A chatbot handles the repetitive questions, shipping times, store hours, basic troubleshooting, so a human doesn’t have to answer the same thing for the hundredth time. It also responds instantly at 2am, which a support team can’t. Here are 10 real, verified options, with one important warning up front.
Why Add One
- Fewer repetitive tickets. Common questions get handled automatically, freeing up actual support time for complex issues.
- Faster response times. Instant replies keep visitors engaged instead of bouncing while waiting for an email response.
- Lead capture. Several of these tools collect contact info or feed directly into a CRM, turning a conversation into a tracked lead automatically.
A Warning First: Drop WP-Chatbot for Messenger If You’re Running It
An earlier version of this post recommended WP-Chatbot for Messenger. It was permanently closed on WordPress.org in March 2026 for a security issue, so if you installed it from an old recommendation, remove it. Chaty (free, WordPress.org, 7.4M+ downloads, updated within days of this writing) is a genuinely current alternative covering Messenger alongside WhatsApp, Telegram, and other chat channels in one widget.
9 Real Chatbot and Assistant Plugins
1. Tidio
Tidio combines live chat with AI-handled common questions (shipping, hours), escalating to a human agent when a question is too complex. Free tier is genuinely usable; mobile app included for replying on the go.
2. ChatBot by LiveChat
From the LiveChat team. Drag-and-drop bot builder, no code required, with branching conversation paths based on user choices. Connects natively if you already use LiveChat.
3. Chaty
Covers the Messenger-integration use case honestly (see the warning above), plus WhatsApp, Telegram, and other channels in one configurable widget.
4. AI Engine (Jordy Meow)
Connects to OpenAI directly, letting you define the bot’s tone and behavior yourself rather than using a fixed script. Genuinely flexible: answer questions, draft replies, even suggest content ideas on the backend. Shortcode placement, with controls to limit resource usage.
5. IBM Watson Assistant
IBM’s conversational AI product, now positioned under the broader watsonx platform (direct verification of current product naming was blocked by ibm.com, worth confirming the exact current name before committing). More setup overhead than the others here (IBM account required), but capable of handling genuinely complex conversations, worth it specifically for technical support or financial-services use cases with real conversational depth requirements.
6. Collect.chat
Turns form-filling into a conversation: name, email, appointment time, collected via chat instead of a static form. Good fit for booking flows specifically. No coding, mobile-friendly.
7. ManyChat
Built primarily for Facebook and Instagram bots, usable alongside a WordPress site for automated replies, list growth, and scheduled follow-ups (cart abandonment reminders, product announcements). Setup takes longer if you’re connecting Facebook accounts, but it’s a genuine marketing-automation tool once configured.
8. Formilla
Live chat and AI bot combined: chat live yourself, or let the bot take over when you’re not available. Confirmed active, 100,000+ companies per their own figures, with ChatGPT-integrated chatbot capabilities.
9. Cliengo
Lead-generation focused: greets visitors, asks qualifying questions (name, email, need), then feeds that into your CRM or email tool. Confirmed active, 3,000+ companies, useful for service businesses and real estate specifically.
Bonus: WPBot
WPBot is self-contained: FAQs, site search, and info collection without depending on an external service. Multi-language support, and optional Dialogflow integration if you want more advanced NLP on top.
Choosing One
Support-focused: Tidio or ChatBot by LiveChat. Lead generation: Cliengo. Booking/appointments: Collect.chat. Marketing automation via Facebook/Instagram: ManyChat. Full customization with your own AI backend: AI Engine. Whichever you pick, test it with real questions before launch, a bot that answers wrong is worse than no bot at all.