When it comes to customer communication, every second counts for businesses because it leads to either a treasure trove or an empty cave. To help with this, many businesses leverage live chat tools as a powerful hook to attract top prospects.
By now, they've realized they need more than just a chat window—they need a dynamic chat solution that bridges the gap between queries and resolutions, engagement and satisfaction, conversations and conversions.
The right live chat software does just that, empowering businesses to create meaningful interactions that drive results. But with so many options available, how do you find the one that truly aligns with your business goals?
Well, we’ve done the heavy lifting to spotlight the best live chat software on the market, helping you make an informed decision that sets your business apart.
Key takeaways
- Discover the leading live chat software tools for businesses in 2025
- Understand the features, benefits, and drawbacks of each tool.
- Learn why Zoho SalesIQ stands out among competitors
Table of contents
- What is live chat software?
- Why use live chat software?
- Best live chat software tools in 2025
- In-depth review of top 7 live chat solutions
- How to choose the right live chat software for your business
What is live chat software?
Live chat software is a digital tool that helps businesses communicate with their website visitors in real time. It allows them to provide instant assistance, resolve issues immediately, and guide users through their online journey. Nowadays, live chat software isn't just limited to websites; it provides real-time communication in different channels such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and more.
Why use live chat software?
Businesses of all kinds—from ecommerce to SaaS—are turning to live chat as a go-to solution for customer support and lead generation. It’s a simple yet powerful way to connect with customers and create meaningful, real-time conversations.
With the rise of artificial intelligence, live chat has reached a whole new level. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff even pointed out that AI-driven chats have become so advanced, it’s hard to tell them apart from human interactions.
In a world where instant communication is the norm, live chat isn’t just a nice addition—it’s a must-have.
Best 7 live chat software tools in 2025
To help you, we've analyzed numerous top live chat software solutions to bring you the most comprehensive list for 2025:
Live chat software | Best for | Key feature | Pricing |
Zoho SalesIQ | Startups, SMBs, and Enterprises | Omnichannel AI-powered chatbots and integrations with other popular bot vendor platforms. | Free plan: Basic features |
Intercom | Enterprises | AI-powered chatbots (Fin AI Agent) | Essentials: $29/month/seat |
LiveChat | SMBs and Enterprises | Live chat and ticketing System | Starter: $20/month/person |
Tawk.to | SMBs | Free live chat support | Free |
Tidio | SMBs | AI-powered chatbots and multichannel integration | Free plan: 50 chatbot interactions/month |
JivoChat | SMBs and Enterprises | Unified communication platform | Free plan: Basic live chat features |
Crisp | Startups and SMBs | Shared inbox, team collaboration | Basic: $25/month for 4 seats |
In-depth review of the top 7 live chat software solutions in 2025
Zoho SalesIQ
At Zoho, we built Zoho SalesIQ to be a comprehensive live chat platform that helps businesses of all sizes. It combines AI-powered chatbots, proactive engagement tools, and advanced analytics to streamline customer interactions, boost lead generation, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Best for: All business sizes
Free plan: Yes, with basic features
Key features
- Intelligent chat routing: Automatically assign chats to the right agents based on pre-set rules.
- Real-time visitor tracking: Track visitor activity, including pages viewed and location, to identify potential leads.
- Customizable AI-powered chatbots: Build no-code, low-code, and coded bots tailored to business needs; integrate with ChatGPT for efficiency.
- Multichannel engagement: Connect with customers across websites, mobile apps, and platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and more for consistent experiences.
- Voice, video, and screen share capabilities: Provide hands-on support to customers for complex queries or troubleshooting.
- Multilingual support: Cater to a global audience with live chat that supports multiple languages for better communication.
- Mobile SDK: Bring live chat to your mobile app for real-time user engagement on the go.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Advanced automation features like triggers, workflows, and proactive messaging
- Scales effortlessly with your business—from startups to large enterprises
- Detailed reporting on bots, channels, and agent performance
Cons
Limited advanced customization options for certain user scenarios
Integrations
Seamlessly connects with tools like Zoho CRM, Desk, Campaigns, and third-party apps like Shopify, WhatsApp, and HubSpot.
Pricing
Zoho SalesIQ offers a flexible pricing model designed to cater to businesses of various sizes, with plans that scale according to the number of features and users required. Here's an overview of our pricing structure:
- Free Plan: Basic live chat functionality, ideal for small businesses or startups that need essential live chat tools for customer engagement.
- Basic: $7/month per user (billed annually). This plan includes core features like live chat, basic reports, and integrations with CRM and other essential apps.
- Professional: $12.50/month per user (billed annually). The Professional plan includes advanced features such as visitor tracking, proactive chat, and more sophisticated reports and analytics.
- Enterprise: $20/month per user (billed annually). This plan offers full customization capabilities, multiple chatbots, dedicated customer support, and other advanced features tailored to larger organizations with complex needs.
Ratings
Zoho SalesIQ maintains a high rating on G2, ranging between 4 and 5, with users appreciating its functionality and ease of use.
Reviews
"The primary reason we use SalesIQ is for our website chat. It's been great because we've set up automated questions and backend workflows. Even if we miss an incoming chat, we are alerted and immediately follow up with the traveler. We have SalesIQ integrated with CRM, and it's cool to see where our leads are coming from, how they got to our website, how long they stayed, how many pages they looked at, and then bring all this data back into CRM. We have even set up lead scoring based on the visitors' behavior to qualify our prospects."
Kristian Collins | Director of Group Air, Meetings and Events, and Vacations, ADTRAV Travel Management
Intercom
Source: Intercom.com
Overview
Intercom is a comprehensive customer communication platform that integrates live chat, email, push notifications, and knowledge base management to facilitate seamless interactions between businesses and their customers.
Key features
- Automated chatbots: Intercom offers AI-powered chatbots, such as the Fin AI Agent, which can be trained on your data to automatically respond to customer inquiries. Fin is powered by a mix of models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4.
- Behavioral targeting: The platform enables businesses to personalize customer interactions based on user behavior.
- Multi-channel messaging: Intercom supports communication across various channels, including websites, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and SMS, ensuring customers can reach you through their preferred medium.
Pros
- Excellent customization options
- Extensive reporting and analytics features
- Ideal for large-scale enterprises seeking an all-in-one customer communication solution
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- High pricing for advanced features
Integrations
Intercom integrates with numerous tools, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, and Shopify, allowing for seamless data synchronization and workflow automation.
Pricing
Intercom's pricing starts at $29 per month per seat for the Essentials plan, which includes access to the shared inbox, Fin AI Agent, basic automations, and the website channel. The Advanced plan costs $85 per month per seat and offers more powerful automations, multiple team inboxes, social channels, and a multilingual help center. The Expert plan costs $132 per month per seat and offers collaboration, security, and reporting tools for large support teams. It's important to note that the pricing can escalate with the addition of more team seats and advanced features.
Ratings
Intercom holds a solid rating on G2, ranging between 4 and 5, with users praising its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set.
LiveChat
Source: Livechat.com
Overview
LiveChat is online customer service software with live chat, help desk software, and web analytics capabilities.
Key features
- Live chat: Enables instant messaging with website visitors.
- Ticketing system: Incorporates a built-in ticketing system to manage customer inquiries that require follow-up.
- Integrations: Offers extensive integration capabilities with more than 200+ third-party applications.
- Analytics and reporting: Provides detailed insights into chat performance, customer satisfaction, agent efficiency, and more.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Allows extensive customization of the chat widget to match brand aesthetics
- Seamless integrations with a wide range of third-party applications
Cons:
- Expensive, especially for startups or smaller businesses
- Learning curve for advanced features
Integrations
LiveChat integrates with 200+ platforms, including CRM systems, email marketing tools, and ecommerce platforms. Notable integrations include WhatsApp Business and Mailchimp, allowing for expanded communication channels and marketing reach.
Pricing
LiveChat offers multiple pricing tiers to accommodate different business needs:
- Starter plan: Priced at $20 per month per person billed annually. Designed for small offices and home businesses, this plan offers essential features to get started with live chat support.
- Team plan: Priced at $41 per month per person billed annually. Suitable for a full-time support team, providing more advanced features to manage customer interactions effectively.
- Business plan: Priced at $59 per month per person billed annually. Tailored for a customer service department, offering comprehensive tools to handle a high volume of inquiries.
- Enterprise plan: Geared towards large businesses and corporations, providing advanced customization and integration options to meet complex requirements.
Ratings
LiveChat holds a high rating on Capterra, ranging between 4 and 5, with users highlighting its ease of use.
Tawk.to
Source: tawk.to
Overview
Tawk.to is a free live chat support platform that enables businesses to monitor and engage with website visitors in real time. It offers a range of features designed to enhance customer support and engagement without any associated costs.
Key features
- Live chat: Facilitates real-time communication with website visitors.
- Knowledge base: Provides a platform for creating and managing a repository of articles and FAQs.
- Ticketing system: Includes a built-in ticketing system to manage and track customer inquiries that require follow-up.
- CRM integration: Offers a free CRM to manage unlimited customers and organizations.
- AI assist: Introduces AI-powered assistance to help manage and respond to customer inquiries.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Offers apps for various platforms, including web browsers, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Cons
- Offers a comprehensive set of tools for free; some advanced features available in paid competitors are absent.
- Customization constraints
Integrations
Tawk.to integrates with platforms like WordPress, Shopify, mobile apps, and more.
Pricing
Tawk.to is entirely free, offering all its features without any charges. This includes unlimited chats and ticketing, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.
Ratings:
Tawk.to generally maintains a rating between 4 and 5 on G2, with users valuing its free service and simplicity.
Tidio
Source: tidio.com
Overview
Tidio is a live chat platform designed for businesses looking to streamline customer support and boost engagement. It combines live chat, chatbots, and email marketing tools, making it a powerful yet affordable option for SMBs.
Key features
- AI-powered chatbots: Tidio offers ready-to-use bots for automating FAQs and lead generation.
- Multichannel integration: Consolidates live chat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and email communication in one place.
- Visitor insights: Provides detailed information about visitors, including location and browsing history, for personalized interactions.
- Customizable widget: Easily adjust the widget's design to match your brand.
Pros
- Affordable and feature-rich, ideal for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Intuitive interface with a quick learning curve
- Excellent multichannel communication capabilities
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Chatbot customization requires some technical knowledge
Integrations
Tidio integrates with major platforms like Shopify, WordPress, Wix, Mailchimp, and Zapier, making it adaptable for various use cases.
Pricing
Tidio provides affordable options with flexible plans:
- Free plan: Includes live chat, email integration, and up to 50 chatbot interactions per month.
- Starter plan: $29/month, with unlimited chatbot usage and additional integrations.
- Growth plan: $59/month per agent, focusing on advanced live chat and email support tools.
- They also have Plus and Premium plans priced at $749/mo and $2999/mo, respectively.
Ratings
Tidio typically holds a rating between 4 and 5 on G2.
JivoChat
Source: jivochat.com
Overview
JivoChat is a multi-channel customer communication platform designed for businesses that prioritize seamless engagement. It combines live chat, voice calls, email, and social media messaging in one unified interface, making it suitable for SMBs and enterprises alike.
Key features
- Omnichannel support: Manage chats, emails, calls, and social messages from platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp in one dashboard.
- Proactive chat invitations: Send automated messages to engage visitors based on their behavior.
- File sharing and translations: Real-time language translation and file sharing enhance communication with global customers.
- Mobile app: Stay connected with customers on the go via JivoChat’s mobile app.
Pros
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Comprehensive multi-channel capabilities, including voice and video options.
- Highly responsive and efficient customer support team
Cons
- Limited chatbot functionality compared to specialized tools
- Customization options for the chat widget are somewhat basic
Integrations
JivoChat integrates with over 20 platforms, including WordPress, Shopify, Magento, and CRM tools like Zoho CRM and HubSpot.
Pricing
JivoChat offers flexible plans:
- Basic plan: Covers basic live chat features for up to 5 agents.
- Professional plan: $19/agent per month, offering omnichannel support, call capabilities, and detailed analytics.
- Enterprise plan: $38/agent per month, offering advanced for companies with 10 and more agents.
Ratings
JivoChat maintains a rating between 4 and 5 on G2, with users highlighting its multi-channel features and ease of use.
Crisp
Source: crisp.com
Overview
Crisp is a business messaging platform that offers live chat, chatbots, and a shared inbox to facilitate efficient support and engagement across multiple channels, including websites, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Twitter.
Key features
- Live chat
- Chatbots: Provides an easy-to-use visual flow builder for creating automated responses, collecting user data, and integrating AI to handle common inquiries.
- Omnichannel support: Allows businesses to manage customer interactions across various platforms.
- Customizable chat widget: Offers extensive customization options to align the chat interface with brand aesthetics.
- Integrations: Supports integration with tools like Zapier and Make.
Pros
- Easy to set up and get started with
- Comprehensive feature set: Combines live chat, chatbots, and a shared inbox.
- Flat-rate pricing: Offers a straightforward pricing model with a flat rate per workspace, not per agent, allowing businesses to scale without worrying about rising costs per agent.
Cons
- Learning curve to understand the interface fully and utilize all features effectively
- Limited advanced marketing features, such as sending broadcasts and sequences, aren't available.
Pricing
Crisp offers several pricing plans to accommodate different business needs:
- Free plan: Provides basic features suitable for small businesses or startups.
- Essential plan: Priced at $95 per month, includes additional features such as chatbot and CRM integrations.
- Plus plan: At $295 per month, offers unlimited live chat agents, 50,000 contacts, and all platform features, including AI capabilities.
Ratings
Crisp typically holds a rating between 4 and 5 on G2, with users appreciating its ease of use, affordability, and omnichannel features, while some suggest improvements in advanced reporting capabilities.
Must-have features for your live chat software
After exploring the top 7 live chat software solutions on the market and analyzing their pros and cons, let’s dive into the key features that your live chat software should offer:
- Real-time messaging: Enables instant communication between businesses and their customers, reducing wait times. Additionally, evaluate the channels supported by the software. For instance, if your business requires WhatsApp integration alongside mobile chat, ensure the live chat software can accommodate this need. Don’t forget to review their pricing structure to determine if it aligns with your budget and requirements.
- AI-powered chatbots: Handles repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as answering frequently asked questions, processing customer requests, and providing instant solutions. This must-have live chat software feature not only improves productivity but also allows your team to focus on more complex interactions while reducing the risk of burnout.
- Visitor tracking: Monitors the behavior of website visitors in real time, offering insights that help agents proactively engage with high-value prospects before they even initiate contact.
- Integration capabilities: Seamlessly connects with other tools and platforms, including CRM systems, helpdesk software, and email marketing tools. For example, when an agent receives a chat inquiry, they can instantly access the customer’s purchase history, past interactions, or previous support tickets.
In addition to these features, consider whether the software offers mobile SDKs, audio/video capabilities, or other advanced functionalities based on your business requirements.
Things to consider when choosing live chat software
There are certain things that you have to evaluate if you want to identify the best live chat software for your business.
Scalability
Your business needs today may differ significantly from what you'll need a year or two down the line. It's essential to choose live chat software that can scale as your business grows. Whether you're a startup with a handful of customers or an enterprise managing high-volume traffic, the tool should adapt easily.
Customization
Every business has its unique identity, and your live chat software should reflect your brand. Look for tools that allow you to tailor the appearance, tone, and functionality of your chat interface to align with your branding. This can create a cohesive experience for your customers and reinforce brand recognition.
Example: Customizable chat widgets let you modify colors, styles, and messages to fit your website’s aesthetics and personality.
Analytics
Understanding your customer interactions is crucial for refining your support strategy. Robust analytics features help track performance metrics like response time, customer satisfaction, and conversion rates. This data can guide decisions to enhance customer experience and streamline operations.
Integration capabilities
Your live chat software should work with the tools you already use. From CRM platforms to email marketing software, integration can improve efficiency and ensure all customer data is centralized for better insights and follow-ups.
Automation features
Save time and improve response times with automation features like chatbots and canned responses. Automation can help handle routine queries, allowing your team to focus on more complex issues.
Mobile accessibility
As businesses and customers increasingly rely on mobile devices, having live chat software with mobile accessibility ensures you can support customers anytime, anywhere.
Related resource:
How to choose the right live chat software for your business
Benefits of live chat software
Live chat software offers numerous advantages for businesses, transforming customer interactions and streamlining operations. Here’s how it can make a significant impact:
- Enhance customer satisfaction by offering real-time assistance
- Drive higher lead conversion rates through immediate engagement
- Provide cost-effective customer support with faster resolutions
- Foster better team collaboration by streamlining internal communication
Why is Zoho SalesIQ the best live chat software in 2025?
We think Zoho SalesIQ stands out as the best live chat software in 2025 for the way we combine AI features, integrations, and unrivaled scalability. Designed for businesses looking to elevate their customer experience while optimizing operational efficiency, Zoho SalesIQ is the ultimate choice for growing organizations.
Along with meeting all the essential criteria for the best live chat software, Zoho SalesIQ sets itself apart with exclusive features that enhance the entire customer journey.
Advanced AI capabilities
It leverages powerful AI with ChatGPT/ GPT Assistant integration to engage in more human-like conversations, suggest relevant content, and even anticipate customer needs.
Rich data insights and analytics
To further differentiate itself, Zoho SalesIQ offers in-depth analytics that track and measure every customer interaction. These insights provide businesses with actionable data to fine-tune their strategies and improve overall customer experience. From visitor behavior tracking to conversion metrics, businesses can make data-driven decisions that positively impact their performance.
Zoho SalesIQ is the ideal solution for businesses looking to improve customer engagement, automate workflows, and maintain data security—all while scaling with growth.
FAQs on the best live chat software
How does live chat software improve customer support?
Live chat software enhances customer support by providing immediate responses to inquiries, reducing the time customers spend waiting for answers. It allows support agents to handle multiple chats simultaneously. Additionally, features like AI-powered chatbots and integration with CRM systems enable personalized and informed support, which enhances the overall customer experience
Can live chat software integrate with other tools and platforms?
Yes, most live chat software solutions offer robust integration capabilities. They can connect with CRM systems, email marketing tools, helpdesk software, and more. This ensures that customer interactions are seamlessly recorded and managed across different platforms, providing a unified view of customer data and history.
What is the difference between live chat and chatbots?
Live chat involves real-time communication between a customer and a human agent, while chatbots are automated programs that handle customer interactions based on pre-set rules or AI algorithms. The best live chat software often combines both, enabling transitions from bots to human agents when necessary.
Can live chat software support multi-language interactions?
Yes, many live chat solutions offer multi-language support, either through integrated AI translators or by enabling agents to switch between languages during conversations. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with a global customer base.
How secure is live chat software?
Security depends on the software provider. Most reputable options offer encryption, secure data storage, and compliance with privacy standards like GDPR. Features like two-factor authentication and access controls add additional layers of security to protect customer data.
References:
https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-benioff-ai-humans-customer-service-salesforce-2024-9
Disclaimer:
The product information and user reviews in this blog are sourced from official websites, review platforms, and public user feedback. They represent a compilation of publicly available insights and do not reflect the opinions or endorsements of our team.
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