# Intercom vs Tidio (2026) - Verdict

**Verdict:** both live and price-verified as of Jul 21, 2026. Choose Intercom if a longer track record matters to you; it has run since 2011. Choose Tidio if you want a permanent free tier, not just a trial.

Category: AI Customer Support · Verified: Jul 21, 2026

## Choose Intercom if

- a longer track record matters to you; it has run since 2011.
- it is built for SMB & enterprise teams.

Link: https://verdict.tools/go/intercom (rel="sponsored nofollow")

## Choose Tidio if

- you want a permanent free tier, not just a trial.
- you lean toward the more recent build, from 2013.
- it is built for solo & SMB teams.

Link: https://verdict.tools/go/tidio (rel="sponsored nofollow")

## What each one is

**Intercom.** Intercom is a customer support platform combining a helpdesk, shared inbox, and multichannel messaging with an AI agent called Fin that answers customer questions and can execute configured workflows. Its pricing separates the two: human seats are billed across Essential, Advanced, and Expert tiers starting at $29 per seat each month on annual billing, while Fin is charged at $0.99 per resolution and only when it resolves an issue or completes a defined action. That outcome-based model for the AI agent, rather than per-conversation or flat automation pricing, is what most distinguishes it. It suits SMB and larger support teams that want AI deflection layered onto a conventional ticketing and live-chat workflow.
Sources: Intercom - Pricing (https://www.intercom.com/pricing) · Intercom - Homepage (https://www.intercom.com) · Fin AI Agent - Pricing (https://fin.ai/pricing) · Featurebase - Intercom Pricing 2026 (https://www.featurebase.app/blog/intercom-pricing)

**Tidio.** Built for small and medium businesses and ecommerce stores, Tidio combines live chat, a rule-based chatbot it calls Flows, a shared help-desk inbox, and an AI agent named Lyro. Lyro answers routine customer questions by drawing on a company's own FAQ and support content, and it works across the website widget and connected channels such as email, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram. Pricing splits the product in two: seat-based plans start at $29 per month above a free tier, while Lyro's AI conversations are metered and billed as a separate allowance. It fits teams that want AI question deflection alongside human live chat in one low-setup tool rather than a standalone enterprise support suite.
Sources: Tidio - Lyro, the conversational AI agent (help doc) (https://help.tidio.com/hc/en-us/articles/9003475527196-Lyro-the-conversational-AI-agent) · Tidio - homepage (https://www.tidio.com/) · Tidio - Pricing (https://www.tidio.com/pricing/) · eesel AI - Lyro AI pricing breakdown (2025) (https://www.eesel.ai/blog/lyro-ai-pricing)

## Side by side

| Metric | Intercom | Tidio |
|---|---|---|
| From $/mo | $29 | $29 |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 2011 | 2013 |
| Best for | SMB & enterprise | solo & SMB |
| Status | Live | Live |

All figures = lowest paid monthly plan · verified Jul 21, 2026.

## Where they differ

**Price.** Tidio is the cheaper entry at $29/mo, versus $29/mo for Intercom.

**Free access.** Tidio offers a permanent free tier; Intercom is trial-only.

**Track record.** Intercom has been operating since 2011; Tidio since 2013. A longer survival record matters.

## FAQ

### Intercom or Tidio - which is better in 2026?
Both are live and price-verified as of Jul 21, 2026. Choose Intercom if a longer track record matters to you; it has run since 2011. Choose Tidio if you want a permanent free tier, not just a trial.

### Is Intercom cheaper than Tidio?
Tidio has the lower entry price - from $29/mo vs $29/mo (verified Jul 21, 2026).

### Does Intercom or Tidio have a free tier?
Tidio offers a permanent free tier; Intercom is trial-only.

### Are Intercom and Tidio still maintained?
Yes - both are live as of Jul 21, 2026, with no official sunset announced for either.

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