Top 15 Tidio Alternatives for Customer Support in 2026

In the age of AI, customer expectations are higher than ever before. Instead of waiting for hours to have their problems resolved, customers anticipate chatbots that can solve problems in a heartbeat. Countless platforms have tried to solve this problem, but very few are better than Tidio.

This customer service platform combines a help desk, live chat, chatbot automation, and AI agent features. It promises to enhance customer service and improve customer satisfaction, all in one tool. But there are also plenty of reasons to look for better alternatives.

So, why should you get something other than Tidio? Let's find out. 👇

TL;DR – The best Tidio alternatives in 2025

1. ✨ Featurebase – Best modern support & feedback platform for fast-growing SaaS
2. Zendesk – Best for enterprise-grade helpdesk with advanced ticketing support
3. Freshdesk – Best affordable helpdesk with AI features, ticketing, and knowledge base
4. Crisp – Best SMB tool for multichannel chat, email, and shared inbox support
5. Intercom – Best for conversational, AI-first customer support and engagement
6. Front – Best collaborative inbox for managing chat, email, and messaging in one place
7. Zoho Desk – Best budget omnichannel support with AI & branded knowledge base
8. ChatBot – Best simple AI chatbot builder for automated support and lead capture
9. Gorgias – Best e-commerce support solution with deep Shopify integration
10. Help Scout – Best lightweight helpdesk with email, chat, and a simple knowledge base
11. Hiver – Best Gmail-based shared inbox with embedded support workflows
12. Kayako – Best for multichannel ticketing with AI assistance and conversation history
13. Olark – Best straightforward live chat tool with reporting and automation
14. Salesloft (formerly Drift) – Best revenue-focused chat platform with a CRM integration
15. Tawk.to – Best free live chat solution with unlimited seats and ticketing

Why look for Tidio alternatives in the first place?

If you're reading this, you're probably already using Tidio or you're considering a few different tools and Tidio is one of your top options. Let's look at some of the reasons people opt for Tidio alternatives.

1. The pricing

The Starter plan in Tidio is $29 per month, which gives you 100 billable customer conversations/customer queries. However, you only get the most basic analytics. The more advanced features are locked behind more expensive plans. For example, custom branding means you'll have to pay at least $749 per month.

This is one of the most common complaints users have about Tidio:

• "What holds me back a bit is the pricing. Compared to some alternatives, it feels like the cost is on the higher side, especially when you need more advanced features. Also, while the AI options are promising, they are currently still quite basic, and sometimes the bots struggle with more complex or nuanced queries. I'd love to see faster improvements in that area to make the AI assistance feel more natural and reliable." (source)

2. The mobile app leaves much to be desired

If you want to track customer interactions on the go, Tidio is not ideal. The mobile app is far behind the desktop version, which has a user-friendly interface and simply works. Notifications in particular are not up to par:

• "One thing I’ve noticed is that the mobile app could use some work. It’s handy for checking messages on the go, but it doesn’t feel as smooth or responsive as the desktop version. Notifications can be hit or miss sometimes too, which isn’t ideal when you're trying to stay on top of live chats. Hopefully they keep updating it, because everything else about Tidio is super polished." (source)
• "It's the notification I receive on my phone. It keeps ringing whenever someone uses my chatbot on my website. It continues to ring until I personally view the notification by unlocking my phone." (source)

The best Tidio alternatives: top customer service software in 2025

Looking to manage customer conversations from a centralized inbox and handle customer inquiries with lightning speed and excellence? Here are some of the very best alternatives to Tidio in 2025. 👇

1. Featurebase ✨

Featurebase is a modern AI-powered Tidio alternative built for SaaS teams. It comes with AI chatbots, human inbox, help center, feedback collection, email support, and much more. It's loved by thousands of support teams from companies like Lovable, Raycast, and Beehiiv. 💫

Top features:

• Unified inbox – manage your live chat & email conversations in one place with your whole team
• AI agent & automations – fully automate your support with AI and endless custom workflows, like extending trials, offering discounts, qualifying leads, etc.
• Messenger widget – provide AI and human support from anywhere with a customizable in-app widget
• Help Center – a branded knowledge base with instant AI answers
• Email support – Seamlessly provide support to your customers via email sync
• AI replies & macros – generate reply drafts and templates that match the tone of past support threads.
• Native ticketing – Centralize & keep track of all customer requests in one place
• Multi-language & custom domain support – serve content in 40+ languages with your domain and branding
• Embedded surveys – Ask users anything with NPS, CSAT, or custom surveys
• Mobile app – respond to customers, receive notifications, and unblock users on the go
• Integrations – Slack, Linear, Jira, Discord, Hubspot, and many more
• Plus, feedback collection, product roadmaps, and release notes – all in one place

How it’s better than Tidio: Featurebase lets you replace all your customer-facing tools by bringing your support, help center, product updates, and feedback collection to one place, providing powerful ecosystem advantages in modern support.

Pricing: Featurebase offers a generous Free plan, which includes unlimited support conversations. The paid plans start at $29 per user per month. The onboarding is super fast, so there's no downside to trying it. 👇

✨ Automate your support with the fastest AI-enhanced Inbox today →

2. Zendesk

Zendesk Support & Guide offer ticketing, integrated chat, AI-powered search, and a self-service knowledge base, designed for scalable customer and internal support operations.

Top features:

• Omnichannel ticketing & chat – handle support across email, social, live chat, messaging, and voice. Manage customer inquiries, no matter where they come from.
• Help Center & internal knowledge base – publish private FAQs, internal guides; multi-language support
• AI agents & workflow automation features – automate responses and ticket routing using built-in AI
• Custom roles & permissions – fine-grained user access control for your customer support agents.
• Advanced analytics – track agent performance and knowledge effectiveness in Explore dashboards.

Pricing: Zendek's pricing starts at $19/agent/month, billed annually for Support Team; full enterprise KB included from Suite Team at $55/agent/month

Why it’s better than Tidio: Zendesk provides a full-scale multi-channel support ecosystem: ticketing, AI, chat, help center, and enterprise-level security. Meanwhile, Tidio is limited to chat and basic bot functions.

3. Freshdesk

Freshdesk offers a shared inbox, live chat, ticketing, and a knowledge base alongside AI-powered automation and SLAs, making it a strong choice for support teams looking to manage all interactions in one platform.

Top features:

• Shared inbox & ticketing – unify customer conversations from email, social, chat, and phone.
• Integrated knowledge base – host internal and external articles; multilingual support available from Pro plan.
• Freddy AI automation – applies AI chatbots, suggested replies, and ticket routing (Pro and Enterprise tiers).
• Workflow automations & SLAs – assign, prioritize, and escalate tickets automatically.
• Analytics dashboard – real-time dashboards, custom reports, and performance tracking.

Pricing: Freshdesk's pricing starts at $15/agent/month, billed annually for the Growth plan (Pro plan $49, Enterprise $79)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Freshdesk delivers a full helpdesk suite, including shared inboxes, ticketing, AI bots, and a structured knowledge base, while Tidio focuses on chat or bots in isolation.

4. Crisp

Crisp connects live chat, email, and social messages in one team inbox, with optional AI bots and automation. It’s well-suited for small businesses looking to consolidate support channels affordably.

Top features:

• Live chat widget – add chat to your website for instant engagement.
• Shared inbox – handle email and capturable chat messages in the same view.
• Bot & automation – use rules and AI to capture leads or direct questions.
• Multichannel support – connect Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and email.
• Contact timeline – view full customer conversation history.

Pricing: Crisp's pricing comes with a free plan; paid plans from $45/month

Why it’s better than Tidio: Offers a single inbox for chat, email, and social, with free tier access and easy multichannel functionality.

5. Intercom

Intercom offers live chat, in-app messaging, a help center, and the AI-powered Fin assistant to resolve customer questions automatically. It’s ideal for teams that need conversational support across multiple channels.

Top features:

• Unlimited live chat & in-app messaging – deliver proactive and reactive support everywhere.
• Fin AI agent – a pay-per-resolution AI chatbot that autonomously answers queries.
• Copilot seat assistant – AI helps agents with draft responses and context.
• Outbound messaging – launch email campaigns, banners, and product tours.
• Multichannel support – integrate SMS, WhatsApp, and voice chat channels.

Pricing: Intercom's pricing starts at $29/seat/month with the Essential plan (billed annually)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Includes built-in AI agent support, multichannel messaging, and campaign tools, beyond Tidio’s core offerings.

P.S. Read how Intercom compares to Tidio →

6. Front

Front blends email, chat, and messaging channels into a shared inbox, adding live chat capabilities and AI-assisted responses. It’s perfect for small-to-medium teams that handle mixed communication types and want real-time collaboration.

Top features:

• Shared inboxes – manage email, chat, and messaging in one space.
• Live chat widget – offer live support directly on your website.
• AI chat assistants – automate responses per conversation resolution pricing.
• Workflow automation – set rules to tag, assign, or prioritize incoming messages.
• Analytics & reporting – monitor team performance and response metrics.

Pricing: Front's pricing starts at $19/seat/month (billed annually)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Offers full support inbox and email integration with AI-enabled chat in one platform, while Tidio focuses on chat alone.

7. Zoho Desk

Zoho Desk is a helpdesk platform that combines email, chat, phone, social support, and a self-service portal, suitable for small to midsize teams wanting unified customer service.

Top features:

• Free chat and ticketing plan – includes up to 3 agents without charge
• Omnichannel messaging – support customers via web chat, email, phone, and social channels
• Blueprint workflows – automate support processes across departments
• AI assistant (Zia) – summarize, suggest replies, and route tickets intelligently
• Multiregional portals – serve customers in multiple languages and regions

Pricing: Zoho Desk's pricing starts at free for 3 agents; paid Express plan is $7/agent per month (annually)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Zoho Desk offers out-of-the-box multichannel support and a knowledge base under one dashboard—including free chat—while Tidio separates these features.

8. ChatBot

ChatBot is a no-code platform for building and managing AI-powered chatbots across websites, Messenger, and more, perfect for automating FAQs and basic conversations.

Top features:

• Drag-and-drop bot builder – craft chat flows visually without writing code
• AI NLP support – handle more natural dialogue and varied user inputs
• Omnichannel deployment – publish bots across web, Messenger, and other chat services
• Conversation analytics – track performance metrics like completed chats and drop-offs
• CRM & chat integration – connect bot handoffs to live chat systems (e.g. LiveChat)

Pricing: starts at $52/month for Starter (billed annually)

Why it’s better than Tidio: ChatBot’s powerful drag-and-drop interface and advanced NLP let you build intelligent bots at scale, without upgrading your main chat system.

9. Gorgias

Gorgias is a helpdesk and live chat solution tailored for ecommerce teams using platforms like Shopify, offering ticketing, AI-suggested responses, and automation without per-agent charges.

Top features:

• Helpdesk + live chat – combine chat and ticketing in one system focused on customer data from ecommerce platforms
• AI response suggestions – get AI-generated reply recommendations to speed up response time
• Unlimited users on ticket-based pricing – avoid seat fees by paying per ticket processed instead
• Shopify/BigCommerce integrations – deeply link orders, shipping, and customer data to support conversations
• Macros and rules – automate repetitive workflows for faster resolutions

Pricing: starts at $10/month for 50 help desk tickets (annual billing)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Gorgias provides unified chat and ticketing with AI and ecommerce integrations, all without charging per agent, making it more scalable for stores.

10. Help Scout

Help Scout offers a flexible, contact-based pricing model with unlimited users, live chat, shared inboxes, and an integrated help documentation system. It’s the right choice for growing teams that need collaborative inboxes but want predictable costs even with advanced tools included.

Top features:

• Shared inboxes & live chat – support across email and chat channels under one umbrella.
• Built-in Docs knowledge base – publish help content directly alongside support.
• Beacon help widget – deliver contextual help in-app or on the web.
• AI drafts & summaries – AI-generated reply suggestions and chat summaries.
• Contact-based pricing – pay per customer contact, not per seat—unlimited users included.

Pricing: Free tier (up to 50 unique contacts/month); Standard plan starts at $50/month for 100 contacts

Why it’s better than Tidio: Help Scout combines chat, email, and knowledge docs under a transparent contact-based model, eliminating per-agent fees and ensuring smoother team collaboration compared to Tidio’s seat-based billing.

11. Hiver

Hiver integrates directly into Gmail, converting shared mailboxes into collaborative support hubs with live chat, automation, SLAs, and knowledge base features. It’s a good option for teams comfortable in Gmail who want help tools without switching platforms.

Top features:

• Shared inboxes in Gmail – manage emails and chats directly from Gmail.
• Live chat widget – embed chat alongside email handling.
• Workflow automation – automate assignments, collision resolutions, and SLAs.
• Knowledge base – build FAQ-style internal help within the platform.
• AI support bot – use "Harvey" for templates, email summarization, and ticket closure suggestions.

Pricing: Hiver's pricing starts at $19 per user per month (Lite plan, billed annually)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Hiver offers email, chat, AI-bot support, and shared inboxes within Gmail, making it a more unified noise-reducing platform compared to Tidio’s chat-only scope.

12. Kayako

Kayako combines live chat, ticketing, team collaboration, and AI response suggestions into a single platform, serving both small businesses and enterprise support teams. It helps you communicate across channels, from chat and email to social media, while giving agents full visibility into the customer journey.

Top features:

• Integrated live chat & ticketing – smooth handoff between chat and ticket channels.
• AI-suggested responses – receive AI-generated reply options to streamline agent workflow.
• SingleView customer history – view every interaction across channels on one screen.
• Automation & SLA tools – automate ticket routing, SLA actions, and reminders.
• Self-service portal – customizable help center with search and analytics.

Pricing: Starts at $15 per agent per month for the Inbox plan (annual billing)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Kayako goes beyond basic chat by combining help desk ticketing, AI suggestions, and deep customer context, beyond what Tidio offers in a support-only package.

13. Olark

Olark targets small and mid-sized teams with a user-friendly chat experience, including custom widgets, automation, transcript history, and analytics. It’s well-suited for teams that want transparency and control over their conversations.

Top features:

• Customizable chat widget – Tailor style with colors, greetings, and CSS.
• Automated messages – Trigger greetings or quick responses based on user behavior.
• Searchable transcripts & reporting – Access full chat history and performance insights.
• Agent groups & routing – Organize support teams and manage load.
• PowerUps add-ons – Enhance with bots, cobrowsing, and translation options.

Pricing: Olark's pricing starts at $29 per agent per month (annual billing)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Olark provides comparable chat functionality with transparent per-agent pricing and access to automation and insights at a more affordable rate.

14. Salesloft (Drift)

Salesloft's Drift is a comprehensive revenue engagement platform that equips sales teams with tools for outreach automation, conversation intelligence, and live chat, including AI-driven chat agents. It caters to revenue-focused organizations looking to convert more visitors into active leads and move them efficiently through the pipeline

Top features:

• AI chat agents – Create human-like, AI-driven conversations with website visitors to qualify leads.
• Lead prioritization – Use AI to identify high-value visitors and notify reps in real time.
• Conversation intelligence – Analyze chat interactions to understand trends and buyer intent.
• Revenue orchestration – Seamlessly connects chat activity to sales cadences, deals, and team workflows.
• CRM and calendar integration – Sync chat interactions, meetings, and activity with tools like Salesforce and Outlook.

Pricing: Salesloft plans range from $75 to $125 per user per month, with a minimum of three seats required. Dialer add-on is optional and priced separately.

Why it’s better than Tidio: While Tidio is centered on basic chat, Salesloft offers AI chat agents, lead scoring, and pipeline-aware workflows tailored for revenue teams, letting you start B2B sales conversions straight from the website rather than simple user support.

15. Tawk.to

Tawk.to provides a feature-rich live chat widget, unlimited agents, real-time visitor tracking, file sharing, and built-in ticketing, all completely free. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized teams needing robust chat features with zero ongoing costs.

Top features:

• Unlimited agents & chats – No seat or usage caps for team members.
• Visitor monitoring – View and proactively engage with visitors on your site.
• Automated triggers – Launch messages based on behavior or time-on-page.
• File transfer & screenshots – Share documents and visuals within chat.
• Built-in ticketing & knowledge base – Convert chats into support tickets or articles.

Pricing: Free (add-ons like branding removal or AI Assist start at $19/month)

Why it’s better than Tidio: Tawk.to offers the same core chat features as Tidio without any agent or volume limits, making it a more cost-effective choice for growing teams.

Conclusion

Tidio can help you run multi channel communication and provide a solid customer experience. It's live chat software, AI capabilities and UI/UX are on point too. However, there's no getting around the fact that Tidio is simply expensive for what it offers. If you're not careful, you can easily spend thousands on Tidio per month.

Featurebase is a modern Tidio alternative for an AI-powered support & help center. It comes with native ticketing, custom automation, workflows, and much more. It's loved by thousands of companies like Lovable, Polymarket, and Raycast.

What's best is that it comes with a Free plan, and the onboarding is super simple, so there's no downside to trying it out! 👇

✨ Switch from Tidio and get the fastest AI-powered inbox & knowledge base →