The Best Live Chat Software in 2026
We researched live chat software using official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings reflect each product’s core website-chat capabilities, value for money and verified features—not hands-on testing.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Intercom#1 of 949.4/10A broad customer messaging suite for teams that need chat, automation, and handoff.
14-day trial
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Runner-up
Freshchat#2 of 949.2/10A flexible Freshworks chat platform with free essentials and deeper paid routing, reporting, and security.
Free plan · 14-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
Zoho SalesIQ#4 of 948.9/10A broad live chat suite with strong Zoho integration and a low-cost annual entry tier.
Free plan · 15-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 94 tools, best first · page 1 of 2
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Best forMature teams needing advanced customer messaging
A broad customer messaging suite for teams that need chat, automation, and handoff.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Intercom -
Best forFreshworks-oriented support teams
A flexible Freshworks chat platform with free essentials and deeper paid routing, reporting, and security.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Freshchat verdict → Visit FreshchatFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.2/10★★★★★Visit Freshchat -
Best forTeams needing polished live chat and reporting
A polished live-chat suite for teams that need agents, automation, and detailed reporting.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
9.1/10★★★★★Visit LiveChat -
Best forZoho-centric teams needing broad live chat
A broad live chat suite with strong Zoho integration and a low-cost annual entry tier.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
Free plan · 15-day trial Our Zoho SalesIQ verdict → Visit Zoho SalesIQFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #4 · $69/mo →8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho SalesIQ -
Best forBusinesses prioritizing free team chat
A capable free team-chat platform with optional AI tiers and broad integrations.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit tawk.to -
Best forBrevo users needing simple omnichannel chat
A simple omnichannel chat option for Brevo users with free live chat and AI handoff.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Brevo -
Best forSmall teams needing omnichannel coverage
A flexible chat platform for small teams that need web, social, email, and phone channels.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit JivoChat -
Best forSmall teams wanting a free omnichannel inbox
A capable free inbox for small teams, with paid tiers starting at $45 per workspace monthly.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Crisp -
Best forEnterprises needing routing and on-premise options
A mature live-chat platform for complex routing, AI handoff, and deployment flexibility.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Comm100 -
Best forTeams wanting open-source omnichannel chat
A flexible open-source shared inbox for teams managing chat, messaging, and support.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Chatwoot -
Best forEcommerce teams needing chat and social channels
A broad omnichannel support workspace for ecommerce and web-based teams.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Re:amaze -
Best forEcommerce teams needing chatbot-led assistance
A chatbot-led support option for ecommerce teams that need human handoff and messaging channels.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit ChatBot -
Best forSmall ecommerce teams wanting affordable chat
Affordable ecommerce chat with bots, visitor tracking, and omnichannel messaging.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Smartsupp -
Best forBudget-conscious teams needing classic live chat
A low-cost website chat tool with useful routing, monitoring, and AI support features.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit MyLiveChat -
ChatBeaconVerified
Best forOrganizations needing private deployment and rich media
A broad chat and engagement suite for teams that need AI, live agents, and deployment control.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit ChatBeacon -
Best forBusinesses wanting simple visitor-focused chat
A focused website chat tool with visitor tracking, AI assistance, and a free plan.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Olark -
Best forWordPress businesses needing support chat
A focused helpdesk for WordPress teams that need chat, ticketing, and AI assistance.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit ThriveDesk -
Best forSmall businesses needing visitor engagement tools
Formilla combines live chat, AI bots, visitor tracking, and proactive website messaging.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Formilla -
Best forSupport teams needing chat, email, and campaigns
A broad customer communication suite for teams managing support, email, and campaigns.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit HelpCrunch -
Best forSmall teams wanting simple multichannel chat
A practical multichannel chat tool for small teams that need a free starting point.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Chaport -
Best forTeams building structured chatbot conversations
A visual chatbot builder with AI agents, human handoff, and multichannel workflows.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Landbot -
Best forEnterprise AI service automation buyers
A multichannel AI service platform for enterprises with human handoff and APIs.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Ada -
Best forCompanies prioritizing AI support automation
A strong fit for companies automating support across channels with AI agents.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Yellow.ai -
Best forTeams needing AI handoff across messaging channels
A multichannel chat platform for teams combining AI automation with live support.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Kommunicate -
Best forEnterprises needing rich escalation workflows
A feature-rich live chat platform for enterprises with complex support workflows.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Acquire -
Best forEnterprise multilingual AI support
A broad, multilingual AI support platform for enterprises with human handoff and omnichannel reach.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Haptik -
Best forTeams prioritizing knowledge-based AI chat
A strong fit for teams that want AI-led support across multiple channels.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit SiteGPT -
Best forTeams building AI support agents
A strong AI-agent builder with multichannel deployment, but less emphasis on human live chat.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Chatbase -
Best forOrganizations wanting visual AI chat workflows
A multichannel live chat platform with visual chatbot flows, AI knowledge tools and human handoff.
6.3/10★★★☆☆Try Click4Assistance -
Best forOmnichannel teams needing shared conversations
A shared omnichannel inbox for teams combining live agents, chatbots, and AI workflows.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Grasp -
Best forVery low-cost teams needing rich chat features
A low-cost chat suite with AI, visitor tracking, routing, and omnichannel support.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit ProProfs Chat -
Best forTeams wanting no-code AI bots with human handoff
A broad no-code AI and live-chat platform with human handoff across key messaging channels.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit WotNot -
Best forEnterprise buyers seeking AI and multichannel automation
A multichannel AI support platform with visual builders, human handoff and enterprise controls.
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Verloop.io -
Best forEnterprise conversational messaging programs
A broad enterprise platform for AI-led messaging, voice, routing, and human support.
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit LivePerson -
Best forProduct companies needing guided AI support
A specialized AI support platform for technical product questions and troubleshooting.
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Mavenoid -
Best forBusinesses focused on AI sales and lead conversion
A visual AI chatbot platform for turning conversations into sales opportunities.
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Chatfuel -
Best forMature teams needing classic website chat
A mature website-chat suite with monitoring, chatbot support, and broad integrations.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit HelpOnClick -
Best forMessaging-first teams and agencies
A messaging-first inbox with CRM, automation, AI handoff, and agency workspaces.
- Website chatbot
- Live agent chat
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit ReplyAgent -
Best forTeams needing AI chat plus CRM and ticketing
A broad support workspace combining AI chat, agents, ticketing, CRM, and calls.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Chatasist -
Best forLibraries and education teams needing chat plus tickets
A mature library-focused help desk with chat and tickets, but no free plan.
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit LibraryH3lp -
Best forSmall omnichannel teams needing low-cost AI
A low-cost omnichannel chat platform with AI, automation, and customer tracking.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Chative -
Best forTeams wanting mature, traditional live chat
A traditional live chat suite with strong routing, monitoring, analytics, and integrations.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit HappyFox Chat -
Best forOpen-source teams needing low-cost chat
A flexible, low-cost chat system for teams that value customization and data control.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
5.2/10★★★☆☆Try Live Helper Chat -
Best forTeams needing self-hosted AI chat
A flexible AI chat platform for teams that need self-hosting and workflow control.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Tiledesk -
Best forLarge organizations needing routing and co-browsing
A feature-rich live chat platform for large organizations with high-volume needs.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Velaro -
Best forSmall teams needing chatbot-led live support
A flexible chatbot-led support platform with live handoff and omnichannel coverage.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit BotPenguin -
Best forSmall teams wanting basic visitor chat
A focused website chat tool with visitor tracking, mobile apps, and a $39 annual starting price.
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit Pure Chat -
Best forBudget-conscious website support teams
Affordable website chat with routing, team tools, AI replies, and a 15-day trial.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit HelpBird -
Best forSlack-centric teams handling website chat
A focused website chat tool for teams that already work in Slack.
- Website chatbot
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit Chatlio -
Best forTraditional live-chat teams without chatbot needs
A focused human-support chat tool with broad platform coverage but no AI or chatbot features.
- Visitor tracking
- Live agent chat
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Try Provide Support
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Website chatbot | Live agent chat | Visitor tracking | Chat channels | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intercom | No | $29/seat/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 9.4 |
| 2 | Freshchat | Yes | $19/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 9.2 |
| 3 | LiveChat | No | $19/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 9.1 |
| 4 | Zoho SalesIQ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 8.9 | |
| 5 | tawk.to | Yes | $290/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website+messaging | 8.8 |
| 6 | Brevo Conversations | Yes | $15/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 8.6 |
| 7 | JivoChat | Yes | $28/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 8.5 |
| 8 | Crisp | Yes | $45/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 8.4 |
| 9 | Comm100 Live Chat | No | $31/seat/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 8.3 |
| 10 | Chatwoot | Yes | $19/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 8.2 |
| 11 | Re:amaze | No | $29/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 8.1 |
| 12 | ChatBot | No | $19/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 8.0 |
| 13 | Smartsupp | Yes | $17/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 7.9 |
| 14 | MyLiveChat | Yes | $15/seat/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website | 7.8 |
| 15 | ChatBeacon | No | $33/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 7.7 |
| 16 | Olark | Yes | $29/seat/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website+messaging | 7.6 |
| 17 | ThriveDesk | No | $19/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website+messaging | 7.5 |
| 18 | Formilla | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website | 7.4 | |
| 19 | HelpCrunch | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 7.3 | |
| 20 | Chaport | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 7.2 | |
| 21 | Landbot | Yes | €32/mo | 7.1 | ||||
| 22 | Ada | No | 7.0 | |||||
| 23 | Yellow.ai | Yes | 6.9 | |||||
| 24 | Kommunicate | No | $34/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 6.8 |
| 25 | Acquire | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 6.7 | |
| 26 | Haptik | 6.6 | ||||||
| 27 | SiteGPT | No | $468/yr | 6.5 | ||||
| 28 | Chatbase | Yes | $40/mo | 6.4 | ||||
| 29 | Click4Assistance | No | £19.95/user/mo | 6.3 | ||||
| 30 | Grasp | No | €32/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 6.2 |
| 31 | ProProfs Chat | Yes | $1.99/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 6.1 |
| 32 | WotNot | No | $29/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website+messaging | 6.0 |
| 33 | Verloop.io | 5.9 | ||||||
| 34 | LivePerson Conversational Cloud | 5.8 | ||||||
| 35 | Mavenoid | No | 5.7 | |||||
| 36 | Chatfuel | No | $69/mo | 5.6 | ||||
| 37 | HelpOnClick | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website+messaging | 5.5 | |
| 38 | ReplyAgent | Yes | $19/mo | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 5.4 | |
| 39 | Chatasist | Yes | $49/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 5.4 |
| 40 | LibraryH3lp | No | $280/yr | 5.3 | ||||
| 41 | Chative | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 5.3 | |
| 42 | HappyFox Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website+messaging | 5.2 | ||
| 43 | Live Helper Chat | Yes | €6/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website+messaging | 5.2 |
| 44 | Tiledesk | Yes | €124/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 5.1 |
| 45 | Velaro Live Chat | No | $19/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 5.1 |
| 46 | BotPenguin | Yes | $29/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Omnichannel | 5.0 |
| 47 | Pure Chat | No | Yes | Yes | Website | 4.9 | ||
| 48 | HelpBird | No | $3/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website | 4.9 |
| 49 | Chatlio | No | $29/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Website+messaging | 4.9 |
| 50 | Provide Support | No | $156/yr | No | Yes | Yes | Website | 4.8 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- Intercom vs Freshchat
- Intercom vs LiveChat
- Intercom vs Zoho SalesIQ
- Intercom vs tawk.to
- Intercom vs Brevo Conversations
- Intercom vs JivoChat
- Intercom vs Crisp
- Freshchat vs LiveChat
- Freshchat vs Zoho SalesIQ
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How we rank live chat software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update