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Software · head to head

Drift vs Google Optimize

Drift logo

Drift

Software

The Conversation Cloud

From
$2500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Optimize logo

Google Optimize

Software

A/B testing for Google Analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Optimize has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Drift product is being sunset by Salesloft with successor service (1mind) recommended; Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • They diverge on capability: Drift covers Live chat, Google Optimize covers A/B testing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Drift and Google Optimize actually diverge.

Attributes where Drift and Google Optimize differ
AttributeDriftGoogle Optimize
Starting price$2500/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
Founded20151998

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Drift

  • Live chat
  • AI chatbots
  • Meeting scheduling
  • Email sequences
  • Visitor intelligence
  • Conversation routing
  • Mobile app
  • Analytics dashboard

Only in Google Optimize

  • A/B testing
  • Google Analytics integration
  • Visual editor
  • Real-time analytics
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google's security
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Drift

  • Lead qualificationnot Google Optimize
  • Meeting bookingnot Google Optimize
  • Customer supportnot Google Optimize
  • Account-based marketingnot Google Optimize
  • Sales accelerationnot Google Optimize

Google Optimize

  • A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot Drift
  • Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Drift
  • Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot Drift

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Drift

  • Product is being sunset by Salesloft with successor service (1mind) recommended
  • Mandatory bundling within Salesloft increases cost
  • No free tier available
  • Customer support and knowledge base have been deprioritized
  • Limited to enterprise B2B pipeline generation focus

Google Optimize

  • Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
  • Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product

Pricing, plan by plan

Drift

$2500/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Drift review.

Google Optimize

Free
  • FreeFree
    • A/B testing
    • Google Analytics integration
    • Visual editor

Which should you pick?

Choose Drift if

  • You need live chat.
  • You also want ai chatbots.
Drift review

Choose Google Optimize if

  • You need a/b testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want google analytics integration.
Google Optimize review

Questions people ask

Is Drift or Google Optimize better?
Neither clearly leads. Drift starts at $2500/month and Google Optimize at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Drift or Google Optimize?
Google Optimize has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $2500/month for Drift and Free for Google Optimize.
Does Drift or Google Optimize run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Google Optimize for free?
Yes. Google Optimize has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Drift starts at $2500/month.
What is Drift best used for?
Drift is most often used for lead qualification, meeting booking, customer support, account-based marketing. Of those, lead qualification and meeting booking are not what Google Optimize is typically brought in for.
What can Drift do that Google Optimize cannot?
Drift covers Live chat, AI chatbots, Meeting scheduling, Email sequences. Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Drift: What is the current status of Drift in 2026?

On March 6, 2026, Clari and Salesloft announced the gradual sunset of Drift's conversational marketing solution, with 1mind named as its exclusive AI successor. Drift remains available but its future is limited.

Source
Drift: How much does Drift cost?

Drift pricing starts around $2,500/month ($30,000/year) for Premium chat-only capabilities, with Enterprise plans exceeding $80,000/year. Drift is bundled within Salesloft and billed annually only.

Source
Drift: What features come with Drift Premium?

Premium plans include live chat widget, custom chatbot flows, meeting scheduling with calendar integration, basic playbooks, email sequences, and standard integrations.

Source
Drift: Does Drift offer a free plan?

No, Drift no longer publicly advertises a free plan as of 2026. All plans require annual billing through Salesloft.

Source
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Related pages

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