Drift is one of the most popular platforms for conversational marketing and live chat, but it’s not always the perfect fit for every business. Its expensive plans and advanced focus on account-based marketing might make it challenging for small businesses and growing teams to justify the cost. For those looking for a better alternative with unique capabilities, this guide explores the top 9 Drift alternatives to help you find the right match for your business needs.
In this article, we’ll cover powerful features, pricing options, and standout qualities of these different providers. Whether you’re part of a customer support team, a sales team, or a small business looking to engage more website visitors, you’ll discover tools that can offer better features, custom bots, and seamless integrations like Slack integration or ZoomInfo chat.
Why Consider Alternatives?
Many businesses switch to other tools because they want automated chat solutions, great integrations, or a focus on the customer journey. Plus, with a wide range of service packages and free or premium plans, you can find an alternative to Drift that aligns better with your goals—whether that’s lead generation, customer loyalty, or improving your customer experience.
Criteria for Evaluating the Best Drift Alternatives
Choosing the right alternative to Drift requires considering your unique business needs and priorities. Here’s a breakdown of the most important criteria to help you identify the ideal platform for your team:
1. Features that Align with Business Goals
Look for platforms that offer powerful features like custom bots, automated messages, and tools to engage website visitors at the right moment. The ability to create canned responses and use a team inbox to streamline communication for your support team is invaluable.
2. Ease of Use
A platform that’s easy to use for both your sales teams and support team can save time and increase efficiency. Features like knowledge base integration and an intuitive dashboard are crucial for smooth operations.
3. Scalability and Customization
Your business communication needs might change as your company grows. Tools with great features like adjustable workflows, scalable service packages, and flexible integrations (e.g., Slack integration, ZoomInfo chat) are ideal.
4. Pricing and Plans
Not every company has the budget for expensive plans, especially small businesses and startups. Platforms offering a free plan, affordable premium plans, or tiered service packages give you the flexibility to scale.
5. Integration Capabilities
Seamless integration with apps like Slack, Facebook Messenger, and ZoomInfo chat can enhance your team’s productivity and improve the customer journey.
6. Customer Support and Resources
Evaluate the level of support provided. Some platforms offer 24/7 live chat, robust help centers, or even dedicated account managers to assist your support team.
7. Unique Selling Points
Whether it’s a focus on conversational sales, lead generation, or creating a more personal human touch, every platform has a unique angle. Look for the better alternative that matches your company’s specific priorities.
By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be able to choose a platform with the better features and tools needed to boost your customer loyalty and drive more sales.
Best 9 Drift alternative
1. Desku
Desku offers a streamlined platform designed for small businesses and customer support teams to manage customer communication effortlessly. It provides tools to enhance the customer journey and improve team efficiency through automation and collaboration.
Key Features
- Team Inbox: Centralizes conversations across email, live chat, and social media for seamless business communication.
- Automated Chat: Engages website visitors with automated messages, ensuring quick responses at the right moment.
- Knowledge Base: Supports self-service by offering customers access to FAQs and guides.
- Custom Bots: Automates repetitive tasks and handles common queries, freeing up the support team.
Pricing
Desku provides flexible plans, including a free plan for startups and budget-friendly premium plans for growing businesses.
Why Choose Desku?
For companies prioritizing affordability and usability, Desku is a better alternative with its powerful features and intuitive design. Ideal for businesses seeking scalable solutions with great integrations.
2. Intercom
Intercom is a top-tier Drift alternative, offering tools for conversational sales, customer support, and lead generation. Its focus on providing a personal human touch makes it a favorite for sales teams and customer-facing departments.
Key Features
- Live Chat with Automation: Engages customers instantly while automating repetitive tasks.
- Custom Bots: Handles lead qualification and FAQs effectively.
- Knowledge Base: Empowers customers with self-help options, reducing dependency on the support team.
- Customer Journey Insights: Tracks behavior to deliver personalized experiences.
Pricing
Intercom offers a tiered pricing structure with options for startups, growing businesses, and enterprise solutions. A free plan is available with limited features, while premium plans are more robust.
Why Choose Intercom?
Intercom’s great features make it suitable for businesses aiming to combine automation with a human touch. Its robust integrations and detailed analytics set it apart.
3. Tidio
Tidio is a user-friendly alternative with a focus on engaging website visitors and simplifying business communication. It’s an affordable option for small businesses and startups.
Key Features
- Live Chat and Chatbots: Handles real-time chat and automated chat efficiently.
- Team Inbox: Consolidates customer messages across platforms for easy management.
- Custom Bots: Simplifies FAQs and enhances lead generation.
- Multichannel Support: Includes integration with Facebook Messenger and email.
Pricing
Tidio offers a free plan and scalable premium plans, making it one of the most affordable Drift alternatives.
Why Choose Tidio?
Tidio stands out with its simplicity and affordability, making it a better alternative for startups and small businesses.
4. LiveChat
LiveChat delivers a professional-grade live chat platform suitable for sales teams and customer support teams. Its customizable features make it adaptable to various business needs.
Key Features
- Customizable Chat Widgets: Personalize chat designs to align with your branding.
- Ticketing System: Tracks and resolves unresolved queries efficiently.
- Knowledge Base: Offers self-help tools for customers.
- Slack Integration: Boosts collaboration across teams.
Pricing
Flexible plans cater to businesses of all sizes, though it may lean toward pricier options compared to other tools.
Why Choose LiveChat?
Ideal for teams looking for great features like customization, ticketing, and seamless integrations.
5. LiveAgent
LiveAgent is a comprehensive help desk solution combining live chat, ticketing, and call center features into one platform. It’s perfect for customer support teams and companies with diverse communication needs.
Key Features
- Omnichannel Communication: Connect with customers via email, chat, and calls.
- Canned Responses: Speeds up responses with pre-written templates.
- Custom Bots: Automates routine inquiries to free up agents.
Pricing
LiveAgent offers a range of service packages, including a free plan for startups and affordable premium options.
Why Choose LiveAgent?
A versatile alternative to Drift, LiveAgent is well-suited for teams needing an all-in-one help desk solution.
6. HelpCrunch
HelpCrunch is a cost-effective platform focusing on conversational marketing and customer support. Its tools are designed for small businesses looking to build long-term customer loyalty.
Key Features
- Live Chat and Automation: Streamlines customer interactions.
- Knowledge Base Integration: Offers self-service capabilities to reduce support load.
- Team Inbox: Manages conversations efficiently.
Pricing
HelpCrunch provides affordable plans starting with a free plan for basic needs, making it attractive for startups.
Why Choose HelpCrunch?
A better alternative for budget-conscious businesses needing reliable tools for support and marketing.
7. Freshchat
Freshchat is a scalable solution designed for businesses of all sizes, offering powerful features for customer support and engagement. It’s a solid option for companies focused on conversational sales.
Key Features
- Omnichannel Chat: Engages customers across web, mobile, and social platforms.
- Custom Bots: Automates lead qualification and customer responses.
- Collaboration Tools: Includes Slack integration for seamless teamwork.
Pricing
Freshchat provides premium plans that may be pricier than other options but offer excellent scalability.
Why Choose Freshchat?
Great for businesses focused on more sales, lead qualification, and robust automation.
8. Zendesk Support Suite
Zendesk is an enterprise-grade solution offering advanced tools for business communication and customer experience management.
Key Features
- Advanced Automation: Includes predictive analytics and AI-powered tools.
- Team Inbox: Centralized platform for handling messages efficiently.
- Custom Bots: Handles repetitive tasks to improve productivity.
Pricing
Zendesk is known for its expensive plans, but its enterprise-level features make it worth the investment for large businesses.
Why Choose Zendesk?
Ideal for enterprises requiring sophisticated tools for complex business needs.
9. Olark
Olark is a simple and user-friendly platform, perfect for small businesses seeking straightforward live chat solutions.
Key Features
- Custom Bots: Automates common tasks.
- Knowledge Base Integration: Helps customers find solutions independently.
- Team Collaboration: Streamlines workflows for better teamwork.
Pricing
Olark provides affordable plans, making it accessible for startups and small teams.
Why Choose Olark?
A great choice for businesses looking for an easy-to-use tool with essential features at a competitive price.
Comparison Table of Top Drift Alternatives
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the top Drift alternatives to help you quickly assess which platform aligns best with your business needs:
| Platform | Best For | Key Features | Pricing | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desku | Small businesses, support teams | Team inbox, automated chat, knowledge base, custom bots | Free plan, affordable premium plans | Cost-effective, easy to use, great for scaling customer support. |
| Intercom | Sales & support teams, enterprises | Live chat, custom bots, customer insights, knowledge base | Tiered pricing, free and premium | Combines automation with a human touch, great integrations and analytics. |
| Tidio | Startups, small businesses | Live chat, chatbots, multichannel support, team inbox | Free and affordable premium plans | User-friendly, affordable, simple yet effective tools for small teams. |
| LiveChat | Professional support teams | Customizable widgets, ticketing, Slack integration | Flexible, mid-range pricing | Ideal for customized branding and professional-grade ticketing features. |
| LiveAgent | Omnichannel support | Ticketing, canned responses, custom bots | Free and competitive pricing | Comprehensive help desk solution with versatile communication tools. |
| HelpCrunch | Budget-conscious businesses | Live chat, knowledge base, team inbox | Affordable plans | Reliable and cost-effective solution for conversational marketing and customer support. |
| Freshchat | Scalable businesses | Omnichannel chat, custom bots, collaboration tools | Premium plans, higher pricing | Great for businesses needing advanced tools and seamless scalability. |
| Zendesk | Enterprises, large businesses | Advanced automation, team inbox, custom bots | Expensive plans | Enterprise-grade features with AI tools for complex business requirements. |
| Olark | Startups, small businesses | Custom bots, team collaboration, knowledge base | Affordable plans | Simple and easy-to-use platform with essential features for small teams. |
How to Choose the Right Drift Alternative for Your Business
Selecting the best alternative to Drift depends on aligning the platform’s features, pricing, and scalability with your specific goals. Here’s a guide to help you decide:
- Identify Your Primary Goal:
Are you looking to enhance customer support, boost lead generation, or drive more sales? Focus on platforms specializing in your area of need. - Consider Team Size and Budget:
For small businesses, platforms like Desku and Tidio offer affordable solutions. Enterprises may benefit from Zendesk or Intercom for advanced capabilities. - Evaluate Essential Features:
If custom bots, automated messages, and a knowledge base are must-haves, compare platforms offering these tools. - Test Free Plans and Demos:
Many providers, including LiveAgent, Desku, and Tidio, offer free trials or basic plans. Use these to explore the usability and effectiveness of their tools. - Scalability for Future Needs:
Platforms like Freshchat and Zendesk excel in supporting business growth with premium plans tailored for larger teams.
FAQs About Drift Alternatives
1. What is Drift, and why look for alternatives?
Drift is a platform for conversational marketing and live chat, but its expensive plans and enterprise-focused features may not suit all businesses. Alternatives often provide better features, affordability, or specific tools like custom bots or Slack integration.
2. Which Drift alternative is best for small businesses?
Platforms like Desku, Tidio, and Olark are designed for affordability and simplicity, making them ideal for small businesses.
3. Can I find a free Drift alternative?
Yes, many tools like Tidio, LiveAgent, and HelpCrunch offer free plans with essential features for startups and smaller teams.
4. What are the key features to look for in a Drift alternative?
Look for automated messages, custom bots, a team inbox, and integration with tools like Facebook Messenger or Slack. Also, consider platforms that provide scalability and great integrations.
Conclusion
Finding the right Drift alternative can transform the way your business engages with customers, drives conversational sales, and supports website visitors. With options like Desku, Intercom, Tidio, and Zendesk, there’s a platform for every business need—whether you’re a small business seeking affordability, a sales team aiming for more sales, or an enterprise in need of advanced customer support tools.
These alternatives offer a variety of great features like custom bots, automated chat, team inbox functionality, and robust integrations such as Slack integration and Facebook Messenger. Most platforms also provide flexible pricing, including free plans, allowing you to test their capabilities before committing. By choosing a solution that aligns with your team’s goals and budget, you’ll not only improve your customer experience but also create stronger connections that foster customer loyalty and drive business growth.
