LiveChat software alternatives

Best LiveChat Alternatives in 2026

Updated July 6, 2026 · 5 ranked

Stick with LiveChat if you need deep agent reporting. Switch to Gorgias ($10/mo) or Crisp (free tier) if per-agent pricing is inflating your support budget.

LiveChat interface screenshot

Feature Overview: Top LiveChat Alternatives

LiveChat compared against all 5 customer support alternatives. Pricing, free plan availability, rating, and customer support-specific capabilities.

ToolPriceFree PlanRating
LiveChat logo
LiveChatyou
$25/moNo4.4G2
Gorgias logo
Gorgias
$10/moNo4.6G2
Help Scout logo
Help Scout
$30/mo4.4G2
Crisp logo
Crisp
$45/mo4.5G2
Freshdesk logo
Freshdesk
$23/mo4.4G2
Zendesk logo
Zendesk
$19/moNo4.3G2

How Does LiveChat Compare to Alternatives?

Independently verified metrics. Sources: Vendor documentation, independent research. Verified 2026.

ToolAI Deflection%First ResponsesIntegrations+Free Seats
LiveChat (this)--2000
Gorgias40%11500
Help Scout20%2501
Crisp25%1502
Freshdesk30%26502
Zendesk0.5%11,0000
AI Deflection: Tickets resolved by AI without human intervention. Benchmark >50%.First Response: Bot first response time in seconds.Integrations: CRM, CMS, e-commerce integrations.Free Seats: Agents on free plan.

When Should You Stick with LiveChat?

Alternatives are not always the right move. LiveChat remains strong in these scenarios.

Stick with LiveChat if you need
  • +Rich chat widgets with eye-catchers and custom branding
  • +Built-in ticketing system to manage issues after chats end
  • +Detailed performance reports and agent dashboards
  • +Excellent, full-featured mobile apps for iOS and Android
  • +Chat supervision tools for real-time agent monitoring
Consider an alternative when
  • -AI and automation features are restricted to higher-tier plans
  • -Per-agent pricing becomes costly for large support teams
  • -No built-in knowledge base feature; requires integration
  • -Limited social media channel integrations (mostly via API)
Before You Switch: 5-Step Migration Checklist
1Export your LiveChat data — documents, settings, templates, and API credentials
2Audit all integrations and automations built on LiveChat
3Run a 2-week parallel trial on a non-critical workflow before cancelling LiveChat
4Calculate true cost delta: include retraining time + data migration, not just subscription price
5Confirm the alternative covers your primary use case — a lower price is worthless if core workflows break

LiveChat Alternatives by Support Volume

5 alternatives evaluated by features, pricing, and real-world use cases.

Expert Take

LiveChat prices by the seat, but its Starter plan is one user by definition, so a second agent forces the Team plan. The bigger surprise is the chatbot: a separate product on its own subscription, not part of the chat plan. The knowledge base is the same story: the KnowledgeBase product sells separately, from $49 a month.

·Oleh KemOleh KemFounder & Lead Analyst
Gorgias logo
Gorgias4.6G2
SaaS ToolFrom $10/mo

An e-commerce helpdesk that centralizes customer conversations and integrates deeply with Shopify to drive sales from su. Rated 4.7/5 vs 4.5/5 for LiveChat.

Why Choose Gorgias
  • +Deep Shopify integration: edit orders & issue refunds in the helpdesk
  • +Attribute support interactions directly to sales revenue
  • +Automate responses using 100+ e-commerce data points (e.g., order status)
  • +Pre-built macros and rules specifically for e-commerce inquiries
  • +Consolidates social media comments and DMs into one ticket view
  • +Shopify Integration
  • +Unified Inbox
Points of Friction
  • Ticket-based pricing becomes very expensive for high-volume stores
  • Lacks advanced features for non-e-commerce use cases (e.g., ITIL)
  • Reporting and analytics on lower-tier plans are quite basic
Help Scout logo
SaaS ToolFrom $30/mo

Customer support platform with shared inbox, docs, and live chat. Priced higher at $30/mo vs $25/mo.

Why Choose Help Scout
  • +Clean, email-like interface agents love
  • +Docs knowledge base is excellent
  • +Great for customer-centric teams
  • +No per-ticket fees or clutter
  • +Shared Inbox
Points of Friction
  • Less powerful than Zendesk for complex workflows
  • Limited reporting in lower tiers
  • Phone support not included
Crisp logo
Crisp4.5G2
SaaS ToolFrom $45/mo

An all-in-one business messaging platform for sales, marketing, and support with live chat, CRM, and a shared inbox.. Priced higher at $45/mo vs $25/mo.

Why Choose Crisp
  • +MagicBrowse co-browsing for hands-on support
  • +Built-in CRM and marketing automation tools
  • +Free plan includes a chatbot and shared inbox
  • +Transparent, seat-based pricing is very affordable
  • +Video calls and screen sharing directly within chat
  • +Live Chat
  • +Chatbot Builder
Points of Friction
  • Reporting and analytics lack the depth of enterprise tools
  • Limited native integrations compared to Zendesk or Intercom
  • UI can feel cluttered with all features enabled
Freshdesk logo
SaaS ToolFrom $23/mo

An omnichannel customer service platform that unifies ticketing, self-service, and AI-powered automation for support tea. Starts cheaper at $23/mo vs $25/mo.

Why Choose Freshdesk
  • +Generous free plan supports up to 10 agents with ticketing & knowledge base
  • +Freddy AI provides bot and agent-assist features on all paid plans
  • +Omnichannel support consolidates email, phone, chat, and social media
  • +Built-in gamification features to motivate support agents
  • +Significantly more affordable than competitors like Zendesk at each tier
  • +Live Chat
  • +Knowledge Base
  • +AI-Powered Chatbot
Points of Friction
  • Reporting and analytics are basic on lower-tier plans; custom reports require Pro
  • The user interface can feel cluttered and complex during initial setup
  • Lacks integrated asset or inventory management for IT support use cases
Zendesk logo
Zendesk4.3G2
SaaS ToolFrom $19/mo

Enterprise customer service platform with ticketing, live chat, and AI. Starts cheaper at $19/mo vs $25/mo.

Why Choose Zendesk
  • +Industry-leading customer service platform
  • +Comprehensive feature set
  • +Strong analytics and reporting
Points of Friction
  • The ability to communicate on the Zendesk ticket through the actual user software, so TOPs, would have been helpful.
  • I'm going to piggyback on what I said regarding Freshdesk concerning what could be better in Zendesk: incorporate more AI.
  • There could be improvements in integration, which can be achieved with APIs or tools like Zapier.

Find Your Match - By Use Case

AI-Powered

AI chatbots and automated response suggestions

Omnichannel

Email, chat, social, and phone in one inbox

Simple / SMB

Easy setup, low cost for small support teams


Oleh KemOleh KemFounder & Lead AnalystExpert verified·Updated July 6, 2026·Our methodology
Price & Data Intelligence SyncLast verified: July 31, 2026 · CE-CUST-2026W31-10FB45 · No changes detected
Up to date

Common Questions About Switching from LiveChat



Sources & verification

Verified by ComparEdgeMethod: Vendor docs, official pages, and selected independent sources
SourceWhat was checkedLast checked
Official WebsiteOfficial vendor website
Official Pricing PageSource of verified tiersJuly 8, 2026
G2G2 verified user reviews · 4.4/5 · 806 reviews
CapterraCapterra verified user reviews · 4.6/5
TrustRadiusTrustRadius verified reviews

Every fact on this LiveChat pricing page is tied to a named source and a verification date. Freshness-sensitive figures trace to the sources above; verify against the vendor before relying on them.