Head-to-head · Live Chat Software
Intercom vs Freshchat
Intercom leads on 0 checks, Freshchat on 3, 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 scoreIntercom · 9.4/10
- Lowest starting priceFreshchat · $19/user/mo
- Free planonly Freshchat
- Free trialboth
Intercom scores higher on our rubric for live chat software: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.
Freshchat offers free plan; Intercom doesn't. Freshchat is cheaper to start at $19/mo against $29/mo. Freshchat leads on listed integrations: 1000 apps versus 450 apps.
Intercom is the better fit for mature teams needing advanced customer messaging. Freshchat is the better fit for freshworks-oriented support teams.
- Intercom fits best
Mature teams needing advanced customer messaging
- Freshchat fits best
Freshworks-oriented support teams
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Side by side
| Feature | Intercom 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Freshchat 9.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 9.2 |
| Ranking | #1 in Live Chat Software | #2 in Live Chat Software |
| Best for | Mature teams needing advanced customer messaging | Freshworks-oriented support teams |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $29/seat/mo | $19/user/mo (best) |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Free trial length | 14 days · no card needed | 14 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7 | Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, 2FA | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Integrations | 450+ integrations | 1,000+ integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Intercom 3/3 · Freshchat 3/3 | ||
| Website chatbot | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live agent chat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visitor tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Chat channels | Omnichannel | Omnichannel |
| Included agent seats | Not checked yet | 10 agents |
| Listed integrations | 450 apps | 1000 apps (best) |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Intercom brings website and mobile-app messaging, AI-assisted conversations, human-agent chat, ticketing, and customer support tools into one platform. It is designed for support, sales, and ecommerce teams that need more than a basic chat… Read the review → |
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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Intercom — where it wins
- Combines AI chat, human handoff, inboxes, tickets, and help content
- Tracks visitors and leads with page views, identification, and reporting
- Connects with 450+ apps, including Salesforce, HubSpot, and Shopify
Where it doesn't
- No free plan for teams comparing low-cost entry options
- Essential starts at $29 per seat per month with annual billing
- Advanced and Expert pricing rises to $85 and $132 per seat monthly
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
- Intercom9.4/10 · 14-day trial
A broad customer messaging suite for teams that need chat, automation, and handoff.
Visit IntercomFull verdict → - 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 →
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All live chat software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







