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Hay.chat vs Gorgias:
AI Support for Shopify and WooCommerce, Without the Double Billing
Published · Updated
The main difference between Hay.chat and Gorgias is that Hay.chat is one flat monthly plan, while Gorgias charges ticket fees plus a fee for every AI automation.
Gorgias excels at Shopify support with deep native integration and sales features. Hay.chat gives Shopify and WooCommerce stores the same support automation on one flat monthly plan, instead of ticket fees plus a charge for every AI automation. The right choice depends on your platforms and whether you need sales AI.
Gorgias vs Hay.chat: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gorgias | Hay.chat |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Integration Depth | Excellent (native) | Excellent (full API) |
| WooCommerce Integration | Basic (read-only mostly) | Full read/write |
| Magento Integration | Very limited | API-based full access |
| Works With Your Existing Helpdesk | No | Zendesk, Chatwoot |
| AI Action Execution | Shopify only | Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento |
| Pricing Model | Per-ticket + per-automation | Flat monthly + resolutions |
| Combined Ticket + AI Pricing | Yes (ticket + automation fees) | No (resolution-based only) |
| Shopping Assistant (Sales AI) | Yes | No |
| Revenue Attribution | Yes | No |
| Human approval of AI replies | No | Yes |
| Plain-Language Instructions | Yes (Skills/Guidance) | Yes (playbooks) |
| Minimum Price (with AI) | $40/month (Starter + AI Agent) | €50/month |
Gorgias pricing as of October 2026, from its public pricing page. Hay.chat prices are from our pricing page and change only with notice.
Pricing: The Real Cost Breakdown
Understanding Gorgias's combined pricing model vs Hay.chat's resolution-based approach
Gorgias
Gorgias uses a combined model: ticket fees plus a charge for every automated interaction. A ticket the AI fully resolves is billed as both (for accounts created after 28 May 2025). Prices shown are monthly billing; annual billing is about 15% less.
Hay.chat
Resolution-based pricing: one fee structure. AI resolutions are included in your plan with overage rates for additional volume.
Real-World Scenario: 3,000 Monthly Tickets, 1,500 AI-Handled
Gorgias Cost
~$2,875/month
$360 Pro + $360 ticket overage + $190 AI allowance + $1,965 AI overage
Hay.chat Cost
€135/month
All 1,500 AI resolutions included in Starter plan
About 95% less with Hay.chat
If cost is what started this search, we've also rounded up free Zendesk alternatives that resolve tickets.
Key Differences That Matter
Pricing Structure
Gorgias
Gorgias uses a combined model with per-ticket base fees plus per-automation charges for AI. This reflects their full-platform approach that includes sales features and revenue attribution - capabilities that add value for certain use cases.
Hay.chat
Resolution-based pricing. AI resolutions are included in your plan with overage rates for additional volume. One fee structure regardless of whether tickets are human or AI-handled.
Teams primarily focused on support automation often prefer Hay.chat's simpler model. Teams valuing Gorgias's sales features may find the combined pricing worthwhile.
Platform Parity
Gorgias
Gorgias was built for Shopify and excels there. Its AI Agent can cancel orders with a refund, edit addresses, replace or remove items, and manage Recharge subscriptions. On WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Magento the AI Agent isn't available at all, and WooCommerce orders can't be edited or refunded from Gorgias.
Hay.chat
Shopify and WooCommerce get the same depth. Order lookups, refunds and order updates work on both, so your WooCommerce store isn't the poor relation.
Shopify-only brands benefit from Gorgias's focused integration. WooCommerce stores, and brands selling on both, get the same capability on each with Hay.chat.
Use Case Focus
Gorgias
Gorgias has expanded into pre-sales with their 'Shopping Assistant' - AI that helps customers buy, not just support. Revenue attribution shows which conversations drive sales. It's becoming a sales tool as much as support.
Hay.chat
Pure support automation. We don't do pre-sales AI or revenue attribution. If you want AI that handles post-purchase support (order tracking, refunds, returns, issues), Hay.chat is laser-focused. If you want sales-driving chat, that's not our lane.
Gorgias is broader (support + sales), Hay.chat is deeper (support automation done right).
Helpdesk Flexibility
Gorgias
Gorgias IS the helpdesk. You can't use Gorgias AI with Zendesk or another helpdesk. If you have teams on different helpdesks, you're managing multiple systems. It's a platform replacement, not an addition.
Hay.chat
Hay.chat integrates with existing helpdesks. Add AI to your Zendesk without migration. Use Hay.chat standalone for smaller teams. We complement, not replace.
Teams already on Zendesk can add Hay.chat without moving helpdesk. Gorgias means moving to Gorgias.
Configuration Complexity
Gorgias
Gorgias AI Agent Skills are written in plain language, with actions inserted into the instructions. Rules and Macros still sit in their own systems alongside it.
Hay.chat
Plain-language playbooks. Write what you want to happen in natural language with @-mentions for actions. No separate systems for rules vs AI vs macros. One configuration paradigm.
Both use plain-language instructions for the AI now. Hay.chat keeps everything in one place, and its actions work the same on Shopify and WooCommerce.
When to Choose Each Platform
Choose Gorgias if:
- You're 100% Shopify with no plans to sell elsewhere
- You want AI that drives sales, not just handles support
- Revenue attribution and sales metrics are important
- You're comfortable with combined ticket + automation pricing for the full feature set
- You need a complete helpdesk replacement, not an AI add-on
Choose Hay.chat if:
- You want one flat monthly plan, not ticket fees plus per-automation charges
- You sell on WooCommerce, or on Shopify and WooCommerce together
- You use Zendesk and want AI on top
- You're focused on support automation, not sales AI
- You want the same automation on Shopify and WooCommerce
- You prefer plain-language configuration over complex rule systems
Switching from Gorgias to Hay.chat
Moving from Gorgias to Hay.chat makes the most sense for teams frustrated with the pricing model, and for WooCommerce stores or brands selling on both Shopify and WooCommerce. Pure Shopify stores happy with Gorgias might find less reason to switch.
Connect Your Stores
Connect Shopify, WooCommerce or both. Unlike Gorgias, Hay.chat gives both the same order, refund and update actions.
Import Knowledge Base
Transfer your help center content, macros, and response templates. Hay.chat learns from your existing material.
Recreate Automation Rules as Playbooks
Convert Gorgias Rules and Macros into Hay.chat's plain-language playbooks. The logic translates directly.
Connect Your Helpdesk (Optional)
If you're keeping Zendesk or moving to one, connect it. Or use Hay.chat's native ticketing for simpler needs.
Test Each Store
Run test conversations for order tracking and refunds on each store, and check Hay.chat follows your policies before going live.
Timeframe: Shopify-only stores can migrate in days. Brands on both Shopify and WooCommerce may take 1-2 weeks to configure and test all integrations.
Frequently asked questions
The Bottom Line
Gorgias is the right choice for Shopify-first brands who value sales AI, revenue attribution, and the Shopping Assistant. The deep Shopify integration and sales features justify the pricing model for many e-commerce teams.
Hay.chat is for Shopify and WooCommerce stores that want support automation at a lower, predictable cost. If you'd rather pay one flat monthly plan than ticket fees plus a charge for every AI automation, or you sell on WooCommerce and want the same capability as Shopify, Hay.chat is the better fit.