Your customers expect instant answers, personalised responses, and seamless experiences across every channel they choose to contact you. The days of customers patiently waiting hours for email replies or being shuffled between departments are a thing of the past. With 95% of customer interactions now powered by intelligent automation, the bar for exceptional support has never been higher.

Traditionally, businesses have relied on live chat solutions to provide real-time customer support; however, there is now a shift towards more advanced alternatives that offer greater flexibility and integration.

Modern customer support demands speed, personalisation, and round-the-clock availability. Leading platforms combine AI automation with human expertise, enabling businesses to resolve queries faster while reducing operational costs.

These platforms not only improve efficiency but also help businesses build stronger customer relationships by delivering real-time, personalised support and fostering ongoing engagement. Whether you’re a growing startup or an established enterprise, the right platform can transform your customer experience and significantly impact your bottom line.

Why switch from LiveChat?

Many teams start with LiveChat because it’s a dependable live chat tool. It supports real‑time messaging, has 200+ integrations, and can embed a chat widget on your website with ease. For smaller teams or those focused solely on website chat, it’s a sensible choice. However, as customer support becomes more complex, several limitations become evident. Unlike LiveChat, many platforms offer advanced features and seamless integrations that better support growing business needs.

LiveChat’s automation and AI tools are also limited compared to AI‑first platforms. Reviews note that its chatbot capabilities are “simplistic,” requiring frequent hand‑offs to humans. More sophisticated bots require purchasing a separate chatbot. Reporting tools are basic, lacking in‑depth analytics or behavioural analytics.

On top of that, LiveChat’s mobile app is slower and less user‑friendly than the desktop version, and some users mention slow load times and lagging. There are also complaints about limited customisation and a steeper learning curve for new users. Integration setup can require extra configuration or third‑party, and there is no native voice or video.

Ultimately, finding the best LiveChat alternative depends on evaluating your needs for automation, integration, and scalability.

What an AI‑first platform can offer

AI‑powered customer service platforms address these pain points by automating high volumes of routine queries and keeping full context across channels. These platforms offer a comprehensive suite of integrated tools for managing customer support across multiple channels. They provide:

• Lower operating costs: AI agents handle common questions 24/7, so human agents focus on complex issues. This reduces the number of seats you need and scales more cost‑effectively.

• Advanced chatbots: Modern AI can understand intent, summarise conversations, and resolve customer needs without hand‑offs.

• Unified omnichannel support: AI platforms maintain context across WhatsApp, Messenger, web chat and more, ensuring customers don’t have to repeat themselves.

• Proactive and personalised support: AI can predict issues before they happen and tailor responses to each customer, which improves satisfaction and revenue.

• Better analytics: Rich dashboards and real‑time insights help you identify trends, measure agent productivity, and improve your service.

Suppose LiveChat’s pricing, basic AI, limited customisation, or lagging mobile experience are holding your team back. In that case, it may be time to explore an AI‑first platform that offers deeper automation, unified channels, and more flexible scalability.

Comparison table

Selecting the right LiveChat alternatives for customer support requires a clear overview of what each platform offers. The table below compares ten leading solutions, including Cue, across key features, pricing, and best use cases. This table highlights the top LiveChat alternatives for customer support, helping businesses quickly identify which platform aligns with their needs.

1. Cue

Overview

Cue stands as a comprehensive platform and a leading choice among LiveChat alternatives for customer support, serving as one platform for all customer communications. The platform utilises artificial intelligence to automate routine queries, enabling human agents to concentrate on more complex customer inquiries.

Cue supports businesses of all sizes, from fast-growing start-ups to large enterprise organisations, offering enterprise plans with flexible pricing options. Its AI Agents, live chat, and chatbots work together to deliver instant, accurate responses across multiple channels, including popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and web chat, as well as social media platforms. Cue provides seamless integrations with other business tools to streamline workflows.

AI Agents

Cue’s AI Agents form the backbone of its automation capabilities. These agents handle over 80% of routine queries, providing instant answers at any time of day. Each AI Agent is custom-built and trained using a business’s existing support materials, ensuring industry-specific accuracy. The AI maintains contextual memory during long conversations, so customers receive relevant and consistent responses.

AI Agents integrate across web chat, social media, and messaging apps. They automate FAQs, pre-purchase questions, and service information. This reduces ticket volumes and allows human agents to focus on high-value tasks. The AI can be customised with a unique name and personality, aligning with the brand’s voice.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Automates over 80% of routine queries, reducing operational costs.

• Seamless integration with WhatsApp, Messenger, web chat, and more.

• Unified inbox and advanced analytics for efficient team management.

• Customisable AI Agents with contextual memory.

• No-code setup and easy onboarding for non-technical users.

• Scalable pricing model suitable for businesses of all sizes.

• Proven results in reducing costs and increasing customer satisfaction.

Cons:

• Advanced AI features may require initial training and setup.

• Some businesses may prefer a traditional, non-AI approach.

Pricing

2. Intercom

Overview

Intercom stands as a prominent customer service platform, known for its advanced automation and messaging capabilities. Many businesses choose Intercom for its ability to combine live chat, AI-powered chatbots, and targeted messaging in one system.

The platform supports multichannel communication, allowing teams to engage customers via in-app chat, email, and push notifications. Intercom’s integration ecosystem connects with popular tools, streamlining workflows and centralising data. Its product tours and onboarding features help users understand new tools, reducing churn and improving adoption rates.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Advanced AI chatbots and workflow automation reduce manual workload.

• Extensive integration options with CRMs and marketing tools.

• Product tours and targeted messaging improve user onboarding and engagement.

• Deep analytics provide actionable insights for support teams.

Cons:

• Higher pricing may not suit small businesses with limited budgets.

• Some features, such as advanced automation and AI, require higher-tier plans or add-ons.

3. Zendesk

Overview

Zendesk stands as a well-established customer support platform, trusted by businesses worldwide. It offers a robust suite of tools designed to manage high volumes of customer enquiries across multiple channels. Zendesk’s platform supports email, live chat, voice, and social media, bringing all conversations into a single workspace.

Many organisations choose Zendesk for its flexibility, scalability, and strong focus on automation. The platform suits companies that require advanced ticketing, workflow customisation, and detailed analytics, helping teams gain valuable insights into support performance and customer satisfaction.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Advanced AI and automation streamline ticket handling and reduce manual work.

• Omnichannel support brings all customer conversations into one place.

• Customisable workflows and strong analytics support continuous improvement.

• Scalable plans suit both small businesses and large enterprises.

Cons:

• Pricing can rise quickly for advanced features and larger teams.

• Initial setup and customisation may require more time and expertise.

4. Tidio

Overview

Tidio serves as a live chat platform and customer communication solution that combines live chat, AI chatbots, and multichannel messaging. Many small and medium-sized businesses, especially in e-commerce, use Tidio to manage customer conversations across channels like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The platform supports up to 10 live chat agents on its free plan, making it accessible for smaller teams. Tidio’s AI chatbot, Lyro, helps automate responses to common questions and supports sales conversion through pre-built chat flows and omnichannel communication. The platform integrates with Shopify, WordPress, and Zapier, and offers both mobile and desktop apps for flexible support.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Intuitive setup and pre-built chat flows simplify onboarding

• Solid AI chatbot (Lyro) supports e-commerce and customer support

• Integrates with major e-commerce and website platforms

• Offers a free plan for small teams

Cons:

• Advanced AI features and higher conversation limits require expensive plans

• Less sophisticated AI compared to some competitors, focused on sales automation

• More costly relative to features, especially for growing businesses

5. Crisp

Overview

Crisp has become a popular choice for small and medium-sized businesses seeking a modern, multi-channel customer support platform. The company focuses on providing real-time communication tools that help teams connect with customers across various channels.

Crisp’s intuitive interface and affordable pricing attract start-ups and growing businesses that want to automate support without a steep learning curve. The platform supports live chat, messaging apps, and email, all managed from a unified inbox. Many users praise Crisp for its ease of use and the convenience of its mobile app, which allows agents to respond on the go.

Features

Crisp’s AI-powered chatbots come included with paid plans, making automation accessible for smaller teams. The platform’s unified inbox brings together messages from WhatsApp, Messenger, email, and more, helping agents manage all conversations efficiently. Co-browsing and video chat features enable hands-on support, while knowledge base integration encourages customer self-service.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Intuitive interface and easy onboarding process.

• Unified inbox for multichannel messaging.

• AI chatbots and automation are included in core plans.

• Affordable pricing, with a free plan for small teams.

• Mobile app supports agents working remotely.

Cons:

• Reporting and analytics are less advanced than some competitors.

• Fewer marketing automation tools compared to larger platforms.

6. Missive

Overview

Missive provides a collaborative email platform designed for customer support teams and small businesses. The platform blends email with modern messaging, enabling teams to manage conversations from multiple channels in a shared inbox.

Missive supports real-time collaboration, internal chat, and task management, helping teams respond quickly and efficiently. The platform integrates with popular tools such as ChatGPT, Trello, Asana, and HubSpot, allowing seamless workflows and improved productivity. Missive is accessible via web, desktop, and mobile apps, making it suitable for remote and distributed teams.

Missive focuses on email collaboration rather than live chat. Teams benefit from AI-powered automation, rule-based actions, and template replies. The platform supports SOC 2 compliance and offers advanced security features in higher-tier plans. Missive suits organisations that rely heavily on email and need a unified inbox for multichannel communication.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Strong email and multichannel collaboration.

• Real-time internal chat and task management.

• AI-powered automation for faster responses.

• Integrates with major project management and CRM tools.

• Transparent pricing and flexible plans.

Cons:

• Limited live chat functionality compared to dedicated platforms.

• Advanced features, such as SAML SSO only available in higher tiers.

• No phone support; relies on email and chat.

7. Olark

Overview

Olark offers a straightforward live chat solution for customer support teams. The platform focuses on real-time communication, allowing businesses to engage website visitors and answer questions instantly through a customizable chat window. Olark suits small and medium-sized companies that want a simple chat tool with basic automation.

The platform provides a customisable chatbox, enabling brands to match their website design and maintain a consistent look. Olark supports team management, letting supervisors assign chats and monitor agent performance. The system can save chat transcripts and maintain a searchable chat history, making it easy to review conversations for quality assurance and follow-up.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Simple setup and user-friendly interface

• Customisable chatbox for brand consistency

• Real-time analytics and transcript storage

• Integrates with major CRM and helpdesk platforms

• 24/7 chatbot support for basic queries

Cons:

• Basic AI and automation features compared to competitors

• Limited natural language processing and multichannel support

• No built-in ticketing system or advanced workflow automation

• Higher starting price with fewer flexible options

8. Desk365

Overview

Desk365 provides a modern customer support platform designed for businesses seeking efficient management of support tickets and automation. The system specialises in handling support tickets across multiple channels, supporting omni-channel communication that allows agents to manage tickets from Microsoft Teams, email, web forms, and a unified inbox.

Desk365 appeals to organisations that use Microsoft tools and want seamless integration with their existing workflows. The platform suits both start-ups and large enterprises, offering quick onboarding and scalability. Desk365’s pricing starts at $12 per agent per month for the Standard plan, with a Plus plan available at $20 per agent per month. Both plans include a 21-day free trial, making it easy for teams to evaluate the service.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros

• Generates quick, contextual AI-powered replies using ticket history and knowledge base

• Seamless integration with Microsoft Teams

• Extensive workflow automation and customisation

• Mobile apps are available for both agents and customers

• Positive user feedback on AI accuracy and integration benefits

Cons

• Limited to the Microsoft ecosystem for the strongest integrations

• May lack advanced features found in higher-priced competitors

• Smaller brand recognition compared to market leaders like Zendesk or Intercom

9. BoldDesk

Overview

BoldDesk offers a modern customer support platform designed for businesses seeking scalable and affordable solutions. The system provides ticketing software, live chat, and omnichannel communication, allowing teams to manage customer enquiries efficiently. BoldDesk supports real-time chat across websites, mobile apps, and social media channels.

Its hybrid AI-human model combines automation with human expertise, helping organisations handle high volumes of queries without sacrificing quality. The platform enables offline ticket creation and email transcripts, ensuring every customer receives a response. BoldDesk positions itself as a cost-effective alternative to established platforms such as Zendesk and Intercom.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Affordable pricing and flexible plans suit growing businesses.

• Hybrid AI-human support model scales efficiently.

• Omnichannel communication covers web, mobile, and social media.

• Easy integration and user-friendly setup reduce onboarding time.

• Detailed analytics and workflow automation improve team productivity.

Cons:

• AI Agents are only available in higher-tier plans.

• Some advanced features require additional add-ons.

• Live chat and automation may not match the sophistication of platforms like Cue.

10. Freshdesk

Overview

Freshdesk stands as a leading customer support platform, trusted by businesses seeking a unified approach to customer service. The platform brings together ticketing, live chat, automation, and AI-powered tools within a single interface. Teams use Freshdesk to consolidate customer communications from email, social media, and chat, all in one place.

The system aims to boost productivity through automation and collaboration features. Freshdesk’s design focuses on ease of use, allowing agents to resolve issues quickly and efficiently. Its scalability makes it suitable for start-ups and large enterprises alike.

Freshdesk’s AI, known as Freddy, supports agents by automating routine tasks and providing insights. The platform’s omnichannel capabilities allow seamless communication across multiple channels. Compared to LiveChat, which centres on website engagement and lead capture, Freshdesk offers a broader suite of tools for ticketing, workflow automation, and customer engagement.

Features

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Unified platform for ticketing, chat, and automation.

• Freddy AI automates routine tasks and provides predictive insights.

• Scalable plans suit both small businesses and large enterprises.

• User-friendly interface and quick onboarding.

• Extensive integration options and custom workflows.

Cons:

• Advanced AI features require higher-tier plans or add-ons.

• Some users may find the pricing for AI sessions adds up with high volumes.

Decision factors

Platform selection essentials: Look beyond basic features to advanced automation, multichannel handling, and integration possibilities when choosing your customer support solution

AI-Powered automation benefits: Modern platforms like Intercom and Zendesk excel at automated ticket routing and workflow management, whilst Tidio and Crisp prioritise straightforward setup for smaller operations

Multichannel management: Cue brings together WhatsApp, Messenger, and web chat into one unified inbox, letting your team handle all customer conversations without jumping between different tools

Cue’s intelligent automation tackles over 80% of routine customer queries automatically, freeing up your team for complex issues whilst speeding up response times considerably

Analytics that actually help: Real-time dashboards track open rates, response speeds, and satisfaction scores, giving managers proper data for making informed decisions about team performance

Integration without headaches: With over 200 no-code API connectors, platforms like Cue connect effortlessly to your existing CRM, helpdesk, and marketing tools, letting you scale up without technical roadblocks

Get a free demo

Businesses often seek proof before investing in new technology. Cue provides clear evidence of its impact through customer stories and measurable results.

Baroka Funerals reduced customer service costs by 40%. Payflex resolved 82% of customer queries using Cue’s AI Agents. Stellantis brands achieved a 196% increase in response rates and a 14% boost in Net Promoter Scores. These results highlight Cue’s ability to automate routine queries and improve customer engagement.

Cue’s platform automates over 80% of repetitive enquiries. Teams handle higher volumes without increasing headcount. Agents focus on complex issues, which improves productivity and job satisfaction. The unified inbox and advanced analytics help managers track performance and optimise workflows.

Cue offers a free demo that allows teams to experience the platform’s automation and analytics in action. The demo provides a guided tour of AI Agents, live chat, and chatbots. Managers can assess how Cue fits their support needs and commercial goals.

Frequently asked questions

What makes AI-powered customer support platforms better than traditional live chat?

AI-powered platforms automate routine queries, provide instant responses, and work 24/7. They help teams manage high volumes without extra staff. Businesses see improved efficiency and customer satisfaction. Cue, for example, automates over 80% of queries, reducing costs and boosting engagement.

How does Cue integrate with existing business tools?

Cue integrates seamlessly with over 200 business tools, including WhatsApp, Messenger, Zendesk, and Shopify. Teams manage all conversations in one place. Integration requires no coding. This seamless setup helps businesses streamline workflows and maintain consistent customer experiences.

Is Cue suitable for small businesses as well as large enterprises?

Yes. Cue scales to fit any business size. Small teams benefit from easy setup and cost-effective pricing. Large enterprises use advanced automation and analytics. Cue’s flexible model supports growth at every stage.