🤝 no affiliate links · no paid placements · every entry lists honest trade-offs · updated 2026-08

LiveChat Basic alternatives

Killing $20-59/agent/mo (~$240/yr) — here are 2 verified escapes, honest trade-offs included.

the answer medium migration
Chatwoot · Free / self-host free ⭐ 36.2K stars

Live chat widget + omnichannel inbox, self-hosted or cloud.

you stop paying $20-59/agent/mo → keep ~$240/yr

head-to-head

Chatwoot
price Free / self-host free
self-hostable yes
license MIT
verified 2026-08
migration medium effort

free & open source (2)

Chatwoot oss ⭐ 36.2K self-host MIT
Free / self-host free

Live chat widget + omnichannel inbox, self-hosted or cloud.

trade-offs: Agent-assist AI lighter

github →
Tiledesk oss ⭐ 318 self-host MIT
Free / self-host free

Open chatbot + live-chat platform with visual flow builder.

trade-offs: Community smaller

github →
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faq

What is the best free alternative to LiveChat Basic?

Chatwoot is the top free option — Live chat widget + omnichannel inbox, self-hosted or cloud.

How much can I save by switching from LiveChat Basic?

LiveChat Basic costs $20-59/agent/mo, so switching to a free alternative saves roughly $240/year per seat.

Can LiveChat Basic be self-hosted?

Yes — Chatwoot and Tiledesk can be self-hosted for free.