Choose Tidio if you want a full live-chat inbox for your team, with AI as a helper. Choose StartupLime if you want the AI to handle most conversations on its own, set up and tuned for you, at a flat price.
At a glance: StartupLime vs Tidio
| Factor | StartupLime | Tidio + Lyro |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | AI assistant + lead capture | Live chat, helpdesk + AI agent |
| Setup | Done for you in ~24h | Self-serve |
| AI pricing | 1,000 conversations in $29/mo | Lyro priced per AI conversation; tiers reported from ~$39/mo for 50 |
| Live chat inbox | Handoff to your phone, email, booking or WhatsApp | Full team inbox |
| Brand design | Custom-designed | Theme options |
| Ongoing tuning | Included on Managed/Pro | You manage it |
Pricing compared
Tidio’s pricing has several parts: base plans for live chat and helpdesk (reported from about $29/month), and the Lyro AI agent billed by AI conversations, with paid Lyro tiers reported from about $39/month for 50 conversations and larger bundles costing more. Free allowances and tier details vary by source and change often, so check Tidio’s pricing page for current numbers.
With StartupLime Managed you pay $29/month (+ $49 setup) for up to 1,000 AI conversations, with setup, design and tuning included.
Where Tidio is the better choice
- Your team wants to answer chats live from a shared inbox and mobile app
- You need helpdesk features such as tickets and email in one place
- You want to build rule-based flows yourself
Where StartupLime is the better choice
- Nobody is free to monitor a live-chat inbox, so the AI must handle conversations end to end
- You want lead capture designed and tested for your industry
- You get more than 50–100 AI conversations a month and want a flat price
FAQ
Can I use StartupLime alongside a live-chat tool?
Yes, though we usually recommend one chat button per site. Our chatbot can hand off to your phone, booking link or WhatsApp instead.
Is Lyro better for Shopify?
Both work on Shopify. Tidio has deep Shopify features for teams that live in its inbox; StartupLime focuses on accurate AI answers and lead capture with no team inbox to monitor.
