10 Best Chatbots Tools in 2026

Updated: February 2026

AI chatbots and conversational AI

Key Takeaways

  • Zendesk is our #1 pick for chatbots in 2026, scoring 89/100.
  • We analyzed 43 chatbots tools to create this ranking.
  • 5 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.
  • Average editorial score: 84/100 - high-quality category.
1
Zendesk logo

Zendesk

Complete customer service solution

89/100
Paid

Zendesk is a customer service platform that helps businesses build better customer relationships. Ticketing system organizes support requests. Live chat and messaging for real-time help. Knowledge base empowers customer self-service. AI features assist agents and customers. The customer service software that scales from startup to enterprise.

2
FlowiseAI logo

FlowiseAI

Visually build, deploy, and scale AI agents and chatbots with an open-source, low-code platform.

89/100
Freemium

FlowiseAI is an open-source, low-code platform designed for visually building and deploying AI agents and chatbots. It provides modular building blocks that allow users to create a wide range of agentic systems, from simple compositional workflows to complex autonomous multi-agent systems. The platform supports building single-agent systems and chatbots with features like tool calling and knowledge retrieval (RAG) from various data sources, as well as multi-agent systems with workflow orchestration. FlowiseAI caters to developers and teams looking to integrate AI capabilities into their applications. It offers developer-friendly features such as APIs, SDKs (TypeScript & Python), and embedded chat widgets for seamless integration. The platform is enterprise-ready, supporting production-scale deployments with options for both cloud and on-premises environments, horizontal scaling, and compatibility with over 100 LLMs, embeddings, and vector databases. It also includes observability tools like execution traces, Prometheus, and OpenTelemetry, and a Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) feature for human review of agent tasks.

3
Intercom logo

Intercom

AI-first customer service platform

88/100
Paid

Intercom is a customer communication platform that combines AI-powered chatbots, live chat, help center, and email automation for customer support and engagement.

4
Poe logo

Poe

Multi-AI chat platform by Quora

86/100
Freemium

Poe is Quora's platform for accessing multiple AI models in one place. Chat with Claude, GPT-4, Llama, and other leading AI models. Compare responses from different models side by side. Create custom bots with specific personalities and knowledge. API access for developers building AI applications. One subscription, multiple AIs - the meta-platform for exploring what different AI models can do.

5
Pi logo

Pi

Personal AI assistant by Inflection

85/100
Free

Pi is a personal AI assistant by Inflection AI designed for natural, supportive conversations. Engaging personality makes talking to AI feel less robotic. Remembers context from previous conversations for continuity. Available on web, iOS, and Android for conversations anywhere. Great for brainstorming, learning, and thinking through problems. An AI companion focused on being genuinely helpful and pleasant to talk with.

6
Tidio logo

Tidio

Live chat and chatbots

82/100
Freemium

Tidio is a customer service platform combining live chat, chatbots, and email. Chat widget engages visitors in real-time. AI chatbots handle common questions automatically. Visual chatbot builder requires no coding. Integrations with Shopify, WordPress, and more. Customer communication that converts visitors to customers.

7
Qualified logo

Qualified

Pipeline generation platform for B2B

82/100
Paid

Qualified converts website visitors into conversations. Chatbots that qualify leads in real-time—sales conversations when buyers are ready. The qualification happens instantly. The routing is intelligent. The integration connects to sales. B2B sales teams wanting instant engagement use Qualified for real-time visitor conversion.

8
Zendesk Messaging logo

Zendesk Messaging

Improve live chat with AI-powered messaging for seamless customer support across all channels.

81/100
Paid4.4 community score

Zendesk Messaging enhances customer service by providing an omnichannel messaging platform that integrates across web, mobile apps, and social media (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram). It allows customers to get help instantly without waiting or repeating themselves, offering a consistent experience tailored to the brand's look and feel. The platform centralizes conversations, channels, and customer data into a unified workspace for support agents. Key features include AI Agents for automating FAQs and resolving common issues 24/7, intelligent distribution to route conversations to the right agents, and analytics dashboards for identifying customer trends. It aims to reduce waiting times and improve response speed, making support faster and more efficient. Zendesk Messaging is ideal for businesses looking to scale their customer support, improve agent productivity, and deliver personalized service through conversational AI and streamlined workflows.

9
Botpress logo

Botpress

Open-source conversational AI platform for chatbots

79/100
Freemium

Botpress is an open-source conversational AI platform for building sophisticated chatbots and AI agents. Its visual studio lets you design conversation flows without coding, while supporting advanced features like live agent handoff, knowledge base integration, and multi-LLM support (GPT-4, Claude, and more). Botpress is used by enterprises for customer support, sales, and internal tools. The platform offers both cloud-hosted and self-hosted options, with AI token costs passed through at cost—no markup. Over 750,000 bots have been built on Botpress.

10
Olark logo

Olark

Live chat software for customer support

79/100
Paid

Olark is a live chat software focused on accessibility and simplicity, offering customizable chat widgets, reporting, AI chatbots, and powerful automation features.

Best Chatbots For

What is Chatbots Software?

AI chatbots and conversational AI

According to our analysis of 10+ tools, the chatbots software market offers solutions for teams of all sizes, from solo professionals to enterprise organizations. The best chatbots tools in 2026 combine powerful features with intuitive interfaces.

Common Features of Chatbots Software

Automation

Automate repetitive chatbots tasks to save time

Collaboration

Work together with team members in real-time

Analytics & Reporting

Track progress and measure performance

Security

Protect sensitive data with enterprise-grade security

Who Uses Chatbots Software?

Chatbots software is used by a wide range of professionals and organizations:

  • Small businesses looking to streamline operations and compete with larger companies
  • Enterprise teams needing scalable solutions for complex chatbots needs
  • Freelancers and consultants managing multiple clients and projects
  • Startups seeking cost-effective tools that can grow with them

How to Choose the Right Chatbots Software

When evaluating chatbots tools, consider these key factors:

  1. Identify your specific needs. What problems are you trying to solve? List your must-have features versus nice-to-haves.
  2. Consider your budget. 5 tools in our top 10 offer free plans, including FlowiseAI and Poe.
  3. Evaluate ease of use. A powerful tool is useless if your team won't adopt it. Look for intuitive interfaces and good onboarding.
  4. Check integrations. Ensure the tool works with your existing tech stack (CRM, communication tools, etc.).
  5. Read real user reviews. Our community reviews provide honest feedback from actual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best chatbots software in 2026?

Based on our analysis of features, user reviews, and overall value, Zendesk ranks as the #1 chatbots tool in 2026 with a score of 89/100. Other top-rated options include FlowiseAI and Intercom.

Are there free chatbots tools available?

Yes! FlowiseAI, Poe, Pi offer free plans. In total, 5 of the top 10 chatbots tools have free or freemium pricing options.

How do you rank chatbots tools?

Our rankings are based on multiple factors: editorial analysis of features and usability (40%), community reviews and ratings (30%), pricing value (15%), and integration capabilities (15%). We regularly update rankings as tools evolve and new reviews come in.

What should I look for in chatbots software?

Key factors to consider include: core features that match your workflow, ease of use and learning curve, pricing that fits your budget, quality of customer support, integrations with your existing tools, and scalability as your needs grow.

Our Ranking Methodology

At Toolradar, we combine editorial expertise with community insights to rank chatbots tools:

40%
Editorial Analysis
Features, UX, innovation
30%
User Reviews
Real feedback from verified users
15%
Pricing Value
Cost vs. features offered
15%
Integrations
Ecosystem compatibility

Rankings are updated regularly as we receive new reviews and as tools release updates. Last updated: February 2026.

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