Live chat has become a core part of the ecommerce stack, blending support, sales, and automation. This list highlights seven platforms worth knowing in 2026, each with its own approach to helping online stores engage shoppers. We focus on what each tool does and who it suits, using only information from the companies' own pages.
How We Picked These Tools
We selected tools that explicitly mention ecommerce use cases or integrations on their provided source pages. Each entry includes at least two verified facts with exact quotes. The order is a plain list, not a quality ranking.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Gorgias | Shopify brands seeking an all-in-one support and AI platform |
| Tidio | Ecommerce teams looking for a free start and AI-driven sales |
| LiveChat | Ecommerce stores focused on converting visitors via chat |
| Re:amaze | Support teams wanting a shared inbox with chat and automation |
| Crisp | Businesses seeking an AI-first support suite with chat widget |
| Olark | Marketers focused on lead qualification and revenue attribution |
| HelpCrunch | Companies wanting unlimited contacts and a full support suite |
The 7 Tools in Focus
#1 Gorgias
A screenshot of the Gorgias website.
Gorgias is a helpdesk and AI agent platform built for ecommerce brands, especially those on Shopify. It combines a shared inbox, AI agent, and live chat to handle customer conversations across channels. The platform is designed to automate routine tickets and personalize the rest, with native Shopify data available inside each ticket. It suits online stores looking to unify support and sales conversations.
#2 Tidio
A screenshot of the Tidio website.
Tidio provides live chat, an AI agent called Lyro, and a help desk for customer support and sales. It focuses on automating repetitive questions and turning conversations into purchases with product recommendations and proactive sales flows. The platform offers a free plan and paid plans starting at a monthly price. It suits small to medium ecommerce businesses that want to start with live chat and scale into AI.
#3 LiveChat
A screenshot of the LiveChat website.
LiveChat, now branded as Text, offers live chat software with an AI Agent for sales and support. It helps spot buying signals, start personalized conversations, and guide purchase decisions. The platform integrates with ecommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, and includes features for cart recovery and order status automation. It suits businesses that want to convert shoppers through proactive chat and AI assistance.
#4 Re:amaze
A screenshot of the Re:amaze website.
Re:amaze is a shared inbox helpdesk that combines live chat, chatbots, and push campaigns. It includes AI-powered tools for responding, creating, and summarizing, plus a live dashboard for monitoring customer activity. The platform supports multiple channels including email, social media, SMS, and video calls. It suits teams that need a unified helpdesk with proactive engagement features.
#5 Crisp
A screenshot of the Crisp website.
Crisp is an all-in-one customer support platform with a chat widget, shared inbox, CRM, and AI agent named Hugo. It emphasizes AI-first support, allowing teams to build AI workflows and automate inquiries. The platform offers a 14-day free trial with all features and no card required. It suits companies looking for a flexible, AI-driven support suite with a chat widget for websites and apps.
#6 Olark
A screenshot of the Olark website.
Olark provides an AI agent that works the marketing funnel by answering questions, qualifying visitors, and knowing when to bring in a human. It trains on your site in under a minute and uses visitor behavior to engage at the right moment. The platform includes an AI Connector that lets your AI read chat transcripts alongside CRM and analytics. It suits marketers who want to tie chat to revenue and lead qualification.
#7 HelpCrunch
A screenshot of the HelpCrunch website.
HelpCrunch offers a multichannel chat widget, AI-powered tools, shared inbox, knowledge base, and email marketing. It emphasizes unlimited contacts and chats on all plans, and provides AI assistance for writing and support. The platform includes popups and mobile SDKs for in-app support. It suits businesses that want a comprehensive customer service and marketing platform with predictable pricing.
Which One Should You Choose?
Consider your primary goal: if you need deep Shopify integration, look for native ecommerce connections. If you want to start free, check for free plans or trials. Evaluate whether AI automation is important for your support volume. Also consider whether you need a shared inbox, CRM, or marketing tools alongside live chat. Match the platform's strengths to your team's workflow and budget.
Final Thoughts
Each of these live chat tools offers a different mix of support, sales, and automation features for ecommerce. Gorgias and Tidio lean heavily into ecommerce and AI, while LiveChat focuses on conversion and Re:amaze on helpdesk unification. Crisp and HelpCrunch provide broad suites, and Olark emphasizes marketing funnel and revenue attribution. The right choice depends on your specific needs and how you plan to use chat in your store.
Know a company that belongs on this list? Email us at editorial@peekwire.com.