Currently, we are using Help Center Live as part of Fantastico DeLuxe one-click installs. Our staff has suggested an upgrade. The two main ones that come to mind is LivePerson and our staff recommend ProvideSupport.

We are looking for a Web-based Operator Console without Server Installation need that can provide at least 5 - 10 Operators Seats. It has to pack a ton of features for an affordable rate.

LivePerson seemed very expensive and the sales agents seem to very aggressive IMO. When we asked how much per operator we received 5 paragraphs of canned messages with a hint of sarcasm. We found this one very impressive overall but lacking in some features like:

Multiple Website Support
Customizable Visitor Name
Web-based Operator Console
We we're also told only 50 visitors could be monitored at the same timeProvideSupport we mistakenly thoughtwas designed for a windows server but after a 2nd visit realized that according to they're FAQ and Live Chat agent that the Windows System Console can be downloaded to your OS without the need for server installation. Luckily, the console is in beta stages for other Os like mac & Linux and can run on basically any hosting server via a script snippet. This maybe the choice we go with.

Some other paid services included:

StarDevelop
Kayako
LiveResponse
LivehelperSome other free services included:

ChatStat
CraftySyntax
TrioliveI'm sure there are others that We're not aware of though. What do you think is the best Live Chat Software and why?

We tried the Kayako live chat, as it is part of our License, but it lacks features, and not very refined. Great ticketing software.

We now use ProvideSupport for nearly 2 years and love it. It's reliable, customizable and just works well. Support is awesome also..

we are very happy with it, and highly recommend them.

I've always liked the kayako live chat if you use the support desk but a good livechat desk is stardevelop.

I use volusion, it is simple and easy.

Ive used Kayako, StarDevelop, and Crafty Syntax.

Kayako support suite as a whole is very good because it offers the whole help desk along with the chat software. There may not be alot of things on the visitor side, but there are alot of options for the staff.

StarDevelop is a good live help software also, and its pretty customizable, you can log in on the browser or the admin can anyway and monitor visitors and etc, and then you can also use the messenger on your desktop.

I've used Kayako and I've never had any problems with it.

We use WHMCS so a helpdesk wouldn't be needed if we upgraded to Kayako.

I use volusion, it is simple and easy.

We too use Volusion and it really is easy to use!

Note that TrioLive free vertion has some limitations:

- The Free version only allows 1 operator to be logged in at a time. The Paid version allows any number of operators to be logged in at the same time.

- The Powered By TrioLive notice must remain on the Free version. It can be removed at no cost when using the Paid version.

I dont feel it falls under the category of "free products"

Liveperson and Kayako is where it's at.

Kayako and 'liveperson' are not exactly "where it's at". The development is slow, bug reports are brushed off, it's just a mess.

Case in point:
Wouldn't it concern you if you found out that your 'sessions' kept timing out in your "livechat" operation? Of course it would, and it should, rightfully. Kayako's response? Ask one question, then ignore the responses

They SAY it doesn't affect 'liveresponse', but they also SAY they're doing things and then don't do them, so their word is garbage.

Provide support? Not at all. A client should never have to depend on 'hosted' solutions for anything. If the company won't provide downloadable options, then they lose the business. Relying on 'hosted solutions' means that you're relying on someone ELSE'S network instead of your own, and I've seen 'provide support' down for hours on end. Not exactly the most encouraging thing out there.

Trio Live? Support software is great (supporttrio), but the 'live chat' sucks. I've seen so many problems with it that it was taken off in 30 days.

Crafty Syntax? Sure, if you want a 'chat room'. That's not "support" though, that's a chat room.

Stardevelop? Had bad experience with them previously. Despite this, I decided to go back to them and throw some money their way. So far, so good. They even cleaned up their code to make it xhtml 1.1 compliant for me! My only complaint there is that there's no way to 'automatically' set it to start with windows, it needs to be done manually (which isn't hard)

I'm actually in the process of migrating from Kayako back to WHMCS for helpdesk solutions, because I'm tired of pouring money into Indian developers that sit on their thumbs and do nothing all day long, refusing to look into serious issues.