Chatwoot vs Tidio: which one should you use?
Last updated July 7, 2026
Chatwoot and Tidio both promise to reduce manual support work, but through different mechanisms. Chatwoot does it by unifying every channel, email, WhatsApp, SMS, Telegram, into one inbox with unmetered conversations. Tidio does it by deflecting questions before a human sees them, with a chatbot flow builder and Shopify-specific automation, at the cost of metering every conversation on every tier.
If you’re deciding between them, the real question is whether channel breadth (Chatwoot) or AI-driven deflection for an ecommerce store (Tidio) matters more.
Pricing
Chatwoot self-hosted has no license fee; Cloud starts at $19/agent/mo with unlimited conversations included. Tidio’s free plan allows 50 conversations/mo; paid tiers meter every tier up to 2,000/mo on Growth at $59/seat, with a steep jump to Plus at $749/mo.
Feature comparison
Chatwoot’s edge is breadth and unmetered volume. Tidio’s edge is automation, its chatbot flow builder and Shopify integrations are purpose-built for ecommerce in a way Chatwoot doesn’t attempt.
What each one does well
If your traffic spans multiple channels and you don’t want conversation caps, Chatwoot is the stronger platform, provided you can handle self-hosting or a per-agent Cloud bill. If your traffic is ecommerce-heavy and repetitive, Tidio’s Lyro AI and flow builder can genuinely cut human workload, as long as volume stays inside the caps.
Verdict
Chatwoot wins on breadth and unmetered conversations. Tidio wins on ecommerce-specific automation. Neither is priced for a team that just wants simple, unmetered chat without infrastructure or per-conversation limits.
Also see our full breakdowns: Chatwoot alternative, Tidio alternative, Chatwoot pricing, Tidio pricing.
Pricing at a glance
Feature comparison
| Feature | Chatwoot | Tidio |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Open-source / auditable | ||
| Multichannel inbox (email, SMS, WhatsApp) | ||
| Telegram integration | ||
| AI chatbot included | ||
| Visual chatbot flow builder | ||
| Shopify / ecommerce integrations | ||
| Conversation caps on paid tiers | ||
| Unlimited conversations | ||
| Automated workflows |
What people like about Chatwoot
- Genuinely multichannel: email, WhatsApp, Instagram, SMS, Telegram in one inbox
- Unlimited conversations, no metering on any tier
- Full data ownership when self-hosted
- AI assistant (Captain) available, though billed separately
Common complaints about Chatwoot
- Self-hosting requires setting up and maintaining Docker, Postgres, and Redis
- No ecommerce-specific automation the way Tidio has
- Cloud pricing is per-agent and climbs quickly
- No vendor support on self-hosted deployments
What people like about Tidio
- Purpose-built chatbot flow editor with ecommerce triggers
- Deep Shopify integration: order status, cart abandonment, product recs
- Free plan works for genuinely low-volume sites
- Faster to set up than a self-hosted platform
Common complaints about Tidio
- Every tier, including paid ones, meters conversations
- Lyro AI is a separate add-on with its own billing
- No multichannel inbox beyond chat and basic ticketing
- No native Telegram integration
Chatwoot or Tidio?
Choose Chatwoot if you need genuine multichannel support and unmetered conversations, and can either self-host or pay per agent. Choose Tidio if your priority is an AI chatbot deflecting ecommerce questions and your volume fits the conversation caps. Neither fits a team that wants simple, unmetered chat without infrastructure or per-conversation limits.
Or consider a third option
Chatwoot's breadth costs ops time or a per-agent bill. Tidio meters every conversation, even on paid tiers, and its AI is a separate line item. Neither routes replies to Telegram itself. Bubblegram sends widget messages straight into a Telegram group: unmetered, no server, $10/mo flat for up to 10 sites.
Common questions
Which has unlimited conversations?
Chatwoot, on every tier including self-hosted and Cloud. Tidio meters conversations on every tier, 50/mo free up to 2,000/mo on Growth, with no unlimited option below the custom Plus tier.
Which is better for a Shopify store?
Tidio, clearly. Its flow builder and Shopify integrations pull order status and trigger flows from cart activity in ways Chatwoot doesn't attempt.
Which is easier to set up?
Tidio, since it's hosted from the start. Chatwoot means either self-hosting infrastructure or paying for Cloud.
Do either support Telegram?
Chatwoot does, as one channel among several in its inbox. Tidio has no Telegram integration.
Which is cheaper for a 3-person team with moderate volume?
It depends on usage. Tidio Growth for 3 seats is $177/mo for 2,000 conversations. Chatwoot Cloud Startups is $57/mo for 3 agents with unlimited conversations, though self-hosting could be cheaper still if you can absorb the ops time.
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