WordPress chat plugins are essential UX, engagement, and customer support tools. They allow real-time communication between website visitors and businesses towards conversions.
Too many chat plugins are available, making it difficult to choose the best one for your site. This article compares five of the best WordPress chat plugins to give you a detailed look at those options.
01. Tawk. to Live Chat
- Free Forever: It’s free with no hidden costs or premium upgrades.
- Real-Time Messaging: Seamless communication between admins and visitors in real-time.
- Customizable Widget: Match your website design with a customized widget appearance.
- Automatic Triggers: Set up rules to trigger messages based on user behavior.
Advantages
- Unlike plugins with limited free features or a subscription, Tawk.to remains free with unlimited use.
- Simple setup and installation make it ideal for beginners and experienced users.
- Add multiple agents to handle incoming chats, making it great for businesses with more service staff.
Limitations
- Despite being free, the feature set may not be as extensive as some paid options.
- The widget with Tawk.to branding may become a turnoff towards a white-label experience.
- A lack of chatbot functionality may limit the automation of customer service processes.
Small to medium-sized businesses can utilize the free, easy-to-use solution without complex features.
02. LiveChat
- Customizable Chat Window: Fully customizable window with many design options to suit your site.
- Integrations: LiveChat integrates with multiple platforms Slack, Zapier, HubSpot, and more) easily.
- Chatbots: It can add chatbots for automated customer support and lead generation.
- Ticketing System: After chat conversations, you can easily convert them into tickets for follow-up.
- Analytics: Built-in analytics allow real-time volume, response time, and agent performance tracking.
Advantages
- A feature-rich solution for customer service and sales teams.
- Works well for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.
- Excellent customer support, including live chat with readily available agents.
Limitations
- It starts at $16 per month per agent, which can get expensive with growth.
- The sheer number of features and integrations seems overwhelming.
Medium to large businesses looking for more than basic functionalities and integrations should try it.
03. Zendesk Chat
- Real-Time Visitor Monitoring: Monitor and track active visitors on your site in real time.
- Automated Triggers: Set up triggers to automate chats based on user activity (time spent on a page).
- Customizable Chat Widget: Choose from themes and customizing options for the chat window.
- Integrations: Seamlessly integrates with the Zendesk Suite for a total customer support experience.
- Reporting and Analytics: In-depth performance, volume, and client satisfaction reporting.
Advantages
- For using Zendesk for ticketing already, Zendesk Chat can seamlessly integrate with your existing workflows.
- Mobile apps available for Android and iOS allow you to manage chats from anywhere.
- Offers advanced visitor tracking features to help you make quick decisions and engage users more effectively.
Limitations
- Pricing starts at $14 per month per agent for basic, which increases with extras.
- The free plan only enables primary features but lacks the full suite of tools.
Businesses already using Zendesk for support or companies looking for advanced analytics can look into it.
04. Intercom
- Multi-Channel Messaging: It offers messaging via email, push notifications, and in-app messages.
- Chatbots and Automation: AI-driven chatbots to automate repetitive tasks and lead qualification.
- Segmentation: Segmentation based on behaviors, demographics, etc., for a personalized experience.
- Customizable Widgets: Highly customizable chat widgets to match the look and feel of a website.
- In-Depth Analytics: Powerful analytics to track engagement, metrics, and agent productivity.
Advantages
- Ideal for businesses looking for more than just chat support.
- Target specific groups with tailored messages based on behavior or history.
- Automates repetitive tasks like FAQs and lead qualification.
Limitations
- Pricing starts at $39 per month per user and can increase based on features.
- Intercom may require a steep learning curve due to its vast range of features.
Larger businesses or startups looking for a comprehensive customer support and messaging solution with automation, segmentation, and multi-channel capabilities should get with it.
05. WP Live Chat Support
- Completely Free: The plugin is free to use with no hidden charges.
- Unlimited Chats: No restrictions on the number of chats you can have.
- Customizable Chat Window: Provides multiple themes and options.
- Offline Messages: Visitors can leave messages to the admin’s email.
- Visitor Tracking: Monitor which pages visitors are on and where they came from.
Advantages
- A completely free version with a solid set of features, including unlimited chats.
- The ability for users to leave messages when agents are offline is essential for small businesses that can’t provide 24/7 support.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface, perfect for beginners and small businesses.
Limitations
- Lacks advanced features (automation, ticketing, and analytics).
- WP doesn’t come with a mobile app, which is a downside for on-the-go services.
Small businesses and startups on a budget can use the simple chat solution without advanced features.
Choosing the right WordPress chat plugin depends on your business needs and budget. Always consider your current and future requirements when making your decision to ensure that the plugin you choose grows with your business needs.
