BestChat: AI Chatbot+Live Chat vs FormalChat
Two Shopify apps, side by side: detected stores, momentum, reviews, plans, listed features and who runs each. Store counts as of Nov 8, 2026 for BestChat, Oct 14, 2026 for FormalChat.
The short answer
- Both list a free plan. Paid plans start at $10/month for BestChat and $23/month for FormalChat.
- BestChat lists 8 features FormalChat’s listing doesn’t mention, including Agent analytics, Agent avatar, Behavior tracking.
Head to head
The efficiency bridge between you and your customers.
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
Momentum
New reviews each month
Review pace is the clearest public read on how fast an app is winning new merchants.
Free
- · 1 agent seat
- · 20 AI knowledge entries
- · 80 AI chats per month
- · 80 Products AI learning
- · AI Insights feature
- · AI help me write feature
Starter
- · 1 agent seat
- · 100 AI knowledge entries
- · 300 AI chats per month
- · 300 Products AI learning
- · AI Insights feature
- · AI help me write feature
Basic
- · 1,000 AI chats per month
- · 1,000 Products AI learning
- · 3 agent seat
- · 400 AI knowledge entries
- · AI Insights feature
- · AI help me write feature
Growth
- · 3,000 AI chats per month
- · 3,000 Products AI learning
- · 6 agent seat
- · AI Insights feature
- · AI help me write feature
- · Unlimited AI knowledge entries
Try LiveChat Free
- · 1 operator
- · 3 knowledge entries
- · 5 canned replies
- · 50 AI messages/mo
Growth
- · 1,000 AI messages/mo
- · 20 knowledge entries
- · 25 canned replies
- · 3 operators
- · 5 GB storage
Pro
- · 10 operators
- · 100 knowledge entries
- · 20 GB storage
- · 5,000 AI messages/mo
- · Unlimited canned replies
Business
- · 100 GB storage
- · 25,000 AI messages/mo
- · Email + push notifications
- · Priority support
- · Unlimited canned replies
- · Unlimited operators
Coverage counts what each App Store listing names. Every feature, checked off app by app, is in Shoplist.
See every featureBestChat is a next-generation AI-powered live chat and chatbot solution for Shopify. Our intelligent chatbot provides 24/7 customer support, boosting sales and satisfaction. Seamless Shopify integration and self-learning AI ensure a smooth customer experience with a customizable live chat interface.
FormalChat adds an AI-powered chat widget to your Shopify store in minutes. The AI is automatically trained on your product catalog so it can answer customer questions accurately from day one. When a shopper wants to speak with a person, the AI hands them off to your team in real time.
- Intelligent AI chatbots learn products and orders, making chatbots smarter.
- AI-driven insights enhance data analysis and support decision-making.
- Smooth chatbot to agent takeover ensures seamless live chat support.
- 24/7 AI assistance chatbots handle routine queries, freeing support agents.
- AI trained on your products answers customer questions automatically, 24/7
- Handoff connects shoppers to your team when they want to speak with a person
- Manage all chats from a web dashboard or iOS and Android mobile app
- Push notifications alert you on your phone when a customer is waiting
All the numbers
Every figure, side by side
A green dot marks the app ahead on a measured figure. Estimates, gaps and apps that leave no storefront trace never take the lead.
Adoption
| Measure |  BestChat |  FormalChat |
|---|---|---|
| Detected stores | 593 | Not published |
| Net store change, 28 days | −2 | 0 |
| Stores added, 28 days | 4 | Not enough data |
| Big-brand share | 8% | Not enough data |
| Top store categories | Apparel & Accessories, Home & Garden, Health & Beauty | Not published |
| Top store countries | United States, United Kingdom, Australia | Not published |
Reviews
| Measure | BestChat | FormalChat |
|---|---|---|
| App Store rating | 4.7 ★ | Not published |
| App Store reviews | 139 | Not published |
| New reviews, 28 days | 0 | Not enough data |
| Reviewers a year or more in | Not enough data | Not enough data |
Pricing
| Measure | BestChat | FormalChat |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Lowest paid monthly plan | $10/month(ahead) | $23/month |
| Longest free trial | Not listed | Not listed |
| Plans listed | 4 | 4 |
Listing
| Measure | BestChat | FormalChat |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify category rank | #108(ahead) | #1018 |
| Shopify App Charts | Not on this week’s charts | Not on this week’s charts |
| Built for Shopify | No | No |
| Launched | Jan 5, 2022 | May 21, 2026 |
| Languages | 2 | 1 |
| Developer | BestChat | FirasCodes |
FAQ
BestChat and FormalChat: common questions
- Is BestChat or FormalChat cheaper?
- Both list a free plan. Paid plans start at $10/month for BestChat and $23/month for FormalChat. Shoplist compares base prices only between monthly plans in the same currency; usage charges and annual plans vary, so check each plan’s limits.
- What features does each app list that the other doesn’t?
- BestChat lists 8 the others don’t mention, such as Agent analytics, Agent avatar, Behavior tracking, Chat buttons. FormalChat lists 6 the others don’t mention, such as Chat assignment, Chat flows, Email chat, Push notifications. A feature missing from a listing may still be supported; this compares what each App Store listing says.
- Where does this comparison’s data come from?
- Shoplist crawls Shopify storefronts to detect which apps each store runs, and reads each app’s Shopify App Store listing for reviews, pricing, features and integrations. Store counts are as of Nov 8, 2026 for BestChat, Oct 14, 2026 for FormalChat; estimated figures are labeled.
How Shoplist compares apps
Store counts come from Shoplist’s crawl of Shopify storefronts, which detects the apps each store runs; they are as of Nov 8, 2026 for BestChat, Oct 14, 2026 for FormalChat. Reviews, ratings, plans, features and integrations come from each app’s Shopify App Store listing. 28-day figures are labeled when estimated, and a figure that is missing or estimated never decides who leads. Read the methodology.