How Hay.chat Compares to the Competition
Honest, detailed comparisons to help you choose the right AI support automation platform. We'll tell you when competitors are better suited for your needs.
Hay.chat vs Fin (Intercom)
Enterprise AI chatbot
Compare $0.99-per-outcome pricing with a flat monthly plan that includes your resolutions.
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Hay.chat vs Zendesk AI
Enterprise helpdesk AI
Per-agent plus per-resolution AI billing vs a flat monthly plan that runs on top of your Zendesk.
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Hay.chat vs Tidio Lyro
SMB e-commerce chatbot
Conversation packs vs included resolutions, and AI that processes refunds itself instead of through custom API work.
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Hay.chat vs Gorgias
Shopify helpdesk
Ticket fees plus per-automation charges vs one flat plan, with the same AI on Shopify and WooCommerce.
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Hay.chat vs Chatwoot
Open-source helpdesk
Built-in store actions vs API tools you build yourself, and how to run Hay.chat inside Chatwoot.
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Hay.chat vs Crisp
All-in-one messaging
All-in-one messaging vs AI that refunds and changes orders, with nothing to build.
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Hay.chat vs HubSpot Breeze
CRM with AI features
Purpose-built support AI vs a CRM add-on. Compare a Pro hub plus $0.50 per resolution with one flat plan.
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Hay.chat vs Voiceflow
AI agent builder
Ready-made support AI vs build-your-own platform. Compare time-to-value and technical requirements.
Read comparisonAll 8 Comparisons at a Glance
Every comparison starts from the same place. Hay.chat is best for Shopify and WooCommerce stores that want AI to track orders and process refunds by their own policies. What changes is the other tool, and when it's the better pick.
| Comparison | Hay.chat is best for stores that want AI to handle orders and refunds… | The other tool is the better pick when |
|---|---|---|
| Hay.chat vs Fin (Intercom) | …on one flat monthly plan instead of Fin's $0.99 for every outcome. | Fin is the better fit if you're deep in the Intercom helpdesk and want product tours and marketing automation in the same platform. |
| Hay.chat vs Zendesk AI | …on one flat monthly plan on top of their existing Zendesk, instead of paying $1.50 to $2.00 for every automated resolution. | Zendesk AI is the better choice if you want AI, ticketing, voice and reporting from one vendor, or your AI volume fits inside the 5 to 10 resolutions included per agent. |
| Hay.chat vs Tidio Lyro | …unlike Lyro, the store actions come built in rather than as custom API work, and 2,000 resolutions on Starter cost less than Lyro's 300-conversation pack. | Lyro suits a small Shopify store under a few hundred AI conversations a month that mostly needs answers, especially if you want live chat, a helpdesk and AI in one tool. |
| Hay.chat vs Gorgias | …for a fraction of Gorgias's cost: one flat monthly plan instead of ticket fees plus a charge for every AI automation. | Gorgias wins for stores that sell only on Shopify and want AI that drives sales, with revenue attribution to back it up. |
| Hay.chat vs Chatwoot | …without building the integrations themselves. | Pick Chatwoot if you'd rather self-host and customise the code, and you have developers to build Captain's custom tools (or you mostly need FAQ answers). |
| Hay.chat vs Crisp | …with those actions built in. | Crisp is the better pick if you want chat, CRM, email and a knowledge base in one tool, or you rely on co-browsing. |
| Hay.chat vs HubSpot Breeze | …on one flat monthly plan instead of a HubSpot Pro hub plus $0.50 per resolution. | If you already pay for a HubSpot Professional or Enterprise hub and mostly want CRM AI like lead scoring, Breeze makes more sense. |
| Hay.chat vs Voiceflow | …as a ready-made agent rather than one they build. | Voiceflow wins if you've got developers, or you're an agency building custom agents for clients, or you need voice and marketing agents alongside support. |
Weighing up costs? Read Intercom Fin pricing in 2026 for what the bill looks like at real volumes.
Why These Comparisons Are Different
Honest Trade-offs
We tell you when competitors are genuinely better for specific use cases. No cherry-picking.
Real Pricing Math
Actual cost scenarios with real numbers, not vague "contact sales" comparisons.
Technical Depth
Architecture differences, API limitations, and integration capabilities that matter.
Not sure which comparison to start with?
Tell us what you're currently using and we'll show you exactly how Hay.chat compares.