Tidio alternative
Synkra Chat vs Tidio
Tidio sits closer to Synkra Chat’s actual size and price point than the bigger names in this category, which makes it a genuinely useful comparison rather than a pure price contrast. The real difference is not the sticker price on the entry plan — it is what is included in it.
How the two compare
| Comparison | Synkra Chat | Tidio |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | Free (50 billable conversations/month, 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations) |
| Entry paid plan | R299/month (Starter, AI Agent included) | $24.17/month (Starter, annual billing; 100 billable conversations, no ongoing AI included) |
| Popular plan | R599/month (Business) | From $49.17/month (Growth; 250+ billable conversations) |
| Top self-serve plan | R999/month (Pro) | From $300/month + usage (Plus; custom conversation volume, 10-agent cap lifts here) |
| AI agent | Included in every paid plan's allowance | Lyro AI is a separate add-on, starting at $32.50/month for 50 conversations, scaling with volume |
| Branding removal | Not a separate line item — none of Synkra Chat's plans carry Synkra branding on the widget | A paid add-on on Growth ($16.67/month); included free only on Plus and above |
| Agent/seat cap | Set per plan (1 / 7 / 15 / 50) | 10 agents on every self-serve plan (Free through Growth); the cap only lifts on Plus |
| Feature access | The same features on every plan; only volume changes | Several features are locked to Growth and above |
| Currency | South African Rand | US Dollars |
Competitor pricing can change. Figures shown reflect publicly available annual-billing prices checked in September 2026; verify Tidio’s current pricing before making a purchasing decision.
Where Tidio fits
A modular platform with individually priced extras
Tidio is a good fit for a business that wants to start completely free and is comfortable adding paid components such as Lyro AI, Flows, and branding removal individually as it needs them, and does not mind a 10-agent ceiling until it reaches Plus.
Where Synkra Chat fits
AI included, with predictable Rand pricing
Synkra Chat is the better fit for a business that wants its AI Agent included in the plan it is already paying for, rather than metered as a separate add-on, and Rand pricing rather than a US Dollar bill with add-ons stacked on top.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tidio’s AI included in its plans?
Not on an ongoing basis. Every Tidio plan includes a one-off pool of 50 Lyro AI conversations, but refreshing that monthly requires the separate Lyro AI Agent add-on, which starts at $32.50/month. Synkra Chat’s AI Agent is included in the allowance of every paid plan, every month.
Is Tidio’s free plan comparable to Synkra Chat’s?
Both offer a genuine, ongoing free tier. Tidio’s free plan includes 50 billable conversations a month and a one-time pool of 50 Lyro AI conversations; Synkra Chat’s Free plan includes 250 messages a month, with AI Agent replies available as an add-on.
Why compare against Tidio specifically, and not just the bigger names?
Tidio sits closer to Synkra Chat’s actual price range than Zendesk or Intercom do, so this comparison is a better test of what is genuinely different, not just who costs less.