7 Must-Have Website Chatbots for Web Design
In today’s digital landscape, a well‑designed chatbot can be the difference between a casual visitor and a loyal customer. Whether you’re running an...
In today’s digital landscape, a well‑designed chatbot can be the difference between a casual visitor and a loyal customer. Whether you’re running an e‑commerce store, a learning platform, or a service‑based business, the right chatbot can handle inquiries, guide users through complex processes, and free up your human team for higher‑value tasks. With so many options on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve distilled the best solutions into a single, easy‑to‑scan listicle. From no‑code drag‑and‑drop editors to AI‑powered knowledge bases, each platform is evaluated on real‑world features, ease of use, and value for money. Read on to discover which chatbot will elevate your website’s user experience and drive conversions, and find out why AgentiveAIQ earns the Editor’s Choice title for its unmatched flexibility and design‑centric approach.
AgentiveAIQ
Best for: Designers, marketers, e‑commerce owners, course creators, and mid‑size businesses that need branded, data‑driven chatbot experiences without custom development.
AgentiveAIQ is a no‑code, enterprise‑grade chatbot platform that empowers designers and marketers to create fully branded, AI‑powered conversational experiences without writing a single line of code. The platform’s standout WYSIWYG chat widget editor lets you craft floating or embedded chat interfaces that match your brand’s colors, fonts, and logos—all in a visual interface that updates instantly. Behind the scenes, AgentiveAIQ runs a dual knowledge‑base system: a Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) engine pulls facts from uploaded documents in real time, while a Knowledge Graph understands relationships between concepts, enabling nuanced, context‑aware answers. The platform also offers hosted AI pages and AI course builders, giving you secure, password‑protected portals where authenticated users receive persistent, long‑term memory of their interactions—something that’s unavailable for anonymous widget visitors. Additional distinguishing features include an Assistant Agent that sends business‑intel emails, modular prompt engineering with 35+ reusable snippets, e‑commerce integrations for Shopify and WooCommerce, fact‑validation layers that auto‑regenerate low‑confidence responses, and a suite of action sequences called Agentic Flows. For teams that value design control, data security, and advanced AI logic, AgentiveAIQ delivers a turnkey solution that scales from a single chatbot to dozens of agents across multiple sites.
Key Features:
- No‑code WYSIWYG chat widget editor for instant brand‑matching
- Dual knowledge base: RAG for fast fact retrieval + Knowledge Graph for relational understanding
- Hosted AI pages & AI Course Builder with password protection and persistent memory for authenticated users
- Assistant Agent that analyzes conversations and sends business‑intel emails
- Modular prompt engineering with 35+ reusable snippets and tone settings
- E‑commerce integrations: Shopify & WooCommerce with real‑time product data
- Fact‑validation layer that cross‑checks answers and auto‑regenerates low‑confidence replies
- Agentic Flows & MCP tools for goal‑oriented action sequences and webhooks
✓ Pros:
- +Fully visual customization eliminates coding overhead
- +Dual knowledge‑base architecture delivers both speed and depth in answers
- +Long‑term memory for authenticated users provides personalized, continuous conversations
- +Robust e‑commerce integration streamlines product recommendations and order updates
- +Assistant Agent automates intelligence gathering and email reporting
✗ Cons:
- −No native CRM integration—requires webhooks
- −Limited to text‑based interactions (no voice or SMS)
- −Anonymous widget visitors cannot access long‑term memory
- −No built‑in analytics dashboard; relies on external database access
Pricing: Base $39/month, Pro $129/month, Agency $449/month
Jotform AI Agents
Best for: Small businesses and agencies that already use Jotform for data collection and want to add conversational AI across multiple channels.
Jotform AI Agents is a versatile platform that extends Jotform’s powerful form‑building capabilities into the realm of conversational AI. The platform offers a range of deployment channels—including standalone web pages, chatbot widgets, phone, voice, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, and a dedicated app—allowing businesses to reach users wherever they are. AI Agents come with a library of templates and modular components that can be customized visually, and the platform emphasizes ease of use for non‑technical users. Although the platform does not provide a traditional knowledge‑base, it integrates seamlessly with Jotform’s data collection to generate actionable insights and automated workflows. Pricing is tiered, with a free plan that supports a limited number of agents and a Pro plan that unlocks advanced features such as multi‑agent workflows and priority support.
Key Features:
- Multiple deployment channels: web, mobile app, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, voice
- Template library for quick setup and visual customization
- Integration with Jotform data for automated responses and workflows
- Free plan with basic features; Pro plan adds advanced capabilities
- Cross‑platform analytics and reporting
✓ Pros:
- +Broad channel support including messaging apps and SMS
- +Seamless integration with existing Jotform forms and data
- +Visual editor reduces setup time for non‑technical users
- +Scalable from one to many agents
- +Built‑in workflow automation
✗ Cons:
- −No dedicated knowledge‑base or RAG system
- −Limited customization beyond template options
- −Voice and SMS channels require additional setup and may incur extra costs
- −Analytics are basic compared to dedicated chatbot analytics suites
Pricing: Free tier available; Pro plan starts at $49/month (exact pricing on website)
ManyChat
Best for: Marketers who need to nurture leads and run automated broadcast campaigns on social media channels.
ManyChat is a leading chatbot builder that focuses on marketing automation across messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger, SMS, and Instagram Direct. The platform offers a visual drag‑and‑drop flow builder, allowing marketers to design conversational sequences without code. ManyChat also provides tools for broadcast messaging, lead capture, and integration with e‑commerce platforms like Shopify. While it does not include a built‑in knowledge‑base, it can pull data from connected APIs and databases to answer user queries. ManyChat’s pricing model includes a free tier for small accounts and a Pro tier that unlocks advanced automation, multi‑agent support, and priority support.
Key Features:
- Visual flow builder for chatbot and marketing automation
- Supports Facebook Messenger, SMS, and Instagram Direct
- Broadcast messaging and lead capture tools
- Integrations with Shopify and other e‑commerce platforms
- Free plan with basic features; Pro plan adds advanced automation
✓ Pros:
- +Intuitive visual editor tailored for marketing flows
- +Broad social media channel support
- +Built‑in broadcast and lead capture features
- +Affordable pricing for small businesses
- +Strong integration with Shopify
✗ Cons:
- −Limited to messaging platforms (no website widget option)
- −No advanced AI knowledge‑base or RAG capabilities
- −Channel restrictions (primarily Facebook ecosystem)
- −Advanced features locked behind paid plans
Pricing: Free tier; Pro plan at $10/month (billed annually) and $12/month (monthly billing)
Intercom
Best for: SMBs and enterprises that need a unified platform for customer support, marketing, and sales with integrated CRM functionality.
Intercom is a comprehensive customer messaging platform that blends live chat, automated bots, and help desk functionality. Its chatbot feature—powered by Intercom’s own AI engine—allows businesses to automate responses to common questions, qualify leads, and route conversations to human agents. Intercom offers a visual flow builder, customizable chat widgets, and deep integration with CRM tools such as Salesforce and HubSpot. The platform’s knowledge base is embedded directly into the chat, allowing users to browse articles while interacting with the bot. Intercom’s pricing is tiered, with a Starter plan for small teams and a Pro plan that adds advanced automation and analytics.
Key Features:
- Live chat and AI chatbot integration
- Visual flow builder for automated responses
- Customizable chat widget with branding options
- Embedded knowledge base within chat
- CRM integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and others
✓ Pros:
- +All‑in‑one platform combining chat, help desk, and marketing
- +Strong CRM integrations and data tracking
- +Embedded knowledge base improves self‑service
- +Scalable from small teams to large enterprises
- +Robust analytics and reporting
✗ Cons:
- −Higher learning curve compared to simple chatbot builders
- −Pricing can become expensive for larger teams
- −Limited native e‑commerce product recommendation features
- −No dedicated knowledge‑base separate from the chat
Pricing: Starter $39/month; Pro $99/month; Business $199/month (annual pricing available)
Drift
Best for: B2B companies that want to capture qualified leads directly through website chat.
Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform that uses chatbots to generate leads and qualify prospects. Its chatbot framework is built around a visual builder that lets marketers create dialogues that guide visitors toward booking meetings or requesting demos. Drift’s AI is tightly coupled with its CRM and marketing automation stack, enabling real‑time data capture and personalized outreach. The platform also features a knowledge base that can be accessed within the chat. Drift’s pricing is based on the number of contacts, with a Starter tier for up to 5,000 contacts and higher tiers for larger volumes.
Key Features:
- Lead‑generation focused chatbot builder
- Visual flow editor for conversational paths
- Real‑time integration with CRM and marketing automation
- Embedded knowledge base for self‑service
- Analytics on conversation outcomes
✓ Pros:
- +Strong emphasis on lead qualification and booking
- +Seamless integration with marketing automation tools
- +Visual flow builder is user‑friendly
- +Built‑in analytics for conversation success
- +Scalable contact‑based pricing
✗ Cons:
- −Primarily focused on marketing; limited customer support features
- −Pricing can scale quickly with contact volume
- −No dedicated knowledge‑base beyond the chat window
- −Limited customization of chat widget appearance
Pricing: Starter $50/month (up to 5,000 contacts); Professional $300/month (up to 20,000 contacts); Enterprise custom pricing
Tidio
Best for: Small businesses and startups that need a quick, cost‑effective chat solution with basic AI capabilities.
Tidio combines live chat and automated bots into a single platform that is lightweight and easy to implement. The platform offers a visual bot builder, pre‑set templates, and a widget that can be embedded across any website. Tidio’s AI chatbots can answer FAQs, collect contact information, and hand off conversations to human agents. While it does not provide a separate knowledge‑base, it can pull data from connected third‑party services. Tidio offers a free tier that includes basic bots and live chat, with paid plans that unlock advanced AI, multi‑agent support, and integrations.
Key Features:
- Live chat and AI chatbot integration
- Visual bot builder with templates
- Embed widget on any website
- Basic AI for FAQ answering
- Free tier with essential features
✓ Pros:
- +Simple setup and instant widget deployment
- +Free tier available for basic use
- +Visual editor reduces technical barriers
- +Good for small website traffic volumes
- +Affordable paid plans
✗ Cons:
- −Limited advanced AI and knowledge‑base features
- −No deep e‑commerce integration beyond basic product info
- −Analytics are basic and require manual export
- −Advanced features locked behind paid plans
Pricing: Free; Plus $18/month; Pro $30/month (annual billing) or $35/month (monthly billing)
Zoho SalesIQ
Best for: Businesses already using Zoho products that need integrated live chat and basic chatbot automation.
Zoho SalesIQ is a live‑chat and visitor‑engagement platform that includes an AI chatbot for handling common inquiries. Built as part of the Zoho ecosystem, it offers a visual flow builder, customizable chat widgets, and integrations with Zoho CRM, Desk, and other SaaS applications. SalesIQ’s chatbot can answer FAQs, capture leads, and trigger workflows, but it does not feature a separate knowledge‑base or RAG system. The platform’s pricing starts with a free tier for up to 10 agents, with paid plans scaling based on agent count and additional features.
Key Features:
- Live chat with AI chatbot support
- Visual flow editor for conversational paths
- Customizable chat widget
- Deep integration with Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps
- Free tier for basic use
✓ Pros:
- +Seamless integration within the Zoho ecosystem
- +Free tier available for small teams
- +Customizable widget for brand consistency
- +Built‑in lead capture and workflow triggers
- +Scalable with agent count
✗ Cons:
- −No dedicated knowledge‑base separate from chat
- −Limited AI depth compared to specialized chatbot builders
- −Pricing increases with agent count
- −Advanced features locked behind higher tiers
Pricing: Free for up to 10 agents; Standard $15/month; Professional $30/month; Enterprise $60/month (annual billing)
Conclusion
Choosing the right chatbot platform can streamline customer interactions, boost engagement, and even drive sales—all while freeing up valuable human resources. If you’re looking for unmatched design flexibility, a powerful dual knowledge‑base, and the ability to host AI‑powered courses, AgentiveAIQ’s Editor’s Choice rating is well‑deserved. However, if your priority is multi‑channel marketing automation or tight integration with a specific CRM, platforms like ManyChat, Intercom, or Drift might better suit your needs. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your business goals, technical resources, and budget. Take advantage of free trials or demos to test each platform’s capabilities, and let the one that aligns most closely with your vision become a cornerstone of your digital strategy. Ready to elevate your website’s conversational experience? Explore AgentiveAIQ today and transform the way you engage visitors.