What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about live chat software for saas companies — measured weekly across 5 engines, published as open data.
Updated 2026-08-14 · 76 sampled answers · rolling 4-week window · methodology
Rankings are measured from sampled AI answers — never editorial, never paid. Orbator builds AI-visibility tooling; when Orbator itself appears in any category, it is measured by the same rules as everyone else.
Sample: 76 AI answers · Window: Jul 17, 2026 – Aug 14, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (31 answers)
Samples by engine: GEMINI 24 (last run Jul 29, 2026) · PERPLEXITY 24 (last run Jul 29, 2026) · CHATGPT 12 (last run Jul 29, 2026) · GROK 8 (last run Jul 23, 2026 — stalest) · CLAUDE 8 (last run Jul 25, 2026)
How these numbers are made: sampling design · prompt provenance · what counts as a mention · what we cannot see
On the record: This ranking is frozen as a dated snapshot every day. View this category's history to see what entered and left the ranking and when, or read what the engines actually said on a given day.
Across 76 sampled AI answers from 5 engines, Zendesk is recommended most often — appearing in 43.4% of recommendations, followed by Tidio AI (36.8%) and LiveChat (35.5%).
This is a measurement of share of voice across 5 AI engines — not an editorial pick. See the full ranking below.
| # | Product | Share | Trend | Engines | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zendesk zendesk.com Best for: AI recommends Zendesk most when buyers ask “top live chat platforms for SaaS businesses that want to combine support and sales conversations” (100% of those answers) | 43.4% 95% CI 32.9–54.6% 33 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 9.1% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 41.7%CHATGPT 41.7%CLAUDE 37.5%PERPLEXITY 45.8% | Claim |
| 2 | Tidio AI tidio.com Best for: AI recommends Tidio AI most when buyers ask “lighter live chat alternatives for early-stage SaaS startups that do not need a full customer communication suite” (100% of those answers) | 36.8% 95% CI 26.9–48.1% 28 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 10.7% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 41.7%CHATGPT 41.7%CLAUDE 37.5%PERPLEXITY 29.2% | Claim |
| 3 | LiveChat livechat.com Best for: AI recommends LiveChat most when buyers ask “best live chat software for SaaS companies” (100% of those answers) | 35.5% 95% CI 25.7–46.7% 27 mentions · avg pos 8.3 first pick 0% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 37.5%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 41.7% | Claim |
| 4 | Slack slack.com Best for: AI recommends Slack most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (88.9% of those answers) | 35.5% 95% CI 25.7–46.7% 27 mentions · avg pos 8.4 first pick 11.1% | — | GROK 62.5%GEMINI 20.8%CHATGPT 41.7%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 41.7% | Claim |
| 5 | Gleap gleap.io Best for: AI recommends Gleap most when buyers ask “best in-app chat and support tool for software-as-a-service products” (88.9% of those answers) | 32.9% 95% CI 23.4–44.1% 25 mentions · avg pos 7.3 first pick 8% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 41.7%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 41.7% | Claim |
| 6 | tawk.to tawk.to Best for: AI recommends tawk.to most when buyers ask “lighter live chat alternatives for early-stage SaaS startups that do not need a full customer communication suite” (100% of those answers) | 30.3% 95% CI 21.1–41.3% 23 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 39.1% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 29.2%CHATGPT 33.3%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 37.5% | Claim |
| 7 | HubSpot CRM hubspot.com Best for: AI recommends HubSpot CRM most when buyers ask “lighter live chat alternatives for early-stage SaaS startups that do not need a full customer communication suite” (80% of those answers) | 26.3% 95% CI 17.7–37.2% 20 mentions · avg pos 4.2 first pick 0% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 20.8%CHATGPT 33.3%CLAUDE 37.5%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 8 | Intercom intercom.com Best for: AI recommends Intercom most when buyers ask “best in-app chat and support tool for software-as-a-service products” (55.6% of those answers) | 25% 95% CI 16.6–35.8% 19 mentions · avg pos 5.1 first pick 26.3% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 25%CHATGPT 33.3%PERPLEXITY 29.2% | Claim |
| 9 | Zoho zoho.com Best for: AI recommends Zoho most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (66.7% of those answers) | 21.1% 95% CI 13.4–31.5% 16 mentions · avg pos 7.3 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 41.7%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 10 | Freshchat freshchat.com Best for: AI recommends Freshchat most when buyers ask “top live chat platforms for SaaS businesses that want to combine support and sales conversations” (66.7% of those answers) | 19.7% 95% CI 12.3–30% 15 mentions · avg pos 8.9 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 41.7%CHATGPT 16.7%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 11 | Crescendo.ai crescendo.ai Best for: AI recommends Crescendo.ai most when buyers ask “top live chat platforms for SaaS businesses that want to combine support and sales conversations” (77.8% of those answers) | 19.7% 95% CI 12.3–30% 15 mentions · avg pos 11.3 first pick 0% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 29.2%PERPLEXITY 20.8% | Claim |
| 12 | Drift drift.com Best for: AI recommends Drift most when buyers ask “top live chat platforms for SaaS businesses that want to combine support and sales conversations” (88.9% of those answers) | 17.1% 95% CI 10.3–27.1% 13 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 7.7% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 20.8%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 13 | Zapier AI zapier.com Best for: AI recommends Zapier AI most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (66.7% of those answers) | 11.8% 95% CI 6.4–21% 9 mentions · avg pos 3.8 first pick 11.1% | — | GROK 50%CHATGPT 8.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 14 | Pumble Best for: AI recommends Pumble most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (88.9% of those answers) | 10.5% 95% CI 5.4–19.4% 8 mentions · avg pos 5.1 first pick 12.5% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 12.5%CHATGPT 8.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 15 | Help Scout helpscout.com Best for: AI recommends Help Scout most when buyers ask “best in-app chat and support tool for software-as-a-service products” (44.4% of those answers) | 10.5% 95% CI 5.4–19.4% 8 mentions · avg pos 6.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 16.7%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 16 | Crisp crisp.chat | 10.5% 95% CI 5.4–19.4% 8 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 25% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 8.3%CHATGPT 16.7%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 17 | Discord discord.com Best for: AI recommends Discord most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (66.7% of those answers) | 10.5% 95% CI 5.4–19.4% 8 mentions · avg pos 12.5 first pick 12.5% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 12.5%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 18 | Chanty Best for: AI recommends Chanty most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (77.8% of those answers) | 9.2% 95% CI 4.5–17.8% 7 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 14.3% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 8.3%CHATGPT 8.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 19 | Pylon usepylon.com Best for: AI recommends Pylon most when buyers ask “best in-app chat and support tool for software-as-a-service products” (33.3% of those answers) | 9.2% 95% CI 4.5–17.8% 7 mentions · avg pos 5.9 first pick 14.3% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 20 | Chatwoot chatwoot.com Best for: AI recommends Chatwoot most when buyers ask “lighter live chat alternatives for early-stage SaaS startups that do not need a full customer communication suite” (40% of those answers) | 9.2% 95% CI 4.5–17.8% 7 mentions · avg pos 12.6 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 21 | Olark olark.com Best for: AI recommends Olark most when buyers ask “lighter live chat alternatives for early-stage SaaS startups that do not need a full customer communication suite” (70% of those answers) | 7.9% 95% CI 3.7–16.2% 6 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 12.5%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 22 | Hiver hiverhq.com Best for: AI recommends Hiver most when buyers ask “best in-app chat and support tool for software-as-a-service products” (44.4% of those answers) | 7.9% 95% CI 3.7–16.2% 6 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 25% | Claim |
| 23 | Kayako kayako.com Best for: AI recommends Kayako most when buyers ask “best live chat software for SaaS companies” (55.6% of those answers) | 6.6% 95% CI 2.8–14.5% 5 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 37.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 24 | Linear linear.app Best for: AI recommends Linear most when buyers ask “live chat tools built for SaaS workflows vs general website chat software — what product-specific features matter” (50% of those answers) | 6.6% 95% CI 2.8–14.5% 5 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 16.7%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 25 | Dashly dashly.io Best for: AI recommends Dashly most when buyers ask “top live chat platforms for SaaS businesses that want to combine support and sales conversations” (33.3% of those answers) | 6.6% 95% CI 2.8–14.5% 5 mentions · avg pos 13 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 26 | Udesk udeskglobal.com Best for: AI recommends Udesk most when buyers ask “best live chat software for SaaS companies” (33.3% of those answers) | 6.6% 95% CI 2.8–14.5% 5 mentions · avg pos 13.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 27 | Deelo deelo.ai Best for: AI recommends Deelo most when buyers ask “lighter live chat alternatives for early-stage SaaS startups that do not need a full customer communication suite” (30% of those answers) | 6.6% 95% CI 2.8–14.5% 5 mentions · avg pos 20.8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 28 | Freshdesk freshdesk.com | 5.3% 95% CI 2.1–12.8% 4 mentions · avg pos 3.8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 29 | Featurebase featurebase.app Best for: AI recommends Featurebase most when buyers ask “lighter live chat alternatives for early-stage SaaS startups that do not need a full customer communication suite” (30% of those answers) | 5.3% 95% CI 2.1–12.8% 4 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 25% | — | GROK 37.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 30 | Chatway | 5.3% 95% CI 2.1–12.8% 4 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 31 | Rocket.Chat rocket.chat Best for: AI recommends Rocket.Chat most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (44.4% of those answers) | 5.3% 95% CI 2.1–12.8% 4 mentions · avg pos 7.3 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 8.3%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 32 | Flock flock.com Best for: AI recommends Flock most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (44.4% of those answers) | 5.3% 95% CI 2.1–12.8% 4 mentions · avg pos 15 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 33 | Userpilot userpilot.com Best for: AI recommends Userpilot most when buyers ask “how do I reduce churn by proactively reaching out to struggling users inside my SaaS product” (40% of those answers) | 3.9% 95% CI 1.4–11% 3 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 34 | Chameleon chameleon.io Best for: AI recommends Chameleon most when buyers ask “live chat tools built for SaaS workflows vs general website chat software — what product-specific features matter” (40% of those answers) | 3.9% 95% CI 1.4–11% 3 mentions · avg pos 7.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 35 | ProProfs Chat proprofschat.com | 3.9% 95% CI 1.4–11% 3 mentions · avg pos 11.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 12.5% | Claim |
| 36 | Pure Chat purechat.com | 3.9% 95% CI 1.4–11% 3 mentions · avg pos 12.7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 37 | Elastic Email elasticemail.com Best for: AI recommends Elastic Email most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (44.4% of those answers) | 3.9% 95% CI 1.4–11% 3 mentions · avg pos 13.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 38 | Mattermost mattermost.com Best for: AI recommends Mattermost most when buyers ask “alternatives to the most expensive SaaS chat platforms that are more affordable for small teams” (33.3% of those answers) | 3.9% 95% CI 1.4–11% 3 mentions · avg pos 14.7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 8.3% | Claim |
| 39 | Sierra sierra.ai | 3.9% 95% CI 1.4–11% 3 mentions · avg pos 15 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 12.5% | Claim |
| 40 | Stripe stripe.com | 3.9% 95% CI 1.4–11% 3 mentions · avg pos 19 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%CHATGPT 16.7% | Claim |
| 41 | Product Fruits productfruits.com | 2.6% 95% CI 0.7–9.1% 2 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 42 | PubNub pubnub.com Best for: AI recommends PubNub most when buyers ask “live chat tools built for SaaS workflows vs general website chat software — what product-specific features matter” (50% of those answers) | 2.6% 95% CI 0.7–9.1% 2 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 43 | HelpCrunch helpcrunch.com | 2.6% 95% CI 0.7–9.1% 2 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 44 | Zulip zulip.com | 2.6% 95% CI 0.7–9.1% 2 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 8.3%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 45 | JivoChat jivochat.com | 2.6% 95% CI 0.7–9.1% 2 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 46 | Appcues appcues.com | 2.6% 95% CI 0.7–9.1% 2 mentions · avg pos 9.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 47 | Comm100 comm100.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 3 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 48 | Freshsuccess freshworks.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 49 | Blink | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 50 | Bitrix24 bitrix24.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 51 | Oscar Chat oscarchat.ai | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 52 | ProProfs Desk proprofs.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 53 | Chatra chatra.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 54 | Countly countly.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 55 | YourGPT yourgpt.ai | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 56 | SparrowDesk sparrowdesk.com Best for: AI recommends SparrowDesk most when buyers ask “what live chat tool should a bootstrapped SaaS startup use for both support and trial conversion” (30% of those answers) | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 19 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 8.3% | Claim |
| 57 | Outreach Sales AI outreach.ai | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 22 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 58 | SaaStr saastr.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions · avg pos 26 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 59 | Albato albato.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 60 | Baremetrics baremetrics.com Best for: AI recommends Baremetrics most when buyers ask “how do I reduce churn by proactively reaching out to struggling users inside my SaaS product” (30% of those answers) | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 61 | Billing Platform billingplatform.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 62 | CloudBlue cloudblue.com Best for: AI recommends CloudBlue most when buyers ask “how do I reduce churn by proactively reaching out to struggling users inside my SaaS product” (30% of those answers) | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 63 | Connecteam connecteam.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 64 | Crazy Egg crazyegg.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 65 | EngageLab engagelab.com Best for: AI recommends EngageLab most when buyers ask “top live chat platforms for SaaS businesses that want to combine support and sales conversations” (33.3% of those answers) | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 66 | Forecastio forecastio.ai | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 67 | HelpLoom helploom.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 68 | Helpable gethelpable.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 69 | Jotform jotform.com Best for: AI recommends Jotform most when buyers ask “lighter live chat alternatives for early-stage SaaS startups that do not need a full customer communication suite” (30% of those answers) | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 70 | Maxio maxio.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 71 | Paddle paddle.com Best for: AI recommends Paddle most when buyers ask “how do I reduce churn by proactively reaching out to struggling users inside my SaaS product” (30% of those answers) | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 72 | ProsperStack prosperstack.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 73 | Revenera revenera.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 74 | SuperOffice superoffice.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 75 | TechRadar techradar.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 8.3% | Claim |
| 76 | TrueConf Server trueconf.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 77 | Zigpoll zigpoll.com | 1.3% 95% CI 0.2–7.1% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
Reading the numbers: Share is a point estimate on 76 sampled answers, so each row also shows its 95% CI — the Wilson score interval around that share. When two products' intervals overlap, the gap between them isn't statistically meaningful at this sample size. First pick is the share of a product's recommending answers where it was named first, which separates “always mentioned” from “usually the top recommendation”. Full methodology.
Independence: Orbator customers are badged for disclosure. Customer status does not affect prompts, sampling, extraction, or ranking — see the methodology. Your product on this list? Claim it to see the prompts behind your rank and track it weekly.
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