Chatwoot vs Intercom
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Chatwoot and Intercom are credible live chat tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Chatwoot if you want a lower starting price (free – $19/agent/mo) and a free plan to start on. Open-source customer engagement.
Choose Intercom if you'd rather have a longer free trial (14 days). AI-first customer service.
Chatwoot vs Intercom: side by side
| Dimension | Chatwoot | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $19/agent/moWinner | From $39/seat/mo |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Best for | Startups, Developers | Saas, Startups, Support Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android, Api |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
Chatwoot key facts
- Vendor
- Chatwoot
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $19/agent/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Startups, Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Intercom key facts
- Vendor
- Intercom, Inc.
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $39/seat/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android, Api
- Best for
- Saas, Startups, Support Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Chatwoot better than Intercom?
Neither is universally better — Chatwoot edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Chatwoot or Intercom cheaper?
Chatwoot is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $19/agent/mo. Chatwoot starts at free – $19/agent/mo; Intercom starts at from $39/seat/mo.
Can Chatwoot replace Intercom?
Yes for most teams — both are live chat tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.