10 Best Free Live Chat Software to Grow Your Business on a Budget in 2025

When I was just getting started, spending hundreds of dollars on fancy support tools wasn’t an option. That’s when I discovered free live chat software that completely changed everything.

I was able to talk to customers instantly, make more sales, and look more professional, without spending too much. 

If you’re building a business and watching every dollar, I totally get it.

Thankfully, there are some really impressive free chat tools available now. And in this blog, I’ll show you the best ones to check out in 2025. So, stay tuned!

What Is Free Live Chat Software?

For those who are in an early stage of research, here’s a quick explanation.

Live chat software is a real-time messaging platform designed for businesses to communicate with customers directly on websites, apps, social media, etc. Imagine it as a little chat window popping up on your screen, ready to answer questions and offer assistance.

Some providers offer free versions or trials, which is what we mean by free live chat applications for websites. It’s a great way to try things out at no cost.

Spotlight on the Top 3 Free Live Chat Software: A Quick Overview

Want a quick sneak peek into my top three choices? Here you go!

Option A: ProProfs Chat

ProProfs Chat is a powerful, easy-to-use live chat tool with features like AI chatbots, canned responses, proactive invites, and detailed reports. It integrates seamlessly with major platforms and requires zero coding to set up, making it a smart, hassle-free solution for 24/7 customer support and team performance tracking.

Option B: Tidio 

Tidio is a free live chat tool that lets you support customers 24/7, even on the go with its handy mobile app. It integrates well with Wix, Shopify, and WordPress, and offers detailed reports on operator performance, covering chat duration, satisfaction scores, and more to help improve customer support.

Option C: Smartsupp 

Smartsupp is a user-friendly live chat platform with features like chat customization, visitor tracking, and chat history. It offers performance reports and integrates smoothly with Shopify, WordPress, and Magento for efficient customer support and data management.

Top 10 Free Live Chat Tools to Help Your Business Grow

I put this list together after speaking with support managers, corporate trainers, and startup founders across various industries. Their insights, along with my own experience using many of these tools, helped shape this comprehensive comparison. 

With a bit of extra research, I’ve curated the 10 best free live chat for websites. Let’s dive in!

Let’s start with a quick overview of the tools.

1. ProProfs Chat – Best for 24/7 Delightful Customer Support With AI Chatbots

After trying out a few live chat tools, I tried ProProfs Chat, and I haven’t looked back since. This tool offers a wide range of features, from canned responses to proactive chat invitations, intelligent chat routing, and automated AI chatbots for 24/7 customer engagement and support.

It’s super easy to train your AI bot using your knowledge base or website data. Once trained, the bot can be used to tackle complex customer queries and requests. 

I also like their detailed reports, which help you gain insights into your operators’ performance using metrics like average response time, CSAT scores, and chat ratings. It also integrates well with platforms like Shopify, Magento, Zendesk, and Google Analytics, so everything feels connected and efficient.

The best part? Setup was simple and fast, no coding, no headaches. It’s just a clean, reliable tool that helps us support customers and grow smarter.

What You’ll Like: 

• Canned responses to quickly address common customer queries
• Automatic chat routing to transfer chats to the appropriate agents
• Customer satisfaction surveys to gather feedback and improve service
• Ready-to-use chatbot templates to build your bot in minutes 

Pricing: A Forever Free plan with all premium features is available for small teams. Paid plan starts from $19.99/user/month.

Compatibility: Web, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS

User Rating:  4.8 (Capterra)

Capterra Review: 

“Ease of use and affordability. We have been very happy with ProProfs Chat.” – Tami

Here’s how Horse Saddle Shop boosted sales and support with 24/7 live chat and instant translation for global buyers.

2. Tidio – Best for Live Chat With Ticketing Functionality

Image source: EcomSutra

Tidio is a free online live chat software solution that lets you engage customers and resolve their queries. It’s one of the best options out there if you’re looking for live chat with ticketing functionality built in.

With this tool, you can offer customers 24/7 support, ensuring their questions are never left abandoned. One of the unique features of Tidio that I like is its mobile app, which allows operators to chat with customers on the go.

The platform also offers integrations with popular platforms like Wix, Shopify, and WordPress. With Tidio, you can access detailed reports on operator performance, including metrics like chat duration and customer satisfaction ratings.

What You’ll Like: 

• Ticketing to track and respond to customer inquiries via email
• Lets agents tag tickets to keep them organized
• Chatbots to answer common customer questions and perform tasks 24/7
• Analytics to get insights into customer support performance
• Tracks the number of conversations, missed conversations, and first response time

Pricing: A free plan is available with limitations. Paid plans start at $24.17/month.

Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

User Rating: 4.7 (G2)

G2 Review: 

 “Lyro AI is such a good thing to respond to customers while you are away.”  – I Kelly O.

3. Tawk.to – Best for Free Live Chat With Basic Features, Good for Small Businesses

Image source: Shopify App Store

Tawk.to is one of the best free live chat apps. With it, you can effortlessly engage with website visitors, offer support, answer questions, and convert leads into sales. 

I’ve seen firsthand how the platform is designed to help companies boost customer engagement with an easy-to-use, customizable chat widget that can be embedded in any website. What I love about Tawk.to is that it’s free, with options for advanced features if you need them. 

With the software, you can enhance customer support, drive conversions, and gain valuable insights into visitors’ behavior. It’s super easy to set up and use, which is why it’s a favorite among small and medium-sized businesses.

What You’ll Like: 

• Unlimited agents and chat history to record customer interactions
• Real-time monitoring for insights into visitor behavior and activity
• Automated triggers initiate chats based on visitor actions
• Ticketing system converts chats into support tickets for follow-up
• Detailed reporting to gain insights into chat performance and agent productivity

Pricing: A free plan is available without the AI chatbot. Paid plans start at $29/month.

Compatibility: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

User Rating: 4.5 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“What I like best about Tawk.to is its feature-rich platform combined with its free pricing model, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.” – Dan P.

4. Freshchat – Best for Freshworks Suite Users

Image source: Freshworks

Freshchat is a powerful and intuitive free live chat software, especially ideal if you’re already using the Freshworks suite. It empowers you to have seamless and engaging conversations, making customer interactions feel effortless. 

I find its features incredibly handy, including customizable chat widgets, automated chatbots, and targeted messaging—all tailored to enhance customer engagement.

The software’s detailed reports and analytics are a game-changer. They help you track key metrics like response time, customer satisfaction ratings, and chat volume, clearly showing your team’s performance. Plus, Freshchat integrates seamlessly with popular CRMs, offering a complete view of customer interactions and enabling personalized customer experiences.

What You’ll Like: 

• AI-powered chatbots to handle common inquiries and provide instant responses
• Contextual messaging engages customers based on their activity and behavior
• Real-time dashboards for insights into chat performance and agent productivity
• Co-browsing allows agents to guide customers through complex processes

Pricing: A free plan is available for up to 10 agents. Paid plans start at $19/agent/month.

Compatibility: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

User Rating: 4.1 (Capterra)

Capterra Review: 

“I loved the overall chat features. The dashboard and app are very clean. The only reason I switched was due to price.”- Seth

5. JivoChat – Best for Mobile-Friendly Customer Support

Image source: JivoChat

JivoChat offers a suite of features that I’ve found incredibly useful, including chatbots, social media integration, etc. Its best known for its mobile-friendly customer support, making it easy to stay connected with customers on the go.

It also has team collaboration tools to enhance customer communication and support. It’s compatible with popular platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Magento, making it super versatile.

What stands out to me is the detailed analytics and reports the platform provides, which help measure the effectiveness of support strategies. It’s user-friendly and efficient, making it a fantastic solution for businesses aiming to boost online customer engagement.

What You’ll Like: 

• Real-time visitor monitoring tracks user activity on the website
• Multi-channel support integrates chat, email, phone, and social media
• Proactive chat invitations engage visitors based on behavior triggers
• Agent collaboration tools enhance internal team communication
• Offline messaging allows visitors to leave queries when agents are unavailable

Pricing: A free plan is available with limited features. Paid plans start at $19/agent/month.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Web, Android, iOS

User Rating: 4.6 (Capterra)

Capterra Review: 

“It’s easy and functional. The program is not complicated at all and is actually simple to navigate which is a plus, not complicated at all. Simple is good. It’s certainly helped customers reach out to us more than they did before using JivoChat, and that is a huge plus.” – Shelly

6. HubSpot – Best for Converting Sales & Engaging Customers With Free Live Chat

Image source: HubSpot

HubSpot’s live chat is a powerful customer communication tool that has truly transformed how I engage with website visitors. This live chat software allows you to enjoy various features, like canned responses, chatbots, and customized greetings, to streamline your customer support operations.

What I appreciate most about HubSpot’s free online live chat software is the detailed chat analytics it provides. These insights into your agents’ performance, including metrics like chat volume, response time, and customer satisfaction scores, have been invaluable. 

Additionally, the seamless integration with HubSpot CRM allows you to manage all customer interactions from a single platform, making the entire process more efficient and cohesive.

What You’ll Like: 

• Customizable chat widgets match the branding of any website
• Targeted welcome messages to engage visitors based on their behavior
• Automated chatbots handle common queries and provide instant responses
• Mobile app support keeps teams connected on the go
• Email capture prompts visitors to leave contact information for follow-up

Pricing: A free plan is available for up to 5 users. Paid plans start at $800/month.

Compatibility: Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

User Rating: 4.4 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“The level of detail and reporting breakdown is phenomenal, the fact that the system can house everything you need for marketing is also incredibly important in todays social growth, being able to drill down on what is and isn’t working and react quickly makes all the difference.” – Jade H.

7. Userlike – Best for Live Chat & AI Customer Support

Image source: Userlike Guide

Userlike is one of those free live chat apps that can make customer engagement a breeze. It allows you to engage with customers in real time, enhancing customer support and sales. 

With Userlike, I easily added a live chat widget to a website and started chatting with visitors immediately. The platform offers a range of useful features like AI chatbots, file sharing, and visitor tracking, which I find extremely handy. 

Moreover, the software integrates seamlessly with popular CRMs, help desk tools, and social media platforms. The user-friendly interface allowed me to customize the chat widget’s appearance and manage chats from multiple channels effortlessly.

What You’ll Like: 

• Multilingual support for global customer reach
• Offers chat routing to the most suitable agent based on skills
• Delivers proactive chat invitations to engage visitors
• Features a rich messaging interface for enhanced interaction
• Enables seamless switching between live chat and chatbots

Pricing: A free plan is available for a single user. Paid plans start at $90/month.

Compatibility: Web, iOS, Android

User Rating: 4.4 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“Very good looking application and easy to use both on website and backend management” – Bryan B.

8. Smartsupp – Best for Automated Customer Engagement & Service

Image source: SMB Guide

Smartsupp is a powerful and user-friendly free live chat platform. It made interacting with website visitors in real-time so much easier for us. The software offers a range of features, including chat customization, chat history, and visitor tracking, enabling efficient customer engagement. 

I love how Smartsupp provides detailed reports on the team’s performance, covering chat volume, response time, and customer satisfaction ratings. 

Plus, its seamless integration with popular CRM and eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WordPress, and Magento makes managing customer data a breeze.

What You’ll Like: 

• Video recordings provide insights into visitor interaction
• Real-time chat allows instant communication with website visitors
• Automated messages engage visitors based on their actions and timing
• Insights into chat performance and customer behavior
• Visitor information offers context for personalized interactions

Pricing: A free plan is available. Paid plans start at $14/month.

Compatibility: Web, Android, iOS

User Rating: 4.7 (G2)

G2 Review: “Smartsupp is easy to set up and offers very good quality of services” – Andreas L.

9. Zendesk – Best for Zendesk Users

Image source: Zendesk Help

Zendesk allowed me to engage with customers across multiple channels such as chat, email, and social media. If you’re already using Zendesk, their live chat tool fits right in. With this tool, I could provide personalized support and assistance, improving the overall customer experience. 

The software offers a range of features, including chatbots, proactive engagement, and customization options for a seamless experience. Tracking my team’s performance and monitoring chat volume was also a breeze with detailed analytics and reporting. Additionally, integrating Zendesk with my CRM tool makes customer data management efficient and straightforward.

What You’ll Like: 

• Automated workflows streamline common support tasks and queries
• Contextual AI provides personalized responses based on customer history
• Integration with Zendesk Support to deliver unified customer service
• Proactive chat triggers to engage customers based on their behavior
• File sharing allows easy exchange of documents and images

Pricing:  A 14-day free trial is available. Paid plans start at $55/agent/month.

Compatibility: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS

User Rating: 4.3 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“I like that it offers all different kinds of features and apps you can implement into the desk so everything is all in the same place.” – Kat K.

10. Chatra – Best for Multichannel Messaging for Business Communication

Image source: Chatra

Best known for multichannel messaging in business communication, Chatra is free live chat software for businesses. Its customer support chat app allowed us to communicate effectively with customers in real time. 

With Chatra, we were able to deliver instant support, engage website visitors, improve customer satisfaction, and boost sales. The tool offers features like offline messages, customizable chat widgets, typing insights, and chat history, which are all incredibly useful. 

Moreover, it integrates with various platforms such as Slack, Zapier, and Facebook Messenger. 

What You’ll Like:

• Offers real-time visitor list for monitoring site activity
• Enables group chats for collaborative support
• A unified inbox for managing all communications
• Supports offline messaging when agents are unavailable
• Includes read receipts to know when messages are seen

Pricing: A free plan is available. Paid plans start at $25/agent/month.

Compatibility: Web, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS

User Rating:  4.7 (Capterra)

Capterra Review:  

“Plenty of functionalities at a very good value. Probably the best value in the market. It has enough intelligence for our customer service to be world class” – Francisco

How to Add Free Live Chat Software to Your Website

Adding a free live chat to your website is easier than it sounds. I use ProProfs Chat, and it offers two simple ways to get started. No tech skills needed—just a few simple steps and you’re up and running.

Option 1: Use a Code Snippet

Step 1: Log in to your ProProfs Chat account and head to: Settings > Channels > Website

You’ll see a code snippet—copy it.

Step 2: Paste that snippet just before the </body> tag in your website’s code. That’s it!

Step 3: If you want your developer to handle it, simply click ‘Mail instructions’ to send setup details directly from your dashboard.

Option 2: Use Google Tag Manager (GTM)

Step 1: Log in to your ProProfs Chat account. Click ‘Install Chat’ or go to:
Settings > Channels > Website

Step 2:  Choose ‘Install via Google Tag Manager’.

Step 3:  A Google Sign-In popup will appear. Enter your GTM account credentials.

Step 4: Once connected, installation starts automatically. You’ll see a confirmation message once it’s done.

And that’s all it takes! You’ve just added free live chat to your website.

What Are the Benefits of Using Free Live Chat Apps?

“Nearly 80% of American consumers point to speed, convenience, knowledgeable help, and friendly service as the most important elements of a positive customer experience.” – PwC

Missing out on live chat software can be a blunder for your business, especially for your customer service team. Adopting such a software solution can yield numerous benefits, such as:

• Improved Customer Satisfaction: Customers love getting speedy answers to their questions without waiting on hold or for emails.
• Increased Sales & Conversions: Sales reps can answer questions and close deals directly in the chat, boosting sales.
• Reduced Costs: Live chat agents can handle multiple chats at once, potentially reducing the need for extra staff and lowering overall support costs.
• Enhanced Engagement: Live chat keeps visitors engaged on your website and provides a way to proactively reach out to potential leads.
• Valuable Customer Insights: Software can track conversations and visitor behavior, providing insights into customers’ needs and wants.

What Are the Top 5 Features of Free Live Chat Tools?

As far as live chat is concerned, there are plenty of features that you should consider before selecting a software vendor. However, features offered in free trials or plans are usually more confined, and you can expect these, more or less.

1. Reporting & Analytics: Track key metrics like chat volume, response times, and agent performance to identify areas for improvement.
2. Intelligent Chat Routing: Distribute chats amongst available agents based on skills, workload, or customer information for faster resolution.
3. Proactive Chat Invitation: Set up automated chat invitations based on visitor behavior or browsing activity to engage potential customers who might need assistance.
4. Canned Responses: Create pre-written responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) for faster and more consistent answers.
5. AI Chatbot: Utilize a customer service AI chatbot to answer simple questions, qualify leads, and route complex inquiries to live agents, even outside business hours.

Watch How to Set Up an AI Chatbot for 24/7 Support:

4 Common Challenges With Free Chat Tools (And How to Avoid Them)

Free live chat tools can be tempting, but they often come with hidden roadblocks. Here’s a look at common challenges and how ProProfs Chat turns them into growth opportunities.

Challenge 1: Complicated Setup and Limited Customization

Most free live chat tools have a steep learning curve, limited onboarding help, or rigid UI designs. This can frustrate teams that need to launch quickly with branding intact.

 How ProProfs Chat Solves This:

ProProfs offers plug-and-play deployment with pre-built integrations for CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Wix. You can fully customize your chat window, including colors, branding, logos, and even language. Plus, features like chat buttons, invitation popups, and real-time visitor tracking settings help you personalize every interaction.

To see how easy setup really is, watch this video: 

Challenge 2: Inadequate Training for Chat Operators

Free tools rarely offer features to train or monitor new support agents, leading to inconsistent quality and poor customer experience.

How ProProfs Chat Solves This:

With real-time chat monitoring, operator-to-operator chat, and a supervisor dashboard, ProProfs lets admins supervise, coach, and improve agent performance on the fly. You can even use ProProfs Training Maker to roll out onboarding modules or assessments, ensuring your team is ready to delight customers from day one.

Watch this video to see how it’s done: 

Challenge 3: No Integration With Your Existing Tools

Basic live chat apps often work in isolation and don’t integrate with your CRM, email, or help desk, creating silos and inefficiencies.

How ProProfs Chat Solves This:

ProProfs Chat offers seamless integrations with Salesforce, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics, Shopify, Zendesk, Mailchimp, and more. Plus, it’s easy to push chat transcripts, pre-chat form data, or offline messages into your CRM, help desk, or marketing tools via smart APIs. Everything stays connected, organized, and actionable.

Challenge 4: Free Plans Are Too Limited to Scale

Many “free” live chat solutions have severe limitations, such as capping chat sessions, removing vital features, or branding every widget with their logo.

How ProProfs Chat Solves This:

ProProfs’ forever-free plan is built for small teams but includes premium features like file sharing, canned responses, real-time visitor tracking, knowledge base integration, AI chatbot, and even multi-channel support (Facebook, WhatsApp, mobile apps). 

Plus, you can remove the “Powered by ProProfs” tag with white-labeling, giving you a professional-grade tool without the enterprise price tag.

Free Live Chat Software Checklist: What to Check Before You Choose

With so many free live chat software for websites available, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. This checklist helped me focus on what’s important, and it can help you, too.

Get Your Customer Service Game Running With a Free Live Chat Tool

Today, having the best live chat for your website isn’t optional; it’s essential for fast, personalized support and lower service costs. The 10 top-rated live chat tools we discussed offer free plans or trials, giving you the flexibility to choose what fits your team and budget.

As you evaluate, look for solutions that offer unlimited chats, essential integrations, and core features even on the free plan.

Among all these tools, my personal recommendation would be going for a platform like ProProfs Chat – it’s forever free, has no feature limitations, and even if you want to upgrade, there are affordable plans. Why not sign up today to upgrade your customer support for free?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the live chat setup complicated, or does it require a developer?

Most live chat tools are designed for non-technical users, with drag-and-drop interfaces, setup wizards, and no-code embedding options.

Do free live chat tools support mobile and multi-device use?

Yes, many offer mobile apps and responsive designs so chats can be managed on phones, tablets, and desktops.

Are free live chat tools secure and privacy-compliant?

Many reputable tools provide SSL encryption, IP restrictions, and role-based access. Always review their compliance certifications (e.g., GDPR) if handling sensitive data.

How to measure team performance and chat quality with free tools?

Many live chat tools provide basic analytics such as chat volume, response times, and customer ratings. Some tools like ProPros Chat offer exportable reports even in free plans.