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LiveChat alternative

LiveChat alternative built for ecommerce

One AI agent that sells on your site, WhatsApp and social, then supports after the purchase.

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7-day free trial · Live in under 30 minutes

GDPR & AI Act compliant 5.0 on Shopify 4.8 on G2

Example conversation

The short version

Is Zipchat a good LiveChat alternative?

Yes, for ecommerce brands that want an AI agent instead of chat software with AI added. Zipchat sells and supports on every channel with one memory per customer, and it is built only for online stores.

  • Pick Zipchat: one agent built only for ecommerce
  • The difference: LiveChat serves every industry, Zipchat serves online stores only

LiveChat sells chat software, branded Text on its pricing page, to construction firms, property managers and online stores alike.

One AI agent

Zipchat covers every step of the customer journey

8/8Zipchat

1/8LiveChat, plus 3 partial

  1. DiscoversSocial media Zipchat, covered: Comments and DMs LiveChat, partial: Messenger, Instagram apps
  2. SearchesSite search Zipchat, covered: Answers in search bar LiveChat, not found: Not found
  3. EvaluatesProduct page Zipchat, covered: Answers on product page LiveChat, not found: Not found
  4. DecidesIn chat Zipchat, covered: Recommends products LiveChat, covered: Product cards in chat
  5. LeavesCart abandoned Zipchat, covered: Recovers carts on WhatsApp LiveChat, not found: Not found
  6. Has boughtAfter purchase Zipchat, covered: Orders and after-sales LiveChat, partial: Agents see orders, carts
  7. Comes backReturn visit Zipchat, covered: One memory everywhere LiveChat, not found: Not found
  8. ActsAgent skills Zipchat, covered: Any tool with an API LiveChat, partial: Custom skills

Filled: covered. Half: partial. Empty: not found.

Results

Results, head to head

16.4%+

of AI conversations convert into sales

Under 3%

of conversations go to a human

5.0/5

on the Shopify App Store

AI handles conversations

Zipchat 97%+ of conversations handled by the AI
LiveChat Not published

Conversations that convert

Zipchat 16.4%+ of AI conversations convert into sales
LiveChat Not published

They publish none. We publish ours. Details in Full comparison

What Zipchat adds

What an AI agent adds to a chat widget

Search that understands the need

Shoppers get real jackets, layers and vests, with an AI answer from your catalog.

Example search

Product pages answer back

A shopper taps a question under Add to cart and gets the answer on the page.

Example conversation

The chat continues on WhatsApp

The WhatsApp message knows the jacket the shopper asked about in website chat.

Example conversation

The agent cancels an order

It finds the order, checks it has not shipped, then cancels it in Shopify.*

Explore Agentic Skills

* With an Agentic Skill connected to your tools.

Example conversation

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Side by side

LiveChat vs Zipchat: side by side

Zipchat compared with LiveChat, short version
Topic LiveChat Zipchat
Designed forTeams in every industryEcommerce brands
How it is builtChat software, AI addedAgent first
Pricing modelSeats + resolution packsOne plan price
Channels with AIWebsite, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMSChat, WhatsApp, social, email
Memory across channelsNot foundOne per customer
SetupNot publishedUnder 30 minutes
Every channel

From the chat widget to every channel

Advises with real products

Cards with photos and prices, and answers from your catalog.

Example conversation

Recovers the cart on WhatsApp

One message with the jacket and a checkout button.

Example conversation

Answers ad comments in public

Replies under the post, or by DM when the answer is personal.

Example conversation

Answers product questions in DMs

Shoppers ask about waterproofing and get the answer in the app.

Example conversation

Replies in the email thread

Shipping questions get an answer in the same thread.

Example conversation

Want to see how Zipchat looks on your site?

Enter your website URL and see real conversations with your products.

See it on your site
Price

LiveChat pricing compared with Zipchat

Same volume, public prices. Every AI conversation counts as one resolution.

Monthly cost at 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 AI conversations, LiveChat and Zipchat
AI conversations a month LiveChat Zipchat Zipchat costs less by
1,000 $1,075.10 $300Pro 72%
3,000 $3,055.10 $894Scale + 1,500 extra replies 71%
5,000 $5,035.10 $1,200Scale Plus 76%
More than that Resolution charge on top of seats Unlimited, fixed price from $2,100/month
Pricing

Start at $64 a month, billed annually. Move to a fixed price when you grow.

Billed annually, save 20%

  • Starter

    $64a month

    billed annually

    $80a month

    billed monthly

    • 750 replies a month
    Start free trial

  • ProRecommended

    $240a month

    billed annually

    $300a month

    billed monthly

    • 3,000 replies a month
    Start free trial

  • Scale

    $480a month

    billed annually

    $600a month

    billed monthly

    • 6,000 replies a month
    Start free trial

  • Scale Plus

    $960a month

    billed annually

    $1,200a month

    billed monthly

    • 14,000 replies a month
    Start free trial

  • Unlimited

    from $2,100per month

    Fixed price

    • Unlimited replies
    • Rate locked for 12 months
    • No overage
    Talk to sales

Unlimited team members. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Works with your helpdesk

Already on LiveChat? Zipchat works inside it.

Your team keeps the tool it knows, with Zipchat's AI inside.

Zipchat first, your helpdesk second*

Zipchat answers and sells, then escalates to your LiveChat team when a human is needed.

Zipchat inside your helpdesk*

Zipchat joins LiveChat as a team member and works tickets there, handing over to a human when needed.

Book a demo

* With an Agentic Skill connected to your tools.

Switch

Switch in four steps

  1. Start the free trial

  2. Connect your ecommerce platform

  3. The AI reads your site

  4. Go live in 30 minutes

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

LiveChat vs Zipchat: which is better for Shopify brands?

It depends on the team. LiveChat is chat software for every industry, with an AI Agent added. Zipchat is one AI agent that sells and supports on every channel, built only for ecommerce.

How much does LiveChat cost compared with Zipchat?

LiveChat Essential costs $19 per user a month billed annually, plus $49.50 per 50 AI resolutions. Zipchat costs $300 at 1,000 AI conversations, $894 at 3,000 and $1,200 at 5,000. See Zipchat pricing for every plan.

What are the best LiveChat alternatives for Shopify?

Zipchat for one AI agent that sells and supports. Tidio suits small teams and Gorgias suits ticket queues. Intercom fits multi-industry support, and Shopify Inbox offers basic chat.

Is LiveChat built for ecommerce?

LiveChat serves every industry. Its site has pages for construction firms and property managers, and a Shopify app. Zipchat has only ever built for online stores.

Does LiveChat's AI work on WhatsApp and Instagram?

Its AI page says the AI Agent answers on website, WhatsApp, Messenger and SMS. Instagram is a connected account with ChatBot quick replies. AI on Instagram is not documented in the pages we read (checked October 2026).

Is LiveChat called Text?

Its pricing page is titled Text Live Chat Pricing, and the logo on the page reads Text by LiveChat. We write LiveChat on this page.

Is Zipchat free to use?

No. Test Zipchat with the 7-day free trial, then pick a plan from $64 a month billed annually. Team members are unlimited, so you pay no per-seat fees.

How long does it take to switch from LiveChat to Zipchat?

Zipchat is live in under 30 minutes. Sign up, link your ecommerce platform, and the AI reads your catalog and site. Your team keeps working in the Zipchat inbox.

Which platforms does Zipchat support?

Shopify, WooCommerce and Magento. Zipchat reads each brand's catalog, and automated cart recovery runs on Shopify. Other platforms connect order data with an Agentic Skill.

Does Zipchat reply in my customers' language?

Yes, automatically. A shopper who writes in French gets French back, with no language setup on your side.

Can my team review the AI's replies before they are sent?

Yes. Draft mode lets your team approve each AI reply before it goes out, on the channels that support it.

Can my team take over a conversation?

Yes. Your agents take over from the Zipchat inbox in manual reply mode at any time.

Last checked October 2026

Full comparison

Zipchat in one sentence

Zipchat is an AI agent for ecommerce brands: one agent, with one memory of each customer, that sells and supports on every channel.

Full journey table

Zipchat covers 8 of 8 steps. LiveChat: 1 covered, 3 partial.

The customer journey, step by step, Zipchat and LiveChat
StepZipchatLiveChat
Discovers Covered: Answers comments and DMs on social. Partial Messenger through a marketplace app with an AI Agent that replies; Instagram connects accounts and automates routine replies with ChatBot
Searches Covered: Answers intent in your site search bar. Not found in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026)
Evaluates Covered: Answers questions on the product page. Not found in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026)
Decides Covered: Recommends products in chat. Covered The AI Agent suggests products as cards with photos and prices, and shoppers can add to cart in chat
Leaves Covered: Recovers the cart on WhatsApp. Not found as AI cart recovery. WhatsApp runs through 360dialog; cart recovery is a campaign message, not the AI Agent
Has bought Covered: Tracks orders. Handles returns and exchanges*. Partial Agents see the shopper's cart, its value and previous orders next to the conversation
Comes back Covered: Remembers the customer on every channel. Not found in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026)
Acts Covered: Acts in your tools. Agentic Skills for any tool with an API. Partial AI actions need custom skills. A custom skill can look up an order in your system. Order lookup is not built in

One agent. One memory. Every channel.

Full channel table

Zipchat covers 6 of 6 steps. LiveChat: 2 covered, 2 partial.

The channels, Zipchat and LiveChat
ChannelZipchatLiveChat
Social Covered: Answers comments and DMs on Instagram and Messenger. Partial Messenger has an AI Agent that replies; Instagram is a connected account with ChatBot quick replies
Website Covered: AI agent in your website chat, search bar and product pages. Covered AI Agent in website chat
WhatsApp Covered: Chat and cart recovery on WhatsApp. Covered AI Agent on WhatsApp, connected through 360dialog
Email Covered: Replies to support email in the same thread. Not listed as an AI channel in the pages we read (checked October 2026)
Support Covered: Tracks orders, answers after-sales, hands over to your team. Partial AI actions need custom skills. A custom skill can look up an order in your system
Memory Covered: One memory per customer on every channel. Not found in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026)

Channels as listed on the pages we read. "Not listed" or "Not found" does not mean LiveChat lacks it.

Full results table

What LiveChat publishes compared with what Zipchat publishes
Metric What LiveChat publishes What Zipchat publishes
AutomationNot published97%+ handled by the AI, under 3% escalate
SalesNot published16.4%+ of AI conversations convert into sales, on average across channels
Best caseNot publishedUp to 37.8% in chat, one supplement brand
WhatsApp cart recoveryNot found as AI cart recovery in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026)13% to 39% purchase rate

Every figure here is a vendor's own published claim. LiveChat publishes no AI resolution or conversion figure in the pages we read. Each vendor defines resolution differently.

Full side by side table: LiveChat and Zipchat

Zipchat compared with LiveChat
Topic LiveChat Chat software for every industry ZipchatBuilt for ecommerce One AI agent
Designed forTeams in every industry, from construction firms to property managers and online storesEcommerce brands that want one agent for sales and support
How it is builtChat software for every industry, with an AI Agent addedAgent first, deployed on every channel, ecommerce only
Pricing modelPer user, plus AI resolutions sold in packages of 50Per reply, set by the plan. Unlimited at a fixed price
Channels with AIWebsite, WhatsApp, Messenger and SMS, per its AI pageWebsite chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, email
PDP questionsNot found in public docs (checked October 2026)Yes, where you install it
AI SearchNot found in public docs (checked October 2026)Yes, in the site search bar
WhatsApp cart recoveryNot found as AI cart recovery in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026)Yes, 13% to 39% purchase rate
Shared memory across channelsNot found in public docs (checked October 2026)Yes, one memory per customer
Custom actionsCustom skills for AI actionsAgentic Skills for any tool with an API
SetupNot publishedLive in under 30 minutes
Shopify App Store rating4.4/5 (49 reviews)5.0/5

"Not found in public docs (checked October 2026)" means the sources we read do not say. It does not mean LiveChat lacks it.

LiveChat channels as its pages list them

LiveChat channels
Channel How LiveChat lists it
Web chatCore product
WhatsAppThrough 360dialog, a verified WhatsApp Solution Provider
Instagram and MessengerMarketplace apps
SMS and voiceTwilio SMS app, agents place calls from the LiveChat agent app

Email is not covered in the pages we read (checked October 2026).

Price assumptions and notes

  • In every row, each AI conversation is counted as one resolution.
  • LiveChat: Essential plan, 5 users at $19 a month billed annually ($95). It includes 10 AI resolutions in total, account-wide and not per agent. Extra resolutions cost $49.50 per 50 ($0.99 each).
  • LiveChat bills only conversations the AI solves. The table counts every conversation as billable, so it shows the upper end.
  • LiveChat sells packages of 50, so a real bill rounds up to $1,085, $3,065 and $5,045, with the same percentages. The Growth plan costs more than Essential at these volumes.
  • Zipchat: about 2.5 replies per conversation, monthly billing, unlimited team members, extra replies at $49 per 250 on Starter, Pro and Scale.
  • Prices checked October 2026.

How the positioning map was drawn

Horizontal axis: Every industry to Ecommerce only. Vertical axis: Part of the journey to Whole journey. Zipchat's own positioning. LiveChat serves every industry. The vertical position follows the journey table: steps covered, with partial steps counted as half.

Zipchat plans compared

The five Zipchat plans compared
Plan Price a month Billed annually Replies a month Extra replies
Starter$80$64 a month750$49 per 250
Pro$300$240 a month3,000$49 per 250
Scale$600$480 a month6,000$49 per 250
Scale Plus$1,200$960 a month14,000$49 per 500
Unlimitedfrom $2,100Fixed price, rate locked for 12 monthsUnlimitedNo overage

Every plan includes all channels, all languages and unlimited team members, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Annual billing saves 20%. See Zipchat pricing.

Footnotes and notes

  • * Tracking orders is built in on Shopify. Returns, exchanges and order edits need an Agentic Skill connected to your tools.
  • Not found in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026).
  • Not found in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026).
  • Not found in LiveChat's public docs (checked October 2026).
  • LiveChat AI actions run through custom skills.
  • See also AI product questions, agentic AI search, WhatsApp AI for ecommerce and Agentic Skills.

What is the best LiveChat alternative for ecommerce?

For Shopify brands that want one AI agent for sales and support, the best LiveChat alternative is Zipchat. Tidio, Gorgias, Intercom and Shopify Inbox follow, with one neutral line each.

  1. Zipchat

    One AI agent for sales and support on every channel, built only for ecommerce.

    Best for: Shopify brands that want one agent from search to repeat order

  2. Tidio

    Live chat, rule-based Flows and the Lyro AI agent for every kind of business.

  3. Gorgias

    Ticket helpdesk with an AI Agent, built first for ecommerce.

  4. Intercom

    One AI agent, Fin, for sales, service and ecommerce, in every industry.

  5. Shopify Inbox

    Shopify's own chat inbox for merchants on the platform.

Sources

Vendor pricing and docs, checked October 2026. Each link opens the vendor's own page in a new tab.

Results

Side by side