Best Intercom Alternatives for AI-Driven User Retention for Startups in 2023

AI-Driven User Retention for Startups

In this guide, we will discuss the best Intercom alternatives for AI-driven user retention for startups in 2023. Before we dive into the list of tools, let’s first understand the importance of customer experience management and Intercom.

Understanding Customer Experience Management and Intercom

To establish loyalty and retention, it is crucial for businesses to cater to every user’s needs. This requires a genuine understanding of customers’ motives on your platform and customizing the experience to meet their needs. However, this can be challenging when different departments within an organization are not aligned.

Communication Tools for Effective Collaboration

Communication tools are applications designed to integrate with various mediums to facilitate effective collaboration and reduce potential errors in cross-communication. One well-known tool in this space is Intercom. Initially started as a chat widget, Intercom offers personalization through behavior-driven messages and transparency for ease of self-navigation. It also provides features such as product tours, email marketing, custom-built apps, and customer management.

Choosing the Right Communication Tool

While Intercom has helped many organizations grow, it might not be the best fit for every company. Each business has unique needs and requirements. Therefore, it is important to choose a communication tool that suits your specific needs.

About DevRev

When it comes to valuing a customer’s voice, no one does it better than DevRev. As a product-led support platform, DevRev connects developers directly to customers, helping organizations become customer and product-centric. One of the biggest advantages of using DevRev is its ability to connect customer conversations to tickets and issues tied to product features. This feature sets DevRev apart from other alternatives in the market. By prioritizing the product roadmap based on direct feedback from developers, companies can achieve a faster product-market fit. Pricing for DevRev starts at $9.99 per user per month, with a free trial available.

Tawk: Live Chat Software

Tawk is a highly-rated live chat software that offers impressive features, such as offline forms, visitor tracking, customizable branding, file sharing, and screen sharing. The best part about Tawk is that its API features are 100% free, with no hidden costs. Additionally, you can hire live customer support agents through the tool, resulting in highly qualified leads and better advertising ROI. The pricing for Tawk starts at $19/month for the removal of their branding, and live agent support is available for $1/hour.

Drift: All-In-One Conversational AI Tool

Drift is an all-in-one conversational AI tool that covers service, marketing, and sales. It is primarily built for sales and marketing teams and offers features like customer prospecting, visitor intelligence, and automated customer support. These features can significantly boost your sales team’s efficiency throughout the entire sales cycle. Drift offers a free version with additional premium and enterprise plans available.

HelpCrunch: Customer Engagement Platform

HelpCrunch is a customer engagement platform that runs on an open API. It offers chatbots, desk ticketing systems, and multi-channel integration. The platform provides a rule-based chatbot that automates repetitive questions, leads potential qualifications, and promotes self-service. Users can ensure customer retention and satisfaction through in-app targeted messages and smart email blasts. HelpCrunch offers free migration and basic features, with additional plans available at affordable prices.

Tidio: E-commerce Business Solution

Tidio is built primarily for e-commerce businesses. It helps buyers make purchases quickly and confidently through intelligent recommendations, omnichannel chat support, and order tracking. Tidio offers real-time visitor monitoring, live chats, virtual AI supporter, and integrations with tools like Wix, Shopee, and Mailchimp. The platform provides a shared inbox for easy management of various sets of features. Tidio offers free regular features, with plans starting at $15.83/month for mid-sized teams.

Freshdesk: Helpdesk Software

Freshdesk is a helpdesk software solution that allows you to build your call center and manage your support team. The platform offers strong email management, a categorized knowledge base for all stakeholders, and social media monitoring tools. Freshdesk also provides a live chat app messaging solution for conversations with users across multiple channels. The pricing for Freshdesk starts with free regular features, with additional plans available for increased limits and advanced features.

Olark: Well-Designed Live Chat Tool

Olark is a well-designed live chat tool that offers unique features like chat translation and visitor co-browsing. The platform allows authorized storage of customer data in your CRM and provides in-depth reporting for a smooth customer experience. Olark is compatible with most CRM tools, making it a great choice for small-sized businesses looking to increase customer engagement. Olark offers a free trial period with affordable pricing plans.

HubSpot Service Hub: Inbound Tools Suite

Built on its leading free CRM, HubSpot Service Hub provides a suite of inbound tools from sales to marketing. The platform emphasizes personalized Calls to Action (CTAs), subject lines, and content when sending targeted emails to regular users. HubSpot offers features like sales prospecting, smooth onboarding through a knowledge base, customizable landing pages, website visitor tracking, and automated marketing campaigns. Pricing for HubSpot’s Service Hub starts at $45/month, with additional plans available for increased engagement and advanced reporting.

LiveAgent: Helpdesk Solution with Real-Time Mapping

LiveAgent is a helpdesk solution that provides real-time mapping of all visitors to your app. It helps support agents provide superior help by detecting when a user needs assistance. LiveAgent integrates with various CRM tools, including Salesforce and Pipedrive. The platform offers features like inbuilt call center support, automated ticket distribution, and shared inbox for seamless customer support. LiveAgent offers a freemium plan and additional plans with advanced features at affordable prices.

SendinBlue: Marketing and Sales Tool Kit

SendinBlue is a marketing and sales tool kit with a built-in CRM and free email automation. The platform is intuitive and designed for growing B2B and B2C businesses, e-commerce sellers, and agencies. SendinBlue allows for personalized communication with users, onboarding new users, and end-to-end digital marketing campaigns. The basic access plan is free, with affordable pricing plans available for increased features and advanced capabilities.

Choosing the Right Tool for Your Business

Businesses have specific needs and requirements, and it is important to choose a communication tool that meets those requirements. We have provided a list of Intercom alternatives, including DevRev, Olark, HubSpot, and others, that serve businesses of all sizes. Determine the must-have features for your organization and select the software that provides those services within your budget.

We hope this guide serves as a helpful resource for choosing the right communication tool for your startup. If you’re interested in DevRev, you can create your account instantly with no credit card required. Start a live chat with our team or book a demo to learn more.