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Cheaper alternatives to Drift
Updated September 30, 2026 · Researched by the SaveStack team
On this page: Shortlist · Quick comparison · FAQ
The shortlist
Tawk.toBest valueFree plan
Free live chat software with ticketing, a knowledge base, and basic CRM built in. Revenue comes from optional add-ons like $29/month branding removal and $1/hour hired human agents.
- Core product is genuinely free forever with unlimited agents and no conversation quotas
- Includes ticketing, knowledge base, and contact management, not just a chat widget
- Widget shows 'Powered by tawk.to' branding unless you pay $29/month to remove it; interface feels less polished than paid rivals
Tidio
AI-powered customer service platform combining live chat, ticketing, automation flows, and the Lyro AI agent in one workspace.
- Live chat, ticketing, flows, and AI agent in a single dashboard; up to 10 seats on self-serve plans
- Permanent free plan exists for low-volume sites
- Conversation-based metering means costs jump as volume grows; Lyro AI conversations are billed as separate metered add-ons
Crisp
Omnichannel messaging platform with a website chat widget, shared inbox, knowledge base, and AI support suite.
- Flat per-workspace pricing regardless of conversation volume, so adding team members does not raise the bill
- Omnichannel inbox with WhatsApp, Instagram, SMS, and workflow automation on mid tiers
- The interesting automation and knowledge-base features only start at Essentials ($95/month); free plan caps customer profiles at 100
LiveChat
Long-established live chat and ticketing platform with an AI agent that can resolve cases before handing off to humans.
- Mature, dependable chat and ticketing in one inbox; works on unlimited websites under one account
- AI agent included and no hidden add-on fees on the core plans
- Per-seat pricing gets expensive quickly as the team grows; advanced AI and reporting sit on higher tiers
Quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | You save | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drift (the expensive one) | Custom pricing (now part of Salesloft — drift.com redirects to Salesloft's chat-agent page; Salesloft's own pricing page is talk-to-sales only, no public dollars) | — | — | Teams that need every bell and whistle |
| Tawk.to | Free ($0 live chat, unlimited agents) | Yes | Save Custom pricing (main is quote-only) | Free live chat for small teams. |
| Tidio | $24.17/month billed annually ($29/month on monthly billing) | — | Save Custom pricing (main is quote-only) | AI-assisted chat for small businesses. |
| Crisp | Free ($0, 2 seats) or $45/month (Mini, 4 seats) | Yes | Save Custom pricing (main is quote-only) | Flat-rate chat pricing for growing teams. |
| LiveChat | $19/user/month billed annually ($25/month on monthly billing) | — | Save Custom pricing (main is quote-only) | Proven, reliable live chat. |
Pricing sources: each vendor's official pricing page, last checked September 30, 2026.
FAQ
Why switch away from Drift? It usually comes down to price. Most teams use a fraction of what Drift offers, so the full subscription is hard to justify. For Drift specifically, switching to Tawk.to saves Custom pricing (main is quote-only) versus Drift's sticker price.
Are cheaper tools worse? Rarely, for the basics. The cheaper tools on this page handle the same day-to-day workflow — what you lose is usually the enterprise layer: SSO, audit logs, or white-glove support. The trade-offs are listed under each alternative.
Can I switch back later? Absolutely. Nearly every alternative here offers a free plan or trial, so you can run it alongside Drift before cancelling.
Prices checked September 30, 2026 and may have changed. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page.