Live chat · compared
ChatOnTime vs Tidio
Flat-price AI, or AI by the conversation
The short answer
Tidio is a full customer-service platform — live chat, a helpdesk, Flows automations and the Lyro AI agent — with deep Shopify and WordPress integrations, a free plan for 50 conversations a month, and Lyro billed by the conversation. ChatOnTime is simpler: US$9 a month for 3 agents, or US$29 a month for unlimited agents and conversations with AI replies included. Pick Tidio for e-commerce automation; pick ChatOnTime for a straightforward team inbox with AI at a flat price.
Side by side
| ChatOnTime | Tidio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Starter US$9 a month; Pro US$29 a month | Free plan; Starter from US$24.17 and Growth from US$49.17 a month, billed yearly |
| Free plan | No — a 4-day free trial | Yes — 50 conversations a month and 10 seats, with Tidio branding |
| Agents and chats | 3 agents and 500 chats a month on Starter; unlimited on Pro | Depends on the plan |
| AI | Included in Pro: auto-replies, summaries and a knowledge base | Lyro AI agent, billed by the conversation after 50 free ones |
| Online stores | Works on any website with one script tag | Shopify app and WordPress plugin, with orders and carts inside the chat |
| Automation | Canned replies, operating hours, and a chatbot on Pro | Visual Flows automations |
Checked October 2026 against each product’s own website. Prices and plans change — check both before you buy.
Which one should you pick?
Choose ChatOnTime if
- You want AI replies without paying per conversation.
- Your team needs unlimited agents at one flat price.
- You don’t need store automation, just fast human replies with AI help.
Choose Tidio if
- You run a Shopify or WooCommerce store and want orders inside the chat.
- You want an AI agent that resolves conversations on its own, with visual automations.
- You need a free plan to start.
Built and run by Workaholic Developers. Tidio is made by Tidio; we are not affiliated with it.
Questions
Is ChatOnTime a Tidio alternative?
How is Tidio’s Lyro AI priced?
Does Tidio have a free plan?
Sources: chatontime.com, tidio.com/pricing, tidio.com/lyro