Olark is a live chat and chatbot platform that makes it easy for businesses to talk to visitors while they browse their website. With a simple, browser-based agent console, real-time visitor data, and integrations to popular CRMs and help desks, Olark helps teams answer questions, qualify leads, and resolve issues without forcing customers to pick up the phone or wait for an email response. The product emphasizes accessibility and usability so that both agents and end-users can chat comfortably and efficiently.
Founded in 2009 as part of the Y Combinator accelerator, Olark was built to “humanize the web” by giving small and mid-sized businesses an affordable way to strengthen customer relationships through live conversations. Over time the company has grown from four founders in a Palo Alto house into a fully remote team, serving more than 11,000 paying businesses worldwide across ecommerce, SaaS, higher education, nonprofits, and more.
Olark differentiates itself with a strong focus on accessibility and responsible AI. The chat widget and agent interface are third‑party tested to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, and the company operates as a Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp with web accessibility as a core social-impact focus. Its newer Pro offering adds AI-powered chatbots, advanced automation, and professional services on top of the core live chat platform.
Bootstrapped with under $85K of outside capital, Olark has intentionally stayed lean and product-focused, offering transparent per-agent pricing, optional a‑la‑carte PowerUps, and a generous free tier. It positions itself as a straightforward, accessible alternative to heavier customer service suites—ideal for organizations that want powerful live chat and automation without the complexity of a full contact center platform.
