BotForge vs LiveChat — AI automation at a fraction of the cost
LiveChat is a great human chat tool. But if you want AI to handle conversations automatically — BotForge is purpose-built for that.
Pricing: LiveChat vs BotForge
LiveChat starts at $20/agent/month (Starter) but the AI chatbot requires ChatBot, a separate product at $52+/month. Together: $72+/month for one agent.
$14.50/month for the first month, then $29/month for Pro. Agency plan: $49.50/month (then $99/month). 7-day free trial, no credit card.
What LiveChat does well
Being honest — here are their strengths.
- ✓One of the most established live chat tools on the market (since 2002)
- ✓Excellent agent experience with sneak peek, canned responses, and routing
- ✓Huge marketplace of integrations (200+)
- ✓Mature enterprise features (groups, work scheduler, SSO)
What BotForge does better
One product, one price
LiveChat + ChatBot = two products, two bills, two dashboards. BotForge is one product with AI built in. Simpler and cheaper.
Smarter AI, less config
ChatBot (LiveChat's AI product) uses a visual builder with stories and actions. BotForge: write a paragraph about your business, and the AI does the rest.
60% cheaper for AI chat
LiveChat ($20) + ChatBot ($52) = $72/month minimum. BotForge Pro: $29/month, unlimited AI conversations.
No agent seats required
LiveChat charges per agent. If you want 3 agents + AI, that's $112+/month. BotForge is flat $29/month regardless of team size.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | LiveChat | BotForge |
|---|---|---|
| AI chatbot price | $52+/mo (ChatBot) | $29/mo (included) |
| Live chat price | $20/agent/month | ❌ (AI only) |
| Combined cost | $72+/month | $29/month |
| AI setup | Visual story builder | Plain text (5 min) |
| Per-agent pricing | Yes | No (flat rate) |
| Languages | Manual | 9 auto-detected |
| Free trial | 14 days | 7 days (no CC) |
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need LiveChat if I use BotForge?▼
No. BotForge replaces the need for a live chat + chatbot combo. The AI handles conversations automatically. For complex issues, the bot directs customers to your email.
Is LiveChat's ChatBot better than BotForge?▼
ChatBot uses a visual builder (stories). It's powerful but requires time to set up. BotForge's GPT-powered AI is smarter out of the box — no story building needed.
Can I import my ChatBot stories?▼
There's no direct import, but you can describe the same information in BotForge's knowledge base. The AI picks it up instantly — usually a better experience than recreating flows.
Try BotForge — the best LiveChat alternative
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