C 
Chatwoot
An open-source alternative to Intercom you can self-host.
NOT REALLY
why this verdict
Keep paying — OpenAI has not replaced it
OpenAI's version overlaps, but does not finish the support job, so this one still earns its $19/mo.
- A named launch, not a vibe named, unlinked
- AI support agents are sold as full replacements for live chat. OpenAI, February 1, 2025 — no announcement link recorded yet.
- How much of the job it covers not the job editorial call
- Parts of it. The job still needs the tool to get finished.
- Is there a free way to do it? yes
- 1 of 2 listed replacements have a usable free tier: Crisp.
- What the call is worth $228/yr
- $19/mo at the entry paid tier — $228 a year per seat.
Reason composed from the fields above missing: announcement linked recorded: free replacement listed recorded: two or more escape hatches
- Threatened by
- OpenAI
- Since
- February 1, 2025
- List price
- $19/mo
- Per year
- $228
The backstory
Chatwoot's argument is ownership: your conversations, your database, your server, with AI features you can point at whichever model you trust. For teams in regulated markets or on tight budgets, self-hosting the support stack beats paying per resolution to a vendor.
Escape hatches
C 
Crisp Cheap hosted alternative.
crisp.chat open_in_new I 
Intercom More polished, much pricier.
intercom.com open_in_new1 of 2 replacements have a usable free tier.