10 Best Live Chat Alternatives to Zendesk Chat in 2025

June 28, 2025

Speed, accessibility, and omnichannel communication are no longer luxuries in customer support—they’re essential. While there are dozens of live chat tools on the market aiming to meet this need, not all are created equal. Zendesk Chat has long been a popular solution, but it may not be ideal for every business in terms of pricing, flexibility, and localization.

In this article, we explore 10 live chat platforms that offer strong alternatives to Zendesk Chat.

1. ⭐ Grispi Live Chat: All Channels, One Platform

Grispi is a locally developed customer communication platform that stands out by unifying multiple channels into a single interface. It brings together messages from web chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and email into one screen—enabling support agents to respond faster and more efficiently.

Key Features

Omnichannel Support: All messages are managed from a single dashboard. Integrations with WhatsApp and Instagram are included in the standard package.
Automation & Bot Flows: Rule-based flows (flow-actions) automate simple requests, leaving only complex cases to human agents.

AI-Powered Hybrid Model: Combines rule-based logic with AI-generated responses. For example, questions like “How can I track my order?” are automatically answered.
Quick Setup: Can be activated in under 10 minutes without requiring technical knowledge.

Zendesk Chat vs. Grispi Live Chat: Feature Comparison

Zendesk Chat	Grispi Live Chat
Web chat only; WhatsApp, Instagram, etc. cost extra	All channels (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, email, web chat) included
Limited language support; English-centric UI and help docs	Fully language support; tailored for local business needs
Basic macros and triggers	Advanced rule-based automation and flow-based routing
Requires external tools (e.g., OpenAI)	Built-in hybrid system: AI + rules working together
Per-user license + separate channel fees	Transparent, all-in-one pricing—no hidden costs
Complex to set up and operate; better suited for large teams	Self-service onboarding in 10 minutes; intuitive for all users
Target: Enterprise-focused	Optimized for SMEs and mid-sized companies
Advanced reports, but complex to navigate	User-friendly reports: agent performance, chat duration, channel insights

2. LiveChat

Trusted by thousands of customer service teams globally, LiveChat combines a modern interface with strong enterprise-grade functionality. It integrates seamlessly with websites and offers a real-time chat experience. Designed with e-commerce and sales teams in mind.

✅ Pros: Sleek UI, built-in CRM and payment tools, chatbot plugins
⚠️ Cons: WhatsApp and Instagram integrations are paid extras

Looking for LiveChat-like support tools? Here are the top options.

3. Tidio

Tidio is a lightweight yet effective solution ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. It combines live chat, email support, and chatbot features to cover essential communication needs. Easy integrations with Shopify, WordPress, and others.

✅ Pros: Automation rules, AI-powered chatbots, free plan available
⚠️ Cons: Advanced features (AI bots, multi-channel support) require paid plans

4. Intercom

Intercom is a robust customer communication suite designed for sales, marketing, and support teams. It goes beyond live chat with in-app messages, onboarding flows, segmentation, and powerful automation—making it especially valuable for SaaS companies.

✅ Pros: Segmentation, automation, in-product messaging
⚠️ Cons: High pricing; not ideal for smaller teams

Discover 10 customer support tools similar to Intercom.

5. Userlike

Userlike, based in Germany, is a GDPR-compliant live chat tool tailored for European companies. In addition to web chat, it supports integrations with messaging apps like WhatsApp Business. A great option if data privacy is a top priority.

✅ Pros: WhatsApp Business support, GDPR compliance, customizable widget
⚠️ Cons: Limited language support

6. Olark

Olark focuses on simplicity and accessibility, offering core live chat features with minimal setup. Ideal for small businesses looking for fast customer interactions. It also provides useful reporting tools.

✅ Pros: Real-time visitor insights, chat transcripts, easy integrations
⚠️ Cons: Limited automation and AI features

7. Crisp

Crisp features a modern interface and supports multi-channel messaging. Beyond live chat, it includes video calls, chatbot integration, and enriched messaging based on conversation history—ideal for startups and tech companies.

✅ Pros: Shared inbox, video chat, chatbot integration
⚠️ Cons: Language support may be limited

8. Zoho SalesIQ

Part of the Zoho CRM suite, SalesIQ excels in tracking visitor behavior and guiding sales interactions. It can trigger chat invitations based on real-time traffic and score leads accordingly. Best suited for businesses already in the Zoho ecosystem.

✅ Pros: Zoho CRM integration, chatbot support, visitor analytics

⚠️ Cons: Limited integration with non-Zoho platforms

Discover top alternatives to Zoho Desk for customer support.

9. Freshchat (Freshworks)

Freshchat is a modern customer communication tool developed by Zendesk’s direct competitor, Freshworks. It consolidates live chat, email, WhatsApp, and social media into one interface and supports AI-powered bots and self-service tools.

✅ Pros: WhatsApp and social media support, bots, mobile-friendly design
⚠️ Cons: Limited language options

We’ve listed the best ticket management platforms as alternatives to Freshdesk.

10. Drift

Drift is a live chat platform focused on B2B sales and lead generation rather than traditional customer support. It helps teams engage website visitors in real time to drive conversion. Its targeted messaging and scheduling tools are especially effective.

✅ Pros: Real-time sales chats, targeted messages, A/B testing
⚠️ Cons: Built for marketing—may be too complex for support teams

Zendesk Chat is powerful, but often expensive and overly complex. The alternatives we’ve reviewed offer more flexible, budget-friendly, and user-oriented solutions for businesses of various sizes. If you’re looking for an all-in-one, multilingual live chat platform, we invite you to try Grispi for free for 14 days. Let us help you deliver faster, smarter, and more connected customer support.

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