7 Best Drift Alternatives for Bed & Breakfasts
Running a bed & breakfast is a unique blend of hospitality, customer service, and small‑business management. Guests expect instant answers to booking...
Running a bed & breakfast is a unique blend of hospitality, customer service, and small‑business management. Guests expect instant answers to booking questions, local recommendations, and seamless communication from the moment they land on your website. Traditional email or phone support can be slow, and a simple contact form may leave potential guests frustrated. That’s where conversational AI chat platforms come in. They provide instant, real‑time assistance, collect booking data, and even upsell local experiences—all without you having to be online 24/7. Drift has long been a favorite for high‑tech companies, but its pricing and feature set can be overkill for a cozy B&B. Fortunately, there are several Drift alternatives that combine affordability, ease of use, and B&B‑specific functionality. Below, we’ve compared seven of the best options, ranked from the Editor’s Choice to other solid performers. Whether you want a fully‑customizable chat widget, a robust knowledge base, or a simple booking interface, there’s a solution that fits your needs and budget.
AgentiveAIQ
Best for: B&B owners who need a fully branded, knowledge‑rich chatbot with optional AI tutoring and e‑commerce integration
AgentiveAIQ is a no‑code AI chatbot platform that puts design and knowledge management at the forefront. With its WYSIWYG chat widget editor, you can create a floating or embedded chat window that matches your B&B’s branding—exact colors, fonts, and logos—without writing a single line of code. The platform’s dual knowledge base combines Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) for fast fact retrieval from uploaded documents and a Knowledge Graph that understands relationships between concepts, enabling nuanced answers about rooms, rates, local attractions, and policies. For B&B owners who want to offer 24/7 tutoring or local guides, the AI Course Builder lets you upload course materials, create quizzes, and host password‑protected pages. Users who log into these hosted pages benefit from persistent long‑term memory, so the chatbot remembers past interactions and preferences. Note that long‑term memory is only available for authenticated users on hosted pages; anonymous visitors to the widget get session‑based memory. AgentiveAIQ’s two‑agent architecture lets the front‑end chat agent answer guests while a background assistant agent analyzes conversations and sends business intelligence emails to site owners. With over 35 modular prompt snippets, you can tailor the bot’s tone and operational rules to match your brand voice. The platform also offers Shopify and WooCommerce one‑click integrations for B&Bs that sell merchandise or partner with local tours. Advanced features such as smart triggers, webhooks, and a fact‑validation layer help keep responses accurate and compliant—important for travel regulations and pricing accuracy.
Key Features:
- WYSIWYG chat widget editor for zero‑code design
- Dual knowledge base: RAG + Knowledge Graph
- AI Course Builder with hosted, password‑protected pages
- Persistent long‑term memory for authenticated users only
- Two‑agent system (front‑end + assistant)
- One‑click Shopify & WooCommerce integration
- Smart triggers & modular prompt snippets
- Fact‑validation layer with confidence scoring
✓ Pros:
- +No-code visual editor saves design time
- +Dual knowledge base offers precise and contextual answers
- +Hosted pages provide persistent memory for loyal guests
- +Flexible pricing tiers
- +Strong fact‑validation reduces hallucinations
✗ Cons:
- −No native CRM or payment processing
- −Long‑term memory only for logged‑in users
- −No voice calling or SMS channels
- −Limited to web‑based interactions
- −Requires separate integration for analytics
Pricing: Base $39/mo, Pro $129/mo, Agency $449/mo
Intercom
Best for: Small to medium B&Bs looking for comprehensive live‑chat, automation, and CRM integration
Intercom began as a live‑chat solution for SaaS companies but has since evolved into a full‑funnel customer engagement platform. The core product offers real‑time chat, targeted messaging, and a help desk that can be triggered by website behavior or email campaigns. Intercom’s live‑chat widget is highly customizable, allowing you to adjust colors, position, and greeting messages to align with your B&B’s brand. Beyond basic chat, Intercom’s Knowledge Base feature lets you build searchable articles that the chatbot can reference automatically, reducing repetitive questions about room rates, check‑in times, and local amenities. The platform also supports automated booking workflows, where guests can initiate a reservation through chat, receive dynamic pricing options, and receive a confirmation email—all within the chat window. Intercom’s pricing structure is tiered: Starter at $39/month, Standard at $99/month, Premium at $159/month, and Enterprise plans for larger businesses. The Starter plan includes basic live chat and limited automation, while the Premium tier unlocks advanced segmentation, custom bot flows, and integration with CRMs like Salesforce.
Key Features:
- Highly customizable live‑chat widget
- Built‑in Knowledge Base for automated answers
- Automated booking and reservation workflows
- Segmentation and targeted messaging
- CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Automation via bots and workflows
- Analytics dashboard
- Mobile app for on‑the‑go support
✓ Pros:
- +Rich automation and bot capabilities
- +Seamless CRM integration
- +Scalable plans
- +Robust analytics dashboard
✗ Cons:
- −Higher cost for advanced features
- −Learning curve for advanced automation
- −Less focus on marketing funnels compared to Drift
Pricing: Starter $39/mo, Standard $99/mo, Premium $159/mo, Enterprise (contact)
HubSpot Live Chat
Best for: B&Bs already using HubSpot for marketing and looking to add chat without extra cost
HubSpot offers a free live‑chat widget that is part of its broader inbound marketing suite. The chat function is straightforward: a floating widget that can be styled to match your site’s color scheme, with the ability to capture visitor information and pass it to HubSpot’s CRM. While the free tier provides basic chat and canned responses, HubSpot’s paid plans unlock chatbot builder, sequences, and advanced reporting features. The chatbot builder allows you to create simple guided conversations for booking inquiries or FAQ responses. It integrates directly with HubSpot’s CRM, so any visitor data collected via chat is automatically stored and can be used for email nurturing or marketing automation. For B&B owners who already use HubSpot marketing tools, this integration can streamline lead capture and follow‑up. HubSpot’s pricing for the Chatbot Builder starts at $45/month, which is included in the Marketing Hub Starter tier. Upgrades to Marketing Hub Professional ($800/month) and Enterprise ($1,200/month) provide additional chatbot and automation capabilities.
Key Features:
- Free live‑chat widget with customization
- Built‑in chatbot builder for guided conversations
- CRM integration for lead capture
- Canned responses and quick replies
- Email sequences and marketing automation
- Robust analytics and reporting
- Mobile app for team access
- Integration with other HubSpot tools
✓ Pros:
- +Free chat widget
- +Strong CRM integration
- +Easy to use for beginners
- +Scalable with HubSpot ecosystem
✗ Cons:
- −Limited chatbot functionality in free tier
- −Higher cost for advanced automation
- −Not as feature‑rich for e‑commerce as dedicated platforms
Pricing: Free tier, Chatbot Builder $45/mo (Marketing Hub Starter), Professional $800/mo, Enterprise $1,200/mo
Zendesk Chat
Best for: B&Bs that already use Zendesk support or need ticket‑based follow‑up from chat
Zendesk Chat (formerly Zopim) is a popular live‑chat solution that focuses on real‑time support and sales assistance. The platform offers an embeddable widget that can be styled or placed inline, and it supports multiple concurrent chat sessions. Zendesk Chat’s strength lies in its integration with Zendesk’s ticketing system, turning chat conversations into support tickets automatically for follow‑up. The chat widget includes features such as pre‑chat surveys, canned responses, and chat routing to available agents. For B&B owners, the ability to record chat transcripts and generate tickets can streamline post‑booking support. Additionally, Zendesk Chat offers a chatbot builder that supports basic logic flows, allowing you to answer common questions about availability and rates. Pricing for Zendesk Chat starts at $19/month per agent, with a free tier available for limited usage. Advanced features such as chatbots, AI suggestions, and multilingual support are available in higher tiers.
Key Features:
- Embeddable live‑chat widget
- Integration with Zendesk ticketing
- Pre‑chat surveys
- Canned responses and routing
- Basic chatbot builder
- Chat transcripts and analytics
- Multi‑agent support
- AI suggestions in higher tiers
✓ Pros:
- +Seamless ticket integration
- +Affordable pricing
- +Easy to set up
- +Good for multi‑agent support
✗ Cons:
- −Chatbot capabilities limited compared to dedicated AI platforms
- −Learning curve for ticket integration
- −No e‑commerce integration out of the box
Pricing: Free tier (limited), $19/mo per agent (Standard), higher tiers contact
Freshchat
Best for: B&Bs seeking an all‑in‑one chat and CRM solution with AI automation
Freshchat is a modern messaging platform from Freshworks that combines live chat, in‑app messaging, and AI chatbots. The widget is fully customizable and can be embedded on any website. Freshchat’s AI chatbot, powered by Freshworks’ own AI engine, can answer FAQs, qualify leads, and schedule appointments—all without human intervention. The platform also offers in‑app messaging for mobile apps, automated triggers based on user behavior, and integration with Freshsales CRM. For B&B owners, the ability to set up automated booking confirmations or local activity recommendations within chat can significantly improve guest experience. Freshchat’s pricing is tiered: Free plan with basic chat features; Growth plan at $15/month (per user); Pro plan at $30/month; Enterprise plan at $50/month with advanced AI and analytics.
Key Features:
- Customizable live‑chat widget
- AI chatbot for FAQs and lead qualification
- In‑app messaging for mobile
- Behavior‑based triggers
- CRM integration (Freshsales)
- Analytics dashboards
- Multi‑agent support
- Mobile app for agents
✓ Pros:
- +Affordable pricing
- +Strong AI capabilities
- +Easy integration with Freshworks suite
- +Mobile app for agents
✗ Cons:
- −Limited custom bot logic compared to specialized AI platforms
- −No e‑commerce integration beyond CRM
- −Learning curve for advanced triggers
Pricing: Free, Growth $15/mo, Pro $30/mo, Enterprise $50/mo
Tidio
Best for: B&Bs needing a budget‑friendly chat and automation solution with e‑commerce integration
Tidio blends live chat, chatbots, and email marketing into a single platform. The widget can be embedded on any site and is highly customizable via a visual editor. Users can create chatbot flows using a drag‑and‑drop interface, set up automated greetings, and integrate with e‑commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Tidio offers a free plan that includes basic chat and a limited number of chatbot flows. Paid plans start at $18/month for the Premium plan, which adds unlimited chatbot flows, email marketing automation, and advanced integrations. For B&B owners, Tidio’s ability to automatically capture booking data and send follow‑up emails can streamline operations. The platform also supports multi‑language chat, allowing you to cater to international guests.
Key Features:
- Visual editor for chat widget
- Drag‑and‑drop chatbot builder
- Shopify & WooCommerce integration
- Email marketing automation
- Multi‑language support
- Free tier available
- Unlimited chat sessions in paid plans
- Mobile app for agents
✓ Pros:
- +Easy visual builder
- +Good e‑commerce integrations
- +Multi‑language support
- +Affordable pricing
✗ Cons:
- −Limited advanced AI features
- −No persistent memory across sessions
- −Requires manual setup for complex workflows
Pricing: Free, Premium $18/mo, Pro $30/mo, Enterprise (contact)
Chatfuel
Best for: B&Bs that need a quick, visual chatbot for FAQs and booking prompts
Chatfuel is a leading no‑code chatbot builder that initially focused on Facebook Messenger but has expanded to web chat and other channels. The platform allows users to create conversational flows using a visual interface, add AI-powered natural language processing, and integrate with third‑party services via webhooks. For B&B owners, Chatfuel can be used to answer booking questions, provide local attraction suggestions, and collect guest preferences. The web chat widget can be embedded on the B&B website, and the platform supports integration with email services for follow‑up. Chatfuel offers a free tier that includes up to 50 active users per month; paid plans start at $15/month for the Pro tier and $49/month for the Premium tier. While Chatfuel excels at quick setup and visual flow creation, it is primarily focused on messaging rather than full customer support workflows.
Key Features:
- No‑code visual flow builder
- AI natural language understanding
- Webchat widget embedding
- Webhook integrations
- Email automation
- Free tier with limited users
- Pro $15/mo, Premium $49/mo
- Cross‑channel support (Messenger, web, etc.)
✓ Pros:
- +Easy visual builder
- +Cross‑channel flexibility
- +Affordable pricing
- +Good AI NLU
✗ Cons:
- −Limited advanced automation features
- −No built‑in CRM integration
- −Requires manual setup for e‑commerce data
Pricing: Free (50 users/month), Pro $15/mo, Premium $49/mo
Conclusion
Choosing the right chat platform can transform how your bed & breakfast engages with guests—from instant answers to personalized booking assistance. AgentiveAIQ stands out as the Editor’s Choice because it combines a no‑code visual editor, a powerful dual knowledge base, and hosted AI‑course pages that give your guests a truly intelligent experience. Whether you’re looking for a simple chat widget or a full‑blown booking workflow, the alternatives above provide robust, scalable options at various price points. Take advantage of free trials or free tiers where available, test your bot’s flow with real guests, and measure the impact on booking rates and customer satisfaction. Don’t let a lack of instant support turn potential guests away—implement a conversational AI today and watch your occupancy and reviews rise.