You’ve got the ads running, the traffic’s rolling in, but shoppers keep slipping away without saying a word. Sound familiar? It might be because there’s no friendly “hello” to catch them when they pause or have a quick question.
That’s where live chat changes everything. As people who live and breathe eCommerce, we’ve seen countless tools, and in this post, we’ll walk through the best live chat apps for Shopify.
From our experience, Chatty consistently delivers the best blend of AI-powered sales and support, but we’ll also highlight other apps that excel in specific areas. Our goal is to help you find the one that can actually turn almost-buyers into happy customers. Let’s get started!
Best Shopify live chat apps compared at a glance
Before diving into the detailed reviews, here’s a quick side-by-side look at the top Shopify live chat apps. This table highlights their standout features, ideal users, ratings, and pricing so you can quickly see which one might fit your store best.
| App | Key Features | Best For | Rating | Price |
| Chatty | AI-powered assistant, multi-channel inbox, order tracking, FAQ hub, upsell tools | Merchants wanting AI-driven sales + support | 4.9/5 | Free – $49.99/mo |
| Tidio | Live chat + chatbot, omni-channel support, help desk | Small to mid-sized teams balancing automation | 4.4/5 | Free – $39+/mo |
| Richpanel | Unified inbox, self-service portal, analytics & reporting | Larger teams needing structured support | 4.7/5 | $89 – $119/month |
| Gorgias | Ticket management, AI agent, 100+ integrations | Brands needing deep Shopify integration | 4.1/5 | $10 – $900/month |
| LiveChat | Customizable chat, proactive campaigns, Messenger/WhatsApp integration | Businesses needing robust integrations | 4.8/5 | $24 – $69/month |
| Chatra | Live chat & chatbot, lead capture, mobile + desktop apps | Stores wanting affordable, simple live chat | 4.8/5 | Free – $41/mo |
| Willdesk | AI-driven omnichannel, branded self-service widget, multi-store support | Stores wanting advanced automation | 4.8/5 | Free – $149/mo |
| Re:amaze | Live chat + SMS + social, workflow automation, Shopify order management | Multi-store brands needing deep helpdesk tools | 4.3/5 | $29 – $899/month |
| Chatway | WhatsApp & Messenger chat, FAQ widget, canned responses | Beginners or budget-conscious merchants | 4.9/5 | Free – $15/mo |
| BestChat | AI chatbot, GPT-powered responses, real-time Shopify integration | Stores wanting 24/7 AI chat support | 4.8/5 | Free – $60/mo |
List of 10 Shopify live chat apps to win customers in real-time
1. Chatty
Chatty is the AI-first chat platform built for eCommerce sales. Unlike many live chat apps that only focus on support, Chatty is designed to actively help you sell with built-in upselling and cross-selling features. It’s one of the best live chat tools for Shopify merchants who want a live chat system that works like a 24/7 sales assistant, not just a helpdesk.
Key features:
- AI assistant: Powered by ChatGPT v4, learns your catalog, FAQs, and policies to recommend products and answer complex questions.
- Live chat system: Real-time chat with instant notifications, team collaboration, and mobile app management.
- FAQ hub: Unlimited FAQ categories with analytics to track top questions.
- Order tracking: One-click tracking integrated with major carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS.
- Multi-channel inbox: Centralized inbox for WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and email.
- Automation workflows: Smart triggers for proactive messages and lead capture.
Merchants praise Chatty for its clean FAQ organization, seamless multi-channel support, and outstanding customer service. Many highlight how the AI feels like an extra sales rep, available 24/7, and love the quick, hands-on help from the Chatty team.
Pricing: Free plan available with core features. Paid plans start at $19.99/month (Basic) and $49.99/month (Pro), with up to 5,000 AI replies and advanced automation.
Rating on Shopify: 4.9/5 (1,500+ reviews)
2. Tidio
Tidio is one of the most well-known apps in the best live chat for Shopify category, combining live chat, chatbots, and a help desk in one tool. It’s a good fit for small to mid-sized teams that want a balance of automation and manual support, with AI features that “suggest” responses rather than fully automate them.
Key features:
- Live chat app: Provide real-time support and even video chat to assist customers on the spot.
- AI Chatbot: Handles common support requests using Lyro AI while passing more complex issues to your team.
- Help desk software: Manage all chats and tickets from one panel.
- Omni-channel support: Supports Messenger, email, and more.
While Tidio offers a similar feature set to Chatty, user feedback often points to a key difference in their AI approach. Tidio’s AI often “suggests” responses for agents to use, whereas Chatty’s AI is built to handle conversations autonomously from start to finish. Recurring themes in Tidio’s reviews include confusing pricing (where costs for different features add up quickly), occasional bugs, and support that can be slow or inconsistent.
Pricing: Free plan available for basic chat. Paid plans start at $29/month for Customer Service or Flows, with advanced AI features starting at $39/month.
Rating on Shopify: 4.4/5 (820+ reviews)
3. Richpanel
Richpanel markets itself as a customer service platform with AI features, but it leans more toward support management than proactive sales. It’s designed for brands looking to consolidate email, chat, and social support into one place, making it a strong option for larger teams that need structure.
Key Features:
- Unified inbox: Manage conversations from email, chat, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
- Self-service portal: Customers can find answers and track orders without contacting support.
- Team collaboration: Assign, track, and measure performance across multiple agents.
- Analytics & reporting: Insight into ticket handling and support efficiency.
The user experience with Richpanel is generally positive, with merchants appreciating its ability to streamline ticket management. However, some users report that the AI is limited, feeling more like an auto-drafter than a true conversational chatbot. Unlike Chatty or Tidio, which offer more interactive AI, Richpanel’s strength is in organizing human-led support. Some feedback also mentions that onboarding and support can feel underwhelming or buggy.
Pricing: Plans start at $89/month, with Pro Max and Self-Service tiers at $119/month. No free plan beyond a trial.
Rating on Shopify: 4.7/5 (110+ reviews)
4. Gorgias
Gorgias is a well-known helpdesk platform built for Shopify merchants. It offers live chat, ticket management, automation, and AI-powered support — all in one place. Many merchants choose it for its deep integration with Shopify, which makes it easy to pull in customer and order data. You can also manage email, chat, social messages, and SMS from a single inbox, helping your team respond faster and stay organized.
Key Features:
- Unified support hub: Manage email, chat, social, voice, and SMS in one place.
- Shopify integration: Access customer orders, refunds, and subscriptions directly from the chat window.
- Automation and AI agent: Handle repetitive tasks and offer product recommendations.
- Extensive app connections: Integrates with 100+ ecommerce tools for better workflows.
When comparing Gorgias to other helpdesk-focused tools like Richpanel or Re:amaze, its standout feature is the Shopify data integration. However, some reviews indicate that while the platform is powerful, it can feel slow or clunky at times. A common sentiment is that the AI agent and chat customization features are not as polished as those in more specialized chat apps.
Pricing: Starts at $10/month for the Starter plan. More advanced plans range from $60 to $900/month, with ticket volume and automation add-ons affecting cost.
Rating on Shopify: 4.1/5 (540+ reviews)
5. LiveChat
LiveChat is a long-established player in the live chat space, known for stability and excellent integrations. It’s often chosen by teams looking for reliable performance and advanced customizations, including ties to Salesforce and Shopify.
Key features:
- Stable live chat: Highly reliable real-time messaging with a clean interface.
- Custom messaging: Send sale, event, or product announcements directly in chat.
- Deep integrations: Works with Salesforce, Shopify, Messenger, and more.
- Cart preview & recommendations: See customer carts and offer guidance while they shop.
General feedback highlights the dependable platform and strong support team, with users often mentioning quick, detailed answers. In contrast to apps like Tidio, where pricing can be complex, LiveChat’s tiered plans are more straightforward. However, some users express frustration with specific analytics being locked behind higher-tier plans and note slight inaccuracies in live visitor tracking.
Pricing: Plans start at $24/month. Higher tiers ($49–$69/month) unlock unlimited chat history, more advanced analytics, and campaign tools.
Rating on Shopify: 4.8/5 (40+ reviews)
6. Chatra
Chatra is a user-friendly live chat and chatbot app designed to boost conversions and capture leads. It balances approachable pricing with valuable features like proactive chats, visitor insights, and social channel integration.
Key features:
- Live chat on all devices: Desktop and mobile chat management with real-time messaging.
- Chatbot tools: Utilize bots to automate routine tasks and capture leads efficiently.
- Visitor insights: See who’s on your site, what they’re typing, and what’s in their cart.
- Social integrations: Connect with Facebook, Instagram, and email in one inbox.
In the user review section, merchants praise Chatra for lead capture, ease of setup, and affordable pricing. However, some report occasional bugs in the mobile web app and minor frustrations with responsiveness, but overall see it as a feature-rich option for the price.
Pricing: Free plan with up to 20 conversations per month. Paid plans start at $31/month (Essential) and $41/month (Pro), unlocking more features and higher usage limits.
Rating on Shopify: 4.8/5 (300+ reviews)
7. Willdesk
Willdesk is an AI-powered helpdesk and live chat tool built for Shopify merchants who need advanced automation for support and order management. It combines chat, email, and social channels into one inbox, helping stores manage tickets, product inquiries, and post-purchase issues more efficiently.
Key features:
- Branded self-service widget: Provides customers with instant answers, eliminating the need for an extra tracking app.
- AI-driven omnichannel: Product recommendations, emotion detection, and after-sales support.
- Multi-channel inbox: Manage tickets from chat, email, and social media in one dashboard.
- Order tracking integration: Deep links with Shopify, ParcelPanel, and other logistics apps.
- Multi-store support: Customize FAQs, fonts, and styles across multiple storefronts.
While the support team receives high praise for being fast and professional, a recurring theme in reviews is that the pricing can be misleading. Unlike other apps where AI features are included in tiers, Willdesk’s AI capabilities are often extra and not clearly disclosed upfront. Some users also report issues with the Shopify order panel and unwanted automated replies, which makes some cautious.
Pricing: Free plan available with core features. Paid plans start at $16.90/month, with advanced AI features on higher tiers ($42.90–$149.90/month).
Rating on Shopify: 4.8/5 (390+ reviews)
8. Re:amaze
Re:amaze positions itself as a full-featured helpdesk for Shopify, combining chat, email, social, SMS, and voice into one platform. It’s especially aimed at larger eCommerce businesses wanting to streamline customer support with automation and reporting.
Key features:
- Unified inbox: Combine email, chat, SMS, and calls for all stores.
- AI writing & chatbots: Use AI to draft replies, build chatbots, and summarize conversations.
- Shopify order management: Edit, modify, or create orders right from the chat window.
- Workflow automation: Use macros, rules, and triggers to handle repetitive tasks.
- Analytics & reporting: Track tickets, revenue impact, and team performance.
The support team at Re:amaze is frequently described as patient and highly responsive. However, there’s a consistent flip side noted in reviews: the setup is complex, and the AI can feel underwhelming compared to more specialized AI tools like Chatty or BestChat. Some reviews also report poor handling of multi-store/multi-language setups, with a few merchants describing frustrating support experiences and warning that the app is an expensive choice if you’re not fully committed.
Pricing: Starts at $29/month for the Basic plan. Pro ($49), Plus ($69), and Enterprise Custom ($899) tiers offer more automation and advanced features.
Rating on Shopify: 4.3/5 (170+ reviews)
9. Chatway
Chatway is a simpler live chat and FAQ app that integrates WhatsApp and multiple chat channels. It’s designed for merchants wanting straightforward chat support without the steep learning curve of bigger helpdesks.
Key features:
- WhatsApp & social chat: Connect WhatsApp, Messenger, and more to your Shopify inbox.
- Canned responses: Save and reuse replies for faster customer service.
- Mobile chat apps: iOS and Android apps let you reply on the go.
- Customizable chat buttons: Add branded chat buttons across your store.
- Live chat monitoring: Assign chats to agents and track activity in real time.
What users appreciate most about Chatway is its practicality and ease of setup, with features like auto-translation being a standout benefit. However, when compared to a similarly priced tool like Chatra, it lacks deeper analytics and proactive chat features. Some feedback points to technical glitches, like chat balloons not closing or site performance slowing, and a few users report frustrating support interactions.
Pricing: Free plan with unlimited chats. Pro plan at $15/month unlocks advanced features like live translation, tags, and custom icons.
Rating on Shopify: 4.9/5 (210+ reviews)
10. BestChat
BestChat is an AI chatbot and live chat solution for Shopify, aiming to take on repetitive support tasks and boost eCommerce conversions. It integrates with Shopify in real time, learning products and FAQs to act as a round-the-clock assistant.
Key features:
- AI chatbot: Learns your products and FAQs in 3–5 days to handle routine questions.
- 24/7 AI support: Frees up human agents by answering emails and chats anytime.
- Smooth AI-to-agent handoff: Switches between bot and human seamlessly.
- Real-time Shopify sync: Pulls product and order info into conversations instantly.
- AI insights: Provides analytics on chats and support trends.
The consensus among merchants is that BestChat offers significant time savings and a quick learning curve, with many noting it “pays for itself” in reduced manual replies. However, its focus is heavily on the AI chatbot.
Unlike Chatty, which offers a more robust FAQ hub and live chat system alongside its AI, BestChat is more centered on bot-led conversations. Some users report that the chat widget can interfere with the shopping experience on mobile, and there are complaints about gaps in customer service and missing handoff features.
Pricing: Free plan available with basic AI chat. Paid plans start at $10/month (Starter), with Basic ($30) and Growth ($60) plans adding higher AI chat limits and more features.
Rating on Shopify: 4.8/5 (140+ reviews)
How to choose the right live chat for your Shopify store?
Picking the right live chat app doesn’t have to be complicated. The best live chat for Shopify will always fit your goals, your team size, and the level of automation you want. Here’s how to narrow it down in a way that feels straightforward and stress-free.
Choose based on your goal
Start by asking yourself why you want live chat in the first place.
- Boosting sales? Look for a chat app with product suggestions, proactive live chat triggers, and in-chat discounts to nudge customers toward checkout (e.g, Chatty).
- Improving customer support? Prioritize helpdesk-style tools with ticketing, canned replies, and an organized inbox (e.g, Gorgias is more suitable here).
- Building loyalty? Consider apps that offer self-service portals, FAQ hubs, or subscriber perks that make shoppers feel cared for beyond their first purchase.
Match it with your store size
Your stage of business matters. A solo founder has very different needs than a 20-person team.
- Running a small shop on your own? Choose a tool that’s easy to set up and works from your phone so you can reply on the go.
- Growing and hiring? You’ll want automation, chat routing, and analytics to track where your team’s time is spent.
- Enterprise level? Consider larger platforms that offer multi-channel inboxes, in-depth reporting, and integrations with other tools your team already uses.
Check for native Shopify functions
The best live chat for Shopify doesn’t just bolt onto your store. It works with it.
- Can it trigger a chat when someone lingers on checkout?
- Will it recommend products in real time as shoppers browse?
- Does it understand Shopify’s order data so customers can check status or tracking without leaving the site?
- Bonus points if it can pull in things like shipping methods, discounts, and even loyalty points.
AI is the new standard
Look for apps that can recommend products based on user behavior, trigger timely offers, and start conversations automatically (for example, when a shopper is about to exit). This is exactly where Chatty stands out. Its AI is powerfully trained on your Shopify store’s catalog, FAQs, policies, and even your brand tone.
That means when a customer asks about a product, Chatty knows the size, color, and price, and can even suggest a bundle without sounding robotic. It can also step in with upsell prompts or answer support questions around the clock, making it feel less like software and more like a tireless team member who knows your store inside and out.
5 Shopify live chat challenges (and pro tips to fix them fast)
Live chat can be a superpower for your store, but it’s not without its challenges. Here are the 5 most common hurdles Shopify merchants face and our pro tips on how to overcome them quickly.
Off-target chatbot replies & limited language options
Many chatbots give generic, off-target replies that frustrate customers. They often struggle to switch between languages seamlessly or fumble complex questions about product details, creating a poor experience for a global audience and making your brand look unhelpful.
Solutions:
- Train your chatbot on your entire product catalog, shipping policies, and frequently asked questions so it can give accurate, specific answers.
- Ensure there is a smooth, obvious handoff option to a human agent when the bot gets stuck.
- Choose a chat app with built-in, multi-language AI that can automatically detect and respond in the customer’s native language.
Gaps in Shopify & app integrations
A live chat app that fails to sync with Shopify, your CRM, or key channels like WhatsApp is more trouble than it’s worth. Poor integration leads to manual data entry, slows down your support team, and kills the potential for powerful automation.
Solutions:
- Prioritize apps that offer deep, native Shopify integrations, allowing you to see cart contents and order history directly in the chat.
- Connect your chat tool with your CRM and most-used channels (like Messenger or email) from day one.
- If you rely on webhooks for custom workflows, test them thoroughly in a staging environment before going live.
Missed lead capture & poor chat routing
Without a system to qualify visitors, your team can waste time on low-value chats while high-intent leads slip away. Messy support queues and a lack of intelligent routing mean that urgent questions get lost in the shuffle.
Solutions:
- Implement pre-chat forms to gather contact information and understand a visitor’s needs before the conversation even starts.
- Set up smart routing rules to direct chats based on visitor behavior, such as cart value, browsing history, or specific keywords.
- Create automated alerts for your team to flag VIP customers or shoppers who are about to abandon their carts.
Lack of after-hours help & scheduling tools
When your team logs off, your customer service effectively shuts down. This is especially problematic for stores with international customers or those selling high-ticket items where a quick answer can make or break a sale. A lack of scheduling tools also makes booking demos or follow-up calls a manual, time-consuming process.
Solutions:
- Use a chatbot that can handle FAQs and capture lead information 24/7.
- Integrate a calendar booking tool directly into your chat widget so customers can schedule demos or callbacks themselves.
- Set up automated after-hours replies that manage expectations and direct visitors to your FAQ hub or a contact form.
Sluggish performance, design issues & privacy risks
A clunky, poorly designed chat widget can slow down your site, which hurts your SEO and frustrates shoppers. If the design clashes with your branding or if the app isn’t transparent about data privacy, you risk losing customer trust.
Solutions:
- Choose a lightweight app that is optimized for performance and won’t impact your site’s loading speed.
- Customize the chat widget’s colors, fonts, and position to ensure it aligns perfectly with your brand aesthetic.
- Make sure the app is GDPR-compliant and offers clear privacy settings to build trust with your customers.
FAQs
Do Shopify live chat apps support multiple languages?
Some do, but not every app offers the same level of coverage. Basic tools often only work in English, while more advanced options like Tidio, Willdesk, and Chatra support a wide range of languages, from German and French to Portuguese, Japanese, and even Thai.
Do Shopify chat apps support AI-powered chatbots?
Most modern apps do. Tools like Chatty, BestChat, and Tidio use AI to handle FAQs, recommend products, and even trigger proactive chats. Chatty goes further by training on your full product catalog and policies, so its answers are accurate and it can upsell or cross-sell like a real salesperson.
How does live chat help increase sales?
Live chat keeps shoppers from leaving when they have questions or doubts. Apps with AI and proactive chat features can suggest products, offer bundles, or drop in a discount code at the right time. This turns browsing into buying, especially for customers who might have abandoned their cart otherwise.
Is live chat better than email support?
For real-time help, yes. Live chat answers questions on the spot, keeping customers engaged and on your site. Email still has a place for long-form replies or detailed follow-ups, but live chat prevents that “silent exit” when shoppers can’t get quick answers. Many merchants use both, with live chat as the first touchpoint and email for anything that needs extra detail.
Final verdict
There isn’t one single “perfect” app for every store. The best live chat for Shopify will depend on your goals, your team, and your level of automation.
- If your goal is to increase sales, consider an AI-first tool like Chatty.
- If you’re focused on support, go with structured helpdesk-style platforms like Gorgias or Richpanel.
- If you need something fast and simple, consider lighter apps like Chatra or Tidio – easy to set up, mobile-friendly, and perfect for smaller shops.
Ready to find your match? Install one of these apps and start chatting with your customers today.