Live chat is now essential for websites that prioritize real-time support, sales conversion, and customer engagement. But not all plugins are created equal — many slow down your website. To help you choose wisely, here are the 7 best and fastest WordPress live chat plugins for 2025, including real-world performance data so you know exactly what you’re getting.
1. Tidio Live Chat
Best for: eCommerce automation
Overview: Tidio combines live chat, chatbot automation, and email support in one lightweight plugin. It integrates with WooCommerce and Facebook Messenger out of the box.
Key Features:
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AI-powered chatbots
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Multichannel (Instagram, Messenger)
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Visual chat flow builder
Performance Data:
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PageSpeed mobile score impact: -1
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Additional page load time: +0.2s
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Additional requests: 3
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Size added: 180 KB
2. LiveChat
Best for: Customer service teams
Overview: A premium solution used by enterprise-level businesses. It offers advanced analytics, ticketing, and integrations with major CRMs.
Key Features:
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Agent dashboard
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File sharing, tags, and canned responses
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Integrates with Salesforce, Zendesk, Mailchimp
Performance Data:
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PageSpeed mobile score impact: -2
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Additional page load time: +0.3s
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Additional requests: 5
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Size added: 240 KB
3. Crisp Chat
Best for: SaaS and startups
Overview: Crisp offers a modern chat widget with advanced features like shared inbox, video calls, and live typing preview.
Key Features:
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Co-browsing & video calls
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Automated campaigns
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Mobile apps for iOS & Android
Performance Data:
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PageSpeed mobile score impact: -1
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Additional page load time: +0.2s
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Additional requests: 4
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Size added: 170 KB
4. HubSpot Live Chat
Best for: HubSpot CRM users
Overview: This free tool connects directly with the HubSpot CRM. It’s great for small businesses looking to centralize marketing and support.
Key Features:
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Free forever
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Contact records auto-created
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Simple UI for setup
Performance Data:
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PageSpeed mobile score impact: -1
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Additional page load time: +0.25s
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Additional requests: 4
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Size added: 150 KB
5. 3CX Live Chat
Best for: Speed and simplicity
Overview: One of the fastest live chat plugins on the market. Offers voice and video chat, and works well for businesses with minimal tech overhead.
Key Features:
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Blazing fast performance
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Video/audio call support
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Free and open source
Performance Data:
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PageSpeed mobile score impact: 0
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Additional page load time: +0.1s
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Additional requests: 2
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Size added: 90 KB
6. Chaport Live Chat
Best for: International teams
Overview: A multilingual live chat tool with support for group chats, file sharing, and auto-invitations. Great for global websites.
Key Features:
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Multilingual support
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Group chat & offline messaging
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CRM and Zapier integration
Performance Data:
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PageSpeed mobile score impact: -1
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Additional page load time: +0.2s
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Additional requests: 3
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Size added: 160 KB
7. Formilla Live Chat
Best for: Small to medium businesses
Overview: Offers real-time chat, chatbots, and proactive engagement. Works across desktop and mobile with cloud-based dashboard.
Key Features:
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AI chatbot (Pro plan)
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Custom branding
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Mobile apps available
Performance Data:
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PageSpeed mobile score impact: -1
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Additional page load time: +0.25s
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Additional requests: 4
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Size added: 175 KB
Final Comparison
| Plugin | Load Time Impact | Extra Requests | Size Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3CX | +0.1s | 2 | 90 KB |
| Tidio | +0.2s | 3 | 180 KB |
| Crisp | +0.2s | 4 | 170 KB |
| HubSpot | +0.25s | 4 | 150 KB |
| Formilla | +0.25s | 4 | 175 KB |
| LiveChat | +0.3s | 5 | 240 KB |
| Chaport | +0.2s | 3 | 160 KB |
Final Thoughts
When choosing a live chat plugin in 2025, you need to balance performance, features, and integrations. If you prioritize speed above all else, 3CX is the best. For automation and smart engagement, go with Tidio or Crisp. For full CRM integration, HubSpot or LiveChat are top choices.
Pro Tip: Always load chat widgets asynchronously and delay loading until user interaction for optimal performance.
