Chatwoot vs Intercom
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Chatwoot | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $19/seat/mo | From $85/seat/mo |
| Best For | Technical teams wanting open-source flexibility | Well-funded SaaS companies wanting AI-first customer service |
| Standout Feature | Open-source with self-hosting option | Fin AI Agent that autonomously resolves customer queries |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.4 | 4.5/5 |
Chatwoot ($20/agent to Custom pricing, G2 4.4) and Intercom ($29-$132/seat, G2 4.5) represent different philosophies in customer support. Chatwoot is an open-source platform offering flexibility and cost control, while Intercom provides a polished SaaS solution with advanced marketing automation.
Both platforms serve businesses looking to improve customer communication, but they differ significantly in deployment options and pricing transparency.
Feature Comparison
Chatwoot offers complete source code access, allowing unlimited customization and self-hosting options. Its open architecture supports custom integrations and modifications that proprietary platforms can't match.
Intercom excels in conversational marketing with sophisticated automation, product tours, and advanced segmentation. Its Resolution Bot and Custom Actions provide enterprise-grade self-service capabilities.
Chatwoot provides solid omnichannel support with WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and email integration, while Intercom adds in-app messaging and more advanced bot capabilities.
Pricing Comparison
Chatwoot starts at $20/agent/month for hosted plans, with self-hosted options available for free. Custom enterprise pricing provides flexibility for larger deployments.
Intercom's per-seat model ranges from $29-$132/month per user, with costs escalating quickly as teams grow. Additional features often require higher-tier plans or add-ons.
For budget-conscious teams or those wanting predictable costs, Chatwoot offers significant savings, especially with self-hosting options.
Chatwoot
Pros
- ✓ Open-source option available
- ✓ Good channel coverage
- ✓ Active development community
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing model
- ✗ Self-hosting requires technical expertise
- ✗ Limited advanced features in lower tiers
Intercom
Pros
- ✓ Fin AI Agent resolves queries autonomously
- ✓ Beautiful, modern interface design
- ✓ Strong product tour and onboarding features
Cons
- ✗ Premium pricing, especially with AI usage
- ✗ Complex pricing structure
- ✗ Per-resolution AI fees add up
Verdict
Choose Chatwoot if you value open-source flexibility, want to avoid vendor lock-in, and have technical resources for customization. Choose Intercom if you prefer a fully-managed solution with advanced conversational marketing features.
Choose Chatwoot if: You want open-source flexibility, have technical resources, and prefer transparent pricing without vendor lock-in.
Choose Intercom if: You need advanced conversational marketing, prefer fully-managed solutions, and budget allows for premium features.
Consider Converge at $49/month flat rate with up to 15 agents as a middle ground between open-source complexity and expensive per-seat pricing.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Chatwoot comparisons and all Intercom comparisons.