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Best Free Live Chat Apps for Small Businesses and Startups

Paweł Hałabuda

16 min read

Aug 9, 2024

Businesses need to engage with their customers in real-time to stay competitive and build strong relationships. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through live chat.

Live chat software enables businesses to communicate instantly with their website visitors, providing quick answers to their questions and resolving issues on the spot. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also boosts conversion rates and sales.

For small businesses and startups, finding a cost-effective live chat solution is crucial. Fortunately, many excellent live chat apps offer a free version or trials, allowing businesses to leverage powerful features without breaking the bank. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your customer support system, a free live chat app can be a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll explore the best free live chat software available in 2024. I’ll delve into their features, pros and cons, and how they can benefit your business. My goal is to help you choose the right live chat software to improve your customer engagement and support.

What to look for in a free live chat app

Selecting the right live chat app for your business can significantly impact your customer engagement and support effectiveness. 

Here are key factors to consider when choosing a free live chat app:

Ease of use

A live chat app should have an intuitive, user-friendly interface that makes it easy for both your team and your customers to use. Look for software with simple setup processes, clear navigation, and straightforward chat functionalities. An easy-to-use platform will ensure that your team can quickly learn and efficiently utilize the tool without extensive training.

Features

While free versions may come with limitations, it’s essential to identify the core features you need. Some key features to look for include:

• Ability to engage with customers instantly.
• Predefined answers to common queries to save time.
• Automated messages to enhance customer interactions and manage them efficiently.
• Integration with other communication channels like email, social media, and SMS.
• Customizable live chat widget to match your brand’s look and feel and integrate seamlessly with other tools.
• Monitoring visitor behavior to initiate chats proactively.
• Insights into chat performance and customer satisfaction.

Scalability

Your business needs may evolve, and so should your live chat solution. Choose an app that can scale with your business, offering easy upgrades to more advanced features and higher chat limits as you grow. Scalability ensures you won't need to switch platforms as your requirements increase.

Support and Resources

Even the most user-friendly apps can pose occasional challenges. Opt for a live chat app that offers robust customer support, including live assistance, comprehensive FAQs, tutorials, and other resources. This will help you resolve issues quickly and make the most of the app's features.

Limitations of free plans

Understand the typical limitations of signing for a free plan, such as:

• Some apps may restrict the amount of chat history you can access.
• Free plans often limit the number of simultaneous chats.
• Advanced features might be reserved for paid plans.
• Intelligent chat routing is often reserved for paid plans.
• Some free plans might include the live chat provider’s branding on the chat widget.

By evaluating these factors, you can better assess which free live chat app aligns with your business needs and objectives.

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Comparison table of free live chat software

Before I get into details of each live chat software, here's a comparison table of each option:

Detailed reviews of top free live chat apps

1. LiveChat

LiveChat is a popular customer service platform that provides real-time chat support to businesses of all sizes. Known for its intuitive interface and robust features, LiveChat helps companies enhance customer engagement, resolve issues promptly, and boost satisfaction. While LiveChat offers a free trial, its comprehensive feature set is often highlighted in its paid plans.

Pros:

• LiveChat is known for its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
• Offers a wide range of features, including customization, canned responses, and visitor tracking.
• Suitable for businesses of all sizes, with the ability to upgrade as your business grows.
• Provides comprehensive support, including live assistance, extensive documentation, and training resources.

Cons:

• LiveChat primarily offers a free trial rather than a free plan, limiting long-term access without a subscription.
• Can be relatively expensive compared to other live chat solutions, especially for small businesses or startups on a tight budget.
• The free trial might include LiveChat branding, which could detract from your brand’s professional appearance.

LiveChat consistently receives positive feedback from users across various review platforms. Users often praise its ease of use, feature-rich environment, and responsive customer support team. The platform has high ratings on sites like G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot, reflecting its reputation as a reliable live chat solution.

2. Tawk.to

Tawk.to is a widely used live chat application that provides businesses with a robust set of features for free. It is particularly popular among small businesses and startups due to its comprehensive functionalities and lack of any hidden costs. Tawk.to enables companies to offer real-time support, track visitors, and engage with customers efficiently.

Pros:

• Tawk.to offers a genuinely free plan with no hidden costs, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.
• No limitations on the number of agents, chats, or websites, allowing for scalability without additional costs.
• Despite being free, Tawk.to offers a robust set of features comparable to many paid solutions.
• Extensive options to customize the chat window and integrate it seamlessly with your brand.
• Provides an easy way to offer self-help resources to customers.

Cons:

• The free plan includes Tawk.to branding on the chat widget. Removing the branding requires a paid add-on.
• Some users may find the initial setup and customization options overwhelming due to the abundance of features.
• While it offers many basic and intermediate features, some advanced functionalities found in premium services may be lacking.

Tawk.to is highly rated on various review platforms such as G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot. Users appreciate its comprehensive feature set, ease of use, and the fact that it remains free. Many reviews highlight the platform’s value for money and the extensive customization options available.

3. Zoho SalesIQ

Zoho SalesIQ is a robust live chat software designed to enhance customer engagement and support. Part of the Zoho suite of business applications, SalesIQ integrates seamlessly with other Zoho products, providing a cohesive ecosystem for managing customer interactions. It offers a free plan that caters to small businesses and startups, making it accessible for those with limited budgets.

Pros:

• If you’re already using other Zoho products like CRM or Desk, SalesIQ integrates smoothly, creating a unified customer management system.
• Provides detailed visitor tracking and analytics by leveraging customer data, helping you understand user behavior and improve engagement strategies.
• Allows for extensive customization of chat widgets to match your website’s branding.
• Includes automation features such as proactive chat triggers and intelligent bots to streamline customer interactions.
• Manage and respond to chats on the go with the SalesIQ mobile app.

Cons:

• The free plan comes with restrictions on advanced features and the number of users, which might not be sufficient for larger teams.
• Users may find the initial setup and navigation slightly complex, especially if they are new to the Zoho ecosystem.
• The free plan includes limitations on the number of chats and chat history, which can be restrictive for high-traffic websites.

Zoho SalesIQ generally receives positive feedback for its integration capabilities and robust features. Users on platforms like G2 and Capterra appreciate its ability to provide comprehensive visitor insights and seamless integration with other Zoho products. However, some users note that the free plan’s limitations and the initial learning curve can be challenging.

4. HubSpot Live Chat

HubSpot Live Chat is part of HubSpot’s free CRM tools, offering businesses a powerful way to engage with their website visitors in real-time. Known for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with HubSpot’s suite of marketing, sales, and service tools, it provides a cohesive experience for managing customer interactions.

Pros:

• Automatically logs chat interactions into HubSpot CRM, providing a complete view of customer interactions and histories.
• HubSpot Live Chat is known for its straightforward setup and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.
• Offers a robust free plan with access to essential live chat features without hidden costs.
• Allows for customization to align with your website’s branding and design.
• Includes basic chatbot functionality in the free plan, helping to automate responses and qualify leads.
• Allows you to assign conversations to the appropriate team members, ensuring that customer inquiries are handled by the right personnel.

Cons:

• Some advanced functionalities, like in-depth reporting and more sophisticated automation, are reserved for higher-tier plans.
• Best suited for users who are already utilizing or planning to use other HubSpot tools, as the full potential is realized within the HubSpot ecosystem.
• While customizable, some users feel the customization options for the chat widget are less extensive compared to other platforms.

HubSpot Live Chat is well-regarded on review platforms like G2 and Capterra for its ease of use, integration with HubSpot CRM, and the value it provides for free. Users appreciate the seamless transition between live chat and other HubSpot tools. However, some users mention the limitations in advanced features as a downside for more complex needs.

5. Tidio

Tidio is a versatile live chat solution designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It combines live chat, chatbots, and email marketing into one platform, providing a comprehensive tool for customer engagement and support. Tidio offers a free plan with a solid range of features, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to enhance their customer service without a significant investment.

Pros:

• Tidio is known for its quick setup and intuitive interface, allowing businesses to start chatting with visitors almost immediately.
• Even the free plan includes chatbot functionality, helping to automate responses and engage with visitors 24/7.
• Seamlessly integrates with various platforms, including WordPress, Shopify, and popular CRM systems.
• Combines live chat, email, and Messenger into one platform, enabling businesses to manage all customer communications in one place.
• Offers a good level of customization for the live chat widget to match your brand’s aesthetics and integrate with other platforms.

Cons:

• The free plan limits the number of chatbot triggers and active chat operators, which might not suffice for busier websites.
• As businesses grow, the limitations of the free plan may necessitate a move to a paid plan to access more advanced features and higher limits.
• The free plan offers only basic reporting and analytics, which may not be sufficient for data-driven decision-making.

Tidio receives positive reviews for its ease of use, integration capabilities, and the value it provides for free. Users on platforms like G2 and Capterra commend its user-friendly interface and the ability to handle multiple communication channels in one platform. However, some users mention the limitations of the free plan and basic reporting as areas for improvement.

6. Intercom

Intercom is a powerful customer messaging platform known for its advanced features and seamless user experience. While primarily a premium service, Intercom offers a free trial to allow businesses to explore its functionalities. It’s designed to help businesses build strong relationships with their customers through personalized, real-time communication.

Pros:

• Intercom is packed with sophisticated features such as targeted messaging, automated workflows, detailed customer insights, and secure live chats that integrate with multiple messaging platforms.
• Offers extensive options to customize chat widgets and personalize messages based on user behavior and attributes.
• Integrates with a wide range of tools and platforms, including CRM systems, email marketing tools, and more.
• Provides in-depth analytics and reporting to help businesses measure performance and improve customer engagement strategies.
• Known for its clean, intuitive interface that enhances both the agent and customer experience.

Cons:

• Intercom’s pricing can be on the higher side, especially for small businesses or startups, making it less accessible without significant investment.
• Due to its extensive feature set, new users might face a learning curve to fully utilize the platform’s capabilities.
• The free trial is time-limited and may not provide enough time for some businesses to fully explore all features and determine long-term suitability.

Intercom is highly rated on review sites such as G2 and Capterra for its feature-rich platform and exceptional user experience. Users appreciate the advanced capabilities and seamless integrations, though some mention the higher cost and learning curve as potential drawbacks.

7. Chatra

Chatra is a live chat software designed to provide a straightforward and effective way for businesses to communicate with their website visitors. It offers a free plan that includes basic chat functionalities, making it suitable for small businesses and startups looking for a cost-effective solution.

Pros:

• Chatra is praised for its simple, clean interface that is easy for both customers and agents to use.
• Supports communication through live chat and Facebook Messenger, enabling businesses to manage multiple channels from a single platform.
• Allows visitors to leave messages when agents are offline, ensuring no customer query goes unanswered.
• Supports group chats, allowing multiple agents to participate in a conversation, which can be helpful for resolving complex issues.
• Provides basic visitor information and real-time typing insights to help agents prepare responses.

Cons:

• The free plan offers essential features but lacks some advanced functionalities found in paid plans.
• There may be restrictions on the number of concurrent chats or chat history length in the free plan.
• The free plan includes Chatra branding on the chat widget, which can be removed by upgrading to a paid plan.

Chatra generally receives positive feedback for its ease of use, clean interface, and effective multi-channel support. Users on platforms like G2 and Capterra appreciate its straightforward approach to live chat, though some note the limitations of the free plan and the presence of Chatra branding as minor drawbacks.

8. Freshchat

Freshchat, a product of Freshworks, is a modern messaging software designed to help businesses engage with their customers in real-time. It offers a range of features, including live chat, bots, and integrated messaging across various platforms. Freshchat’s free plan is suitable for small businesses looking to enhance their customer service without incurring additional costs.

Pros:

• Supports messaging across various platforms, including websites, mobile apps, and social media channels.
• Known for its clean and user-friendly interface, making it easy for both agents and customers to navigate.
• Even the free plan includes basic bot functionality to help automate responses and engage visitors 24/7.
• Provides a unified inbox for teams to manage and respond to all customer inquiries from different channels in one place.
• Allows sharing of images, videos, and other files within the chat to enhance communication.

Cons:

• The free plan comes with limitations on the number of agents and advanced features, which may not be sufficient for larger teams or high-traffic websites.
• Some integrations are only available in higher-tier plans, which could restrict the functionality of the free plan.
• The free plan offers basic analytics and reporting, which might not be adequate for businesses that require detailed insights.

Freshchat is well-regarded on review platforms such as G2 and Capterra for its ease of use, multi-channel support, and effective team collaboration tools. Users appreciate the intuitive interface and bot functionality, though some point out the limitations of the free plan and the need for more advanced integrations as potential areas for improvement.

9. Olark

Olark is a straightforward and effective live chat solution designed to help businesses improve their customer service and sales. It offers a range of features aimed at making customer interactions more efficient and insightful. While Olark provides a free trial rather than a permanent free plan, its feature-rich environment makes it a strong contender for businesses considering an investment in live chat software.

Pros:

• Olark is known for its simple setup and user-friendly interface, which helps businesses get started quickly.
• Allows businesses to customize the chat widget to match their brand’s look and feel.
• Provides chat transcripts and detailed reporting to help businesses analyze interactions and improve their customer service strategies.
• Offers a wide range of integrations with CRM systems, email marketing tools, and other platforms.
• Supports the creation of automation rules to streamline chat workflows and enhance efficiency.

Cons:

• The free trial is time-limited, which might not provide enough time for some businesses to fully evaluate the software.
• Olark can be relatively expensive for small businesses or startups once the free trial period ends.
• Some advanced features and customizations are only available in higher-tier plans, potentially limiting the functionality during the free trial.

Olark receives positive feedback on review platforms like G2 and Capterra for its ease of use, customizable chat box, and robust reporting features. Users appreciate the seamless integrations and the ability to automate chat workflows. However, some users note the limitations of the free trial and the cost of the paid plans as potential drawbacks.

How to choose the right live chat app for your business

Selecting the right live chat app involves considering several key factors to ensure it meets your business needs and enhances customer engagement:

1. Identify your specific requirements, such as the expected volume of customer interactions and industry-specific features.
2. Choose a platform that can grow with your business, supporting more agents and advanced features as needed.
3. Opt for an app with an intuitive interface and customizable chat widgets to align with your brand.
4. Ensure the provider offers reliable customer support and comprehensive resources for troubleshooting.
5. Start with free plans or trials, like LiveChat’s 14-day free trial, to evaluate suitability before committing to a paid plan.
6. Look for seamless integration with existing tools, such as CRM systems and marketing platforms.
7. Verify that the app uses robust encryption and complies with relevant data protection regulations.

Choose the best live chat software for your brand

Ready to take your customer engagement to the next level? Try LiveChat, the best live chat solution offering a comprehensive set of features and a 14-day free trial. 

Experience seamless integration, an intuitive interface, and advanced customization options tailored to your business needs. 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your customer support and boost satisfaction. Sign up for LiveChat’s free trial today and see the difference it can make for your business!

Start your free trial now

Create your free LiveChat account and see what our tool can do for your business.

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