WordPress is one of the most popular platforms to build your website on. However, it will only give you the basics -- this is where plugins come in!
If you've ever wanted to put live chat on your WordPress site, then this list will help you find the best options. We've gathered all the best WordPress chat plugins for you to use on your site.
1. ArrowChat
Sample of ArrowChat on your website
ArrowChat has been around for over 14 years, which means it's packed full of features. Unlike other live chat, it is based around user-to-user chat instead of support. If you're looking for chat with the most features and options then ArrowChat is it.
Pros
- Free version available
- Full administration panel for easy settings and setup
- Self-hosted so no monthly fees
- Mobile version (Premium package and higher)
- WordPress group support
- Updated regularly
- Open-source and easy to edit
Cons
- Installation is done via their custom install pages and not the plugin system, so it can be more difficult
- No real support for agents, mainly user-to-user
Pricing
Free version with limited features. Premium versions starting at $95 (one-time fee).
2. Tawk.to
Sample of Tawk.to on your website
Tawk.to is a support live chat plugin to monitor and talk to your visitors. You can convert visitors to sales or provide support. Unlike ArrowChat, there is no support for user-to-user chat.
Pros
- Free, with branding
- Mobile friendly
- 45+ languages
- Video and voice chat
- Feature-rich
Cons
- No user-to-user support
- Branding expensive to remove
- Difficult to customize
Pricing
Free but has a "Powered by tawk.to" link, which is $19/mo to remove.
3. LiveChat
Sample of LiveChat on your website
LiveChat is another support agent-style chat plugin for WordPress. It lacks user-to-user support, but has a fairly robust feature set for engaging with potential customers.
Pros
- A good feature set
- Excellent back-end for monitoring visitors
- Detailed documentation
- 24/7 chat support (messages stored when offline)
Cons
- Requires LiveChat account, dependant on their servers
- No user-to-user support
- Difficult to add custom coding
- Expensive compared to others
Pricing
14-day trial. Starts at $20/mo, depending on agents and features
4. Better Messages
Sample of Better Messages on your website
Better Messages is another user-to-user chat plugin that allows your users to talk to each other. It works with most WordPress integrations, including BuddyPress, Ultimate Member, and Peepso.
Pros
- Free version available
- Decent feature set
- Mobile layout available
- HD audio/video calls
- White label, even in free version
Cons
- No real support for agents, mainly user-to-user
- Difficult to add custom coding
- Monthly expense, no lifetime payment
- UI is slightly outdated
- Seems like a small project
Pricing
Free, $15/mo ($144/yr) for premium features
5. ImbaChat
Sample of ImbaChat
ImbaChat is one last option for a user-to-user WordPress chat plugin. Allow your users to communicate with eachother on WordPress, BuddyPress, and WCFM.
Pros
- Free version available
- Integration with user base
- Group chatting available
- Audio and video chat
Cons
- No real support for agents, mainly user-to-user
- Monthly expense, no lifetime payment
- UI feels outdated
- Seems like a small project
- Lacking features
Pricing
Free, Starting at $19/mo ($89/yr) for premium version
That wraps up our top 10 WordPress chat plugins for 2024. In summary, ArrowChat is great for user-to-user support, while Tawk.to is the better option for agent-based support. No matter what you go with, everything on this list will be a great option for WordPress live chat.
About the Author
Jason has been developing websites for 25+ years. He has a passion for modern UIs and an attention to detail. His hobbies include skiing, Texas hold'em, and roller coasters.
