Intercom vs Tidio vs Tawk.to: Best Chatbot for Small Business 2026
Choosing the right chatbot is one of the highest-impact decisions a small business can make. Here’s how the three most popular options compare.
Tidio — best for small websites
Free tier available. AI chatbot included on paid plans from $29/mo. Easy setup, good for WordPress and Shopify. Limited on the free plan but excellent value for the price.
Intercom — best for growing businesses
Starts at $74/mo. The most sophisticated option with AI resolution, smart routing, and deep CRM integration. Overkill for a 5-page brochure site but essential for businesses with regular customer enquiries.
Tawk.to — best free option
Completely free forever. Supported by optional paid add-ons. Basic but reliable. AI features are limited compared to Tidio and Intercom but the price is unbeatable.
Compliance note
Whichever you choose, add an AI disclosure notice and a human handoff option. All three support these features but none enable them by default.
