For many goods, e-commerce is by far the easiest way to get ahead of the game, with the industry growing from $572 billion to a staggering $4.2 trillion in recent years.

Choosing Shopify for your online presence is already a good idea, so you’re on the right track. But what really makes one Shopify store beat out another one are the details.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of using live chat apps in your Shopify store, the essential features to look for and review some of the top live chat apps available.

Top Live Chat Apps for Shopify Stores

Here’s a list of the top Shopify live chat apps, based on their features and overall effectiveness.

Keep in mind, a lot of these apps are full-featured CRM systems that help you with everything from shipping to billing, with chat included.

So, the pricing will reflect that.

Richpanel Helpdesk & Live Chat

Imagine having a helpful assistant that’s always ready to answer your questions, streamline customer support, and make your life easier – that’s what Richpanel feels like.

Richpanel’s Shopify integration is smooth and efficient, saving customers both time and money.

Thanks to its self-service capabilities, we’ve seen it dramatically reduce the amount of manual work that goes into customer support. And that makes a huge impact on your bottom line.

The interface is easy to use and customizable, making it a breeze to adapt the platform to work with other integrations.

Richpanel’s user-friendliness is evident in how quickly people can learn about its various functionalities just by looking around. Check out some of the stores that use Richpanel to get a sense of what you’d be getting.

Richpanel’s customer service is also fantastic, and they’ll do everything in their power to help you succeed.

Get Richpanel on Shopify

Gorgias

Gorgias is a powerful customer service platform designed for fast-growing e-commerce businesses. 

We’ve recommended it before as a must-have app for Shopify stores, and that’s still the case in our view.

Its primary purpose is to centralize all support conversations, orders, and even social media comments and direct messages, helping businesses provide efficient and personalized customer support. 

Gorgias aims to convert more shoppers and retain them longer by providing a seamless customer experience.

Get Gorgias on Shopify

Key Features:

1. Centralized ticket view for all support channels, including email, chat, voice, SMS, WhatsApp, and social media.
2. Full customer context with order and conversation history.
3. Ability to view, edit, and cancel Shopify orders without leaving Gorgias.
4. Live dashboards to track team activity and support metrics.
5. Self-service menus for instant answers to shopper questions.
6. Multiple pricing plans to suit businesses of different sizes.

Pros:

1. Comprehensive integration with Shopify and other communication channels.
2. Efficient handling of customer queries with self-service menus.
3. Cost-effective compared to some competitors, such as Zendesk.
4. Excellent customer service provided by the Gorgias team.

Cons:

1. The Auto-reply feature may lead to unexpected overage fees, as it counts towards billable tickets.

Pricing:

It offers multiple pricing plans, making it suitable for businesses of varying sizes. The Starter plan costs $10/month, while the Basic, Pro, and Advanced plans offer more features and higher ticket volumes at $60/month, $360/month, and $900/month, respectively.

Tidio

Tidio is a comprehensive customer experience platform that enables online stores to provide top-notch customer service and convert passive visitors into active buyers. 

It features live chat, chatbots, and multichannel communication, offering a powerful helpdesk solution for your team. 

With its dedicated Shopify features, Tidio is even more efficient for e-commerce businesses.

Get Tidio on Shopify

Key Features:

1. Live chat for quick problem-solving and proactive sales.
2. Pre-made chatbot strategies to address common customer questions and boost sales.
3. Cart previews, order history, and product recommendations are directly in the chat.
4. Simple ticketing system to manage and resolve customer requests.

Pros:

1. Highly responsive customer support.
2. User-friendly interface and customizable features.
3. Integrations with popular e-commerce platforms, including Shopify.
4. Automated chatbots to save time and enhance customer service.
5. Efficient handling of customer queries through the ticketing system.

Cons:

1. Occasional glitches in the desktop version.
2. Limited integrations with some third-party apps.

Pricing:

The platform offers various pricing plans, including a Free plan, Communicator Plan ($19/month), Chatbots Plan ($19/month), and Tidio+ Plan ($329/month), catering to businesses of different sizes and requirements.

Reamaze

Reamaze is a customer support and engagement platform designed for eCommerce businesses.

 It offers a variety of tools like built-in FAQ, live chat, chatbots, web push notifications, status pages, and surveys, all in a multi-channel and unified team inbox. 

The platform helps businesses work faster, look more professional, and retain happier customers.

Key Features:

1. Unified team inbox for managing customer support requests from email, chat, social media, SMS, voice, and more.
2. Automated engagement, push, and chatbot prompts with AI to drive sales.
3. Direct management, modification, and creation of Shopify orders while talking to customers.
4. Connects to popular apps for increased efficiency.
5. Smart macros and automated workflows (AI Intents) with instant access to customer order information.

Pros:

1. Easy to install and configure.
2. Positive customer feedback on support and chat/helpdesk functionality.
3. Intuitive platform with comprehensive features.
4. Multi-language support and regional engagement options.
5. Responsive customer support team.

Cons:

1. Chat features may appear clunky to some users.
2. Loss of uploaded pictures in Help Sites, leading to broken links – quite a nuisance.
3. Occasional system downtime during high-traffic periods.

Pricing:

The platform offers a variety of pricing plans to suit businesses of various sizes and requirements.

These include the Reamaze Basic Plan at $29 per month with an additional $29 per staff user, the Reamaze Pro Plan for $49 per month with an extra $49 per staff user, and the Reamaze Plus Plan at $69 per month with an additional $69 per staff user.

For larger enterprises, there’s a custom Enterprise plan starting at $899 per month, for which you can contact the company to discuss further pricing and feature options.

Get Reamaze on Shopify

Chatra — Live Chat & Chatbot

Chatra is a versatile live chat app designed to help online businesses reach their customers more efficiently and drive conversions. 

It offers a range of features, such as live chat, chatbots, a cart saver, and a shared inbox, enabling businesses to welcome visitors, cross-sell products, and provide real-time support.

The app integrates with social media and email channels for seamless communication and boasts an intuitive interface for easy setup and use.

Key Features:

1. Live chat across desktop and mobile platforms.
2. Integration with Facebook, Instagram, and email messaging.
3. Real-time visitor list and visitor info for better engagement.
4. Free and paid pricing plans available for different needs.

Pros:

1. Accessible and easy-to-use interface.
2. Ability to connect with customers via multiple channels.
3. Automated customer support with chatbots.
4. Useful features even in the free plan.

Cons:

1. Some users reported issues with the app’s functionality, such as double spam messages and jumping avatars.
2. Lack of immediate support in some cases led us to just give up on some issues.

Pricing:

Chatra is an ideal solution for stores looking to improve customer communication and drive conversions without breaking the bank.

It offers a free plan with basic features, as well as Essential and Pro plans priced at $21/month and $29/month, respectively, for businesses requiring more advanced capabilities.

Get Chatra on Shopify

HelpCenter

Despite its very unexciting name, this is one of the best all-rounder customer service apps for Shopify.

There were some serious speedbumps when the app’s team made changes to the pricing structure in 2022, but those have largely been smoothed out.

The app integrates multiple communication channels, such as email, chat, and Facebook Messenger, making it easier for businesses to manage inquiries and provide real-time support to their customers.

Key Features:

1. SEO-friendly FAQ builder with templates and translation options.
2. Chatbot and live chat app for real-time customer communication.
3. Help desk ticketing system to manage inquiries from multiple channels in one place.
4. Product tabs with descriptions to improve store navigation.

Pros:

1. A comprehensive set of features to improve customer service and store navigation.
2. Real-time support with chatbot and live chat app.
3. Multiple pricing plans are suitable for businesses of any size.
4. Responsive and efficient customer support from the app’s team.

Cons:

1. Some issues with the “Contact Us” page not forwarding customer messages.
2. Mobile app’s functionality can be unreliable, with some features not working as intended.
3. Minor nuisances with the ticketing system requiring manual refreshes to view customer history.

Pricing:

The app offers a 15-day free trial, as well as a free plan with basic features, making it accessible for businesses on a budget. The paid plans range from $8/month to $100/month, depending on the features and ticket volume required

Get HelpCenter on Shopify

JivoChat

JivoChat is an all-in-one customer care app that integrates various communication channels, including Chat Widget, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, Phone, Apple Business, Telegram, and more.

It helps businesses increase sales by converting visitors through a user-friendly interface that works seamlessly on any device.

JivoChat also supports team collaboration and offers an internal CRM to manage sales offers and support tickets. Its conversion-boosting features ensure that businesses don’t miss out on any opportunities.

Key Features:

1. Integration with major messaging platforms and chatbot support.
2. Offers calls (including video calls) from your website with your phone number.
3. Sends smart auto-messages based on conditions to convert visitors.
4. Internal CRM for following up on offers, requests, and building a customer base.
5. Chat routing, departments, canned responses, transfers, reminders, and more.

Pros:

1. Seamless integration with multiple communication channels.
2. User-friendly and responsive design that works on any device.
3. Features to boost sales conversions, such as smart triggers and visitor monitoring.
4. Option to download the app on a mobile device for constant connectivity.

Cons:

1. Occasional glitches and limitations in the free version.
2. Some users have reported unwanted promotional emails and potential confusion in communication regarding subscription plans.

Pricing:

Jivo has only two pricing tiers as of this writing.

It offers a free version with basic features, as well as a Pro plan at $29/month (or $228/year with a 34% discount) that includes additional features like smart triggers, canned responses, and chatbot support.

Get JivoChat on Shopify

Benefits of Live Chat Apps for Shopify Stores

Live chat apps offer a multitude of benefits, including:

• Increased conversions and customer retention – when customers can get quick answers to their questions, they’re more likely to make a purchase and return for future purchases.
• Reduced back-and-forth communication, which saves both customers’ and agents’ time.
• Faster response and handle times compared to email or phone support.
• Personalized customer experiences, thanks to real-time interaction and context-sensitive assistance.

Essential Live Chat Features for Shopify Stores

When choosing a live chat app for your Shopify store, consider the following essential features:

• Self-help features, allowing customers to find the answers they need without contacting support.
• Smart triggers, automatically initiating a chat based on visitor behavior.
• Queuing functionality, ensuring wait times are minimal.
• Canned responses, enabling agents to provide quick and consistent answers.
• Recording metrics for analysis, helping identify areas for improvement.

Choosing the Right Live Chat App for Your Shopify Store

Selecting the best live chat app for your Shopify store may seem overwhelming due to the number of options available. However, by considering your business’s specific needs, budget, and desired features, you can narrow down the choices and find the perfect solution.

To choose the right live chat app for your Shopify store, follow these steps:

1. Outline your objectives: Determine what you want to achieve with a live chat app, such as improving customer service, increasing sales conversions, or offering multilingual support.
2. Identify essential features: Based on your objectives, create a list of must-have features and prioritize them accordingly.
3. Research and compare apps: Look for live chat apps that offer the essential features you’ve identified, and compare their pros, cons, pricing, and other factors.
4. Read reviews and testimonials: Gather feedback potential to determine your specific needs and preferences, and to weigh the pros and cons associated with each app.

Trying multiple apps before making a decision can ensure you find a live chat solution that delivers the best results for your store.

Conclusion — Chat Your Way To Growth on Shopify

Investing in a live chat app is an effective way to enhance customer interactions, build strong relationships, and ultimately, chat your way to growth on Shopify. So, take your time to explore the various options available, try out different apps, and find the perfect live chat solution that aligns with your business objectives and delivers the best results.

If you want to step up your social proof game, check out our top recommended Shopify reviews apps.