7 Best Live Chat Plugin for WordPress in 2024

Imagine a visitor lands on your website, brimming with important queries. They search for a way to contact you, hoping for a quick answer—only to leave frustrated when there’s no way to communicate quickly. Sounds familiar? It’s time for a change.

In today’s fast-paced world, instant communication is not just a perk; it’s an expectation. A perfect live chat plugin will transform your casual browsers into loyal customers by offering immediate, and personalized support.

But with hundreds of chat plugins available, each claiming to be the best, how do you choose the right one for your business?

In this blog, we will explore top-rated live chat plugins for WordPress to help you choose the right one. Let’s dive in and find the perfect live chat solution to keep your visitors engaged and returning for more.

The Benefits of Live Chat for WordPress Websites

Live chat plugins are beneficial for providing timely support to your visitors and customers. Apart from this, there are several other benefits of integrating a live chat plugin to your WordPress website including –

Instant Connection and Trust

You can easily connect instantly with your customers with a live chat plugin. People like to know there are real people behind the screen, especially when they come up with queries. When visitors spot a live chat option, they are assured that help is just seconds away. This way, you build an instant connection and foster a relationship as you progress.

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Live chat plugins help you respond quickly in real time, meaning fewer abandoned chats and carts. When visitors don’t have to wait for their queries to be fulfilled, they are more likely to be satisfied with your customer service and return to your store.

Higher Conversion Rates

Live chat plugins are great for a higher conversion rate. Why? Because people are more likely to take action when they feel supported along the way. When a customer visits your store, they are flooded with questions.

With all the queries fulfilled quickly, they can make a quick purchase decision. Several studies have indicated that live chat options are proven to boost sales significantly.

Efficiency for You and Your Team

Live chat plugins can be a huge time-saver compared to phone calls or emails. With the right live chat plugin, your team will save time by handling multiple chats simultaneously. Answering questions becomes easy with the heavy backlog of emails and missed calls.

Providing customer service with a live chat plugin in your WordPress store is more effective and efficient. 

7 Best Live Chat Plugins for WordPress

Now that you know how a live chat option benefits your website, let’s look at some of the best live chat plugins for WordPress to find the perfect one for your website.

1. Tawk.To Live Chat

Ideal For: Small businesses with a tight budget and minimal chat volume.

Tawk.to is your friendly neighbor, whom you can always count on for a helping hand. It is a free forever live chat plugin for your WordPress website, perfect for budget-conscious businesses or those just starting out their businesses.

It lets you chat with customers in real-time, answer questions, and boost sales – all without breaking the bank. The user-friendly interface and extensive customization options make it a popular choice for businesses.

Pros of Tawk.to

• Free Forever: Tawk.to is free and allows you to chat with an unlimited number of agents and visitors.
• Mobile App: Tawk.to has a mobile app that lets you attend chats from anywhere.
• Easy Setup: Setting up Tawk.to is super easy to use and setup. You just need to add a simple snippet of code to your website, and you are good to go.
• Multilingual Support: Tawk.to supports over 45 languages, catering to the global audience.
• Extensive Customization: You can make the appearance align with your brand’s extensive customization options. From widgets to customized colors, you can find it all here.

Cons of Tawk.to

• Branding: The plugin displays Tawk.to branding within the chat widget. It can be removed only with a paid version.
• Limited Advanced Features: Tawk.to has limited advanced features, so it would not be an excellent option for big businesses.

Price

Tawk.to is a free plugin. However, there are paid plans to remove the limitations of the free versions.

2. Tidio

Ideal For: Businesses looking for basic AI automated live chat.

Tidio is not just another live chat plugin; it stands out with its friendly AI assistant that helps you supercharge your website with timely customer support. This all-in-one customer service plugin combines live chat, AI-powered chatbots, and multichannel communication.

Its user-friendly interface and advanced automation features make it a valuable tool for businesses that aim to improve customer interaction and streamline quick communication.

Pros of Tidio

• Lyro AI Chatbot: Manage 70% of the workload and reduce the need for manual task handling with the Tidio AI chatbot.
• Visual Chatbot Builder: Create custom chatbots without coding using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
• Multichannel Integration: Manage communication on multiple channels from a single dashboard.
• Real-time Visitor Monitoring: Track website visitors in real-time to provide proactive and personalized support.
• Ease of Use: Quick and straightforward setup with a user-friendly interface, Tidio is really easy to use.

Cons of Tidio

• Limited Free Plan: The free tier offers basic functionality but limits the number of conversations you can handle.
• Customization Complexity: Setting high customization may require additional time and a learning curve.
• Requires Zapier: You can only integrate with other plugins with Zapier.

Price

Tidio is a freemium plugin. The free version offers limited features, and there are four paid plans, starting from $29/month, and going up to $2999/month.

3. Formilla

Ideal For: Businesses that need secure file-sharing options or detailed chat analytics.

Formilla is a comprehensive customer messaging platform that integrates live chat, AI-driven chatbots, and marketing automation. It is designed for businesses that want to go beyond basic chat functionality.

This plugin comes with built-in analytics that allows you to track visitor behavior, measure agent performance, and identify areas for improvement. But it doesn’t stop there; it also offers secure file sharing, which is perfect for collaborating with clients. 

Pros of Formilla

• Comprehensive Platform: Formilla combines live chat, email, and in-app messaging in one solution. 
• AI-Powered Chatbots: It offers AI-driven chatbots that continuously learn to interact accurately with customers. 
• Real-Time Visitor Insights: Provides detailed information about website visitors for personalized engagement.
• Mobile Accessibility: The mobile app ensures you can manage customer interactions on the go. 
• Customization: You can personalize the chat experience to your brand and communication style.

Cons of Formilla

• Limited Advanced Features: Some advanced functionalities, such as AI chatbots and real-time visitor monitoring, are available only in premium plans.
• Learning Curve: Setting up and customizing with Formilla may require time and effort for new users.
• Limited Free Plan: The free plan offers basic features with limitations on chat agents and functionalities. 

Price

Formilla is a freemium plugin. The free plugin is quite limited; there are three premium plans, starting with a premium plan for $13.99/month and ending with a growth plan costing $59.99/month.

4. JivoChat

Ideal for: Businesses requiring omnichannel support and integration with existing CRM systems.

JivoChat is a comprehensive customer communication platform that unifies live chat, social media, messengers, and phone calls into a single interface. It facilitates seamless multi-channel support, helping you connect with customers on their preferred platforms and build stronger relationships.

Pros of JivoChat

• Multi-Channel Support: Manage chats, calls, and emails within a single platform.
• Team Collaboration: Assign chats to specific agents and ensure smooth handoffs.
• CRM Integration: Streamline your workflow by connecting JivoChat to your existing CRM system.
• Affordable Pricing: JivoChat offers competitive pricing plans to fit your business needs.

Cons of JivoChat

• Overwhelming Interface: For beginners, the interface might have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler options.
• Limited Free Plan: The free plan offers limited functionality. Video calls require a paid subscription.

Price

Jivochat has a limited free plan, but you can always upgrade with their professional or enterprise plans for $19/month and $38/month.

5. HubSpot

Ideal for: Established businesses with a strong marketing focus and existing Hubspot users.

HubSpot is an all-in-one customer relationship management (CRM) platform designed to help businesses grow. It integrates marketing, sales, and customer service tools to provide the best service. Its WordPress live chat plugin offers features like live chat, email marketing, and analytics, enabling seamless customer engagement directly from your website.

Pros of HubSpot

• Comprehensive Integration: Combines multiple marketing and sales functionalities into a single platform.
• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design simplifies navigation and tool utilization.
• Robust Analytics: Provides detailed insights to inform data-driven decisions.
• Scalable Solutions: Offers plans suitable for businesses of various sizes.

Cons of HubSpot

• Cost Considerations: Advanced features may require higher-tier subscriptions.
• Learning Curve: Extensive features might necessitate time for full mastery.

Price

The initial plugin is free, but you can choose any of their premium plans, including Starter, Professional, and Enterprise, for advanced features.

6. SmartSupp

Ideal for: Businesses wanting to increase customer engagement and personalize chat interactions.

SmartSupp is one of the most innovative plugins that helps you take proactive initiatives. It goes beyond basic communication, offering features like proactive chat invitations based on visitor behavior. 

SmartSupp also lets you track visitor activity on your website, allowing you to see which pages they’re browsing and identify potential areas of confusion. This valuable insight helps you engage visitors immediately with targeted chat messages, boosting engagement and closing more sales.

Pros of SmartSupp

• Proactive Chat Invitations: Engage with potential customers before they even ask a question.  
• Visitor Tracking & Activity Monitoring: Understand your visitors’ behavior and identify potential roadblocks.
• Customizable Chat Widget: Design a chat window that matches your website’s branding.
• Integration with Popular Tools: Connect SmartSupp with your CRM or email marketing platform for a streamlined workflow.

Cons of SmartSupp

• Limited Integrations: This may not seamlessly integrate with all third-party applications.
• Customization Constraints: Some users find certain customization options restrictive.

Price

SmartSupp is a freemium plugin with three premium plans: the standard plan ($14/month), the pro plan ($24/month), and the ultimate plan ($239/month).

7. ActiveCampaign

Ideal for: Businesses already using ActiveCampaign for marketing automation who want a unified platform.

ActiveCampaign is a comprehensive customer experience automation platform. It helps businesses create personalized customer experiences at scale by integrating email marketing, marketing automation, and CRM tools. Its powerful automation capabilities allow you to design complex workflows, manage customer relationships, and drive growth through targeted marketing strategies.

Pros of ActiveCampaign

• All-in-one Platform: Manage email marketing, automation, and live chat in one place.
• Powerful Automation: Automate repetitive tasks and personalize marketing campaigns.
• Detailed Analytics: Gain insights into customer behavior and campaign performance.

Cons of ActiveCampaign

• Steeper Learning Curve: Mastering ActiveCampaign requires more time and effort than basic chat plugins.
• Limited Free Plan: The free plan offers limited features and functionalities.

Price

This freemium has a free trial version and four premium plans. The premium plans start with the starter plan ($15/month) and extend to an Enterprise plan ($145/month).

How to Choose the Right Live Chat Plugin

Now that you have a list of the best live chat plugins for WordPress, the key is to choose the one that best fits your business needs. Here’s how to select the right live chat plugin for your WordPress site:

• Understand Your Business Needs: First, you must understand your business goals and type. Think about what you want to achieve with live chat. Ask yourself if you want better customer support, more sales, or stronger relationships. Knowing your goals will help you pick a plugin that fits your needs.
• Ease of Use: Choose a plugin that is simple for your team and easy to use daily. A user-friendly interface can save you a lot of time and make onboarding easier.
• Integrations: You must check if the live chat plugin works well with all the tools you already use, like CRM, email marketing software, or your e-commerce platform. The smoother the integration, the better your workflow will be.
• Scalability and Cost: Pick a plugin that fits your budget now and when you want to scale your business. Make sure you are getting value for what you are paying. Keep an eye on how pricing scales with additional users or features.

Conclusion

To stay ahead of the competition, delivering exceptional customer service is essential for attracting and retaining customers. A great first step is choosing a live chat plugin that best suits your business needs, enabling you to provide outstanding support.

However, choosing the best live chat plugin would ultimately come down to understanding your unique business needs and goals. By carefully selecting the right live chat plugin, you can streamline your communication, improve response times, and build stronger customer relationships!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Why should I use a live chat plugin? 

A live chat plugin can significantly improve customer service and website engagement. It allows you to –

• Provide immediate assistance: Answer customer queries instantly.
• Enhance customer satisfaction: Offer personalized support and build stronger relationships.
• Increase conversions: Guide visitors through the buying process and address any concerns.
• Boost website traffic: Attract and retain visitors with a proactive chat approach.

Q. Can I use a free live chat plugin?

Yes, you can use a free live chat plugin like Tawk.to. However, free plans often have limitations, such as fewer features, limited chat history, and branding. If you need more advanced features and customization options, you may need to consider a paid plan.

Q. How do I install a live chat plugin on my WordPress website?

Most live chat plugins are easy to install. Here are the steps involved in installing a live chat plan on your WordPress website –

1. Purchase a plan: Choose a suitable plan and purchase it.
2. Install the plugin: Log in to your WordPress dashboard and install the plugin from the WordPress repository or upload the plugin file.
3. Activate the plugin: Activate the plugin to make it live on your website.
4. Configure settings: Customize the chat widget, set up chat hours, and configure other settings.
5. Start chatting: Begin interacting with your website visitors in real time.