Best Live Chat for Small Business 2026

Updated: February 2026

Affordable and easy-to-use live chat tools perfect for small businesses and growing teams. We've curated 9 tools specifically suited for small business.

Key Takeaways

  • Freshdesk is our #1 pick for live chat for small business in 2026, scoring 85/100.
  • We analyzed 9 live chat for small business tools to create this ranking.
  • 9 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.
  • Average editorial score: 81/100 - high-quality category.

Why Small Business Need Specialized Live Chat Tools

Affordable pricing

Easy to set up

Scales with your business

No enterprise complexity

9 Live Chat Tools for Small Business

2
Ably logo

Ably

Realtime messaging infrastructure for chat, notifications, and live updates

Freemium85/100
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Richpanel logo

Richpanel

AI-powered customer service platform for e-commerce to cut costs, boost agent productivity, and delight customers.

Freemium80/100
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Hiver logo

Hiver

AI-powered customer service platform for modern teams to deliver effortless and personalized support.

Freemium73/100
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Userlike logo

Userlike

The AI platform for strong customer relationships, offering more sales and faster support.

Freemium73/100
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Best Live Chat for Other Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best live chat tool for small business?

Based on our analysis, Freshdesk is the top choice for small business, with a score of 85/100. It offers affordable pricing and easy to set up.

Are there free live chat tools for small business?

Yes! Freshdesk, Ably, Sendbird offer free plans suitable for small business.