Is there a free alternative to Gist?

Yes — LiveChat, Freshchat, Olark offer free tiers or trials suitable for small teams and individuals.

Last updated: September 13, 2026

10 Best Gist Alternatives in 2026 — Free Options Included

Q: What are the best alternatives to Gist?

The top-rated alternatives to Gist are DeskMoz, Chaport, Re:plain. Compare all 10 alternatives at https://www.spotsaas.com/list/gist-build-free-alternative.

Explore 10 alternatives to Gist — vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

Compare the top 10 free Gist alternatives

Quick answer

The top-rated free live chat software alternatives to Gist are LiveChat, Freshchat and Olark. LiveChat leads with a SpotScore of 9.8 and a 4.35★ rating. Compare all 10 on score, rating, and pricing below.

Maybe Gist costs too much, misses a feature you need, or just feels clunky. Whatever the reason, these 10 live chat software free alternatives are the picks worth a closer look. We order them by SpotScore, a mix of verified user satisfaction and market presence, plus ratings and pricing. Use the table to compare at a glance, then dig into each below.

Product	SpotScore	Rating	Pricing	Best for
LiveChatStreamline customer support and boost satisfaction with LiveChat.	9.8	★★★★☆ 4.35(791)	Freefrom $16 /User/Month	teams of all sizes
FreshchatUpgrade your customer service with intelligent messaging.	9.5	★★★★☆ 4.45(630)	Freefrom $15 /User/Month	teams of all sizes
OlarkConnect with customers. Streamline communication. Boost conversions.	9.4	★★★★☆ 4.31(250)	FreeFree Trial · Quotation Based	teams of all sizes
CustomerlySimplify customer management and boost sales with Customerly.	9	★★★★★ 4.56(17)	Freefrom $24/mo	teams of all sizes
ChaportEffortless customer communication, even when offline.	8.9	★★★★★ 4.82(17)	Freefrom $15 /User/Month	small & mid-size businesses
ProProfs ChatStreamline chat support and increase customer engagement.	8.9	★★★★☆ 4.45(70)	Freefrom $10 /User/Month	teams of all sizes
Zoho SalesIQRevolutionize your customer engagement.	8.9	★★★★☆ 4.42(283)	Freefrom $7 /User/Month	teams of all sizes
HippoStreamline communication, boost sales.	8.5	★★★★☆ 3.98(20)	Freefrom $17/mo	teams of all sizes
Re:plainInstantly connect and engage with website visitors.	8.3	★★★★★ 4.7(5)	Freefrom $3.99	small & mid-size businesses
DeskMozEngage, convert, and grow with DeskMoz.	8.2	★★★★★ 5(20)	Freefrom $199/mo	teams of all sizes

9.8

SpotScore

LiveChat

Streamline customer support and boost satisfaction with LiveChat.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.3

791 verified reviews

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What is LiveChat?

Introducing LiveChat, an advanced live chat software that offers a range of features to enhance communication between businesses and their customers. With a user base of over 23,000 companies across 150 countries, including the ability to view customers' messages in real-time, prepare canned ...

Freshchat

Upgrade your customer service with intelligent messaging.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.5

630 verified reviews

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What is Freshchat?

Freshchat is an intelligent messaging system designed for a digital audience. It enhances customer service with a seamless blend of human and AI-driven assistance along many different messaging platforms. Its top-notch chatbots help to boost customer interaction while allowing businesses to ...

Olark

Connect with customers. Streamline communication. Boost conversions.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.3

250 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Olark?

Olark is the ultimate chat software for your brand. It allows you to connect with your customers through automated messages and live chatting. With an easy-to-use interface, Olark offers features like automated messaging, comprehensive visitor insights, and custom pre-chat surveys. Keep track ...

Customerly

Simplify customer management and boost sales with Customerly.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.6

17 verified reviews

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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 ...

Chaport

Effortless customer communication, even when offline.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market

Start Free Trial

4.8

17 verified reviews

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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 ...

ProProfs Chat

Streamline chat support and increase customer engagement.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.5

70 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is ProProfs Chat?

ProProfs Chat helps your chat representatives easily engage with customers using predefined messages, ensuring that no potential clients are missed. With the added feature of operator-to-operator chat, new representatives can learn from experienced ones, while customizable chat windows and ...

Zoho SalesIQ

Revolutionize your customer engagement.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.4

283 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Zoho SalesIQ?

Zoho SalesIQ is a customer engagement platform combining live chat, chatbots, website visitor tracking, lead generation, and visitor analytics in a single dashboard. Businesses use it to engage website visitors in real time, automate chat responses, and capture lead information for sales ...

Hippo

Streamline communication, boost sales.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.0

20 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Hippo?

Hippo is a cutting-edge conversational tool that simplifies B2C communication for businesses. It enables real-time chat and smooth interaction with customers, resulting in increased sales. The platform allows businesses to provide top-notch customer service while keeping them engaged with live ...

Re:plain

Instantly connect and engage with website visitors.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market

Start Free Trial

4.7

5 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Re:plain?

Enhance your online communication and support with Re:plain, the ultimate web-chat service provider. This platform integrates with popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram, allowing you to capture more leads and engage with website visitors in real time. With ...

DeskMoz

Engage, convert, and grow with DeskMoz.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

5.0

20 verified reviews

Add to compare

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 ...

Gist vs its closest competitors

Gist competes with 10 other live chat software tools tracked on Spotsaas. The closest by feature overlap are LiveChat, Freshchat and Olark. Each is compared against Gist on rating, pricing and feature coverage below.

Tools similar to Gist

Searches for "sites like Gist" and "apps like Gist" land on the same shortlist as "Gist alternatives" — the 10 options below cover both, whether you want a like-for-like replacement or something lighter.

What makes each one stand out

LiveChat9.8Best for teams of all sizes

Integration capabilities with third-party software tools, enhancing customer engagement and marketing efforts.

Watch for: Limited number of active accounts, hindering flexibility during certain periods of high volume.

Freshchat9.5Best for teams of all sizes

User-friendly interface for smooth customer interactions.

Watch for: Occasional glitches may disrupt the system flow.

Olark9.4Best for teams of all sizes

Straightforward and easy to use interface, facilitating quick setup and adoption for both users and customers.

Watch for: Lack of advanced features and integrations, limiting functionalities for advanced users/organizations.

Customerly9Best for teams of all sizes

Affordable software offering great value for money, including a free tier with almost all necessary features.

Watch for: Some users find Customerly to be not the easiest and most efficient tool for live chat.

Chaport8.9Best for small & mid-size businesses

Ease of use and interface, making it simple for both novice and experienced users.

Watch for: Limited customization options may restrict tailoring the platform to specific needs.

ProProfs Chat8.9Best for teams of all sizes

Predefined messages for efficiency

Watch for: Limited integrations

Zoho SalesIQ8.9Best for teams of all sizes

Integrates with other Zoho products including CRM, Desk, and Campaigns.

Watch for: Limited advanced features and integrations compared to competitors like HubSpot or Salesforce.

Hippo8.5Best for teams of all sizes

Real-time chat capabilities

Watch for: Limited advanced features

Re:plain8.3Best for small & mid-size businesses

Integrates with popular messaging apps

Watch for: Limited to messaging apps

DeskMoz8.2Best for teams of all sizes

24/7 support availability

Watch for: Limited customization options

Why teams look for a Gist alternative

The case for a Gist alternative often starts with gaps like these:

Complex for new users
Limited chat functionalities
Not primarily a chat tool
May require technical expertise

What to check before picking a Gist alternative

The 10 live chat software free alternatives compare like this on the specifics: 10 offer a free tier; paid plans run $3.99–$199, with Re:plain the cheapest entry point; and DeskMoz is the highest rated at 5★ across 20 reviews.

Our ranking logic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

What are the best alternatives to Gist?

The top-rated alternatives to Gist are DeskMoz (5.0★), Chaport (4.8★), Re:plain (4.7★). Compare all 10 alternatives side-by-side above.

What features should I look for in a Live Chat Software alternative?

When evaluating alternatives to Gist, prioritize: Visitor Targeting, Persistent Chat, Knowledge Database, Co-Browsing, Agent Scheduling, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

How difficult is it to migrate from Gist to an alternative?

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Gist is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend narrowing to 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

Which of these Gist alternatives should you choose?

On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — LiveChat, Freshchat and Olark let you evaluate without paying upfront.
If real-user ratings matter most: DeskMoz has the strongest star rating (5★) among the options with verified reviews.
Want the safest pick: LiveChat has the highest Spotsaas Score (9.8) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

Switching off Gist cleanly

When you're ready to leave Gist, protect your data first. Export it, confirm the new tool reads it, and check that your core workflows transfer. Test on a free plan or trial before committing, and hold onto Gist until the move is complete.

Compare top products

Freshchat

Zoho SalesIQ

Freshchat

DeskMoz

LiveChat

Freshchat

Zoho SalesIQ

Hippo

Olark

ProProfs Chat

Customerly

Re:plain

ProProfs Chat

Re:plain

Olark

Re:plain

DeskMoz

About the reviewer

Rajat Gupta

Rajat Gupta is the founder of Spotsaas. Over the past two years, he has reviewed 2,000+ tools across CRM, HR, AI, and finance — applying hands-on product research and a background in commerce and the CFA program to evaluate software through a business and ROI lens. His goal: help teams make software decisions they won't regret.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

10 Best Gist Alternatives in 2026 — Free Options Included

Compare the top 10 free Gist alternatives

LiveChat

Streamline customer support and boost satisfaction with LiveChat.

Freshchat

Upgrade your customer service with intelligent messaging.

Olark

Connect with customers. Streamline communication. Boost conversions.

Customerly

Simplify customer management and boost sales with Customerly.

Chaport

Effortless customer communication, even when offline.

ProProfs Chat

Streamline chat support and increase customer engagement.

Zoho SalesIQ

Revolutionize your customer engagement.

Hippo

Streamline communication, boost sales.

Re:plain

Instantly connect and engage with website visitors.

DeskMoz

Engage, convert, and grow with DeskMoz.

Gist vs its closest competitors

Tools similar to Gist

What makes each one stand out

Why teams look for a Gist alternative

What to check before picking a Gist alternative

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which of these Gist alternatives should you choose?

Switching off Gist cleanly

Compare top products

Freshchat

Zoho SalesIQ

Freshchat

DeskMoz

LiveChat

Freshchat

Zoho SalesIQ

Hippo

Olark

ProProfs Chat

Customerly

Re:plain

ProProfs Chat

Re:plain

Olark

Re:plain

Re:plain

DeskMoz

Research Popular Software and Services

About the reviewer

Compare top products

Freshchat

Zoho SalesIQ

Freshchat

DeskMoz

LiveChat

Freshchat

Zoho SalesIQ

Hippo

Olark

ProProfs Chat

Customerly

Re:plain

ProProfs Chat

Re:plain

Olark

Re:plain

Re:plain

DeskMoz

Research Popular Software and Services

About the reviewer