Best Shopify Chat Apps in 2026: Top 7 Solutions Compared
Sebastian Wißmüller
Shopify Integration Specialist
Your Shopify store needs more than just a basic chat widget. The right chat app can turn browsers into buyers, reduce cart abandonment, and provide 24/7 customer support. We've tested dozens of Shopify chat apps to bring you this definitive ranking of the best options available in 2026.
Our #1 Pick: Linra stands out with visitor identification, voice chat, and EU compliance — features competitors lack.
Quick Comparison Table
| Solution | AI Bot | Visitor ID | Voice | EU Data | Onboarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linra | |||||
Tidio | Paid | ||||
Gorgias | Limited | ||||
Re:amaze | Basic | Paid | |||
Zendesk | Add-on | Enterprise | Enterprise Only | ||
Chatra | Basic | ||||
LiveChat | Basic | Limited | Optional | Paid |
Top-Rated Chat Apps for Shopify Stores
Linra
Starting at
€497/month flat-rate (includes all Shopify features)
Linra's Shopify integration is seamless and powerful. It syncs with your product catalog, tracks customer behavior, and uses AI to drive conversions with personalized recommendations.
Strengths
- Native Shopify Sync — Real-time product catalog integration
- Cart Recovery AI — Proactively prevents abandonment
- Visitor Recognition — Personalizes based on browsing history
- Voice Chat — Unique voice conversation capability
- EU Compliant — GDPR-ready with EU data centers
Limitations
- Higher investment than basic chat widgets
- Designed for stores ready to scale
- Relatively new player in the market — product still maturing
Best for: Shopify stores focused on maximizing conversions
Tidio
Starting at
Free basic / From $29/month for AI features
Tidio is a popular Shopify app with a good free tier. It's easy to install and provides basic chatbot functionality for stores getting started.
Strengths
- One-click Shopify install
- Free tier available
- Easy visual builder
- Decent email integration
Limitations
- No visitor identification
- Limited AI capabilities
- No voice support
- Premium features cost extra
Best for: New Shopify stores testing chat features
Gorgias
Starting at
From $50/month (ticket-based pricing)
Gorgias is built for Shopify and excels at help desk functionality. It's a solid choice for stores prioritizing support ticket management.
Strengths
- Deep Shopify integration
- Good order management
- Social media unified inbox
- Macro automation
Limitations
- Per-ticket pricing model
- Support-focused model
- No cart recovery
- No voice chat
Best for: High-volume support operations
Re:amaze
Starting at
From $29/agent/month
Re:amaze offers multi-channel support with decent Shopify integration. Good for stores needing email, chat, and social in one place.
Strengths
- Multi-channel inbox
- Shopify sidebar widget
- FAQ integration
- Reasonable pricing
Limitations
- Basic AI features
- No visitor tracking
- Limited automation
- No voice support
Best for: Multi-channel support needs
Zendesk
Starting at
From $55/agent/month
Zendesk offers a Shopify app for enterprise stores. Powerful but complex and expensive for most Shopify merchants.
Strengths
- Enterprise-grade platform
- Extensive reporting
- Strong team features
- Many integrations
Limitations
- Enterprise-level pricing
- Complex setup
- Not optimized for e-commerce
- Learning curve for new users
Best for: Enterprise Shopify Plus stores
Chatra
Starting at
Free basic / From $21/month
Chatra provides simple live chat for Shopify with basic features. Good for very small stores needing minimal functionality.
Strengths
- Simple to use
- Free tier available
- Decent mobile app
- Quick setup
Limitations
- Basic AI capabilities
- No e-commerce features
- No visitor tracking
- Basic automation
Best for: Very small stores with simple needs
LiveChat
Starting at
From $20/agent/month
LiveChat is a general-purpose chat solution with Shopify integration. Reliable but lacks e-commerce-specific features.
Strengths
- Stable platform
- Good chat interface
- Decent analytics
- Many integrations
Limitations
- Not e-commerce focused
- No AI recommendations
- Per-agent pricing adds up
- Limited Shopify features
Best for: General customer service chat
Choosing the Right Chat App for Your Shopify Store
Shopify Integration Depth — Look beyond basic installation to features like product sync and order lookup
Conversion Focus — Choose apps that proactively drive sales, not just answer questions
Pricing Transparency — Watch out for per-ticket or per-agent pricing that scales unexpectedly
AI Capabilities — Modern chatbots should understand intent and make product recommendations
Cart Abandonment — The best apps actively prevent cart abandonment before it happens
Support Quality — Consider the onboarding and support you'll receive during setup
Our Verdict
Linra stands out as the best Shopify chat app for stores serious about growth. Its combination of native Shopify integration, visitor identification, and proactive sales features makes it the clear leader. While Tidio and Gorgias offer lower price points, Linra's conversion-focused approach delivers superior ROI for scaling Shopify businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best free chat app for Shopify?
Tidio offers the best free tier for Shopify stores. However, free plans have significant limitations. For stores serious about growth, investing in a solution like Linra provides much better ROI through increased conversions.
Do Shopify chat apps actually increase sales?
Yes, when implemented correctly. The best Shopify chat apps like Linra can increase conversion rates by 20-35% through proactive engagement, cart recovery, and personalized recommendations.
Should I use Shopify Inbox or a third-party chat app?
Shopify Inbox is fine for very basic needs, but third-party apps like Linra offer much more advanced features including AI, visitor identification, and voice chat that can significantly impact your bottom line.
Ready to Boost Your E-commerce Conversions?
See why Linra is the #1 choice for e-commerce stores serious about growth. Book a personalized demo today.