Best Live Chat
Live chat and customer messaging tools for support and sales on your site.
Read our ranked guide: Best Live Chat Software →We compare 5 live chat tools. Tidio is our top pick at 4.6/5 (free to start). Entry pricing runs $19–$29/mo, averaging $23/mo. 2 offer a free tier. 5 have a public API.
All live chat tools compared
| # | Tool | Starts at | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tidio Live chat + chatbots for small business | Free | 4.6/5 | Small business & ecommerce |
| 2 | LiveChat Sales-focused live chat platform | $20/mo | 4.5/5 | Sales & support teams |
| 3 | Crisp Affordable shared inbox & chat | Free | 4.5/5 | Startups & small teams |
| 4 | Intercom AI-first customer service & live chat | $29/mo | 4.4/5 | Support & sales teams |
| 5 | Zendesk Enterprise help desk with live chat | $19/mo | 4.3/5 | Mid-market to enterprise |
How to choose live chat tools
Best rated → Tidio
4.6/5 across 4,700 reviews. Affordable.
Best free option → Tidio
Has a genuine free tier, so you can test before spending.
Need an API → Tidio
5 of 5 here expose a public API for integrations and automation.
- Check whether pricing is per seat — it multiplies with team size.
- Headline prices usually assume annual billing; monthly costs more.
- Start on a free tier or trial before committing to a year.
- Confirm the integrations you already rely on are supported.
Popular comparisons in this category
Frequently asked questions
What is the best live chat tool option?+
Tidio is our top-rated pick, scoring 4.6/5 and starting at Free. Affordable The best choice still depends on budget and team size — see the ranked list above.
How many live chat tools are compared here?+
We currently compare 5 live chat tools on pricing, features, and ratings, averaging 4.5/5.
Are there free live chat tools?+
Yes — 2 of the 5 here have a free tier: Tidio, Crisp.
How much do live chat tools cost?+
Entry pricing here runs from $19/mo to $29/mo, averaging $23/mo. The cheapest paid option is Zendesk at $19/mo.