Tidio alternative: Ordstage vs Tidio
An honest side-by-side for businesses that talk to customers on messaging channels. Every fact about Tidio links to Tidio’s own website and the date we checked it (2026-10-30). Prices change, so follow the links before you decide.
Who Tidio is for
Tidio combines live chat with the Lyro AI agent, which answers order-status questions, recommends products, qualifies leads and hands over to your team. tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
Online stores that want website live chat with an AI agent and a free plan to start.
Who Ordstage is for
Ordstage is an AI assistant and team inbox for WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and website chat. The assistant answers customers from your business knowledge and takes the next step, such as an order, a booking or a lead, while your team sees every conversation in one inbox and can step in at any time.
Businesses that talk to customers on messaging channels: online shops, clinics, hotels, salons, restaurants, and SaaS and service companies.
Ordstage vs Tidio at a glance
| Feature | Ordstage | Tidio |
|---|---|---|
| Messaging channels | WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and a branded website chat (2 channels on Flows and Starter, 5 on Growth, unlimited on Scale) | Live chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and email on all plans Source: tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab) |
| AI agent and actions | Answers from your knowledge, places orders, books appointments, rooms and tables, checks order status, saves leads, hands over to your team | Lyro: order status, product recommendations, lead qualification, handoff Source: tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab) |
| Bookings | Built in: availability per doctor, stylist, room or table; two-way Google Calendar; iCal sync with booking sites | Not mentioned on the Lyro page Source: tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab) |
| Shopify | Connect your store: catalogue search, orders and order status in the chat | Native Shopify actions from Growth Source: tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab) |
| WhatsApp campaigns / broadcasts | WhatsApp campaigns with approved templates; audience from a spreadsheet or Google Sheet; send now or schedule | Not verified: see their website |
| Team inbox and seats | On every plan; 1 seat on Starter, 3 on Growth, 5 on Scale; extra seats $5/month | 10 seats on Free, Starter and Growth Source: tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab) |
| API | Growth ($79/month) and up: scoped API keys, sandbox and webhooks | Plus and Premium only (Plus from $300/month) Source: tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab) |
| Starting price | Flows $19/month; Starter with AI $29/month | Free plan; Starter $24.17/month Source: tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab) |
| AI included in the price? | Yes, from Starter (3,000 AI credits/month); on Flows you buy credits when you want AI | 50 one-off Lyro conversations on Free and Starter; more is metered Source: tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab) |
Ordstage plans and prices: see the pricing page, which always shows the current catalog.
Where Ordstage is stronger
- Bookings are built in, with availability, Google Calendar and iCal; Tidio’s Lyro page does not mention bookings.
- AI credits are part of every Ordstage plan from Starter (3,000/month) rather than 50 one-off conversations.
- The Ordstage API and webhooks start at $79/month; Tidio lists API access on Plus (from $300/month) and Premium.
- WhatsApp campaigns with approved templates and restaurant ordering are included.
Where Tidio is stronger
- A free plan with 10 seats. tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
- Email is a channel on every plan. tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
- Lyro connects with Zendesk, Intercom, Salesforce and 20+ platforms. tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
What Ordstage does not do (yet)
- No voice or phone-call agent: Ordstage answers messages, not calls.
- Built for WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and website chat. If email, SMS, TikTok or voice must share the same AI inbox, compare tools that list those channels.
- No hotel PMS integrations (such as OPERA or Mews); rooms stay in step through iCal.
- No published security certifications such as SOC 2 or HIPAA.
- A newer product with a smaller ecosystem of ready-made CRM and helpdesk integrations.
- The website and dashboard are in English.
Choose Tidio if…
- You want a free plan and website live chat first.
- You need email in the same inbox.
- You want an AI agent that plugs into Zendesk or Salesforce.
Choose Ordstage if…
- Customers book appointments, rooms or tables in the chat.
- You want monthly AI credits instead of metered AI conversations.
- You need the API without an enterprise plan.
Pricing compared
Ordstage
- Flows $19/month: automated flows with 5,000 incoming messages; AI when you buy credits.
- Starter $29/month: 3,000 AI credits, 1 seat, 2 channels.
- Growth $79/month: 8,000 AI credits, 3 seats, 5 channels, developer API.
- Scale $199/month: 20,000 AI credits, 5 seats, unlimited channels.
- Enterprise from $499/month: custom limits and terms.
- Extra seats $5/month. Paying yearly costs 10 months. Meta’s own WhatsApp message charges are separate, as on every platform.
Tidio
- Free: $0, 10 seats, the first 50 Lyro conversations free (lifetime). tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
- Starter: $24.17/month, 50 one-off Lyro conversations. tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
- Growth: from $49.17/month, native Shopify actions; branding removal add-on $16.67/month. tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
- Plus: from $300/month plus usage, with API access. tidio.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
Meta charges businesses per delivered WhatsApp template message (marketing, utility and authentication), at rates that vary by category and country, whichever platform sends it. developers.facebook.com, checked on (opens in a new tab)
Moving from Tidio to Ordstage
- List what you use Tidio for today: channels, automations, templates, the questions customers ask and who answers them.
- Sign up for Ordstage and share your website. Ordstage turns your products, services and policies into knowledge you review before going live.
- Connect your channels. If your WhatsApp number is connected to another provider, ask that provider how to release it before you connect it to Ordstage; we help during setup.
- Recreate your WhatsApp templates in Ordstage (or start from the template library) and bring your campaign audience from a spreadsheet or Google Sheet.
- Test the assistant in the test chat, invite your team to the inbox, then go live.
Ordstage vs Tidio: questions
How many AI conversations does Tidio include?
On 2026-10-30 Tidio’s pricing page listed 50 one-off Lyro AI conversations on the Free and Starter plans, with more on higher plans. Ordstage Starter includes 3,000 AI credits a month.
Does Tidio book appointments?
Tidio’s Lyro page lists order status, product recommendations, lead qualification and handoff; it does not mention bookings. Ordstage books appointments, rooms and tables against real availability.
Which is better for Shopify?
Tidio lists native Shopify actions from its Growth plan. Ordstage connects your Shopify store so the assistant can search the catalogue, place orders and check order status. Try both with your own store.
More comparisons and use cases
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