10 Best Intercom Alternatives for Startups in 2023

In case you are working a startup, providing distinctive assist can really set what you are promoting aside. Whereas Intercom has been a go-to for managing buyer relationships, it is time to discover Intercom alternate options that higher match the evolving startup scene.

Intercom presents a seamless mix of automation and personalization to assist startups join with their clients. However speaking about startups, we want rather more than a buyer relationship administration software. To easily handle our workflow, we require one thing that higher aligns with our present enterprise trajectory.

This weblog is crafted with one mission: to information you thru the varied choices accessible, spotlighting the highest alternate options to Intercom which might be making a major affect in 2023. Our analysis is thorough, drawing from person critiques, function comparisons, and pricing analyses to make sure you have the knowledge you’ll want to make an knowledgeable choice.

And why, you may ask, is that this quest so vital?

To present you extra, based on Hubspot buyer knowledge, a staggering 68% of shoppers are keen to pay a premium for services from a model recognized for its stellar customer support. Within the startup world, the place all of the interplay counts and each buyer is a possible model ambassador, this can be a statistic you possibly can’t afford to disregard.

So, whether or not you feel the pinch of Intercom’s pricing, searching for extra strong integrations, or simply interested in what else is on the market, you are in the precise place. Dive in, discover, and uncover one of the best Intercom different assist instruments that may very well be the game-changers to your startup in 2023.

Undoubtedly, Intercom has set a excessive commonplace relating to maintaining with fashionable buyer communication challenges. The customer support software program has a collection of instruments that empower companies to interact with their clients in significant methods. Because of its strong performance, Intercom has develop into a well-liked selection amongst profitable companies.

Nevertheless, because the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, some cracks have begun to look within the Intercom façade. That is the rationale chances are you’ll must discover one of the best Intercom alternate options.

Right here is why it is best to go for an Intercom different in case you are in search of one of the best customer support software program for what you are promoting.

1. Overpriced and complicated pricing coverage

Let’s be trustworthy; we’re counting pennies right here! Startups function on tight budgets, and each greenback spent must deliver tangible worth. Intercom’s pricing mannequin could be on the upper facet, particularly for early-stage startups. The tiered pricing will also be perplexing, with prices rising shortly as a startup grows and requires extra superior options.

Startups want clear and scalable pricing fashions that develop with them with none hidden surprises. Thus, alternate options that provide clear, easy pricing could be extra interesting, making certain startups solely pay for what they want.

2. Weak buyer assist

73% of customers will swap to a competitor after a number of dangerous experiences. That’s the story out of your buyer’s facet. What number of will you tolerate, particularly out of your customer support software supplier?

Intercom’s G2 overview is flooded with poor buyer critiques. Customers have reported experiencing slower response occasions and less-than-satisfactory resolutions from Intercom’s assist group. For startups, a delayed response from customer support can imply misplaced gross sales and annoyed clients.

In actual fact, whereas beginning up, essentially the most required factor is a strong assist system that’s responsive and efficient. Thus, Intercom alternate options that prioritize buyer assist and provide a number of communication channels can present the reassurance startups want.

3. Lacks vital integration

Startups usually use numerous instruments to handle their operations. An absence of integration between these instruments and the shopper assist platform can result in inefficiencies and a disjointed buyer expertise. Intercom could not combine seamlessly with all of the instruments a startup makes use of. For instance, Intercom wants a greater two-way integration with Mixpanel. Additionally, it doesn’t provide a clean integration with LinkedIn’s API system.

A customer support platform with intensive integrations can streamline workflows and improve glorious customer support expertise.

4. Unsatisfactory customers’ expertise

The person expertise could make or break a startup’s repute. Some customers have reported about Intercom’s complicated person interface and points with notification administration. It might result in missed messages and buyer dissatisfaction.

Additionally, an advanced UI means it’s important to prepare your buyer assist group moreover. For startups, it should take further sources earlier than they’ll truly get used to the appliance. However, an Intercom different that prioritizes seamless and intuitive person expertise can result in happier clients and extra environment friendly operations.

How to decide on one of the best alternate options to Intercom?

It is simple; you could take care of the components that matter to you and what you are promoting. Speaking about that, there are some primary stuff that you could test earlier than you say, ‘Aha! That is the one.’

1. Ease of use: Each your clients and your inner group ought to discover it straightforward to make use of
2. Pricing: The pricing has to justify your startup’s finances
3. Some options that you simply assume are completely important to run what you are promoting

1. Ease of use: Like a breeze

Whereas working startups, we’ve to handle with rather a lot on our plates, proper? That’s why you want a software that’s as straightforward to make use of as your favourite smartphone app. Nobody needs to spend hours determining ship a message or arrange a chatbot.

Search for customer support software program with a clear interface, easy setup, and perhaps even a helpful tutorial to get you began. A free trial? Even higher! Take it for a spin and see the way it feels.

2. Pricing fashions appropriate for bootstrapped to funded startups

80% of startups are bootstrapped. Subsequently, following a good finances is important for many startups to make sure long-term sustainability and profitability. Whether or not you’re counting each penny or have a bit extra monetary wiggle room, you want a pricing mannequin that is smart to your startup’s stage and finances.

Speaking about finances, it doesn’t imply you possibly can accept any random low-cost Intercom different. You will need to search for customer support platforms with clear pricing and no hidden charges. Choices that provide scalable plans are nice, as they’ll develop with you out of your bootstrapped beginnings to your funded future.

3. Options important for contemporary startups

Fashionable startups require a software that goes past primary buyer assist. Startups normally function with small buyer assist groups requiring lots of automation to finish mundane duties with out human intervention.

With that being stated, AI-powered buyer assist chatbots is usually a nice answer for startups. AI chatbots can resolve as much as 80% of buyer queries immediately, serving to you retain your buyer assist brokers free for different vital duties.

Other than chatbot capabilities, one of the best Intercom chat different for startups ought to give you important knowledge and analytics on buyer engagement so that you could create a data-driven assist technique. Additionally, a perfect buyer assist software for start-ups ought to seamlessly combine with a number of messaging platforms so that you could simply provide multi-channel assist to your clients.

1. Botsonic

Greatest for: AI-powered buyer interactions

Right here comes one of the best different to Intercom, Botsonic! As the most effective AI chatbots from Writesonic, Botsonic stands out as a revolutionary buyer assist answer designed to serve the dynamic wants of contemporary startups. This AI-powered stay chat assist software is good for companies aiming to automate and improve their buyer communication.

Leveraging superior Generative AI fashions like GPT-4 Botsonic ensures safe and exact responses. Utilizing the AI chatbot builder, you possibly can create a customized AI chatbot that not solely understands but additionally displays your model’s voice, permitting for a excessive diploma of personalization in branding, colours, copy, and pictures. The chatbot can perceive buyer inquiries in 25+ languages and provide human-like responses.

The platform’s no-code setup ensures that even these with out technical experience can simply implement and handle their buyer assist programs. Botsonic can guarantee seamless omnichannel conversations throughout numerous platforms. Merely join it with embeddable widgets in your web site or combine it with WhatsApp, Slack, and Telegram, offering uninterrupted communication.

Furthermore, Botsonic can ingest content material from numerous sources, equivalent to your vital enterprise recordsdata and any public URL, making certain complete and correct responses. With built-in safeguards, the platform ensures reliable and targeted interactions, eliminating off-topic conversations and deceptive responses.

The perfect factor concerning the AI bot is that it is not simply restricted to buyer assist; it presents limitless use instances throughout numerous industries and functions, revolutionizing eCommerce experiences and supercharging lead technology. It additionally facilitates straightforward integration together with your favourite instruments, enhancing performance and effectivity.

Botsonic can considerably cut back assist quantity, elevate and enhance buyer satisfaction, cut back prices, and empower self-service. With reasonably priced pricing plans and a devoted buyer assist group, Botsonic is dedicated to empowering startups with the instruments they should excel in buyer engagement and assist.

High options of Botsonic

1. AI-powered answer: For startups, time and sources are of the essence. Botsonic’s integration of superior Generative AI fashions like GPT-4 and NLP transforms the shopper expertise. The AI-powered chatbot can generate correct and personalised automated messages as responses to your buyer queries. This not solely allows personalised communication with clients but additionally considerably reduces the workload on assist groups. Thus, startups can allocate their sources extra effectively.

2. Straightforward setup: Startups usually function with restricted technical sources. Botsonic’s user-friendly design requires no coding data, making it a perfect Intercom different for startups. Particularly for these trying to shortly and simply arrange an AI-powered buyer relationship administration system. This ensures that even companies with minimal technical experience can improve their buyer assist expertise.

3. Excessive customizability: Startups want to ascertain a robust model identification, and Botsonic helps this by providing intensive customization choices. From tailoring the chatbot’s look to align with model aesthetics to coaching it with particular enterprise knowledge, startups can be certain that their buyer communications are personalised and efficient. Other than that, the platform comes with a chat analytics function that allows you to test the chat historical past. In an effort to perceive what conversations your clients like and alter your assist technique accordingly.

N.B: Botsonic offers you a simple strategy to prepare ChatGPT by yourself knowledge!

4. Distinctive buyer assist: Within the fast-paced startup setting, accessing dependable assist is essential. Botsonic excels on this space, offering startups with quite a lot of assist channels, together with a Slack neighborhood and the choice to request new options. This ensures that startups have the assist they should successfully use the software and adapt it to their evolving wants.

5. Reasonably priced pricing: Funds constraints are a standard problem for startups. Botsonic addresses this by providing a spread of reasonably priced pricing plans, together with a free plan that permits startups to entry one bot with as much as 100 messages. This makes Botsonic the most effective free Intercom alternate options. The associated fee-effective pricing plan is curated for startups trying to delight their web site guests with round the clock stay chat assist with out breaking the financial institution.

6. Seamless integration: For startups trying to create a cohesive tech ecosystem, Botsonic’s straightforward integration with quite a lot of instruments is a major benefit. This integration enhances the platform’s performance and effectivity. With Botsonic, startups can join the AI chatbot to their present CRM programs, buyer assist software program, and different important instruments with none problem. Botsonic presents seamless Fb messenger integration together with integration to Whatsapp enterprise chat.

Now, create a Fb messenger chatbot and WhatsApp chatbot with Botsonic in minutes.

Pricing plans:

2. Drift

Greatest for: Conversational advertising & gross sales

Drift can rework the best way you join together with your clients. As the most effective alternate options to Intercom, the shopper assist software allows you to make each dialog rely with real-time engagement. It efficiently stands out as a conversational AI advertising and gross sales platform and is designed to construct significant connections with clients immediately.

As everyone knows, participating leads once they’re most is the best way to make sure no alternative is missed. Drift simply allows you to try this. It helps customers perceive when and strategy potential leads and ensures that each dialog is a chance to attach and convert.

Additionally, the platform presents straightforward Salesforce integration and a user-friendly dashboard. For a lot of companies, Drift’s capacity to trace “nameless” customers and reveal the businesses behind them comes as a invaluable function.

Nevertheless, the platform will not be with out its criticisms. Whereas some customers have talked about a decline within the high quality of their buyer assist and transparency, some customers have straight identified the necessity for function enhancements. The chat function, whereas practical, is primary and lacks widespread options. Additionally, it requires you to undergo a laborious setup course of to get the AI chatbot up and working.

Execs:

• Permits customers to interact with accounts immediately.
• The platform presents seamless integration with Salesforce
• It comes with an easy-to-navigate dashboard
• It allows you to monitor and determine “nameless” customers.

Cons:

• Noticeable lower within the high quality of buyer assist by way of accessibility and effectiveness
• Chat performance is fairly primary and lacks widespread options
• AI Chatbot wants a laborious setup course of
• Some options want critical enhancements.

Pricing plans:

3. Tidio

Greatest for: Reside chat and chatbots for e-commerce

The following we’ve got on our checklist is Tidio. The platform positions itself as the highest Intercom different tailor-made to work seamlessly as a stay chat widget and e-commerce chatbot for companies. Tidio is particularly designed to reinforce on-line buying experiences, making certain that your buyer inquiries are addressed promptly and effectively. It’s also possible to obtain real-time insights and notifications by means of its extremely praised cellular software.

Tidio stands out for its affordability and beneficiant pricing plans. As a free Intercom different, the stay chat platform is accessible to freelancers and small enterprise house owners. And one of the best half? You get to test all of the conversations with limitless chat historical past. The platform’s integration capabilities, significantly with e-mail suppliers, assist with lead technology and efficient buyer administration.
Learn the way chatbots assist in lead technology and get a listing of one of the best lead-generation chatbots.

Nevertheless, Tidio will not be with out its challenges. Some customers have identified a studying curve in establishing chatbot flows and connecting numerous nodes. Moreover, the platform may very well be extra helpful if there are extra default templates for several types of companies. Additionally, there may be house for enchancment within the chat knowledge obtain choices and streamlining the info administration course of.

Execs:

• Get real-time notifications by means of Tidio’s cellular software
• Has an intuitive interface and presents ready-made templates, making it straightforward to arrange and navigate
• Reasonably priced with a beneficiant free plan
• Provides integration with e-mail suppliers to make sure efficient Lead Technology

Cons:

• Establishing chatbot flows and connecting numerous nodes could be difficult for brand spanking new customers.
• The variety of default templates is proscribed.
• The obtain choices for chat knowledge should be streamlined for higher knowledge administration.

Pricing plans:

4. LiveChat

Greatest for: Actual-time buyer assist

LiveChat stands out as an honest different to Intercom, significantly for on-line companies aiming to reinforce buyer satisfaction with stay chat assist. As the most effective customer support instruments, LiveChat presents a sturdy assist system the place their assist brokers go above and past to teach and help customers. They be certain that each function is maximized for optimum efficiency.

Other than that, with LiveChat, you possibly can manage and see buyer profiles, see chat historical past, and report on-line interactions. It places companies at a major benefit by permitting quick access and customization of information primarily based on numerous parameters. You need to use this to determine precedence areas and optimize advertising methods.

Whereas LiveChat presents a plethora of options, some customers have discovered the configuration of sure functionalities, equivalent to gross sales monitoring and Google occasion integration, to be complicated and time-consuming.

Additionally, the stay chat assist software is comparatively costly in comparison with its rivals. Other than that, some customers have reported occasional lags in receiving chat messages by means of the ticketing system.

Execs:

• Allow you to guarantee impeccable assist with quick responses and real-time communication
• Seamlessly integrates with third-party instruments like Whatsapp Enterprise and Mailchimp
• Provides complete reporting instruments with customizable knowledge for strategic planning

Cons:

• Some options and functionalities could be complicated
• Require extra innovation, significantly within the rule engine
• Lags in receiving chat messages, resulting in potential communication delays
• On the pricier facet when in comparison with rivals

Pricing plans:

5. LiveAgent

Greatest for: Multi-channel buyer assist

LiveAgent works finest for companies that want a sturdy multi-channel customer support platform. The Intercom different combines e-mail, stay chat widget, name, and social media interactions beneath a common inbox. LiveAgent ensures that your assist group doesn’t miss any buyer question. Plus, it has options like a desk ticketing system and a data base to empower your assist brokers.

The platform’s predefined solutions and canned messages assist resolve repetitive buyer points swiftly and cut back ticket quantity. LiveAgent’s intuitive design ensures a clean person expertise, even for these new to the platform.

Nevertheless, some customers have skilled occasional glitches, equivalent to points with choosing a number of predefined solutions to a ticket. Others have talked about a steep studying curve, suggesting that further coaching supplies might provide a smoother onboarding course of.

Execs:

• Strong automation options to cut back buyer assist tickets and enhance engagement.
• Predefined solutions and canned messages for fast decision of repetitive points.
• Intuitive and user-friendly design.
• Reside chat assist with real-time chat performance and complete CRM capabilities.
• Efficient integrations, significantly with Slack, for improved group collaboration.

Cons:

• Occasional glitches, equivalent to points with choosing a number of predefined solutions.
• The steep studying curve for brand spanking new customers highlights a necessity for extra coaching supplies.

Pricing plans:

6. Helpscout

Greatest for: E mail-based assist & data base

Helpscout is a customer support hub recognized for its email-centric assist system and a complete data base, catering to companies that rely closely on e-mail communications.

The assistance desk software program is legendary as the most effective Intercom alternate options, particularly for companies that prioritize a easy and user-friendly buyer assist expertise. The shopper assist software has a sturdy platform for establishing intensive data bases, enabling clients to search out solutions independently.

Plus, you possibly can add a stay chat function for real-time help. This twin strategy considerably enhances the self-service assist expertise, resulting in increased buyer satisfaction and effectivity in resolving queries.

Assist Scout’s intuitive structure and seamless app integrations have been designed with customer support brokers in thoughts. The user-friendly design makes the every day assist desk ticketing system and dealing with a a lot smoother course of.

Nevertheless, customers have identified that the messaging platform nonetheless appears buggy at occasions, making it tough to make sure a seamless expertise to your clients. Other than that person interface seems to be previous and requires enhancements with straightforward navigation options. Other than that, main options equivalent to integration with Messenger and different messaging platforms are solely accessible on the Professional and Plus plans, which lots of clients discover to be costly.

Execs:

• In depth data base setup and stay chat choices for enhanced self-service assist.
• Consumer-friendly design tailor-made to the wants of customer support brokers.
• Environment friendly e-mail administration throughout a number of workspaces.
• Complete assist options with invaluable app integrations.

Cons:

• Restricted choice of data base templates.
• Inbox UI may very well be improved for a greater person expertise.
• The training curve related to establishing workflows, with potential for unintended mass responses.
• Some options, such because the messenger integration, are restricted to higher-tier plans.

Pricing plans:

7. Zendesk

Greatest for: Complete customer support suite

Zendesk Help Suite works as a complete buyer assist platform. The highest Intercom different allows companies to handle clients throughout numerous communication channels effectively. It presents multi-channel assist, permitting clients to succeed in out through e-mail, chat, social media, or cellphone. Moreover, Zendesk gives a customizable assist heart, a neighborhood discussion board, and a data base, empowering clients to search out solutions on their very own.

The shopper assist platform comes with a user-friendly interface, automation instruments, and customizable workflows to streamline assist processes and enhance response occasions. Zendesk additionally gives strong reporting, analytics, and buyer administration options, permitting companies to realize insights into their buyer assist efficiency.

Nevertheless, the software has its personal share of criticisms. Customers have identified that the platform could be overwhelming on account of its intensive options and capabilities. Moreover, the price of Zendesk is usually a concern for small companies or startups.

Execs:

• Multi-channel assist ensures no buyer question goes unanswered.
• In depth integrations with different enterprise instruments and functions.
• Strong reporting and analytics assist in making knowledgeable selections.
• Customizable assist facilities, neighborhood boards, and data bases empower clients to search out solutions independently.

Cons:

• The platform could be overwhelming for brand spanking new customers.
• The associated fee is usually a concern for small companies or startups.
• Customers have reported bugs that disrupt their workflow

Pricing plans

8. Tawk.to

Greatest for: Multi-website integration

Tawk.to is a flexible stay chat software program that excels in offering real-time communication options for companies. With its functionality to combine chat transcripts throughout a number of web sites, it ensures that buyer interactions are streamlined and effectively managed. This function is especially useful for companies with a presence throughout numerous net domains, because it permits for centralized administration of buyer chats, making certain no question goes unanswered. In case you are in search of an Intercom’s free different, then this may be your go-to choice.

The person interface of Tawk.to is designed with simplicity and effectivity in thoughts, making certain that even these new to stay chat software program can navigate and make use of its options with ease. The platform presents fast entry to macros and shortcuts, considerably decreasing response occasions and rising the effectivity of stay chat brokers.

Regardless of all the benefits, Tawk.to will not be with out its drawbacks. Some customers have reported points with the reliability of notification alerts, often resulting in missed chats. Moreover, the platform’s dashboard could be overwhelming for brand spanking new customers as a result of plethora of options and customization choices accessible. The again finish of the chat software program might additionally profit from extra detailed customer analytics, offering companies with further insights to raised perceive and serve their clients.

It comes as a freemium pricing mannequin, however you possibly can’t actually make use of all of the important options with out paying hefty quantities. For instance, it’s important to pay $19/month simply to take away the Tawk.to branding out of your chat widget. Now, if you wish to provide personalised assist and wish to entry the AI chatbot, it should value you $1/hour. That makes issues complicated, for positive.

Execs

• Tawk.to presents multi-website integration. Subsequently, you possibly can set up it on quite a few web sites.
• Centralized Dashboard to streamline the communication course of for assist groups dealing with a number of web sites.
• The platform is simple to navigate, with fast entry to macros and shortcuts.

Cons

• Some customers have reported unreliability within the notification alert settings, often resulting in missed chats.
• The again finish may benefit from extra detailed customer analytics to supply further insights for companies.
• Claims to supply a free plan however will not be of a lot use and has a fairly complicated pricing construction

Pricing plans

9. Freshdesk

Greatest For: Ticketing & buyer assist automation

Freshdesk is thought for its strong ticketing system and automation options, streamlining buyer assist processes for companies of all sizes. A part of the Freshworks suite, this assist desk software program is among the finest Intercom alternate options for startups which might be in search of a complete buyer assist answer. This assist software is designed to assist companies handle buyer interactions and assist tickets throughout numerous channels.

It comes with a unified platform that integrates buyer assist, gross sales, and advertising instruments. That is how one can streamline workflows and guarantee environment friendly communication with Freshdesk. Along with the automation options, the software program presents strong analytics and reporting instruments, giving companies the insights they should frequently enhance their customer support.

Nevertheless, relating to customization, the software doesn’t have a lot to supply. Other than that, some customers have additionally reported occasional glitches. It’s possible you’ll discover the software expensive, particularly when it’s important to embrace further options and brokers.

Execs

• Brings collectively numerous buyer engagement instruments, together with assist, gross sales, and advertising, on a single platform.
• Reduces handbook duties and ensures well timed responses, rising total effectivity.
• Provides intensive integration choices with standard instruments and platforms, making a linked enterprise ecosystem.
• Comes with a sturdy ticket administration system to arrange and resolve buyer queries.

Cons

• Pricing construction to be on the upper facet, particularly as further options and brokers are added.
• There are occasional glitches, equivalent to points with canned responses and lacking emails.

Pricing plans

10. HelpCrunch

Greatest For: Built-in buyer communication

HelpCrunch is a flexible buyer communication platform that may rework the best way your startup interacts with its clients. This Intercom different seamlessly integrates stay chat, e-mail advertising automation, and helpdesk functionalities to give you a unified answer. Because of its user-friendly interface and reasonably priced pricing, HelpCrunch is a wonderful selection for startups and established companies aiming to enhance their buyer engagement and assist.

HelpCrunch comes with a stay chat function to make sure that companies can join with their clients once they want it essentially the most. That is how one can flip each interplay into a possibility to construct relationships and drive conversions. Moreover, the multilingual data base and cellular app integration prolong the platform’s attain, making certain that assist is obtainable anytime, wherever.

With its customizable chat widget, you possibly can keep model consistency throughout all buyer communication channels. The platform is really easy to make use of that groups can shortly adapt and take advantage of out of its intensive options. Nevertheless, it’s not with out its challenges. Some customers have identified the necessity for clearer pricing on e-mail credit and extra superior assist desk functionalities. Moreover, the occasional stability points and the dearth of WhatsApp integration have been famous as areas for enchancment.

Execs:

• Allow you to join together with your clients in actual time by means of the stay chat function.
• Works as a unified communication platform combining stay chat, e-mail advertising, and helpdesk functionalities.
• Straightforward to navigate, making certain groups can shortly adapt and make the most of all options.
• Keep model consistency and improve buyer expertise with a customizable chat widget.
• Multilingual data base and cellular app integration prolong assist availability.

Cons:

• Some customers discover the pricing construction for e-mail credit to be complicated.
• The assistance desk options may very well be extra superior to fulfill all enterprise wants.
• Some customers have reported bugs and stability points.
• Presently lacks integration with standard messaging apps equivalent to WhatsApp.

Pricing plans

In at the moment’s aggressive startup setting, distinctive buyer assist is essential. Whereas Intercom has been a well-liked selection, quite a few alternate options align higher with particular enterprise wants and budgets. Botsonic is a flexible, AI-powered answer providing startups a customizable, user-friendly, and cost-effective software to reinforce buyer interactions.

This information has navigated by means of numerous choices, highlighting their distinctive strengths and areas for enchancment. The choice finally depends upon your startup’s particular necessities and sources. Bear in mind, investing in the precise buyer assist software is a strategic selection that may considerably affect your buyer satisfaction and contribute to your startup’s progress trajectory. Select properly, and guarantee your clients really feel valued and supported at each step of their journey.