The Tidio alternative where AI is not a separate add-on
With Tidio, Lyro AI costs extra on top of your plan. With Obdal, the document-trained assistant is the whole point, and it starts free.
Tidio is a capable live chat and helpdesk suite, and if you want all of that, it is a reasonable choice. The catch is the AI. Lyro is a separate add-on that starts around $39 a month and climbs with usage, so once it is switched on alongside the base plan, real bills often land between $100 and $150 a month.
Obdal takes the opposite approach. The AI trained on your documents is the product, not a line item you bolt on. It is included on every plan, including the free one, and paid plans start at $12 a month.
If what you actually want is an assistant that answers from your content, you should not have to buy a live chat suite to get it.
Why teams choose Obdal over Tidio + Lyro
The AI is included, not extra
On Obdal, the document-trained assistant is the product. There is no separate AI add-on to switch on and pay for. Every plan, free included, comes with it.
One bill, not three quotas
Tidio meters billable conversations, Lyro conversations, and flow triggers separately. Obdal keeps it simple. Pick a plan, get the AI, and you are done.
Free to start with AI switched on
Tidio's free tier gives you live chat with only a small taste of AI. Obdal's free plan includes the real assistant, so you can see it answering from your content without paying.
Obdal and Tidio + Lyro, side by side
| Feature | Obdal | Tidio + Lyro (as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| AI in the base price | Yes | No, Lyro is a paid add-on |
| Typical real monthly cost | Free, then $12/mo | Often $100 to $150 with Lyro on |
| Free plan | Free forever, AI included | Free live chat, very limited one-off AI |
| Trained on your documents | Yes | Yes, via Lyro |
| Live human handoff | On every plan | Included |
| Product focus | Document-trained AI support | Broad live chat and marketing suite |
| Best for | Affordable, AI-first support | Teams that want a full live chat and flows suite |
Obdal is probably right for you if
You want AI answers from your own documents in the price you pay, with a free way to start, and not a separate add-on bill. If the AI is the reason you are shopping, this is the simpler buy.
Tidio + Lyro might be the better call if
You want a broad live chat, flows, and marketing-automation suite, and AI is only one piece of what you are after. Tidio covers a lot of ground there, and if you need all of it, the add-on can make sense.
Questions people actually ask
Is the AI really included in Obdal's price?
Yes. The document-trained assistant is the core product and it is on every plan, including the free one. There is no separate AI fee to add later.
How is Obdal different from Tidio's Lyro?
Both answer from your content. The difference is packaging and cost. Obdal builds the AI into a low flat price with a free tier, while Lyro is an add-on layered on top of Tidio's base plans, which pushes the real monthly cost up.
Do I give up live chat by choosing Obdal?
Obdal focuses on AI support with live human handoff built in, so an agent can take over any conversation. If you also need a full marketing and flows suite, that is where Tidio's broader product fits better.
What does it cost to really use it?
Free to start, then $12 a month when you are ready. There is no AI add-on stacked on top, so the price you see is close to the price you pay.
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