The chatbot market has moved from experimental to essential. AI chatbots now handle FAQ automation, lead capture, and customer support for 34% of SMBs. Modern platforms span from $5/month AI-only tools to $1,200/month enterprise suites. The technology works – but choosing the right platform requires matching capabilities to your actual use case.
This comparison reviews 10 platforms, including pricing ranges, platform compatibility, human handoff capabilities, and honest assessments of what each tool does well and where it falls short.
- Which 7 of 10 tools offer functional free plans (and what you actually get on each)
- Unique features that differentiate AI Chatbots depending on your use case
- Which tools include live chat and seamless bot-to-agent transfer
- Limitations for every tool, sourced from official documentation and user reviews
Quick Comparison: Free Plan vs Paid Only
The free plan landscape varies dramatically. Some platforms offer genuinely useful free tiers with AI capabilities and unlimited duration. Others provide free live chat but no AI, or AI with such restrictive limits that the free tier functions as little more than a trial. And a few platforms skip free plans entirely, offering only time-limited trials.
| Platform | Free Forever? | AI on Free? | Key Limits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elfsight | ✅ | ✅ | 1 bot, 50 msgs/mo, 200 views/mo | First AI chatbot deployment |
| Tawk.to | ✅ | ⚠️ 100 AI msgs/mo | Unlimited agents/chats | Teams needing free live chat |
| Tidio | ✅ | ⚠️ 50 Lyro convos (one-time) | 50 convos/mo, 10 seats | E-commerce getting started |
| HubSpot | ✅ | ❌ Rule-based only | 2 users, HubSpot branding | CRM users wanting lead qualification |
| Freshchat | ✅ | ❌ | 10 agents, website+email only | Teams needing free multi-agent chat |
| Chatbase | ✅ | ✅ | 50-100 msgs/mo, agents deleted after 14 days inactivity | Short-term testing |
| Landbot | ✅ | ❌ | 100 chats/mo, 1 seat | Testing conversational forms |
| ChatBot.com | ❌ | — | 14-day trial only | — |
| Intercom | ❌ | — | 14-day trial only | — |
| Botsonic | ❌ | — | 7-day trial only | — |
Seven platforms offer free plans, but capabilities vary dramatically – from Tawk.to’s unlimited live chat to Elfsight’s 50 AI messages per month to HubSpot’s rule-based-only chatbot. The reviews below provide full details on what each tier actually includes.
10 Best AI Chatbots for Website: Detailed Reviews
The platforms are organized by pricing tier: budget ($0-$25/mo), mid-market ($25-$100/mo), and premium ($100+/mo). Each review includes verified pricing, key features, platform compatibility, and honest limitations sourced from official documentation and third-party review websites.
1. Elfsight AI Chatbot
G2/Capterra ratings: ~4.8/5 from 880+ reviews, G2 Spring 2025 Leader badge
Elfsight AI Chatbot is a no-code AI-powered widget designed for quick deployment on any website. It trains on your data, handles FAQ automation and lead capture, blending in with your website style through intuitive configuration in a visual editor.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI model | GPT-5 mini (upgraded December 2025) |
| Knowledge base training | Sitemap scanning (up to 200 pages during setup), file uploads (PDF, Word, JSON, text), custom Q&A pairs, text blocks |
| Live chat / human handoff | AI-only chatbot with handoff to external channels (email, phone, or WhatsApp) |
| Lead capture | Built-in contact form with name, email, and phone collection. Email notifications with full chat transcript |
| Multilingual | Yes—multilingual dialogue capabilities (translated and localized for 76 countries) |
| Customization | Custom avatar, display name, chat bubble icons/positions, themed wallpapers, starter replies, industry templates, responsive design |
| Analytics | Conversation transcripts and Google Analytics integration (Google Analytics and/or Google Tag Manager required) to track how visitors interact with your agent |
| Unique features | Conversation transcripts and Google Analytics Chat history persistence across pages, remembers customers by name, follow-up messages after inactivity, unlimited chats on all plans |
Platform compatibility
Works on 40+ platforms via code snippet embed: WordPress, Shopify (native app available), Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, BigCommerce, Drupal, Joomla, Weebly, Tilda, Framer, GoDaddy, Google Sites, HubSpot, Notion, and more. The widget is mobile responsive.
Strengths
- Most affordable AI chatbot entry point at $5/mo (annual billing)
- No-code setup on 40+ platforms with industry templates for fast deployment
- Unlimited simultaneous chats on all plans, including free
- Clean, customizable widget design with granular color controls
- Chat history persists across pages and sessions
Limitations
- No live chat or human handoff within the widget
- No native CRM or ticketing integration, email transcripts only
- Insights through Google Analytics, no built-in dashboard
Pricing
Ranges from free (1 bot, 50 msgs/mo, 200 views) to $5/mo Basic (3 bots, 300 msgs/mo), $10/mo Pro (9 bots, 1K msgs/mo), $20/mo Premium (21 bots, 3K msgs/mo), with enterprise tiers at $30-$80/mo offering up to 400 bots and unlimited views.
Build your AI Chatbot in the interactive editor
2. Tidio
G2/Capterra ratings: 4.7/5 from 600+ reviews (G2), 4.7/5 from 470+ reviews (Capterra)
Tidio is a customer communication platform combining Lyro (AI chatbot powered by Claude), live chat, and a rule-based flow builder. The platform focuses heavily on e-commerce, with particularly deep Shopify integration, including order management and cart abandonment recovery.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI model | Claude (Anthropic) + in-house models power Lyro |
| Knowledge base training | FAQ upload, FAQ scraper, website scraper (up to 60 pages), CSV import, Zendesk article import |
| Live chat / human handoff | Full live chat with real-time typing preview, canned responses, AI reply assistant. Lyro auto-transfers to humans with context preserved |
| Lead capture | Flows builder for lead gen, cart abandonment recovery, proactive triggers, visitor tracking, data collection forms |
| Multilingual | 48 languages for Lyro; widget supports 7 pre-translated language packs |
| Integrations | Shopify (deep), WordPress/WooCommerce, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, Email, HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier |
| Unique features | Lyro Product Recommendations (Shopify), pay-per-resolution pricing on Premium, Lyro Connect (add Lyro to other helpdesks), Copilot AI reply assistant on all plans |
Platform compatibility
Shopify (deep native integration with order management), WordPress/WooCommerce (plugin), Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, any website via JavaScript snippet. Desktop and mobile apps available for iOS and Android.
Strengths
- Best-in-class Shopify integration with order tracking
- Strong AI powered by Claude with a claimed high resolution rate
- Combines AI chatbot, live chat, and flows in one platform
- Generous free plan for initial testing (though Lyro AI is one-time use on free)
- AI Copilot available for agent assistance
Limitations
- Website scraper capped at 60 pages – restrictive for large sites
- Free plan Lyro conversations are one-time lifetime (50 total)
- Add-on costs escalate quickly; true cost often 2–3× base price
Pricing
Free plan includes 50 conversations/mo and 10 seats, but Lyro AI conversations are one-time (50 lifetime total, not monthly). Paid plans start at $24.17/mo (Starter) with AI and automation features as paid add-ons: Lyro AI starts at $32.50/mo for 50 conversations, Flows at $24.17/mo for 2,000 visitors. Real costs often reach 2–3× the base price with add-ons, and the 10-seat cap requires teams of 11+ to jump to Plus ($749/mo).
3. HubSpot Chatbot Builder
G2/Capterra ratings: ~4.4/5 (Service Hub, total on G2), ~4.5/5 from 4,414+ reviews (Capterra)
HubSpot’s Chatbot Builder integrates directly into the HubSpot CRM. The free and Starter tiers offer rule-based chatbots using a visual flowchart editor. AI capabilities, powered by Breeze Customer Agent, are unlocked only on Professional plans and higher.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI model | Breeze AI (proprietary); AI capabilities only on Professional+ ($90/seat/mo) |
| Free chatbot | Rule-based visual flowchart editor with templates. No AI. |
| Knowledge base training | Breeze learns from HubSpot Knowledge Base, Blog, imported URLs. No Confluence/Notion/Google Docs integration. |
| Live chat / human handoff | Free live chat on all plans. Bot-to-human handoff. Shared inbox. |
| Lead capture | Deep native CRM integration—every chat auto-saved to contact’s CRM timeline. Lead qualification bots, meeting booking in chat. |
| Multilingual | Available in all HubSpot-supported languages |
| Integrations | 1,500+ marketplace integrations. WordPress plugin, Shopify app, Stripe, Calendly, Salesforce, Slack. |
Platform compatibility
WordPress (dedicated plugin), Shopify (HubSpot Chat app), any website via HubSpot tracking code (JavaScript), Facebook Messenger, HubSpot CMS (native).
Strengths
- Free CRM chatbot (rule-based), useful for lead qualification and meeting booking
- Deepest CRM integration – every interaction feeds the contact record automatically
- 1,500+ marketplace integrations provide extensive third-party connectivity
- Meeting booking and lead qualification flows built-in with native Calendly integration
- All-in-one platform for marketing, sales, and service eliminates tool fragmentation
Limitations
- Free chatbot is strictly rule-based with zero AI capability
- Single chatbot can only perform one function (lead qualification OR meeting booking)
- HubSpot Credits system creates unpredictable costs
Pricing
Free plan supports 2 users with rule-based chatbots only. Starter ($15/seat/mo) adds branding removal. AI capabilities unlock at Professional ($90/seat/mo with $1,500 onboarding fee) using Breeze AI credits at approximately $1 per conversation. Enterprise starts at $150/seat/mo with a 10-seat minimum and $3,500 onboarding fee.
4. Tawk.to
G2/Capterra ratings: ~4.5/5 from 180+ reviews (G2), 4.6/5 from 340+ reviews (Capterra)
Tawk.to provides a free live chat platform with built-in CRM, ticketing, and knowledge base. AI capabilities come via the optional Apollo AI Bot through the paid AI Assist add-on.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Core product | Free live chat—unlimited agents, unlimited chats, unlimited sites |
| AI capabilities | Apollo AI Bot (paid AI Assist add-on)—answers from knowledge base. Smart Reply for agents. |
| Knowledge base | Free built-in knowledge base. Web crawler for auto-FAQ generation. |
| Live chat / human handoff | Core product IS live chat. AI Assist includes human takeover for bot conversations. |
| Lead capture | Pre-chat forms, offline forms, contact management (built-in CRM) |
| Multilingual | 27 languages in dashboard, 49 languages in widget |
| Customization | Colors, appearance, attention bubbles. White-label: $29/mo add-on. |
| Analytics | Real-time and historic data, chat performance, agent activity, CSAT reporting |
| Unique services | Hired chat agents at $1/hour; virtual assistants from $7/hour |
Platform compatibility
Any website via JavaScript snippet. Native plugins/integrations for WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Joomla, Shopify, Cloudflare. Desktop apps for Windows and macOS. Mobile apps for iOS and Android. AI Assist works across Live Chat, Tickets, Facebook Messenger, and SMS channels.
Strengths
- Genuinely free live chat with unlimited agents
- Built-in CRM, ticketing, and knowledge base
- Human takeover from AI bot preserves conversation context
- Hired chat agents at $1/hour for 24/7 coverage
- Very easy setup with minimal technical requirements
Limitations
- AI capabilities require paid add-on starting at $29/mo for 1,000 messages
- Dated UI and limited customization options relative to premium platforms
- Basic reporting and analytics – lacks advanced conversation insights
Pricing
Core platform is 100% free forever with unlimited agents, chats, and sites. AI Assist add-on: free tier (100 AI msgs/mo), Growth $24.17/mo annual (1,000 AI msgs), Business $82.50/mo annual (5,000 AI msgs), Enterprise $332.50/mo annual (20,000 AI msgs). Other add-ons: Remove Branding ($29/mo), Video+Voice ($29–$49/mo).
5. ChatBot.com (by Text/LiveChat)
G2/Capterra ratings: 4.5/5 from 750+ reviews (G2), 4.6/5 from 1,600+ reviews (Capterra)
ChatBot.com is an AI chatbot, live chat, and help desk platform from Text S.A., formerly LiveChat Inc. Recently rebranded as a unified “Text App” combining all three products.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI model | Proprietary “multilingual AI model” by Text S.A.—specific model not publicly named |
| AI capabilities | AI Agent (24/7 first-line), AI Copilot (internal assistant), reply suggestions, AI text editing, tag suggestions |
| Knowledge base training | Help articles, internal docs, URLs, PDFs (50MB max). MCP server for connecting external AI (ChatGPT, Claude) |
| Live chat / human handoff | Human takeover on ALL plans. Chat transfer, smart routing, manual routing, message sneak-peek. |
| Lead capture | Proactive chat invitations, campaigns (targeted messages, product promotions), live visitor tracking |
| Multilingual | 48 supported languages, RTL support, dedicated multilingual widget (Growth+) |
| Analytics | Chat metrics, ticket metrics on all plans. Agent activity/performance reporting on Growth+. Custom dashboards on Enterprise. |
| Integrations | LiveChat, HelpDesk, Facebook Messenger, Shopify, Slack, WordPress, Zapier, mobile apps, API (200K+ calls on Growth) |
Platform compatibility
Any website via JavaScript snippet. WordPress plugin, Shopify integration available. Facebook Messenger. Slack. Mobile apps with iOS and Android SDKs. Standalone chat page option (no website needed). API, webhooks, and Zapier integration.
Strengths
- Unified platform combining AI chatbot, live chat, and ticketing
- Predictable per-seat pricing (vs per message)
- MCP server allows connecting external AI models for flexibility
- WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility compliance
Limitations
- No free plan – trial only
- Growth plan update required for more than 10 AI resolutions per month
- White-label branding removal only available on Enterprise tier
- Proprietary AI model may lag behind GPT-4 or Claude quality
Pricing
No free plan – 14-day trial only. Essential $19/user/mo annual (10 AI resolutions/mo—barely functional), Growth $79/user/mo annual (200 AI resolutions/mo), Enterprise custom (2,000+ AI resolutions/mo). Extra AI resolutions cost $0.99 each or $49.50 per 50-pack with auto-refill. Most businesses need Growth for functional AI limits.
6. Chatbase
G2/Capterra ratings: ~4.3–4.5/5 from 60+ reviews (G2), 4.3/5 from 73 reviews (Capterra)
Chatbase is an AI-native chatbot builder that lets you create custom chatbots trained on your own content. The platform’s standout feature is support for 17+ large language models including GPT-5 Mini, GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini 2.0, DeepSeek, and Grok.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI models | 17+ LLMs: GPT-5 Mini, GPT-4o, GPT-4o Mini, Claude, Gemini 2.0, DeepSeek, Grok, Command R+ |
| Knowledge base training | Website URL crawling, PDF upload, Word docs, plain text, Q&A pairs, Notion integration. Auto-retrain on Standard+. |
| Live chat / human handoff | Natural language escalation instructions. No native human handoff—requires Zendesk integration for tickets. |
| Lead capture | AI Actions can collect user info during conversations. Lead capture forms triggered contextually. |
| Multilingual | 80+ languages with seamless detection and translation |
| AI Actions | Automated API calls: schedule meetings (Calendly), process subscriptions (Stripe), create tickets (Zendesk) |
| Security | SOC 2 Type II certified, GDPR compliant. Data never used to train AI models. |
Platform compatibility
Any website via JavaScript snippet or iframe. WordPress, Shopify, WhatsApp Business, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Slack, and Email – all available for integration. Shareable standalone link. API for custom integrations.
Strengths
- Multi-model flexibility with 17+ LLMs
- SOC 2 Type II and GDPR certified for enterprise security requirements
- Confidence Score feature indicates answer quality for each response
- Strong multilingual support covering 80+ languages
- No-code builder accessible to non-technical users
Limitations
- Requires Zendesk integration for human escalation
- Credit-based pricing makes costs unpredictable
- Strict data storage limits even on paid plans
- No visual flow builder for conversation design
Pricing
Free (50-100 msgs/mo, 400KB storage, agents deleted after 14 days inactivity), Hobby $32/mo annual (1,500-2,000 msgs/mo, 1 agent), Standard $120/mo annual (10K-12K msgs/mo, 2 agents), Pro $400/mo annual (40K msgs/mo, 3 agents), Enterprise custom. Add-ons: Remove Branding ($39/mo), custom domain ($59/mo), extra credits ($12-14 per 1,000). Credit-based pricing makes costs unpredictable; different models consume different credit amounts.
7. Intercom
G2/Capterra ratings: 4.5/5 from 3,755 reviews (G2), 4.5/5 from 1,100+ reviews (Capterra)
Intercom is a customer communication platform featuring Fin AI Agent – a proprietary RAG-based AI chatbot. Premium pricing reflects enterprise-grade capabilities including omnichannel inbox, voice support, and product tours.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI model | Proprietary Fin AI Engine™ with custom models (fin-cx-retrieval, fin-cx-reranker, Fin Apex 1.0). Third-party LLMs not disclosed. |
| AI resolution rate | 66% average across 6,000+ customers; some achieve 80%+. Claims <1% hallucination rate. |
| Knowledge base training | Help center articles, documents, snippets, public URLs, resolved conversations. “Procedures” for complex workflows. |
| Live chat / human handoff | Full omnichannel inbox (chat, email, SMS, WhatsApp, social). AI Copilot assists human agents (31% more conversations closed daily). |
| Multilingual | 45+ languages |
| Analytics | CX Score (5× more coverage than CSAT), Topics Explorer, custom report builder, Fin performance dashboards |
| Unique features | Resolution-based AI pricing ($0.99/resolution), Fin Voice (AI phone support), Product Tours, Surveys, Proactive messaging |
Platform compatibility
Any website via JavaScript snippet. Platform-agnostic approach. Mobile SDKs for iOS, Android, React Native, Cordova/PhoneGap, Flutter. REST API. SDKs available in PHP, Node, Ruby, Go, Java, .NET.
Strengths
- Proprietary AI engine with low hallucination rate
- Comprehensive platform combining chat, email, voice, social, and product tours
- Massive integration ecosystem with 350+ integrations
- Strongest analytics suite (CX Score, Topics Explorer, custom dashboards)
Limitations
- Expensive – minimum realistic cost for SMBs is $800+/month with AI functionality
- Resolution-based Fin pricing creates unpredictable bills that can escalate quickly
- No free plan available
Pricing
Essential $29/seat/mo annual ($39 monthly), Advanced $85/seat/mo annual ($99 monthly), Expert $132/seat/mo annual (~$139 monthly). Fin AI Agent costs $0.99 per resolution. Fin AI Copilot approximately $29–35/seat/mo add-on. No free plan—14-day trial. Early Stage program: up to 90% off Year 1 for qualifying startups. Realistic cost for 5-person team with moderate AI usage: $800–$1,200+/mo.
8. Freshchat (by Freshworks)
G2/Capterra ratings: ~4.3–4.4/5 from 600–700+ reviews (G2), 4.1/5 from 114–220+ reviews (Capterra)
Freshchat is a live chat and AI chatbot platform from the Freshworks suite, featuring Freddy AI with pre-built vertical agents for ecommerce, fintech, travel, and logistics.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI capabilities | Freddy AI Agent with pre-built Vertical AI Agents and 50+ Agentic Workflows. Claims up to 80% resolution rate. |
| AI Copilot | $29/agent/mo add-on—reply suggestions, conversation summaries, real-time translation (60+ languages) |
| Knowledge base training | FAQs, documents, URLs, Q&A, help articles. Auto-generates KB articles from agent interactions. Visual flow editor. |
| Live chat / human handoff | Unified team inbox across all channels. IntelliAssign (smart assignment). Seamless bot-to-human handoff. |
| Multilingual | Widget supports multilanguage with auto-detection. Freddy Copilot: 60+ languages. |
| Channels | Website, in-app, email, SMS, WhatsApp, Line, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Google Business Messages |
Platform compatibility
Any website via JavaScript snippet. WordPress compatible. Mobile SDKs for iOS 14.0+, Android API 16+, React Native 0.60+, Cordova. Web SDK with extensive customization API. Freshchat’s integrations page does not list specific CMS platforms (Shopify, Wix, Squarespace) as native integrations – installation uses JavaScript snippet on any site.
Strengths
- Generous free plan with 10 agents
- Affordable paid plans starting at $19/agent/mo
- Pre-built vertical AI agents for specific industries (ecommerce, fintech, travel, logistics)
- Deep Freshworks ecosystem integration (CRM + helpdesk + phone)
- Unlimited agents on all paid plans
Limitations
- Freddy AI only works within Freshworks ecosystem – limited external integrations
- Free plan excludes social channels and AI entirely
- Analytics limited on lower-tier plans
Pricing
Free (up to 10 agents, website+email only, no social channels/AI), Growth $19/agent/mo annual (unlimited agents, all channels), Pro $49/agent/mo annual (custom dashboards, advanced routing), Enterprise $79/agent/mo annual (skills-based assignment, additional security). Freddy AI Agent: 500 free sessions one-time, then $49 per 100 sessions ($0.49/session). Freddy AI Copilot: $29/agent/mo add-on. 14-day free trial of Enterprise features.
9. Landbot
G2/Capterra ratings: ~4.5/5 from 250+ reviews (G2), 4.4/5 from 70 reviews (Capterra)
Landbot is a no-code chatbot builder with an industry-leading visual flow builder. The platform focuses on conversational forms, landing pages, and lead generation rather than traditional customer support use cases.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI capabilities | AI Assistants (Starter+) and AI Agents (WhatsApp Pro+). GPT-powered + Dialogflow NLP integration. Hybrid rule-based + AI approach. |
| Visual flow builder | Drag-and-drop, no-code—universally praised as industry-best |
| Live chat / human handoff | Human Takeover available on ALL plans including free. Team inbox. |
| Lead capture | Conversational forms, lead scoring (Pro+), A/B testing, hidden fields, goal tracking, variables/data collection |
| Conversational landing pages | Full-page chatbot experiences—unique deployment option |
| Integrations | Zapier, Slack, Google Analytics (all plans). Mailchimp, Stripe, Segment (Starter+). HubSpot, Google Sheets, Airtable, Calendly, Webhooks (Pro+). Salesforce (Business). |
Platform compatibility
Web (all plans), Facebook Messenger (Starter+), WhatsApp (separate plans), API (Pro+). Embed options include chat widget, popup, full-page conversational landing page, and embeddable code. Works on any website.
Strengths
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Unique conversational forms & landing pages
- Human takeover available on all plans including free
- A/B testing for flow optimization helps improve conversion rates
- Strong lead generation focus with goal tracking and analytics
- SOC 2 and GDPR compliant
Limitations
- AI chats cost extra (€0.10 each) beyond plan allotments
- WhatsApp requires separate plans starting at €80/mo
- Limited multilingual support
- Builder can slow with complex bots exceeding 100 blocks
Pricing
Sandbox free (100 chats/mo, no AI, 1 seat), Starter €32/mo annual (500 chats, 100 AI chats, 2 seats), Pro €80/mo annual (2,500 chats, 300 AI chats, 3 seats), Business from €400/mo annual (custom chats, 1,000 AI chats, 5 seats). WhatsApp plans separate starting at €80/mo. Extra AI chats €0.10 each. Extra seats €25/mo. EUR-only pricing. 14-day free trial on paid plans. Limited multilingual support flagged by multiple reviewers.
10. Botsonic
G2/Capterra ratings: 4.6/5 from 103 reviews (G2), 4.8/5 from 77 reviews (Capterra)
Botsonic is an AI-powered chatbot builder from the Writesonic ecosystem, using GPT-4o for automated customer interactions. Y Combinator-backed and SOC 2 compliant, the platform positions itself as an affordable entry point for GPT-4o-powered chatbots.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| AI models | GPT-4o Mini (Starter), GPT-4o + upcoming models (Professional+). Model-agnostic architecture. |
| Knowledge base training | Sitemaps (up to 5,000 URLs on Starter), documents (PDFs, Word), FAQs. 10M–100M uploaded characters by plan. Auto-sync on Advanced+ only. |
| Live chat / human handoff | Request callback (Professional+). Support handoff to Zendesk only—Enterprise or $199/mo add-on. |
| Lead capture | Lead capture forms on all plans. Conversational info collection. |
| Multilingual | 25+ languages |
| AI Agentic Actions | 3 (Starter), 5 (Professional), 10 (Advanced). Agentic Workflows on Advanced+. |
| Integrations | WhatsApp, FB Messenger, Telegram, Zapier, WordPress, Google Tag Manager (Starter). Add Slack, Calendly, Notion (Professional). Salesforce, Freshdesk, Confluence (Enterprise). |
Platform compatibility
Any website via embeddable code. WordPress. Google Tag Manager. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram (all plans). Slack, Google Chat (Professional+). API integration on Advanced+.
Strengths
- Affordable GPT-4o-powered chatbot starting at $16/mo (annual billing)
- SOC 2 compliant for enterprise security requirements
- Part of Writesonic ecosystem for content-related workflows
- WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram included on all plans
- AI Agentic Actions for task automation
Limitations
- Live agent handoff limited to Zendesk only and costs $199/mo extra
- Branding removal costs $49/mo
- Limited native integrations
- No visual flow builder for conversation design
Pricing
No free plan—7-day trial only. Starter $16/mo annual (1,000 msgs/mo, 1 bot), Professional $41/mo annual (3,000 msgs/mo, 2 bots), Advanced $249/mo annual (12,000 msgs/mo, 5 team members), Enterprise custom. Add-ons: Remove Branding ($49/mo), extra 2,000 messages ($25/mo), Zendesk handoff ($199/mo), API access ($49/mo on lower plans).
Feature Comparison: Total Price, Human Handoff & AI Models
Beyond feature lists, three factors often determine whether a chatbot succeeds or frustrates users: total cost of ownership, human handoff capability, and AI model quality.
Pricing
The table below consolidates verified pricing with key gotchas and hidden costs:
| Platform | Free Plan | Starting Paid (Annual) | Key Limits at Entry Tier | Notable Pricing Quirks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elfsight | ✅ Yes | $5/mo (Basic) | 3 bots, 300 msgs/mo, 5K views | View-based limits; widget deactivates when exceeded |
| Tidio | ✅ Yes | $24.17/mo (Starter) | 100 convos/mo, 10 seats | Lyro AI ($32.50/mo) and Flows ($24.17/mo) are add-ons; free Lyro is one-time 50 total |
| HubSpot | ✅ Yes | $15/seat/mo (Starter) | Rule-based only on free/Starter | AI requires Professional ($90/seat/mo + $1,500 onboarding); ~$1 per AI conversation |
| Tawk.to | ✅ Yes (unlimited) | $0 core / $24.17/mo AI | Unlimited live chat free; 100 AI msgs on free AI | Core platform free forever; AI Assist paid add-on ($29/mo for 1K msgs) |
| ChatBot.com | ❌ Trial only | $19/user/mo (Essential) | 10 AI resolutions/mo | Essential’s 10 AI resolutions barely functional; need Growth ($79/user/mo) for 200 |
| Chatbase | ✅ Yes | $32/mo (Hobby) | 1,500-2,000 msgs/mo, 1 agent | Credit-based; different models consume different credits; free agents deleted after 14 days |
| Intercom | ❌ Trial only | $29/seat/mo (Essential) | Base platform only | Fin AI $0.99/resolution; realistic cost $800-$1,200+/mo for 5-person team with AI |
| Freshchat | ✅ Yes (10 agents) | $19/agent/mo (Growth) | Unlimited agents, all channels | Freddy AI $0.49/session (500 free one-time); Copilot $29/agent/mo add-on |
| Landbot | ✅ Yes | €32/mo (Starter) | 500 chats/mo, 100 AI chats, 2 seats | EUR pricing; AI chats €0.10 each beyond plan; WhatsApp separate (€80/mo+) |
| Botsonic | ❌ Trial only | $16/mo (Starter) | 1,000 msgs/mo, 1 bot | Zendesk handoff $199/mo extra; branding removal $49/mo |
Human handoff and live chat
Research shows 80% of consumers will only use chatbots if they can easily switch to a human. This makes the distinction between AI-only tools and full live chat platforms critical for customer support scenarios.
Platforms with full live chat and seamless human handoff: Tawk.to (core product is live chat with AI as an add-on), Tidio, HubSpot, Freshchat, ChatBot.com (human takeover on all plans), Intercom, and Landbot all include native live chat with bot-to-human transfer. When the AI can’t resolve an issue, these platforms preserve conversation context and pass it to a human agent within the same interface.
Platforms with external escalation only: Elfsight’s Contact Human feature redirects visitors to external channels (email, phone, WhatsApp). Chatbase and Botsonic require Zendesk integration for human handoff – Botsonic charges $199/mo extra for this, and Chatbase has no native escalation path.
The distinction matters most for support-heavy use cases. If you’re handling order issues or technical troubleshooting where stakes are high, choose a platform with native live chat. If your chatbot handles predictable FAQs, lead capture, or product browsing where escalation is rare, AI-only tools work well.
AI model transparency
Some platforms disclose their AI models and even let you choose between multiple options. Others use proprietary systems without revealing the underlying technology.
Full transparency with model choice: Chatbase stands out by offering 17+ models including GPT-5 Mini, GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini 2.0, DeepSeek, and Grok – you choose which to use. Botsonic uses GPT-4o Mini on Starter and GPT-4o on Professional+. Landbot combines GPT with Dialogflow NLP. Elfsight AI Chatbot runs on GPT-5 mini.
Disclosed proprietary models: Tidio uses Claude (Anthropic) plus in-house models for Lyro. Intercom built a proprietary Fin AI Engine with custom models. HubSpot uses Breeze AI (proprietary).
Partially or not disclosed: Freshchat uses proprietary Freddy AI with limited public details. ChatBot.com references a proprietary “multilingual AI model” without naming it. Tawk.to’s Apollo AI Bot provides limited technical information.
Model transparency matters when you’re optimizing for specific use cases or cost constraints. The ability to test multiple models (Chatbase) or know exactly which model powers your chatbot Tidio, Botsonic helps predict quality and costs.
How to Choose the Right Chatbot for Your Website
The best website AI chatbot depends on your budget, primary use case, and whether you need human support agents. Here’s how to narrow your options.
Budget Tier ($0-$25/month)
Elfsight
Choose Elfsight if you want an affordable AI chatbot for FAQ automation and lead capture with no plans for integrated live chat. The $5/mo entry point (annual billing) makes it the most accessible AI option for testing chatbot functionality before committing. Best first chatbot for sites that don’t need human handoff.
Chatbase
Pick Chatbase if you want to test multiple AI models (17+ options including GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini) and need flexibility. Best for tech-savvy users who don’t need live chat and want to experiment with different language models to optimize quality or cost.
Mid-Market Tier ($25-$100/month)
Tidio
Tidio is your go-to if you run an ecommerce business, especially on Shopify, and need both AI chatbot and live chat with human handoff. The deep Shopify integration includes order management and cart abandonment recovery. Plans start at $24/mo (annual) but factor in Lyro and Flows add-ons for realistic costs.
Freshchat
Select Freshchat if you want enterprise features at mid-market pricing. The free 10-agent plan is the most generous for teams. Paid plans start at $19/agent/mo with Freddy AI sessions at $0.49 each—roughly half of Intercom’s per-resolution cost. Works best as part of the broader Freshworks ecosystem.
Premium Tier ($100+/month)
Intercom
Choose Intercom if you have $1,000+/month budget and need the highest documented AI resolution rate (66% average across 6,000+ customers). The platform includes omnichannel inbox, voice support, product tours, and the strongest analytics suite.
Landbot
Landbot is the best pick if lead generation is your primary goal and you want to replace static forms with conversational experiences. The visual flow builder is industry-leading, and conversational landing pages are unique to Landbot. Plans start at €32/mo (annual) but scale quickly with usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free AI chatbot for website?
Do I need a chatbot with human handoff, or is AI-only sufficient?
Which chatbot works best for Shopify stores?
How much does a website chatbot really cost?
Which of the best AI chatbots is the easiest to install?
Final Recommendations
The platforms reviewed above represent verified, functional options across budget tiers, but the right choice depends on matching capabilities to your specific use case rather than chasing features you won’t use. With Elfsight AI Chatbot at lowest entry-point cost ($5/mo paid), pricing ranges up to $800-$1,200+/month for premium and enterprise solutions.
Start by identifying your primary need: AI-only FAQ automation and lead capture, free live chat with optional AI enhancement, or unified platforms combining both. If your use case is customer support involving order issues, billing questions, or technical troubleshooting, prioritize platforms with native live chat and human handoff. If you’re handling predictable FAQs or lead qualification where escalation is rare, AI-only tools work well at significantly lower price points.
