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Savena

8 best Tidio alternatives in 2026

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Written by the Savena team. Savena is our product, and it is listed first; every other entry is described from the vendor's own pricing and feature pages.

Tidio is a popular first support tool: a free plan, a quick chat widget, and the Lyro AI chatbot as an add-on. Teams usually start looking around when the bill gets harder to predict, or when chat is no longer the only channel that matters.

Here are eight alternatives, with prices from each vendor's pricing page as of October 2026.

Why teams look for a Tidio alternative

  • Three separate meters: conversations, Lyro AI conversations and Flows are each priced by volume.
  • Lyro is an add-on, starting at $32.50/month for 50 AI conversations.
  • Plans below Plus are capped at 10 seats.
  • Email-heavy teams want a helpdesk built around the inbox rather than the chat widget.

At a glance

ToolBest forPricing modelStarts at
SavenaShopify stores that want the AI to act on the order, not just answer about itFlat platform fee + per AI resolution$99/mo
IntercomTeams that want a leading AI agent with an omnichannel inbox, especially in SaaSPer seat, plus per AI outcomeFrom $29 per seat/mo
CrispSmall teams that want flat-priced multichannel chatFlat per workspaceFree; paid from $45/mo
Help ScoutEmail-first teams that want a simple, human-feeling shared inboxPer userFree; paid from $25 per user/mo
ZendeskLarger or multi-brand teams that need enterprise workflowsPer agent$55 per agent/mo (annual)
FreshdeskTeams that want a broad helpdesk at a low per-agent pricePer agent$19 per agent/mo (annual)
GorgiasShopify brands that want an ecommerce helpdesk with order actions for agentsPer ticket$10/mo (50 tickets)
ChatwootTeams that want open source or to self-hostPer agent (or self-hosted)Free; paid from $19 per agent/mo

1. SavenaOur product

Best for: Shopify stores that want the AI to act on the order, not just answer about it

Savena is a unified support inbox with an AI agent that reads the live Shopify order and makes the change the customer asks for: it cancels orders, edits the shipping address before the order ships, and adds, removes or swaps items, after verifying the customer with a one-time code. You choose which actions it is allowed to take; anything else goes to your team with the conversation and a short brief attached.

Pricing
$99/month including 3 team members ($25/month each after), unlimited conversations, plus $0.99 for each conversation the AI resolves on its own. 21-day free trial.
AI
Included in the platform; billed $0.99 only when the AI resolves a conversation without a human. Handoffs cost nothing.
Channels
Email, live chat widget, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs and comments, Facebook Messenger
Shopify
Order lookup and tracking, cancellations, address and item edits, and capped discount codes, each switched on per store

Strengths

  • The AI takes the action in Shopify instead of drafting a reply for an agent to carry out.
  • Every write is gated: a one-time code to the email on the order, plus a confirmation step.
  • Conversations are unlimited; you pay for AI outcomes, not ticket volume.
  • Stripe integration for refunds and subscription changes in the same inbox.

Limitations

  • Refunds on Shopify orders are handed to a person rather than issued by the AI.
  • No SMS or phone channel.
  • No importer for past tickets from another helpdesk; history stays in the old tool.
  • No permanently free plan.

2. Intercom

Best for: Teams that want a leading AI agent with an omnichannel inbox, especially in SaaS

Intercom pairs a polished inbox with Fin, its AI agent, which is billed per outcome and can also run on top of another helpdesk. Its Shopify app lets agents refund, cancel and edit addresses from the sidebar.

Pricing
Essential from $29 per seat/month (discounted for new customers), Advanced $85, Expert $132.
AI
Fin is $0.99 per outcome.
Channels
Chat, email, in-app; WhatsApp, SMS and phone billed by usage
Shopify
Agents refund, cancel and edit addresses from the sidebar

Strengths

  • Fin is one of the most capable AI agents available.
  • Strong in-app and product messaging.

Limitations

  • Seats, AI outcomes and per-message channels all add to the bill.
  • Built for SaaS first; ecommerce is a secondary focus.

Savena vs Intercom

3. Crisp

Best for: Small teams that want flat-priced multichannel chat

Crisp sells flat per-workspace plans with a set number of seats, and covers an unusually wide range of messaging channels. AI is sold as credits included with each paid plan.

Pricing
Free (2 seats), Mini $45 (4 seats), Essentials $95 (10 seats), Plus $295 (20+ seats) per month; extra agents $10/month.
AI
AI credits: about 90 conversations on Mini, 450 on Essentials, 1,350 on Plus. None on Free.
Channels
Chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, SMS, phone, Telegram, LINE, Viber
Shopify
Shows orders, cart and tracking in the conversation

Strengths

  • Flat price per workspace, not per seat.
  • Very wide channel coverage.

Limitations

  • The omnichannel inbox and meaningful AI volume start on Essentials ($95/month).
  • Shopify support is mainly for viewing orders.

Savena vs Crisp

4. Help Scout

Best for: Email-first teams that want a simple, human-feeling shared inbox

Help Scout is a shared inbox and help center known for being easy to use. It added chat, messaging channels and per-resolution AI, and its Shopify integration lets agents refund, cancel, edit and duplicate recent orders from the sidebar.

Pricing
Free (5 users, 100 contacts a month); Standard $25, Plus $45, Pro $75 per user/month. Annual billing saves 16%.
AI
$0.75 per resolution.
Channels
Email, live chat, SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger (from Standard)
Shopify
Agents refund, cancel, edit and duplicate recent orders

Strengths

  • Easy to learn, with a built-in help center.
  • Lowest per-resolution AI price on this list.

Limitations

  • No native voice.
  • Less ecommerce-specific automation than Shopify-first tools.

5. Zendesk

Best for: Larger or multi-brand teams that need enterprise workflows

Zendesk Suite is the most widely used enterprise helpdesk, with mature ticketing, SLAs, reporting and a large app marketplace. It is priced per agent, with AI resolutions and some channels billed on top.

Pricing
Suite Team $55 per agent/month billed annually ($69 monthly); Suite Professional $115 ($149 monthly).
AI
5 or 10 automated resolutions per agent per month included; then $1.50–$2.00 each. Copilot is $50 per agent/month.
Channels
Email, chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook; voice and SMS as add-ons
Shopify
Through marketplace apps

Strengths

  • Mature ticketing, SLAs and reporting.
  • Large marketplace of integrations.

Limitations

  • Per-agent price plus resolution fees and channel add-ons.
  • Heavier to set up than ecommerce-specific tools.

Savena vs Zendesk

6. Freshdesk

Best for: Teams that want a broad helpdesk at a low per-agent price

Freshdesk is a full helpdesk with ticketing, automations and the Freddy AI agent. Its official Shopify app lets agents cancel orders before fulfillment and issue full or partial refunds, once an admin enables them.

Pricing
Growth $19, Pro $55, Enterprise $89 per agent/month billed annually; Freshdesk Omni from $29.
AI
Freddy AI Agent includes 500 sessions; more are $49 per 100 sessions.
Channels
Email, portal, chat and messaging (Omni plans)
Shopify
Agents cancel before fulfillment and refund

Strengths

  • Low per-agent entry price.
  • Mature ticketing and automation.

Limitations

  • AI is billed per session, not per resolution.

7. Gorgias

Best for: Shopify brands that want an ecommerce helpdesk with order actions for agents

Gorgias is the best-known Shopify helpdesk. Agents can edit, refund and cancel orders inside the ticket, and the AI Agent automates common questions. Pricing follows ticket volume, so it suits stores with modest volume and grows with them.

Pricing
Starter $10 (50 tickets), Basic $60 (300), Pro $360 (2,000), Advanced $900 (5,000) per month; overage $0.36–$0.40 per ticket.
AI
$0.90–$1.00 per automated interaction, and each one also counts as a ticket.
Channels
Email, chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok Shop; SMS and voice as paid add-ons
Shopify
Agents edit, refund and cancel orders inside the ticket

Strengths

  • Deep, long-standing Shopify integration.
  • SMS and voice available in the same helpdesk.
  • Very low entry price for small stores.

Limitations

  • Cost grows with ticket volume, and AI is billed on top.
  • Voice and SMS cost extra on every plan.

Savena vs Gorgias

8. Chatwoot

Best for: Teams that want open source or to self-host

Chatwoot is an open-source omnichannel inbox you can self-host or use as a cloud service. Its Captain AI runs on credits included with each plan.

Pricing
Hacker free (2 agents, chat only); Startups $19, Business $39, Enterprise $99 per agent/month.
AI
Captain AI: 300–800 credits included; extra credits $20 per 1,000.
Channels
Email, chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger; voice on Business and up
Shopify
Order lookup

Strengths

  • Open source, with full control over your data when self-hosted.
  • Low per-agent price.

Limitations

  • Shopify integration is for looking orders up, not changing them.

Savena vs Chatwoot

How to choose a Tidio alternative

  • Chat-first or inbox-first. Crisp and Chatwoot stay close to Tidio's chat-first model. Help Scout, Zendesk, Freshdesk, Gorgias and Savena are built around a shared inbox with chat as one channel.
  • How the AI is billed. Per resolution or outcome (Savena, Intercom, Help Scout), credits (Crisp, Chatwoot), sessions (Freshdesk), or per automated interaction (Gorgias). Compare on your expected AI volume, not the plan price.
  • How deep the Shopify integration goes. Chatwoot and Crisp mainly show order details. Gorgias, Help Scout, Freshdesk and Intercom let agents act on orders. Savena's AI acts on the order itself.
  • Whether you need a free plan. Crisp, Help Scout and Chatwoot have free plans. Savena, Intercom, Zendesk, Freshdesk and Gorgias start with a trial.

Read the full Savena vs Tidio comparison

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free alternative to Tidio?

Crisp, Help Scout and Chatwoot all have free plans: Crisp for two seats, Help Scout for up to five users and 100 contacts a month, and Chatwoot for two agents on chat only. Chatwoot can also be self-hosted.

Which Tidio alternative has the best AI?

Intercom's Fin ($0.99 per outcome) is the best known. Help Scout charges $0.75 per resolution. Savena charges $0.99 per resolution, and its AI can cancel and edit Shopify orders itself after verifying the customer.

What is a good Tidio alternative for Shopify stores?

Gorgias if you want an ecommerce helpdesk where agents act on orders; Savena if you want the AI to make the order change; Help Scout if your team is email-first and wants Shopify order actions in the sidebar.

Try Savena on your own store

Connect Shopify and your channels, switch on the actions you want the AI to take, and see what it resolves before you pay for anything.

Start free trial

Other alternatives guides

Gorgias alternativesRe:amaze alternativesCrisp alternatives

Key terms

Conversational AIAI agentOmnichannel customer service