In short
Tidio is a self-service chat tool with a low entry price, a free plan and an AI agent, Lyro, sold as an add-on by number of conversations. KernChat is an assistant built with you on your documents, with AI usage included in a fixed subscription.
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Tidio is one of the most accessible chat tools for small online shops: a free plan, a Starter plan under 25 dollars a month and an AI agent, Lyro, as an add-on. For a webshop that wants a chat live the same day, the balance of price and speed is hard to beat.
The two offers side by side
| Criterion | KernChat | Tidio |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Subscription from €100 excl. VAT a month, set-up from €1 500 excl. VAT | Free plan, Starter at $24.17 a month (billed yearly) |
| AI | Included in the subscription, no credits | Lyro as an add-on, from $32.50 a month for 50 conversations |
| Billing unit | One subscription per level | Billable conversations per month, plus a Lyro quota |
| Set-up | Done with you, after a one-hour audit | Self-service |
What KernChat does differently
- AI is not an add-on. The assistant answers from your documents from the first level, with no separate quota to buy
- Beyond the webshop. Property management, accounting firms, installers: the assistant fits service trades, with their own pages
- Handover designed for the team. Shared inbox, internal notes, business hours and a target response time with a reminder
- Monthly follow-up. A report every month and a review of knowledge suggestions with KERN-IT
Example bill for an SME
An online shop on Starter with the Lyro agent would pay, at the prices listed on 30/10/2026: $24.17 (Starter, billed annually, 100 billable conversations) + $32.50 (Lyro, 50 conversations) = $56.67 a month excl. VAT. If conversations exceed those quotas, you need to move to Growth (from $49.17) or increase the Lyro quota. This calculation is an example.
KernChat has a higher starting price, but the AI answers without a separate quota and the assistant comes prepared on your documents.
KernChat's limitations compared with Tidio
- A higher starting price. Tidio starts free or below $25 a month; KernChat requires set-up and a subscription from €100 excl. VAT
- No self-service. You cannot build your KernChat assistant on your own in one evening
- Less focused on online retail alone. Tidio primarily targets e-commerce; KernChat targets service businesses and organizations with a team behind the assistant
Questions to ask before choosing
- How many conversations do you receive each month, and how many should the AI handle?
- Are your questions mainly about orders, or about services that need follow-up from your team?
- Do you want to configure everything yourself, or receive a prepared assistant?
- Does the assistant need to recognize your customers and act in your tools?
Our conclusion
Tidio is an excellent start for a small online shop that wants a free or nearly free chat it sets up itself. KernChat is for organizations that want an assistant prepared on their documents, connected to their team and followed up, for a monthly price with no meter.
Tidio's prices are those of its pricing page, checked on 30/10/2026, in dollars and excl. VAT. See also the comparison with Crisp and the article on the cost of an AI assistant.