AI-powered live chat and support platforms are smarter, faster, and more accessible in 2025. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a growing startup, or managing customer success, choosing the right tool can improve engagement, streamline support, and drive conversions.
We compare Tidio AI, Crisp, and HelpCrunch to help you pick the best fit for your needs.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Tidio AI | Crisp | HelpCrunch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | E-commerce, small businesses | Startups needing affordable live chat & bots | Unified communication (chat, help desk, email) |
| AI & Automation | Lyro AI solves ~70% of queries, GPT-4 replies | Chatbots + rule-based AI, lacks smart automation depth | Basic AI inbox/editor; chatbot coming soon |
| Multichannel Support | Chat, email, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp | Chat, shared inbox, basic multichannel | Live chat, popups, email marketing, help center |
| Notable Features | Live typing preview, visitor triggers | Co-browsing, translation, flat pricing | Shared inbox, knowledge base, popups, SDKs |
| Ease of Use | Highly intuitive; drag-and-drop flows | Easy; streamlined interface for teams | Clean UI; full suite UI complexity for small biz |
| Pricing Highlights | Free; Starter from $29/mo; Plus from $749+ | Flat workspace pricing up to $295/mo | Starts at ~$12–$25/user/month |
1. Tidio AI
Tidio is an all-in-one customer service platform renowned for its simplicity and e-commerce integrations like Shopify and WordPress. Its AI chatbot Lyro can handle up to 70% of common inquiries, powered by a GPT-4 reply assistant. Features like live typing preview, prebuilt chatbot templates, proactive visitor triggers, and multichannel integration make it ideal for quick deployments and automation.
Pricing
- Free Plan: 50 live chat convos, 50 Lyro AI convos, 100 chatbot visitors, 500 emails/month.
- Starter: $29/month — 100 convos, basic analytics, chat support.
- Growth: $59/month — up to 2,000 convos, advanced analytics.
- Plus: From $749/month — custom limits, premium features, up to 5,000 AI convos.
- Premium: From $2,999/month — unlimited, highest AI quotas, enterprise-grade capabilities.
2. Crisp
Crisp delivers a flat-rate, workspace-based pricing model that’s scalable for small businesses. It bundles live chat, chatbots, co-browsing (MagicBrowse), and multilingual support into one cost-efficient offering—no usage or agent-based limits. While its AI is not as advanced as Tidio’s, it’s feature-rich for startups seeking a predictable, growing platform.
Pricing
- Free: $0/month — 2 seats
- Mini: $45/workspace/month — Includes chat triggers, email integration, 4 seats
- Essentials: $95/workspace/month — Adds omnichannel inbox, AI chatbot, knowledge base, workflows
- Plus: $295/workspace/month — Advanced AI automations, ticketing, customer portal, white-labeling
3. HelpCrunch
HelpCrunch is a feature-rich communication platform combining live chat, email marketing, help desk, knowledge base, and popups. Its AI tools currently assist agents with writing (inbox editor) and article generation, though chatbot functionality is still in the works. The platform shines with unified shared inboxes, mobile SDKs, and seamless self-service via knowledge bases.
Pricing
- Basic Plan starts at approximately $12/user/month for core live chat.
- Pro Plan around $25–$43/user/month, depending on features.
Use Case Recommendations
| Use Case | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Affordable, AI-powered chatbot for e-commerce | Tidio AI |
| Predictable pricing & co-browsing for SMBs | Crisp |
| Unified inbox, helpdesk, and marketing suite | HelpCrunch |
Final Verdict
- Choose Tidio AI for powerful AI chat, automation, and fast setup—especially for e-commerce support.
- Go with Crisp if you want robust chat features and co-browsing at one flat, scalable price.
- Opt for HelpCrunch if you need an all-in-one communication platform with integrated email, helpdesk, and support tools.
