WordPress AI chatbot plugins compared

24 chat plugins for WordPress: which include free AI, which need an API key, whether a person can take over a chat, and what they cost at 50, 150 and 500 chats a month.

Written by Stand Chat, one of the products compared. Facts about other products come from their own pages, linked under Sources, and were checked November 10, 2026.

Plugin map

Choose what goes up and what goes across, and the plugins move to where they stand on both. Point at a dot, or tap it, for the facts behind it.

Scatterplot of the plugins. Human in the chat goes up and Free AI goes across. The better end of each is up and to the right. The tables below hold the same facts.

Better is always up and to the right.

Up
Human in the chatFree AINo live chatIn another appLimited or paidIn the same chatNoneOne-time or trialA few chats a monthDozens of chats a monthNot on this map
Across
Human in the chat
Whether a person can answer or take over a chat on your site.
Free AI
How much AI answering is free every month.

Comparison

“Not stated” means the vendor’s own pages did not say.

PluginStand ChatBeta. ZIP from stand.chat; not yet in the WordPress.org directory.
Free AI includedYes. 15 chats a week on Base, about 65 a month. A chat is one visitor conversation, however many replies it takes. New chats wait for the weekly reset; a chat in progress is not cut off.
API key requiredNo
Human takeoverYes, on every plan. A person can watch the chat and take it over in the same window, or answer new chats first.
SetupUpload the ZIP and activate. Create a Stand account, sign in once in a Stand window, write a short brief, pick the pages the assistant reads, go live. No snippet or key. The connection is renewed by signing in again every 30 days.
Account sign-upGoogle or email, on stand.chat. No card.
Powered-by badge“Powered by Stand” on Base. Removed on Pro, $10 a month.
Plugin3CX Free Live Chatwp-live-chat-support, 100,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo AI for website chat. 3CX’s AI agents are for phone calls, on a paid edition.
API key requiredNot applicable
Human takeoverPeople answer every chat, in the 3CX web client or apps. A chat can become a voice or video call.
SetupInstall, sign up at 3cx.com, log in to the web client, add a live chat there, then paste its URL into the plugin.
Account sign-upEmail or Google, with an emailed code. No card.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginAI Engineai-engine, 90,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo. The plugin is free; the AI is not.
API key requiredYes, from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or another provider, or a local model.
Human takeoverNot stated. No live human chat is described.
SetupInstall and activate, get an API key from your AI provider, paste it in, create the chatbot. No vendor account.
Account sign-upNone for the plugin. You need an AI provider account, which bills usage.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginAI Puffer (formerly AI Power)gpt3-ai-content-generator, 10,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedYes. 25 AI credits a month with a verified email on its cloud; a credit is not a message, and the cost of a reply is not stated.
API key requiredYour choice: its cloud credits, or your own key.
Human takeoverNot stated. No live human chat is described.
SetupInstall and activate; a wizard asks whether to use its cloud (accept terms, confirm email) or your own API key.
Account sign-upName, email and site address from WordPress admin, with email verification. Card: not stated.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginBrevomailin, 100,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNot stated. Live chat is among the free tools. The AI chatbot is in beta and needs the Sales Advanced package.
API key requiredNot stated
Human takeoverYes. The bot transfers to a person when it cannot answer or the visitor asks, and an agent can take the chat at any time.
SetupInstall the plugin, create a Brevo account, paste its API key into the plugin, turn on the tracker, then add the chat widget in Brevo’s settings.
Account sign-upGoogle, Apple, or email and password. No card.
Powered-by badgeNot stated for the chat widget.
PluginButtonizerbutton-contact-vr, 40,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo. Human live chat is free, through Formilla; AI chatbots are a paid add-on.
API key requiredNot stated
Human takeoverHuman live chat on the site is free for one agent. Taking a chat over from the AI: not stated.
SetupInstall and activate, create a Buttonizer account, choose buttons, publish. Most new accounts get Formilla live chat automatically.
Account sign-upMethods not stated for Buttonizer. No card for Formilla.
Powered-by badgeRemoved from Growth, $10 a month. On the chat widget, removed on Formilla Professional on request.
PluginChatbasechatbase, 4,000+ active installs. Last updated March 2025.
Free AI includedNot stated. The pricing page lists a 7-day trial and no free plan.
API key requiredNo
Human takeoverFrom Basic, $150 a month: a person takes over an ongoing chat through the Helpdesk inbox. Not on Hobby.
SetupCreate an account and agent on chatbase.co, install and activate, then copy the Agent ID from Chatbase into the plugin’s settings.
Account sign-upGoogle, or email and password. Card for the trial: not stated.
Powered-by badgeRemoval is a $99-a-month add-on.
PluginChatwaychatway-live-chat, 30,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedOnce. 10 free AI conversations per account, then pay per conversation.
API key requiredNo for the built-in agent. You can also connect your own AI on the free plan.
Human takeoverYes. You can assign the chat to yourself and hand it back to the AI. The free plan has one seat and 50 conversations a month.
SetupInstall and activate, create a free account on the plugin’s sign-up screen. The AI agent is then created in the Chatway dashboard.
Account sign-upEmail, Google, Wix or Shopify. No card.
Powered-by badgeShown on Free. Removed from Business, $39 a month.
PluginChatychaty, 300,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo AI.
API key requiredNot applicable
Human takeoverA person answers in WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, by phone or by email. There is no chat on your site.
SetupInstall and activate, choose at least one channel, save. No account.
Account sign-upNone for the free plugin.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginClick to Chatclick-to-chat-for-whatsapp, 600,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo AI.
API key requiredNot applicable
Human takeoverA person answers every chat, in WhatsApp. There is no chat on your site.
SetupInstall and activate, enter your WhatsApp number, choose a style, save. No account.
Account sign-upNone. You need a WhatsApp number.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginCrispcrisp, 10,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo. The free plan has no AI credits; the Hugo AI agent starts on Mini.
API key requiredNot stated. AI is billed in Crisp credits.
Human takeoverYes. When a person replies, Hugo stops and the chat moves to the team inbox. Human live chat is on the free plan, with two seats.
SetupInstall, open Settings → Crisp, choose Link with Crisp, sign in and pick the workspace.
Account sign-upGoogle, or name, email and password. No card.
Powered-by badgeRemoved by white labelling, listed on Plus at $295 a month.
PluginHubSpotleadin, 200,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo. Live chat and rule-based bots are free; the AI customer agent needs a Professional or Enterprise plan.
API key requiredNo
Human takeoverYes, by handoff: the agent reassigns the conversation to a person. Free live chat is answered by people in the HubSpot inbox.
SetupInstall and activate, open HubSpot in the WordPress sidebar, log in or create an account. Chat and the AI agent are then set up in HubSpot.
Account sign-upMethods not confirmed. No card for the free tools.
Powered-by badgeHubSpot branding on free live chat. Removed from Starter.
PluginHyve Litehyve-lite, 7,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedYes. 500 messages a month through its hosted AI; the chatbot stops replying until the reset. How a message is counted is not stated.
API key requiredYour choice: its hosted AI with no key, or your own OpenAI key.
Human takeoverNo live human chat. Pro can show a contact form when a visitor asks for a person.
SetupInstall and activate, turn on the hosted AI, add posts and pages to the knowledge base, choose where the chat appears. No account or key.
Account sign-upNone for the free plugin.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginIntercomintercom, 5,000+ active installs. Last updated April 2025.
Free AI includedNo free plan; a 14-day trial.
API key requiredNo
Human takeoverYes, by handoff from the Fin AI agent to the team inbox.
SetupEnable the Messenger in Intercom, install and activate, choose Connect with Intercom. The account is created on intercom.com.
Account sign-upCompany email or Google. No card for the trial.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginJoinchatcreame-whatsapp-me, 700,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo. The AI Assistant is a paid subscription with a 15-day trial.
API key requiredNot stated
Human takeoverA person answers in WhatsApp. Premium lists a handoff to WhatsApp.
SetupInstall and activate, enter your WhatsApp number. No account for the free plugin.
Account sign-upNot stated for the paid services.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginJotform AI Chatbotjotform-ai-chatbot, 5,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedYes. 100 conversations a month on Starter, with 10,000 chatbot views. At the limit you are asked to upgrade.
API key requiredNo
Human takeoverJotform says a person can take over a chat from its mobile app. The plan is not stated, and its support answers disagree on whether this works in real time.
SetupInstall and activate, choose Let’s Start and allow access with a Jotform account, set the persona and knowledge, publish. No key pasted.
Account sign-upGoogle, Microsoft, Apple or email. Card: not stated.
Powered-by badgeJotform branding on Starter. Removed from Bronze, $39 a month.
PluginLiveChat (Text)wp-live-chat-software-for-wordpress, 10,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo free plan; a 14-day trial. Paid plans include 10 or 200 AI resolutions a month.
API key requiredNo
Human takeoverYes. AI and live chat share one inbox and the bot transfers to a person.
SetupInstall and activate, open LiveChat in the WordPress sidebar, sign in or create an account there.
Account sign-upMethods not confirmed. No card for the trial.
Powered-by badgeNot stated. White label is Enterprise only.
PluginSmartsuppsmartsupp-live-chat, 20,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo. 10 AI conversations in the trial, 25 more after onboarding. The free plan has no AI.
API key requiredNot stated. The Mira AI agent is a hosted add-on.
Human takeoverYes. Mira hands over when it cannot answer or the visitor asks, and stops replying once the team takes the chat. Only while live chat is online.
SetupInstall and activate, then log in or create a Smartsupp account in the plugin’s settings. No snippet.
Account sign-upGoogle, Apple, or email and password. No card.
Powered-by badgeShown on every plan. It cannot be removed.
PluginSocial Chatwp-whatsapp-chat, 200,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo. AI chatbots are a Premium feature in beta; allowance and price are not stated.
API key requiredNot stated
Human takeoverA person answers in WhatsApp. There is no live chat on your site.
SetupInstall and activate, enter your WhatsApp number. No account.
Account sign-upNone for the free plugin.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
Plugintawk.totawkto-live-chat, 100,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedYes. 100 AI Assist credits a month; the default model uses 3 credits a reply, so about 33 replies. At zero, AI finishes open chats but joins no new ones. Human chat stays free.
API key requiredNot stated. AI is sold as tawk.to credits.
Human takeoverYes. An agent opens the chat and joins it; AI Assist leaves. Human live chat is free with unlimited agents.
SetupCreate an account on tawk.to, install and activate, log in under Settings, pick the property and widget. AI Assist is set up separately in the tawk.to dashboard.
Account sign-upName, email and password. No card asked.
Powered-by badgeShown unless you buy Whitelabel, $29 a month per property.
PluginTidiotidio-live-chat, 70,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedOnce. The first 50 Lyro conversations are free for the life of the account and do not reset; then Lyro stops until you buy a plan.
API key requiredNo
Human takeoverYes. You can watch a conversation and join it. The free plan includes human live chat with 50 billable conversations a month.
SetupInstall and activate, create the account from WordPress admin, follow the tour. No snippet or key.
Account sign-upEmail and password, or Facebook. No card.
Powered-by badgeShown on Free and Starter. Removal is a $20-a-month add-on on Growth; included on Plus.
PluginWP Chat Appwp-whatsapp, 100,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo AI.
API key requiredNot applicable
Human takeoverA person answers in WhatsApp. There is no chat on your site.
SetupInstall and activate, add a WhatsApp account, choose it for the floating widget. No account.
Account sign-upNone for the free plugin.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginWPBotchatbot, 5,000+ active installs.
Free AI includedNo. Scripted, non-AI replies are free; AI needs your own key.
API key requiredYes, from OpenAI, Gemini, OpenRouter or others.
Human takeoverPaid only. Live human chat, answered in Slack or WordPress admin, is in the Master licence at $189 a year.
SetupInstall and activate, then paste an API key and pick a model. No vendor account.
Account sign-upNone for the free plugin. You need an AI provider account.
Powered-by badgeNot stated
PluginZoho SalesIQzoho-salesiq, 10,000+ active installs. Last updated December 2025.
Free AI includedNo. The free plan has no chatbots. The AI Answer Bot is listed on Enterprise.
API key requiredYour choice: Zoho’s built-in AI or your own key.
Human takeoverYes. The bot transfers the chat to an operator, and the visitor can ask for one at any point.
SetupCreate a SalesIQ account on zoho.com, copy the WordPress link from its settings, install the plugin and paste the link.
Account sign-upForm with name, email, password, company and phone, or Google or LinkedIn. No card.
Powered-by badgeNot stated

Chat formats, API and limits

Where the chat can appear on a page, whether the product can be run through an API, a command line or an AI assistant, and the limits on the free or entry plan.

PluginStand ChatBeta. ZIP from stand.chat; not yet in the WordPress.org directory.
Chat formatsCorner widget. Buttons, cards and an inline chatbox as WordPress blocks and shortcodes, and menu links that open chat. Rules per path for when chat appears and how it greets. A visitor API (beta) for building your own chat interface. All plans.
API, CLI and AI assistantsPublic API and a command-line tool on every plan, for Sites, AI assistants, knowledge, conversations and statistics. An AI coding agent can install and manage Stand with the CLI. No MCP server. Billing and team changes stay in the browser.
Other limitsBase: 15 chats a week, one knowledge base of 10 web pages, 90 days of history. People and sites are unlimited. Pro: 150 chats a month, 200 pages and 50 MB of knowledge.
Plugin3CX Free Live Chatwp-live-chat-support, 100,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating bubble, or the chat box open on page load. On all pages or chosen ones. Inline embed and custom interface: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsA configuration API on a paid licence. Chat data through it, MCP and CLI: not stated.
Other limitsFree: up to 10 users on a shared instance. Chat volume and history retention: not stated.
PluginAI Engineai-engine, 90,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsPopup, inline or full screen, placed with a shortcode. A different chatbot per page. Rule-based triggers: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsREST API. An MCP server that lets Claude or ChatGPT manage the WordPress site; its changelog says that includes chatbots, discussions and knowledge. No CLI stated.
Other limitsNo caps from the plugin. Knowledge bases from your content are Pro. Chats are stored in your WordPress database.
PluginAI Puffer (formerly AI Power)gpt3-ai-content-generator, 10,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsPopup, site-wide, or in a page by block or shortcode. Advanced triggers are paid.
API, CLI and AI assistantsREST API, WP-CLI commands, and an MCP server that lets Claude or ChatGPT manage the WordPress site. Whether that covers the chatbot or its logs is not stated.
Other limitsFree: 25 AI credits and 2,000 site actions a month, unlimited chatbots. File sources for knowledge and automatic log retention are paid.
PluginBrevomailin, 100,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsCorner widget, or the chat embedded in a page element. Your own button can open it. Targeted chats by trigger.
API, CLI and AI assistantsA Conversations API. An MCP server for campaigns and contacts; whether it covers chat is not stated.
Other limitsFree: one marketing seat, with live chat included. Chat history, visitor caps and knowledge limits: not stated.
PluginButtonizerbutton-contact-vr, 40,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating buttons and menus, plus a chat widget. Page rules and schedules from Growth. Time and scroll triggers.
API, CLI and AI assistantsA REST API for customer data; custom API work on Enterprise. MCP and CLI: not stated.
Other limitsFree: 5,000 page views a month. Free live chat: 1 agent, chat data removed after 60 days.
PluginChatbasechatbase, 4,000+ active installs. Last updated March 2025.
Chat formatsChat bubble, or an iframe in the page. The WordPress plugin adds the bubble only. A chat API for your own interface, from Basic.
API, CLI and AI assistantsAPI, a command-line tool and an MCP server for agents, sources and conversations. All need Basic, $150 a month.
Other limitsHobby: 700 credits, 1 agent, 2 seats, 40 MB of training content. An extra agent is $25 a month. History retention: not stated.
PluginChatwaychatway-live-chat, 30,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsCorner widget. Your own button can open it. Time and scroll triggers; page targeting is paid. Inline embed: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsREST API, webhooks and an MCP server for the inbox, listed on every plan including Free. No CLI stated.
Other limitsFree: 1 seat, 50 conversations a month, 30 days of history. Business: 2 seats and 200 conversations. AI training limits: not stated.
PluginChatychaty, 300,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating widget only. A link or script can open it. Time, scroll and exit triggers; several widgets per page in Pro.
API, CLI and AI assistantsNone stated.
Other limitsNo caps stated. Data stays on your site.
PluginClick to Chatclick-to-chat-for-whatsapp, 600,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating WhatsApp button, a shortcode button in a page, and any link can open it. Number and message per page; time and scroll triggers in Pro.
API, CLI and AI assistantsNone stated. Click events can go to analytics tools and webhooks.
Other limitsNo caps stated. Nothing is stored by the plugin; chats are in WhatsApp.
PluginCrispcrisp, 10,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsCorner widget, or the chat in an iframe. Your own button can open it. Triggers from Mini. Custom interface: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsREST and real-time APIs. An MCP server that reads the workspace and can manage the inbox and CRM. The plan for each is not stated. No CLI stated.
Other limitsFree: 2 seats, 100 customer profiles, chat and contact form only. Mini: 4 seats and 5,000 profiles. History retention on Free: not stated.
PluginHubSpotleadin, 200,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsCorner widget. The chat SDK can embed it in a page element and open it from your own button. Triggers on scroll, time on page or device.
API, CLI and AI assistantsA Conversations API and a developer CLI. An MCP server that reads and writes CRM records; setting up chat through it is not stated.
Other limitsFree tools: 2 users, HubSpot branding, limited bots. The AI agent needs Professional. History retention: not stated.
PluginHyve Litehyve-lite, 7,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating bubble or inline in a page, by block or shortcode. Show by page or path. Proactive messages in Pro.
API, CLI and AI assistantsAdministration through WordPress Abilities, which an AI assistant can use through an MCP connector plugin. Off by default. No CLI stated.
Other limitsFree: about 300 posts of knowledge, WordPress content only, and the last 3 conversations visible. Pro: about 3,000 posts and full history.
PluginIntercomintercom, 5,000+ active installs. Last updated April 2025.
Chat formatsMessenger in the corner. Your own launcher can open it. Inline embed: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsREST API. An MCP server that searches conversations and manages help articles; it cannot send replies to customers. No CLI stated.
Other limitsNo free plan. From $29 a seat a month, with at least one seat. The Fin AI agent can be bought without seats.
PluginJoinchatcreame-whatsapp-me, 700,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating WhatsApp button with a call-to-action window, a button block, and links that open it. Number and message per page.
API, CLI and AI assistantsWordPress Abilities for its main settings, which AI tools in WordPress can use. No other API stated.
Other limitsNo caps stated for the free plugin. The paid AI includes 2,000 responses a month.
PluginJotform AI Chatbotjotform-ai-chatbot, 5,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating chatbot, left or right. Show by URL or device. Jotform’s builder also has a page embed. No SDK for your own interface.
API, CLI and AI assistantsAn MCP server for forms and submissions. API or MCP for the chatbot and its conversations: not stated.
Other limitsStarter: one user, 5 agents, 100 conversations and 10,000 views a month, 10 million characters of knowledge. History retention: not stated.
PluginLiveChat (Text)wp-live-chat-software-for-wordpress, 10,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsCorner widget. Your own button can open it. Campaigns by page URL, 3 on Essential. A Customer SDK for building your own widget. Inline embed: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsReports, configuration and chat APIs, with 10,000 calls a month on Essential. A read-only MCP server for chats and tickets. No CLI stated.
Other limitsEssential, per user: 10 AI resolutions a month, 60 days of history, 50 tracked visitors. Growth: 200 resolutions and unlimited history.
PluginSmartsuppsmartsupp-live-chat, 20,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsCorner chat box. Any link or image can open it. Automatic messages; flows from Plus. Inline embed: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsREST API and an MCP server that lets an AI assistant search conversations, check agent statistics and send replies. Both from Plus. No CLI stated.
Other limitsFree: 1 operator, 1 website, 25 conversations a month, 14 days of history. Mira covers one website, and reads up to 30,000 products and 20–50 web pages (its pages disagree).
PluginSocial Chatwp-whatsapp-chat, 200,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating button and contact box, and a shortcode button anywhere in a page. Hide by post type.
API, CLI and AI assistantsNone stated.
Other limitsFree: one WhatsApp number. Several numbers and agents are Premium.
Plugintawk.totawkto-live-chat, 100,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsCorner widget, or a widget embedded in the page. Your own button can open it. Triggers by page URL. Custom interface: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsJavaScript API and webhooks. The REST API is a private beta for partners. MCP and CLI: not stated.
Other limitsNo limit on agents, chats or sites. Free AI: one AI agent, 100 crawled pages, 500,000 characters. History retention: not stated.
PluginTidiotidio-live-chat, 70,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsCorner widget. Your own button can open it. Show or hide by page; proactive messages. Inline embed: not stated.
API, CLI and AI assistantsREST API on Plus and Premium. A read-only analytics MCP server for AI assistants. No CLI stated.
Other limitsFree: 50 human conversations a month and 10 seats. Sites share one widget’s settings below Plus. Knowledge limits and history retention: not stated.
PluginWP Chat Appwp-whatsapp, 100,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating widget on all or chosen pages, and a shortcode button in a page.
API, CLI and AI assistantsNone stated.
Other limitsNo caps stated. Working hours are Pro.
PluginWPBotchatbot, 5,000+ active installs.
Chat formatsFloating icon. In a page by shortcode, and click-to-chat buttons, in Pro. Choose the pages it loads on; exit and scroll triggers in Pro.
API, CLI and AI assistantsOutbound webhooks in Pro. API, MCP and CLI: not stated.
Other limitsNo numeric caps stated. Chat history is Pro. Pro licences cover 1 to 5 sites.
PluginZoho SalesIQzoho-salesiq, 10,000+ active installs. Last updated December 2025.
Chat formatsCorner widget. Proactive trigger rules: none on Free, 3 on Basic. Zoho’s JavaScript API is not supported with the WordPress plugin.
API, CLI and AI assistantsREST API for conversations, transcripts and visitors. Plan, MCP and CLI: not stated.
Other limitsFree: 3 operators, 100 chats and 10,000 visitors a month, 30 days of history, no bots. Training on web pages is Enterprise only.

Price at 50, 150 and 500 AI chats a month

Monthly billing. Where a product bills per AI reply, the range covers 5–10 replies a chat. ≈ marks an estimate and + a minimum.

Monthly cost at 150 AI chats
  • Stand Chat$10
  • Zoho SalesIQ$25+
  • Jotform AI Chatbot$39
  • Smartsupp≈$40
  • Crisp≈$47.50–$55
  • Chatway≈$75
  • Chatbase$80+
  • tawk.to$89–$99
  • LiveChat (Text)$99
  • Tidio$110
  • HubSpot$145
  • Intercom$148.50 + seats

A lighter bar end shows a range. Not charted, because they have no AI or no monthly dollar price at all three volumes: 3CX Free Live Chat, AI Engine, AI Puffer (formerly AI Power), Brevo, Buttonizer, Chaty, Click to Chat, Hyve Lite, Joinchat, Social Chat, WP Chat App, WPBot. The table below has every plugin and the basis for each price.

PluginStand Chat
50 chats$0
150 chats$10
500 chats≈$45
BasisBase is free up to 15 chats a week. Pro is $10 for 150 chats a month, then $0.10 a chat.
Plugin3CX Free Live Chat
50 chatsNo AI
150 chatsNo AI
500 chatsNo AI
BasisFree for up to 10 users. Paid editions are yearly licences from $300.
PluginAI Engine
50 chatsProvider usage
150 chatsProvider usage
500 chatsProvider usage
BasisPlugin free; Pro from $59 a year. Your AI provider bills each reply by tokens, which depends on the model and how much of your content each answer reads.
PluginAI Puffer (formerly AI Power)
50 chatsNot comparable
150 chatsNot comparable
500 chatsNot comparable
BasisCloud plans from $9.99 a month for 1,000 credits, but credits per reply are not published. With your own key, the provider bills usage.
PluginBrevo
50 chatsNot stated
150 chatsNot stated
500 chatsNot stated
BasisNo price per conversation is published. The AI chatbot needs a Sales Advanced seat, about $64 a month, and Brevo’s pages disagree on which plans can add it.
PluginButtonizer
50 chats$47.48
150 chatsNot stated
500 chatsNot stated
BasisFormilla Premium at $17.49 plus the AI add-on at $29.99, which includes 100 chats a month. Higher tiers cost more; prices are not published.
PluginChatbase
50 chats$40+
150 chats$80+
500 chats$120–$190+
BasisMessage credits at one credit a reply (the cheapest models) and 5–10 replies a chat; $40 recharges of 1,000 credits. Other models use 2–5 credits a reply.
PluginChatway
50 chats≈$25
150 chats≈$75
500 chats≈$250
Basis$0.50 per conversation the AI resolves, on any plan including Free.
PluginChaty
50 chatsNo AI
150 chatsNo AI
500 chatsNo AI
BasisFree; Pro $59 a year for one site.
PluginClick to Chat
50 chatsNo AI
150 chatsNo AI
500 chatsNo AI
BasisFree; Pro from $18 a year.
PluginCrisp
50 chats$45
150 chats≈$47.50–$55
500 chats≈$65–$90
BasisMini at $45 a month plus Hugo pay-as-you-go at Crisp’s own estimate of $0.05–$0.10 a conversation.
PluginHubSpot
50 chats$100
150 chats$145
500 chats$320
BasisOne Service Hub Professional seat at $100 a month with 3,000 credits; a resolved conversation uses 50 credits, and more cost $10 per 1,000. A one-time $1,500 onboarding fee is extra.
PluginHyve Lite
50 chats$0
150 chats$79 once
500 chats$79 once
Basis500 free messages a month cover 50 chats at 5–10 replies. Pro is a one-time $79 for one site with 10,000 messages a month. With your own key, OpenAI bills usage.
PluginIntercom
50 chats$49.50 + seats
150 chats$148.50 + seats
500 chats$495 + seats
BasisFin at $0.99 an outcome, with a monthly minimum. Seats for Intercom’s helpdesk are extra.
PluginJoinchat
50 chats€39
150 chats€39
500 chatsNot stated
BasisAI Assistant at €39 a month with 2,000 responses, 5–10 responses a chat. The price above 2,000 responses is not published.
PluginJotform AI Chatbot
50 chats$0
150 chats$39
500 chats$39
BasisStarter is free for 100 conversations a month. Bronze is $39 for 1,000.
PluginLiveChat (Text)
50 chats≈$74.50
150 chats$99
500 chats≈$396
BasisOne user. Essential at $25 or Growth at $99 a month, plus $49.50 packs of 50 AI resolutions.
PluginSmartsupp
50 chats$20
150 chats≈$40
500 chats≈$100
BasisMira AI Agent at $20 a month for 100 conversations on monthly billing, $16 on annual, sold from 100 to 5,000 conversations. Larger amounts are priced here at the same rate per 100.
PluginSocial Chat
50 chatsNot stated
150 chatsNot stated
500 chatsNot stated
BasisFree; Premium from $49 a year. The cost of AI use is not published.
Plugintawk.to
50 chats$29–$59
150 chats$89–$99
500 chats$189–$399
BasisAI Assist plans and $30 packs of 1,000 credits, at 3 credits a reply and 5–10 replies a chat.
PluginTidio
50 chats$39
150 chats$110
500 chats$350
BasisLyro AI Agent add-on on monthly billing, which can sit on the free plan.
PluginWP Chat App
50 chatsNo AI
150 chatsNo AI
500 chatsNo AI
BasisFree; Pro from $29 a year, shown as reduced from $39.
PluginWPBot
50 chatsProvider usage
150 chatsProvider usage
500 chatsProvider usage
BasisPlugin free; Pro from $39 a year. Your AI provider bills each reply.
PluginZoho SalesIQ
50 chats$25+
150 chats$25+
500 chats$25+
BasisOne Enterprise operator at $25 a month, which includes 200,000 bot sessions. Whether AI usage is charged on top is not stated; with your own key the provider bills it.

Check the vendor’s page before you decide; prices change. More website chat pricing is on the compare page.

Best fit

PluginStand Chat
Best forA small business that wants AI to answer when nobody is around, with a person able to take over.
Plugin3CX Free Live Chat
Best forA small team that wants free live chat tied to a phone system.
PluginAI Engine
Best forA site owner comfortable with API keys who wants to choose the model.
PluginAI Puffer (formerly AI Power)
Best forA site owner who wants one plugin for a chatbot, content writing and managing WordPress from an AI assistant.
PluginBrevo
Best forA business that already uses Brevo for email and CRM and wants chat in the same place.
PluginButtonizer
Best forA site that wants one floating menu of contact buttons, with live chat as an option.
PluginChatbase
Best forA team that wants an AI agent with actions and integrations, and does not need human takeover on the entry plan.
PluginChatway
Best forA one-person or small team that wants free live chat and pays for AI only when it is used.
PluginChaty
Best forA site whose visitors would rather use a messaging app, across more channels than WhatsApp.
PluginClick to Chat
Best forA business whose customers already use WhatsApp and whose owner answers there anyway.
PluginCrisp
Best forA small or mid-size company that wants one shared inbox across chat, email and messaging apps.
PluginHubSpot
Best forA business that wants chat as one part of a CRM and marketing suite it already uses.
PluginHyve Lite
Best forA content-heavy site that wants answers drawn only from its own posts, pages and products.
PluginIntercom
Best forA support team that wants an AI-first helpdesk and pays per resolved conversation.
PluginJoinchat
Best forA site that wants a WhatsApp button where the visitor writes first, with paid extras later.
PluginJotform AI Chatbot
Best forA site that already uses Jotform, or wants a no-code AI chatbot with a free monthly allowance and no live team.
PluginLiveChat (Text)
Best forA business with people on chat all day.
PluginSmartsupp
Best forA small or mid-size online shop that wants live chat and an AI that recommends products.
PluginSocial Chat
Best forA site or WooCommerce shop that wants a WhatsApp button, including on product pages.
Plugintawk.to
Best forA team that answers chats itself and wants free live chat, ticketing and unlimited agents, with AI as an extra.
PluginTidio
Best forAn online store that wants live chat, an AI agent and a helpdesk in one dashboard.
PluginWP Chat App
Best forA site that wants a WhatsApp button shared by several people.
PluginWPBot
Best forA site owner or agency that wants a scripted bot for FAQs and leads, kept inside WordPress.
PluginZoho SalesIQ
Best forA team that wants live chat with visitor tracking and lead scoring, especially one already on Zoho.

Stand’s limits

  • The plugin is in beta and is not in the WordPress.org directory yet. You install it from a ZIP and update it by uploading a newer one.
  • The free plan is 15 chats a week. Unused chats do not carry over to a busier week.
  • Stand answers on your website only. It has no WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram or email inbox, and no ticketing.
  • WordPress stays connected for 30 days at a time; then someone signs in to Stand again. Chat on the site keeps working meanwhile.
  • You cannot choose the AI model or use your own API key.
  • There is no MCP server. An AI assistant manages Stand through the command-line tool or the API.
  • Live conversations, history, billing and the team are managed in the Stand app, not in WordPress admin.

Sources

Vendor pricing, help and WordPress.org listing pages, read November 10, 2026. Install counts are the rounded figures WordPress.org shows.

Stand pricingStand WordPress plugin reference3CX live chat plugin3CX pricing3CX on WordPress.orgAI EngineAI Engine pricingAI Engine on WordPress.orgAI Puffer pricingAI PufferAI Puffer on WordPress.orgBrevo pricing plansBrevo AI chatbotBrevo on WordPress.orgButtonizer pricingFormilla pricingButtonizer on WordPress.orgChatbase pricingChatbase WordPress guideChatbase chat interface controlChatbase on WordPress.orgChatway pricingChatway widget from your own buttonChatway on WordPress.orgChaty pricingChaty on WordPress.orgClick to Chat pricingClick to Chat on WordPress.orgCrisp pricingCrisp Hugo pricingCrisp chatbox in an iframeCrisp MCP serverCrisp on WordPress.orgHubSpot Service Hub pricingHubSpot creditsHubSpot chat widget SDKHubSpot product catalogHubSpot on WordPress.orgHyveHyve documentationHyve Lite on WordPress.orgIntercom pricingIntercom WordPress guideIntercom custom launcherIntercom on WordPress.orgJoinchat pricingJoinchat on WordPress.orgJotform pricingJotform WordPress guideJotform AI Chatbot on WordPress.orgText pricingLiveChat targeted messagesLiveChat Customer SDKLiveChat on WordPress.orgSmartsupp pricingSmartsupp Mira FAQSmartsupp chat box logoSmartsupp on WordPress.orgSocial ChatSocial Chat on WordPress.orgtawk.to AI Assist billingtawk.to AI Assist planstawk.to add-onstawk.to triggers by page URLtawk.to on WordPress.orgTidio pricingTidio Lyro limitTidio on WordPress.orgWP Chat AppWP Chat App on WordPress.orgWPBot pricingWPBot on WordPress.orgZoho SalesIQ pricingZoho SalesIQ WordPress guideZoho SalesIQ on WordPress.org

FAQ

Is there a free AI chatbot for WordPress that needs no API key?

Yes. Stand includes 15 AI chats a week on its free plan, Jotform 100 conversations a month, Hyve 500 messages a month, tawk.to 100 AI credits a month, and AI Puffer 25 cloud credits a month. Tidio and Chatway give a one-time free amount. AI Engine and WPBot are free plugins that need your own API key.

Do I need an OpenAI API key to add a chatbot to WordPress?

Only with plugins that run the AI inside WordPress, such as AI Engine and WPBot, where you pay the AI provider directly. Hosted plugins such as Stand, Tidio, Chatway, Jotform and Chatbase run the AI for you.

Can I take over a chat from the AI?

With Stand, Tidio, tawk.to, Crisp, Chatway and LiveChat, yes, in the same conversation. With Chatbase it starts on the $150 plan. The AI framework plugins compared here describe no live human chat in their free versions.

What does an AI chatbot cost at 150 chats a month?

From $10 with Stand to over $100 with per-conversation agents such as Tidio’s. Plugins that use your own API key cost whatever your AI provider charges for the replies.

Is a WhatsApp button enough?

Yes, if your customers use WhatsApp and you answer there. Nothing answers while you are away, and the chat is not on your site.

Which plugins can show chat inside a page, not only in the corner?

Stand, tawk.to, Crisp, Chatbase, AI Engine, AI Puffer, Hyve, HubSpot and Brevo document a chat embedded in the page. Stand also has buttons and cards as WordPress blocks, and Stand, Chatbase and LiveChat document a way to build your own chat interface.

Which can be managed by an AI assistant or from the command line?

Stand and Chatbase have a command-line tool; Chatbase’s needs its $150 plan. Chatbase, Chatway, Crisp, Smartsupp, Tidio, LiveChat, HubSpot and Intercom publish MCP servers with different reach. AI Engine and AI Puffer let an assistant manage the WordPress site itself.

Who wrote this comparison?

Stand Chat, one of the products compared. Facts about other products come from their own pages, linked under Sources.

Stand Chat for WordPress

The plugin is in beta and free to install.

Add Stand to WordPressWhat the plugin does