5 Top Customer Support Apps for Shopify and Shopify Plus 2026

Just wait….before you add another customer support app and hope it somehow fixes slow replies or messy conversations, take a step back for a second. Customer experience in e-commerce is about speed, personalisation, and automation working together.

If you’re running a store on Shopify or scaling fast with Shopify Plus, your support stack needs to grow with you. Orders, returns, live chat, social DMs, and AI replies all need to sit in one clean workflow, not across five different tabs.

That’s exactly why we created this list.

Below are some of the best customer support apps for 2026 that help streamline conversations, automate repetitive queries, and keep your customers happy without overwhelming your team. Whether you're a growing brand or an enterprise store, there’s something here for every stage.

Top Customer Support Apps for Shopify and Shopify Plus 2026

1. Gorgias

Gorgias – Shopify Helpdesk & AI Support is a helpdesk built specifically for Shopify merchants that centralizes email, live chat, social messaging, and automation into one interface. You can view Shopify order data directly in tickets, automate replies, manage refunds/edits, and personalize responses, all without switching tabs. 

Key Features

• Shopify-native helpdesk with order/return management

• Unified multichannel inbox (chat, email, socials)

• Automations, macros, and AI-powered replies

• Live chat and social engagement tools

• Intent & sentiment detection for smarter routing

Pricing 

• Free trial available

• Starter plans begin around $300/mo (Essentials) with tiered volume-based pricing (Pro, Pro Plus, Custom) 

2. Help Scout

Help Scout unifies email, live chat, social, and self-service into one shared inbox, letting teams manage customer conversations with personal tone and collaboration tools. It includes workflows, saved replies, multiple inboxes, and AI assistance to speed responses while keeping support friendly and organized. 

Key Features

• Shared team inbox with email + chat integration

• AI-powered draft replies and context tools

• Workflows & automation to reduce manual work

• Multiple inboxes for teams/products

• Integrations with 100+ apps

Pricing

• Free plan available (limited)

• Paid plans around $22/user/mo (Standard), $44/user/mo (Plus), $65/user/mo (Pro) when billed annually 

3. Zendesk

Zendesk – Customer Service & Help Desk Software is an enterprise-grade support platform that consolidates omnichannel ticketing, messaging, voice, and AI into a scalable workspace. It’s designed for large or growing support teams that need advanced automation, reporting, workflows, and customizable customer service across channels. 

Key Features

• Omnichannel ticketing (email, chat, phone, social)

• AI agents and smart routing

• Workflow automation & macros

• Knowledge base and self-service tools

• Advanced analytics & integrations (CRM, ecommerce, etc.)

Pricing

• Plans start around $19/agent/mo (Support Team)

• Higher tiers: $55–$115+/agent/mo

• Suite plans (omnichannel + AI) from ~$49–$99/agent/mo (annual billing) 

4. Tidio

Tidio – AI Chat & Help Desk Software combines live chat, AI chatbot automation and ticketing in one workspace. It’s ideal for brands that want an easy-to-set-up AI assistant, chatbot builder, and centralized support inbox with multichannel messaging and customizable chat flows. 

Key Features

• Real-time live chat and chatbot automations

• AI-driven responses and flow builder

• Integrated help desk inbox

• Visitor tracking & engagement tools

• Multi-channel support (email, chat, socials)

Pricing

• Free plan available

• Paid plans from ~$24.17/mo (Starter)

• Growth and advanced tiers scale with conversation volume 

5. Richpanel

Richpanel – AI Customer Support for Shopify is an AI-first customer support platform that lets Shopify merchants automate FAQs, manage all channels from one inbox, create self-service portals, and provide 24×7 support. It’s designed to cut support costs while boosting response speed and customer satisfaction. 

Key Features

• Central helpdesk for email, chat, social, and SMS

• AI responses and automated workflows

• Self-service portal for order tracking & returns

• Integrations with Shopify and popular e-commerce tools

• Reporting and analytics dashboards

Pricing

• Pro $69/month: Great for businesses starting out

• Pro Max $99/month: requires multiple brands, analytics, and a lot of channels.

• Enterprise: Get on request 

Best Customer Support Apps for Shopify and Shopify Plus 2026 In a Nutshell

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Customer Support App

• Shopify Integration Depth: You have to look for apps that sync orders, returns, and customer data directly inside tickets. This saves time and reduces tab switching.

• Automation & AI Capabilities: Automated replies, intent detection, and workflow rules help reduce repetitive queries and improve response speed.

• Multichannel Support: Your customers message everywhere, i.e., email, live chat, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more. So, obviously, a unified inbox is essential.

• Scalability: You have to choose a tool that fits your current size but can handle higher ticket volume as your store grows.

• Reporting & Analytics: Insights into response time, CSAT, and workload help you improve operations continuously.

• Ease of Setup & Use: Some platforms are powerful but complex. Balance features with usability for faster team adoption.

Final Words

So, we have to come to the end of our blog, and till now it has been very clear that customer support tools aren’t just “tools” anymore. They directly impact how customers feel about your brand. A slow reply, a missed message, or a messy support workflow can quietly hurt conversions more than you realize.

But do you know what the good news is? You don’t need the most expensive platform; you need the right one for your stage. If you're just starting, keep it simple with automation and live chat. If you're scaling fast, focus on workflows and deep ecommerce integrations. And if you're running a large operation, analytics and omnichannel routing become critical.

Think of your support stack as part of your growth engine, not just a cost center. Choose smart now, and your future team (and customers) will thank you.