Last updated: October 2026
TL;DR
- Our pick, one AI assistant for every channel: Invent answers on your website chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, email and SMS from one inbox. Free to start, then pay per message with no per-seat fees.
- For a classic website chat answered by your team: LiveChat, from $19 per agent a month (billed annually).
- Best free live chat software: tawk.to, free forever with unlimited agents. Freshchat (free up to 10 agents) and Crisp (free for 2 seats) are close behind.
- Best for small online stores: Tidio, from $24.17 a month with a free plan for 50 conversations.
- For support inside a software product: Intercom, from $29 per seat plus $0.99 per Fin outcome.
- For large service teams: Zendesk, from $19 per agent, with a set number of AI resolutions included in every plan.
Prices are from each vendor's pricing page, checked on October 8, 2026.
Quick comparison: the best live chat software in 2026
- Invent: Best for one AI assistant and inbox across every channel. Free to start (100 messages a month); Business $29/month with $29 of usage credits. Free plan: yes. Channels: web chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, email, SMS.
- LiveChat: Best for a website chat answered by your team. From $19/user/month billed annually ($25 monthly). Free plan: no, 14-day trial. Channels: website, in-app, Messenger, SMS.
- Tidio: Best for small e-commerce stores. From $24.17/month billed annually. Free plan: yes, 50 conversations a month. Channels: live chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger.
- tawk.to: Best free option. $0, with paid add-ons (AI Assist from $29/month). Free plan: yes, unlimited agents. Channels: web chat, Messenger, SMS, Telegram.
- Intercom: Best for support inside a software product. From $29/seat/month plus $0.99 per Fin outcome. Free plan: no, 14-day trial. Channels: chat, email, in-app; WhatsApp, SMS and phone pay as you go.
- Zendesk: Best for large omnichannel teams. From $19/agent/month (Support Team); Suite Team $55. Free plan: no, 14-day trial. Channels: email, chat, messaging, WhatsApp, Instagram, voice.
- Freshchat: Best for budget teams that may add ticketing. Free up to 10 agents; Growth from $19/agent/month. Channels: web chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, SMS.
- Chatwoot: Best for open-source live chat you can host yourself. Free cloud plan for 2 agents (live chat only); Startups $19/agent/month. Channels: website chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, voice.
- Crisp: One price per workspace, not per agent. Free for 2 seats; Mini $45/month for 4 seats. Channels: WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, email, SMS, Telegram, phone.
How we picked
We compared tools on what a support team actually pays and gets: the free plan, the real starting price and how it scales (per agent, per conversation or per message), the channels included without extra apps, and how much the AI can answer on its own. Every price comes from the vendor's own pricing page.
One disclosure: we build Invent, so it is on this list. We put it first as our pick for teams that want one AI assistant answering on every channel, and we name the cases where another tool is the better choice.
Live chat or AI chat: which do you need?
Live chat software started as a chat window on your website, answered by people on your team. Most tools now add AI on top, and the split matters when you compare prices.
- Agent-first live chat (LiveChat, Zendesk, Freshchat, Crisp) gives your team a fast inbox, routing and reports. AI suggests replies or answers a limited number of conversations each month. You pay mostly per agent.
- AI-first chat (Intercom Fin, Invent, Tidio Lyro) answers customers on its own from your help content and hands over to a person when needed. You pay mostly per conversation, outcome or message.
If your team answers every chat and wants a better inbox, start with an agent-first tool. If the same questions arrive all day and your team can't keep up, an AI-first tool saves more time. That shift from answering to resolving is what agentic customer service means. Our guide to AI customer support explains how it works and what it costs.
What to look for in live chat software
- Real starting price: check whether the price is per agent and billed annually. A $19 plan can cost $25 when billed monthly.
- Free plan limits: count conversations, seats and whether AI is included.
- Channels: your customers may write on WhatsApp, Instagram or email, not only on your website.
- AI that answers from your content: replies should come from your own policies and help articles, with a clean handoff to a person.
- How cost grows: per-agent pricing grows with your team; per-outcome or per-message pricing grows with volume.
- Security: look for SOC 2 Type II if you handle customer data at scale.
The best live chat software in 2026
1. Invent
Best for: one AI assistant answering on every channel, with a shared inbox for your team
Invent is an AI agent and shared inbox for every channel: website chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, email and SMS. The assistant answers from your own knowledge base and hands the conversation to a person with the full context when needed.
Key features:
- One assistant on website chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, email and SMS
- Answers from your knowledge base, policies and product information
- Handoff to a person with the full conversation history
- Broadcasts on WhatsApp, email and SMS from the same tool
Pros:
- Website chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, email and SMS in one inbox, with no extra apps
- No per-seat fees, so adding teammates doesn't raise the price
- SOC 2 Type II certified
Cons:
- The cost of AI replies depends on the AI model you choose
Pricing: Pay As You Go is free to start with 100 messages a month. AI messages are priced per message by AI model, from $0.001 on the lightest models. Business is $29/month with $29 of usage credits included.
2. LiveChat
Best for: a website chat for sales and support teams
LiveChat is one of the best-known live chat tools, built around a team inbox for website conversations, with AI resolutions included in each plan.
Key features:
- Website, in-app and chat page conversations, plus Messenger and SMS
- Visitor tracking and chat routing
- Mobile apps for agents
- AI resolutions included in every plan
Pros:
- A long track record in website chat
- AI included from the first paid plan
- 14-day free trial with no card
Cons:
- Priced per user, so the cost grows with your team
- WhatsApp, Instagram and email are not on its channel list
- Extra AI resolutions cost $49.50 per 50
Pricing: Essential $19/user/month billed annually ($25 monthly), with 10 AI resolutions a month. Growth $79/user/month ($99 monthly) with 200 AI resolutions. Enterprise on request.
3. Tidio
Best for: small online stores that want low-cost AI answers
Tidio combines live chat with Lyro AI and connects to e-commerce stores.
Key features:
- Live chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger in one inbox
- Lyro AI answers common questions
- E-commerce store integrations
Pros:
- A free plan with 50 conversations a month, plus 50 Lyro conversations
- A flat monthly price, not priced per agent
Cons:
- Plans are capped by the number of conversations
- Lyro AI is a separate add-on on paid plans
Pricing: Free for 50 conversations a month. Starter $24.17/month billed annually for 100 conversations; Growth from $49.17; Plus from $300. Lyro from $32.50/month. 7-day trial on paid plans.
4. tawk.to
Best for: teams with no budget that need unlimited agents
tawk.to is free forever: live chat, ticketing, a knowledge base and a simple CRM.
Key features:
- Website chat, ticketing, knowledge base and CRM
- Messenger, SMS and Telegram
- Optional hired chat agents
Pros:
- $0 for the core product, with unlimited agents
- No conversation limits on the free product
Cons:
- The tawk.to branding stays unless you pay $29/month
- AI Assist is a paid add-on from $29/month
- WhatsApp and Instagram are not on its channel list
Pricing: Free. Optional add-ons: branding removal $29/month, AI Assist from $29/month, hired agents from $1 an hour.
5. Intercom
Best for: support inside a software product
Intercom pairs a help desk with Fin AI, which can also run on top of another help desk.
Key features:
- Chat, email and in-app messages
- Fin AI answers customers and is billed per outcome
- WhatsApp, SMS and phone on pay-as-you-go pricing
Pros:
- In-app messaging for software products
- Fin can be used with Intercom's help desk or with another one
Cons:
- Two costs at once: seats and Fin outcomes
- WhatsApp, SMS and phone are billed on top of the plan
- No free plan
Pricing: Essential $29/seat/month billed annually; Advanced $85; Expert $132. Fin from $0.99 per outcome. 14-day free trial.
6. Zendesk
Best for: large service teams that need phone support and SLAs
Zendesk is a full customer service suite: ticketing, messaging, voice, a knowledge base and workforce tools.
Key features:
- Email, messaging, live chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, X and voice
- Ticketing, routing, SLAs and reporting
- AI resolutions included in every plan
Pros:
- Voice and ticketing in the same suite as chat
- An app marketplace for other business tools
Cons:
- More setup work than the other tools on this list
- Priced per agent, and AI resolutions beyond the allowance cost $1.50 to $2.00 each
- No free plan
Pricing: Support Team $19/agent/month billed annually ($25 monthly); Suite Team $55 ($69 monthly); Suite Professional $115 ($149 monthly); Suite Enterprise on request. 5 automated resolutions per agent a month on Team, 10 on Professional. 14-day free trial.
7. Freshchat
Best for: budget teams that may add a help desk later
Freshchat is the messaging product from Freshworks, the company behind Freshdesk, with Freddy AI.
Key features:
- Web and app chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, SMS and Line
- Freddy AI for automated answers
- Connects to Freshdesk for ticketing
Pros:
- Free for up to 10 agents, with website chat and email
- WhatsApp, Instagram and SMS in the same inbox on paid plans
Cons:
- Freddy AI includes 500 sessions, then costs $49 per 100 sessions
- Priced per agent on paid plans
Pricing: Free up to 10 agents. Growth $19/agent/month billed annually; Pro $49; Enterprise $79.
8. Crisp
Best for: small teams that prefer one price per workspace
Crisp prices per workspace instead of per agent and covers many messaging channels.
Key features:
- WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, email, SMS, Telegram, Viber, Line and phone
- Shared inbox for the whole team
- AI credits on paid plans
Pros:
- One price for 4 seats on the Mini plan
- A free plan for 2 seats
Cons:
- No AI on the free plan
- AI credits on Mini cover about 90 conversations
Pricing: Free for 2 seats. Mini $45/month for 4 seats ($10 per extra seat); Essentials $95; Plus $295. 14-day trial.
9. Chatwoot
Best for: teams that want open-source live chat they can host themselves
Chatwoot is an open-source customer support platform. You can run it on your own servers or use their cloud.
Key features:
- Website chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and voice in one inbox
- Captain AI for automated answers
- Help center and an open API
Pros:
- Open source, so you can host it yourself and keep your data where you choose
- A free cloud plan for up to 2 agents
Cons:
- The free cloud plan covers live chat only, with 500 conversations a month
- Priced per agent on paid plans, and extra AI usage costs $20 per 1,000 credits
Pricing: Hacker $0 for 2 agents; Startups $19/agent/month; Business $39; Enterprise $99. 15-day free trial.
Free live chat software compared
- tawk.to: free forever, unlimited agents, branding shown. AI is a paid add-on.
- Freshchat: free for up to 10 agents, with website chat and email only.
- Crisp: free for 2 seats, without AI.
- Chatwoot: free cloud plan for 2 agents and 500 conversations a month, live chat only; free to self-host.
- Tidio: free for 50 conversations a month, plus 50 AI conversations.
- Invent: free to start with 100 messages a month, AI included on every channel.
- LiveChat, Intercom and Zendesk: no free plan; 14-day trials.
What a 10-agent team pays per month
Seat prices from each vendor's pricing page (annual billing where the vendor shows it), before extra AI usage:
- Zendesk Suite Team: $550 ($55 per agent). AI resolutions beyond the monthly allowance cost $1.50 to $2.00 each.
- Intercom Essential: $290 ($29 per seat), plus $0.99 per Fin outcome.
- LiveChat Essential: $190 ($19 per user).
- Freshchat Growth: $190 ($19 per agent). Freddy AI sessions beyond the first 500 cost $49 per 100.
- Chatwoot Startups: $190 ($19 per agent).
- tawk.to: $0 in seats; add-ons like AI Assist are extra.
- Invent: $0 in seat fees. You pay per message answered, by AI model, from $0.001, or $29 a month on Business with $29 of credits included.
Per-agent pricing is easy to predict, but it grows with every hire. Per-message pricing grows with the work your AI does, not with the size of your team.
How to choose
- You want one AI assistant answering on your website, WhatsApp, Instagram and every other channel: Invent.
- You want a chat window on your website, answered by your team: LiveChat.
- You have no budget and only need website chat: tawk.to, or Freshchat (free for up to 10 agents, website chat and email).
- You run a small online store: Tidio.
- You run support inside a software product: Intercom.
- You run a large service team with voice and SLAs: Zendesk.
- You want open-source live chat on your own servers: Chatwoot.
Frequently asked questions
What is live chat software?
Live chat software puts a chat window on your website, and often on WhatsApp, Instagram and other apps, so customers can message your team in real time. Most tools now add AI that answers common questions on its own and passes the rest to a person.
What is the best free live chat software?
tawk.to is the best fully free option, with unlimited agents. Freshchat is free for up to 10 agents, Crisp for 2 seats, and Tidio for 50 conversations a month. Invent is free to start with 100 messages a month, with AI included on every channel.
How much does live chat software cost?
Most tools start between $19 and $45 a month. Per-agent tools (LiveChat, Zendesk, Freshchat, Intercom) charge about $19 to $29 per agent a month at annual billing, and more when billed monthly. AI usually costs extra per resolution, outcome or message: for example $0.99 per Fin outcome on Intercom.
What is the difference between live chat and an AI chatbot?
Live chat connects a customer with a person on your team. An AI chatbot answers on its own from your help content. Most modern tools do both: the AI answers first, and a person takes over when the question needs one.
Which live chat software works with WhatsApp?
Invent, Tidio, Zendesk, Freshchat, Crisp and Chatwoot list WhatsApp as a channel. Intercom offers WhatsApp pay as you go. LiveChat and tawk.to don't list WhatsApp on their pricing pages.
What is AI customer support?
AI customer support uses an AI assistant to answer customers on your website chat, WhatsApp, email and other channels. It learns from your help content and replies in seconds, day and night. When a question needs a person, it passes the conversation to your team. Invent is built for this: one AI agent answers on your website, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, email and SMS, from one inbox. Other tools on this list add it as Fin AI (Intercom), Lyro AI (Tidio) or Freddy AI (Freshchat).
Can AI customer support replace live chat agents?
Not completely. AI handles the repetitive questions, such as order status, opening hours and booking. Your team handles the sensitive or complex ones. The best tools pass the conversation to a person with the full history, so the customer never repeats themselves.
The bottom line
There is no single best live chat software. There is the best one for where your customers write and how your team works. Start from your channels and your budget, try two tools on their free plan or trial, and pick the one your team actually enjoys using.
