Are you on the hunt for an Olark alternative that can better meet your customer communication needs? You’ve come to the right place.
While Olark is a popular choice for live chat support, it might not tick all the boxes for your specific goals. Whether you’re looking for more advanced features, better pricing, or a user-friendly interface, exploring other options can help you discover the ideal fit for your business.
In this article, we’ve compared 9 Olark alternatives that can boost your customer engagement, capture leads, and help your sales teams optimize their workload. Keep reading to find the right software for your business.
What Is Olark?
Olark started as a simple chat widget in 2009 and has grown into a full-featured customer messaging platform. It offers several robust features but is particularly known for its accessibility functionalities, which prioritize inclusivity and ensure that all tools are usable by people with disabilities.
Key features
- Real-time live chat: Engage instantly with website visitors.
- Live chat automation: Automate responses to common queries.
- Live chat analytics: Gain insights into chat performance and customer behavior.
- Live chat transcripts: Maintain records of all conversations for future reference and training.
- Custom chatbox forms: Collect visitor information before initiating a chat.
- Chat management: Manage multiple chat sessions efficiently.
- Chat routing: Assign each chat session to the appropriate agents.
- Integration with other software: Connect seamlessly with CRM systems, email marketing tools, and other software.
- Visitor co-browsing: View and interact with the visitor’s screen to provide more effective support.
- Live chat translation: Communicate with visitors in their preferred language.
- Time scheduling: Schedule chat availability according to business hours.
- Non-branded chatbox: Customize the chatbox to match the business’s branding.
- Accessibility: Olark is known for its commitment to accessibility.
Pricing
Olark’s pricing starts at $29 per agent per month. The basic plan includes features such as unlimited chat history, a customizable chatbox, advanced reporting, and basic integrations.
For businesses that need more advanced functionalities, it offers a Pro plan that includes AI-powered automation, dedicated account management, and professional services.
Where Olark Falls Short
While Olark is packed with great features, there are some areas where it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Here are a few reasons you might be looking for better Olark chat alternatives:
High costs
Olark’s basic plan starts at $29 per agent per month, making it an expensive option for many businesses.
For the same price, Olark competitors often offer plans with more agent seats, providing better value.
On top of this, Olark live chat also comes with add-ons, like visitor co-browsing and advanced analytics, which are beneficial but come at a premium. For businesses needing multiple advanced features, this can lead to substantial monthly expenses, making Olark a less budget-friendly option compared to other live chat solutions.
Limited support hours
Olark provides customer support via live chat from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 7 pm EST. Outside of these hours, users can submit support tickets via email, which are typically responded to within one business day. While the support provided during business hours is thorough, the lack of 24/7 live chat or chatbot support can be a limitation for businesses operating in different time zones or those needing immediate assistance outside regular business hours.
Glitches and errors
Some users have reported chat delays and occasional outages, which can be particularly frustrating when trying to provide real-time support to customers.
9 Best Olark Alternatives
Olark live chat offers a wide range of features, but why settle for it when you can find an Olark alternative that’s not only more budget-friendly but also packed with even better features?
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite picks:
1. Social Intents
Social Intents is a sophisticated live chat tool designed to integrate seamlessly with popular work chat applications like Slack and Microsoft Teams. It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large institutions looking for a hassle-free way to introduce live chat software into their existing workflow.
Key features
- Integration with Slack and MS Teams: Enables your customer support team to handle customer interactions directly within their primary chat tools.
- Wide range of integrations: Supports popular platforms such as WordPress, Shopify, BigCommerce, and Zapier, among others.
- Unlimited agents: Allows unlimited agents across all plans beyond the starter level, providing scalability and flexibility for growing customer support teams.
- AI chatbots: Uses ChatGPT and Google Dialogflow to create advanced AI chatbots.
- Conversion pop-ups: Offers tools to create attractive overlays and exit-intent pop-ups for building email subscriber lists.
- Email list builder: Helps target website visitors with personalized messages and integrates with existing mailing list providers.
- Social offers: Provides features like coupon offers and digital downloads to attract and retain new subscribers throughout the sales cycle.
- Customizable chat widget: Tailor the look and feel of your chat widget to match your brand, boosting customer confidence.
Pricing plans
- Starter Plan: $49 per month ($39 per month if billed annually), includes 3 agents, 1 chat widget, 1 website domain, and 200 conversations per month.
- Basic Plan: $79 per month ($59 per month if billed annually), includes unlimited agents, 3 chat widgets, 3 website domains, and unlimited conversations.
- Pro Plan: $132 per month ($99 per month if billed annually), includes unlimited agents, more widgets, domains, and additional features like white-label widgets.
- Business Plan: $256 per month ($199 per month if billed annually), includes all Pro features plus priority support and more customization options.
Social Intents also comes with a 14-day free trial so you can experience its features first before committing.
Pros
- Seamless integrations: Easily connect with Slack, MS Teams, WordPress, Shopify, BigCommerce, and Zapier, fitting into existing workflows.
- Cost-effective: More budget-friendly than Olark, especially for larger customer service teams needing unlimited agents.
- AI chatbots: Advanced chatbot functionality using ChatGPT and Dialogflow, optimizing automation and customer support.
- Comprehensive marketing tools: Includes conversion pop-ups, email list builders, and social offers to boost marketing efforts.
- Versatile usage: Popular with government organizations, colleges, and startups, making it an adaptable solution for different types of businesses.
Cons
- No built-in ticketing solution: Social Intents does not include a built-in ticketing solution. However, it offers integrations with popular CRM and ticketing systems like Salesforce, Hubspot, and Zendesk to manage customer inquiries effectively.
2. LiveChat
LiveChat is a versatile multi-channel support service designed to improve customer interaction across various platforms. It’s suitable for businesses looking to provide customer support through multiple communication channels.
Key features
- Social media integration: Send and reply to Facebook messages directly within LiveChat.
- Shared inbox: Manage all customer communications from a unified inbox.
- WhatsApp Business: Integrate and manage WhatsApp Business messages within LiveChat.
- iOS user chat: Chat directly with iOS users.
Pricing
- Basic Plan: Starts at $19 per agent per month. This plan includes limited features and channels.
- Higher Plans: Offer more extensive features but all are priced per agent, without an option for unlimited agents.
Pros
- Multi-channel support: Offers various channels for customer communication, including websites, apps, social media, and messaging platforms.
- Comprehensive integrations: Supports a wide range of integrations with popular tools and platforms.
- Interactive chat elements: Encourages customer engagement with product cards and clickable buttons.
Cons
- Per-agent pricing: All plans are priced per agent, which can be more expensive for larger teams compared to solutions like Social Intents that offer unlimited agents.
- Extra costs for advanced features: Many advanced features, such as ticketing systems and chatbots, are available at an additional cost.
3. LiveAgent
LiveAgent is an excellent choice for businesses looking for live chat software that also serves as a multi-channel helpdesk system. Introducing itself as a comprehensive helpdesk, LiveAgent boasts over 180 features aimed at increasing agent productivity, boosting conversions, and improving customer retention.
Key features
- Automated callback: Provide top-notch service by allowing customers to request a callback at the click of a button.
- Built-in CRM: Access all customer data from one place, enabling exceptional customer relationship management.
- Customizable chat box: Tailor the chat box to fit your brand’s look and feel.
- Video chat: Offer personal and face-to-face support through integrated video chat.
- Multilingual chat boxes: Support for over 40 languages with real-time translation, making it ideal for global businesses.
Pricing
- Basic Live Chat Plan: Starts at $29 per agent per month. All pricing plans are based on a per-agent model, offering flexibility but potentially higher costs for larger teams.
Pros
- Multi-channel support: Comprehensive help desk software that includes live chat, email, call center, and social media support.
Cons
- Per-agent pricing: Similar to LiveChat, all plans are priced per agent, which can be more expensive for larger teams compared to solutions that offer unlimited agents.
- Complexity: The extensive feature set can be overwhelming and may require a steeper learning curve for new users.
4. Chatra
Chatra is a live chat software specifically designed for websites and e-commerce stores.
Key features
- Visitor intelligence: Agents can see what a visitor has added to their shopping cart and provide real-time suggestions on upgrades, frequently bought together products, and additional discounts.
- E-commerce integrations: Seamlessly integrates with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, Ecwid, and WooCommerce.
- Communication channels: Includes online and offline chat widgets, email helpdesk, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram integration.
Pricing
- Free Plan: Available for one agent, with no time limit, allowing small businesses to get started at no cost.
- Essential Plan: $19 per user per month, includes features like email helpdesk, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, intelligent chatbots, and detailed visitor info.
- Pro Plan: $29 per user per month, includes all features of the Essential plan plus additional functionalities like operating hours, agent groups, and advanced reporting.
Pros
- Free plan: Start with a free plan for one agent, making it accessible for small businesses.
- E-commerce focus: Specialized features for e-commerce stores, including shopping cart visibility and proactive chat.
- Multiple channels: Supports various communication channels, integrating well with social media platforms.
- Targeted engagement: Allows agents to engage with customers based on their behavior and page visits.
Cons
- No built-in ticketing system: Lacks a built-in ticketing system, but integrates with other tools like Help Scout and Slack to manage customer inquiries.
- Limited reporting capabilities: Provides only basic reporting capabilities, which might not be sufficient for larger businesses needing detailed analytics.
5. Hubspot
HubSpot’s free live chat software is part of its comprehensive customer service suite. While it does not offer a live chat-only option, it includes a bundle of customer service tools aimed at improving overall communication and support.
Key features
- Conversational tools: Includes live chat as part of a broader set of tools for customer interaction.
- Post-chat surveys: Collect feedback to improve service quality.
- Canned messages: Predefined canned responses to common queries to save time.
- Chatbot builder: Allows the creation of automated chatbots to handle routine inquiries.
Pricing
- Free Plan: Includes live chat along with email and calling features, making it one of the few free alternatives for businesses on a tight budget.
Pros
- Cost-effective: The free version provides essential communication tools without any cost.
- Comprehensive suite: Includes a range of customer service tools beyond live chat.
Cons
- No standalone live chat option: Live chat is only available as part of the broader customer service suite, which may be more than what some businesses need.
7. Gorgias
Gorgias is an e-commerce helpdesk designed for multi-channel customer service, including live chat, social media, phone, and email.
Key features
- Order management: Agents can recommend products, manage orders, create orders, issue refunds, and perform third-party actions without leaving the helpdesk.
- Custom sidebars: Allows agents to view order information without opening extra tabs and customize the helpdesk to display relevant information from over 65 leading commerce applications.
- Multi-store support: Enables agents to work on one messaging platform while handling inquiries from multiple stores, improving efficiency and resolution times.
Pricing
- Starting Plan: Begins at $60 per month, including 350 tickets per month. All plans come with a free trial option.
Pros
- E-commerce focus: Specialized features tailored for e-commerce, such as order management and custom sidebars.
Cons
- High pricing plans: Starting at $60 per month, it might be higher compared to some other solutions, especially for small businesses with limited budgets.
8. Freshdesk
Freshdesk is a comprehensive customer service software that includes live chat as part of its extensive suite of support tools. Known for providing industry-specific solutions, Freshdesk caters to a variety of sectors.
Key features
- Unified inbox: One inbox for all messages, whether from in-app chat, website chat, Facebook, Messenger, etc.
- AI-powered self-service: Utilize AI-powered chatbots to help customers self-serve.
- Proactive customer service: Engage customers with proactive messages.
Pricing
- Sprout (Free): Basic features to get started, including email and social ticketing, knowledge base, and ticket trend report.
- Blossom ($15 per agent/month): Adds features like custom domain, advanced social integrations, and time-based automation.
- Garden ($29 per agent/month): Includes advanced features like ticket templates, customer satisfaction surveys, and multilingual knowledge bases.
- Estate ($49 per agent/month): Offers comprehensive features including round-robin ticket assignment, multiple time zones, and extensive reporting.
- Forest ($109 per agent/month): Ideal for large operations, includes advanced security features, skill-based ticket assignment, and more.
Pros
- Comprehensive Solution: Provides a wide range of customer service tools, including live chat, all integrated into a single platform.
Cons
- Complexity: The extensive feature set may be overwhelming for small businesses or those with straightforward needs.
- Pricing: While a free plan is available, advanced features come at higher tiers which might be more costly.
9. Tidio
Tidio is a sales-oriented live chat software designed to help small businesses boost sales.
Key features
- Abandoned cart recovery: Agents can prevent cart abandonment by offering real-time discounts to customers.
- Chatbot automation: Automate up to 40% of conversations using over 20 templates or by building custom chatbot flows.
Pricing
- Free Plan: Available to start for free for a limited time, providing basic live chat and chatbot functionalities.
- Paid Plans: Various paid plans are available that offer additional features and greater customization options.
Pros
- Sales-oriented: Specifically designed to enhance sales through features like real-time discounts and cart recovery.
Cons
- Limited free plan: The free plan has limited features and is available only for a restricted time.
- Customization limitations: Some advanced features and customizations may require higher-tier plans.
From Good to Great: Upgrading Your Live Chat Software
While Olark has been a solid choice for many users, there are better live chat alternatives out there.
Throughout this article, we’ve explored various Olark alternatives, highlighting their unique features and benefits. From advanced integrations and automation tools to budget-friendly plans, these options cater to different business needs.
If your team uses popular communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, Social Intents is the perfect Olark alternative.
It seamlessly integrates with your current platforms and offers unlimited agents on most plans, eliminating worries about adding extra team members. This makes it a cost-effective solution for teams needing a hassle-free setup.
Get started with our free 14-day trial and see the difference for yourself.