for an answer first and only start a chat when they need a person. AI answers can respond from your help content, which keeps chat volume manageable for a small team.
Every chat and email lands in a shared inbox with assignment, tags, notes and collision detection, and customer profiles show past conversations next to each thread. Workflows auto-assign and tag conversations, and reports track response times and happiness ratings. It integrates with Shopify, HubSpot, Salesforce and Slack. It is lighter than Zendesk or Intercom, with fewer channels.
Key features
- BeaconAn embeddable widget that offers live chat, help articles and contact forms on your site or in your app.
- Docs knowledge basePublish help articles and searchable self-service sites so visitors answer simple questions themselves.
- AI featuresAI answers, drafts and summaries help customers self-serve and help agents reply faster.
- Shared inboxChats and emails arrive in one inbox with assignment, tags, notes and collision detection, while replies feel personal to customers.
- ReportsTrack volume, response times, happiness ratings and team performance.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Shared inbox, Docs knowledge base and Beacon, with usage limits |
| Standard | Higher | Core inbox, live chat, reporting and integrations |
| Plus | Higher | Advanced permissions, more inboxes and CRM integrations |
| Pro | Custom | Enterprise security, onboarding and volume |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Free trial available.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy to use and quick to set up
- Live chat, knowledge base and inbox in one product
- Replies feel personal, like email
- Free plan for very small teams
Cons
- Fewer channels than Zendesk or Intercom
- Pricing model has changed several times
- Advanced features sit on higher tiers
Is it right for you?
Choose Help Scout ifYou want chat alongside a help center and shared inbox, and prefer customers to self-serve first.
Look elsewhere ifYou run a large contact center that needs voice, complex routing or heavy omnichannel support.
Best live chat software by need
- Dedicated sales and support chatLiveChat
- AI answers for SaaS productsIntercom
- Small business and Shopify storesTidio
- Chat inside a full help deskZendesk
- Flat pricing for a growing teamCrisp
- Free live chat with unlimited agentstawk.to
- Sales teams using Zoho CRMZoho SalesIQ
- WhatsApp and Freshdesk usersFreshchat
- Chat plus self-service help articlesHelp Scout
What to look for in live chat software
- Chat widget and setupA widget you can brand and install in minutes, with a plugin or app for your platform such as WordPress or Shopify. Check it works on mobile and in-app if you need that.
- Routing and visitor trackingAutomatic chat routing to the right agent or group, plus live visitor lists so your team can start proactive chats with buyers who hesitate.
- Chatbots and AINo-code chatbots for greetings, lead capture and after-hours replies, and an AI agent that answers from your help content. Check how AI is billed before you rely on it.
- Channels beyond the websiteA shared inbox for email, WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram if customers reach you there. Some live chat apps only cover website chat.
- IntegrationsConnections to your CRM, help desk and store platform, so chats create leads, tickets or order lookups without copy and paste.
- Pricing modelPer agent, per workspace or per conversation pricing. Model the cost at your real team size and chat volume, including AI add-ons, before you choose.
How much does live chat software cost in 2026?
Live chat software costs anywhere from $0 to custom enterprise contracts. The price depends mostly on the pricing model: per agent, per workspace or per conversation, plus any AI usage fees.
| Tier | Typical price | Tools at this level | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | tawk.to (unlimited agents), plus free plans from Tidio, Crisp, Zoho SalesIQ and Help Scout | Small sites, startups and nonprofits |
| Flat monthly plans | $29/mo to €295/mo | Tidio (from $29/mo), Crisp (€45 to €295/mo per workspace) | Small teams that want predictable bills |
| Per agent or seat | From $29/seat/mo annual | Intercom ($29/seat annual), Zendesk ($55/agent annual), LiveChat, Olark, Freshchat, Zoho SalesIQ | Growing sales and support teams |
| Enterprise | Custom quote | LiveChat Enterprise, Zendesk Enterprise Plus, Tidio Premium, Olark Pro, Help Scout Pro | Large teams needing security, SLAs and account management |
Pricing models from vendor plan information, November 2026. AI agents are often billed on top, such as Intercom's $0.99 per Fin resolution.
Start with a free plan or trial and track how many chats you get and how many agents you really need for a month. Then compare live chat software pricing at that size. A per-agent tool can be cheap for two people and expensive for ten, while a per-conversation plan like Tidio's grows with traffic. Add any AI fees, such as per-resolution charges, before you compare totals.
How we chose the best live chat software
We started with the live chat and customer support tools in the MakeSuccessOnline directory and added well-known live chat tools we have not reviewed yet, such as tawk.to, Zoho SalesIQ and Freshchat. We installed chat widgets on test sites, answered test chats as agents, set up chatbots and AI agents where offered, and compared routing, visitor tracking, integrations and reports. Vendor documentation and pricing were checked in November 2026.
- Chat featuresWidget, routing, visitor tracking, transcripts, canned replies and ticketing for missed chats.30%
- AI and automationChatbots, AI agents and rules that answer or route chats without an agent.20%
- Pricing and valueFree plans, pricing model and real cost at typical team sizes.20%
- Ease of useHow quickly a small team can install the widget and start answering.10%
- Integrations and channelsCRM, help desk and store integrations, plus email, WhatsApp and social channels.10%
- ReportingResponse times, satisfaction, agent performance and AI performance.10%
How to choose live chat software
- Decide what chat is forPick the main goal: closing sales, answering support questions or both. Sales-led teams need visitor tracking and CRM sync; support teams need ticketing and a help center.
- Count agents and chatsEstimate how many people will answer chats and how many conversations you get per month. This decides whether per-agent, per-workspace or per-conversation pricing is cheapest.
- List your channelsIf customers also message you on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram or email, choose a tool with a shared inbox for them, not a website-only widget.
- Plan for after hoursDecide who handles chats when nobody is online: offline forms and tickets, a chatbot, an AI agent or hired agents. Check how each option is billed.
- Check integrationsMake sure the tool connects to your website platform, CRM and help desk, such as Shopify, WordPress, HubSpot or Salesforce, before you commit.
- Test with a free plan or trialInstall the widget on your real site, run a week of live chats and review the reports before you choose live chat software for the long term.
Check during the free trial
- How fast does the widget load, and how does it look on mobile?
- Do chats route correctly to the right agent or group?
- What happens to chats that arrive when nobody is online?
- How accurate are the chatbot or AI answers on your real questions, and how are they billed?
- Do chats sync into your CRM, help desk or store without manual work?
Red flags
- Key features like chat history or reports locked behind the most expensive tier
- AI agents billed per resolution or session with no clear way to cap spend
- Free plans that add vendor branding you cannot remove cheaply
- Pricing that jumps sharply when you add one more agent or a few more conversations
- No way to export chat transcripts and contacts if you leave
Live chat software FAQs
What is the best live chat software?
The best live chat software is LiveChat for dedicated sales and support teams, Intercom for live chat with an AI agent, and Tidio for small businesses and online stores. Zendesk suits teams that need chat inside a full help desk, Crisp offers flat per-workspace pricing, and tawk.to is the best completely free option.
What is the best free live chat software?
tawk.to is the best free live chat software because the core product is free with unlimited agents and chats, plus ticketing and a knowledge base. Tidio, Crisp (2 seats), Zoho SalesIQ and Help Scout also have free plans, but with limits on conversations, seats or usage.
How much does live chat software cost?
Live chat software ranges from free to custom enterprise pricing. Tidio starts at $29/mo, Crisp at €45/mo per workspace, Intercom at $29 per seat per month billed annually and Zendesk at $55 per agent per month billed annually. AI agents can add usage fees, such as Intercom's $0.99 per resolution.
LiveChat vs Intercom: which is better?
LiveChat is better if you want a dedicated live chat tool with strong routing, reports and ecommerce features. Intercom is better if you want AI to answer chats, since its Fin agent resolves questions from your help content. Intercom suits SaaS in-app support; LiveChat suits website sales and support teams.
Tidio vs LiveChat: which should a small business choose?
Most small businesses should start with Tidio. It has a free plan, installs quickly on Shopify and WordPress, and includes chatbots and an AI agent. LiveChat is the better choice once you have a dedicated team answering chats every day and want deeper routing and reporting.
How do I choose live chat software?
Start with your goal (sales or support), your team size and monthly chat volume, and the channels customers use. Then compare pricing models, check integrations with your CRM and store, and test two or three tools with real chats during a free plan or trial.
Do I need a chatbot or AI agent with live chat?
Not always, but they help if you get chats outside working hours or many repeat questions. Chatbots handle greetings and lead capture, while AI agents answer from your help content. Check how they are billed, since Tidio's Lyro and Intercom's Fin cost extra.
What is the best live chat software for ecommerce?
For online stores, Tidio and LiveChat are the strongest picks. Tidio shows Shopify order data in the chat and has chatbots for abandoned carts, while LiveChat adds product cards and cart previews for selling in chat. tawk.to is a good free option for small stores.
About the reviewer
Editor & Reviewer, MakeSuccessOnline
William Harrison is an editor and reviewer at MakeSuccessOnline. He reviews each tools ranking before it goes live, checking plans, prices, free tiers and features against the tool's own documentation, and keeps rankings current as tools change.