Outgrown Tidio? Upgrade to True AI
Tidio is great for basic chatbots. But when you need true AI that learns your business, Voice AI for phones, and dedicated UK support — it's time to upgrade. Hand On Web gives you RAG-powered automation with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Honest Assessment
Tidio is a solid product — especially for small businesses wanting affordable DIY chatbots. We're not the right choice for everyone. If you're happy with template-based chatbots and don't need phone handling, Tidio may serve you well. But if you've hit Tidio's limits — AI that can't handle unexpected questions, no voice capability, or inadequate support — we're the upgrade you're looking for.
Common Tidio Frustrations (and How We Solve Them)
If any of these resonate, you might be ready for an upgrade.
Template chatbots can't handle unexpected questions
RAG AI understands context and handles questions it wasn't explicitly programmed for
Lyro AI limited to 50 conversations, then extra cost
Unlimited AI conversations on flat monthly pricing
No phone/voice capability at all
Full AI receptionist for 24/7 phone answering included
DIY setup with email-only support
Dedicated account manager handles setup and provides ongoing support
Poland-based team, different timezone
Chester-based UK team, same working hours
Pricing in Context: When Each Makes Sense
We're transparent: Tidio is cheaper for basic needs. Here's when each is the better value.
Basic Chat (low volume)
Verdict: Tidio cheaper for simple needs
Growing Business (AI needed)
Verdict: Hand On Web better value with unlimited AI
Business wanting chat + phone
Verdict: Only Hand On Web offers voice AI
Multi-channel with support
Verdict: Similar cost, very different experience
Tidio vs Hand On Web: Complete Feature Comparison
A transparent look at where each platform excels.
| Feature | Tidio | Hand On Web |
|---|---|---|
Starting Price Tidio cheaper to start, but limited AI capabilities | From £24/month (limited) | From £149/month (comprehensive) |
AI Technology RAG = actual understanding, not just keyword matching | Template-based chatbot flows | RAG-powered AI (learns your business) |
Voice AI / Phone Automation Tidio is chat-only. We handle phone calls too. | Not available | Full AI receptionist included |
AI Training No more dragging and dropping conversation blocks | DIY — build flows yourself | We train it FOR you on your business data |
Setup Support Real humans in Chester, not just documentation | Email support, knowledge base | Dedicated account manager |
WhatsApp Integration Multi-channel by default, not an upsell | Available (higher tiers) | Included in all plans |
Lyro AI (Tidio's AI) No per-conversation AI fees | 50 conversations included, then pay more | Unlimited AI conversations |
Contract Length Both offer flexibility | Monthly available | Monthly rolling |
UK-Based Support Same timezone, same business culture | No (Poland-based) | Yes (Chester) |
Ease of Basic Setup Tidio for DIY users, Hand On Web for "done for you" | Very easy — DIY-friendly | We handle setup for you |
Complex Conversation Handling RAG handles curveballs, templates don't | Limited — follows scripted paths | Dynamic — AI understands context |
Money-Back Guarantee More time to prove value | 7-day refund policy | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Why Businesses Upgrade from Tidio
Common reasons businesses make the switch to more powerful AI.
Upgrade from Templates to True AI
Tidio's chatbots follow pre-built flows. Our RAG AI actually understands your business and handles questions it's never seen before.
Add Voice AI to Your Mix
Tidio is chat-only. Our AI receptionist handles phone calls 24/7 — booking appointments, answering questions, and capturing leads by voice.
Get Proper Support
Tired of searching knowledge bases? Talk to real people in Chester who set up your AI, train it, and support you ongoing.
No Per-Conversation AI Fees
Tidio's Lyro AI has conversation limits. Our AI handles unlimited queries — your success doesn't cost you more.
Focus on Your Business, Not Chatbot Building
We configure everything for you. No more spending hours dragging conversation blocks around — we do the technical work.
UK-Based GDPR Compliance
Chester-based team, UK data handling, GDPR by design. Talk to people who understand UK business regulations.
Template Chatbots vs RAG AI: Why It Matters
Tidio's chatbots follow flows you build — if a customer asks something unexpected, the bot gets stuck. RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) AI is fundamentally different: it actually understands your business and generates appropriate responses to questions it's never seen before.
- Template Bot: ""I don't understand that. Let me connect you to a human.""
- RAG AI: ""Based on your account, I can see that order shipped yesterday. Would you like the tracking link?""
See RAG AI in Action
Book a demo to see how RAG AI handles unexpected questions, learns from your business data, and resolves queries that would stump template bots.
Book DemoVoice AI Receptionist
Phone calls still matter. While Tidio focuses only on chat, our Voice AI handles:
- 24/7 phone answering with natural conversation
- Appointment booking directly into your calendar
- Lead qualification and information capture
- Call screening and intelligent routing
- Voicemail transcription and summaries
What Tidio Can't Do: Handle Phone Calls
Tidio is chat-only. But many customers still prefer to phone — especially for urgent matters, complex questions, or when they're on the go. With Tidio, those calls go to voicemail or require human staff.
Hand On Web gives you AI-powered phone handling alongside chat. Same AI brain, multiple channels. Capture every lead, answer every question — whether they text, chat, or call.
Get Chat + Voice AISupport That Actually Supports
Tidio gives you a knowledge base and email support. Fine for tech-savvy DIY users. But when you need real help — someone to properly understand your business, configure your AI correctly, and be there when issues arise — you need actual people.
- Dedicated account manager assigned to you
- We set up and train your AI (not DIY)
- UK business hours phone support
- Same timezone, same working culture
Tidio Alternative FAQs
Common questions about upgrading from Tidio to Hand On Web.
Is Hand On Web really a Tidio alternative?
We're more of a Tidio upgrade. Tidio is great for basic chatbots and DIY users. Hand On Web is for businesses that have outgrown template-based chatbots and want true AI that understands their business, plus voice AI capabilities that Tidio doesn't offer.
Why is Hand On Web more expensive than Tidio?
Different value propositions. Tidio gives you tools to build chatbots yourself. We give you a fully trained AI that understands your business, plus Voice AI, plus dedicated UK support, plus we handle all setup. The price difference reflects "DIY chatbot tools" vs "done-for-you AI automation".
When should I stay with Tidio?
Tidio is excellent if: you're on a very tight budget, you enjoy building chatbot flows yourself, you only need basic FAQ automation, and you don't need phone handling. For simple live chat with basic automation, Tidio is cost-effective.
What's the difference between Tidio's AI and your RAG AI?
Tidio's Lyro AI is good but limited — it works within your help articles and has conversation caps. Our RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) AI is trained on ALL your business data and understands context. Ask it something unexpected, and RAG handles it. Template bots fail.
Can you migrate my Tidio chatbot?
Yes, but we'll likely rebuild rather than migrate. Tidio's template flows don't translate to RAG AI — our approach is fundamentally different. We'll review your existing Tidio setup, understand your goals, and build an AI that actually learns your business rather than following scripts.
Do you offer a free tier like Tidio?
No. Tidio's free tier is their entry point for DIY users. Our model is different: we invest significant time training your AI and providing dedicated support. That's not sustainable at free. However, our 30-day money-back guarantee means zero risk to try.
How does support compare?
Night and day difference. Tidio offers email support and a knowledge base — you figure things out yourself. We assign you a dedicated account manager in Chester who handles your setup, trains your AI, and is available by phone when you need help.
Can I use Hand On Web for just live chat like Tidio?
Yes, though you'd be underutilising our platform. Our chat widget works beautifully for live chat. But our value is in AI automation that handles 70%+ of queries automatically, plus Voice AI. If you only want live chat, Tidio might be more cost-effective.
What about Tidio's integrations?
Tidio has many ecommerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.). We integrate with major platforms too, plus CRMs, calendar systems, and phone systems. For ecommerce-specific features, Tidio is strong. For B2B/service businesses, our AI and Voice capabilities are superior.
How quickly can I see if Hand On Web is better than Tidio?
We get you live within 3-5 days. Run both systems in parallel if you like — we're confident you'll see the difference in AI quality and support responsiveness within the first week. And with 30-day money-back guarantee, there's no risk.
Ready to Upgrade from Tidio?
Book a free consultation to see if Hand On Web is the right upgrade for your business. We'll honestly assess your needs — and tell you if Tidio is still the best fit.