Best Live Chat Software (1970)
We evaluated 10 of the top live chat and customer messaging platforms and ranked them by Biz Match Match fit score — a 0–100 measure of chat quality, automation, integrations, reporting, and total cost. No sponsored placements.
At-a-glance ranking
| # | Tool | Category | Fit score | Starts at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intercom | Customer messaging platform | 92 | From $29/seat/mo (Starter) · higher tiers scale with usage |
| 2 | Zendesk | Enterprise help desk + chat | 90 | From $19/agent/mo (Suite) |
| 3 | Drift | Conversational marketing + sales | 88 | From $2,500/yr (Premium) · enterprise pricing |
| 4 | LiveChat | Dedicated live chat | 87 | From $20/agent/mo billed annually |
| 5 | Tidio | SMB chat + chatbot | 86 | Free · From $29/mo (Starter) |
| 6 | Freshchat | Help desk + chat | 85 | Free · Growth from $15/agent/mo |
| 7 | HubSpot | CRM + live chat | 84 | Free · Marketing/Service Hub from $15/mo/seat |
| 8 | Olark | Simple live chat | 82 | From $29/agent/mo |
| 9 | Crisp | Chat + shared inbox | 81 | Free · Pro from $25/mo (per website) |
| 10 | Tawk.to | Free live chat | 80 | Free · paid add-ons for branding, video, AI |
Detailed reviews
Customer messaging platform
Best for: SaaS and product companies that want chat, bots, help center, and product tours in one platform
Why it stands out: The complete customer messaging platform — AI inbox, proactive chat, and a unified help center for product-led teams
Pros
- AI-driven inbox and automation builder
- Tours, checklists, and product engagement tools
- Deep integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack
- Strong self-service help center
Cons
- Premium pricing that scales quickly
- Steep learning curve for small teams
- Some features require separate add-ons
Pricing starts at From $29/seat/mo (Starter) · higher tiers scale with usage.
Enterprise help desk + chat
Best for: Enterprises that need chat inside an industry-leading ticketing and support suite
Why it stands out: Enterprise live chat with full ticketing power — AI agents, omnichannel routing, and massive integration ecosystem
Pros
- Industry-leading ticketing + chat together
- Advanced AI agents and automation
- Omnichannel support (email, chat, voice, social)
- Proven at large scale
Cons
- Expensive and complex for small teams
- Longer implementation timeline
- Overkill if you only need simple chat
Pricing starts at From $19/agent/mo (Suite).
Conversational marketing + sales
Best for: B2B sales teams that want to qualify leads and book meetings from website chat
Why it stands out: The sales-focused chatbot — lead qualification, meeting booking, and account-based routing built for revenue teams
Pros
- Strong chatbot playbook builder
- Native meeting booking and calendar sync
- Account-based routing and visitor intelligence
- Good Salesforce and Marketo integrations
Cons
- Less suited to customer support use cases
- Higher price point for advanced features
- AI capabilities lag behind newer entrants
Pricing starts at From $2,500/yr (Premium) · enterprise pricing.
Dedicated live chat
Best for: SMBs and ecommerce teams that want a reliable, easy-to-use chat widget with built-in ticketing
Why it stands out: The original live chat specialist — fast widget, built-in ticketing, and straightforward team plans
Pros
- Clean, fast chat widget
- Built-in ticketing (ChatBot integration)
- Simple per-agent pricing
- Good ecommerce and Shopify integration
Cons
- Advanced automation requires separate products
- AI features are newer and less mature
- Less comprehensive than Intercom/Zendesk
Pricing starts at From $20/agent/mo billed annually.
SMB chat + chatbot
Best for: Small ecommerce and service businesses that want chat, chatbots, and email in one affordable tool
Why it stands out: The SMB-friendly chat suite — AI chatbot, email marketing, and Shopify/WooCommerce integration at a budget price
Pros
- Affordable and generous free tier
- Easy no-code chatbot builder
- Strong Shopify, WooCommerce, and Wix support
- Includes email marketing features
Cons
- Limited enterprise support features
- Fewer integrations than Intercom/Zendesk
- AI is narrower than top-tier platforms
Pricing starts at Free · From $29/mo (Starter).
Help desk + chat
Best for: SMBs and mid-market teams already using the Freshworks suite
Why it stands out: Good-value chat inside the Freshworks ecosystem — bots, canned responses, and omnichannel inbox at a fair price
Pros
- Affordable entry pricing
- Works seamlessly with Freshdesk/Freshservice
- Freemium plan available
- Omnichannel inbox on higher tiers
Cons
- Less polished than Intercom or Zendesk
- Advanced AI only on higher tiers
- Smaller third-party app ecosystem
Pricing starts at Free · Growth from $15/agent/mo.
CRM + live chat
Best for: Teams already in HubSpot that want free chat connected to CRM contacts and deals
Why it stands out: Free CRM-powered chat — live chat, chatbots, and meeting booking tied directly to your HubSpot contact records
Pros
- Free live chat and chatbot for CRM users
- Deep contact, deal, and pipeline integration
- Easy meeting booking through HubSpot Meetings
- Consistent UI with the rest of HubSpot
Cons
- Best value only if you already use HubSpot CRM
- Advanced routing and automation require paid tiers
- Not a dedicated chat-first platform
Pricing starts at Free · Marketing/Service Hub from $15/mo/seat.
Simple live chat
Best for: Small teams that want a simple, predictable chat widget with basic reporting
Why it stands out: No-fuss live chat for small teams — clean widget, straightforward pricing, and easy setup
Pros
- Simple, predictable pricing
- Easy widget customization
- Good basic analytics
- Fast setup
Cons
- No native chatbot or AI automation
- Limited modern integrations
- Smaller feature set than competitors
Pricing starts at From $29/agent/mo.
Chat + shared inbox
Best for: Startups and small teams wanting an affordable, modern chat inbox with co-browsing
Why it stands out: Modern startup chat — shared inbox, co-browsing, chatbot, and a generous free plan
Pros
- Generous free tier with core features
- Co-browsing and screen sharing
- Modern, clean interface
- Good value for startups
Cons
- Fewer enterprise features
- Smaller integration marketplace
- AI capabilities are basic
Pricing starts at Free · Pro from $25/mo (per website).
Free live chat
Best for: Budget-conscious teams that need a free, unlimited live chat widget with basic ticketing
Why it stands out: The free live chat workhorse — unlimited agents, basic ticketing, and a simple widget for cost-conscious teams
Pros
- Free for unlimited agents
- Basic ticketing included
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Simple setup
Cons
- No native chatbot or advanced automation
- Limited integrations
- UI is less polished than paid alternatives
Pricing starts at Free · paid add-ons for branding, video, AI.
How to choose
Frequently asked questions
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