SMB Guide content and reviews are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

7 Best Ada Alternatives & Competitors

Fed up with Ada chatbot's lack of transparent pricing? Here are the 7 best Ada alternatives to consider, based on thorough research and testing.

Best Overall
Best for Ecommerce
Best for Marketing
4.8
4.5
4.2

LiveChat is a complete customer service platform that delights your customers and fuels your sales.

Tidio is an all-in-one customer service platform for SMBs.

Connect with your website visitors in real time to convert new leads, close more deals.

Best Overall
4.8

LiveChat is a complete customer service platform that delights your customers and fuels your sales.

Best for Ecommerce
4.5

Tidio is an all-in-one customer service platform for SMBs.

Best for Marketing
4.2

Connect with your website visitors in real time to convert new leads, close more deals.

Skeptical about Ada’s data privacy practices and hidden pricing? Try these 7 best Ada alternatives that we have picked after testing and ranking them.

LiveChat is our pick for the best alternative because it’s an all-inclusive support service solution.

However, how do the other 6 softwares compare? Let’s find out.

1. LiveChat

LiveChat homepage

Best for: E-commerce platforms looking to automate lead generation through chatbots.

Pricing: $20/user/mo – $59/user/mo

Pros

14-day free trial

200+ integrations

Omnichannel messaging

Great user experience

Cons

Slow load times

Mobile app needs improvement

LiveChat is a customer service software providing omnichannel messaging and automation for lead generation.

Features

  • Message sneak peek – Agents can view what the customer is typing in the chat before they send the message. It is a handy feature allowing agents to research and respond to the query accurately.
  • Team management – As a team leader, you can create and categorize several team member accounts, assigning agents depending on expertise. It helps the teams be more efficient in assisting customers with their queries.
  • Integrations – Teams will find an extensive integration stack on LiveChat with 200+ systems. They include communication and e-commerce systems like Shopify, WhatsApp, and Zoom.
  • Chat widget – The chat widget is customizable; an agent can add a human touch to it by adding their photo and name. LiveChat also has a live editor that an agent can use to tweak the color, theme, and live chat widget position.

LiveChat vs. Ada

CriteriaLiveChatAda
Best ForSmall enterprises seeking flexibility and a powerful live chat platformTeams looking for a code-free chatbot
Standout FeatureAI-powered chatbot200+ Integrations
Pricing$20/user/mo – $59/user/moRequest a quote

Conclusion

LiveChat provides e-commerce and sales teams with a complete platform to fuel sales. Its sales and e-commerce integration are what make it stand out.

Sign up to LiveChat for free today!

Try LiveChat for free

2. Tidio

tidio homepage

Best for: Service teams looking to convert more leads and provide exceptional support.

Pricing: Free – $499/mo

Pros

Free forever plan

30+ integrations

Easy-to-use interface

AI customer service platform

Cons

Lack of reporting

Inconsistent notifications

Tidio is a customer service platform that uses AI chatbots to provide support through the help desk and live chat.

Features

  • Integrations – Tidio has an extensive stack of integrations with CMSs, e-commerce, and CRMs. They include WordPress, Shopify, Mailchimp, WooCommerce, and more.
  • Lyro AI – Tidio uses Lyro AI to automate over 70% of customer inquiry responses on the live chat. The Lyro AI uses ML to analyze customer inquiries and generate relevant responses from the knowledge base.
  • Chatbot templates – An agent can choose from the 35+ pre-made templates to create an FAQ or survey. The chatbot can help in lead generation and engaging inactive customers.
  • Tracking and analytics – Tidio supports tracking of conversations and provides analytics that gives insight into performance.

Tidio vs. Ada

CriteriaTidioAda
Best ForEcommerce businessesTeams looking for a code-free chatbot
Standout FeatureCustom chatbots200+ Integrations
PricingFree – $499/moRequest a quote

Conclusion

Tidio’s customizable chatbots accelerate growth and lead generation. The help desk and live chat make it deliver support in real-time and keep track of actionable analytics.

Get started with Tidio for free today!

Try Tidio for free

3. HubSpot Live Chat

HubSpot Live Chat homepage

Best for: Small teams looking to use a live chat for inbound marketing.

Pricing: Free – $90/user/mo

Pros

Free forever plan

Library of integrations

Automated customer support

Access to HubSpot product suite

Cons

Steep learning curve

Higher pricing for better features

HubSpot Live Chat is a live chat platform on HubSpot that allows users to engage with clients in real time.

Features

  • Shared inbox – The software allows an agent to create a shared team email for each inbox. You can also add rules to incoming emails to route them to team members or create a ticket.
  • Chat widget – It is compatible with mobile and desktop browsers. Customizing has limitations in the free plan. However, upgrading lets agents remove HubSpot branding and change the widget color.
  • Bot Automation – The chatbot automates sending replies to customer inquiries. It also prompts a chat with a visitor by displaying a “Hi, thanks for messaging us” message.
  • Integrations – The platform integrates seamlessly with the HubSpot products, including the CRM. Users can also integrate tools like Slack that help in seamless communication.

HubSpot Live Chat vs. Ada

CriteriaHubSpot Live ChatAda
Best ForMedium to large sized businessesTeams looking for a code-free chatbot
Standout FeatureFree chat builder200+ Integrations
PricingFree – $90/user/moRequest a quote

Conclusion

Service teams looking to capture leads and convert them through a live chat will find Hubspot Live valuable. Its shared inbox and chatbots are its standout features.

Try HubSpot Live Chat today!

Try HubSpot Live Chat for free

4. LivePerson

LivePerson homepage

Best for: Mid to large teams looking to use AI to automate calls, messages and improve productivity.

Pricing: Request a quote

Pros

Multiple AI products

Great customer support

Easy to track responses

Integrates with other apps

Cons

Must request pricing

No mobile apps

LivePerson is a conversational platform that uses AI to help businesses automate customer support and engagement at scale.

Features

  • Self-service – It provides self-service tools like a live chat that shares knowledge base articles with the customers. It is a handy feature that enhances automation and fast delivery of responses.
  • Service legal agreements (SLA) – LivePerson provides SLAs in the messaging conversations. One thing to note is that accessing advanced capacity management requires contacting an account manager.
  • Omnichannel – It provides call routing to messages and voice bots for enhanced support. However, it lacks inbound calling.
  • Reporting and Analytics – It provides in-depth analytics on the messaging. To get better reporting, you can integrate a tool like Google Analytics for better insights.

LivePerson vs. Ada

CriteriaLivePersonAda
Best ForMid to large teamsTeams looking for a code-free chatbot
Standout FeatureAutomation AI200+ Integrations
PricingRequest a quoteRequest a quote

Conclusion

LivePerson excels with its powerful AI automation that enables customer self-service on their inquiries. Its unique points are its generative and voice AI and its omnichannel solution.

5. Zendesk

Zendesk homepage

Best for: Service teams looking for an all-rounded ticket management platform that includes voice calling.

Pricing: $25/user/mo – $149/user/mo

Pros

30-day free trial

100+ integrations

Omnichannel support

Intelligent AI usage

Cons

No self-hosting

Only ticketing support provided

Zendesk is a popular all-inclusive customer service platform that provides a helpdesk, CRM, and live chat.

Features

  • Collaboration tools – In the Agent workspace, a “Side Conversation” function allows teams to communicate. In addition, an agent can add a “Light Agent” license to give key team members limited access to tickets.
  • Mobile app – Service teams that work remotely can use the Zendesk mobile app (iOS & Android) to access the workflows and monitor the tickets. Not only that, an agent can generate a report through the app and download or share it with members.
  • Agent workspace – It is a central hub where service teams can manage customer tickets, make calls, and reply to inquiries. The best part is that it centralizes all customer data, including chat history and loyalty status.
  • Zendesk guide – Think of it as a smart knowledge base that has answers to most customers’ FAQs. The feature is dynamic, and through the “Team Publishing” feature, a team leader can assign tasks to members. They include writing articles, updating outdated content, and editing.

Zendesk vs. Ada

CriteriaZendeskAda
Best ForLarge service teamsTeams looking for a code-free chatbot
Standout FeatureAgent workspace200+ Integrations
Pricing$25/user/mo – $149/user/moRequest a quote

Conclusion

Zendesk is all-rounded, and its voice-calling and ticket management make it stand out. Its versatile agent workspace and capable mobile app are its selling points.

6. Intercom

Intercom homepage

Best for: Service teams looking for a help desk with an AI-enhanced workspace.

Pricing: $39/user/mo – $139/user/mo

Pros

14-day free trial

User-friendly interface

Powered by AI

All-in-one customer service solution

Cons

Slow customer service

Pricey adding additional features

Intercom is a customer service solution that combines a helpdesk and AI chatbot for support delivery.

Features

  • Shared inbox – Service teams can connect their tickets, help center, and inbox into one central workspace powered by AI. It allows agents to get more work accomplished at a fast rate.
  • Chatbots – Intercom supports the creation of custom chatbots that automate responses to common FAQs. It uses AI to generate relevant responses to queries by referring to the knowledge base. If the inquiries are complex, the AI routes tickets to a human agent.
  • Reporting and analytics – Reporting on Intercom is decent, as it provides detailed data on the workflows. It displays team efficiency, ticketing processes, and more. The feature also displays analytics on customer satisfaction voted through surveys.
  • Push notifications – Sales agents can send push notifications to clients, prompting them on new products or services through mobile devices. The feature is versatile, and it allows agents to control the info they send to customers.

Intercom vs. Ada

CriteriaIntercomAda
Best ForSaaS companies and other online sellersTeams looking for a code-free chatbot
Standout FeatureUtilize Resolution Bot200+ Integrations
Pricing$39/user/mo – $139/user/moRequest a quote

Conclusion

Intercom provides one of the best service solutions that combines a help desk and live chat for proactive support. Its omnichannel messaging and ticketing are its unique selling points.

7. Forethought

Forethought homepage

Best for: Small service teams looking for a help desk that can streamline ticketing through AI.

Pricing: Custom pricing

Pros

User-friendly interface

10+ integrations

Uses NLP and NLU

Customized reporting

Cons

Pricing not publicly available

No mobile apps

Forethought is a customer service platform offering a help desk and live chat through generative AI.

Features

  • Sentiment analysis – Forethought uses AI to analyze customer inquiries and prioritizes them based on urgency. The agent then routes low-priority tickets to the chatbot to generate responses from the knowledge base.
  • Autoflows – Agents can create workflows without the need for coding. It helps with the implementation of complex customer service processes.
  • Integrations – Forethought integrates with a broad stack of platforms and systems that enable a unified customer service experience. They include Zendesk, Salesforce, HubSpot, AWS and more.
  • APIs and webhooks – If you prefer to have more control, you can use the API or webhooks to integrate an application and customize it.

Forethought vs. Ada

CriteriaForethoughtAda
Best ForSmall service teamsTeams looking for a code-free chatbot
Standout FeatureTicket management200+ Integrations
PricingCustom pricingRequest a quote

Conclusion

Customer service teams that deal with high ticketing will find Forethought ideal. Its ticket management and generative AI are its selling points.

Which Ada alternative should I use?

Ada’s advantage is that it streamlines customer service at scale. It combines NLP with AI to provide a comprehensive customer experience via live chat.

However, not all customer service teams will find Ada all-inclusive enough to handle their needs. 

That’s why we recommend these 7 best Ada alternatives. They are a compilation of simple and all-in-one platforms that fit different users.

So, go through them and choose one that fits your needs and budget.

Recap of Ada alternatives:

  1. LiveChat
  2. Tidio
  3. HubSpot Live Chat
  4. LivePerson
  5. Zendesk
  6. Intercom
  7. Forethought
LiveChat

LiveChat is a complete customer service platform that delights your customers and fuels your sales.

Sign up free