All-Inclusive Platform
The omnichannel power of Intercom - without the billing surprises
Intercom charges per resolution with Fin AI, adds fees for WhatsApp and SMS, and locks advanced automations behind higher tiers. Chatwoot gives you the same conversational support experience with flat per-agent pricing, every channel included, and the freedom to self-host.
- No per-resolution charges - Captain AI is included in your plan
- WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok included at no extra cost
- Free plan with 2 agents and all channels - no credit card required
- Self-host on your infrastructure for GDPR, HIPAA, or data sovereignty needs
- Switch from a closed platform to 21,000+ star open-source project
Intercom
ChatwootSee detailed feature comparison below
At a glance
AI copilot
WhatsApp included
Free plan
Self-hosted option
Open source
Feature comparison
See how Chatwoot and Intercom compare across key features.
Messaging Channels
AI & Automation
AI copilot for agents
AI-powered replies
Team Collaboration
Reporting & Analytics
Custom report filters
Deployment & Security
Cloud hosted
Self-hosted option
Open-source code
Custom data retention
API access
Why teams switch from Intercom
Common pain points that lead teams to explore alternatives.
Per-resolution AI billing adds up fast
Intercom's Fin AI charges per resolution. A support team handling 5,000 conversations/month can face thousands in unexpected AI costs. Chatwoot's Captain AI is included in your plan - use it as much as you need.
Channels locked behind add-ons
WhatsApp and SMS require separate add-on purchases on Intercom. Chatwoot includes WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, Line, SMS, and more on every plan - including the free one.
No self-hosting option
Intercom is cloud-only. If you need to keep customer data on your own servers for compliance, regulatory, or privacy reasons, Intercom can't help. Chatwoot gives you that option.
Vendor lock-in with closed source
Your support workflows, automations, and data live inside a proprietary system. With Chatwoot, the code is open - you can inspect it, extend it, or move off it without losing everything.
How Chatwoot is different
What makes Chatwoot the right choice over Intercom.
Captain AI without usage fees
Captain drafts replies, detects intent, summarizes long threads, and suggests next actions. Unlike Fin, there are no per-resolution charges - it's part of your plan.
Every channel from day one
WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok, Line, SMS, email, and live chat are all included. No add-on purchases, no channel limits on lower tiers.
Flat, predictable pricing
Pay per agent, not per contact or resolution. A 10-agent team on the Business plan costs $390/mo - the same whether you handle 1,000 or 100,000 conversations.
Built for support teams, not just marketing
SLA management, team inboxes, CSAT tracking, agent performance reports, and role-based access - the tools support managers actually need day to day.
Self-host for full control
Deploy Chatwoot on your own AWS, GCP, or on-premise infrastructure. Keep customer conversations in your data center for compliance or latency reasons.
Open source with 21k+ stars
Read every line of code, submit pull requests, or fork the project. A global community of contributors ensures the product keeps improving transparently.
Switching from Intercom?
Try Chatwoot free and see the difference. Our team can help you migrate your data and get set up.
Common questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about switching from Intercom to Chatwoot.
Can I migrate my conversations from Intercom to Chatwoot?
Yes. You can export your Intercom conversations and contacts, then import them into Chatwoot via our REST API. The community has built migration scripts, and our team can help Enterprise customers with the transition.
How does Captain AI compare to Intercom's Fin?
Captain is Chatwoot's built-in AI that drafts replies, detects customer intent, and summarizes conversations. The key difference is pricing: Captain is included in paid plans with no per-resolution charges, while Fin bills per resolution which can add up at scale.
Does Chatwoot have product tours and in-app messaging like Intercom?
Chatwoot focuses on conversational support rather than in-app product tours. For tours, teams typically pair Chatwoot with tools like Appcues or Userflow. This modular approach means you aren't forced to buy a bundle you don't fully use.
Is Chatwoot suitable for teams with 50+ agents?
Yes. Chatwoot supports team-based routing, SLA management, agent capacity controls, role-based access, audit logs, and custom report filters - all designed for scaling support operations.
What does self-hosting actually give me?
Self-hosting means customer data never leaves your infrastructure. It's critical for GDPR compliance, data residency requirements, or industries like healthcare and finance where data sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Can I use Chatwoot for both sales and support?
Yes. Chatwoot supports proactive campaigns, contact management, team routing, and custom attributes that work for sales and support workflows in the same inbox.
