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Head-to-head · Live Chat Software

Freshchat vs ChatBeacon

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Freshchat #2 in Live Chat Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Freshchat
ChatBeacon #15 in Live Chat Software 7.7/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ChatBeacon

Freshchat leads on 3 checks, ChatBeacon on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFreshchat · 9.2/10
  • Lowest starting priceFreshchat · $19/user/mo
  • Free planonly Freshchat
  • Free trialboth

Freshchat scores higher on our rubric for live chat software: 9.2 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #15.

Freshchat offers free plan; ChatBeacon doesn't. Freshchat is cheaper to start at $19/mo against $33/mo. Freshchat leads on included agent seats: 10 agents versus 4 agents.

Freshchat is the better fit for freshworks-oriented support teams. ChatBeacon is the better fit for organizations needing private deployment and rich media.

  • Freshchat fits best

    Freshworks-oriented support teams

  • ChatBeacon fits best

    Organizations needing private deployment and rich media

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.

Side by side

Feature Freshchat 9.2/10 Visit ↗ ChatBeacon 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.7
Ranking #2 in Live Chat Software #15 in Live Chat Software
Best for Freshworks-oriented support teams Organizations needing private deployment and rich media
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $19/user/mo (best) $33/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Integrations 1,000+ integrations 20 integrations
Features Freshchat 3/3 · ChatBeacon 3/3
Website chatbot ✓ ✓
Live agent chat ✓ ✓
Visitor tracking ✓ ✓
Specs
Chat channels Omnichannel Omnichannel
Included agent seats 10 agents (best) 4 agents
Listed integrations 1000 apps Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes web and mobile chat, shared inboxes, and email connection
  • No-code AI chatbots, customer journeys, routing, and SLA policies
  • Supports live chat plus social, text, and other messaging channels
  • Combines AI chatbots with live-agent escalation and AI-assisted replies
  • Adds co-browsing, screen sharing, video chat, and visitor monitoring
  • Offers cloud, dedicated private cloud, and on-premise deployment
Cons
  • Freddy AI Agent is an add-on on the Growth plan
  • Advanced routing, audit logs, and authentication require higher tiers
  • Platform access is centered on web and API, with five named integrations
  • No perpetual free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
  • Launch is capped at four concurrent operators
  • Scale pricing requires contacting sales
Our verdict

Freshchat is Freshworks software for customer conversations across websites, mobile apps, and messaging channels. It is designed for sales, marketing, and customer-support teams that need live-agent chat, shared inboxes, AI-powered…

Read the review →

ChatBeacon brings website live chat, AI chatbots, human-agent escalation, visitor monitoring, co-browsing, video chat, and conversation history into one customer engagement platform. It is aimed at businesses such as financial…

Read the review →
  1. FreshchatLive Chat Software 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. ChatBeaconLive Chat Software 7.714-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Freshchat — where it wins

    • Free plan includes web and mobile chat, shared inboxes, and email connection
    • No-code AI chatbots, customer journeys, routing, and SLA policies
    • Supports live chat plus social, text, and other messaging channels

    Where it doesn't

    • Freddy AI Agent is an add-on on the Growth plan
    • Advanced routing, audit logs, and authentication require higher tiers
    • Platform access is centered on web and API, with five named integrations
  • ChatBeacon — where it wins

    • Combines AI chatbots with live-agent escalation and AI-assisted replies
    • Adds co-browsing, screen sharing, video chat, and visitor monitoring
    • Offers cloud, dedicated private cloud, and on-premise deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • No perpetual free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
    • Launch is capped at four concurrent operators
    • Scale pricing requires contacting sales
  • Freshchat9.2/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible Freshworks chat platform with free essentials and deeper paid routing, reporting, and security.

    Visit FreshchatFull verdict →
  • ChatBeacon7.7/10 · 14-day trial

    A broad chat and engagement suite for teams that need AI, live agents, and deployment control.

    Visit ChatBeaconFull verdict →

More options

More comparisons

Guides on live chat software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update