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Adding live chat to your website doesn't have to cost anything to start. But "free" varies wildly — some tools have real free tiers, others put critical features behind paywalls immediately.
What to look for in a free live chat tool
Before picking, decide what matters most:
- Number of conversations — Some cap you at 100/month
- Number of agents — Many free tiers allow only 1–2 agents
- AI features — Rarely included in free tiers (Kerabie is an exception)
- Mobile app for agents — Essential if you're not always at a desk
- History — How far back can you see old conversations?
Best free live chat tools in 2026
1. Kerabie — Best free tier overall
Kerabie's free plan gives you:
- Live chat widget on your website
- Real-time visitor tracking
- Basic AI assistant
- 1 agent seat
- 30 days of conversation history
- iOS + Android mobile app for agents
- Knowledge base (up to 10 articles)
2. Crisp — Most generous free tier
2 agents, unlimited conversations, clean widget. No AI or automations.
3. Tidio — Best free tier for e-commerce
50 conversations/month with Lyro AI chatbot. Great for Shopify stores starting out.
4. HubSpot Live Chat — Best free CRM integration
Completely free if you're on HubSpot's free CRM. Unlimited conversations.
5. tawk.to — Truly free forever
100% free with no conversation limits and unlimited agents. No AI, basic analytics.
Free vs paid: when to upgrade
Upgrade when:
- You're handling 100+ conversations per month
- You need more than 1–2 agents
- Customers are asking questions your team answers repeatedly (→ AI + KB)
- You're missing conversations because of slow response (→ automations)
Add live chat to your site in 5 minutes →
