Which Software To PickLast updated October 29, 2026 · Pricing checked October 27, 2026 · Shopify checked October 29, 2026

Best live chat for Shopify

Best live chat software for Shopify

A Shopify store needs more than a chat window. The tools that help most show what is in the cart, pull up past orders, and answer where-is-my-order questions without leaving the chat. Four of the eight tools here install from the Shopify App Store. The other four connect from the vendor side or with a code paste, which works but takes more setup.

Pick LiveChat for most Shopify stores: App Store install, cart and past orders visible to agents, and product suggestions that link to product pages. Pick Tidio if you want to start free, and Crisp if you want flat pricing across channels.

Disclosure: LiveChat links on this page are affiliate links. A purchase through one earns this site a commission at no extra cost to you. All other vendor links are plain homepage links.

Pricing checked October 27, 2026 Shopify checked October 29, 2026 4 App Store apps

Our picks for Shopify

Best overall: LiveChat

App Store install. Agents see cart contents and past orders, suggest products that link to product pages, and help at checkout. Essential at $19 per user per month billed annually, 14-day trial with no card.

Visit LiveChat

Best free way in: Tidio

App Store install. Free plan plus Lyro proactive chats, in-stock recommendations, add to cart, and order-status answers, with orders shown beside each chat. Free $0; Starter at $24.17 per month billed annually.

Visit Tidio

Best value: Crisp

App Store install. Free plan plus 12 channels in one inbox and Shopify customer data sync. Flat per workspace pricing: Mini at $45 per month.

Visit Crisp

Best for larger stores: Intercom

App Store install (Fin). Orders, shipping, refunds, and multi-store support in one workspace. Essential at $19 per seat per month billed annually for new customers, plus Fin at $0.99 per outcome.

Visit Intercom

Shopify connections, tool by tool

Install method and what connects were checked on the Shopify App Store and the vendors' own integration pages on October 29, 2026. Entry prices are from the vendors' pricing pages, checked October 27, 2026.

ToolShopify installWhat it connectsEntry price
LiveChatShopify App Store appCart contents, past orders, product suggestions, checkout helpEssential $19 per user per month billed annually
IntercomShopify App Store app (Fin)Orders, shipping, customer data, refunds, multi-storeEssential $19 per seat per month billed annually for new customers, plus Fin $0.99 per outcome
TidioShopify App Store appOrders beside chats, Lyro recommendations, add to cart, order-status answersFree $0; Starter $24.17 per month billed annually
CrispShopify App Store appCustomer data sync, 12 channels in one inboxFree $0; Mini $45 per month
ZendeskZendesk marketplace app, free integrationCustomer details, recent orders, refunds and cancellations from the sidebar, chat embedChat from Suite Team $55 per agent per month billed annually
FreshchatFreshworks marketplace app, inject scriptWidget plus bot templates for order tracking, cancellation, refunds; one store limitFree $0; Growth $19 per agent per month billed annually
Zoho SalesIQManual code into theme.liquidVisitor tracking, lead routing; no order sync statedFree $0; Basic $7 per operator per month billed annually
OlarkManual embed codeCart item count through its API (extended); integration guide may be datedHuman-only $29 per agent per month (billing period unstated)

Entry prices are from the vendors' pricing pages, checked October 27, 2026. App Store listings sometimes show different plan names or monthly prices; where they differ, the vendor pricing page is the price used here.

App Store install vs the other routes

Shopify App Store apps (easiest)

LiveChat, Intercom, Tidio, and Crisp install from the Shopify App Store, with no theme code to edit. This is the route to prefer if setup effort matters, since the vendor maintains the App Store listing.

Marketplace apps (vendor side)

Zendesk's Shopify app lives in the Zendesk marketplace, not the Shopify App Store. It is a free integration built by Zendesk, and setup needs administrator permissions in both Shopify and Zendesk. Freshchat's Shopify app lives in the Freshworks marketplace: install it, enter the store name, and inject the script. It connects to one store at present; for more stores, the widget code goes into the Shopify code editor instead. Freshchat bot templates need a Freshmarketer or Freshsales Suite account first.

Code paste (manual)

Zoho SalesIQ and Olark connect by pasting code into the theme: SalesIQ into theme.liquid, Olark into the theme layout file. It works, but you edit theme code and keep it working yourself. Olark's own guide warns its pages are being updated for its latest software, so its steps may be dated.

Which should you pick?

Pick LiveChat if you want the strongest Shopify story with a simple bill: App Store install, cart and order visibility, $19 entry.

Pick Tidio if the store is small and free matters: free plan plus an App Store app.

Pick Crisp if you run several channels and want one inbox with flat pricing.

Pick Intercom if the store is large enough that order actions and multi-store support are worth the Fin billing.

Pick Zendesk if the store already runs on Zendesk support and chat is joining it, not replacing it.

Freshchat, Zoho SalesIQ, and Olark work on Shopify, but the setup is manual or vendor-side, so they fit stores that already use those tools rather than stores choosing a chat tool for Shopify first.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Shopify app, or is pasting code fine?

A Shopify App Store install is the easiest route, with no theme edits. Marketplace apps from the vendor side work without the App Store. Code paste works for Zoho SalesIQ and Olark, but you maintain the code yourself.

Which live chat tools are free on Shopify?

Tidio, Crisp, Freshchat, and Zoho SalesIQ have free plans. LiveChat and Intercom have no free plan, only 14-day trials.

Which tool shows cart and order data in the chat?

LiveChat shows cart contents and past orders. Intercom shows orders, shipping, and refunds. Tidio shows orders beside chats. Crisp syncs customer data. Zendesk shows customer details and recent orders. Freshchat covers order tracking through bot templates. Zoho SalesIQ states no order sync, and Olark shows cart item count through its API.

Why do App Store prices sometimes differ from the vendor's pricing page?

App Store listings can show different plan names or monthly prices. Prices on this page come from the vendors' pricing pages, checked October 27, 2026.

Which is best for a small Shopify store?

Tidio free or LiveChat Essential at $19 per user per month billed annually, depending on whether free or cart visibility matters more.

Can I use Zendesk chat on Shopify without the App Store?

Yes, through Zendesk's marketplace app, a free integration, which embeds chat and shows customer and order details. It is not an official Shopify App Store listing.

How can you check this page for yourself?

Method. Prices on this page were read from the vendors' pricing pages on October 27, 2026. Shopify integrations were checked on the Shopify App Store and the vendors' own integration pages on October 29, 2026. Every price states whether it is billed annually or monthly. No price was calculated from another price. LiveChat links on this page are affiliate links. All other vendor links are plain homepage links.