Comparison Guide
AI Chatbot vs Live Chat
Both help customers. But which is right for your business? Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.
The short answer
Choose AI Chatbot if...
- You get many repetitive questions
- You need 24/7 availability
- Budget is a concern
- You want instant responses
- You're scaling quickly
Choose Live Chat if...
- Every inquiry is unique/complex
- High-touch sales process
- Sensitive customer issues
- You have staffing budget
- Human connection is key to your brand
Feature comparison
| Feature | AI Chatbot | Live Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 24/7, instant responses | Limited to staffed hours |
| Cost per conversation | Near zero (flat subscription) | €5-15+ per chat (labor cost) |
| Response time | Instant (<1 second) | 1-5 minutes average wait |
| Handles complex issues | Limited to training | Full human judgment |
| Consistency | 100% consistent answers | Varies by agent |
| Empathy & nuance | Improving, but limited | Natural human empathy |
| Scalability | Unlimited simultaneous chats | Limited by team size |
| Setup time | Hours to days | Weeks (hiring, training) |
The real cost difference
AI Chatbot
Monthly subscription€49-249
Conversations/monthUnlimited
Cost per conversation~€0
Setup/training cost€0
1,000 chats/month€49-249
Live Chat Team
Agent salary (part-time)€2,000+/mo
Software costs€50-300/mo
Cost per conversation€5-15+
Training & managementOngoing
1,000 chats/month€5,000+
The Best of Both: Hybrid Approach
Many successful businesses use AI chatbots as the first line of support. The bot handles routine questions instantly, qualifies leads, and only escalates complex issues to human agents. This gives you 24/7 coverage while focusing human time on high-value conversations.
70% handled by AI
30% escalated to humans
100% coverage
Frequently asked questions
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