FunctionalAI vs Tidio

Both run AI chatbots — they take very different approaches to pricing, AI technology, and simplicity. An honest comparison — we'll tell you where we win AND where Tidio is the better fit.

Start free on any websiteInstall on ShopifySee the full comparison
AI model
OpenAI
vs Tidio's Lyro AI
free messages
100
no card, no time limit
visitor caps
No
unlimited reach

Where FunctionalAI wins

OpenAI-Powered

We run on OpenAI's GPT models. Tidio's Lyro is built on Anthropic Claude — both are credible LLMs; pick whichever stack fits.

Simpler Pricing

Messages included in every plan. No separate Lyro add-on (from $32.50/mo, billed annually) or Flows visitor add-on to layer on top.

No Visitor Caps

Reach every site visitor. Tidio's Flows add-on tiers visitor reach by price, starting at 2,000/mo.

Shopify-Native Wizard

One-click Shopify install with auto-import of your store into your AI knowledge base.

Where Tidio wins, honestly

Where Tidio legitimately wins:

Mature Helpdesk

Ticket management, agent collaboration, departments, and customer profiles built in.

Marketing Tools

Email marketing, abandoned cart triggers, and visitor tracking — Tidio is more than just AI chat.

More Channels

Includes WhatsApp out of the box. We do not currently support WhatsApp.

Visual Bot Builder

Drag-and-drop flow editor for non-AI bot logic. Useful if you want hand-crafted scripted flows.

The honest take: Tidio is a mature platform with marketing tooling and a visual bot builder. If you need WhatsApp today or run scripted flows, Tidio fits. But if you want OpenAI-grade chat with simple, predictable pricing without stacking Lyro + Flows add-ons — that's us. Weighing more than two? See our roundup of live chat apps for Shopify.

Which one fits you

Choose FunctionalAI if you…

  • Prefer OpenAI as the AI provider
  • Sell on Shopify and want a guided wizard
  • Want to avoid stacking Lyro + Flows + base-plan fees
  • Prefer messages-included pricing
  • Want a person to take over on rules you write

Choose Tidio if you…

  • Need WhatsApp Business today
  • Want a visual drag-and-drop bot builder
  • Need helpdesk features (departments, ticketing)
  • Run abandoned-cart email marketing alongside chat
  • Have flows you want to script by hand

Feature by feature

Better on FunctionalAI Better on Tidio About the same

Feature
FunctionalAI
Tidio
Free Plan / Trial
100 msgs lifetime, no card
50 convos free + 7-day trial
Starting Paid Price
$24.99/mo (Medium)
$24.17/mo (Starter, billed annually)
AI Pricing ModelSimpler
Msgs included in plan
Lyro add-on (from $32.50/mo, billed annually)
AI Model
OpenAI-powered
Lyro AI
Knowledge Base / RAG
Shopify Integration
Native + Wizard
Available
Instagram DMs
Not currently supported
Facebook Messenger
Not currently supported
Website Widget
Included ConversationsDifferent pricing models
400–1,500 msgs/mo (100 free, once)
50/100/250+ tiered
Chatbot Visitor Limits
Unlimited
Tiered (Flows add-on, from 2,000/mo)
Setup TimeWizard imports store
One-click Shopify wizard, usually 2–5 min
Standard onboarding flow
Credit Card Required
Human Handoff
Analytics Dashboard
API Access
No merchant API
Plus plan ($300+/mo) and above
Pricing Transparency
Clear tiers + overflow
Plan + Lyro/Flows add-ons
  • Free Plan / Trial
    FunctionalAI100 msgs lifetime, no card
    Tidio50 convos free + 7-day trial
  • Starting Paid Price
    FunctionalAI$24.99/mo (Medium)
    Tidio$24.17/mo (Starter, billed annually)
  • AI Pricing ModelSimpler
    FunctionalAIMsgs included in plan
    TidioLyro add-on (from $32.50/mo, billed annually)
  • AI Model
    FunctionalAIOpenAI-powered
    TidioLyro AI
  • Knowledge Base / RAG
    FunctionalAI
    Tidio
  • Shopify Integration
    FunctionalAINative + Wizard
    TidioAvailable
  • Instagram DMs
    FunctionalAINot currently supported
    Tidio
  • Facebook Messenger
    FunctionalAINot currently supported
    Tidio
  • Website Widget
    FunctionalAI
    Tidio
  • Included ConversationsDifferent pricing models
    FunctionalAI400–1,500 msgs/mo (100 free, once)
    Tidio50/100/250+ tiered
  • Chatbot Visitor Limits
    FunctionalAIUnlimited
    TidioTiered (Flows add-on, from 2,000/mo)
  • Setup TimeWizard imports store
    FunctionalAIOne-click Shopify wizard, usually 2–5 min
    TidioStandard onboarding flow
  • Credit Card Required
    FunctionalAI
    Tidio
  • Human Handoff
    FunctionalAI
    Tidio
  • Analytics Dashboard
    FunctionalAI
    Tidio
  • API Access
    FunctionalAINo merchant API
    TidioPlus plan ($300+/mo) and above
  • Pricing Transparency
    FunctionalAIClear tiers + overflow
    TidioPlan + Lyro/Flows add-ons

Your customers are already asking.

Put an assistant on your site that answers from what you know, and calls you in when a customer needs a person. 100 free messages to start, no card needed.

Any website

One line of code in your site. No developer needed.

Start free on any website
Shopify store

Free to install. Your storefront doesn’t change until you switch the chat on in your theme.

Install on Shopify
LEGAL: Tidio® is a trademark of Tidio LLC. FunctionalAI is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Tidio. Feature and pricing data based on publicly listed information on tidio.com/pricing as of October 8, 2026. Tidio prices its plans, Lyro AI add-on, and Flows add-on separately; figures shown reflect individual list prices and do not represent a bundled quote.SOURCES (checked October 8, 2026): Starter $24.17/mo and Lyro AI Agent from $32.50/mo (both billed annually), Flows from 2,000 visitors, Plus from $300/mo with OpenAPI, Free plan 50 conversations and 7-day trial: tidio.com/pricing. Figures are Tidio's USD list prices; tidio.com may show the same amounts in another currency (e.g. €) depending on your region. Rates change; check the source for current rates.