Top Live Chat Software for Small Businesses: Must-Have Tools to Boost Customer Support and Growth

Here’s a concise and practical guide featuring six top live chat software options for small businesses, each with its main features, functions, and latest pricing info. 

This overview helps you easily compare and pick the best tool for your unique needs without overwhelm or jargon.

Top 6 Live Chat Software Solutions for Small Businesses

1. Tidio

Features: Live chat with real-time messaging, AI chatbot automation, integration with email, Messenger, and Instagram, customizable chat widgets, visitor tracking, and a mobile app for remote management.​

Functions: Handles chats instantly, automates FAQ responses, helps capture leads, and boosts customer support efficiency for lean teams.​

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $25/month for up to 10 operator seats and 100 billable conversations per month, scaling based on volume or automation needs.​

2. Tawk.to

Features: Unlimited agents, unlimited conversations, customizable chat widget, supports 45+ languages, fully mobile-responsive, real-time visitor monitoring, automated triggers, and built-in voice/video calling.​

Functions: Let's any team respond to unlimited customer chats and track visitors with proactive engagement, all for free.​

Pricing: 100% free for unlimited agents and unlimited sites. Paid add-ons for advanced features (e.g., video calls) may be available.​

3. Olark

Features: Real-time chat messaging, easy-to-install widget, basic reports, performance analytics, visitor tracking, CRM/helpdesk integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot), and customizable design. Options for targeted chats and automation (Pro plan).​

Functions: Streamlines simple customer queries and provides analytics for performance without overwhelming small teams.​

Pricing: Standard plan starts at $29 per agent/month; Pro plan with automation and priority support is a custom quote.​

4. LiveChat

Features: Seamless website integration, multichannel (web, mobile), AI-powered text enhancement, chat routing, proactive invitations, analytics, and reporting.​

Functions: Professional chat management for sales and support, with tracking and reporting for business growth.​

Pricing: Starts at $20 per agent/month (Starter); higher plans offer more customization and analytics.​

5. Zoho SalesIQ

Features: Canned replies, basic visitor data, voice note messaging, advanced visitor details, chat in email signature, multi-channel support, and CRM integration.​

Functions: Captures leads, supports visitors on preferred channels, and provides analytics for improving support.​

Pricing: Free plan available; Starter plan from $20/operator/month, higher plans scale for team size and feature set.​

6. HubSpot Chat

Features: Free live chat, ticketing, team email integration, forms, Messenger & WhatsApp integration, chatbot builder, automation in Starter and up, and full CRM tools.​

Functions: Ideal for businesses wanting CRM + live chat, automates queries, tracks contacts, and integrates marketing/sales.​

Pricing: Free plan with live chat; Starter plan at $18–$20/month (includes CRM tools), Professional and Enterprise plans for advanced automation.​

Comparing the Essentials

Every option here helps small businesses connect instantly with customers, automate common queries, and grow support operations at a manageable cost. Picking a solution depends on whether you want advanced automation or simple, affordable chat features and how much CRM or analytics you need for your workflow.​