7 best chatbots for customer service in 2025

It wasn’t that long ago that artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots were cutting edge. But now? They’re increasingly becoming the norm — especially in customer service.

That’s because AI chatbots offer a lot of benefits. They speed up response times, provide an easy, self-serve option for your customers, help deliver more personalized experiences, and equip your human agents with the information they need to offer top-notch customer support.

But here’s where things get a little dicey: Despite the advantages for your support team, customers don’t love AI-powered chatbots.

In most cases, they still want human agents to help them — and they’re resistant to jumping in with a chatbot. According to a Gartner survey, only 8% of customers used a chatbot during their most recent customer support interaction. Of those, only 25% said they’d use that chatbot again. In a separate Gartner survey, an alarming 64% of customers said they would prefer that companies didn’t use AI for customer service.

So, where does that leave you? Are you stuck choosing between efficiency and customer experience?

Not exactly. It’s not that customers hate all chatbots — it’s that they hate bad chatbots. That’s why it’s so important to do your research on AI chatbots and find one that delivers the benefits you want, without being a burden to your customers.

Ready to find the right fit for your customer service team? This guide breaks down some of the best AI chatbots so you can compare your options and make your choice.

The 7 best customer service chatbots

1. Assembled

Assembled isn’t just a chatbot — it’s a broader ecosystem designed to help support teams work smarter. While many bots focus only on deflecting tickets, Assembled’s automation tools are built to blend the efficiency of AI with the empathy and expertise of your human agents.

Key features:

• Omnichannel AI agents for chat, email, and voice
• Agent Copilot to draft responses, give instant answers, and translate full conversations
• Assist Scorecard to track your AI accuracy and knowledge over time
• Automation that supports (rather than replaces) people-powered service
• Sentiment analysis to understand the emotional tone of messages
• Easily customizable AI workflows and smart escalation logic
• Integrations with the tools you already use and love
• Deep analytics for performance and staffing decisions

Pricing: Chatbot sessions start at $0.80 per conversation

Pros:

• Built for teams that prioritize both efficiency and empathy
• Integrates deeply with scheduling and support operations
• Focus on supporting (not substituting) human agents

Cons:

• Less focused on sales or marketing use cases compared to all-in-one engagement platforms

G2 rating: 4.7 ⭐️ (113 ratings)

Best for: Midsize to large support teams looking to scale while still preserving customer satisfaction and a high-touch support experience.

2. Tidio

Tidio is a budget-friendly, easy-to-use chatbot solution that blends live chat with AI to help small businesses manage conversations more efficiently. It’s especially popular among ecommerce brands that want to automate answers to FAQs, support lead generation, and keep the support queue manageable.

Key features:

• Conversational AI agent (called Lyro) that automates customer interactions and handles repetitive tasks
• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop chatbot builder
• Built-in live chat and ticketing
• Multichannel support, including chatbots for popular messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp
• Affordable plans for small businesses

Pricing: Free plan includes up to 50 handled conversations per month, with paid plans starting at $24.17 per month

Pros:

• Easy to set up
• Strong value for the price, especially for small teams

Cons:

• Lacks depth for complex workflows or large-scale operations
• Limited reporting and insights compared to enterprise tools

G2 rating: 4.7 ⭐️ (1,645 ratings)

Best for: Small ecommerce businesses that need quick, easy, and budget-friendly automation.

3. Ada

For larger teams and enterprises, Ada has carved out a position as a solid customer service automation platform. Its AI engine is powerful, with advanced natural language processing (NLP) that helps it handle more nuanced questions than a basic rules-based bot could.

Key features:

• No-code AI chatbot
• Intent recognition and conversation routing
• Deep NLP capabilities for automating complex customer queries
• Integrations with major CRMs and support platforms

Pricing: You’ll need to complete a personalized demo request to get pricing details.

Pros:

• Strong AI performance with deep customization
• Great for high-volume, global customer bases

Cons:

• Higher learning curve and cost
• Best features are enterprise-tier only

G2 rating: 4.6 ⭐️ (154 ratings)

Best for: Enterprise-level companies looking to automate large volumes of multilingual support.

4. Intercom

Intercom is a full customer engagement platform that includes AI-powered chatbots. Its chatbot capabilities are strong, but they really shine when used alongside live chat, onboarding flows, and proactive outreach campaigns.

Key features:

• Conversational support platform that blends chatbots and human agents
• Product tours, in-app messages, and customer onboarding tools
• Finely segmented targeting for proactive support

Pricing: You can access Fin AI Agent for $0.99 per resolution. Full Intercom plans start at $29 per seat per month.

Pros:

• Versatile platform with a polished UI
• Combines support, sales, and onboarding tools in one

Cons:

• Expensive as your team or customer base grows
• Can be overwhelming for teams looking for just a chatbot

G2 rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (3,366 ratings)

Best for: Tech-forward startups and SaaS companies that want unified customer engagement.

5. Zowie

Zowie positions itself as an ecommerce chatbot that’s all about automation and efficiency. It specializes in deflecting repetitive customer questions and freeing up agents to handle more complex issues.

Key features:

• AI chatbot that automates repetitive questions
• Knowledge base integration and auto-responses
• Performance dashboards and intent analysis
• Built specifically for ecommerce support

Pricing: No public pricing information available, but you can use Zowie’s ROI calculator to estimate your investment.

Pros:

• Quick to implement with solid prebuilt workflows
• Strong focus on deflection and agent efficiency

Cons:

• Ecommerce-centric, so less useful for non-retail teams
• Limited live chat capabilities

G2 rating: 4.7 ⭐️ (73 ratings)

Best for: DTC and ecommerce brands looking to reduce ticket volume fast.

6. Certainly

Certainly is a chatbot platform designed for conversational commerce. With a clear tilt toward boosting sales, it’s ideal for ecommerce brands that want to personalize the buying journey and customer experience.

Key features:

• Conversational commerce chatbot
• Integrates with Shopify, Salesforce, and Zendesk
• Workflow builder with sales and support focus
• Personalization features for product recommendations

Pricing: Plans start at $453 per month.

Pros:

• Strong alignment with ecommerce goals
• Combines sales and support in one chatbot

Cons:

• Less suitable for service-heavy or B2B use cases
• AI isn’t as advanced as some competitors

G2 rating: 4.8 ⭐️ (11 ratings)

Best for: Ecommerce teams looking to convert browsers into buyers while supporting customers.

7. Freshchat

Part of the larger Freshworks suite, Freshchat offers a balance of live chat, automation, and support ticketing tools. Its Freddy AI features are designed to help support teams automate responses and streamline agent workflows.

Key features:

• Part of the Freshworks suite
• Unified inbox, live chat, and chatbot support
• AI-powered self-service with Freddy AI
• Native integration with Freshdesk and Freshsales

Pricing: Free plan available with paid plans starting at $19 per agent per month.

Pros:

• Solid if you’re already in the Freshworks ecosystem
• Good out-of-the-box functionality

Cons:

• May require multiple Freshworks products to realize the full value
• Customization can be limited for complex support needs

G2 rating: 4.4 ⭐️ (494 ratings)

Best for: Support teams using the full Freshworks stack or looking for a balanced entry-level chatbot.

7 compelling benefits of using chatbots

If you need convincing about using chatbots to help customers, let’s look at how they improve user experience while making things easier for support agents.

1. Instant and 24/7 support

Customers expect immediate responses when support issues arise. Chatbots can automatically respond 24/7, regardless of how many inquiries come in.

2. Cost-effectiveness

Chatbots automate routine tasks and inquiries, allowing businesses to keep labor costs in check while managing peak times without higher operational costs.

3. Scalability

As businesses grow, so do demands on support teams. Chatbots can handle increasing demands without compromising service quality.

4. Personalization

Chatbots analyze customer data to tailor responses, making support experiences more personal.

5. Agent efficiency

Chatbots handle routine inquiries, allowing agents to focus on complex interactions that require empathy and critical thinking.

6. Multilingual support

Chatbots can interact with customers in their preferred languages, making customer service more inclusive.

7. Better customer experiences

Combining all these benefits improves overall customer experience, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty.

6 key features to look for in an AI chatbot

1. Natural language processing (NLP)

Strong NLP helps chatbots understand messy phrasing and resolve issues quickly and accurately.

2. Omnichannel integrations

A great chatbot integrates seamlessly across channels, providing a unified customer experience.

3. Generative AI capabilities

Chatbots with generative AI can personalize responses based on customer history and generate suggested replies for agents.

4. Analytics and reporting tools

Look for a chatbot that provides detailed analytics to help improve performance.

5. Customization or no-code builders

No-code builders make it easier to create and refine conversation flows without needing a developer.

6. Security and compliance

Prioritize tools that offer enterprise-grade security and compliance with relevant regulations.

Making your choice: How to pick the right chatbot for your business

1. Define your business needs and goals

Determine what you want the chatbot to accomplish, whether it’s improving first contact resolution or reducing repetitive tickets.

2. Understand your budget

Know your budget to help narrow your choices.

3. Consider integrations

Ensure that the chatbot can seamlessly connect to your existing systems such as CRM and helpdesk.

4. Test and optimize

Pilot your top chatbot options in a real-world environment to gather feedback and improve.

Assembled balances automation with human touch

Assembled focuses on delivering faster support without losing the human touch through its omnichannel capabilities and AI-powered support automation. By maintaining that balance, they help support teams improve their operational efficiencies while also preserving customer satisfaction.