Live Chat Software Comparison 2026

Platforms compared

10+

Features evaluated

€14

Lowest all-inclusive price

2026

Pricing verified this month

Live Chat Software Comparison Table

Features, pricing, AI, and channels — all in one view

Feature	Boei	Tidio	LiveChat	Crisp	tawk.to	Zendesk
Starting price	€14/mo	€29/mo	€20/agent/mo	€25/mo	Free	€55/agent/mo
AI chatbot	Included (2,000 msgs)	Lyro add-on (€0.50/chat)	No AI	Limited (MagicReply)	No AI	Add-on (extra cost)
Team seats	Unlimited	3 included	Per agent	4 included	Unlimited	Per agent
Total channels	50+	5-10	5-8	10-15	Chat only	10-15
WhatsApp integration	Included	€59+ extra	Add-on	€95/mo plan	✗	Add-on
Contact forms	Included	✗ Limited	✗	Included	✗	Included
AI-to-human handover	✓ Yes	✗ Limited	✗	✗	✗	✗ Limited
Auto-train on website	✓ Yes	Manual	✗	Manual	✗	Manual
Lead qualification	AI-powered	Basic	Manual	Basic	✗	Manual
Shared inbox	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Setup time	5 minutes	30+ minutes	30+ minutes	30+ minutes	15 minutes	Hours
EU servers (GDPR)	Yes (Amsterdam)	✗	✗	EU option	✗	EU option

Key takeaway: Boei is the only platform that includes AI chatbot, unlimited team seats, WhatsApp, and 50+ channels in one flat price. Competitors either charge per agent, charge extra for AI, or lack channel variety. tawk.to is free but offers no AI and limited channels.

Boei — Best Value for AI Live Chat

Starting at €14/month | AI included | 50+ channels | Unlimited seats

Boei stands out as the most complete live chat solution at the lowest price point. It includes an AI chatbot trained on your website (2,000 messages/month), 50+ communication channels including WhatsApp and Messenger, unlimited team seats, and a shared inbox — all for €14/month flat.

Best for: Small and medium businesses that want AI-powered live chat without per-agent fees or AI add-on costs. Particularly strong for businesses using WhatsApp and multiple messaging channels.

Strengths: Flat-rate pricing, AI included, 50+ channels, 5-minute setup, automatic website training, GDPR compliant with EU servers.

Limitations: Smaller brand name compared to enterprise players. 2,000 AI messages may not be enough for very high-volume businesses.

Explore the full Boei feature set or see detailed pricing.

Tidio — Popular But AI Costs Add Up

Starting at €29/month | AI (Lyro) is a paid add-on | 3 seats included

Tidio is one of the most well-known live chat tools, especially popular with small businesses and Shopify stores. Their chat widget is polished and the chatbot builder is user-friendly. However, their AI assistant (Lyro) is a separate paid feature that charges per conversation.

Best for: Businesses that primarily need a live chat widget without AI. Tidio's free tier works for very low volumes.

Strengths: Clean UI, good Shopify integration, chatbot flow builder, established brand.

Limitations: Lyro AI costs €0.50 per conversation (adds up fast). WhatsApp requires €59+/month upgrade. Only 3 seats included — additional seats cost extra. Limited channels compared to Boei.

LiveChat — Solid But No AI, Per-Agent Pricing

Starting at €20/agent/month | No built-in AI | Per-agent pricing

LiveChat is one of the oldest live chat platforms. It focuses on human-to-human chat with a polished agent dashboard. Their product is mature and reliable, but it hasn't kept up with AI trends. There's no built-in AI chatbot — you need to integrate third-party tools.

Best for: Teams that want a traditional live chat experience with human agents. Good for companies that already have dedicated support staff.

Strengths: Mature product, extensive integrations, reliable uptime, good reporting.

Limitations: No built-in AI. Per-agent pricing (€20-59/agent). Limited channels. A 5-person team pays €100-295/month with no AI capability.

Crisp — Good Middle Ground, Limited AI

Starting at €25/month | MagicReply AI (limited) | 4 seats included

Crisp offers a balanced mix of live chat, shared inbox, and basic AI. Their MagicReply feature provides AI-generated response suggestions, but it's not a full autonomous chatbot. The interface is modern and the knowledge base feature is useful.

Best for: Teams that want a shared inbox with live chat and basic AI suggestions. Good for European businesses (EU hosting available).

Strengths: Clean interface, shared inbox, knowledge base, EU hosting option, reasonable pricing for small teams.

Limitations: AI is limited to suggestions — not autonomous. WhatsApp only on €95/month plan. Only 4 seats on mid-tier plan. Fewer channels than Boei.

tawk.to — Free But You Get What You Pay For

Free | No AI | Branding removal: $19/month

tawk.to is the most popular free live chat tool. It's genuinely free with unlimited agents and unlimited chat volume. The catch? It shows tawk.to branding on your widget, has no AI chatbot, and offers limited channels (basically just website chat).

Best for: Budget-conscious businesses that only need basic website chat and have staff available to answer manually.

Strengths: Free for unlimited agents, reliable, basic analytics, mobile app.

Limitations: No AI chatbot. No WhatsApp, Messenger, or multi-channel support. Shows their branding ($19/mo to remove). Manual responses only — no automation. No lead qualification.

Zendesk — Enterprise Power, Enterprise Pricing

Starting at €55/agent/month | AI add-on (extra cost) | Full help desk included

Zendesk is an enterprise-grade customer support platform that includes live chat as part of its broader suite. It's powerful but complex, with a steep learning curve and per-agent pricing that adds up quickly.

Best for: Large companies with dedicated support teams that need ticketing, help desk, and live chat in one platform.

Strengths: Complete help desk suite, powerful automation, extensive integrations, enterprise-grade security, SLA management.

Limitations: Expensive — 5 agents cost €275-575/month. AI is an add-on. Complex setup (hours/days). Overkill for small businesses. WhatsApp and advanced channels cost extra.

What to Look for in Live Chat Software

AI Capabilities

Does the platform include an AI chatbot, or is it an expensive add-on? Look for automatic website training, natural language understanding, and autonomous responses — not just canned reply suggestions.

Pricing Model

Per-agent? Per-conversation? Flat rate? Calculate your total cost for your actual team size and conversation volume. The cheapest base price is often the most expensive at scale.

Channel Support

Website chat is just the starting point. Does the platform support WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, contact forms, and other channels your customers use? Are they included or paid add-ons?

AI-to-Human Handover

What happens when AI can't answer? Look for seamless escalation to your team with full conversation context. The best tools route to WhatsApp or Messenger so your team responds from their phone.

Lead Qualification

Does the AI qualify visitors automatically? Look for lead scoring, custom qualification questions, and contact capture. The chat should generate leads, not just answer questions.

Privacy & Compliance

Where are servers located? Is cookieless mode available? Can you get a DPA? For European businesses, GDPR compliance with EU-based servers is essential — not just a privacy policy checkbox.

Best Live Chat by Category

Our picks based on specific needs

Best for Small Business

Boei wins for small businesses. Flat €14/month pricing with AI, unlimited seats, and 50+ channels. No per-agent fees that punish growing teams. 5-minute setup with no technical skills required.

Winner: Boei (€14/mo flat)
Runner-up: Crisp (€25/mo, 4 seats)
Budget pick: tawk.to (free, no AI)

Best Free Live Chat

tawk.to is the best free option — unlimited agents and chats. But no AI, no multi-channel, and shows their branding. Boei at €14/month offers dramatically more value if you can invest a small budget.

Winner: tawk.to (free, basic chat)
Runner-up: Crisp Free (limited)
Best value: Boei (€14/mo, AI included)

Best AI-Powered Live Chat

Boei includes the most capable AI at the lowest price. Automatic website training, 2,000 messages, lead qualification, and AI-to-human handover — all included for €14/month. Competitors charge €29-74/month before AI add-ons.

Winner: Boei (AI included, €14/mo)
Runner-up: Tidio + Lyro (€29 + per-chat)
Enterprise: Intercom (€74/seat + per-resolution)

Best Overall Value

Boei offers the best features-to-price ratio. AI chatbot, 50+ channels, unlimited seats, WhatsApp, contact forms, lead qualification, and GDPR compliance — all for €14/month. No competitor matches this combination at any price.

Winner: Boei (€14/mo, everything included)
Runner-up: Crisp (€25-95/mo, good features)
Honorable mention: Tidio (€29/mo, good UI)

Live Chat Trends for 2026

The live chat market is evolving rapidly. Here are the key trends shaping the industry in 2026:

1. AI-First is the New Default

In 2024, AI was an add-on. In 2026, it's the baseline expectation. Customers expect instant, intelligent responses — not "an agent will be with you shortly." Platforms without built-in AI are falling behind. Boei, Tidio (with Lyro), and Intercom lead this shift.

2. Multi-Channel is Non-Negotiable

Website-only chat is no longer enough. Visitors expect to continue conversations on WhatsApp, Messenger, or Telegram after leaving your site. Platforms with 50+ channels (like Boei) have a significant advantage over chat-only tools.

3. Per-Agent Pricing is Declining

More platforms are moving toward flat-rate or per-conversation models. Per-agent pricing makes less sense when AI handles most conversations. Businesses are demanding predictable costs that don't penalize team growth.

4. Privacy Compliance is a Competitive Advantage

With stricter GDPR enforcement, EU-based servers and cookieless modes are becoming selling points, not just checkboxes. European businesses increasingly prefer platforms with Amsterdam or Frankfurt data centers.

5. Setup Time Matters More Than Feature Count

Businesses don't have weeks to implement live chat. The winners are platforms that go from signup to live in under 10 minutes. Auto-training AI (like Boei's website crawler) eliminates the biggest setup bottleneck.

How to Choose the Right Live Chat Software

Start With Your Team Size and Budget

Per-agent pricing multiplies fast. Calculate your cost for your actual team size — not just one seat. A tool that's €20/agent seems cheap until you have 5 agents paying €100/month. Flat-rate tools like Boei (€14/month for unlimited seats) save significantly for teams of 2+.

Prioritize AI Over Manual Chat

AI handles 60-80% of conversations automatically. Choose a platform with built-in AI (not an add-on) that trains on your website automatically. Manual-only chat requires staff online 24/7 — which defeats the purpose for most small businesses.

Match Channels to Your Audience

If your customers use WhatsApp, make sure WhatsApp is included (not a €59/month add-on). European audiences prefer WhatsApp and Telegram. US audiences use Messenger and SMS. Younger demographics gravitate toward Instagram DM and Discord.

Test Before You Commit

Use free trials to test the actual experience — setup time, AI quality, and how conversations feel from the visitor's perspective. Boei offers a 7-day free trial with full features. Test with real visitors, not just the demo environment.

What Businesses Say About Boei

David K.

CEO Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

What do you like best about Boei? I'm giving 10 points. Why? This app is super easy. You can configure your chat widget in 5 minutes, add a JS script to your "header" in your theme and wooollaaa done. Nothing hard. We have been using Boei mainly for small corporate websites. It really solves our need to have a small chat widget which does not add up 150Kb and XXXXX JS scripts. It's really lightweight and it does not affect your website speed.

Seif Ahmed

@seif588

I have been using Boei for over a year. It is very simple yet effective to implement it. Support is great - Ruben is always responsive and helpful. The product has also added new features which I have not yet needed but good to know Ruben is always working hard to add value to users of Boei. I am sure there are other similar solutions but for the price, support and features (and future updates), this is a great value.

Neu

@siddharthaneu

Ruben has been consistent with Boei and made a lot of improvements! All the best brother!

Irfan

@mak_web_media

I have been using BOEI for over a year and absolutely amazed with the growth and new features. I recommend BOEI to anyone who is looking to increase website engagement with multiple communication channels.

Peter C

@peter_c1

Great founder Ruben , responds personally to emails, and always looking to improve Boei.

Andrew Lee

@fromlife89

It's a great tool especially for managing multiple websites and agencies.

Grzegorz G.

I have a quick chat on each page, so it simplifies the way my clients can get in touch with me. It was very easy to implement and they continue to improve this software and are open to feedback. An easy way to add a communication widget to the website. I like best that it supports Messenger and Whatsaap, phone, email and live chat and it is easy to translate for multilingual pages. I can't think about real drowbacks. The [SENSITIVE CONTENT] reply all the support questions quickly and effectively, they are open to feedback. I had no issues at all with this software. Maybe if they could add some protection against spammers if you use the contact form and in some future add a chatbot, that would be fantastic.

Joshua G.

I was looking for a chat app to easily communicate with my customers. I didn't want to install anything overly complex and I just wanted something that worked within minutes. After briefly using Boei, I knew it was right for me. It's super lightweight and easy to use, plus it has all the chat bots that you might need! Highly recommend to anyone looking for something simple. I wish there was a better UI or more design options.

Ronald D.

Director Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

What do you like best about Boei? Simple, easy to use and implement with little technical support What do you dislike about Boei? Logo deisgns can be improved and some customization of logos of different widgets What problems is Boei solving and how is that benefiting you? On multiple sites, users require different feedback channels. This allows simple customization

Fahd T.

Founder Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

What do you like best about Boei? The best part is the simplicity of the product and ease of use. What do you dislike about Boei? The weak part is the lack of depth for advanced users. What problems is Boei solving and how is that benefiting you? Helps capture visitors using different communication channels under one platform.

David S.

CEO/Founder Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

What do you like best about Boei? It's extremely easy to gather different communication channels under one UI, simplifying the contact process for users, which is essential because it allows us to meet our clients via their preferred method (and not the one we impose on them) What do you dislike about Boei? I wish they had more design options to make it less standard amongst different websites. Another thing that could be better is the speed at which new integrations are added; it could be faster. What problems is Boei solving and how is that benefiting you? Some users prefer contact forms, other live chats, other Instagram/facebook DmS, ETC. Boei allows us to display all these channels in a simplified and unified manner.

Vance W.

We have been using Boei for many clients over the past year and the impact on the page speed is negligible and helps convert website visitors to warm leads. Ease of deployment, lightweight code, and overall flexibility and functionality. The form component isn't exactly flexible and extensive enough for most uses so we often have to use another form solution.

Julien V.

Développeur d'e-commerce Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

What do you like best about Boei? Lightweight, opens instantly, lot of features (whatsapp, messenger, contact form, links) What do you dislike about Boei? Not including a built-in chat app, more design customizations could be good What problems is Boei solving and how is that benefiting you? Allowing website visitors to contact us through their preferred channel (whatsapp, phone call, etc)

Grant

I'm a tech noob, but Boei was super easy to install on my site. I've added several options for contacting me through different channels, links to questionnaires / contact forms, and links to my socials... It's so much more than just a chat button, which is awesome!

Hansie

Works great, nice variation of apps

David K.

CEO Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

Seif Ahmed

@seif588

Neu

@siddharthaneu

Ruben has been consistent with Boei and made a lot of improvements! All the best brother!

Irfan

@mak_web_media

Peter C

@peter_c1

Great founder Ruben , responds personally to emails, and always looking to improve Boei.

Chandra Kusuma

The greatest chat widget for websites I have ever tried. It's quite light and not reduce the site loading speed. Quite easy to install on any type of sites/CMS platform. The features and integrations is continuously developed. The support Ruben and his team provide is the best. Easily number one pick.

Pepe

This is a great way to chat with visitors on their favorite channels. I really like this because it's simple to implement. It's also easy to find new integrations because there are many channels to choose from (Line, WhatsApp, Email, Contact form, etc.). Ruben, the founder, is also a great guy, always listening to users requests and feedbacks.

Arjun E.

Boei is very easy to customize and install on my platforms. Sub-accounts have not yet arrived, and it's very important for my clients' use.

José Manuel D.

Very easy to install and use. A lot of options of contact. User doesn´t have an option to close or make it dissappear from a site (if they dont want or need to contact(

Cristian Trappolini

I want to leave this review because I want to tell you 2 important things: one is that those who don't speak English well often find themselves having to live with Google Translate as their best friend, and the other is that BOEI is fantastic, simple and intuitive even for those who don't speak English well. I am really enthusiastic about the ease of use from the first time, which I rarely find in a similar app. Personally I recommend it to everyone!

Daniel Gyger

A must for simplicity and efficiency. To test it is to approve it, in any case we can only recommend it.

Nitesh Manav

It's a light-weight, easy to set-up and use. It increases conversions by talking to visitors on their favorite channels. Above this, it's also cookie-free and GDPR proof which makes it more light-weight and secure.

Renaat Sioncke

Boei.helps is an easy-to-use app to connect a support/help icon to your website. I just set up four websites with different social media links, all in no time. Boei helps to customize and speed up my website building work-flow.

Fran Tully

Very happy to give 5 Stars for this plugin. Over 70% of my business enquiries are coming from Smartphone users based on my Google Analytics. Boei allows those users to contact me on their preferred social Channel with one click. I also can follow up on that channel later or over time with the conversion thread preserved. It's a pop up with a GIF that looks great on my site. And it gives the prospective client the opportunity to fill out a standard contact form as well. I am implementing it on all my sites now, and I am very happy to recommend. I would try the free version first so you are sure. Thanks Fran

Proinsias M.

It was very easy to configure and setup on my website. The only issue I had to deal with was to decide what channels not to include in the pop up on the website. I need to be clear what are the essential channels to include for each site that I design. Very happy to give Top Marks to this Plugin. Most of my business enquiries are coming from Smartphone users based on my Analytics. Boei allows those users in particular contact me on the preferred social Channel with one click. I also can follow up on that channel later or over time with the conversion thread preserved. Its a pop up and also give the prospective client the opportunity to fill out a standard contact form as well. I am implementing it on all my sites now and I am very happy to recommend. I need to make sure I am not including channel options that are not relevant, so I need to be sure of my target audience to avoid clutter when the pop up is activated.

Gavin S.

It makes it easier for website visitors to engage with me on the channel of their choice. Installing Boei was simple, took less than 5 minutes, and I was up and running. What I liked is that you can install it on Wordpress, HTML, and even on other page builders. You can use it with WhatsApp, Telegram, Live chat, Facebook messenger, or any combination of them at once so that visitors can pick the channel they're most comfortable with. None at the moment, everything is working as it should be.

Sara Hall

How is this possible? I have been searching for a service like boei, without success for over a year. What magic is this? Isn't set up supposed to be supremely complicated, involving a coding degree, extensive technical knowledge and possibly a miracle? Boei just works. It works so well I was suspicious of it for nearly a whole week, sending endless texts and emails to myself in utter disbelief, when it failed to keel over! Set up is straight forward, easy and takes minutes. Seriously, I cannot recommend Boei enough.

Mike Foston

Just about as easy as it gets. It uses all the ways you already have to connect to you, lets your customers choose how they want to connect, and doesn't give you another place to check for messages. Has plenty of configuration options, and support has been very responsive, and willing to listen to ideas to make improvements. Really pleased with how it looks on my sites as well. Bit of a bargain!

Lukáš H.

Ease of use and the number of possible integrations. Honestly I can't say there is anything I didn't like when using Boei.

Bikram K. S.

Boei has been a time saver for me. I was looking for a way to integrate various social media chat options into my website so that my customers can contact me using the platform of their choice. I tried 3-4 other platforms but nothing came closer to the experience I finally got from Boei. Its WhatsApp and Google Map integration bought me over. I just wish it has support for Frase assistant and Gist assistant. Ease of use, and painless integration of various chat platforms. lacking integration with Frase and Gist and some of the labels are confusing.

Chandra Kusuma

Pepe

Arjun E.

Boei is very easy to customize and install on my platforms. Sub-accounts have not yet arrived, and it's very important for my clients' use.

José Manuel D.

Very easy to install and use. A lot of options of contact. User doesn´t have an option to close or make it dissappear from a site (if they dont want or need to contact(

Live Chat Comparison FAQs

What is the best live chat software in 2026?

The best live chat software depends on your needs. For overall value with AI included, Boei leads at €14/month with 50+ channels and unlimited seats. For free basic chat, tawk.to works. For enterprise-grade support, Zendesk or Intercom are strong choices at €55-74/agent/month.

Which live chat tool has the best AI?

Boei offers the best AI value — auto-trains on your website, handles 2,000 messages/month, and includes AI-to-human handover for €14/month. Intercom's Fin AI is powerful but charges per resolution ($0.99 each). Tidio's Lyro is capable but costs €0.50 per AI conversation on top of the base plan.

Is tawk.to really free?

Yes, tawk.to's core product is free with unlimited agents and chats. The catch: it shows tawk.to branding on your widget ($19/month to remove), offers no AI chatbot, and supports only basic website chat — no WhatsApp, Messenger, or other channels.

Can I use live chat on multiple websites?

Yes, but policies vary. Boei allows unlimited websites on all plans. Crisp charges per workspace. Tidio allows multiple sites on higher-tier plans. LiveChat and Zendesk typically require separate subscriptions or higher plans for multi-site support.

How long does it take to set up live chat?

Setup time varies dramatically. Boei: 5 minutes (copy-paste code or install WordPress/Shopify plugin). Tidio: 15-30 minutes. LiveChat: 30+ minutes. Zendesk: hours to days. More complex platforms require more configuration before going live.

Do I need technical skills to install live chat?

Not with modern platforms. Boei offers one-click installation for WordPress and Shopify, or a simple copy-paste code snippet for any website. No coding required. Platforms like Zendesk and Intercom may require developer involvement for advanced setups.

What's the difference between live chat and a chatbot?

Live chat connects visitors with human agents in real-time. A chatbot uses AI to respond automatically. The best solutions (like Boei) combine both — AI handles routine questions instantly, then escalates complex issues to your human team with full context.

Which live chat is best for WordPress?

Boei offers a dedicated WordPress plugin with 5-minute installation, AI included, and 50+ channels for €14/month. Tidio also has a popular WordPress plugin. LiveChat offers a WordPress plugin but charges per agent with no AI. See our WordPress live chat guide.

Which live chat is best for Shopify?

Boei and Tidio both work well with Shopify. Boei offers AI + 50 channels for €14/month. Tidio starts at €29/month with AI as an add-on. LiveChat and Gorgias are also popular for Shopify but charge per agent or per ticket. See our Shopify live chat guide.

Does live chat slow down my website?

Well-built live chat tools load asynchronously and don't affect page speed. Boei loads after your page content, so Core Web Vitals stay clean. Some heavier platforms (Intercom, Zendesk) can add 200-500KB to page weight. Always test with Google PageSpeed Insights.

Can I switch from one live chat to another?

Yes, switching is relatively easy. Remove the old code/plugin, install the new one. Conversation history typically doesn't transfer between platforms. With Boei, you can be live on a new platform in 5 minutes. The main cost is losing historical data from your old provider.

How many conversations can live chat handle?

This depends on the platform and plan. Boei handles unlimited conversations with 2,000 AI messages/month. tawk.to offers unlimited chat volume. Tidio limits conversations based on your plan (50-unlimited). Intercom charges per AI resolution, so there's no conversation cap but costs scale with volume.

Live Chat Platform Guides

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Live chat for Wix websites

Pricing

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