When choosing a live chat software, understanding the pricing and plan details is crucial. Different softwares offer various packages with distinct features and costs. Here, we’ll explore the pricing of some of the leading live chat softwares and weigh their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
I. LiveChat
- Starter: $20 per agent per month when billed annually, or $24 per month. Applicable to small office/home office. Includes 60-day chat history and other basic functions.
- Team: $41 per agent per month when billed annually, or $49 per month. Suitable for full-time support teams. Has complete chat history and basic reports.
- Business: $59 per agent per month when billed annually, or $69 per month. Applicable to customer service departments. Equipped with advanced reports and staffing forecasts.
- Enterprise: Annual contract required. Offers personalized customization and exclusive services. Suitable for global companies.
- Pros:
- Flexible plans to scale with business growth.
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
- Cons:
- Higher costs for advanced features in upper tiers.
- Limited customization in lower-priced plans.
II. Zendesk
- Base Plan: $19 per month. Offers basic features, suitable for small teams. Includes basic functions like ticketing system, email, and chat.
- Suite Team Plan: $55 per agent per month. Comes with standard bots, pre-built analytics dashboards, etc. Suitable for growing teams.
- Suite Growth Plan: $89 per agent per month. Adds features like multi-ticket forms. Suitable for larger scale operation teams.
- Suite Professional Plan: $115 per agent per month. Has advanced features such as customization and real-time analytics. Suitable for complex business teams.
- Suite Enterprise Plan: Need to contact for a customized solution. Suitable for large enterprises. Provides enterprise-level features like advanced security.
- Pros:
- Bundled with other Zendesk products.
- Good value for businesses using multiple Zendesk tools.
- Cons:
- Expensive for small businesses on a tight budget.
- Complex pricing structure to understand.
III. Olark
- Free Plan: Up to 20 chats per month. Suitable for websites with low chat traffic. Can use basic chat functions.
- Self-Service Plan: $29 per agent per month. Includes pre-chat forms, visitor lists, etc. Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Olark Pro: Need to contact the sales team for a quote. Targets enterprise-level customers. Provides additional features like chatbots.
- Pros:
- Affordable Lite plan for new ventures.
- Scalable plans with added features.
- Cons:
- Higher-end plans lack cost competitiveness.
- Fewer unique features compared to some.
IV. Tidio
- Starter: $29/month. Ideal for small businesses focused on enhancing customer satisfaction via live chat support.
- Growth: $59/month. Ideal for teams of all sizes prioritizing customer service as their competitive advantages.
- Plus: $749/month. For business requiring better limits, additional integrations, advanced features, and premium support.
- Pros:
- Free plan to test the waters.
- Reasonably priced for small to medium firms.
- Cons:
- Paid plans can add up quickly for large usage.
- Some features not as refined as competitors.
V. Pure Chat
- Free Plan: Can be used permanently. Limited functions. Suitable for personal websites or small enterprises. Has basic chat functions.
- Basic Plan: Starting from $19 per month. Provides more functions like chat history saving. Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Professional Plan: Starting from $49 per month. Suitable for high-traffic websites or enterprises. Offers more powerful functions and support.
- Pros:
- Free and affordable options available.
- Simple and easy to understand pricing.
- Cons:
- Lacks advanced features of competitors.
- Limited scalability for large enterprises.
VI. Drift
- Standard Plan: $40 per month billed annually. Ideal for a marketer who wants to proactively atart conversations with prospects.
- Professional Plan: $400 per month billed annually. Optimal for a team who waants to capture and distribute leads to their reps.
- Enterprise Plan: Customized solution. Suitable for large enterprises. Offers highly customizable features and services.
- Pros:
- Focused on driving sales conversions.
- Powerful features for B2B.
- Cons:
- Not cost-effective for pure customer service.
- High price for advanced features.
VII. Intercom
- Starter Plan: Suitable for startups. Get AI-first customer service with every plan. Try free for 14 days. No credit card required.
- Essential: $29 per seat/month. $348/year. The customer support plan for individuals, startups, and small businesses.
- Advanced: $85 per seat/month. $1020/year. Powerful automation tools and AI features for growing support teams. Recommended.
- Pros:
- Comprehensive platform with many tools.
- Good for businesses with multiple needs.
- Cons:
- Expensive for basic live chat functionality.
- Complex to set up and manage.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to live chat software pricing. The best choice depends on your business’s specific requirements, budget, and growth plans. If you’re a startup on a tight budget, Olark’s Lite plan or Tidio’s Free plan might be a good starting point. For larger enterprises with complex needs and a focus on sales, Drift or Intercom could be more suitable. However, LiveChat offers good scalability options for businesses looking to grow. Carefully consider the pros and cons of each software’s pricing and plan features to ensure you select the live chat solution that aligns with your business goals and maximizes your return on investment.
