Shopify stores are no longer competing on products alone.
They compete on speed, automation, and customer experience.
The right Shopify AI assistant can:
Reduce repetitive support tickets
Automate order tracking
Prevent cart abandonment
Recommend products
Increase average order value
Provide 24/7 customer support
But not all AI assistants are built the same.
Some focus on simple FAQ automation.
Others are built for proactive revenue growth.
In this guide, we compare the 9 best Shopify AI assistants in 2026, starting with the platform designed specifically for proactive ecommerce automation.
Shopify AI assistants Quick Comparison Table
AI Assistant | Best For | Proactive Triggers | Order Automation | Revenue Focus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AeroChat | Proactive ecommerce automation | Yes | Full | Yes | Strong |
Tidio | Small stores | Limited | Basic | Limited | Moderate |
Gorgias | Helpdesk automation | Minimal | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
Intercom | SaaS brands | Moderate | Limited | Limited | Moderate |
Zendesk AI | Enterprise | Low | Yes | Yes | Low |
Re:amaze | Multi-channel support | Limited | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
Heyday | Conversational retail | Moderate | Yes | No | Moderate |
Shopify Inbox | Native Shopify chat | No | No | No | Low |
Chatfuel | Social automation | Limited | No | Yes | Low |
Now let’s break them down.
10 Best Shopify AI assistants in 2026 to choose from
1. AeroChat – Best Shopify AI Assistant for Proactive Automation
AeroChat is built specifically for Shopify stores that want proactive support and revenue-focused automation.
Most Shopify AI chatbots react.
AeroChat prevents friction.
If you are unfamiliar with the proactive model, the explanation in what proactive customer support means shows why behaviour-based systems outperform reactive chatbots.
Why AeroChat Leads
AeroChat combines:
Behaviour-based triggers
Shopify-native order integration
Automated tracking
AI-powered product recommendations
Cart abandonment intervention
WhatsApp automation
Omnichannel messaging
For example, stores can automate order tracking on Shopify.
Instead of manually answering tracking questions.
Checkout hesitation can be addressed using instant reply triggers:
That directly increases conversion.
Best For
Growing Shopify brands
DTC stores scaling traffic
Merchants wanting proactive automation
2. Tidio – Entry-Level Shopify AI Assistant
Tidio is popular among smaller stores.
It offers:
Live chat
Basic chatbot flows
Simple automation
However, it is mostly reactive.
Many merchants comparing Tidio vs advanced ecommerce AI eventually upgrade when behavioural triggers become necessary.
Best for:
Small stores
Low message volume
Simple FAQ automation
3. Gorgias – Support-Focused Shopify Automation
Gorgias is more of a helpdesk tool with Shopify integration.
It centralizes:
Email
Social messages
Support tickets
It is strong for organizing support but not deeply proactive.
Many ecommerce brands compare helpdesk tools vs proactive AI automation before scaling.
Best for:
Support-heavy stores
Multi-agent teams
4. Intercom – Conversational AI for SaaS and Hybrid Stores
Intercom is powerful but built primarily for SaaS.
Shopify stores may require customization for full ecommerce functionality.
For ecommerce-native comparison, see: intercom vs aerochat.
Intercom works well for:
SaaS businesses
Hybrid subscription models
5. Zendesk AI – Enterprise-Level Automation
Zendesk AI focuses on ticket classification and enterprise workflows.
It is reactive in design.
Best for:
Large enterprises
Corporate workflows
Not ideal for conversion-driven DTC stores.
6. Re:amaze – Multi-Channel Helpdesk
Re:amaze integrates with Shopify and supports:
Email
Chat
Social messaging
It offers basic automation but limited behavioural triggers.
Best for:
Brands prioritizing helpdesk organization
7. Heyday – Conversational Retail Automation
Heyday is built for retail chat experiences.
It supports conversational selling but may lack deep Shopify-native automation compared to dedicated ecommerce AI platforms.
Best for:
Mid-size retail stores
8. Shopify Inbox – Native but Limited
Shopify Inbox is Shopify’s built-in chat tool.
It offers:
Basic messaging
No proactive triggers
No deep AI
It is free but limited.
Best for:
New Shopify stores
9. Chatfuel – Social Media AI Automation
Chatfuel focuses on:
Messenger
Social automation
Basic AI responses
It is not Shopify-native.
Best for:
Social-first businesses
What Makes the Best Shopify AI Assistant?
The best Shopify AI assistant should include:
Behaviour-based triggers
Automated order tracking
Product data integration
WhatsApp automation
Cart abandonment intervention
AI-powered recommendations
Human escalation
Without these, you are simply installing reactive chat.
Proactive vs Reactive Shopify AI Assistants
Reactive assistants wait.
Proactive assistants detect behaviour.
If you want a breakdown of reactive systems, Reactive systems handle tickets.
Proactive systems reduce ticket creation.
Revenue Impact of AI Assistants
The best Shopify AI assistants do not just reduce support workload.
They:
Increase conversion
Improve AOV
Prevent abandonment
Improve response speed
Reduce staffing pressure
Stores using AI chatbots to increase average order value see measurable revenue improvement.
Support becomes a sales channel.
When Should You Upgrade to a Proactive AI Assistant?
Upgrade if:
Message volume is increasing
Checkout abandonment is rising
Support workload is overwhelming
Customers prefer WhatsApp
You want 24/7 coverage
If you want WhatsApp automation specifically.
Final Verdict
If you need basic messaging, Shopify Inbox or Tidio may be enough.
If you need helpdesk organization, Gorgias or Zendesk may fit.
If you want proactive automation that:
Reduces tickets
Prevents cart abandonment
Automates tracking
Increases revenue
Scales with growth
AeroChat stands out as the most complete Shopify AI assistant.
The right choice depends on your growth stage.
But for ecommerce brands serious about automation-driven growth, proactive AI is no longer optional.
It is infrastructure.