LiveChat Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

LiveChat is a live chat tool for websites, and businesses use it to talk with visitors and answer questions as they browse. If you're weighing up a change, perhaps because you want a different widget, another set of channels or a tool that suits a smaller team, there are plenty of other chat tools to look at.

This is a list of ten LiveChat alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. A couple are well known and most are smaller or more specialised. I've drawn each description from the tool's own website, so check current details there before you decide. For background, my guide to what to look for in business live chat software is a good companion.

LiveChat alternatives at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site lists a plan or open source version you can keep using without a time limit. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. Details change, so check before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Chaport	Website live chat	A free plan that stays after the trial	Yes
Chatwoot	Open source support inbox	Chat you can host yourself	Yes
Crisp	Chat and shared inbox	Chat widget, inbox and AI helper	Yes
HelpCrunch	Chat and help desk	Chat, email and a help centre	Trial only
JivoChat	Messaging for websites	Chat plus social messaging apps	Yes
Lime Connect	Customer messaging	Chat with AI and handover	Yes
Olark	Website live chat	Straightforward chat for your site	Trial only
Pure Chat	Website live chat	Quick chat setup for small sites	Trial only
Smartsupp	Chat with a shared inbox	Chat across messaging apps and email	Yes
Tidio	Chat and AI agent	Chat with automated flows	Yes

Ten website chat tools to weigh against LiveChat

Chaport

Best for: Small teams who want website chat, and who like that the account drops to a free plan after the trial.

Chatwoot

Best for: Teams who like open source software and want live chat in a shared inbox they can run on their own servers.

Crisp

Best for: Solo owners and small firms who want a website chat widget and shared inbox, starting on a free tier.

HelpCrunch

Best for: Businesses who want website chat alongside email and a help centre, with a trial to try them together.

JivoChat

Best for: Owners who want website chat that also reaches customers through messaging apps, starting on a free version.

Lime Connect

Best for: Teams who want website chat with AI help and a handover to people, beginning on a free plan.

Olark

Best for: Small firms who want a simple chat box on their site and a trial period to see how visitors respond.

Pure Chat

Best for: Small sites who want to add a chat box quickly, with a trial of the higher plan to test it.

Smartsupp

Best for: Shops and small firms who want chat that reaches visitors on messaging apps and email, starting on a free plan.

Tidio

Best for: Owners who want a chat box with automated flows and an AI helper for common visitor questions.

What to look for when you replace a website chat tool

Before you move, think about how your chat is used today. Note who answers, when, and what visitors ask, because that's what you'll need to keep. Then check the new tool covers those habits, rather than comparing long feature lists.

• Widget. Can you match your colours and decide which pages show the chat box?
• Hours. What happens when nobody is online, and can visitors leave a message?
• Team. Can several people share the inbox and pass chats between them?
• Automation. Can it greet visitors, ask a few questions and route the chat?
• AI answers. If a bot replies, can you read, correct and switch it off?
• Mobile. Is there an app so you can answer away from your desk?
• Connections. Does it link to your email, shop and customer records?

Moving your website chat to a new tool

A switch goes smoothly in a set order. Here's a sensible sequence.

1. Export your past chats and visitor details if the old tool allows it.
2. Copy your saved replies and greeting messages into a document.
3. Note which pages show the chat box and when it appears.
4. Install the new widget on one page first and test it from your phone.
5. Check that offline messages reach the right inbox.
6. Remove the old code from your site only once the new chat works.

Chat privacy and visitor consent

A chat box can collect names, email addresses and the text of conversations. In the UK and EU that generally means telling visitors what you collect and why, and handling the data carefully. Other countries have their own rules, and they're changing all the time. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation. For a look at where chat fits in a small firm, see my piece on live chat for small businesses.

Matching a chat tool to your kind of business

• Shops usually want product questions answered fast, ideally with automated replies for common ones.
• Service firms often need chat that collects enquiry details and books a call.
• Software companies tend to want chat linked to a help centre and customer records.
• Technical teams may prefer open source software they can host themselves.
• Solo owners often just need a simple chat box and a phone app.

Why a lesser-known chat tool can be a smart choice

Smaller companies often focus on a few jobs and listen closely to their users, which can make a difference. You may find a lighter widget, quicker answers from support and fewer menus to wade through.

Look at when the company last updated its product, read the help pages and check you can export your chats whenever you wish. If a site doesn't say, ask. Try it on one page before you roll it out everywhere. If you plan to add a bot, my article on why a website needs a chatbot is a useful read.

Do you make a live chat or website messaging tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Trying a shortlist of chat tools

Pick two options that suit your site, then set each up with a greeting and two saved replies. Chat with yourself from a phone and a laptop, and see how easy it's to answer, hand over and close a chat. Keep the tool that feels clearest to use.

Frequently asked questions

What is live chat software?

It's a chat box on your website that lets visitors message you in real time, usually with a shared inbox, saved replies and a way to leave a message when you're offline.

Why would someone look for a LiveChat alternative?

Reasons vary and aren't always about the tool itself, and they're rarely the same for two owners. Some owners want a different widget, other channels, an open source option or a better fit for a smaller team. Start by listing what you need most.

Can I move my chat history?

Sometimes. It depends on the tool, and it isn't always possible, so check what each platform lets you export and import. Keep a copy of your saved replies either way.

Should I let a bot answer my visitors?

It can help with common questions, but a person should be able to take over, and visitors should be told when they're talking to a bot. Check you can read and correct what it says.

Is a free plan enough to start with?

It can be for a small site, but it isn't always. Read the limits on chats and team members, and check the features you want are included, before you rely on one.