Looking for the best live chat apps for Shopify? The right tool can increase conversions, reduce support workload, recover abandoned carts, and improve customer experience — all at the same time.
In 2026, live chat isn’t just about answering questions. The best Shopify chat apps combine:
AI automation
Cart recovery
Order tracking
Omnichannel messaging
Sales optimisation
9 Best Live Chat Apps for Shopify
Below are the 9 best live chat apps for Shopify, ranked by ecommerce performance with AeroChat at #1 for AI-powered growth.
1. AeroChat — Best AI Live Chat App for Shopify (Sales + Automation)
AeroChat ranks first because it goes beyond basic live chat.
Instead of relying entirely on human agents, AeroChat uses AI to automate conversations and drive revenue.
Why AeroChat Is #1 for Shopify Stores
AI-powered product recommendations
Automated order tracking
Cart recovery conversations
24/7 instant responses
Omnichannel support (WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, website)
Reduces repetitive customer questions
If slow replies are hurting your conversions, see the hidden cost of slow replies on Shopify.
If your team is overwhelmed, learn how to scale Shopify support without hiring.
For stores dealing with “Where is my order?” messages, AeroChat helps reduce WISMO tickets and automate order tracking.
Best for: Growth-focused Shopify brands that want conversion + automation.
2. Tidio — Popular Shopify Live Chat App
Tidio offers live chat with basic chatbot automation.
Pros:
Easy setup
Affordable pricing
Basic AI features
Limitations:
Less ecommerce automation
Limited advanced sales workflows
Best for: Small Shopify stores.
3. Shopify Inbox — Native Shopify Chat
Shopify provides Shopify Inbox as its built-in messaging solution.
Pros:
Free
Native Shopify integration
Simple interface
Limitations:
Limited automation
No advanced AI sales flows
If comparing tools, see Shopify Inbox vs AeroChat comparison.
Best for: Basic support needs.
4. Gorgias — Support-Focused Chat Tool
Gorgias is built more for help desk than sales.
Pros:
Strong ticketing
Shopify integration
Good automation rules
Limitations:
Expensive
Less focused on conversion
For deeper comparison, explore Gorgias vs AeroChat.
Best for: Support-heavy stores.
5. Intercom — Enterprise Messaging
Intercom offers AI chat + automation.
Pros:
Advanced automation
CRM integration
Strong AI features
Limitations:
Higher pricing
Complex setup
Best for: Enterprise Shopify brands.
6. Zendesk Chat — Large Team Support
Zendesk is powerful but support-oriented.
Pros:
Advanced ticketing
Omnichannel support
Limitations:
Less sales automation
Costly
Best for: Large support teams.
7. Tawk.to — Free Shopify Live Chat App
Tawk.to offers free live chat.
Pros:
Free forever
Unlimited agents
Limitations:
No advanced AI
Manual-heavy
Best for: Budget stores.
8. Crisp — Multichannel Chat Platform
Crisp offers chat + inbox.
Pros:
Shared inbox
Omnichannel support
Limitations:
Limited ecommerce automation
Best for: Brands managing multiple channels.
9. Smartsupp — Chat + Visitor Tracking
Smartsupp includes visitor recording features.
Pros:
Chat widget
Visitor behaviour insights
Limitations:
Basic AI
Limited sales automation
Best for: Analytics-focused stores.
Comparison Table: Best Live Chat Apps for Shopify (2026)
App | AI Automation | Cart Recovery | Order Tracking | Omnichannel | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AeroChat | Advanced | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sales + automation |
Tidio | Moderate | Limited | No | Partial | Small stores |
Shopify Inbox | Basic | No | No | No | Simple support |
Gorgias | Moderate | Limited | Yes | Yes | Support teams |
Intercom | Advanced | Limited | Yes | Yes | Enterprise |
Zendesk | Moderate | No | Yes | Yes | Large teams |
Tawk.to | Basic | No | No | No | Free option |
Crisp | Basic | No | No | Yes | Multichannel inbox |
Smartsupp | Basic | No | No | No | Visitor tracking |
How Live Chat Improves Shopify Conversions
Live chat increases conversions by:
Reducing hesitation
Answering pre-sale questions
Improving response time
Recovering abandoned carts
If you want to reduce drop-offs, see reduce cart abandonment with instant replies.
If your store handles too many repetitive questions, consider reduce repetitive customer questions.
What to Look for in a Shopify Live Chat App
Before choosing, consider:
Does it automate repetitive questions?
Does it integrate with Shopify orders?
Can it recover carts?
Does it provide 24/7 support?
Can it scale during traffic spikes?
If your store struggles with message overload, learn how to manage message overload on Shopify.
Final Verdict
If you want:
Basic chat → Shopify Inbox or Tawk.to
Support-focused system → Gorgias
Enterprise automation → Intercom
AI-driven sales + automation → AeroChat
AeroChat ranks best because it combines live chat, AI automation, sales optimisation, and ecommerce workflows in one system.
In 2026, the best Shopify live chat app doesn’t just reply.
It converts.