Best Drift Alternatives for Conversational Marketing in 2025

Drift alternatives are in high demand in 2025 because teams want AI that feels human, setup that takes minutes, and pricing that scales with results instead of headcount. This guide compares ten leading platforms, shows where each one shines, and explains when Oscar Chat is the better choice for conversational marketing and sales.

Why businesses seek Drift alternatives

Drift helped establish the category, yet many companies now look for different tradeoffs. The most common reasons include:

• Cost control. Plans can rise quickly with usage, seats, and add-ons. Many SMBs want predictable costs tied to outcomes.
• Faster time to value. Teams prefer no-code setup, instant deploy, and easy iteration rather than complex playbooks.
• Stronger AI. Buyers expect natural, brand-trained conversations that handle nuance, not just script branching.
• Omnichannel by default. Customers start on web chat, then continue on WhatsApp or Messenger. A single widget should handle that flow.
• Conversion tools built in. On-site popups, lead magnets, and targeted prompts are now table stakes.
• Fit for small teams. Not every go-to-market motion needs enterprise packaging or custom contracts.

How we evaluated the best Drift competitors

To build a shortlist, we scored platforms on ten criteria that matter for modern conversational marketing:

1. Setup speed and time to first qualified lead
2. AI quality and ability to train on brand content
3. Live chat experience for agents and managers
4. Omnichannel support across web, email, and messengers
5. Lead capture and conversion tools like popups
6. Routing and qualification without extra ops burden
7. Integrations with CRM, help desk, and analytics
8. Reporting on conversations, pipeline, and CSAT
9. Pricing transparency and SMB friendliness
10. Security and reliability for scaling teams

Top Drift alternatives in 2025

Below are the ten platforms to consider. The list is organized for buyers who want fast outcomes with clear pricing, with Oscar Chat taking the lead for small and midsize teams that value all-in-one simplicity.

1. Oscar Chat — best all-in-one conversational marketing platform

Overview. Oscar Chat combines AI chatbot, live chat, and a no-code popup builder inside a single, unified widget. It automates up to 90 percent of routine questions, qualifies and routes leads in real time, and gives marketers behavior-based popups to boost conversions without extra tools.

• No-code setup. Install one snippet and launch the same day.
• AI trained to your brand. Feed policies, FAQs, and docs for human-sounding replies.
• Unified widget. Web chat plus Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and email in one place.
• Popup builder. Target signups, trials, and promos by device, URL, UTM, or exit intent.
• Analytics. Track conversations, conversions, and assistant performance.

Best for. E-commerce, SaaS, and service businesses that want a single tool for engagement, qualification, and support. Small teams that need power without heavy admin.

Pricing. Starts at €39 per month for 1 workspace, 5 users, 1 active AI assistant widget, 1,000 AI messages, plus 3 all-in-one widgets and 3 lead magnet widgets. Additional 1,000 AI messages cost €2.4.

Notable notes. CRM integrations such as HubSpot or Salesforce are on the roadmap for 2026. Current users can still collect structured lead data and push it via webhooks or Zapier-style middleware.

2. Intercom

Overview. A mature customer communications platform with chat, a help desk, and an AI assistant add-on. Strong for product-led SaaS with support teams already on Intercom.

• Playbooks for inbound and outbound engagement
• Ticketing, help center, and in-app messages
• AI assistant available as an extra

Consider if you want a single vendor for support plus messaging and accept per-seat pricing.

3. HubSpot Chat and Conversations

Overview. Free chat tightly integrated with HubSpot CRM. Good for marketing and sales teams standardizing on HubSpot tools.

• Native CRM alignment
• Meeting and calendar handoff
• Basic bot flows

Consider if you already run HubSpot and prefer fewer moving parts.

4. Tidio

Overview. Blends live chat with an AI agent for online stores using Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix.

• Templates for cart recovery and product guidance
• AI agent for FAQs and simple support
• Affordable plans with a free tier

5. Freshchat by Freshworks

Overview. Conversational engagement tied into the Freshworks suite. Good fit if you also use Freshdesk or Freshsales.

• Omnichannel routing and workflows
• AI capabilities through the Freshworks stack
• Agent performance analytics

6. Crisp

Overview. Lightweight live chat and shared inbox with simple automation. A cost-effective option for startups.

• Unlimited chat history on higher plans
• Knowledge base and status page modules
• Basic chatbot rules

7. Zoho SalesIQ

Overview. Chat, visitor insights, and bots integrated with the Zoho ecosystem.

• Works well with Zoho CRM and Desk
• Custom bot builder for common flows
• Attractive entry price

8. LivePerson

Overview. Enterprise AI messaging platform with deep NLP and sentiment analysis.

• Omnichannel orchestration for large teams
• Advanced conversation design and quality tools
• Security and compliance for regulated industries

9. Manychat

Overview. Social messaging automation for Instagram and Messenger. Ideal for creators and DTC brands running social funnels.

• Visual flow builder tailored to Meta channels
• Comment triggers and DM campaigns
• Low barrier to entry

10. Drift

Overview. Still a strong player for enterprise conversational marketing. Best if you need heavyweight alignment with complex marketing and sales processes and are comfortable with higher pricing.

• Classic playbooks and routing to sales
• Meeting booking and ABM features
• Enterprise administration and roles

Pricing comparison at a glance

Pricing fluctuates by usage, contacts, seats, and add-ons. Use this table as a directional overview to shortlist vendors, then verify against each site.

Platform	Free Plan	Entry Pricing	AI Chatbot	Omnichannel	Best For
Oscar Chat	No	€39 per month starter. +€2.4 per extra 1,000 AI messages	Generative AI trained on brand	Web, Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, email	SMBs, SaaS, e-commerce, services
Drift	No	Enterprise oriented. Often low thousands per month	Scripted plus AI features on higher tiers	Web chat plus enterprise channels	Mid market and enterprise
Intercom	No	From per-seat pricing with usage based AI	Assistant available as add-on	Web, email, mobile in-app	SaaS with support teams
HubSpot Chat	Yes	Free basic. Paid CRM Suite from entry tier	Basic bot flows	Web chat	Teams standardized on HubSpot
Tidio	Yes	Affordable paid tiers	AI agent for FAQs	Web and social connectors	Online stores
Crisp	Yes	Low cost plans	Rules based bot	Web plus inbox integrations	Startups
Freshchat	Yes	Per agent pricing	AI in Freshworks stack	Omnichannel	Freshworks users
Zoho SalesIQ	Yes	Low entry price	Custom bot builder	Web chat with ecosystem ties	Zoho ecosystem
Manychat	Yes	Low cost Pro plans	Flow based automation	Instagram and Messenger	Social funnels
LivePerson	No	Custom enterprise pricing	Advanced NLP	Full omnichannel	Large enterprises

Use case scenarios where Oscar Chat is better than Drift

Scenario 1. You want to launch this week

Choose Oscar Chat if speed matters. Paste the snippet, publish a starter AI assistant, and turn on a targeted popup for your primary CTA. Most teams go live in under an hour.

Scenario 2. You need human-like AI without heavy setup

Choose Oscar Chat if you want the assistant to speak in your brand voice. Upload FAQs, policies, and product docs, then approve sample answers before going live.

Scenario 3. You are cost sensitive but want to scale

Choose Oscar Chat when you want predictable entry pricing. Pay for additional AI messages only as volume and ROI grow. Seats and traffic do not drive hidden overages on the starter plan.

Scenario 4. You want popups tied to conversation

Choose Oscar Chat to run one widget for chat and on-site lead capture. Trigger different popups by UTM, referrer, and user behavior, then hand off to chat when a visitor engages.

Scenario 5. You need multiple channels inside one button

Choose Oscar Chat to keep visitors in the same flow from web chat to Messenger or WhatsApp. Carry context across channels and reduce drop off.

Conversational marketing and sales playbook examples

E-commerce product guidance and cart recovery

• Train AI on product catalogs and shipping policies.
• Use a time limited popup to offer a first order discount after 45 seconds of idle time.
• Route VIP shoppers to live chat based on cart value.

SaaS trial activation and onboarding

• Detect pricing or trial pages and launch a proactive assist message.
• Answer technical questions using docs you upload.
• Offer a 15 minute call booking only after the visitor has viewed at least two feature pages.

Services pre-qualification and scheduling

• Ask a short set of qualifying questions.
• Collect email and phone if the visitor leaves mid chat.
• Trigger a follow up email transcript to your team for next steps.

How to choose your Drift alternative

Use this checklist to reach a confident decision:

• Deployment. Can you launch without engineering time and still meet security requirements
• AI guardrails. Can you review and refine answers before they go live
• Channel coverage. Does it cover the channels your buyers actually use
• Conversion tooling. Are popups and prompts integrated or do you need another vendor
• Reporting. Do dashboards map to your goals such as demos, trials, or orders
• Costs. Are limits clear and aligned with how you grow
• Roadmap fit. If you need CRM integrations later, is there a realistic timeline

Bottom line

If you want a powerful, affordable, and human sounding platform for conversational marketing in 2025, Oscar Chat is the standout Drift alternative. It unifies AI chat, live chat, and conversion popups, so you capture more leads and close more deals with less software to manage. Start simple at €39 per month and scale as conversations turn into revenue.

Frequently asked questions

What is Drift used for

Drift is a conversational marketing tool used to talk with website visitors, qualify them, and route them to sales or book meetings in real time.

Why are teams evaluating Drift alternatives in 2025

Teams want stronger AI, faster setup, built in popups, and pricing that works for small and midsize companies. They also want one widget that handles multiple channels.

Is there a budget friendly Drift alternative

Yes. Oscar Chat starts at €39 per month and includes AI chat, live chat, and a popup builder. Crisp and Tidio also offer low cost plans with smaller feature sets.

When is Oscar Chat better than Drift

Choose Oscar Chat when speed, cost, and omnichannel coverage matter. It is ideal if you want no-code setup and AI that matches your brand tone.

Does Oscar Chat integrate with CRMs

Native CRM integrations like HubSpot or Salesforce are planned for 2026. Until then, teams pass leads through webhooks or third party automation tools.

Can I run popups and chat together

Yes. Oscar Chat includes a popup builder so you can run signups, promos, and exit intent offers that connect to chat when a visitor engages.

Which Drift alternative is best for Shopify stores

Oscar Chat and Tidio are both popular with Shopify. Oscar Chat adds brand trained AI and integrated popups inside one widget.

Do I need developers to launch conversational marketing

No. With Oscar Chat you add one snippet and configure assistants and popups in a no-code dashboard.

How should I compare pricing across vendors

Look for usage based charges, seat based licensing, and AI add-ons. Estimate volume for conversations and messages to avoid surprises.

What metrics prove conversational marketing ROI

Watch qualified leads, booked meetings, add to carts, revenue influenced, first response time, and self-service resolution rate.

Try Oscar Chat and launch your first conversational campaign today.