Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to LiveChat · 🛟 customer support
LiveChat vs Live Helper Chat
A battle-tested live-chat desk with routing, transcripts and canned replies; the interface has seen some things. Here is how Live Helper Chat ($0/mo open source) stacks up against LiveChat ($25/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Live Helper Chat
$0.00/mo · Apache-2.0
LiveChat vs Live Helper Chat Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-11
| Dimension | LiveChat (Paid) | Live Helper Chat (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $25 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $300 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $300) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,500 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,500) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,000 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,000) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Apache-2.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hostedself-host, real ops |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 2.2k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from LiveChat to Live Helper Chat
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Its agent interface, reporting and integration catalog are markedly less polished than LiveChat's.
How to deploy Live Helper Chat
Upload the release archive to a PHP web server and run the browser installer, or deploy its Docker image
What it takes to run
A PHP 8.2+/MySQL web host, a pre-created database and correct filesystem permissions
Where your data lives
Chats and settings in MySQL/MariaDB, with uploads and media in writable server-side storage directories
Why fork Live Helper Chat instead of vibe-coding a LiveChat clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For LiveChat, provide reliable website chat with routing, transcripts, and canned replies. The hard boundary is global chat delivery, mobile apps, staffing tools, integrations, and support, plus channel integrations and support operations.
LiveChat vs Live Helper Chat FAQ
Is Live Helper Chat a good free alternative to LiveChat?+
Yes. Live Helper Chat is a verified open-source (Apache-2.0) replacement for LiveChat. A battle-tested live-chat desk with routing, transcripts and canned replies; the interface has seen some things.
What is the catch when switching from LiveChat to Live Helper Chat?+
Its agent interface, reporting and integration catalog are markedly less polished than LiveChat's.
How much do you save switching from LiveChat to Live Helper Chat?+
LiveChat costs $25/mo ($300/yr) per seat, whereas Live Helper Chat is $0/mo. Switching saves $300/yr for a solo user, $1,500/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,000/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Live Helper Chat instead of LiveChat?+
Install: Upload the release archive to a PHP web server and run the browser installer, or deploy its Docker image. Setup: A PHP 8.2+/MySQL web host, a pre-created database and correct filesystem permissions
