Softabase

Hiver vs Tidio: Complete Comparison 2026

An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

Hiver logo

Hiver

8.3(1,890 reviews)

Gmail-based help desk that turns your inbox into a shared workspace with ticketing, SLAs, and automation. Free for up to 10 users.

Tidio logo

Tidio

8.3(1,850 reviews)

Live chat, chatbot, and help desk platform built for small businesses and e-commerce stores. Free plan available.

Quick Comparison

AspectHiverTidio
Best ForTeams already using Gmail/Google Workspace for emailSmall e-commerce stores on Shopify or WooCommerce
Pricing ModelFreemiumFreemium
Starting PriceFreeFree
Deploymentcloudcloud
PlatformsWEBWEB, IOS, ANDROID
Rating8.3/108.3/10

Pros & Cons

Hiver

Pros

  • Zero learning curve if your team already uses Gmail
  • Free plan genuinely useful for up to 10 users β€” not a crippled trial
  • Collision detection stops agents from duplicating replies
  • Internal notes and email assignments feel native to Gmail
  • Live chat feeds into the same Gmail workflow, keeping everything unified
  • SLA and automation features rival standalone help desks

Cons

  • Only works with Gmail β€” if you use Outlook or another client, forget it
  • No standalone web app β€” you depend entirely on the Gmail extension
  • Live chat features are basic compared to dedicated tools like Intercom
  • Limited customization since everything runs within Gmail constraints
  • Advanced automation and AI features are locked behind the $49/user Elite plan

Tidio

Pros

  • Free plan includes live chat, chatbot builder, and ticketing for up to 3 operators
  • Widget loads in under 2 seconds without hurting page speed
  • Lyro AI chatbot handles 50-70% of routine questions autonomously
  • Drag-and-drop chatbot builder requires zero coding knowledge
  • Native integrations with Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, and Wix
  • Mobile apps let you respond to customers from anywhere

Cons

  • Ticketing is basic compared to dedicated help desk tools like Zendesk
  • Free plan limits live chat to 50 conversations per month
  • Lyro AI is a separate add-on cost ($39/month) on top of your plan
  • Limited reporting and analytics on lower tiers
  • No phone or voice channel support
  • Chatbot flows can get complex to manage as you scale

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelStarting Price
HiverfreemiumFree0
TidiofreemiumFree0

Our Verdict

Choose Hiver if...

Teams already using Gmail/Google Workspace for email

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Choose Tidio if...

Small e-commerce stores on Shopify or WooCommerce

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Still Not Sure?

Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.