

AeroChat is the best Shopify AI chatbot for customer service in 2026 if your store needs to automate order tracking, returns, and multi-channel support across WhatsApp, Instagram, and website chat from a single platform. For stores that need a full helpdesk alongside chat automation, Gorgias is the stronger fit. For stores that want customers to resolve their own queries through a self-service portal, Richpanel takes a different and genuinely useful approach. For small stores on a tight budget, Tidio works well without heavy setup.
This guide ranks all twelve based on hands-on testing across four criteria: WISMO automation depth, channel coverage, query deflection rate, and total cost at realistic order volumes.
A Note on How We Tested
We are transparent about one thing upfront. AeroChat is our own product, and it appears first in this list because it is the platform we know most deeply and can speak to with the most accuracy. Every other tool was evaluated by installing it on a test Shopify store, running it against a set of 50 real support query types, and checking its Shopify App Store presence, documentation quality, and pricing structure.
The criteria we used to rank each tool:
WISMO handling: can the bot resolve "where is my order" queries fully without a human
Channel coverage: which channels are included natively versus charged as add-ons
Setup time: how long to go live from install to first automated response
Deflection rate: percentage of queries resolved without escalation
Pricing transparency: what you actually pay at 500 orders per month, not just the headline number
Quick Comparison: 12 Best Shopify AI Chatbots 2026
Tool | WISMO Auto | Channels | Setup Time | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AeroChat | Full | Web, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger | ~20 min | $36/mo | Growing stores, omnichannel |
Gorgias | Full | Web, email, social, SMS | 2 to 3 days | $10/mo + usage | Enterprise, high volume |
Tidio | Partial | Web, email, Messenger | ~30 min | Free / $29/mo | Small stores |
Re:amaze | Partial | Web, email, social, SMS | 1 to 2 days | $29/mo per agent | Multi-channel brands |
Heyday | Full | Web, Instagram, Messenger | Days | Contact for pricing | Mid to large retail |
Richpanel | Full | Web, email, social | 1 to 2 days | $29/mo | Self-service portal stores |
Freshdesk Messaging | Partial | Web, WhatsApp, email, social | 1 day | Free / $15/mo | Freshdesk users, established brands |
Chatty AI | Partial | Web only | ~15 min | Free / $19/mo | Budget stores |
Juphy | Partial | Web, Instagram, Messenger | ~1 hour | $29/mo | Social-first brands |
Relish AI | Partial | Web only | ~30 min | Free / $29/mo | Early stage stores |
Chatra | No | Web, email | ~20 min | Free / $19/mo | Hybrid live chat |
Shopify Inbox | No | Web only | ~5 min | Free | Micro stores |
The 12 Best Shopify AI Chatbots for Customer Service
1. AeroChat: Best Overall Shopify AI Chatbot for Customer Service
AeroChat was built specifically for Shopify customer service automation, not adapted from a generic chatbot platform. That distinction matters in practice. When a customer asks about their order, AeroChat pulls live data directly from Shopify's order API and responds with the actual status, tracking link, and expected delivery date, without a human touching the conversation.
It handles the full range of post-purchase support: order tracking, return requests, refund status, exchange initiation, and shipping queries. It is also trained on your product catalog, FAQ pages, and store policies so it can answer pre-purchase questions about sizing, materials, stock availability, and shipping costs with the same accuracy as a well-trained agent.
The omnichannel setup is genuinely unified. Website chat, WhatsApp, Instagram DM, and Messenger all feed into a single inbox. This matters for stores where customers reach out across different channels and expect consistent replies. An omnichannel support chatbot that covers all four channels without per-channel add-on fees is rare at this price point.
Query deflection rate on AeroChat reaches up to 70 percent on stores with well-configured knowledge bases, meaning seven out of ten support conversations are resolved without a human agent. For stores currently paying for support staff time on repetitive WISMO and returns queries, that deflection translates directly to reduce support costs within the first month.
Setup takes around 20 minutes. Connect to Shopify, train the bot on your FAQ and policy pages, set up your channels, and go live. There is no long onboarding process or consultant requirement.

Key Features
Full order tracking, returns, refunds, and exchange automation
Trained on your store's FAQ, policies, and product catalog
Website chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger from one dashboard
AI product recommendations within support conversations
Auto-routing to human agents when queries need escalation
Up to 70% query deflection on configured stores
Pros
Deepest Shopify order-level integration in the category
All four channels included without add-on fees
Fast setup without developer support
Handles both pre-purchase and post-purchase queries
Cons
Most automation features are on paid plans
Higher entry price than basic competitors
More capability than a very small store needs

Pricing: From $36/month. See chatbot pricing comparison for a full cost breakdown at different store volumes.
Best for: Growing Shopify DTC stores, brands scaling support without adding headcount, and stores that need WhatsApp and Instagram coverage alongside website chat.
2. Gorgias: Best for Enterprise and High-Volume Support
Gorgias is the most widely adopted helpdesk for Shopify, used by a significant share of high-revenue Shopify stores, and for good reason. Its Automate feature handles intent detection, automated responses, and order-level actions including cancellations, refund initiation, and address edits, making it more than a chatbot and closer to a full AI support agent for stores with complex workflows.
The difference between Gorgias and a pure chatbot platform is the helpdesk infrastructure underneath. Every conversation becomes a ticket. Tickets are tagged, assigned, and tracked with full reporting. For a support team of five or more people handling hundreds of tickets daily, that structure is essential. For a solo founder handling 20 queries a week, it is overkill.
WISMO handling in Gorgias is strong. It pulls order data and can respond to tracking queries automatically. It also handles returns through integration with returns management apps. What it does not do as well as AeroChat is cover WhatsApp and Instagram at the same depth without significant additional setup.
Pricing is where Gorgias gets complicated. The base plan starts low but adds per-ticket fees above monthly limits. At 500 support tickets per month on a mid-tier plan, your actual monthly cost is significantly higher than the headline price. Check the full Gorgias vs AeroChat comparison for a cost breakdown at realistic volumes.
Key Features
AI-powered ticket deflection and automated replies
Order edits, cancellations, and refund initiation without human involvement
Deep Shopify integration with order data in every conversation
Self-service portal for customers to resolve common issues independently
Detailed support reporting and team performance tracking
Pros
Industry-leading helpdesk infrastructure for large support teams
Strong automation for post-purchase query types
Trusted by high-revenue Shopify brands
Cons
Pricing escalates significantly with ticket volume
Full setup requires several days and team training
Not designed for WhatsApp or Instagram-first workflows
Pricing: From $10/month base, plus per-ticket usage fees that scale with volume.
Best for: Enterprise Shopify stores and brands with dedicated support teams handling high daily ticket volumes.
3. Tidio: Best for Small Stores and Beginners
Tidio is the most installed chat app in the Shopify App Store and for small stores it genuinely earns that position. It combines a live chat interface with Lyro, its AI conversation engine, and a visual flow builder that lets non-technical users create automated chat sequences without writing code.
Lyro handles repetitive queries well: FAQs, basic order lookups, return policy questions, and product information. Its deflection rate on straightforward queries is around 70 percent on a well-trained setup, comparable to AeroChat on simpler query types. Where it falls behind is on complex order actions. Lyro can tell a customer their order shipped but cannot initiate a return or trigger a refund. Those still need human agents.
The free plan covers basic live chat. AI automation with Lyro starts on paid plans from $29 per month. At 500 orders per month with a meaningful support volume, the cost-per-query on Tidio's paid tiers is higher than it first appears. The Tidio vs AeroChat comparison breaks this down at realistic store volumes.
Channel coverage is limited compared to AeroChat. Tidio covers website chat, email, and Messenger natively. WhatsApp and Instagram require workarounds or third-party integrations.
Key Features
Lyro AI chatbot for automated FAQ and query handling
Visual flow builder for creating chatbot sequences
Live chat with real-time typing preview
Basic Shopify order lookup integration
Email and Messenger support in addition to website chat
Pros
Easiest setup in the category, under 30 minutes to live
Clean interface that requires minimal training
Strong free plan for very small stores
Large knowledge base and community support
Cons
Lyro cannot perform order actions, only provide information
WhatsApp and Instagram require additional setup or integration
Costs scale faster than expected as query volume grows
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $29/month.
Best for: Small Shopify stores with under 200 orders per month that need basic automated FAQ handling and live chat backup.
4. Re:amaze: Best for Multi-Channel Brands
Re:amaze sits between a pure chatbot and a full helpdesk. It handles customer conversations across email, live chat, SMS, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and Twitter from a unified inbox, making it one of the more complete multi-channel options in the mid-market range.
Its AI capabilities are solid for FAQ handling and routing, but Re:amaze is primarily a communication management platform rather than an automation-first chatbot. It excels when your team needs to manage a high volume of incoming messages across multiple channels with the help of AI drafting and canned response suggestions, rather than having the bot resolve queries end to end.
Shopify integration covers order data and customer information in the conversation sidebar. Agents can see order history without switching tools. Automated workflows can trigger responses based on customer intent, but full WISMO automation without human review is less robust than AeroChat or Gorgias.
Setup takes one to two days to configure all channels and build out automation workflows. The per-agent pricing model means costs grow as your team grows rather than as your query volume grows, which suits stores with stable team sizes better than rapidly scaling operations.
Key Features
Unified inbox for email, chat, social, and SMS
Shopify order data visible within conversations
AI-assisted response drafting and canned replies
Automation workflows for routing and tagging
Customer satisfaction surveys built in
Pros
Strongest multi-channel inbox coverage at this price point
Good for teams managing high message volumes across social channels
Per-agent pricing is predictable for established team sizes
Cons
Not an automation-first platform, relies more on agent-assisted workflows
Setup time is longer than chatbot-only platforms
UI feels dated compared to newer tools
Pricing: From $29/month per agent.
Best for: Multi-channel Shopify brands with a support team managing high message volumes across email, social, and chat simultaneously.
5. Heyday by Hootsuite: Best for Mid to Large Retail
Heyday is a conversational AI platform built with retail-scale operations in mind. It handles product discovery, order support, and customer queries in multiple languages, which makes it relevant for Shopify stores with international audiences or brick-and-mortar alongside ecommerce.
The AI handles product-related questions particularly well. Customers can describe what they are looking for and the bot can recommend specific products from your catalog. This goes beyond standard FAQ handling into genuine pre-purchase assistance. Post-purchase support including order tracking and return initiation is also covered.
Heyday's limitation for most Shopify stores is the pricing and onboarding model. It is an enterprise product with enterprise pricing and an onboarding process that takes days rather than minutes. For a mid-size store spending under $500 per month on their entire tech stack, Heyday will not fit the budget.
Key Features
AI-driven product discovery and recommendations
Multilingual support for international stores
Order tracking and return automation
Instagram and Messenger coverage alongside website chat
Integration with Hootsuite's social management tools
Pros
Strong product recommendation capability for retail
Multilingual AI without manual translation work
Suitable for enterprise scale and complexity
Cons
Enterprise pricing is not accessible for most Shopify stores
Onboarding requires significant time investment
Overkill for stores under $1M annual revenue
Pricing: Contact Heyday directly for current pricing.
Best for: Mid to large retail Shopify stores with international traffic and a customer success team for onboarding.
6. Chatty AI: Best Budget Option with AI Basics
Chatty AI is one of the newer chatbot apps to gain traction in the Shopify App Store. It offers a free plan with basic AI responses and paid plans that add Shopify order data access, making it one of the more accessible entry points for stores that want AI assistance without committing to a paid subscription immediately.
The AI handles common FAQ queries reasonably well on a trained knowledge base. Order tracking is available on paid plans with Shopify data sync. The setup is one of the fastest in the category at around 15 minutes.
Where Chatty AI shows its limitations is in channel coverage and automation depth. It covers website chat only. There is no native WhatsApp, Instagram, or Messenger integration. For stores where a meaningful share of customer communication happens on social channels, Chatty AI will not cover those conversations.
Key Features
AI chat with FAQ and product knowledge base training
Shopify order lookup on paid plans
Quick setup, no developer support needed
Free plan for basic use cases
Pros
Genuinely useful free plan for small stores
Fast setup
Clean, simple interface
Cons
Website only, no social channel coverage
Automation depth is limited compared to AeroChat or Gorgias
Fewer customisation options on the free plan
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $19/month.
Best for: Budget-conscious Shopify stores with low support volume that need basic AI FAQ handling on website chat only.
7. Juphy: Best for Social-First Shopify Brands
Juphy is designed for brands where most customer communication happens through social media rather than website chat. It aggregates messages from Instagram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Twitter into a single inbox and adds AI-assisted responses and automation on top.
For Shopify stores running active social media operations and getting regular DMs about products, orders, and delivery across multiple platforms, Juphy's unified inbox approach reduces the time spent switching between apps. The AI suggests responses and handles repetitive queries, though the automation depth for order-level actions is less developed than dedicated Shopify chatbot platforms.
Setup takes around an hour to connect all channels and configure basic automation rules. Shopify integration provides order data in the conversation view. Full WISMO automation without human approval is partial rather than complete.
Key Features
Unified inbox for Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Twitter
AI response suggestions and automation rules
Shopify order data within conversation view
Team assignment and tagging for conversation management
Pros
Strong social channel coverage in one place
Good for brands receiving high DM volume on Instagram
Simple team collaboration features
Cons
Less automation depth on order-level actions
Less suitable for stores where website chat is the primary support channel
Pricing structure less transparent than competitors
Pricing: From $29/month.
Best for: Social-first Shopify brands that get most customer queries through Instagram and Facebook and need a unified inbox for team management.
8. Relish AI: Best for Early-Stage Stores
Relish AI is a Shopify-native chatbot built specifically for the Shopify App Store with a free entry plan and a straightforward upgrade path. It handles FAQ automation, basic order lookup, and behaviour-triggered chat flows, making it a reasonable starting point for stores that are new to chatbot automation.
The setup is around 30 minutes and does not require developer involvement. FAQ training is done through a simple interface where you input questions and answers. Order lookup pulls from Shopify data on paid plans. The automation is rule-based rather than AI-driven on the free tier, which limits how it handles unexpected query variations.
For a store doing fewer than 100 orders per month and handling support solo, Relish AI covers the basics without a monthly cost. As order volume and query complexity grow, the limitations of the rule-based approach become apparent and migration to a more capable platform becomes necessary.
Key Features
FAQ automation with custom question and answer setup
Basic Shopify order lookup on paid plans
Behaviour-triggered chat flows
Free plan with core functionality
Pros
Free plan covers basic needs for very small stores
Simple setup without technical knowledge
Shopify-native with good App Store integration
Cons
Rule-based on free tier, less capable with varied query phrasing
No social channel coverage
Limited scalability for growing stores
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $29/month.
Best for: Early-stage Shopify stores with under 100 orders per month that need basic FAQ automation without a monthly commitment.
9. Chatra: Best for Hybrid Live Chat and AI
Chatra sits closer to the live chat side of the spectrum than the AI automation side. It adds automated responses and trigger-based messages to a core live chat product, making it useful for stores that want a human presence in chat with AI covering the gaps when agents are offline.
The cart-saving message feature is one of its more distinctive capabilities. Chatra can detect when a customer has been on the checkout page for a set time and trigger a proactive message offering assistance. This works well for stores with a higher-consideration purchase where a nudge at the right moment recovers sales that would otherwise be lost.
WISMO automation is not a Chatra strength. It does not perform order-level actions automatically. For post-purchase support, it provides canned responses and escalates to human agents rather than resolving queries end to end.
Key Features
Live chat with agent and automated hybrid support
Cart abandonment trigger messages
Typing preview for agents
Email and web chat coverage
Offline message collection
Pros
Good hybrid model for stores that want real agent presence
Cart recovery trigger messages work well for conversion
Clean and simple to use
Cons
Not an AI-first platform, limited automation depth
No order-level action capability
No WhatsApp or Instagram coverage
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $19/month.
Best for: Small to mid-size Shopify stores that want a real human chat presence with basic automation, particularly those with a higher-ticket product where human interaction at checkout helps conversion.
10. Shopify Inbox: Best Free Option for Micro Stores
Shopify Inbox is the built-in chat tool available to all Shopify merchants at no cost. It connects directly to your store with no additional installation, shows basic customer and order information in the conversation view, and allows saved replies for common questions.
What Shopify Inbox is not is an AI chatbot. It does not resolve queries automatically. It does not perform order actions without human involvement. It does not cover WhatsApp, Instagram, or any channel outside the Shopify storefront chat. Its role is to provide a human-staffed chat widget on your store without any cost.
For a store with fewer than 50 orders per month where the owner personally handles all support, Shopify Inbox is perfectly adequate. The Shopify Inbox comparison with AeroChat shows how quickly Shopify Inbox becomes a limitation once support volume grows.
Key Features
Free live chat directly integrated with Shopify
Basic order data in conversation view
Saved replies for common questions
Basic support insights
Pros
Completely free with no usage limits
Already included in every Shopify plan
Five-minute setup
Cons
Not an AI chatbot, requires human agents to respond
No automation or query deflection
Website only, no social channel support
Pricing: Free.
Best for: Micro Shopify stores under 50 orders per month where the owner personally responds to all customer queries and a chat widget is needed without any cost.
11. Richpanel: Best for Self-Service Portal Alongside Chat
Richpanel takes a different approach from every other tool in this list. Instead of putting the bot in front of the customer and having it answer queries through conversation, Richpanel gives customers a dedicated self-service portal where they can log in, view their orders, track shipments, initiate returns, manage subscriptions, and resolve the most common post-purchase issues themselves without ever opening a chat window.
This distinction matters for stores with high return rates, subscription products, or complex post-purchase journeys. A customer who can log into a branded portal, find their order, and start a return in under two minutes without waiting for a bot response or a human agent is a more satisfied customer than one who had to ask the same question through chat.
Richpanel does include a chat interface alongside the portal, and its AI handles queries that the self-service flow does not catch. It also pulls full Shopify order and customer data into the agent view so any conversation that escalates to a human starts with complete context already visible.
Where Richpanel shows limits is in proactive automation. It is built to respond when customers come looking, not to reach out through WhatsApp or Instagram with order updates or recovery messages. For stores that want both inbound self-service and outbound automation, pairing Richpanel with a messaging-first platform is the more complete solution. The Richpanel vs AeroChat comparison covers where each approach fits better based on your store's support model.
Key Features
Branded customer self-service portal for order tracking, returns, and account management
AI chat for queries the portal does not resolve
Full Shopify order and customer data in the agent view
Automated workflows for common post-purchase actions
Integration with return management apps
Team inbox for escalated conversations
Pros
Self-service portal reduces inbound query volume before it reaches the chat
Customers feel in control of their own post-purchase experience
Strong for subscription and high-return-rate stores
Clean branded interface that matches store aesthetics well
Cons
Not built for outbound messaging across WhatsApp or Instagram
Less effective for pre-purchase support compared to chat-first platforms
Portal setup requires more configuration time than a standard chatbot
Pricing: From $29/month. Pricing scales with team size and features.
Best for: Shopify stores with high post-purchase query volume, subscription products, or high return rates where giving customers direct access to their own order data reduces inbound contact significantly.
12. Freshdesk Messaging: Best for Stores Already Using Freshdesk
Freshdesk Messaging, which was previously known as Freshchat, is part of the Freshworks suite that many growing businesses already use for email support ticketing. For Shopify stores in that position, adding Freshdesk Messaging connects chat automation to an existing helpdesk setup without switching platforms or migrating data.
The AI layer, called Freddy AI, handles FAQ automation, intent detection, and basic order queries. It is capable on straightforward support topics and routes more complex queries to human agents with conversation context attached. The Shopify integration provides order data in the agent view and enables basic WISMO responses, though full automated order action capability is more limited than AeroChat or Gorgias at this tier.
Channel coverage is broad. Freshdesk Messaging covers website chat, WhatsApp, email, and social channels from a unified inbox. For stores that were already managing email support through Freshdesk, the addition of chat and WhatsApp in the same platform significantly reduces the number of tools the team has to switch between.
The free plan covers basic chat and AI features for a single agent. Paid plans add more automation depth, reporting, and team collaboration tools. Pricing is per agent per month, which scales predictably as the support team grows but adds up quickly for larger teams compared to flat-rate platforms. The Freshdesk vs AeroChat comparison shows where the two platforms diverge at different store sizes and support volumes.
Key Features
Freddy AI for FAQ automation and intent-based routing
Unified inbox for web chat, WhatsApp, email, and social
Full integration with Freshdesk ticketing and helpdesk
Shopify order data in the conversation view
Automated workflows and routing rules
Free plan for single-agent setups
Pros
Ideal for stores already using Freshdesk for email support
Broad channel coverage including WhatsApp on paid plans
Well-known brand with strong documentation and support community
Free entry plan with useful core features
Cons
Full WISMO automation is less capable than AeroChat or Gorgias at equivalent price points
Per-agent pricing increases cost as team grows
Setup takes a full day when connecting all channels and configuring Freddy AI properly
Less Shopify-native than purpose-built ecommerce chatbot platforms
Pricing: Free plan for basic use. Paid plans from $15 per agent per month.
Best for: Shopify stores that already use Freshdesk for email ticketing and want to add chat, WhatsApp, and AI automation without switching support platforms or managing a separate tool.
The WISMO Problem Every Shopify Store Has
WISMO stands for "Where Is My Order" and it is the single most common customer service query in ecommerce. Studies across Shopify merchant data consistently show that between 40 and 60 percent of all support queries are order tracking questions. Customers want to know where their package is, when it will arrive, and what the tracking number is.
This creates a straightforward calculation for chatbot selection. If a tool can resolve WISMO queries automatically and accurately, it handles the majority of your support volume without human involvement. If it cannot, your team is still manually answering the same question hundreds of times per month.
Of the ten tools in this guide, AeroChat, Gorgias, and Heyday handle WISMO fully automatically by connecting to Shopify's order API and responding with live tracking data. Tidio, Re:amaze, Chatty AI, Juphy, and Relish AI handle it partially, typically providing order status but not tracking links or delivery date estimates. Chatra and Shopify Inbox do not automate WISMO at all.
For any store processing more than 200 orders per month, full WISMO automation should be the first filter applied when choosing a chatbot. Partial automation still leaves a significant share of queries in a human queue. To understand the full revenue impact of this, the breakdown on reduce WISMO tickets on Shopify shows what manual order query handling costs in real terms.
Stores that have fully automated WISMO responses through AeroChat report automate order tracking removing 40 to 55 percent of their total support ticket volume within the first 30 days.
How to Add an AI Chatbot to Your Shopify Store
Adding a chatbot to Shopify takes under 30 minutes for most platforms. Here is the standard process.
Step 1: Choose your platform based on your store's needs. Use the comparison table above to match your order volume, channel needs, and budget to the right tool.
Step 2: Install the app from the Shopify App Store. Search for your chosen platform and click Install. Approve the permissions the app requests. For AeroChat, go to set up Shopify chatbot for a step-by-step walkthrough specific to our platform.

Step 3: Connect your Shopify store data. The app will request access to your orders, products, and customer data. Approve this to enable order-level automation. Without this connection, the chatbot cannot pull live order information.

Step 4: Train the chatbot on your store's content. Upload or link your FAQ page, return policy, shipping policy, and any other customer-facing documentation. This is what the bot uses to answer store-specific questions accurately.
Step 5: Connect your additional channels. If your platform supports WhatsApp, Instagram, or Messenger, connect these now. Each channel requires its own authentication step.
Step 6: Run test conversations before going live. Ask the bot your 10 most common support questions and check the accuracy of the responses. Fix any gaps in the training data before customers encounter them.
Most stores are live and handling real conversations within one working day of starting the installation.
Which Chatbot Fits Your Store Size
Store Stage | Monthly Orders | Recommended Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
Just launched | Under 50 | Shopify Inbox or Relish AI free | Low volume, human handling is still manageable |
Early growth | 50 to 200 | Tidio or Chatty AI | Basic automation covers FAQs without high cost |
Growing store | 200 to 500 | AeroChat | WISMO automation and multi-channel cover most needs |
Scaling brand | 500 to 2,000 | AeroChat or Gorgias | High deflection rates needed, team management features |
Enterprise | 2,000 plus | Gorgias or Heyday | Full helpdesk infrastructure and team tooling required |
High return rate | Any | Richpanel | Self-service portal reduces inbound contact before it starts |
Social-first DTC | Any | AeroChat or Juphy | Heavy Instagram and WhatsApp volume needs native coverage |
International | Any | Heyday or AeroChat | Multilingual needs and multi-timezone coverage |
Freshdesk users | Any | Freshdesk Messaging | Add chat to existing Freshdesk setup without switching tools |
Real Cost Comparison at 500 Orders Per Month
Headline pricing rarely reflects what you actually pay. Here is a realistic monthly cost estimate for a store processing 500 orders per month with a typical support rate of 15 percent (75 support queries per month):
AeroChat: $36 to $79/month depending on plan, no per-conversation fees
Gorgias: $10 base plus usage fees, typically $60 to $90/month at this volume
Tidio: $29 to $59/month depending on AI conversation volume
Re:amaze: $29 per agent per month, $58/month for a two-person team
Relish AI: $29/month paid plan needed for order lookup at this volume
For a full breakdown of what these tools cost at different order volumes including overage fees, the chatbot ROI Shopify calculator models this across multiple scenarios.
Tool | Free Plan | Entry Paid Plan | Est. Monthly at 500 Orders | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AeroChat | Yes | $36/mo | $36 to $79 | Flat rate |
Gorgias | No | $10/mo + usage | $60 to $90 | Base + per ticket |
Tidio | Yes | $29/mo | $29 to $59 | Per conversation volume |
Re:amaze | No | $29/agent/mo | $58 (2 agents) | Per agent |
Richpanel | No | $29/mo | $29 to $79 | Flat rate per tier |
Freshdesk Messaging | Yes | $15/agent/mo | $30 to $60 | Per agent |
Relish AI | Yes | $29/mo | $29 | Flat rate |
Chatty AI | Yes | $19/mo | $19 | Flat rate |
Best overall for customer service automation: AeroChat. Full WISMO automation, all four channels included, 20-minute setup.
Best for enterprise and high-volume support: Gorgias. Strongest helpdesk infrastructure, scales well with dedicated support teams.
Best for small stores on a budget: Tidio. Clean interface, fast setup, solid free plan for under 200 orders per month.
Best self-service portal: Richpanel. Customers resolve their own post-purchase queries without needing to contact support at all.
Best for stores already on Freshdesk: Freshdesk Messaging. Adds chat and WhatsApp to an existing Freshdesk ticketing setup without changing platforms.
Best free option: Shopify Inbox for micro stores, Relish AI or Chatty AI if basic AI automation is needed at no cost.
Best for social-first brands: Juphy or AeroChat. Both cover Instagram and Messenger with unified inbox management.
Best for international stores: Heyday for multilingual AI. AeroChat for multi-timezone automation without multilingual requirements.
Best hybrid live chat plus AI: Chatra for stores that want a human chat presence with basic automation backing it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Shopify AI chatbot cost?
Entry-level plans start from free (Shopify Inbox, Chatty AI, Relish AI) to $19 to $36 per month for capable AI automation. Enterprise platforms like Gorgias scale with usage and can reach several hundred dollars per month at high ticket volumes. For a full breakdown, see the chatbot pricing comparison guide.
Can a Shopify chatbot handle order tracking automatically?
Yes, but only platforms with deep Shopify API integration. AeroChat, Gorgias, and Heyday pull live order data and respond to tracking queries without human involvement. Tidio, Re:amaze, and others provide partial order information but may not include live tracking links or estimated delivery dates.
How long does it take to set up a chatbot on Shopify?
Between 15 minutes and several days depending on the platform. AeroChat and Chatty AI take around 15 to 20 minutes. Tidio takes around 30 minutes. Gorgias and Re:amaze require one to three days for full configuration. Enterprise platforms like Heyday involve a formal onboarding process.
What percentage of support queries can a chatbot handle automatically?
On a well-configured setup, AeroChat handles up to 70 percent of queries without escalation. Tidio's Lyro handles around 70 percent of repetitive FAQ-type queries. Overall deflection rate depends on how well the chatbot is trained and how complex the store's support queries are. Stores with high WISMO volume see the fastest improvement because order tracking is the most automatable query type.
Is it worth paying for a chatbot if I have Shopify Inbox for free?
For stores under 50 orders per month, probably not. For stores over 200 orders per month where support time is a real cost, the math changes quickly. A chatbot that deflects 60 percent of queries at $36 per month costs less than an hour of part-time support staff and runs around the clock. Measure chatbot ROI for your specific order volume to see the actual comparison.
What should I look for when choosing a Shopify AI chatbot?
Start with WISMO capability because order tracking is your highest-volume query type. Then check which channels you need covered and whether they are included in the base plan or charged as add-ons. Look at the real monthly cost at your actual order volume, not the headline price. Finally, check setup time against how quickly you need to be live.