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Head-to-head · Live Chat Software

Intercom vs Gist

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Intercom #1 in Live Chat Software 9.4/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Intercom
Gist #63 in Live Chat Software 3.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Gist

Intercom leads on 1 check, Gist on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 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
  • Free planonly Gist
  • Free trialboth

Intercom scores higher on our rubric for live chat software: 9.4 against 3.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #63.

Gist offers free plan; Intercom doesn't. Intercom leads on listed integrations: 450 apps versus 50 apps.

Intercom is the better fit for mature teams needing advanced customer messaging. Gist is the better fit for teams wanting free chat plus customer messaging.

  • Intercom fits best

    Mature teams needing advanced customer messaging

  • Gist fits best

    Teams wanting free chat plus customer messaging

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 Intercom 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Gist 3.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 3.8
Ranking #1 in Live Chat Software #63 in Live Chat Software
Best for Mature teams needing advanced customer messaging Teams wanting free chat plus customer messaging
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $29/seat/mo —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 14 days · card required
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, 2FA GDPR
Integrations 450+ integrations 50+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features Intercom 3/3 · Gist 3/3
Website chatbot ✓ ✓
Live agent chat ✓ ✓
Visitor tracking ✓ ✓
Specs
Chat channels Omnichannel Omnichannel
Included agent seats Not checked yet 2 agents
Listed integrations 450 apps (best) 50 apps
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Free plan includes live chat, inbox, history, notifications, and mobile apps
  • Supports website, email, Facebook, Twitter, and in-app messaging
  • Includes bots, visitor tracking, workflows, knowledge base, and API access
Cons
  • 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
  • Free plan is limited to 2 support seats
  • Advanced features require the $29 or $99 monthly plans
  • Premium capabilities such as calls and custom bots start at $99 monthly
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 →

Gist is customer communication and CRM software for businesses that want to engage website visitors and customers through live chat, messaging, email, and automated bots. Its feature set covers a collaborative team inbox, visitor and event…

Read the review →
  1. IntercomLive Chat Software 9.414-day trial
  2. GistLive Chat Software 3.8Free plan · 14-day trial

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

  • Gist — where it wins

    • Free plan includes live chat, inbox, history, notifications, and mobile apps
    • Supports website, email, Facebook, Twitter, and in-app messaging
    • Includes bots, visitor tracking, workflows, knowledge base, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 2 support seats
    • Advanced features require the $29 or $99 monthly plans
    • Premium capabilities such as calls and custom bots start at $99 monthly
  • Intercom9.4/10 · 14-day trial

    A broad customer messaging suite for teams that need chat, automation, and handoff.

    Visit IntercomFull verdict →
  • Gist3.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A capable free chat and messaging platform with clear upgrades for growing support teams.

    Visit GistFull verdict →

More comparisons

All live chat software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update