11 Kommunicate Alternatives for Customer Support Automation in 2024

Kommunicate is a popular platform well known for its AI-powered customer support automation capabilities – thanks to its live chat and chatbot tools.

But if you’re like me, wondering whether there are some other options that offer almost similar features… well, you chose the right blog to start with.

As someone who has used several customer support automation tools, I would like to share some of the top Kommunicate alternatives and competitors with you. 

These live chat tools and chatbot platforms power up your customer support teams to assist customers 24/7 and generate quality leads. Eager to know more about them? Here, have a first glance –

Which is the Best Kommunicate Alternative for You?

If you’re running short of time to explore the entire blog, I’ll ease things up with my top three picks from the list –

1. ProProfs Chat: The software offers budget-friendly AI chatbots for 24/7 support and lead generation. These chatbots answer FAQs, troubleshoot issues, and qualify leads, freeing you up. It even lets you see visitor behavior to understand their needs and improve your website. It comes with a freemium plan.
2. Zendesk: The platform integrates seamlessly if you’re already in their ecosystem. It offers live chat, ticketing, self-service (knowledge base and forums), and agent collaboration features for a streamlined customer support experience. A free trial is available.
3. Drift: The software’s chat windows greet visitors while customizable chatbots answer questions, qualify leads, and schedule appointments. Targeted messaging keeps conversations relevant, pushing website visitors further down the sales funnel. Has a free trial, but pricing is on the expensive side.

For a more detailed review, come back to read the blog any time!

List of the 11 Best Kommunicate Alternatives

Over the years, I’ve tested and reviewed a lot of customer support automation tools that get the job done. But how did I create this list of Kommunicate competitors and alternatives? 

Well, I connected with several professionals who use these tools daily. Most of them (product managers, corporate training managers, HR managers, etc.) suggested names of some of these options below.

I also did some digging on software review sites to ensure only the most credible and well-trusted tools made it to the list. 

Let’s get started.

1. ProProfs Chat

Best for 24/7 Delightful Customer Support With AI Chatbots

At a hundred bucks per month, Kommunicate pricing might go hard on the budget of most startups or even some SMBs. But with this alternative tool, I don’t think that will be an issue.

ProProfs Chat offers impressive AI chatbot capabilities, ensuring 24/7 customer support without a human agent. These chatbots can be easily trained using your own data, answer FAQs, troubleshoot basic issues, and even qualify leads—all without needing a human on standby.

The proactive chat feature engages visitors before they leave your site, improving conversion rates. This lets you see what customers are looking at on your website, where they might be getting stuck, and their browsing history.

Read Customer Success Story

What you’ll like: 

• AI-powered chatbots for automated responses and lead qualification
• Real-time visitor monitoring to proactively address customer needs
• Customizable chat windows for seamless brand integration
• Multichannel support, including email and social media
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics to measure performance

What you may not like: 

• May not be the best option if you’re looking for on-premise solutions for customer support
• No dedicated account manager for the free plan, unlike the paid

Compatibility: Web, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS

Pricing: A freemium plan is available for a single operator. Paid options start from $19.99/operator/month.

2. Freshchat

Best for Freshworks Suite Users

Freshchat is a Kommunicate alternative that tackles customer support across multiple channels – websites, messaging apps, and social media. In my experience, such an all-in-one approach keeps conversations organized and easily accessible. 

The software incorporates AI-powered chatbots to answer customers’ frequently asked questions and troubleshoot common issues. The chatbots can also deflect routine inquiries, saving your agents valuable time. 

And for situations requiring a human touch, the tool offers live chat functionality to connect customers with agents directly for immediate problem-solving.

What you’ll like:

• Omnichannel messaging for consistent customer experience
• AI-powered chatbots to answer FAQs and deflect simple inquiries
• Canned responses for faster resolution of common issues
• Collision detection to prevent multiple agents from assisting the same customer
• Real-time reporting and analytics to track agent performance and customer satisfaction

What you may not like:

• No user segmentation, chat routing, and canned responses in the free plan
• Some users have reported chat performance issues even on compatible devices

Compatibility: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Pricing: A free plan is available for up to 10 agents. Paid options start from $15/agent/month.

Read Also: 11 Best Freshchat Alternatives & Competitors Worth Considering in 2024

3. Tidio

Best for Live Chat With Ticketing Functionality

I like Tidio for its two-pronged approach to customer support, offering both live chat and a built-in ticketing system. This bridges the gap between quick conversations and complex issues.  

The live chat tool for real time visitors allows you to address customer questions and concerns quickly and effectively. But I like how the software seamlessly converts those chats into tickets for situations requiring more in-depth troubleshooting or follow-up. 

These tickets keep track of the conversation history, relevant files or notes, and the issue’s status. Your agents can easily switch between conversations and access the necessary information to provide smooth support.

What you’ll like: 

• Live chat functionalities like file sharing, co-browsing, and canned responses
• Integrated ticketing system for efficient issue resolution and tracking
• Chatbots automate greetings, answer FAQs, and lead generation
• Pre-chat surveys gather customer information for faster resolution
• Visitor tracking and analytics to gauge customer behavior and improve targeting

What you may not like: 

• You don’t get the chat assignment feature in the free plan
• Some users reported that the chatbot sometimes fails to transfer chats to operators, leading to lost revenue

Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

Pricing: A free plan is available with up to 50 handled conversations. Paid options start from $24.17/month.

Also Read: Top 11 Tidio Live Chat Alternatives & Competitors

4. Respond.io

AI-Powered Customer Conversation Management

Pricing-wise, Respond.io is slightly costlier than most of the tools on the list. But it would be unfair not to mention how it manages complex customer support with smart AI chatbots.

These AI assistants can answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and even route customers to the right human agent when needed.

The software allows you to set up automated workflows based on customer actions or questions. I could personalize the support experience by sending targeted messages or triggering helpful resources at the right time. 

What you’ll like: 

• AI-powered chatbots for handling complex inquiries and routing customers
• Integration with popular messaging apps (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger)
• Automated workflows and triggers for personalized customer interactions
• Collaboration tools for seamless communication between agents
• Reporting and analytics to track performance and identify improvement areas

What you may not like: 

• No access to workflows and automation capabilities in the starter plan
• Some users have experienced bugs in the software, which can make your experience bitter

Compatibility: Web, iOS, Android

Pricing: Starts at $79/month/5 users (free trial available).

Read Also: Top 10 Respond.io Alternatives & Competitors in 2024

5. Smartsupp

Automated Customer Engagement & Service

Smartsupp anticipates customer needs with automated chatbots that answer questions and qualify leads. I like how the software uses targeted messages to engage website visitors at the right moment. I also noticed that it offers co-browsing, letting agents see a customer’s screen to better understand their issue. 

The software also offers visitor recordings that provide valuable insights into customer behavior on your website. This helps you identify areas for improvement and tailor support for a smoother experience.

What you’ll like: 

• AI-powered chatbots to answer FAQs and pre-qualify leads
• Targeted messaging campaigns based on customer behavior and browsing patterns
• Co-browsing and visitor recordings to understand customer journeys
• Offline messaging forms to capture leads when agents are unavailable
• Reports and analytics to track key metrics

What you may not like: 

• No access to chatbots in the free plan
• Some users have reported losing conversations because the system doesn’t provide clear notifications when a customer is present

Compatibility: Web, Android, iOS

Pricing: A free plan is available for up to 50 live chat conversations. Paid options start from $10/month.

Read Now: 10 Best Smartsupp Alternatives for Enhanced Customer Support in 2024

6. Zoho SalesIQ

Best for Zoho Suite Users

Zoho SalesIQ is one of the best Kommunicate alternatives, especially for those already invested in the Zoho suite. 

Firstly, it helps you create a seamless customer support experience within that ecosystem. Plus, SalesIQ is a multi-tool solution, combining live chat for real-time interaction with AI-powered chatbots. The chatbots automate answering FAQs, qualifying leads, and basic troubleshooting. 

Social media management tools are also included, allowing you to manage customer inquiries across various channels from a single dashboard. I also liked how the chatbots can be configured to schedule appointments, automate tasks, and provide your customers a more comprehensive level of self-service.

What you’ll like: 

• Live chat functionalities like screen sharing, file sharing, and visitor tracking
• AI-powered chatbots for lead qualification and automating customer support
• Social media management tools to respond to customer inquiries
• Detailed visitor tracking to identify website optimization opportunities
• In-depth analytics to track sales pipeline, agent performance, and customer satisfaction

What you may not like: 

• Only 100 chat sessions per month are allowed in the free plan
• Some users report inconsistent notifications when someone tries to communicate, leading to missed interactions

Compatibility: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV

Pricing: A free plan is available for up to 3 operators. Paid options start from $7/operator/month.

Read Now: 10 Best Zoho Desk Alternatives and Competitors

7. HubSpot

Converting sales and engaging customers with free live chat

I guess you can’t exclude HubSpot when talking about customer support automation tools as alternatives to Kommunicate. 

The software has AI-powered chatbots. These bots do everything other chatbots do: answer FAQs, gather initial information, troubleshoot basic issues, and free agents from repetitive tasks.  

Canned responses provide agents with pre-written answers for frequently encountered questions or support requests. I believe that saves them time and ensures consistent information is delivered to customers. 

The tool also integrates with its ticketing system. In my opinion, it’s an excellent way to effortlessly convert chat conversations into trackable tickets for further follow-up and issue resolution.

What you’ll like: 

• Chatbots qualify leads by asking specific questions to understand interests
• Chat transcripts to identify common customer pain points
• Provides valuable insights into visitor behavior by tracking their journey before, during, and after a chat session
• Automated messages to greet visitors, offer help or answer basic questions
• Integration with HubSpot CRM for a unified view of customer interactions

What you may not like: 

• Only 3 reporting dashboards in the free plan
• Some users find the interface slightly challenging to get used to

Compatibility: Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

Pricing: A free plan is available for up to 5 users. Paid options start from $15/seat/month.

Read Now: 10 Best HubSpot Chat Alternatives to Boost Your Engagement in 2024

8. Intercom

Omnichannel platform with messenger and app

If you’re looking for an alternative to Kommunicate that goes beyond just live chat, try Intercom. 

The software offers a one-stop shop for customer support across various channels like email, SMS, and even in-app messaging. This lets you connect with customers on their preferred platform, building stronger relationships. 

Intercom doesn’t just rely on agents—it empowers customers, too. I like how their knowledge base provides self-service options with answers to frequently asked questions. Plus, targeted messages can proactively guide customers to relevant resources, largely reducing the need for direct contact with agents.

What you’ll like: 

• Omnichannel messaging for consistent customer experience across platforms
• Targeted messaging and self-service options to empower customers
• Integrated knowledge base for customer self-service and agent training
• In-app messaging to provide contextual support
• Operator settings to automate customer interactions and efficiently route conversations

What you may not like: 

• Some users complain of slow customer support response
• No access to custom reports or AI workflows in the basic plan

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Pricing: Starts at $39/seat/month.

Read Now: 11 Best Intercom Alternatives & Competitors [REVIEWED]

9. LiveChat

Boosting Sales & Customer Engagement With Live Chat

LiveChat excels at driving sales and customer engagement through its robust live chat functionalities. 

I saw how its AI-powered chatbots come equipped with lead qualification capabilities. They can identify potential customers and gather valuable information upfront, allowing you to focus on nurturing qualified leads. 

LiveChat also offers lead capture tools. These tools include customizable opt-in forms that seamlessly integrate with the chat window. In my experience, this is a great way to allow visitors to express their interest in your products or services easily.

What you’ll like: 

• Live chat features, including co-browsing, canned responses, and file sharing
• AI-powered chatbots automate tasks, qualify leads, schedule appointments, etc.
• Powerful lead capture forms with CRM integration for sales pipeline management
• Chatbot handover to human agents for seamless escalation of complex issues
• A/B testing capabilities to optimize chat window design

What you may not like: 

• Some users feel that the customization options for the chat widget are somewhat restrictive
• The basic plan misses several AI features like chat summary, insights, tag suggestions, etc.

Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Pricing: Starts from $20/month.

Good Read: Top 13 LiveChat Alternatives in 2024

10. Zendesk

Best for Zendesk Users

I believe Zendesk’s live chat tool can be a great Kommunicate alternative. It seamlessly integrates with Zendesk products, especially if you already use them. 

For example, you get a robust suite of tools like live chat, ticketing systems, self-service options, and community forums. This allows you to streamline customer interactions, manage support requests efficiently, track issue resolution progress, and measure team performance. 

Zendesk empowers your agents to collaborate effectively through features like internal ticketing and private notes. This ensures well-coordinated customer interactions and readily accessible past communication history. I also find the self-service options like the knowledge base and community forums handy for customers.

What you’ll like: 

• Integrated ticketing system for efficient issue tracking, resolution, and collaboration
• Social media integration to manage customer inquiries from various platforms
• API access to customize Zendesk and integrate it with other business applications
• Multi-brand support to manage customer interactions for multiple departments
• Seamless integration with other Zendesk products for a unified customer experience

What you may not like: 

• No self-service customer portals in the basic plan
• A few users reported difficulties in receiving timely help from Zendesk’s customer support

Compatibility: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS

Pricing: Starts at $55/agent/month.

Read: Zendesk Alternatives: 10 Best Customer Support Software in 2024

11. Drift

Conversational Landing Pages

Drift takes conversational marketing to a whole new level with its innovative “conversational landing pages” feature. I’ll explain why. 

Imagine website visitors landing on a page that doesn’t just display static information but instead welcomes them with a chat window. This personalized approach breaks down barriers and instantly engages visitors. The chatbots then take center stage, acting as virtual assistants who can answer common questions, qualify leads, and even schedule appointments. 

I like how these conversational landing pages can be customized with targeted messaging and visuals to resonate with specific visitor segments. In my view, this does ensure the conversation stays relevant and drives visitors further down the sales funnel.

What you’ll like: 

• Conversational landing pages to engage website visitors in real-time chat conversations
• Video messaging capabilities to add a personal touch to customer communication.
• Automated meeting booking to increase qualified appointments
• Playbooks and workflows for consistent messaging and lead qualification by chatbots and agents
• Drift Inbox for centralized management of all chat conversations across different channels

What you may not like: 

• Might be the costliest alternative to Kommunicate on the list
• No access to AI-powered chatbots in the starting plan

Compatibility: macOS & Windows

Pricing: Starts at $2500/month.

Read Now: 11 Best Drift Alternatives for Your Business in 2024

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation of products or tools chosen for this article follows an unbiased, systematic approach that ensures a fair, insightful, and well-rounded review. This method employs six key factors:

1. User Reviews / Ratings: Direct experiences from users, including ratings and feedback from reputable sites, provide a ground-level perspective. This feedback is critical in understanding overall satisfaction and potential problems.
2. Essential Features & Functionality: The value of a product is ascertained by its core features and overall functionality. Through an in-depth exploration of these aspects, the practical usefulness and effectiveness of the tools are carefully evaluated.
3. Ease of Use: The user-friendliness of a product or service is assessed, focusing on the design, interface, and navigation. This ensures a positive experience for users of all levels of expertise.
4. Customer Support: The quality of customer support is examined, taking into account its efficiency and how well it supports users in different phases – setting up, addressing concerns, and resolving operational issues.
5. Value for Money: Value for money is evaluated by comparing the quality, performance, and features. The goal is to help the reader understand whether they would be getting their money’s worth. 
6. Personal Experience / Expert’s Opinion: This part of the evaluation criteria draws insightful observations from the personal experience of the writer and the opinions of industry experts.

The Verdict

Like how boosting customer support endeavors becomes a lot easier when you know how to chat, the same goes when looking for Kommunicate alternatives. How? 

Well, you at least know you need tools that excel in customer support automation. What next? You need a platform that goes easy on your pockets and has a UI that won’t send your in-house team back to the university.

Ask me, and I’ll probably suggest you try ProProfs Chat, especially if you’re from a startup or SMB. The reason is simple.

The company is among the very few that offer a freemium plan that provides access to all paid features (for a single operator). I like platforms like these that let users test the tool before asking them to subscribe to a paid subscription. 

In most cases, all that they humbly ask is for you to sign up to start experiencing their software. It’s not that tough, right?