Chat Widget Features & Performance
Detailed performance comparisons and technical specifications. See how GhostChat compares to Tawk.to, Crisp, Tidio, and other leading chat solutions.
Performance Metrics
Script size, CPU time, and Total Blocking Time comparison.
| Widget | Size | CPU Time | TBT Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| GhostChat | ~10 KB | ~0-5 ms | None |
| Intercom | ~300 KB | ~800 ms | Critical |
| Tawk.to | ~250 KB | ~1,100 ms | Critical |
| Tidio | ~200 KB | ~400 ms | High |
| Crisp | ~155 KB | ~311 ms | Medium |
| LiveChat | ~120 KB | ~645 ms | High |
All sizes are gzipped transfer sizes (actual download size). Data collected via Chrome DevTools and Lighthouse.Learn why widget size matters →
Built on the Edge.
Most chat widgets rely on centralized clusters in US-East. We don't. GhostChat runs on Cloudflare Durable Objects at the edge, meaning your chat session lives in the data center closest to your visitor.
Edge-Native Delivery
Zero round-trips to a central database. Instant real-time sync.
Zero Dependencies
No React, no jQuery, no bloat. Just vanilla JS optimized for the modern web.
Feature Comparison
Key features and pricing comparison.
| Feature | GhostChat | Intercom | Crisp | Tawk.to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website chat widget | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gmail threading (reply from inbox) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Privacy-first (no tracking) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cookie-free | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| GDPR-friendly by default | ✓ | ✗ | ~ | ✗ |
| Edge-powered latency | 10-30ms | 100-300ms | 80-150ms | 100-200ms |
| Script size (gzipped) | ~10 KB | ~300 KB | ~155 KB | ~250 KB |
| Page speed impact | None | Critical | High | Critical |
| Starting price | $0 (free forever) | $39/seat/mo | $45/mo | $0 (with ads) |
| Setup time | 30 seconds | 30+ mins | ~10 mins | ~10 mins |
Data from public documentation and third-party testing (2026).
Gmail Threading
Reply to website messages directly from your inbox. No dashboard required.
Reply from Any Email
Get notified via email when visitors message you. Just hit reply — your response appears in the chat widget. Works with Gmail, Outlook, Proton Mail, and any email client.
All plansFull Conversation Threads
Every reply stays in one email thread. See the full conversation history without switching apps or logging in.
All plansVisitors Reply Too
Visitors get your reply via email and can respond back. The conversation continues in both the widget and email.
All plansWebhooks
Get notified in your own systems every time a visitor sends a message. One event, one payload — connect Slack, your CRM, or custom tools.
Event: message.new
We POST to your URL every time a visitor sends a message (first message or reply). You get the message content, visitor email if provided, page URL, country, and conversation/session IDs so you can sync to CRM, create tickets, or notify your team.
Payload includes: event, siteId, siteName, sessionId, messageId, content, visitorEmail, pageUrl, referrer, country, createdAt.
Set your webhook URL in Dashboard → Sites → [your site] → Webhook URL. Available on the Pro plan ($9/mo) and above.
Visitor Context API
Share cart contents, page info, or any custom data with your agents in real-time. Context appears in the conversation header so your team knows exactly what the visitor needs.
// Custom context (Pro+ plan)
GhostChat.setContext({
cart: ["Brake Pad Kit", "Oil Filter"],
vehicle: "2022 Can-Am Maverick X3",
page: "checkout"
})Each call merges with existing context. Max 10 keys per session, 4KB total. Updates throttled to once per 5 seconds.
WooCommerce: Our WordPress plugin auto-sends page context and cart data — zero config required.
Auto-Translate
Talk to visitors in their language. Messages are automatically translated between you and the visitor in real-time — powered by Google Translate.
133+ Languages
Powered by Google Translate. Supports every major language — from Spanish to Arabic to Japanese and beyond.
Real-Time
Both sides see translated messages instantly. No copy-pasting into Google Translate. Just chat naturally.
Two-Way
Visitor writes in French, you see English. You reply in English, they see French. Both originals are preserved.
Visitor Page Journey
See every page your visitor browsed before and during the chat. Know exactly what they were looking at — product pages, pricing, checkout — so you can give relevant answers instantly.
Team Support
Invite your team to reply together. Every response shows who sent it — no more "who answered this?"
Invite Agents
Add up to 5 team members by email. Assign admin or agent roles. They get their own login.
Real-Time Notifications
Every agent gets push and email notifications for new messages. No one misses a chat, even when away from the dashboard.
See Who Replied
Every message shows the agent's name. Visitors see who's helping them. Your team stays accountable.
No Duplicate Replies
The sidebar shows who last replied. All agents see responses appear instantly — no stepping on each other's toes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features are included in the free plan?
The free plan includes 1 site, 30-day chat history, canned responses, quick links, file uploads, typing indicators, push notifications, and email notifications. GhostChat branding is shown on the widget.
Can I reply to chats from my phone?
Yes. Every chat notification is an email you can reply to directly from Gmail or any email app on your phone. You can also use the mobile-friendly dashboard at app.ghostchat.dev.
Does GhostChat support multiple websites?
Yes. The Pro plan supports up to 3 sites and Business supports up to 10. Each site has its own widget, conversation history, settings, and team members.
How does Gmail threading work?
When a visitor messages you, GhostChat sends you an email notification. You reply to that email and your message is delivered to the visitor in real time. No dashboard login required.
What is the Visitor Context API?
The Visitor Context API lets you send custom data to agents in real time — like cart contents, user plan, or page type. Call GhostChat.setContext({ key: value }) from your site. Available on Pro+.