Tawk.to vs Tidio: which one should you use?
Last updated October 19, 2026
Tawk.to and Tidio are both aimed at smaller teams, but they optimize for different things. Tawk.to is free-forever and unmetered: unlimited agents, no conversation cap, funded by optional add-ons like badge removal. Tidio is AI-first: a genuine chatbot flow builder and Shopify integrations, but every tier, including free, meters how many conversations you can have per month.
If you’re choosing between them, the real question is whether unmetered simplicity (Tawk.to) or AI-driven ecommerce automation (Tidio) matters more for your site.
Pricing
Tawk.to’s core product costs nothing, ever, with badge removal, AI Assist, and video sold separately at $29/mo each. Tidio’s free plan allows 50 conversations/mo; paid plans still cap conversations, with Growth from $59/mo for 250 and Plus from $300/mo plus usage.
Feature comparison
Tawk.to includes ticketing and a knowledge base free, with no conversation limits. Tidio’s strength is automation: a purpose-built chatbot flow builder and deep Shopify integrations that Tawk.to doesn’t attempt to match.
What each one does well
If you want free, unmetered chat with ticketing and don’t mind a badge, Tawk.to delivers that with zero setup friction. 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 within the caps.
Verdict
Tawk.to wins on cost predictability and unmetered volume. Tidio wins on ecommerce-specific automation. Neither is built around Telegram, so if that’s your actual workflow, it’s worth comparing both against something narrower.
Also see our full breakdowns: Tawk.to alternative, Tidio alternative, Tawk.to pricing, Tidio pricing.
Pricing at a glance
Feature comparison
| Feature | Tawk.to | Tidio |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier with unlimited agents | ||
| Conversation caps on every tier | ||
| AI chatbot / AI-assisted replies | ||
| Visual chatbot flow builder | ||
| Shopify / ecommerce integrations | ||
| Built-in ticketing | ||
| Knowledge base builder | ||
| Telegram integration | ||
| Badge-free by default | ||
| Flat, unlimited seats on paid tier |
What users say
Tawk.to
- Genuinely free forever with unlimited agents and sites
- Ticketing, knowledge base, and CRM included at no cost
- No conversation caps on any tier
- No seat-based pricing to plan around
- "Powered by tawk.to" badge shown unless you pay $29/mo to remove it
- No chatbot flow builder or ecommerce-specific automation
- AI Assist is a separate $29/mo add-on, not built-in
- No native Telegram integration
Tidio
- Purpose-built chatbot flow editor with ecommerce triggers
- Deep Shopify integration: order status, cart abandonment, product recs
- No badge shown on any tier, including free
- Lyro AI can resolve common questions before a human sees them
- Every tier, including paid ones, meters conversations
- Lyro AI is a separate add-on with its own per-conversation billing
- Growth gets pricier with volume, and Plus starts at $300/mo plus usage
- No native Telegram integration
The bottom line
Tawk.to or Tidio?
Tawk.to for free, unmetered chat with ticketing, if a badge is fine. Tidio for an AI chatbot that deflects ecommerce questions, especially on Shopify, if your volume fits the caps. Neither suits a team that wants simple chat with no badge and no metering.
Or consider a third option
Tawk.to charges for the badge and AI separately. Tidio caps conversations and bills Lyro on top. Bubblegram includes AI replies, no badge, and unlimited conversations from $9/mo, and you reply from Telegram.
Try Bubblegram free →Common questions
Which one is cheaper for a low-volume site?
Tawk.to, since its core product is free forever with no conversation cap, just a badge. Tidio's free tier caps at 50 conversations/mo, tight for anything beyond a very small site.
Which is better for a Shopify store?
Tidio, by a wide margin. Its flow builder and Shopify integrations pull order status and trigger flows from cart activity in ways Tawk.to doesn't attempt.
Does either show a badge on the free plan?
Tawk.to does, unless you pay $29/mo to remove it. Tidio's free plan has no badge.
Which handles growing conversation volume better?
Tawk.to, since it never caps conversations on any tier. Tidio raises its cap with each paid tier but never removes it below the custom Plus tier, which starts at $300/mo plus usage.
Can either reply from Telegram?
No. Neither Tawk.to nor Tidio has a native Telegram integration.
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