Finding The Best Live Chat For WordPress: Plugins that Experts Use

Looking for a live chat solution for your WordPress site? We know it’s confusing to choose the best one. With so many options out there, it’s tough to know which of these plugins give actual results and which ones just slow down your site.

If your WordPress site has the right live chat tool, it can turn visitors into customers, boost sales, and provide instant support. But the wrong one? That’s just another plugin clogging up your dashboard.

So, to help you choose the best live chat for WordPress, we’ve tested the top options used by leading WordPress development companies. In this blog, we are going to cover everything about these plugins so you can pick the right ones.

Comparing The Prices of the Best Live Chat Plugin For WordPress

If you’re in a hurry, here is a list of the best live chat for WordPress, along with their prices and what they are best for. 

Plugins	What Are They Best For?	Pricing
HubSpot	CRM integration & marketing teams	You can get started for free.
LiveChat	Sales teams & high-volume support	Starts at $20/agent/month
Tidio	E-commerce & automated replies	Free plan; Paid from $20/month
ChatBot	AI-powered conversational flows	From $52/month
Live Chat by Formilla	Small businesses & mobile apps	$13.99/agent/month
3CX Live Chat	Call center integration	Free with 3CX PBX
Brevo Chat	Email marketing sync	Free; Paid from $9/month
Chaty	Multi-channel widgets (WhatsApp, etc.)	Free; Paid from $15/month
JivoChat	Emerging markets & multilingual	Free; Paid from $19/agent
Olark	B2B & enterprise support	From $29/agent/month
Tawk.To Live Chat	Budget-friendly & 24/7 monitoring	Free forever
Crisp	Startups & shared inboxes	Free; Paid from $45/month

Why Should You Use a WordPress Chat Plugin?

Live chat is more than just a nice-to-have feature. It can be really helpful for both visitors and users of a WordPress site. Here’s why:

• Instant Support Makes Visitors Happy: People hate waiting. A chat plugin lets you answer questions in real-time, turning frustrated visitors into satisfied customers.
• Boost Sales Without Being Pushy: Chat helps you guide visitors to the right product or offer, like a helpful store assistant, but automated.
• Save Time (and Your Sanity): Pre-written replies and chatbots handle common questions, so you’re not answering “Where’s my order?” 50 times a day.
• Works While You Sleep: Set up auto-responses or chatbot rules to keep helping customers even when you’re offline.
• See What Visitors Really Want: Chat logs reveal pain points you’d never spot in analytics, like confusing checkout steps or missing product info.

A good chat plugin pays for itself. It’s like hiring a 24/7 sales and support team that never takes a coffee break.

Best Live Chat For WordPress: List of Top Plugins

Let us now have a look at the best live chat plugins for WordPress in detail.

1. HubSpot Live Chat

HubSpot’s free live chat connects seamlessly with their CRM, letting you track visitor conversations alongside contacts and deals. It includes basic chatbots, canned responses, and a shared inbox, all at no cost. The simple WordPress integration makes it easy to start chatting quickly.

Pros:

• CRM sync automatically saves chat history to contact profiles.
• The free forever plan includes unlimited chats and 1:1 video calls.
• Pre-chat forms capture lead details before conversations start.
• Mobile apps let you respond from anywhere.

Cons:

• Limited bots (only 15 bot responses on the free plan).
• No 24/7 support for free users.
• Basic reporting lacks advanced analytics.
• Branding shows “HubSpot” on the chat widget.

What Makes It Better?

• Contact timelines show each visitor’s full history with your business.
• Smart notifications alert you when high-value leads chat.
• No plugins needed; works via simple embed code.

Scope for Improvement

• More bot automation for complex FAQs.
• Custom widget branding for free users.
• Deeper WordPress integration beyond basic embedding.

Best For: Businesses using (or considering) HubSpot’s CRM tools. Ideal for sales teams who want chats tied to customer records.

2. LiveChat

LiveChat delivers a sleek, sales-focused chat solution with robust team features. It offers canned responses, chat tagging, and detailed analytics to streamline conversations. The interface feels modern and intuitive, though pricing scales with agent seats.

Pros:

• Sales tools like chat transcripts are sent to email after conversations.
• Team collaboration with internal notes and agent mentions.
• 200+ integrations, including Shopify and Slack.
• Customizable widgets to match your brand’s look.

Cons:

• Costly for teams at $20+/agent/month.
• No free plan (only a 14-day trial).
• Limited automation compared to AI-powered tools.
• Mobile app bugs are reported occasionally.

What Makes It Better?

• Speed optimized so it won’t slow down WordPress sites.
• Pre-chat surveys to qualify leads before reps engage.
• Real-time typing view shows what visitors are writing before they hit send.

Scope for Improvement

• Basic bots lack advanced AI capabilities.
• No built-in CRM requires third-party integrations.
• Limited customization for chat flow rules.

Best For: Sales teams and support squads needing organized, high-volume chat management. Ideal for businesses willing to invest in agent-based pricing for quality features.

3. Tidio

Tidio combines live chat with AI-powered bots in one intuitive dashboard. It excels at automating e-commerce interactions like cart recovery while maintaining a human touch. The free plan covers basics, making it accessible for startups.

Pros:

• Visual bot builder creates automated flows without coding.
• Abandoned cart saver recovers 15-30% of lost sales.
• Mobile-friendly with smooth iOS/Android apps.
• Affordable paid plans start at just $29/month.

Cons:

• Bot limits on the free plan (only 50 conversations/month).
• Basic reporting lacks deep analytics.
• No phone support on lower tiers.
• Limited integrations compared to enterprise tools.

What Makes It Better?

• E-commerce focus with Shopify/WooCommerce sync.
• Pre-made templates for instant bot deployment.
• Typing insights show visitor intent before they send messages.

Scope for Improvement

• Bot conversation limits feel restrictive.
• Team features require premium plans.
• Learning curve for advanced automation setups.

Best For: Online stores and small businesses wanting automated chats with human backup. Perfect for merchants needing cart recovery without complex setups.

4. ChatBot

ChatBot specializes in AI-powered conversational flows that handle complex customer interactions. It stands out for its visual automation builder and natural language processing. While pricier than basic chat tools, it reduces human workload significantly.

Pros:

• Advanced NLP understands customer intent accurately.
• No-code builder with drag-and-drop interface.
• Omnichannel works across websites, Facebook Messenger, and Slack.
• Detailed analytics tracks bot performance metrics.

Cons:

• Expensive, starting at $52/month.
• Steep learning curve for beginners.
• Limited live chat features without human takeover.
• The WordPress plugin requires manual setup.

What Makes It Better?

• Scenario testing lets you preview bot conversations.
• Pre-built industry templates (e-commerce, SaaS, etc.).
• Seamless handoff to human agents when needed.

Scope for Improvement

• The mobile app lacks full functionality.
• Small business pricing could be more competitive.
• Initial setup requires technical configuration.

Best For: Medium to large businesses needing sophisticated AI chat automation. Ideal for reducing repetitive inquiries and scaling support.

5. Live Chat by Formilla

Live Chat by Formilla offers an affordable, mobile-friendly solution with canned responses and visitor monitoring. It’s designed for small businesses needing real-time engagement without complex setups. The interface is straightforward, though some advanced features require upgrades.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly at just $13.99/agent/month.
• Mobile-optimized with reliable iOS/Android apps.
• Canned responses speed up support interactions.
• Visitor tracking shows active browsing behavior.

Cons:

• Limited integrations compared to competitors.
• Basic reporting lacks depth for analytics.
• The UI feels outdated next to modern alternatives.

What Makes It Better?

• Typing visibility shows when visitors are composing messages.
• Auto-responders work during offline hours.
• Lightweight, so it won’t slow down WordPress sites.

Scope for Improvement

• Modernization of the dashboard interface.
• Expanded integrations with e-commerce platforms.
• Enhanced bot capabilities beyond basic auto-responses.

Best For: Small businesses and solopreneurs needing simple, affordable live chat. Ideal for teams prioritizing mobile access over advanced features.

6. 3CX Live Chat

3CX Live Chat integrates seamlessly with the 3CX phone system, creating a unified communications hub. It’s ideal for businesses wanting to combine voice and digital support channels. The chat works natively with WordPress through a simple plugin.

Pros:

• Free forever with the 3CX PBX system.
• Call integration converts chats to voice calls instantly.
• Team inbox for shared conversation management.
• Lightweight with minimal performance impact.

Cons:

• Requires 3CX PBX (not standalone).
• Basic design lacks modern UI polish.
• Limited automation compared to AI chatbots.
• The mobile app needs feature improvements.

What Makes It Better?

• True omnichannel blending chat, voice, and video.
• Click-to-call reduces support resolution time.
• CRM sync works with popular platforms.

Scope for Improvement

• Standalone version for non-3CX users.
• Enhanced mobile experience.
• Conversational AI additions.

Best For: Businesses already using the 3CX phone system wanting to add chat. Perfect for call centers transitioning to digital channels.

7. Brevo Chat

Brevo Chat combines live chat with email marketing tools in one platform. It’s designed for sales and support teams wanting to sync conversations with customer journeys. The free plan offers solid basics, while paid tiers add automation.

Pros:

• Email + chat combo unifies customer communications.
• Free plan available with unlimited chats.
• CRM integration tracks conversations with contacts.
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Cons:

• Basic chatbot lacks advanced AI features.
• Limited widget customization options.
• Reporting needs more depth for analytics.
• 300 emails per day on the free plan before the upgrade prompt.

What Makes It Better?

• Conversation timelines show full contact history.
• Team collision prevention avoids duplicate replies.
• Pre-chat forms capture lead details upfront.

Scope for Improvement

• More bot automation capabilities.
• Enhanced WordPress integration.
• Richer message formatting options.

Best For: Marketing teams and small businesses using Brevo’s ecosystem. Ideal for those wanting to chat alongside email campaigns without paying for separate tools.

8. Chaty

Chaty stands out as a multi-channel communication widget that goes beyond traditional live chat. It lets visitors contact you via WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and more from one floating button. The plugin is lightweight and easy to set up in minutes.

Pros:

• 11+ channels in one widget (WhatsApp, email, phone, etc.).
• Mobile-optimized with click-to-call functionality.
• No coding needed – simple visual setup.
• Affordable premium version ($15/month).

Cons:

• Not a true live chat (redirects to other apps).
• The basic free version lacks customization.
• No conversation history within WordPress.
• Limited automation capabilities.

What Makes It Better?

• Channel flexibility meets customers where they are.
• Performance-friendly doesn’t slow down sites.
• Country-specific buttons for global businesses.

Scope for Improvement

• Integrated chat history dashboard.
• Better analytics on channel performance.
• Read receipts for message tracking.

Best For: Local businesses and service providers who want to offer multiple contact options. Perfect for restaurants, consultants, and retailers using WhatsApp as primary communication.

9. JivoChat

JivoChat delivers a robust omnichannel chat solution with strong international capabilities. It combines website chat, WhatsApp, and social messaging in one dashboard, making it ideal for global businesses. The free plan covers basic needs with paid upgrades for teams.

Pros:

• WhatsApp integration as a core feature (not an add-on).
• 20+ language support for multilingual teams.
• Free plan available with unlimited chats.
• CRM features built-in (tags, notes, pipelines).

Cons:

• The UI feels cluttered compared to minimalist alternatives.
• The mobile app can be sluggish.
• Limited bots on the free version.
• $19/agent/month gets expensive for large teams.

What Makes It Better?

• Unified inbox merges website + WhatsApp + social messages.
• Typing indicators show when agents are responding.
• Offline forms capture leads when unavailable.

Scope for Improvement

• Simplified interface options.
• Stronger WordPress integration.
• More automation triggers for bots.

Best For: International businesses and e-commerce stores using WhatsApp for sales/support. Ideal for teams needing to manage multiple communication channels from one platform.

10. Olark

Olark offers reliable, no-nonsense live chat focused on customer support teams. It’s been a market leader for years with robust features that prioritize conversation quality over flashy automation. The clean interface makes it easy for both agents and visitors to use.

Pros:

• Collision detection prevents multiple agents from answering the same query.
• Detailed chat analytics with exportable reports.
• 100+ integrations, including major CRMs and help desks.
• Proactive chat triggers based on visitor behavior.

Cons:

• Expensive, starting at $29/agent/month.
• The outdated design lacks modern UI polish.
• No free plan (only a 14-day trial).
• Limited mobile app functionality.

What Makes It Better?

• Transcript emails are automatically sent after each chat.
• The chat rating system helps improve agent performance.
• Department routing sends queries to the right teams.

Scope for Improvement

• Mobile experience needs a complete overhaul.
• Pricing tiers should include small business options.
• Visual refresh to match modern chat tools.

Best For: Established support teams needing robust conversation management. Ideal for B2B companies and enterprises prioritizing chat quality over cost savings.

11. Tawk.To Live Chat

Tawk.To delivers 100% free live chat with surprisingly robust features, including mobile apps and basic automation. It’s the go-to solution for budget-conscious businesses wanting reliable chat without hidden costs or upsells.

Pros:

• Completely free; no feature paywalls or trial limits.
• Mobile apps for iOS/Android with push notifications.
• Unlimited agents: scale your team without extra costs.
• Basic chatbots handle FAQs during off-hours.

Cons:

• Ad-supported (prompts to upgrade to remove branding).
• Limited customization for chat widget design.
• No CRM integration without manual workarounds.
• Basic reporting lacks advanced analytics.

What Makes It Better?

• True 24/7 capability with offline messaging.
• Knowledge base integration for self-service.
• Visitor tracking shows real-time browsing activity.

Scope for Improvement

• Custom domain option to remove “tawk.to” branding.
• Enhanced automation for complex workflows.
• Native WordPress integration (currently requires embed code).

Best For: Startups, nonprofits, and small businesses needing always-on chat without budgets. Ideal for solopreneurs who want mobile-responsive chat with zero investment.

12. Crisp

Crisp offers a refreshingly clean shared inbox that combines live chat, email, and chatbots in one intuitive interface. Designed for startups and small teams, it simplifies customer conversations without complex setups. The free plan handles essentials well.

Pros:

• Shared inbox unifies chat, email, and social messages.
• The free plan includes basic chatbots and automation.
• Lightning-fast setup (under 5 minutes).
• Mobile apps with real-time notifications.

Cons:

• Limited integrations on the free tier.
• Basic reporting lacks depth.
• $45/month per seat gets pricey for teams.
• No phone support on lower plans.

What Makes It Better?

• Conversation timelines show complete customer history.
• Co-browsing lets you guide visitors in real-time.
• The slick UI feels modern and uncluttered.

Scope for Improvement

• Advanced automation for complex workflows.
• More native WordPress features.
• Team permission controls need enhancement.

Best For: Startups and digital agencies needing simple but powerful chat. Perfect for solopreneurs and small teams managing multiple client conversations daily.

Which is the Best Live Chat Plugin For WordPress?

Picking the right live chat tool isn’t about finding the “best” one overall. It’s about what works best for your specific business. Through real-world testing, two options often come out as best for different reasons: HubSpot for businesses focused on customer relationships and LiveChat for teams who live in their chat inbox.

HubSpot’s chat plugin stands out when you need every conversation to build lasting customer connections. It automatically ties chats to contact profiles, so your team always has context. When a visitor becomes a lead during a chat, HubSpot makes the transition seamless – no copying and pasting information between systems.

LiveChat wins when you need to handle high volumes of conversations efficiently. Its clean interface helps support teams juggle multiple chats without losing track. Built-in tools like pre-chat questions and conversation ratings help maintain quality even during busy periods. It’s designed for businesses where quick, effective responses matter most.

Both work beautifully with WordPress but serve different purposes. HubSpot helps you understand customers better over time, while LiveChat helps you serve them better in the moment. Your choice depends on whether you’re trying to build relationships or streamline conversations, or maybe a bit of both.

You can try both before committing to see which fits your workflow better.

FAQs on Best Live Chat For WordPress

Let’s Summarize

Choosing the right live chat plugin is about finding what works best for your specific needs. If you’re focused on sales, support, or simply being more accessible to visitors, there’s a solution that fits.

From free tools like Tawk.To to powerful platforms like HubSpot, all bring something unique to the table. The key is matching the plugin to your goals. Start with what solves your biggest pain point today. You can always upgrade later as your needs grow. The most important step is simply getting started. Your customers will appreciate the instant connection.

For those looking for a custom live chat solution for their site, working with professional WordPress development companies makes more sense.