Shopify Inbox alternative: more than just your store
Shopify Inbox is a solid free chat widget — as long as you only sell through Shopify. Once you want to add WhatsApp, also sell via bol.com or another webshop, or want an AI chatbot that actually works with your knowledge base, Bugalou offers significantly more.
From €49/month · 14-day free trial · No credit card required
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What our customers say
“With so many orders from different channels, our customer responses were chaotic. Bugalou brought everything together and our team can now reply immediately. Our customers are much happier too!”
Koos Boender
Owner, Boender Outdoor
“Baboluv is growing fast and we couldn't keep up with support questions. Bugalou's AI chatbot now handles 60% automatically. This freed our team to focus on adding real customer value.”
Lisa Mertens
Baboluv
“Previously our employees had to log into countless different platforms. With Bugalou everything is bundled in one central inbox. Our employees only need to log in once. That ensures more peace, more overview and a much more efficient way of working.”
Dennis
Getdrezzed
“Baboluv is growing fast and we couldn't keep up with support questions. Bugalou's AI chatbot now handles 60% automatically. This freed our team to focus on adding real customer value.”
Lisa Mertens
Head of Customer Experience, Baboluv
Why online stores look beyond Shopify Inbox
WhatsApp and email on top, not just chat
Shopify Inbox is a live chat widget with a Messenger connection. Bugalou adds WhatsApp Business, Instagram DM and a full shared email inbox on top — all in one place.
Works alongside Shopify too
Also selling via bol.com, another webshop, or a physical store? Shopify Inbox is tied to that one Shopify store. Bugalou brings all your sales channels together in one inbox.
A real AI chatbot, not just saved replies
Shopify Inbox mainly works with saved standard replies and catalog-based product recommendations. Bugalou's AI agent answers questions 24/7 based on your own knowledge base and live order data.
Automated returns
Through the Returnless integration, you handle return requests directly from the conversation — something Shopify Inbox doesn't offer.
CSAT surveys on Pro
Automatically measure customer satisfaction after every conversation, included by default in Pro.
No lock-in
Cancel monthly. Export all your data whenever you want. We earn our keep by being good, not by locking you in.
Channels beyond chat
E-commerce integrations
Chatbot with knowledge base
Sales channels beyond Shopify
What if you sell through more than just Shopify?
Shopify Inbox is built for one Shopify store. Bugalou connects with Shopify as well as bol.com, Picqer, Lightspeed and Returnless — so every sales channel comes together in the same inbox.
bol.com
Also selling on bol.com? Shopify Inbox doesn't see those orders. With Bugalou, order status automatically appears next to the conversation, regardless of which channel the customer bought through.
Picqer, Lightspeed & WooCommerce
Also have a physical store or another platform alongside your Shopify store? These integrations bring all order and stock data together in one place.
Bugalou vs Shopify Inbox — feature comparison
A fair, transparent comparison
| Feature | Bugalou | Shopify Inbox |
|---|---|---|
| Live chat widget | ||
| Facebook Messenger | ||
| WhatsApp Business | ||
| Instagram DM | Limited | |
| Shared email inbox | ||
| AI chatbot with your own knowledge base | Pro | Saved replies |
| Works alongside multiple sales channels | ||
| bol.com integration | ||
| Picqer / Lightspeed integration | ||
| Returnless (returns) | ||
| CSAT surveys | Pro | |
| Price | €49/mo | Free (with Shopify plan) |
An AI chatbot that actually answers
Shopify Inbox mainly works with saved standard replies and catalog-based product recommendations. Bugalou's AI agent goes further: it answers questions based on your own knowledge base and live order and shipping data — even data that comes from outside Shopify.
Is a question too complex? The AI hands over to a team member seamlessly, including the full conversation and the linked order data.
From Shopify Inbox to Bugalou in 3 steps
Most teams are fully up and running within a day — you can leave Shopify Inbox on in the meantime.
Connect channels
Connect your Shopify store plus WhatsApp, email, Instagram and live chat. Also selling via bol.com or WooCommerce? Connect that too, right away.
Team & AI setup
Invite your team and configure the AI chatbot with your own knowledge base. We help migrate existing conversations for free.
Go live
Once everything's running, turn off Shopify Inbox. No overlap, no confusion for your team. Our team is ready via WhatsApp or email.
Frequently asked questions
Everything about switching from Shopify Inbox to Bugalou