The sub-$50 agent that also answers your email
Buddy is the only one of these that connects natively to Gmail and Outlook and replies in your own thread, for under $50 a month. Here's an honest side-by-side.
| Buddy | Chatbase | Tidio + Lyro | Intercom Fin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billing model | Flat plans; 1 reply = 1 message | Credits with 1×–5× model multipliers | 3 separate quotas | $0.99 per resolution + seats |
| AI email replies | Native Gmail & Outlook, in-thread, from $20 | Forwarding + DNS setup, from ~$150 | Tidio mailbox only, first email only | Intercom inbox |
| Learns from past emails | $500 plan, own tickets only | Partial | ||
| Takes visitors to the right page | Partial | |||
| Extra agents | Unlimited on Pro | $25 / month each | Single brand | Per seat |
| Remove branding | Included from $20 | $99 / month | Paid | Included |
| IP / geo rules, audit log, PII redaction | Pro, $49 | Enterprise only | Partial | |
| 1 site + 1 mailbox + 3 brands, no badge | $49 / mo | $249 / mo | ≈ $127 / mo (1 brand) | ≈ $350 / mo |
Based on each vendor's public pricing and documentation as checked on 21 September 2026. Plans and features change, so check each vendor's site for current terms. Costs are for a comparable setup: one website, one mailbox, three brands and no “powered by” badge. Product names are trademarks of their owners.
Email is where support happens
Buddy connects natively to Gmail and Outlook and replies in the original thread, from your address, from $20 a month. There's no forwarding and no DNS setup.
It moves visitors, not just words
In-page navigation takes visitors to the page they asked about, checked against the destinations you allow.
Predictable bills
One reply is one message. No credits, no model multipliers, no per-resolution fees, and no charge per extra agent.
Put your support on autopilot, without losing the human touch
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