Top 10 Live Chat Plugins for WordPress in 2023

Krunal Vaghasiya

Feb 21, 2023 • 15 min read

Chat plugins for WordPress offer a live chat widget, a real-time communication tool that enables businesses to connect with their customers via a chat interface on their website. In today's fast-paced digital landscape, where customers expect immediate responses and personalized experiences, the importance of WordPress Live Chat Support cannot be overstated.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the various Chat Plugins available for WordPress. From highlighting the key features and benefits of each plugin to discussing the considerations to keep in mind when selecting a WordPress plugin for live chat for your site. The article seeks to equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to make an informed decision.

Why should you add a Live Chat Support Plugin to WordPress Site?

Whether you're a small business or a larger enterprise, live chat in WordPress is a valuable tool for enhancing your online presence and driving conversions. Adding a best WordPress live chat software to your site can provide numerous benefits. Following are the reasons why you should consider adding a WordPress plugin for live chat to your WordPress site:

Improved customer service

Live chat in WordPress enables you to provide immediate support to your customers, helping to resolve their issues quickly and effectively. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as reduced support costs for your business.

Increased engagement

By chatting with customers in real-time, you can increase their engagement with your website, leading to higher conversion rates and customer loyalty.

Better support experience

Live chat in WordPress can provide a better support experience for your customers, compared to other support channels such as email or phone. With live chat in WordPress, customers can get instant support and can continue browsing your website while they chat with you.

Increased efficiency

A WordPress live chat software can handle multiple chats simultaneously, allowing you to serve more customers at once. This increased efficiency can help to reduce your support workload and improve your overall support process.

Advanced analytics and transcripts

Most WordPress live chat plugins offer advanced analytics and chat transcripts, giving you valuable insights into your customers and helping you to improve your support process over time. These analytics can show you important metrics such as chat response times, average chat duration, and customer satisfaction scores.

Increased sales

WordPress Live chat can increase your sales by providing customers with real-time support while they are browsing your website. With WordPress live chat, you can answer questions and provide guidance, helping to convert more visitors into customers.

Easy integration

Live chat plugins are easy to integrate into your WordPress site, and many offer a range of customization options to match your website's design and brand.

What to Look for in a WordPress Live Chat Plugin?

When selecting a WordPress plugin for live chat for your WordPress site, it's important to consider several factors to ensure the plugin meets your needs and provides the best experience for your customers.

Real-time support

Live chat in WordPress is all about providing real-time support to customers, so it's important to choose a plugin that offers real-time chat functionality. This allows customers to receive quick and effective support without having to wait for an email response or phone call.

Customizable chat options

Customization is key when it comes to live chat in WordPress, as it helps you create a unique chat experience that aligns with your brand. Look for a plugin that offers customizable chat options, such as the ability to change the chat widget design and chat window placement.

Advanced analytics

Live chat analytics are important for understanding customer behavior and improving chat performance. Look for a WordPress plugin for live chat that provides advanced analytics and tracking, so you can better understand how customers interact with your live chat and make data-driven decisions.

Integration with other tools

Integration with other tools is also important for a seamless chat experience. Consider a plugin that integrates with email marketing services, chatbot builders, and other marketing and support tools, to provide a comprehensive customer support solution.

User interface

A user-friendly interface is crucial for both customers and chat agents. Choose a plugin with a clean and easy-to-use interface, to make the chat experience simple.

Chat transcripts

Chat transcripts provide a record of customer interactions, which can be useful for future reference and improved customer service. Look for a plugin that saves chat transcripts, so you can easily access previous chats and provide better support in the future.

Customer support

Ensure that the live chat plugin offers reliable customer support, with options such as email, chat, and phone support, so you can get help when you need it.

Pricing and plans

Last but not least, consider both free plan and paid options and choose a plugin that fits your budget and offers the features you need. Some plugins offer a free plan with limited features, while others offer a free trial for a limited number of days, and premium plans with advanced features. When choosing a plugin, make sure to take advantage of the available free plan or free trial options.

List of top 10 Live Chat WordPress Plugins (Free & Paid)

When it comes to adding live chat for wordpress software to your website, there are numerous options available, both free plan and paid. Choosing the right chat plugin can be a challenge, so to simplify the process, we've compiled a list of the top 10 live chat WordPress plugins that are worth considering. Take a look at each of the top 10 live chat WordPress plugins and their Key Features and Benefits:

1. Zendesk

Zendesk is a customer service platform that helps businesses connect with their customers, support them, and grow their relationships. Zendesk's platform is designed to be flexible, scalable, and easy to use, making it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes.

Key Features of Zendesk:

Multi-Channel Support: Zendesk offers support via multiple channels including email, phone, live chat for WordPress, and social media, making it easier for customers to reach out for help.
Automated Responses: Zendesk allows you to create automated responses for common questions, reducing response time and freeing up your support team for more complex tasks.
Customizable Dashboards: Zendesk offers customizable dashboards and reporting tools, providing you with a clear view of customer interactions and performance metrics.
Integrations: Zendesk integrates with a wide range of tools and platforms, including popular CRMs, social media platforms, and e-commerce systems.

Benefits of Zendesk:

Improved Customer Experience: Zendesk provides a streamlined and efficient support experience, helping you deliver a positive customer experience.
Increased Efficiency: By automating repetitive tasks and providing a clear view of customer interactions, Zendesk helps you streamline your support operations and reduce response time.
Enhanced Collaboration: Zendesk enables your support team to work together more effectively, with tools for collaboration and task management.
Better Insights: Zendesk's reporting and analytics tools provide you with real-time insights into customer interactions and support performance, helping you make informed decisions.

Price of Zendesk:

Zendesk offers various pricing plans starting at $19/user/month (Essential) to $99/user/month (Elite) based on number of agents and features included. A free trial option is available for customers to test the platform before purchasing.

2. LiveChat

LiveChat is a cloud-based customer service platform that allows businesses to communicate with their customers in real-time through live chat and messaging channels. It provides an efficient way to resolve customer queries and improve overall customer satisfaction.

Key Features of LiveChat:

Real-time messaging: LiveChat allows businesses to communicate with their customers in real-time, providing a faster and more convenient way to resolve customer queries.
Customizable chat widget: The chat widget can be easily customized to match the branding and style of a business's website.
Multi-channel integration: LiveChat integrates with multiple messaging channels, including email, social media, and mobile apps, providing businesses with a centralized platform to manage all customer communications.
Automated greetings and triggers: LiveChat offers automated greetings and triggers to help businesses quickly respond to customer queries and improve overall efficiency.

Benefits of LiveChat:

Increased customer satisfaction: By providing real-time communication with customers, LiveChat can help businesses resolve customer queries faster and improve overall customer satisfaction.
Enhanced branding: The customizable chat widget allows businesses to present a consistent brand image across all customer interactions, improving brand recognition and customer loyalty.
Access to customer data: LiveChat provides businesses with access to valuable customer data, including purchase history, location, and customer preferences, which can be used to improve overall customer engagement.
Increased sales: By providing customers with fast and efficient support, LiveChat can help businesses convert more website visitors into paying customers and increase overall sales.

Price of LiveChat:

LiveChat offers several pricing plans starting at $20/agent/month (basic) to $59/agent/month (premium), based on number of agents and features. Additional features and integrations are available for added cost. A free trial is also available.

3. LiveAgent

LiveAgent is a powerful and user-friendly live chat WordPress plugin for websites. It provides a wide range of features and customization options to help businesses enhance their customer support and increase conversions. Here's a closer look at what LiveAgent has to offer:

Key Features of LiveAgent:

Multi-Channel Support: Live Agent supports multiple communication channels including chat, email, and phone, giving businesses a comprehensive solution for managing customer interactions.
Customizable Widgets: Live Agent allows businesses to create and customize chat widgets to match their website design and branding, improving the overall customer experience.
Real-Time Monitoring: Live Agent provides real-time monitoring and reporting, enabling businesses to track and manage customer interactions in real-time.
Integration with Popular Platforms: Live Agent integrates with popular platforms like Salesforce, Magento, and Shopify, making it easy to manage customer interactions and data.

Benefits of LiveAgent:

Improved Customer Satisfaction: Live Agent provides a fast and efficient way for customers to receive help and support, improving overall satisfaction and loyalty.
Increased Productivity: Live Agent streamlines customer interactions, reducing response times and increasing productivity for support teams.
Better Insights: Live Agent's reporting and analytics capabilities provide valuable insights into customer interactions, enabling businesses to make informed decisions.
Enhanced Brand Image: By providing a high level of customer service and engagement, Live Agent helps businesses build a positive online reputation and enhance their brand image.

Price of LiveAgent:

LiveAgent offers pricing plans starting at $15/agent/month with features like email, live chat, ticket management, and a knowledge base. Higher-tier plans offer more features. Custom enterprise plans available. Free trial option is also available.

4. Tidio

Tidio is a comprehensive and user-friendly live chat plugin for WordPress that provides businesses with a solution for improving their online customer support. The plugin offers a range of features and integrations to help you effectively communicate with your customers in real-time.

Key Features of Tidio:

Multi-Channel Support: Tidio offers support for multiple channels, including live chat in WordPress, email, and Facebook Messenger, allowing businesses to interact with customers via their preferred method.
Automated Responses: Tidio features an automated response system that can provide quick answers to frequently asked questions, freeing up agents to focus on more complex issues.
Chatbot Integration: Tidio integrates with a chatbot builder, allowing businesses to create custom bots to help handle customer inquiries and provide 24/7 support.
Customizable Widgets: Tidio offers customizable live chat widgets, so businesses can match the look and feel of their website and provide a seamless customer experience.

Benefits of Tidio:

Improved Customer Experience: Tidio helps businesses provide fast and efficient customer support, which can improve overall customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Increased Efficiency: By automating routine tasks, Tidio helps businesses streamline their support processes and reduce response times, freeing up agents to focus on more complex issues.
Boosted Sales: By providing customers with quick and helpful support, Tidio can help increase customer confidence and drive sales.
Easy to Use: Tidio is designed to be easy to use and requires no coding skills, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes and technical backgrounds.

Price of Tidio:

Tidio offers various pricing plans with basic features in free plan & paid plans starting at $15/month to $240/month with added functionality. Custom pricing for larger businesses available. Free trial is also offered.

5. Formilla

Formilla is a comprehensive live chat plugin for WordPress that provides businesses with a simple, yet powerful solution for providing real-time customer support and engagement. This plugin is designed to help businesses effectively communicate with their customers and improve the overall customer experience.

Key features of Formilla:

Robust Chat Transcripts: Formilla offers robust chat transcripts that allow businesses to view and archive past chats for reference and analysis.
Chatbots: Formilla allows users to create chatbots that can respond to customer inquiries automatically, even when support agents are not available. This feature helps to improve the overall customer experience by providing quick and efficient support.
Email Marketing Services: Formilla integrates with popular email marketing services, allowing businesses to automate certain tasks and improve efficiency.

Benefits of Formilla:

Real-time support: Formilla allows businesses to offer real-time support to customers through live chat in WordPress, which can help improve customer satisfaction and reduce response times.
Customizable chat widget: The chat widget is fully customizable, allowing businesses to match their brand colors and messaging, improving the customer experience.
Automated triggers: Formilla's automated trigger feature helps businesses respond to customers quickly and effectively by setting up pre-written messages for specific situations.
Comprehensive analytics: Formilla provides detailed analytics on customer interactions, helping businesses understand customer behavior and preferences, and make informed decisions to improve their customer engagement strategies.

Price of Formilla:

Formilla offers pricing plans starting at $19.99/month with features like chat customization, unlimited chats, email support, mobile apps. 14-day free trial available to test the service. Plans can be scaled based on business needs and number of agents.

6. JivoChat

JivoChat is a live chat support solution that provides businesses with a comprehensive set of features and functionalities to enhance the online customer experience.

Key Features of JivoChat:

Multichannel Support: JivoChat supports multiple channels for customer communication such as live chat in WordPress, phone, email, and social media.
Automated Messages: JivoChat in WordPress has an automated message feature that can be set up to engage visitors even when operators are not available.
Real-time Visitor Tracking: JivoChat tracks visitors' activity on a website in real-time, providing valuable insights and context to support staff.
Integrations: JivoChat integrates with popular platforms like Shopify, WordPress, Magento, and more, making it easy to integrate into existing systems.

Benefits of JivoChat:

Improved Customer Experience: JivoChat allows businesses to provide real-time support, improving the overall customer experience and helping to build trust.
Increased Sales: By providing instant support and helping to answer customer questions, JivoChat can help increase conversions and sales.
Productivity Boost: JivoChat's multichannel support and automation features can help streamline support processes and free up staff to focus on more complex tasks.
Detailed Insights and Reporting: JivoChat provides detailed insights and reporting, allowing businesses to track performance and measure the success of their support efforts.

Price of JivoChat:

JivoChat offers pricing plans from $0/month to $38/month based on number of operators. Free trial available to test the services before purchasing. Paid plans include advanced features like customization, integrations, and analytics.

7. HubSpot Live Chat

HubSpot Live Chat is a chat plugin designed for inbound marketers and sales teams, aimed to provide real-time customer support, increase website engagement, and drive conversions.

Key Features of HubSpot Live Chat:

Customizable Chat Box: The chat box can be customized to match the branding and look of your website.
Automated Triggers: The chat box can be set to trigger automatically based on visitor behavior or page views.
Integration with HubSpot CRM: HubSpot Live Chat in WordPress integrates with the HubSpot CRM, allowing for seamless communication between customer service representatives and leads or customers.
Real-Time Analytics: The chat platform provides real-time analytics on the performance of chats and the overall success of customer engagement efforts.

Benefits of HubSpot Live Chat:

Increased Conversion Rates: By providing customers with immediate support, HubSpot Live Chat in WordPress helps to increase conversion rates and drive sales.
Improved Customer Experience: Live chat in WordPress provides a quick and convenient way for customers to get help, which can improve their overall experience and increase customer satisfaction.
Increased Productivity: HubSpot Live Chat in WordPress automates many tasks, freeing up customer service representatives to focus on more complex issues.
Better Data Insights: The real-time analytics provided by HubSpot Live Chat in WordPress can provide businesses with valuable insights into customer behavior, helping to inform marketing and customer service strategies.

Price of HubSpot Live Chat:

Hubspot Live Chat offers free basic plan & paid professional/enterprise plans with advanced features and integrations starting at $50/month based on number of contacts/users. Free trial is also available.

8. Facebook Chat

Facebook Chat is a live chat support plugin that integrates with Facebook, allowing businesses to connect with their customers in real-time. This plugin provides a convenient and accessible way for businesses to offer support and increase customer engagement. Here are some key features and benefits of using Facebook Chat:

Key Features of Facebook Chat:

Integration with Facebook Messenger: Facebook Chat integrates seamlessly with Facebook Messenger, allowing businesses to communicate with customers directly from their Facebook page.
Automated Responses: With Facebook Chat, businesses can set up automated responses to common questions, saving time and providing quick and efficient service to customers.
Customer Insights: Facebook Chat provides businesses with valuable customer insights, including information on demographics, language, and location.
Multi-language Support: Facebook Chat supports multiple languages, making it easy for businesses to communicate with customers from around the world.

Benefits of Facebook Chat:

Increased Customer Engagement: Facebook Chat enables businesses to connect with customers in real-time, fostering deeper engagement and building stronger relationships.
Improved Customer Satisfaction: By providing quick and efficient service, Facebook Chat helps businesses improve customer satisfaction and reduce the number of customer complaints.
Increased Sales: By connecting with customers in real-time, businesses can use Facebook Chat to increase sales and drive revenue growth.
Access to a Wide Customer Base: With over 2.7 billion monthly active users, Facebook provides businesses with access to a vast and diverse customer base.

Price of Facebook Chat:

Facebook Chat pricing depends on type of account

Personal=free

Business=fees (for advertising, boosting posts, promotions).

9. Olark

Olark is a powerful and user-friendly live chat support plugin designed to help businesses improve their online customer engagement and satisfaction.

Key Features Of Olark:

Customizable Chat Boxes: Olark allows businesses to create custom chat boxes that match their website's look and feel. This feature gives businesses the flexibility to create a chat experience that is unique to their brand.
Automated Greetings: Olark allows businesses to set up automated greetings that are triggered when a customer initiates a chat. This helps to provide a more personalized experience for the customer and makes it easier for businesses to manage their customer interactions.
Real-Time Reporting and Analytics: Olark provides real-time reporting and analytics that help businesses track their performance and measure the success of their customer engagement efforts. This feature provides valuable insights into how customers are interacting with the business and what areas can be improved.
Integration with Popular Tools: Olark integrates with several popular tools and platforms, including Salesforce, Hubspot, and Zendesk. This integration makes it easier for businesses to manage customer interactions and resolve any issues in a timely and efficient manner.

Benefits of Olark:

Improved Customer Service: With Olark, businesses can provide a high level of customer service, which can be particularly important in today's fast-paced digital landscape. This helps to foster a more positive online reputation and retain more customers over time.
Ease of Use: Olark is known for its ease of use and intuitive design, making it simple for businesses to interact with customers and resolve any issues they may have.
Increased Customer Engagement: Olark helps businesses to increase customer engagement by making it simple for customers to reach out and get help. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty over time.
Better Insights: With real-time reporting and analytics, Olark provides valuable insights into customer behavior and interactions. This information can be used to make data-driven decisions that improve the customer experience and overall business performance.

Price of Olark:

Olark offers free plan & paid plans starting at $29/agent/month with increasing features. Custom pricing for enterprises. 14-day free trial available.

10. Tawk

Tawk is a free live chat solution that is designed to help businesses connect with their customers in real-time. The platform provides a powerful and user-friendly interface that makes it easy for businesses to manage customer interactions and provide prompt and personalized support.

Key Features of Tawk:

Customizable Chat Widget: Tawk allows businesses to create custom chat widgets that match the look and feel of their website. This helps to create a seamless and professional customer experience.
Automated Greetings: Tawk enables businesses to set up automated greetings that can be triggered based on specific events, such as when a customer has been on a page for a certain amount of time.
Real-Time Analytics: Tawk provides real-time analytics and reporting, so businesses can track their performance and measure the success of their customer engagement efforts.
Mobile Optimization: Tawk is optimized for mobile devices, so businesses can provide a seamless customer experience on any device.

Benefits of Tawk:

Improved Customer Satisfaction: Tawk helps businesses improve their online customer engagement and satisfaction by making it easy for customers to reach out and get help.
Improved Customer Retention: By offering a high level of customer service, Tawk helps businesses foster a more positive online reputation and retain more customers over time.
Increased Efficiency: Tawk's real-time analytics and reporting help businesses track their performance and measure the success of their customer engagement efforts, which can lead to increased efficiency.
Increased Sales: By making it easy for customers to connect with businesses, Tawk can help businesses increase sales and grow their customer base.

Price of Tawk:

Tawk is free live chat software with unlimited chats, customizable widgets, visitor tracking, & optional paid add-ons for extra storage, priority support, & custom branding.

Which is the best Live Chat Software Plugin for WordPress?

Choosing the WordPress live chat widget for your site is important and depends on various factors. Live chat plugins like Zendesk, LiveChat, and LiveAgent are great for larger businesses with complex customer support needs. While Tidio, Formilla, JivoChat, HubSpot Live Chat, Facebook Chat, Olark, and Tawk are ideal for smaller businesses and personal websites. Consider factors like integrations, number of agents, and budget when selecting the best WordPress chat plugin for your site.

Conclusion

Adding a live chat support plugin to a WordPress site offers numerous benefits, including improved customer service, increased engagement, better support experience, and increased efficiency. It also provides advanced analytics and transcripts for valuable insights into customer behavior and can increase sales. Some plugins even offer a free plan. The Best WordPress Live chat plugins are those which are easy to integrate into a site and offer customization options to match the website's design.