10 Best Free Shopify Live Chat Apps to Make Every Shopper Feel Heard

When I launched my first Shopify store, I quickly realized that great products aren’t enough—you need real-time conversations without spending a fortune.

That’s why finding the right free Shopify live chat apps became a top priority.

But let’s be honest: The Shopify App Store is overwhelming. So I did what any scrappy entrepreneur would do: I tested, compared, and narrowed it down to the best of the best.

Here are the 10 best free live chat apps for Shopify that are worth your time.

What Is Shopify Live Chat?

Shopify live chat is a real-time messaging tool that helps store owners connect instantly with customers, answer questions, and offer personalized support. With AI chatbots, third-party app integration, and a fully branded chat interface, it enhances the shopping experience, builds trust, and drives conversions, without breaking the bank.

Core Features You’ll Love

• Automates FAQs and order updates with smart AI-powered chatbots.
• Supports multichannel chats via WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.
• Captures leads through pre-chat forms and email prompts.
• Offers full customization to match your brand’s look and feel.
• Provides real-time analytics to monitor chat performance and visitor behavior.

Ready to turn visitors into customers?

Spotlight on the Top 3 Shopify Live Chat Apps: A Quick Overview

In a rush? Check out my top 3 favorites below!

Option A: ProProfs Chat

ProProfs Live Chat is a powerful chat solution for Shopify stores that enables real-time customer engagement. With advanced features like AI chatbots, mobile compatibility, and seamless integrations, it enhances support efficiency while maintaining optimal site performance and data protection.

Option B: Smartsupp

Smartsupp stands out for its flexible customer communication, offering a customizable widget, contact form, and live chat mobile app. It adapts seamlessly to your brand, supports multiple languages, and ensures no customer query remains unanswered, making it perfect for businesses seeking a personalized and efficient communication experience.

Option C: Tidio

Tidio is renowned for its ticketing system and AI chatbot, resolving up to 70% of customer inquiries. It offers seamless integration with platforms like Shopify and provides comprehensive analytics, making it essential for businesses looking to enhance their customer service operations and responsiveness.

List of 10 Free Shopify Live Chat Apps to Win Customers in Real-Time

There’s no one-size-fits-all best online live chat app for Shopify—it really comes down to what your store needs. But to save you the headache, I’ve done the digging and narrowed it down to some top contenders that actually deliver.

Before the Details—A quick look at the free live chat software that made the list!

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

I consider ProProfs Chat an essential part of my Shopify store toolkit. It lets me talk to customers in real time, offer personalized help, and keep the shopping experience smooth, so people actually come back.

What really sets it apart for me isn’t just the smart features like AI chatbots, chat routing, and chat transcripts. It’s the fact that everything runs securely with SSL encryption on U.S.-based servers, so I know my customer data is safe. Plus, it’s super lightweight—my site stays fast, which is a big win.

I also love that it works seamlessly on both iOS and Android, so my team and I can stay connected and chat with customers on the go.

And with visitor tracking, easy handoff from bot to agent, custom branding, and integrations with tools like HubSpot, WhatsApp, and Instagram, it’s more than just a chat tool—it’s a full-on support system that grows with your store.

What You’ll Like: 

• Visitor tracking to interact with users based on their on-site behavior
• Canned responses to quickly handle common customer queries
• Automatic chat routing to direct conversations to the right agent instantly
• Multilingual support to communicate with customers in their preferred language

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

User Rating: 4.8 (Capterra)

Capterra Review: 

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

See how Horse Saddle Shop used ProProfs Live Chat to offer 24/7 support, boost sales, and impress global customers with instant translation.

2. Smartsupp – Best for Lead Generation

Smartsupp enables versatile customer communication through its three main features: a customizable widget, contact form, and live chat mobile app. I appreciate how the widget blends effortlessly with my brand’s look, supports multilingual chats, and even allows file sharing, making it perfect for connecting with a global audience.

Leveraging AI, lead-gen automation, and live chat, it creates a powerful customer engagement engine tailored for high-growth stores. Plus, the mobile app keeps you responsive and in control, no matter where you are, ensuring customers always get the support they need, fast.

Smartsupp balances security, speed, and ease with encryption and GDPR compliance, making customer chats feel seamless and professional.

What You’ll Like:

• Customizable widget to match chat design to your brand and support multilingual conversations
• Smart contact forms to capture leads and queries with follow-up-ready customer info
• Performance-optimized script to load quickly without affecting site speed or UX
• File sharing support to enable customers upload images and documents directly in chat

Pricing: Paid plans start at $14/month (a free plan is available).

User Rating: 4.7 (G2)

G2 Review: 

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

3. Tidio –  Best for Ticketing Systems 

Tidio is more than just a live chat tool—it’s a complete customer support system built for speed and reliability. I’ve found its AI chatbot remarkably helpful, resolving up to 70% of customer queries right out of the gate. 

Managing support emails through its integrated ticketing system is seamless. It’s mobile-optimized, so your team can respond on the go without missing a beat. Even better, the widget is lightweight, ensuring no noticeable lag or drag on my site’s loading speed.

Security hasn’t been an afterthought either—Tidio is GDPR-compliant and offers secure data handling across chats and tickets. The separation of chat and email conversations into dedicated tabs keeps our workflow clean. 

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a growing team, it’s built to scale with you.

What You’ll Like:

• Comprehensive analytics and reporting tools for performance assessment
• Integrated Ticketing System to convert emails into trackable support tickets
• Seamless integration with Shopify and various other platforms
• Customizable Chat Interface to adjust themes, greetings, and branding to match your store

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

User Ratings: 4.7 (G2)

G2 Review: 

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

4. Willdesk – Best for Self-Service Widget 

When looking for a solid self-service widget for your Shopify store, I found WillDesk to be one of the most reliable and user-friendly tools. It helps customers find answers fast, reducing support tickets and boosting satisfaction. What stood out to me was how seamlessly it integrates without disrupting your storefront.

I also loved how mobile-friendly it is. Whether on a phone or tablet, the experience stays fast and easy to use. And despite all its features, WillDesk doesn’t slow down your site, which is a huge win. Its lightweight build helps pages load quickly, reducing bounce rates.

Security-wise, it ticks all the boxes. It’s GDPR-compliant, handles data securely, and gives you control over what customer info is stored. With built-in analytics and flexible branding, it’s a powerful support tool that keeps you in control and your customers happy.

What You’ll Like: 

• User-friendly setup to launch live chat without needing advanced technical skills
• Multilingual support to engage global customers with 40+ supported languages.
• Self-service tools to let users access FAQs, order tracking, and basic help instantly.
• Mobile responsiveness to offer a consistent and optimized chat experience on any device.

Pricing: Paid plans start at $16.90/month (a free plan is available).

User Rating: 4.9 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“I like it because of how easy it is to integrate with our Shopify store. Plus, it’s easy to navigate, and the interface is simple and user-friendly.” –  Sam B

5. Richpanel – Best for AI-Powered Customer Service

Richpanel is a powerful AI customer service platform built to scale support while maintaining personalization. I’ve found it particularly useful for automating routine queries, managing order-related questions, and keeping customers happy even when I’m offline. Its Shopify live chat feature works effortlessly and feels like an extension of my storefront.

Beyond automation, Richpanel offers excellent mobile optimization, making it easy for both my team and customers to chat on the go. GDPR compliance and encrypted data handling ensure peace of mind for businesses like mine that deal with sensitive customer info.

What truly sets it apart is the ability to view detailed customer interaction histories and performance analytics. These insights help you make better decisions, train your support staff smarter, and refine the customer experience based on real behavior, not just assumptions.

What You’ll Like:

• CRM integrations to connect easily with tools like HubSpot and ActiveCampaign.
• Unified inbox to manage chats from email, social, and site in one place.
• Real-time analytics to track support performance and agent efficiency.
• User-friendly interface for easy navigation.

Pricing: Paid plans start at $69/agent/month(a free plan is available with limitations).

User Rating: 4.7 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“Self Service set up that is user friendly, intuitive, and perfect to keep CS staff efficient and handling only the complicated customer scenarios.” – Juan P.

6. Re:amaze – Best for Push Campaigns 

When I used Re:amaze for my Shopify store, the push campaigns were easily my favorite feature, letting me send targeted messages and offers that boosted engagement and conversions right from the chat.

It brought email, chat, social, and SMS together in one streamlined dashboard, which made managing support so much easier for my team and helped us respond faster. I also appreciated the focus on security- GDPR compliance, encrypted data, and clear permission controls made team management easy and reliable.

On the mobile side, the app worked great across iOS and Android. Real-time syncing meant nothing ever slipped through the cracks, even when I was on the go. Plus, the analytics and chatbot handoff features made it one of the most complete support tools I’ve used.

What You’ll Like:

• Secure data handling to offer encryption, access controls, and GDPR compliance
• Mobile-optimized apps for a seamless support experience on iOS and Android
• Multi-brand support to manage multiple stores or websites from a single dashboard
• Team collaboration tools to use notes, assignments, and shared views for efficient teamwork

Pricing: Paid plans start at $29/user/month (a free plan is available with limitations).

User Rating: 4.6 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“The variety/flexibility of options, the multi-brand approach, the great support” – Christoph D

7. Channel Talk – Best for Personalizing Customer Experience 

Channel Talk impressed me with how seamlessly it merges live chat, CRM, and automation into one unified platform. It’s more than just a messaging tool—it’s a growth engine. From the moment I integrated it into my Shopify store, I noticed a measurable boost in engagement and response time.

Security was a big priority for me, and Channel Talk didn’t disappoint. It’s GDPR-compliant with strong encryption and secure storage. Plus, the mobile app worked flawlessly on both iOS and Android, so I could help customers from anywhere without a hitch.

The custom chatbots were a lifesaver for handling FAQs and order tracking, freeing up my team for tougher questions. I also appreciated the real-time analytics and smart triggers that kept chats relevant. And with all the customization options—from widget design to messaging—it made our support feel more personal and on-brand.

What You’ll Like:

• Customizable live chat to tailor the widget to match your store’s branding
• AI-powered chatbots to handle common questions instantly
• Omnichannel messaging to engage users via the website, Messenger, and more
• Built-in analytics to monitor chat performance with detailed reporting

Pricing:  Paid plans start at $27/month (a free plan is available, with access limited to a 30-day history).

User Rating: 4.8 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“Channel.io made communication simple and streamlined. I needed a way to handle customer inquiries while I was away, while also being able to focus my time on important customers and questions. Channel.io helped me do this without feeling overly burdened. I used this in the previous company and it was amazing. I wish my new company also used this. – Sahrah L.

8. Chatra – Best for Targeted Chats and Triggers 

Chatra brings a proactive twist to customer interaction by using smart triggers and behavior-based messaging to start conversations at the right time. I’ve found this especially useful for saving abandoned carts and gently nudging hesitant shoppers toward conversion.

What I appreciate most is how Chatra balances power with simplicity. Its interface is intuitive, the setup is code-free, and the real-time chat feature feels genuinely personal. I can easily guide visitors, answer product questions, or redirect them to bestsellers, making the overall shopping experience smoother and more supportive.

Plus, it’s built for today’s mobile-first world. With strong data security, GDPR compliance, and a mobile app that lets me support customers on the go, Chatra fits right into my workflow—whether I’m at my desk or out grabbing coffee. 

What You’ll Like:

• Proactive triggers to auto-start chats based on visitor behavior
• Custom chatbot flows to guide users with pre-set replies and paths
• Offline lead capture to collect info when agents are away
• Multichannel inbox to manage site, email, and social chats together

Pricing: Paid plan starts at $25/agent/month (a free plan is available).

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

9. LiveChat – Best for Reports & Analytics

 At first, I didn’t think live chat would make much of a difference—until I used LiveChat . It completely changed how I connected with customers. Being able to answer questions right away helped turn casual visitors into buyers, and built trust faster than any email ever could.

What I really liked is how easily it integrated with my Shopify store. Customer info, orders, and even abandoned cart details are synced automatically. I also connected it with Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, and set up chatbots to handle common questions while I focused on other tasks.

Security and mobility were solid, too. With GDPR compliance and full encryption, I never had to worry about customer data. And thanks to the mobile apps, I could jump into chats on the go—whether I was at my desk or out grabbing lunch.

What You’ll Like: 

• On-site assistance to keep customers engaged by answering questions directly in your store
• Chat transcripts for reference, feedback, or training
• Built-in analytics  to track performance, spot trends, and improve your service
• Omnichannel support to chat with customers on Messenger, WhatsApp, or Instagram

Pricing: Paid plan start at $20/month (a free 14-day trial is available).

User Rating: 4.5 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“I like the chat transcripts that can be used for reference and the chat archiving for easy follow up” – Jodie L.

10. Zendesk – Best for Customer Experience (CX)

A friend of mine runs a busy Shopify store, and when they needed a strong customer support tool, they went with Zendesk—and honestly, they couldn’t be happier. What they loved right away was how easy it was to get started. Even their non-tech team members picked it up quickly thanks to the clean, intuitive interface.

They mentioned how well Zendesk scales too—whether it’s just two agents or a full support team, it grows with you. They could handle emails, live chats, social DMs, and even WhatsApp messages—all in one dashboard. 

And when it came to security, Zendesk checked every box: end-to-end encryption, role-based access controls, audit logs, and full GDPR compliance. On top of that, Zendesk’s mobile app made it super easy for them to manage support on the go, which was a huge plus during sales or busy weekends.

What You’ll Like:

• Advanced ticketing system to organize and prioritize customer inquiries
• AI-powered responses to provide instant, relevant answers to common questions
• Knowledge base integration to empower customers with self-service options
• Unified inbox to manage chat, email, and social messages in one place

Pricing: Paid plan start at $19/agent/month (a free 14-day trial is available)

User Rating: 4.5 (G2)

G2 Review: 

“I like that I can easily setup workflows and multiple triggers to keep tickets moving. Using the basic stuff is great as a new user or as a non developer.” – Miguel C.

Shopify Chat App Checklist: What to Check Before You Choose

With so many Shopify live chat tools out there, I know how overwhelming it can be. This checklist helped me stay focused on what really matters—and it can help you too.

How to Integrate ProProfs Live Chat With Shopify Store

I needed a quick way to connect with visitors on my Shopify store. ProProfs Live Chat made it easy with two simple options:

• Add it using a JavaScript code snippet
• Install it directly from the Shopify App Store

Here’s how I set it up in just a few steps.

1. Manual Installation via Code

Step 1: Log into ProProfs Chat and go to Settings > Installation to copy the installation code.

Step 2: Log into Shopify, navigate to Online Store > Themes, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit code.

Step 3: Open “theme.liquid” and paste the code after <body> or before </body>, then Save.

2. Install via Shopify App Store

Step 1: Go to Shopify > Online Store and search for “ProProfs—Live Chat & Chatbot.”

Step 2: Click Add app, then hit Install app.

Step 3: Log in with your ProProfs Chat credentials.

Step 4: Once installed, check Apps & Sales Channels to confirm ProProfs Chat is active.

That’s it! Your live chat widget is now live on your Shopify store.

5 Shopify Live Chat Challenges (And Pro Tips to Fix Them Fast)

Shopify stores use live chat to boost sales and support, but many apps fall short on integration, multilingual support, and more. Here are five key challenges—and how ProProfs Chat solves them.

1. Chatbot Inaccuracy & Poor Multilingual Support

Chatbots often give inaccurate or irrelevant replies, lack multilingual capabilities, and can’t handle complex queries. Without smooth escalation to human agents, user experience suffers, especially for global stores dealing with a global audience or complex product queries.

How ProProfs Chat Solves It:

• Train AI chatbots using a knowledge base/website data to deliver accurate, personalized responses.
• Real-time language translation + support for 70+ languages ensures native-like conversations.
• Escalation & Transfer lets users connect with human agents instantly.
• Custom Greetings, Logos & Themes align chat with brand identity.
• Knowledge Base Integration supports complex product queries instantly.

2. Weak Integration With Shopify & Other Tools

Many live chat apps struggle to integrate with Shopify, CRMs (like Salesforce), or messaging tools like WhatsApp and Facebook. Poor API/webhook support hinders automation and data syncing, slowing down support and marketing workflows.

How ProProfs Chat Solves It:

• Seamlessly integrates with Shopify, ActiveCampaign, and more.
• Connects with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram for omnichannel support.

• Smart API/Webhook Support allows custom workflows and syncing customer/cart data.
• Offline Message API auto-pushes data into your CRM, reducing response delays.

3. Ineffective Lead Generation & Routing

Lack of pre-chat forms and behavior-based routing leads to missed opportunities. Agents can’t prioritize or qualify leads effectively, causing delays in follow-up or support for high-value customers, especially those with abandoned carts or high purchase intent.

How ProProfs Chat Solves It:

• Pre-Chat forms capture user data upfront.
• Visitor tracking reveals behavior like product views or cart abandonment.
• Automatic chat routing ensures leads reach the right department instantly.
• Tagging & filters help agents prioritize queries.
• Data syncs to CRMs for follow-up marketing or sales campaigns.

4. No Automated Appointment or After-Hour Support

Manual appointment scheduling causes delays and missed follow-ups, especially after hours. Chatbots can’t manage calendars or guide users to schedule demos or consultations, which is crucial for stores with high-ticket or complex products.

How ProProfs Chat Solves It:

• AI chatbot enables automated appointment booking 24/7.
• Callback Scheduling for follow-up when agents are offline.
• Real-time chat + calendar APIs streamline appointment workflows.
• Great for scheduling product walkthroughs or consultations for complex items.
• Proactive Engagement increases demo bookings and sales conversions.

5. Poor Performance, UX & Security Gaps

Live chat can slow down your site, be tricky to set up, and annoy visitors with bugs or clunky design. On top of that, missing privacy controls and limited branding options make it hard to build trust, especially with cautious shoppers or those ready to check out.

How ProProfs Chat Solves It:

Watch: How to Customize Your Live Chat Window to match your brand in minutes.

• Lightweight code ensures fast website performance.
• One-click Setup suits non-technical users.
• White-label chat with custom colors & logos maintains branding.
• SSL Encryption, GDPR Compliance, Vault Backup, and IP Blocking ensure security.
• Chat Queue & delivery status enhance real-time communication and trust.

Make Every Visitor Count With the Right Shopify Chat App

Live chat is a powerful way to connect with your Shopify store visitors, offer instant support, and boost conversions. Each free live chat tool for Shopify we discussed improves customer support and boosts conversions on your store without breaking the budget.

To get the most out of live chat, look for a solution that’s easy to use, mobile-friendly, and integrates well with Shopify. If you want a reliable, all-in-one tool, ProProfs Live Chat is a great pick. With features like chatbots, multilingual support, and CRM integration, it helps you turn conversations into lasting customer relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Shopify live chat apps support multiple languages?

Yes, many live chat apps offer multilingual support to help you connect with global customers easily.

Do Shopify chat apps support AI-powered chatbots?

 Yes, several apps include AI chatbots that can handle queries, book appointments, and generate leads 24/7.

How does live chat help increase sales?

Live chat provides instant answers, builds trust, and reduces cart abandonment—leading to more conversions.

Is live chat better than email support?

 Yes, it's faster, more interactive, and keeps shoppers engaged while they browse your store.