Which AI customer-support agent should a small business use?
An AI that answers customer questions and resolves tickets. Last reviewed Oct 27, 2026 · Scored with the agent rubric
How to read this: scores are editorial estimates from public information and documented capabilities. We did not run these tools, so every score is labelled Docs-only . Prices are as reported and may be out of date.
Best pick Docs-only Agent
77 of 100
Prices per outcome ($0.99 per resolved conversation per its pricing page, plus $29/seat). You pay only when it resolves something.
Best for Digital-first teams that can predict volume
Watch out Per-outcome billing is hard to forecast. 50-outcome minimum.
Price (as reported) Per intercom.com/pricing (cited in search): $29/seat/month plus $0.99 per outcome, with a 50-outcome minimum.
Links Official site · Sources and details
Score breakdown Task completion 24/30
Useful autonomy 12/15
Safety and approvals 12/15
Cost predictability 5/10
Setup effort 6/10
Maturity and availability 9/10
Integrations and reach 9/10
Runners-up
Cheapest on-ramp: chat widget from $24.17/mo plus Lyro from $32.50/mo for 50 AI conversations, per Tidio.
Best for Small online shops
Watch out Our main source for Tidio's figures is Tidio's own blog.
Price (as reported) Per Tidio's own blog: from $24.17/mo plus Lyro from $32.50/mo for 50 AI conversations. Vendor-supplied.
Links Official site · Sources and details
Key source is the vendor's own blog
Score breakdown Task completion 21/30
Useful autonomy 12/15
Safety and approvals 11/15
Cost predictability 7/10
Setup effort 9/10
Maturity and availability 8/10
Integrations and reach 7/10
Best fit if you already run Zendesk. $19/agent/mo plus $1.50 to $2.00 per verified resolution reported.
Best for Established support teams
Watch out Setup and billing are more complex.
Price (as reported) Reported: $19/agent/mo plus $1.50 to $2.00 per verified resolution after included allowances.
Links Official site · Sources and details
Score breakdown Task completion 22/30
Useful autonomy 10/15
Safety and approvals 10/15
Cost predictability 6/10
Setup effort 5/10
Maturity and availability 10/10
Integrations and reach 9/10
A cheaper per-resolution option at $0.75, per its pricing page.
Best for Small teams already on Help Scout
Watch out Requires a $25/user/mo plan.
Price (as reported) Per helpscout.com/pricing (cited in search): $0.75 per resolution; requires a $25/user/month plan.
Links Official site · Sources and details
Score breakdown Task completion 19/30
Useful autonomy 11/15
Safety and approvals 11/15
Cost predictability 8/10
Setup effort 8/10
Maturity and availability 8/10
Integrations and reach 6/10
Editor's note: Vendors price on resolutions or conversations, so cost depends on your volume. Run a trial on your own tickets before committing.