Drift popularized "conversational marketing" — proactive, buying-intent-triggered chat aimed at B2B pipeline. Since being acquired by Salesloft in 2024, and after disclosing a customer-facing OAuth security incident in 2025, some teams have looked for alternatives, whether for product-fit reasons or platform-continuity reasons.
Here are 7 alternatives, honestly framed by what each is actually built for — including the ecommerce-specific angle Drift itself was never built around.
Quick answer
- Best proactive ecommerce conversion agent: Yokaify
- Best B2B-capable support and messaging platform: Intercom
- Best multichannel support suite: Crisp
- Best Shopify-first proactive AI: Rep AI
- Best Shopify/WooCommerce helpdesk: Gorgias
- Best free starting point: tawk.to
- Best small-team chat + chatbot combo: Tidio
1. Yokaify — Drift's proactive idea, built for ecommerce
Drift's core insight — speak first, on intent signals, instead of waiting to be clicked — is the same idea Yokaify is built around, but aimed at ecommerce storefronts rather than B2B pipeline. Instead of a chat bubble, Yokaify uses an animated brand mascot that reads shopper behavior (cart hesitation, exit-intent, dwell time) and steps in at the buying decision.
Best for: ecommerce stores that want Drift's proactive philosophy applied to storefront conversion.
2. Intercom — for a broader B2B-capable platform
Intercom offers a mature support and messaging platform with its Fin AI agent, serving both B2B and B2C use cases with more support depth than Drift ever had.
Best for: teams that need a full support platform alongside proactive messaging.
3. Crisp — for multichannel support
Crisp bundles a shared inbox, chatbot builder, and multichannel reach into one plan, at a different price point and simplicity level than Drift's B2B-oriented platform.
Best for: small teams wanting one inbox across channels.
4. Rep AI — for a Shopify-first proactive AI suite
Rep AI is proactive like Drift and Yokaify, but bundles sales, support, and a helpdesk specifically for Shopify stores.
Best for: Shopify stores wanting one proactive AI system for sales and support together.
5. Gorgias — for ecommerce helpdesk depth
Gorgias focuses on resolving ecommerce support tickets with deep Shopify/WooCommerce order actions — a different job than Drift's conversational-marketing focus, but a common pairing for ecommerce teams.
Best for: stores whose support volume is mostly order-related.
6. tawk.to — for a free starting point
tawk.to offers free live chat with no seat limits, a useful low-cost option for teams not ready to invest in a proactive platform.
Best for: budget-constrained teams needing basic chat coverage.
7. Tidio — for small-store simplicity
Tidio pairs live chat with a lightweight chatbot builder, aimed at small ecommerce stores rather than B2B pipeline generation.
Best for: small stores wanting simple, affordable chat and basic automation.
Feature comparison
| Tool | Category | Engagement | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yokaify | Onsite conversion agent | Proactive | Ecommerce conversion |
| Intercom | Customer-service platform | Reactive + outbound | B2B-capable support at scale |
| Crisp | Multichannel support | Reactive + rules | Small team, multiple channels |
| Rep AI | Agentic commerce (Shopify) | Proactive | Shopify sales + support in one |
| Gorgias | Ecommerce helpdesk | Reactive | Shopify/WooCommerce support |
| tawk.to | Live chat | Reactive | Free budget-friendly chat |
| Tidio | Live chat + chatbot | Reactive | Small store simplicity |
If what drew you to Drift originally was the proactive, speak-first philosophy rather than its B2B messaging stack specifically, that idea maps most directly onto Yokaify for an ecommerce storefront.
Further reading
- ComparisonYokaify vs DriftThe direct, detailed comparison.
- GuideProactive chat: triggers & examplesThe behavior-triggered pattern both tools are built on.
- GuideThe Onsite Conversion AgentThe category definition and how proactive agents differ from chatbots.
- Blog7 Best Intercom Alternatives in 2026A related comparison list for support-focused platforms.
Last updated July 6, 2026.