Top 10 Intercom Alternatives for Live Chat in 2025

Intercom has emerged as a popular platform offering a suite of tools for live chat, customer engagement, and support. However, it may not be the perfect fit for every business due to factors like pricing, complexity, or specific feature requirements.

If you're exploring other options, this comprehensive guide presents the top 10 Intercom alternatives, delving into their key features, direct comparisons to Intercom, pricing, pros and cons, and ideal use cases.

Why Consider Alternatives to Intercom?

While Intercom offers a robust platform with a range of features, businesses might seek alternatives for several reasons:

• Cost: Intercom's pricing can be steep, especially for small to medium-sized businesses as they scale.
• Complexity: Some users find Intercom's interface and feature set overwhelming or more complex than necessary.
• Specific Features: Businesses might require functionalities that Intercom doesn't offer or prefer the way other tools implement certain features.
• Customization and Integration: Alternatives may provide better customization options or integrate more seamlessly with existing tools.
• Customer Support: Users might prefer a platform that offers more accessible or personalized support.

Key Factors in Choosing a Customer Support and Live Chat Tool

When selecting a customer support and live chat solution, consider the following factors:

• Ease of Use: The platform should be intuitive for both your team and customers.
• Feature Set: Evaluate essential features like live chat, chatbots, email integration, automation, knowledge base, and analytics.
• Integrations: Ensure compatibility with your existing tools such as CRM, CMS, and marketing software.
• Scalability: The solution should accommodate your business growth without significant cost increases.
• Pricing: Align the cost with your budget and expected return on investment.
• Customer Support: Reliable support from the provider is crucial for resolving issues promptly.
• Customization: Ability to tailor the platform to your brand and workflows.

The 10 Best Intercom Alternatives

Below is a detailed list of the top 10 Intercom alternatives, including direct comparisons to Intercom to help you make an informed decision.

1. Zendesk

Zendesk is a well-established customer service platform offering a suite of tools for ticketing, live chat, knowledge base management, and customer engagement. It is designed to help businesses provide efficient and personalized support across multiple channels.

Key Features:

• Multi-channel support: Manage interactions via email, chat, phone, and social media.
• Ticketing system: Organize and prioritize customer inquiries effectively.
• Live chat and messaging: Engage customers in real-time across platforms.
• Knowledge base: Create a searchable help center with articles and FAQs.
• Automation and AI: Use chatbots to streamline workflows.
• Reporting and analytics: Gain insights into interactions and performance.
• Integrations: Connect with over 1,000 apps, including CRM and marketing tools.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Zendesk is more support-oriented, focusing on ticketing and help desk functionalities, while Intercom blends support with marketing and sales features. Intercom offers a modern interface, whereas Zendesk's is robust but can be complex for new users. Both platforms provide live chat, but Intercom's engagement tools are more advanced. Zendesk's pricing is flexible for small teams, though costs may rise with added features.

Make sure to check out these other 12 Zendesk alternatives.

Pros and Cons:

Zendesk offers comprehensive support features and scalability for businesses of all sizes. It integrates extensively with third-party applications and excels in ticketing. However, its interface may be complex for beginners, and advanced features require higher-tier plans. Customization can be limited without technical expertise.

Pricing:

• Suite Team: $49 per agent/month, billed annually.
• Suite Growth: $79 per agent/month.
• Suite Professional: $99 per agent/month.
• Add-ons and enterprise plans available.

Ideal For:

Zendesk is ideal for businesses seeking a robust, scalable customer support platform with strong ticketing and multi-channel capabilities.

2. Salesloft

Salesloft is a conversational marketing and sales platform that uses live chat and AI-powered chatbots to engage website visitors, qualify leads, and enhance customer relationships. It focuses on turning conversations into revenue.

Key Features:

• Live Chat and Chatbots: Real-time engagement with visitors using chatbots to automate responses.
• Conversational Marketing: Tools to personalize messages based on visitor behavior and attributes.
• Account-Based Marketing (ABM): Target high-value accounts with customized messaging.
• Meeting Scheduling: Allow prospects to book meetings directly through the chat interface.
• Integration Capabilities: Connects with CRM and marketing tools like Salesforce, Marketo, and HubSpot.
• Analytics and Reporting: Track engagement metrics, conversion rates, and pipeline influence.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Salesloft is geared towards marketing and sales teams, emphasizing lead generation and conversion, while Intercom offers a broader range of customer engagement and support features. Both offer AI chatbots, but Salesloft's bots are specifically designed for sales and marketing automation. Salesloft's advanced features come at a higher price point, which may be cost-prohibitive for small businesses.

Pros and Cons:

Salesloft offers an innovative approach to conversational marketing with powerful automation and personalization capabilities. It provides strong tools for sales engagement and lead qualification, supporting video and voice messages within chat. However, it has a higher price point, especially for advanced features, and may be more sales-focused than support-oriented. There is also a learning curve for setting up complex playbooks.

Pricing:

• Premium Plans: Starting at $400 per month, with advanced features and customization.
• Enterprise Plans: Custom pricing based on business needs.
• Salesloft also offers a free plan with limited features suitable for small businesses.

Ideal For:

Businesses focusing on marketing and sales engagement through conversational tools, aiming to convert website visitors into customers.

3. Freshchat (Freshdesk Messaging)

Freshchat, now known as Freshdesk Messaging, is part of the Freshworks suite and offers a modern messaging platform for customer engagement. It combines live chat, AI-powered bots, and a unified inbox to streamline support and sales conversations.

Key Features:

• Live Chat and Messaging: Engage customers across web, mobile, and social messaging apps.
• Chatbots and AI: Automate responses to common queries with AI-powered bots.
• Unified Inbox: Manage conversations from multiple channels in one place.
• In-App Messaging: Communicate with users directly within your app.
• Customer Journey Mapping: Track user behavior to send targeted messages.
• Integrations: Connect with CRM, help desk, and other Freshworks products.
• Team Collaboration: Internal notes, tagging, and assignment for efficient teamwork.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Both Freshchat and Intercom offer live chat, in-app messaging, and chatbots. Intercom may have more advanced features for customer onboarding, like product tours. Freshchat generally offers more affordable pricing options, making it accessible for small to medium-sized businesses. Freshchat integrates seamlessly with Freshdesk, whereas Intercom combines support and marketing features in one platform.

Pros and Cons:

Freshchat has a user-friendly interface with easy setup and affordable pricing plans suitable for various business sizes. It offers strong AI and automation capabilities and seamless integration with other Freshworks products. However, advanced features may require higher-tier plans, and it has fewer third-party integrations compared to Intercom. Customization options for the chat widget are also limited.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Basic features for small teams.
• Growth Plan: $15 per agent per month, billed annually.
• Pro Plan: $39 per agent per month, adds advanced features.
• Enterprise Plan: $69 per agent per month, offers full capabilities.

Ideal For:

Businesses seeking an affordable and scalable messaging platform with AI capabilities, especially those already using Freshworks products.

4. Help Scout

Help Scout is a customer service platform focused on delivering personalized support through email and live chat. It offers a simple and clean interface, making it ideal for teams that value ease of use and customer satisfaction.

Key Features:

• Shared Inbox: Collaborate on customer emails with features like assignments and private notes.
• Live Chat (Beacon): Provide real-time assistance and self-service options through an embeddable widget.
• Knowledge Base (Docs): Build a searchable help center with articles and FAQs.
• Customer Management: View customer profiles and interaction history.
• Automation: Use workflows to automate tasks like tagging and assigning.
• Reporting: Analyze team performance and customer satisfaction metrics.
• Integrations: Connect with tools like Slack, Salesforce, and HubSpot.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Help Scout emphasizes email support and simplicity, while Intercom offers a broader suite including marketing and onboarding tools. Help Scout is known for its clean, user-friendly interface, whereas Intercom's interface is modern but can be overwhelming due to its extensive features. Intercom provides more advanced features like product tours and in-app messages, whereas Help Scout focuses on core support functionalities.

Pros and Cons:

Help Scout is easy to use with a minimal learning curve and a strong focus on personalized customer support. It offers affordable pricing plans and excellent customer support and resources. However, it has limited customization for the live chat widget and fewer advanced features compared to Intercom. It may not be suitable for businesses needing marketing automation.

Pricing:

• Standard Plan: $20 per user per month, billed annually.
• Plus Plan: $40 per user per month, adds features like custom fields and advanced reporting.
• Company Plan: Custom pricing for enterprise needs.

Ideal For:

Small to medium-sized businesses emphasizing personalized email support and a simple interface.

5. LiveChat

LiveChat provides a robust live chat solution focused on enhancing customer engagement and boosting sales. It offers a seamless chat experience for website visitors and equips agents with tools to improve efficiency.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Chat: Engage customers instantly with features like message sneak-peek and canned responses.
• Chat Routing: Distribute chats based on agent skills or availability.
• Customization: Customize the chat widget to match your branding.
• Integrations: Works with over 200 tools, including CRM and help desk systems.
• Ticketing System: Convert chats into tickets for follow-up.
• Analytics Dashboard: Monitor chat volume, agent performance, and customer satisfaction.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

LiveChat specializes in live chat with an intuitive interface, while Intercom offers a broader range of features including in-app messaging and product tours. Intercom provides more advanced automation and chatbot capabilities. LiveChat's pricing is straightforward, but advanced features require higher-tier plans.

Pros and Cons:

LiveChat is easy to set up and use, with a highly customizable chat widget and strong integration options. It focuses on enhancing real-time customer engagement. However, it has limited automation compared to Intercom, additional costs for certain features like chatbot integration, and no built-in CRM functionalities.

Pricing:

• Starter Plan: $19 per agent per month, billed annually.
• Team Plan: $39 per agent per month.
• Business Plan: $59 per agent per month.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing.

Ideal For:

Businesses focused on real-time support and sales conversions through live chat.

6. Tawk.to

Tawk.to is a free live chat application that allows businesses to monitor and chat with visitors on their website or from a customizable page. It aims to provide accessible customer engagement tools without the financial barrier.

Key Features:

• Unlimited Agents and Chat Volume: No restrictions on the number of agents or chats.
• Customizable Widget: Adjust the chat widget to match your website's branding.
• File Transfer: Send and receive files during chats.
• Visitor Monitoring: See who is on your site in real-time and initiate chats.
• Mobile Apps: Stay connected via iOS and Android devices.
• Ticketing System: Manage offline messages and support tickets.
• Knowledge Base: Create a self-help center for customers.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Tawk.to offers a free solution with optional paid add-ons, making it highly accessible, whereas Intercom is a paid platform with advanced features. Intercom provides more comprehensive features, including marketing automation, in-app messaging, and product tours. Tawk.to focuses on basic live chat functionalities. Intercom allows for more extensive customization and integration options.

Pros and Cons:

Tawk.to is completely free to use, easy to set up and operate, and supports multiple languages. It offers optional paid services like chat agents and branding removal. However, it has limited advanced features and integrations, and its interface may not be as polished as premium tools. Branding removal comes at a cost.

Pricing:

• Free: Full-featured live chat at no cost.
• Paid Add-ons:
  • Remove Branding: $19 per month.
  • Hire Chat Agents: Starting at $1 per hour.

Ideal For:

Businesses looking for a basic, cost-effective live chat solution without advanced features.

7. Crisp

Crisp is a messaging platform that combines live chat, chatbot, and multi-channel customer support into a single solution. It aims to enhance customer relationships by providing tools for engagement, support, and marketing.

Key Features:

• Live Chat: Real-time messaging with visitors, including typing insights and message previews.
• Chatbot and Automation: Automate responses to common queries using chatbots.
• Multi-Channel Inbox: Manage conversations from email, Messenger, Twitter, SMS, and more.
• Knowledge Base: Create a help center for customer self-service.
• Co-Browsing and Video Calls: Assist customers directly on their screen or through video chat.
• Team Collaboration: Internal notes, mentions, and file sharing.
• Integrations: Connect with tools like Slack, WordPress, and Zapier.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Both Crisp and Intercom offer live chat, chatbots, and multi-channel support. Intercom provides more advanced marketing and onboarding features. Crisp offers more affordable pricing plans, making it suitable for startups and small businesses. Intercom may offer more extensive customization options and integrations.

Pros and Cons:

Crisp has affordable pricing with a generous free plan and a user-friendly interface. It offers advanced features like co-browsing and video calls and multi-channel support in one inbox. However, some advanced features require higher-tier plans, and its chatbot builder may not be as advanced.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Basic features with limitations.
• Pro Plan: $25 per website per month, adds features like chatbots and team inbox.
• Unlimited Plan: $95 per website per month, includes all features.

Ideal For:

Startups and small businesses seeking an affordable, feature-rich messaging platform.

8. Userlike

Userlike is a live chat software that combines website chat with messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and more. It focuses on providing personalized customer support and fostering customer relationships.

Key Features:

• Website Chat: Engage visitors in real-time with a customizable chat widget.
• Messaging Integration: Connect with customers through popular messaging apps.
• Chatbot Automation: Use chatbots to handle common inquiries and hand over to agents when needed.
• Customer Profiles: Store conversation history and customer data for personalized interactions.
• Analytics and Reporting: Monitor key metrics like chat volume and customer satisfaction.
• Team Management: Assign roles, permissions, and manage multiple agents.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Userlike emphasizes integration with messaging apps, while Intercom offers broader features including in-app messaging and marketing automation. Intercom provides more advanced engagement tools like product tours and email campaigns. Userlike offers competitive pricing, especially for businesses needing messaging app integration.

Pros:

• Strong integration with messaging apps.
• User-friendly interface.
• GDPR compliant, with servers based in Germany.
• Affordable pricing plans.

Cons:

• Limited marketing automation features.
• Advanced functionalities require higher-tier plans.
• Fewer integrations compared to Intercom.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Basic features with one operator.
• Team Plan: $90 per month, includes 3 operators.
• Corporate Plan: $290 per month, adds more features and operators.
• Flex Plan: Custom pricing based on needs.

Ideal For: Businesses focusing on personalized customer support through website chat and messaging apps.

9. Olark

Olark provides a simple live chat solution aimed at helping businesses connect with website visitors to increase sales and improve support. It emphasizes simplicity and ease of use.

Key Features:

• Customizable Chatbox: Match the chat widget to your branding.
• Automated Messages: Engage visitors proactively based on behavior.
• Transcript Archives: Access chat histories for insights and training.
• Integrations: Connects with CRM and help desk systems like Salesforce and Help Scout.
• Real-Time Reporting: Monitor chat volume, agent activity, and customer satisfaction.
• Visitor Insights: View visitor activity and page navigation.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Olark offers a straightforward live chat solution, while Intercom provides a more comprehensive platform with advanced features. Intercom includes in-app messaging, email campaigns, and product tours, which Olark lacks. Olark offers affordable pricing with flexible billing options.

Pros:

• Easy to install and use.
• Affordable pricing plans.
• Strong focus on essential live chat features.

Cons:

• Limited advanced functionalities.
• No free plan available.
• Less suitable for businesses needing marketing automation.

Pricing:

• Monthly Plan: $29 per agent per month.
• Yearly Plan: $19 per agent per month, billed annually.
• 2-Year Plan: $15 per agent per month, billed biennially.

Ideal For: Small businesses looking for a straightforward live chat solution without unnecessary complexity.

10. Chatra

Chatra is a live chat and chatbot software designed to help businesses communicate with customers in real-time, reduce cart abandonment, and increase sales. It offers a balance between simplicity and useful features.

Key Features:

• Live Chat: Engage visitors with a modern, customizable chat widget.
• Chatbots: Automate responses and capture leads when agents are offline.
• Real-Time Visitor List: Monitor website visitors and initiate chats proactively.
• Typing Insights: See what visitors are typing before they send messages.
• Group Chats: Involve multiple agents in a conversation when needed.
• Integrations: Connect with platforms like Slack, Facebook, and CRM systems.
• Offline Messaging: Collect visitor information when agents are unavailable.

Direct Comparison to Intercom:

Chatra focuses on live chat and basic chatbot functionality, whereas Intercom offers a more extensive suite including email marketing and user onboarding tools. Chatra provides affordable plans suitable for small businesses. Intercom allows for more advanced customization and integrations.

Pros:

• User-friendly and quick to set up.
• Affordable pricing with essential features.
• Modern and attractive chat widget.
• Supports multi-agent chats.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features and automation.
• Fewer integrations compared to Intercom.
• Chatbot capabilities are basic.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Basic features for one agent.
• Essential Plan: $19 per agent per month, includes all features.

Ideal For: Small businesses and startups needing a simple live chat solution with some automation capabilities.

Overview of Intercom Alternatives

Now that you have seen them all in detail, here is a quick overview that lets you see the perks of the different Intercom alternatives in close relation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here we answer the most asked questions in relation to Intercom alternatives:

What factors should I consider when choosing an Intercom alternative?

Consider factors such as your business size, budget, required features (e.g., live chat, chatbots, CRM integration), ease of use, scalability, customization options, and the level of customer support provided by the vendor. Assess whether the alternative addresses any limitations you experienced with Intercom.

Are there free alternatives to Intercom?

Yes, tools like Tawk.to and Crisp offer free plans with basic features suitable for small businesses or those starting out. These plans can be a good way to test the platform before committing to a paid plan.

Can these tools integrate with my existing systems?

Most of the listed alternatives offer integrations with popular CRM, CMS, e-commerce platforms, and other business tools. It's important to verify compatibility with your existing systems to ensure seamless operations.

Do these alternatives support multi-channel communication?

Many alternatives like Zendesk, Freshchat, and Userlike support multiple channels, including email, live chat, social media, and messaging apps, allowing you to engage customers on their preferred platforms.

Is it easy to migrate from Intercom to another platform?

Migration processes vary by platform. Some providers offer migration assistance or tools to help transfer data from Intercom to their system. It's advisable to consult with the vendor for specific migration support and to plan the transition carefully.

Which alternative is best for small businesses?

Tools like Help Scout, Crisp, Chatra, and Tawk.to are popular among small businesses due to their affordability and ease of use. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget.

Do these platforms offer customer support?

Yes, most providers offer customer support through various channels like email, live chat, and phone. The level of support may vary based on your pricing plan, so it's important to consider this when selecting a solution.

Can I customize these tools to match my brand?

Many of the alternatives allow for customization of customer-facing elements like chat widgets, support portals, and emails to match your branding, providing a consistent experience for your customers.