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Richpanel alternatives for Shopify stores

Richpanel is a helpdesk with AI agents, a team copilot and a self-service portal, sold per seat with a monthly AI minimum. That can be more than a smaller store needs. Here are five alternatives and when Richpanel is still the better choice.

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We make Counter, so it's listed first. Details about other tools come from their own pages, linked under Sources. 7-day free trial on every Counter plan.

Why stores look elsewhere

Three reasons to compare Richpanel.

The starting cost is high for a small team

Richpanel lists $99 per seat a month on annual billing, plus a $200 monthly AI minimum. One seat with AI starts at $299 a month on an annual commitment.

AI cost takes some working out

Its pricing page describes AI usage at about $0.20 a conversation and also at $0.50 to $0.60 a credit. Ask for a quote at your own volume before comparing it with a flat allowance.

You may want to try it yourself first

Its pricing page doesn't mention a free trial and asks you to book a demo. Several alternatives let you start on your own store today.

At a glance

Richpanel alternatives compared.

ToolPriceOrder changes by the AITrial
Counter$29 to $249 per 30 days by AI conversation allowance, then $0.04 each. Unlimited seatsReturns, refunds, cancellations, address changes and discount codes within rules you publish7-day free trial, card required
Gorgias$10 to $900 a month for 50 to 5,000 tickets, plus AI Agent per automated interactionCancel, edit address, remove or replace items, free reship, order notes and integration actions7 days, no card required
Re:amaze$29, $49 or $69 per team member a month, or $59 flat for up to 500 responded conversations. AI resolutions beyond the plan's allowance cost $0.85 eachNot stated for its AI Agent. Your team can manage and modify Shopify orders in chat14 days, no card required
TidioFree plan available. Lyro from $39 a month for 50 conversations on tidio.com, on top of a helpdesk plan. Its App Store listing shows $39 for up to 200Ready-made template for order status; other changes through Lyro Actions you configureFree plan; 7-day trial with no card
Shopify InboxFree, with no separate charge for the AI agentNot documented for the AI agent; handed to staffFree

The options

  1. 1. Counter

    AI support assistant for website chat, with a shared inbox for handoffs.

    Best for
    Stores that want AI to resolve order requests in website chat, without paying per seat.
    Channels
    Website chat on Shopify and Medusa v2
    Watch out for
    Website chat only, so it isn't a full helpdesk for email, social, SMS or phone. No free plan.

  2. 2. Gorgias

    Omnichannel helpdesk with an optional AI Agent.

    Best for
    Support teams that want a full omnichannel helpdesk, priced per ticket instead of per seat.
    Channels
    Email, chat, social, help center and contact form; SMS and voice as paid add-ons
    Watch out for
    An AI-resolved conversation is billed as a ticket and as an automated interaction.
    Counter vs Gorgias

  3. 3. Re:amaze

    Helpdesk for email, social and live chat, with a Beta AI agent.

    Best for
    Small teams that want a low-cost helpdesk across email, social and chat, and need little AI.
    Channels
    Email, social and live chat on every plan; SMS and voice from Pro
    Watch out for
    Basic, Pro and Plus include only 5 to 20 AI resolutions per user each month, and its AI is labeled Beta.

  4. 4. Tidio

    Live-chat helpdesk with Lyro AI and Flows as paid add-ons.

    Best for
    Stores that want a free plan, or live chat staffed mostly by people.
    Channels
    Chat, email, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp
    Watch out for
    The only ready-made Shopify template in its help center is order status, though its App Store listing mentions native Shopify actions. Confirm what's included.
    Counter vs Tidio

  5. 5. Shopify Inbox

    Shopify's free chat app with an opt-in AI agent.

    Best for
    Shopify stores that want free chat for pre-sale questions and will handle order changes themselves.
    Channels
    Website chat; Shopify only
    Watch out for
    Order lookups need a signed-in customer, and seats follow your Shopify plan's staff account limit.
    Counter vs Shopify Inbox

Before you switch

When to stay with Richpanel.

  • You want one inbox across email, chat, social and phone, with AI agents working alongside your team
  • You'd use its team copilot, conversation QA and self-service portal for tracking, address changes and returns
  • You have enough volume for a per-seat price and an AI minimum to make sense

Richpanel alternatives, answered.

What is the best Richpanel alternative for Shopify?

For AI that resolves orders in website chat, Counter fits. For another full helpdesk, look at Gorgias or Re:amaze. For free chat, look at Shopify Inbox. We make Counter, so check each tool's own pages too.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Richpanel?

For most small teams, yes. Shopify Inbox and Tidio's free plan cost nothing to start, while Re:amaze and Counter have plans from $29. Compare them at your real volume, since AI and per-seat costs change the total.

Does Richpanel have a free trial?

Its pricing page doesn't mention one and asks you to book a demo. It does describe a money-back guarantee, subject to eligibility and terms, so ask Richpanel for the current details.

When should I stay with Richpanel?

Stay if you need one inbox across email, chat, social and phone, and you'd use its copilot, conversation QA and self-service portal at a volume that justifies the per-seat price.

Keep reading

Sources

Details were checked on October 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 against the pages below. Plans and features change, so confirm current details on each company's site. Counter's details come from our pricing. Other product names are trademarks of their owners.

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