What's the difference between widget and iframe?

Widget shows a launcher icon (usually bottom-right) that opens a chat popup when clicked. Iframe embeds the chatbot directly into your page content so it is always visible.

When should I use the widget option?

Use widget when you want a non-intrusive chat icon available across all pages. It stays in a fixed corner position, can show welcome bubbles, and supports auto-open settings.

When should I use the iframe option?

Use iframe when you want the chatbot integrated into specific page content, as a persistent part of the layout, or when you need a larger interaction area.

Where do I choose between widget and iframe?

In ChatLab admin, select your chatbot, click Add to Website, then choose the Widget or Iframe tab to get the corresponding code.

Do widget and iframe have different features?

Both modes support the same chat features including AI responses, lead collection, live chat, suggested questions, and conversation rating. Widget adds launcher icon customization, position settings, and auto-open behavior.

What is the difference between widget and iframe?

ChatLab offers two ways to add a chatbot to your website: as a widget or as an iframe. Both use the same chatbot with the same training data and settings, but they differ in how the chatbot appears on your page.

Widget

The widget adds a chat icon to a fixed position on your page (bottom-right by default). Visitors click the icon to open a chat popup. The chat window can be closed back to the icon at any time.

Key characteristics:

Appears as a launcher icon in the corner of the screen
Opens as a popup when visitors click the icon
Stays available across all pages where the code is installed
Supports customization of the icon position, auto-open behavior, welcome message bubbles, and minimized display mode (Settings > Appearance)

Iframe

The iframe embeds the chatbot directly into your page content. The chat window is always visible and can be surrounded by other elements on the page.

Key characteristics:

Always visible on the page without needing to click an icon
Embedded in the page flow alongside other content
Adjustable size -- you can set the width and height attributes in the embed code to fit your layout
Best for dedicated pages where the chatbot is a central element, such as a support page or landing page

Where to select widget or iframe

Select your chatbot from the dashboard
Click the Add to Website tab
Choose the Widget or Iframe tab to see the corresponding embed code
Click Copy to clipboard and paste the code into your website

Trying both modes

You can preview both modes without embedding any code. On the Overview tab, find the Try out & share row and click either link:

As always-open frame -- opens the chatbot in iframe mode
As openable widget -- opens the chatbot in widget mode with the launcher icon

For more about sharing these preview links, see Sending a link to your chatbot.

Which should I choose?

Choose widget if you want the chatbot available on every page without taking up screen space. Visitors can open the chat when they need help and close it when they are done.
Choose iframe if you want the chatbot to be a visible part of a specific page layout, such as a help center, contact page, or product page where the chatbot is always ready for interaction.