If you have just started a business or are conducting a website revamp, you’ll need a reliable live chat support tool to help you provide an excellent user experience. 

Live chat is an important element for commercial websites because it ensures that potential customers receive feedback in real time. It helps you overcome the challenges that time zones present and keeps users engaged. 

Shopify Inbox and Zoho Chat are two popular live chat support tools. If you are wondering whether they are suitable for your business, then keep reading!

In this article, we aim to compare these two software solutions. Here, we’ll talk about their core features, usability, customer support, and so much more. 

Feature Comparison : Shopify Inbox vs Zoho Chat

Shopify Inbox and Zoho Chat share a number of similarities, but they also have different features. In the section below, we’ll compare them to help you decide which one to go for.

1. User Interface and Ease of Use

If you own a Shopify online store, then you will find that Shopify Inbox is really easy to use. It can be installed and set up quite quickly, and the interface can be navigated with no trouble. Conversations can be managed using a single dashboard, contributing to its great overall usability.

Likewise, Zoho Chat is also relatively easy to use. You can set up chat spaces and add team members quickly. Plus, it integrates nicely with other Zoho tools for a smooth workflow.

2. Core Features

Next, we’ll look at some of the core features that each plugin boasts.

Shopify Inbox

This tool is designed to help move customers along the sales funnel. By allowing them access to crucial information throughout the buying process, Shopify Inbox can help boost conversions. Here are some of its core features: 

• Personalized messages based on customer information, 
• AI-powered responses,
• Product recommendations, discounts, and photos without having to leave the chat,
• Customer profiling, and
• Automated greetings.

Zoho Chat

If you’re hoping to harness the capabilities of artificial intelligence, then Zoho Chat is also a good option. Here are some of the most noteworthy features that you can expect: 

• Canned responses,
• AI-powered chat support, 
• Screen share and audio calls,
• Typing previews,
• Multilingual support,
• Content moderation,
• Group chat and chat transfer,
• Internal message board, and
• Obtain customer feedback.

3. Integration and Compatibility

In addition to the features, you will also need to check that the tool you choose is compatible with your existing software. Let’s look at the integrations each plugin supports. 

Shopify Inbox is designed to be used in the Shopify workspace, so if you use another web service provider, you will likely not be able to use it.

Zoho Chat, on the other hand, is designed to work together with the other Zoho tools. It also offers the following integrations: 

• WordPress
• Email marketing
• GoDaddy
• OpenAI
• MailChimp
• ZenDesk

4. Customization and Branding

If you have visited websites lately, you have probably noticed that the live chat feature on each one looks different. Being able to make your chatbot your own is crucial for businesses.

Fortunately, both software solutions allow you to do just that. With Zoho Chat, you can include your brand logo, send users a personalized welcome message, and preset your language and font preferences.

Shopify Inbox also prioritizes customization, allowing you to change the fonts, colors, chat window, business hours, agent avatar, chat buttons, and more.

Performance and Reliability: Shopify Inbox vs Zoho Chat

According to our research, both Shopify Inbox and Zoho Chat perform really well. This is important because it ensures that you are always putting your best foot forward and creating a good impression on the end user. 

Reviews across various platforms are a testament to the fact that these live chat support tools are efficient, allowing you to easily install and set them up. They also provide swift responses to site visitors. 

Pricing and Value for Money: Shopify Inbox vs Zoho Chat

We understand that pricing plays an important part in choosing the right live chat tool. To help you determine which is more affordable, we have listed the price for each plugin: 

Shopify Inbox

There are four packages designed for businesses of various types. Large companies can expect to pay over $2,300 per month to use this tool! There is no free plan available to Shopify Inbox users, but a free trial can be obtained for all packages.

Zoho Chat

While there is a free version available, you will have to pay a monthly subscription to make full use of Zoho Chat’s features. Here is an overview of the available plans: 

• Free – $0
• Basic – $7 per representative per month, billed annually
• Professional – $12.75 per representative per month, billed annually
• Enterprise – $20 per representative per month, billed annually

You can also request a free trial for each paid version. 

Overall, both tools are expensive when compared to other plugins, like Chatway. Nevertheless, Zoho Chat offers the best value for money. You get a great set of features for a reasonable price.

However, it is important to keep in mind that since you will be paying a monthly premium for each agent, it can also get pretty costly for large businesses.

If you own a small business, though, Zoho Chat can be a great option.

Customer Support and Resources

When investing in any software solution, it’s important to look at the caliber of customer service offered. At the end of the day, you should have access to help when things go wrong. Fortunately, you have options with both Shopify Inbox and Zoho Chat.

Shopify Inbox

If you’re having trouble with your Shopify Inbox experience, you can reach out to Shopify’s dedicated support team. You can also access a host of quality resources to help you set up and use the plugin. 

There is a wide range of topics for you to peruse, and if you need quick access to information, you can use Shopify Inbox’s live chat tool. 

Zoho Chat

Zoho Chat also has an extensive library of resources. From blog posts and videos to eBooks and a glossary, this service provider makes finding answers to your questions much easier. If you need to speak to a customer support representative, you can simply send Zoho an email.

User Feedback and Reviews

Shopify Inbox received 4.5 stars, following 15 reviews on G2. It also earned 4.7 stars on the Shopify App Store after over 6,000 reviews, which is excellent. Many customers praised it for its user-friendliness and tools that have had a positive effect on their conversion rates. Some users complained about a lack of features and the lack of reporting. 

Zoho Chat

On the Capterra website, Zoho SalesIQ received an overall average rating of 4.4 stars. G2 users gave it a 4.5-star rating. Many people loved the features and ease of use, while others had challenges with integrations and customer support.

Shopify Inbox and Zoho Chat Alternative

Suppose you’re looking for a more cost-effective live chat support tool. In that case, fear not! Chatway is designed to offer a powerful set of features at affordable prices. With multilingual support, FAQs and canned responses, widget customization, and so much more, you can trust this app to help you engage and convert website users.

The best part is that there is a free version, and the paid package only costs $9 per agent per month, billed annually! That’s a fraction of the price that you will pay for Zoho Chat or Shopify Inbox. 

The Bottom Line

Ensuring that your customers have access to the information they need when they need it is crucial for any business. Shopify Inbox and Zoho Chat are two great tools designed to help you do just that.

With powerful features and great customizability, they are both attractive plugins for your online store. However, they come with hefty price tags. Before you go ahead and make a financial commitment, make sure that you’re testing them out using free trials. And don’t forget to give Chatway a try, too!