Connecting with customers in real-time on your website is crucial for providing excellent service and boosting sales. Live chat software for small business allows to have conversations directly with site visitors to answer questions, provide support, and guide them through the sales process.
With so many options on the market, it can be tough to determine which live chat platforms are the best fit for your small business’s needs and budget.
This article will discuss the key features small businesses should look for in live chat software and review the top platforms to consider. Whether you need basic chat capabilities or advanced analytics and automation, there are affordable and easy-to-use solutions suitable for small businesses of all types.
Read on for recommendations on the best live chat software to interact with customers, increase sales conversions, and provide support for your small business website.
7 Best Live Chat Software for a Small Business at a glance
| Software | 価格 | Key Features for Small businesses |
|---|---|---|
| スライブデスク | Starts at $25/month | Order processing, Live chat, Knowledge base, Surveys, Third-party integrations (e.g., WooCommerce, EDD, Surecart and Freemius) |
| Tidio Chat | Starts at $20/month (Free version available) | Product Recommendations, Live Product Cards, Email marketing integration, Third-party integrations, Predefined Templates for Bot Creation |
| フレッシュチャット | Starts at $19/agent per month | Freemium plan, AI-powered chatbots, omnichannel communication |
| ライブチャット | Starts at $20 per agent/month | Feature-rich, reporting and analytics tools, integrations with marketing platforms |
| ヘルプスカウト | Starts at $20/user per month | Simple and affordable, ticketing system included, mobile app for on-the-go support |
| ドリフト | Starts at $2,500/month, billed annually | Conversational marketing features, website visitor tracking, chatbots for lead qualification |
| インターホン | Starts at $39/seat per month | Powerful live chat and messaging platform, targeted messaging, chatbots |
7 Best Live Chat Software for Small Business In Depth
ThriveDesk (hi 👋) – Gen AI Livechat & Chatbot platform
ThriveDesk was built for small businesses and eCommerce teams that want powerful customer support tools without the complexity or enterprise-level bloat. Founded by a team who once struggled with expensive and confusing platforms, ThriveDesk combines everything you actually need such as helpdesk, live chat, chatbot, and knowledge base in one lightning-fast workspace.
It is designed to be simple where it should be and smart where it matters. From AI automation to deep eCommerce integrations, ThriveDesk helps teams deliver personal, efficient, and human support that customers love.
共有受信トレイ
ThriveDesk’s shared inbox keeps your entire support team on the same page. It helps you manage customer conversations from email, chat, and other channels in one clean, unified view. No more messy threads or duplicate replies. Everyone sees the full picture.
Key features:
- Custom view: Build your own filtered inboxes by status, tag, priority, or assignee so every agent can focus on what matters.
- 衝突検出: Instantly see when someone else is replying so you never send duplicate answers.
- Saved replies: Create reusable responses for common questions to save time and keep your tone consistent.
- Continue from your own email: Agents can reply directly from their own email client while keeping everything synced in ThriveDesk.
- Assignment and rules: Automatically assign tickets to the right team members based on tags, subjects, or priorities.
- 会話履歴: See the entire context of every customer interaction in one place for faster, more accurate replies.
- Tags and custom fields: Categorize and organize conversations to track issues and performance easily.
AI and Efficiency
ThriveDesk uses AI to make customer support faster and smarter without removing the human touch. These tools help your team respond quickly, automate routine work, and maintain consistent quality.
AI features:
- AIアシスト: Expand, shorten, or translate messages instantly to match tone and context.
- AI Summarize: Get concise summaries of long tickets or threads to understand issues at a glance.
- AI Draft: Generate helpful, ready-to-send replies for faster response times.
- AI Auto Reply: Automatically respond to common questions while your team focuses on complex ones.
- AI Chatbot: Neo, the built-in AI chatbot, helps customers 24/7 and can even collect leads or guide purchases.
- ワークフロー自動化: Set triggers and rules to automate repetitive actions like ticket assignment, tagging, or follow-ups.
Assistant Widget
ThriveDesk’s Assistant widget adds instant customer support to your website. It brings together chat, contact forms, order tracking, and your knowledge base in one elegant widget your customers will actually enjoy using.
Inside the widget:
- チャットボット: Let Neo greet customers, answer FAQs, and guide them toward solutions automatically.
- Contact form: Capture inquiries directly from your site and route them into your shared inbox.
- Order check: Integrate with your store so customers can check order status without contacting support.
- ナレッジベース: Let users search articles right inside the chat widget for quick self-service answers.
eCommerce and SaaS Integrations
ThriveDesk connects seamlessly with the tools your business already uses. These integrations pull in customer and order data automatically so your agents have full context without switching apps.
Supported integrations:
- ストライプ: View and manage billing and payment history directly from your helpdesk.
- パドル: Handle subscription or license-related tickets with live Paddle data inside conversations.
- ウーコマース: See order details, update statuses, and assist customers without leaving ThriveDesk.
- シュアカート: Access purchase information and resolve support issues faster with native SureCart integration.
Help Center – Self-Service Knowledge Base
Empower customers to find answers on their own with ThriveDesk’s Help Center. It is simple to build, beautiful to read, and powered by AI to make support scalable.
特徴：
- AI writing: Generate clear, consistent articles from short prompts or ticket replies.
- Notion-like editor: Write and format with ease using a smooth, block-based editor that feels natural and modern.
- AI search: Help customers find exactly what they need with smart, context-aware search powered by AI.
ThriveDesk Pricing
ThriveDesk uses straightforward pricing based solely on the number of inboxes per month. Here’s a pricing snapshot:
- Basic: $29/月
- Standard: $69/month
- Unlimited: $129/month
💛 Friendly tip: Many tools look affordable at first but get expensive once you add extra fees for agents, overages, or “premium” support. ThriveDesk is the only provider on this list that gives you unlimited agents on Unlimited plan and never charges extra for support.
ティディオ
Tidio Live Chat is a web-based customer support platform designed to empower small businesses with user-friendly and affordable live chat solutions. It helps businesses connect with website visitors in real-time, answer questions, address concerns, and ultimately improve customer satisfaction and lead generation.
Key features of Tidio Chat:
- Free Plan: Tidio offers a forever-free plan that allows engaging with up to 50 website visitors per month, making it ideal for small businesses starting out.
- Easy Installation and Use: Tidio integrates seamlessly with popular website builders and requires minimal technical expertise for setup.
- Multiple Communication Channels: Tidio offers live chat alongside email ticketing, allowing for a unified communication platform.
- Customization Options: Customize the chat widget to match your brand identity and ensure a seamless experience for visitors.
- Mobile App: Manage chats and respond to inquiries on the go with the dedicated Tidio mobile app.
- AI-powered Chatbots: Utilize chatbots to automate routine tasks, answer frequently asked questions, and qualify leads even outside business hours.
| Pros | 短所 |
|---|---|
| With a free plan and affordable paid tiers, Tidio caters to the budget constraints of many small businesses | The free plan has limitations on website visitors and certain functionalities, requiring upgrades for advanced features |
| The intuitive interface makes it easy for anyone to set up and use the platform, even without technical expertise | While offering popular integrations, Tidio may have a smaller selection compared to some enterprise-focused platforms |
| From live chat to email ticketing and chatbots, Tidio offers a suite of features that cater to various communication needs | Customization might be limited for advanced needs |
| The mobile app allows businesses to stay connected and respond to inquiries even when they’re away from their desks | The free plan offers basic reporting, while advanced analytics require a paid subscription |
価格:
| Free | $0 |
| スターター | $20/month |
| Communicator | $19 per seat/month |
| チャットボット | $19/月 |
| Chatbots & Communicator bundle | $19/month + $19 per seat/month |
| Tidio+ | $329/month |
フレッシュチャット
Freshchat is a modern live chat and messaging platform built specifically for sales and support teams of small businesses.
With its intuitive interface, powerful yet easy-to-use features, and affordable pricing, Freshchat enables small teams to have meaningful conversations that delight customers and drive business growth.
Freshdesk or Freshchat is not built as a WooCommerce helpdesk or live chat software, its old fashioned ticketing system for legacy businesses.
Key features of Freshchat:
- Connect Everywhere: Engage customers across web chat, email, phone, social media, and more.
- 24/7 AI Assistant: Automate tasks and offer around-the-clock support with chatbots.
- Unified Inbox: Manage all conversations (live chat, email, phone, social media) in one place.
- Brand Your Chat: Design a live chat widget that matches your brand identity.
- Mobile Friendly: Manage chats on-the-go with the mobile app.
- Measure Performance: Gain insights into customer behavior and track key metrics with built-in analytics.
| Pros | 短所 |
|---|---|
| Respond to queries and collaborate with your team seamlessly within the app | Limited free plan features |
| Offers good value for money compared to competitors, especially as you scale | May not offer advanced features like advanced chatbots or reporting compared to competitors |
| Simple and intuitive for users of all technical levels | Less customization compared to advanced platforms |
価格:
| Free | $0 |
| 成長 | $19/agent per month, billed annually |
| プロ | $49/agent per month, billed annually |
| 企業 | $79/agent per month, billed annually |
Recommended Reading
5 Freshdesk alternatives, handpicked by… an Freshdesk competitor?!
ライブチャット
LiveChat is a customer service and ライブチャットソフトウェア designed to help small businesses improve communication with website visitors in real-time. With LiveChat, businesses can chat with customers directly on their website using customizable chat widgets.
Key features of LiveChat:
- Real-time messaging: Chat with customers live on your website
- Team inbox: Manage chats as a team with 共有受信トレイ
- Customizable widgets: Match chat box design to your brand
- Visitor info: See pages visited and other data about each visitor
- Mobile apps: Manage chats on-the-go with iOS and Android apps
| Pros | 短所 |
|---|---|
| Fast response times build trust | Some advanced features only available on higher pricing plans |
| Engage visitors when interest is high | Interface and features can be complex for beginners |
| See what visitors are interested in with chat transcripts and data | Advanced plans can be expensive compared to competitors, especially for smaller businesses |
| Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop widgets | May not prioritize real-time chat interactions like some competitors |
| Lower pricing tiers compared to other live chat tools |
価格:
| スターター | $20 per agent/month, billed annually |
| チーム | $41 per agent/month, billed annually |
| 仕事 | $59 per agent/month, billed annually |
| 企業 | Custom pricing |
Recommended Reading
6 LiveChat alternatives, handpicked by… a LiveChat competitor?!
ヘルプスカウト
Help Scout is a customer service platform built for small businesses that value high-quality customer support experiences. With its shared mailbox, help desk, and knowledge base software, Help Scout makes it easy for small teams to deliver email or in-app support that feels personal and helpful.
Key features of Help Scout:
- Simple and quick setup: Get started in minutes with an easy-to-use interface and no coding required.
- Multiple chat agents: Manage multiple chats simultaneously to efficiently handle customer inquiries.
- Real-time chat and ticketing: Respond to inquiries instantly or convert them into tickets for later follow-up.
- Canned responses: Save time and effort with pre-written answers to common questions.
- Chat history and visitor tracking: Review past conversations and track visitor behavior for better understanding.
- Mobile app: Stay connected with customers on the go with the mobile app for agents.
| Pros | 短所 |
|---|---|
| Affordable pricing plans designed specifically for small businesses | The free plan only offers basic features and one concurrent chat |
| Handle multiple inquiries simultaneously and resolve issues faster | While user-friendly, some advanced features might require guidance for new users |
| Offer instant support and personalized attention to customers | Advanced integrations with other platforms may require upgrading to a paid plan |
| Convert website visitors into leads and sales by providing real-time assistance | |
| No need for technical expertise, ideal for businesses with limited resources |
価格:
| 標準 | $25/user per month, billed monthly.$20/user per month, billed annually. |
| プラス | $50/user per month, billed monthly.$40/user per month, billed annually. |
| プロ | $65/user per month, billed annually. |
Recommended Reading
5 Help Scout alternatives, recommended by… an Help Scout competitor?!
ドリフト
Drift is a conversation-driven marketing and sales platform designed to help small businesses connect with website visitors in real-time, qualify leads, and close deals faster. It empowers your team to build meaningful relationships with customers and personalize their experience, ultimately driving growth.
Key features of Drift:
- チャットボット: Engage website visitors automatically with chatbots powered by AI, answer their questions, and qualify leads 24/7.
- Live Chat: Connect with website visitors in real-time, schedule meetings, and answer complex questions directly.
- Video Chat: Build deeper connections with website visitors and prospects through face-to-face video calls.
- Meeting Booking: Simplify scheduling by allowing website visitors to book meetings directly through your chat window.
- Conversational Marketing: Deliver targeted messages and personalize the website experience based on visitor behavior.
- Analytics & Reporting: Gain insights into your conversations, website visitor behavior, and team performance.
| Pros | 短所 |
|---|---|
| セットアップと使用が簡単 | While a free plan exists, it has fewer features and limitations |
| Affordable pricing plans available for small businesses | Getting the most out of advanced features may require some learning |
| Saves time by automating repetitive tasks and qualifying leads automatically | May not be suitable for businesses relying heavily on offline sales |
| Provides personalized and real-time support to website visitors | |
| Helps you capture more leads and convert them into paying customers |
価格:
| Premium | $2,500/month billed annually |
| Advanced | Custom pricing |
| 企業 | Custom pricing |
Recommended Reading
6 Drift alternatives, handpicked by… not a Drift competitor!
インターホン
Intercom is a customer messaging platform that enables businesses to communicate with customers across multiple channels including chat, email, and in-app messaging. It provides a unified interface to manage conversations with users.
Key features of Intercom:
- Live chat: Engage with website visitors and answer their questions in real-time.
- Targeted messaging: Send personalized messages based on user behavior and website activity.
- チャットボット: Automate common questions and free up your team for more complex inquiries.
- Helpdesk: Manage customer support tickets and streamline the resolution process.
- Product tours and announcements: Guide new users through your product and share important updates.
- Data & reporting: Gain insights into customer behavior and track the performance of your communication efforts.
- Integrations: Connect Intercom with your existing tools and CRM system.
| Pros | 短所 |
|---|---|
| Simplifies communication by having all features in one place | The free plan offers basic features with limited functionalities |
| Intuitive interface makes it easy for teams to get started quickly | Advanced features may require some learning and training |
| Grows with your business as your needs and customer base expand | Integrating with third-party tools may incur extra fees |
| Provides multiple channels for customers to reach you | |
| Allows you to tailor your messages to individual needs | |
| Helps you understand your customers and improve campaigns |
価格:
| 不可欠 | $39/seat per month |
| Advanced | $99/seat per month |
| Expert | $139/seat per month |
Choosing the Right Live Chat for a Small Business
Of all the live chat platforms reviewed, スライブデスク stands out as the best choice for small businesses. It combines robust features like shared inboxes, an AI-powered knowledge base, and deep eCommerce integrations to enable personalized support.
With competitive pricing, a focus on user-friendly tools for small teams, and capabilities to directly handle orders and shipping, ThriveDesk delivers immense value. For small businesses needing affordable, tailored live chat capabilities to boost customer satisfaction and growth, ThriveDesk is highly recommended.
