Is a Live Chat Tool Essential for My Online Store? Cheaper Alternatives to Intercom

Having a live chat feature on your online store can significantly enhance customer service by providing immediate assistance. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and potentially higher conversion rates. While live chat tools aren't strictly necessary, many businesses find them beneficial. If Intercom is too expensive, there are several cheaper alternatives you might consider.

Why Consider a Live Chat Tool?

A live chat feature can:

Provide immediate assistance to customers. Enhance customer satisfaction.Facilitate real-time feedback collection. Improve conversion rates by addressing customer inquiries promptly. Build customer trust and loyalty.

Free and Cheap Live Chat Alternatives to Intercom

Here are some free and affordable live chat alternatives to Intercom:

Free and Open Source Options: These include LiveChat, Crisp, Chatra, and olark. Each has unique features and pricing structures, allowing you to choose the best fit for your needs. Tidio: Offers a free plan with chat and email integration, making it cost-effective for small businesses. neetoChat: A low-price alternative that comes with tons of integrations, allowing you to install it at a fraction of the monthly cost compared to Intercom.

neetoChat - A Low-Price Alternative to Intercom

neetoChat is a great option for those seeking a low-cost live chat solution. The first 10 agents are free, and it comes with numerous integrations that can help streamline your customer support efforts.

Comparison with Intercom

While Intercom is a popular customer service platform used by large companies such as Amazon, Xero, and Microsoft, its pricing model can be restrictive for small businesses.

Even though the CEO and co-founder Eoghan McCabe implemented pricing structure changes in 2024, the cost remains high. For instance, the Essential plan starts at $39 per user, while the Expert plan is priced at $139 per user per month. This can be quite costly for small businesses.

Free and Affordable Options

If you're looking for a basic live chat widget, you can find options that are free to use. For example, the Crisp Basic Plan is free forever, allowing entrepreneurs to connect with their audience. Crisp also comes with powerful integration for eCommerce platforms like Shopify or WordPress, which can empower businesses.

Affordable Comprehensive Solutions

If you're a slightly larger business seeking a comprehensive customer support solution, you can consider Crisp. From the $25 per month plan, you get 4 licenses and many great features to improve your customer service. This is a better deal compared to Intercom's Essential plan, which starts at $39 per license and doesn't include social integration.

Comparative Analysis of Intercom and Crisp

The Expert plan of Intercom includes advanced analytics and multiple help centers but costs $139 per user per month. On the other hand, the Unlimited plan of Crisp is priced at $95 per user per month and offers 20 licenses. This means the annual cost for 20 users on Crisp's Unlimited plan would be $1,140, whereas for Intercom it would be $33,000. The cost difference is around $28,000 per year.

Other alternatives to Intercom include HelpCrunch, TawkTo, Drift, FreshChat, and LiveAgent. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages, so you can choose the one that best fits your business needs.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Live Chat Tool

ease of use: Look for a tool that is user-friendly and doesn't require extensive technical knowledge. integration with existing systems: Ensure the tool can integrate seamlessly with your website and other business tools. specific features needed: Consider the specific features you require, such as automation, AI, and analytics.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select the best live chat tool for your online store and enhance your customer service without breaking the bank.