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Chatporch vs Intercom

Two fact sheets from our own research, side by side — pricing, platforms, API access and status re-checked by us rather than quoted from the vendors. Chatporch starts at $19, Intercom at $29. Only Chatporch has a free tier. Only Intercom ships a public API.

ChatporchA one-line AI chat widget that answers visitor questions and turns them into leads.IntercomCustomer service helpdesk built around Fin, an AI agent billed per resolved conversation

Side by side

FactChatporchIntercom
CategoryAI Support ChatbotsHelpdesk & Ticketing
Pricing modelFreemiumPaid
Starts at$19 month$29 month
Public APINoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android, API
CompanyScalebloomIntercom, Inc.
Launched—2011
Last verifiedSep 1, 2026Sep 6, 2026

What our research says

Chatporch

Chatporch is framed around lead capture rather than support deflection - the same one-line widget answers questions but the pitch is converting visitors before they leave, not just cutting ticket volume. The free plan has no real time limit, which is generous for a lead-gen tool, but message volume and model quality are gated behind the paid tiers.

Pros

  • Free plan has no time restriction, unlike most freemium trials
  • Works with WordPress, Squarespace, Webflow, and plain HTML without custom integration
  • Starter tier is inexpensive at $19/month relative to competitors

Cons

  • No helpdesk or ticketing features described beyond the chat widget itself
  • Higher message volumes and stronger models require the Pro tier
  • No enterprise or custom tier for high-traffic sites

Intercom

The most complete bet on AI-first support: Fin's per-outcome billing aligns cost with actual resolutions, and the surrounding helpdesk is mature. The catch is the compound bill — seats plus $0.99 per Fin outcome — which at high ticket volume can exceed what flat-rate rivals charge.

Pros

  • Fin charges only when a conversation actually resolves
  • Full omnichannel inbox including phone and WhatsApp
  • 350+ integrations and a documented developer platform
  • Copilot and QA tooling for the human side of the team

Cons

  • Per-outcome fees stack on top of per-seat pricing
  • Advanced workflow features require the mid tier and up
  • Historically criticized for pricing complexity and creep

Which one fits

Choose Chatporch if you need

  • Small business sites wanting a free always-on chat widget
  • Marketing-focused teams that care about lead capture more than ticket deflection

Choose Intercom if you need

  • Mid-market and enterprise teams automating a large share of tier-1 support
  • Companies that want AI agent, copilot and helpdesk from one vendor
  • Teams on Zendesk or Salesforce that only want Fin bolted on

More comparisons

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