Researched and Edited by Rajat Gupta
Last updated: · How we review
Editor's Summary · Live Chat Software
Intercom and LiveChat share the top SpotScore of 9.8 — Intercom at 4.3/5 from 2,278 reviews and LiveChat at 4.4/5 from 2,017 reviews — with Intercom covering proactive messaging and product tours alongside chat, and LiveChat known for speed, reliability, and a deep ticketing integration. Freshchat scores 4.5/5 from 191 reviewers at a 9.5 SpotScore with a freemium plan, a modern alternative for teams that want AI bot deflection and omnichannel inbox management without Intercom-level pricing. JivoChat earns a 4.2/5 from 106 reviews at a 9.6 SpotScore with a freemium option, popular with e-commerce sites needing multi-channel chat across website, WhatsApp, and social at a low entry cost.
Live chat software lets website visitors and app users message a business in real time, routed to support agents or automated bot flows to handle FAQs and qualify leads. The main buyers are customer support managers at e-commerce companies and SaaS customer success teams handling inbound inquiries.
Quick picks for Live Chat Software
- Best overall — Intercom
- Best for e-commerce multi-channel chat — JivoChat
- Best for SMB teams on a budget — Freshchat
- Best free option — Freshchat
Who gets the most from Live Chat Software
- 1Customer support managers coordinating multi-channel real-time chat for e-commerce websites
- 2Sales team leads using live chat to qualify leads and boost conversion rates on SaaS platforms
- 3Small business owners seeking cost-effective, easy-to-integrate live chat solutions for customer engagement
How to choose Live Chat Software
If you need strong integration with marketing and analytics tools, filter by products showing third-party integrations like LiveChat. For automation and lead qualification, sort by automation features and filter by user-friendly interfaces like Intercom. When budget is a priority, filter by cost-effective or freemium options such as JivoChat or tawk.to.
Our research is independent and data-backed. We review thousands of tools and use real buyer signals — without the hype.
Best picks for
Showing 1-20 out of 64
7.7
SpotScore
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What is iFlyChat?
Introducing iFlyChat - the ultimate chat platform for your community. Our goal at iFlyChat is to provide businesses with powerful software that drives conversions and empowers them to soar towards success. With our innovative products, we enhance user experience by fostering interactions among ...
Read more about iFlyChatStarts from $17/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan
8.5
SpotScore
IntelliTicks
Unleash the power of AI for smarter interactions.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
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What is IntelliTicks?
IntelliTicks is a powerful AI-driven software that simplifies customer interactions and billing management, making it the top choice among industry leaders. This innovative platform creates a personalized experience for customers, allowing them to easily express their needs. Packed with a wide ...
Read more about IntelliTicksStarts from $20/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan
Spotsaas Buyer Intelligence
See the companies researching Live Chat software right now — while they're still comparing options.
8.3
SpotScore
NinjaChat by 500apps
Enhance customer engagement with real-time chat monitoring.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
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What is NinjaChat by 500apps?
NinjaChat by 500apps is an effective live chat monitoring software designed to enhance customer engagement. The software offers a variety of advanced features such as real-time dashboard, file sharing, and customizable themes for a personalized experience. With options for text, voice, and ...
Read more about NinjaChat by 500appsStarts from $9.99/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan
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8.7
SpotScore
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What is Richpanel?
Richpanel is a customer support platform that combines live chat and help desk ticketing, used by e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brands managing multi-channel customer inquiries. It centralizes conversations from email, chat, and social into a single agent interface, helping small support ...
Read more about RichpanelStarts from $80/Month when Billed Yearly
8.4
SpotScore
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What is WebGreeter?
Experience seamless live chatting with clients with WebGreeter. Our BI-driven software offers customisable and easy-to-use solutions for hassle-free communication, regardless of your company's size or time zone. Our highly-skilled team ensures quick problem resolution to enhance client ...
Read more about WebGreeterStarts from $20/User/Month
7.5
SpotScore
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What is Chatdesk Teams?
Chatdesk Teams is a comprehensive chat support platform from Superfans. Its machine learning algorithms analyse previous support messages for better customer experience and to cultivate an ever-evolving and on-brand knowledge base. This advanced tool handles the tedious task of hiring and ...
Read more about Chatdesk TeamsStarts from $99/Month
7.7
SpotScore
Smith.ai Virtual Receptionists
Your customers, our priority - always.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market
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What is Smith.ai Virtual Receptionists?
Smith.ai Virtual Receptionists is the perfect fit for growing businesses that want to engage and take care of their customers. The North-American based service is staffed by friendly, professional receptionists 24/7 who answer customer queries in English with a personalised touch. With ...
Read more about Smith.ai Virtual ReceptionistsStarts from $140/Month
9.0
SpotScore
Respond.io
Streamline your business messaging for faster results.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
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What is Respond.io?
Introducing Respond.io, a comprehensive business messaging platform designed for modern companies. It streamlines communication by integrating all channels into one convenient platform. With Respond.io, marketing, sales, support, and engineering teams can collaborate seamlessly while managing ...
Read more about Respond.ioStarts from $29/Month, also offers free forever plan
8.6
SpotScore
ChatGen
Streamline customer support and boost conversions.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
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What is ChatGen?
. ChatGen is a hybrid chatbot platform that provides exceptional customer service through an automated bot. Trusted by reputable companies like PayPal, Eureka Forbes, and The ELS Club, this top-notch platform allows businesses to deliver personalized and friendly customer support quickly. With ...
Read more about ChatGenStarts from $79/Month when Billed Yearly
9.6
SpotScore
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What is BirdEye?
BirdEye's reputation management software provides the tools to monitor, respond and resolve online customer reviews. It empowers businesses to own their online reviews and provide the most accurate, real-time picture of their reputation. BirdEye makes it easy to proactively monitor online ...
Read more about BirdEyeBirdEye offers custom pricing plan
8.1
SpotScore
iAdvize
Empower your digital experience with human connections.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
What is iAdvize?
iAdvize is a chat software platform that empowers over 2000 brands across more than 100 countries to add a human touch to their digital experiences at scale. With the use of messaging, a communication channel used by billions of people, iAdvize helps you maintain personal connections with your ...
Read more about iAdvizeStarts from $540/month when yearly
8.7
SpotScore
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What is Helpwise?
Helpwise is a comprehensive business productivity software enabling organizations to effectively respond to customer queries in a timely manner. Easily collaborate with your remote technical support and sales teams and safely track customer conversations with shared inbox, help center and live ...
Read more about HelpwiseStarts from $83.25/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan
8.9
SpotScore
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What is Chaport?
Chaport, the ultimate multi-channel live chat and chatbot software, simplifies customer communication through its intuitive chat interface. By adding a chat button on your website, you can effortlessly respond to queries, boost sales, and remain connected even when offline through email ...
Read more about ChaportStarts from $15/User/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan
8.5
SpotScore
Lime Talk
Transform visitors into customers with Lime Talk.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
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What is Lime Talk?
Lime Talk is a cutting-edge Chat Application that enables businesses to engage with their website visitors. With this dynamic software, you can effectively turn your visitors into valuable customers. The advanced platform allows you to monitor and analyze customer interest, quickly respond to ...
Read more about Lime TalkStarts from $6/Month
9.8
SpotScore
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What is LiveAgent?
LiveAgent is online support software that gives users the freedom to talk with their customers, manage projects and deliver live chat, e‑mail and phone support. It's mobile‑enabled too so it doesn't matter where customers are based, users be able to connect with them seamlessly. LiveAgent ...
Read more about LiveAgentStarts from $15/User/Month, also offers free forever plan
7.8
SpotScore
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What is ChatSupport?
Introducing ChatSupport, the ultimate solution for your business's customer communication needs. Our tagline, "Chat, Connect & Convert" captures the essence of our platform that allows real-time chat interactions, seamless connectivity and increased conversion rates. Unlike chatbots, we believe ...
Read more about ChatSupportStarts from $19/Month, also offers free forever plan
8.2
SpotScore
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What is DeskMoz?
Introducing DeskMoz – the ultimate solution for your website. With 24x7 support and a user-friendly chat platform, DeskMoz transforms your website into an interactive hub. Our team of agents engages with your visitors, turning their queries into actionable insights and converting them into ...
Read more about DeskMozStarts from $199/Month
9.2
SpotScore
Userlike
Empowering real-time chat for exceptional customer communication.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
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What is Userlike?
Introducing Userlike, the ultimate real-time chat platform with the tagline "Empower Your Customer Communication". Seamlessly connecting internal team members, customers, and employees, this cloud-based software effortlessly integrates website chat with mobile messaging. Enjoy advanced features ...
Read more about UserlikeStarts from $90/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan
8.0
SpotScore
BigRadar
Stay connected with BigRadar's automated conversations.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
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What is BigRadar?
BigRadar is the perfect solution for businesses looking to boost their website conversations. With its advanced platform, both team members and customers can stay on top of all messaging activities and ensure that no message goes unanswered. Plus, with the ability to preset campaigns and ...
Read more about BigRadarStarts from $39/Month
9.0
SpotScore
Customerly
Simplify customer management and boost sales with Customerly.
Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
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What is Customerly?
Introducing Customerly, the ultimate customer lifecycle software tailored specifically for client-facing businesses. This comprehensive tool streamlines customer management by offering support, collecting feedback, and automating key processes like routing and email marketing. With features ...
Read more about CustomerlyStarts from $24/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan
Learn More About Live Chat Software
A buyer's guide to live chat — how the top tools rank, what they cost, the features and types to compare, and the questions to ask before you buy.
Live Chat Software exists to pull live chat out of scattered tools and into one place, where the whole team works from the same up-to-date records.
Teams rely on live chat to standardize day-to-day work, automate repetitive steps, and keep one source of truth. Options span lightweight tools to full platforms; on Spotsaas, Intercom, LiveAgent, and LiveChat rank among the strongest.
Spotsaas tracks 113 live chat products. Across the top 10 ranked here, entry plans start as low as $13/month and every one offers a free trial.
If you're evaluating live chat, weigh team size, the integrations you need, pricing transparency, ease of use, and support quality. The questions below cut to what separates these tools.
- What's the core job you need live chat to do, and which tool fits that best?
- How many users will be on the live chat tool now — and what does pricing look like at twice that?
- Which tools in your stack must it integrate with (e.g. Chatbots Software)?
- What onboarding, training, and support does the live chat vendor provide?
- Is the free trial long enough to test the live chat tool with real data?
What is live chat?
Live Chat Software is the system teams use to manage live chat. Instead of that work living across spreadsheets and inboxes, it centralizes the records and tasks in one place the whole team can see and update.
Data flows into live chat from across the business and gets structured so the team can act on it. The tool then handles the routine work automatically, which is where most of the time savings come from.
The result is a single, real-time view of your live chat. Intercom, LiveAgent, and LiveChat take different approaches — some focus on simplicity, others on breadth — which is exactly what the comparison below is built to clarify.
Spotsaas tracks 113 live chat products — one of the more populated categories on the platform. [1]
The 10 top-ranked tools alone carry 8,130 verified user reviews. [1]
Top live chat, ranked by Spotscore
The highest-ranked live chat on Spotsaas. Intercom and LiveAgent lead the field, with the rest close behind on a mix of features, value, and user reviews.
Spotscore is a 0–10 composite of features, reviews, and value; the star rating reflects user reviews only. A tool can rank high on Spotscore while carrying a slightly lower star average, so it's worth reading both columns.
| # | Product | SpotScore | Rating | Reviews | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  IntercomTop rated | 9.8 | ★★★★★4.30 | 2,496 | $59 |
| 2 | 9.8 | ★★★★★4.70 | 870 | $15Free trial | |
| 3 | 9.8 | ★★★★★4.40 | 791 | $16Free trial | |
| 4 | 9.7 | ★★★★★4.20 | 274 | — | |
| 5 | 9.7 | ★★★★★4.30 | 140 | $25Free trial | |
| 6 | 9.6 | ★★★★★4.94 | 1,957 | —Free trial | |
| 7 | 9.6 | ★★★★★4.20 | 92 | $13Free trial | |
| 8 | 9.5 | ★★★★★4.50 | 630 | $15Free trial | |
| 9 | 9.4 | ★★★★★4.30 | 250 | —Free trial | |
| 10 | 9.3 | ★★★★★4.40 | 630 | $19Free trial |
Order reflects Spotscore first, then how many reviews back it. Prices shown are the published starting plan.
What reviewers say
Spotsaas has aggregated 8,130 verified user reviews across these tools. The ratings below are real review averages — a useful gut-check on any live chat shortlist.
Live Chat pricing and cost considerations
Pricing for live chat is usually per user per month, billed monthly or annually, and scales across tiers. Where you land depends on team size and how much live chat capability you need bundled in.
Look past the sticker price at the total cost of owning live chat: onboarding and data migration, paid add-ons and integrations, admin time, and per-seat increases as you grow. Model the all-in cost at your projected 12-month headcount before committing to a live chat contract.
Types of live chat
- All-in-one platformsBroad suites that cover the full live chat workflow in one place. Intercom is an example, suited to teams that want everything integrated rather than stitched together.
- Specialist / best-of-breed toolsFocused tools that do one part of live chat exceptionally well; LiveAgent fits teams that prefer depth in the area that matters most over breadth.
- SMB-friendly toolsLower-cost, quick-to-deploy options built for small teams — JivoChat starts at $13/month and gets a team running fast.
- Enterprise-grade platformsHighly configurable systems built for scale, governance, and complex workflows, like Intercom — the most-reviewed option here.
- Cloud-based deliveryMost live chat today is delivered via the cloud, cutting IT overhead and enabling secure remote access — the default for fast-growing teams.
What to compare in live chat
No single tool is best for everyone — fit depends on the capabilities your team uses daily. These are the features that most separate live chat tools, and the ones worth testing in a trial.
- Core functionalityDepth of the primary live chat capabilities — the reason you're buying. Compare how Intercom and LiveAgent handle your must-have workflows.
- Ease of useHow quickly a team gets productive in the live chat tool day to day; even the most capable live chat delivers nothing if people won't adopt it.
- Integrations & APINative connectors plus an open API to wire your live chat into the rest of the stack, including Chatbots Software.
- Reporting & analyticsDashboards that turn live chat activity into decisions leaders can act on in real time, not month-end.
- AutomationAutomating the repetitive parts of live chat cuts manual effort and error — usually the single biggest time saver here.
- Security & complianceAccess controls, data protection, and the certifications that live chat buyers in regulated industries can't skip.
- Support & onboardingDocumentation, training, and responsive support — for live chat, this largely decides how fast you see value.
Why teams adopt live chat
Done right, live chat pays for itself in time saved and clearer visibility. Reviewers point to four benefits most consistently.
One source of truth
With live chat in place, everyone works from the same current records, so handoffs stop dropping and nobody acts on a stale copy.
Reviewers of Intercom point to that single, up-to-date view as the main reason they adopted it.
Less manual work
Live Chat automation removes repetitive entry and status-chasing, freeing the team for work that actually needs a human.
Teams credit automation in tools like LiveAgent with cutting hours of manual effort each week.
Better visibility
Real-time live chat reporting shows what's happening while there's still time to act on it, not after the fact.
Managers report that consistent, current live chat data is what finally made their planning reliable.
Room to scale
The right live chat tool grows with the team instead of forcing a painful migration a year in.
Higher-rated options like Intercom are cited for scaling without a rebuild.
Common live chat buying challenges
Most live chat rollouts stumble on the same five things. Below is each hurdle, the question that exposes it, and how to get ahead of it.
Unpredictable pricing
The headline live chat price rarely survives contact with reality — seats, usage, and premium modules stack up quietly.
Essential questions to ask the vendor:
- What does a realistic bill look like at our size in year two?
- Are onboarding, support, or integrations billed separately?
How to overcome it: Ask for an all-in quote at your projected headcount and treat JivoChat as the floor for comparison.
Adoption and ramp time
A capable live chat tool stalls if reps find it slow to use or too different from how they already work.
Essential questions to ask the vendor:
- How long until a new user is productive?
- What hands-on onboarding is included?
How to overcome it: Prioritize tools with a short ramp and run a one-team pilot before committing the whole org.
Feature gaps that surface late
Marketing pages rarely reveal where a live chat tool is thin until you're mid-rollout and the gap is expensive.
Essential questions to ask the vendor:
- Which of our must-haves are native vs on the roadmap?
- How quickly do you ship requested features?
How to overcome it: Test your top three workflows against each shortlisted product during the trial, not the demo.
Reliability and support
Once live chat is mission-critical, a slow ticket queue or an outage costs more than the license itself.
Essential questions to ask the vendor:
- What are your guaranteed response times?
- Where's your status/uptime history?
How to overcome it: Lean on third-party review signals for reliability and pin down SLAs in writing.
Connecting it to your stack
A live chat tool that won't talk to Chatbots Software and your other systems creates the silos it was meant to remove.
Essential questions to ask the vendor:
- Do you have a native integration for each of our key tools?
- How much setup does it take?
How to overcome it: Verify real, supported connectors early — an 'open API' is not the same as a ready integration.
What live chat is used for
Reviews surface a consistent set of jobs teams hire live chat to do — most of them about making sure nothing falls through the cracks.
- Standardizing the workflowTeams use live chat to standardize how work gets done so quality doesn't depend on who's handling it; Intercom is a common choice for putting that structure in place.
- Centralizing records & dataKeeping live chat records in one place so every team pulls from accurate, current information instead of duplicated spreadsheets.
- Automating routine workAutomating the repetitive parts of live chat to cut manual effort and free time for higher-value work — tools like LiveAgent lean heavily on this.
- Reporting & oversightGiving leaders real-time visibility into live chat to catch issues early and plan ahead with confidence.
Who uses Live Chat Software
Live Chat tools are used across an organization — from frontline staff and team leads to operations, admins, and executives who rely on the reporting. Adoption spans industries including software and technology, professional services, healthcare, financial services, and agencies.
Common live chat integrations
Live Chat is most valuable wired into the rest of your stack. Across reviews, these are the categories teams most often connect to it — each closing a gap between the record and the work happening around it.
- Chatbots SoftwareConnecting your live chat to Chatbots Software lets teams automate handoffs and keep both systems in sync so nothing is re-keyed.
- Help Desk SoftwareConnecting your live chat to Help Desk Software lets teams share data both ways so each team works from the same current record.
Best Live Chat Software for your team
Top overall live chat pick
The highest-ranked live chat on Spotsaas.
- Intercom — Intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate and use.
Best value
The most capability per dollar in live chat.
- JivoChat — Lowest entry price of the top picks at $13/month.
Most reviewed
The most battle-tested live chat by real users.
- Intercom — The largest verified review base in this list (2,496 reviews).
Best for large orgs
Live Chat built for scale and governance.
- LiveAgent — A strong fit for bigger teams that need configurable live chat.
Where live chat is heading
Three shifts are reshaping what buyers should expect from live chat over the next few years.
- AI-assisted workAI is moving into live chat fast — automating routine steps, scoring and prioritizing work, and drafting content — shifting tools from passive record-keeping to active assistance.
- Unified data & deeper integrationLive Chat tools are consolidating adjacent functions and integrating more deeply, so teams stop reconciling separate systems and act on one source of truth.
- Faster onboarding & transparent pricingBuyers now expect live chat to ship with quick setup, clear pricing, and strong mobile and remote access as standard, not premium add-ons.
Frequently asked questions
Most Popular FAQs
What is live chat?
Live Chat Software centralizes live chat so a team works from one shared, current system instead of scattered spreadsheets and tools — adding automation and reporting on top.
How much does live chat cost?
Entry plans across the top picks here start at $13/month and average about $23/month. Watch for per-seat increases and paid add-ons when comparing live chat plans.
Which live chat is best?
Do these tools offer a free trial?
Yes — 8 of the top 10 ranked tools offer a free trial or freemium plan, so you can test with real data first.
Small Business FAQs
What is the most affordable live chat?
JivoChat is the lowest-priced of the top picks at $13/month, a good starting point for small teams that still want core capability.
Enterprise FAQs
What is the best live chat for large organizations?
Related categories
Related Blogs and Articles for Live Chat Software
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].