How to compare live chat tools
Vendors price and package chat very differently. These questions separate them. We answer for Chatyol; ask the others the same.
Checklist
Questions to ask every vendor
We only answer for Chatyol, because other vendors’ terms change. Put the same questions to everyone on your list.
Pricing
- Do I pay per agent?Chatyol:No. Per plan; each plan includes seats, workspaces (brands) and websites.
- Is AI billed per reply or per resolution?Chatyol:No. A monthly allowance of AI actions comes with the plan.
Brands
- Can one team answer for several brands?Chatyol:Yes. A workspace per brand, one shared inbox, and agents limited to the workspaces you give them.
- Can each brand reply under its own name?Chatyol:Yes. Personas let several agents reply as one name, like “Lina · Support”.
Widget
- How is it installed?Chatyol:One script tag, with notes for WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Webflow, Squarespace, React, Next.js, Vue, Angular and Laravel.
- Which languages, and right to left?Chatyol:English, Arabic (right to left), French, Portuguese, Spanish and Indonesian, plus live translation in the inbox.
- Can it identify my signed-in customers safely?Chatyol:Yes. Chatyol.identify takes an HMAC signature made on your server.
Channels
- Can visitors call us?Chatyol:Yes, from the widget, in the browser, on plans with voice.
- Can customers chat without a website?Chatyol:Yes. Each website has a hosted chat page, a QR code and personal links per agent.
Team
- Can agents talk to each other and escalate?Chatyol:Yes. Channels, direct messages and escalations linked to the chat.
- Does it work on phones?Chatyol:Yes. The agent app is built for phones and can be added to the home screen.
Brand
- Can it run on our domain without your logo?Chatyol:Yes, on plans with custom domain and white-label.
Security
- How are files and secrets kept?Chatyol:Files in private storage behind signed, short-lived links; AI provider keys encrypted at rest; an audit log on Scale.
Looking at a specific tool?
Notes for the products people most often ask us about.
Side by sideChatyol vs LiveChatRead the comparison Side by sideChatyol vs IntercomRead the comparison Questions to askChatyol vs CrispRead the comparison Questions to askChatyol vs TidioRead the comparison
LiveChat, Intercom, Crisp, Tidio are trademarks of their owners. Chatyol is not affiliated with them. What we say about other products comes from their public pages and can change; check with them before you decide.
Bring every brand into one inbox
Tell us about your brands and websites. We set up your workspaces with you and you paste one script tag.