10 Best Intercom Alternatives in 2025 (Compared)
Looking for Intercom alternatives because costs are climbing, setup feels complex, or your use case is lighter than a full CX suite? You are not alone. In 2025, teams want fast deployment, clear pricing, and AI that truly reduces tickets. Below we compare the top 10 Intercom competitors by price, features, and fit, and explain when a leaner platform like Oscar Chat is a better pick.
Why teams search for Intercom alternatives
Three reasons come up most: pricing, complexity, and use case fit. Intercom’s packaging increasingly centers on AI usage and resolutions, so total cost can scale with success. Many companies just need a reliable live chat, an AI chatbot that can answer most questions, light ticketing, and a popup builder for lead capture. If that is you, the alternatives below can trim your bill and your time to value.
Intercom alternatives at a glance: pricing and core features
Prices are monthly in USD, commonly advertised entry points or per-agent rates as available. Always verify the latest pricing on vendor sites.
| Tool | Starting price | Pricing model | AI chatbot | Live chat | Knowledge base | Multichannel | Notable strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Chat | Free live chat, €39/mo Basic (≈ $42) | Per workspace; 1 workspace, 5 users; usage add-ons | Yes | Yes (unlimited messages) | Light docs or connect KB | Unified widget: 3 All-in-one, 3 Lead magnet; unlimited visits | Fast setup, unified widget, built-in popup builder |
| Drift | From $500+ for small teams; Premium around $2,500/month | Plan based; scaled by features | Yes | Yes | Docs | CRM-centric | Sales acceleration and ABM focus |
| Crisp | Free; paid from $45–$95+; Plus $295/workspace | Per workspace | Yes | Yes | KB | Omnichannel inbox | Generous seats included on paid tiers |
| Tidio | Starter $24.17; Growth $49.17 | Billable conversations and plan based | Yes | Yes | KB add-ons | Multichannel | Strong GPT-powered automation |
| Zendesk | $19/agent for Support Team entry | Per agent; suites and AI usage | Yes | Yes | Help center | Omnichannel | Deep analytics and enterprise features |
| HubSpot Live Chat | Free live chat inside HubSpot CRM | Free plus paid Hubs | Bots available in paid tiers | Yes | Knowledge base in Service Hub | CRM-native | Great if you already use HubSpot |
| Freshchat | $19–$79 per seat with free tier | Per seat; AI sessions billed | Yes | Yes | Knowledge base via Freshdesk | Omnichannel | Affordable tiers; Freddy AI add-ons |
| HelpCrunch | $12–$43 per user | Per user; volume extensions | Yes | Yes | KB | Email, popups | Value pricing and fast setup |
| LiveChat | $20–$24/agent starter; $49+ Team | Per agent | Bots via add-ons | Yes | Help center via HelpDesk | Integrations | Polished UI and ecosystem |
| Zoho SalesIQ | $0–$20 | Per operator with tiers | Yes | Yes | KB via Zoho Desk | Zoho suite | Best if you are already on Zoho |
The 10 best Intercom alternatives in 2025
1) Oscar Chat
Best for teams that want fast setup, lower total cost, and a unified widget. Oscar Chat combines an AI chatbot, live chat, and a popup builder inside one clean widget, so you can engage, qualify, and convert without stitching five tools. Setup is minutes, not weeks. It also supports messenger channels like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and email via one on-site button, reducing context switching across tabs.
- Why it beats Intercom: simpler onboarding, fewer moving parts, and pricing that does not hinge on confusing AI resolution math.
- What you get: AI chatbot trained on your content, live chat with operator handoff, popup builder for on-page capture, and a unified messaging widget.
- Ideal for: e-commerce, SaaS, services, and marketplaces that want automation plus human support.
- Limitations: If you require very deep ITSM workflows, pair Oscar Chat with a help desk.
Explore Oscar Chat AI Chatbot • Live Chat • Popup Builder
2) Drift
Best for revenue teams and ABM. Drift focuses on pipeline creation with strong routing, meeting scheduling, and CRM alignment. It is powerful but pricing can be significant.
3) Crisp
Best for teams wanting a generous omnichannel inbox at a predictable price. Crisp offers a free tier, then Essentials and Plus plans per workspace.
4) Tidio
Best for affordable AI chat automation. Tidio’s Starter is about $24.17 monthly with Growth from $49.17 and higher conversation limits.
5) Zendesk
Best for enterprises that need an end-to-end CX suite. Zendesk’s Support Team plan starts at $19 per agent, with broader suites and AI available for bigger teams.
6) HubSpot Live Chat
Best for companies already on HubSpot. The live chat inside HubSpot CRM is free, with bots and knowledge base in paid Hubs.
7) Freshchat
Best for starter omnichannel with a clear roadmap. Freshchat is often listed from $19 to $79 per seat with a free tier, plus paid AI session packs.
8) HelpCrunch
Best for value pricing and fast setup. Public listings show per-user plans in the teens to low 40s per month, with flexible volume add-ons.
9) LiveChat
Best for teams that want a polished chat experience and big integration library. Current guides cite Starter around $20–$24 per agent, Team near $49 per agent.
10) Zoho SalesIQ
Best for companies already on Zoho One. Pricing ranges from a free tier to listings at about $20, and it integrates neatly with Zoho CRM and Zoho Desk.
Why Oscar Chat is a top Intercom alternative
- Easier setup: install one widget, add your brand voice, and publish. No maze of modules.
- Better pricing clarity: plan-based pricing with a focus on keeping SMB costs predictable.
- Unified growth toolkit: AI chatbot + live chat + popup builder in one place to capture, qualify, and convert.
- Multichannel reach: chat across Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and email through a single on-site button.
- Fits modern stacks: works great with Shopify and most CMSs; drop in a snippet and go.
Ready to try it? Start with the AI Chatbot, add Live Chat, then turn on Popup Builder for lead capture.
Frequently asked questions about Intercom alternatives
What is the best Intercom alternative for small teams?
For small teams that value speed and clarity, Oscar Chat is a strong pick because setup is quick and the widget covers chatbot, live chat, and popups in one place. Crisp and Tidio are also popular for budget-friendly omnichannel and automation.
Which alternative most closely mirrors Intercom’s feature depth?
Zendesk’s suite is the closest in enterprise breadth, with AI agents, QA, and workforce management options. It can be more complex than SMBs need, so model both your project scope and admin capacity first.
Are there free Intercom alternatives?
Yes. HubSpot Live Chat has a free plan inside its CRM, Tidio and Crisp offer free or low-cost starters, and Zoho SalesIQ has a free tier. Free plans are good for testing but watch for usage caps.
How do AI charges compare to Intercom’s pricing?
Intercom uses per-AI-resolution pricing. Other vendors mix per-seat pricing with conversation quotas or AI session packs. Always forecast your bot resolutions and human handoffs to estimate monthly totals.
Which alternative is best for ABM and pipeline?
Drift is purpose-built for revenue workflows and ABM, but it can be expensive. If budget is tight, consider whether Oscar Chat’s chatbot plus popup builder can cover your immediate pipeline goals.
Can I migrate from Intercom without losing history?
Most vendors support basic import of contacts and conversations via CSV or API. For full historical context and tagging, plan a phased migration and keep Intercom read-only for a period.
What if I only need pre-sales chat and a simple bot?
Pick a lightweight tool. Oscar Chat, Tidio, and Crisp are popular for fast pre-sales chat plus an AI layer without a heavy help desk.
Is LiveChat still a good choice in 2025?
Yes. LiveChat remains a polished, widely integrated option with per-agent pricing that is easy to model. It is especially good if you want a focused chat tool rather than a large suite.
Which Intercom alternative is best for the Zoho ecosystem?
Zoho SalesIQ. It plugs into Zoho CRM and Zoho Desk and is priced competitively if you already pay for Zoho One.
How do I calculate true monthly cost across tools?
Sum seat licenses, conversation or session packs, AI resolutions, add-ons, and any overages. Then compare that total to your target handle rate and deflection goals.
Conclusion: the best Intercom alternatives in 2025
If you want a simpler stack that covers AI answers, human chat, and on-page conversion in one widget, Oscar Chat is a top Intercom alternative. For ABM-heavy sales teams, Drift is compelling. For budget-friendly omnichannel, look at Crisp and Tidio. For enterprise suites, consider Zendesk. And if your company already runs on HubSpot or Zoho, their native chats may be the shortest path to value.
Next step: launch a proof of concept. Publish a widget, train a few intents, and measure deflection, CSAT, and lead capture within two weeks.
