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Customer Support · head to head

Hiver vs Zendesk Chat

Hiver logo

Hiver

Customer Support

Gmail-based help desk

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Zendesk Chat logo

Zendesk Chat

Live Chat

Live chat software from Zendesk

From
$19/month
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Hiver has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Hiver hiver tiers as captured 28 December 2023: Lite at $15/user/month capped at 2 shared inboxes (up to 10 users each), Pro at $39/user/month capped at 5 shared inboxes and 50 shared labels, Elite at $59/user/month, all annual pricing with higher month-to-month rates of $19/$49/$69; Zendesk Chat enterprise plan requires custom pricing quote
  • They diverge on capability: Hiver covers Shared inbox, Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hiver and Zendesk Chat actually diverge.

Attributes where Hiver and Zendesk Chat differ
AttributeHiverZendesk Chat
Starting priceFree$19/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Chrome-extensionWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryCustomer SupportLive Chat
Founded20112007

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Hiver

  • Shared inbox
  • Email assignment
  • Collision detection
  • Email notes
  • Templates
  • Gmail
  • Google Workspace
  • Slack

Only in Zendesk Chat

  • Web messaging
  • Mobile messaging
  • Chatbots
  • Proactive chat
  • Triggers
  • Zendesk Support
  • Salesforce
  • Shopify

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • SOC2
  • GDPR
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Hiver

  • Shared inbox managementnot Zendesk Chat
  • Customer support via Gmailnot Zendesk Chat
  • Team email collaborationnot Zendesk Chat

Zendesk Chat

  • Customer support team managementnot Hiver
  • Multi-channel messagingnot Hiver
  • AI-powered contact centersnot Hiver

Where each one falls short

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

Hiver

  • Hiver tiers as captured 28 December 2023: Lite at $15/user/month capped at 2 shared inboxes (up to 10 users each), Pro at $39/user/month capped at 5 shared inboxes and 50 shared labels, Elite at $59/user/month, all annual pricing with higher month-to-month rates of $19/$49/$69

Zendesk Chat

  • Enterprise plan requires custom pricing quote
  • AI agent usage beyond plan allowance billed separately

Pricing, plan by plan

Hiver

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 users
    • Email management
    • Basic analytics
  • Lite$19/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Email templates
    • Notes & @mentions
  • Pro$49/month
    • CSAT surveys
    • SLA management
    • Custom reports
  • Elite$69/month
    • Round-robin
    • Skill-based routing
    • Okta SSO

Zendesk Chat

$19/month
  • Support Team$19/month
    • Email ticketing
    • Routing and analytics
    • Pre-written responses
  • Suite Team$55/month
    • All Support features
    • AI Agents
    • Knowledge Base
  • Suite Professional$115/month
    • Suite Team features
    • Admin Copilot
    • App Builder

Which should you pick?

Choose Hiver if

  • You need shared inbox.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Chrome-extension.
  • You also want email assignment.
Hiver review

Choose Zendesk Chat if

  • You need web messaging.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want mobile messaging.
Zendesk Chat review

Questions people ask

Is Hiver or Zendesk Chat better?
Neither clearly leads. Hiver starts at Free and Zendesk Chat at $19/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hiver or Zendesk Chat?
Hiver has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Hiver and $19/month for Zendesk Chat.
Does Hiver or Zendesk Chat run on more platforms?
Hiver runs on Web, Chrome-extension. Zendesk Chat runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Hiver for free?
Yes. Hiver has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zendesk Chat starts at $19/month.
What is Hiver best used for?
Hiver is most often used for shared inbox management, customer support via gmail, team email collaboration. Of those, shared inbox management and customer support via gmail are not what Zendesk Chat is typically brought in for.
What can Hiver do that Zendesk Chat cannot?
Hiver covers Shared inbox, Email assignment, Collision detection, Email notes. Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging, Mobile messaging, Chatbots, Proactive chat. Both handle Analytics, SOC2, GDPR, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Zendesk Chat: Can Messaging be used for live, session-based conversations or asynchronous chats?

Both. Messaging supports real-time sessions for fast help as well as ongoing asynchronous conversations, so customers can chat at their own pace and agents stay flexible.

Source
Zendesk Chat: Do agents need a separate tool or tab to use Messaging?

No. Messaging is built right into the Zendesk Agent Workspace, so agents can manage conversations seamlessly without switching tools or tabs.

Source
Zendesk Chat: How do I know if my AI agents are handling my tickets effectively?

Zendesk QA automatically reviews all conversations, enabling performance tracking and continuous improvement of AI and agent support.

Source
Zendesk Chat: Once I build an AI agent, can I deploy it across more than one social channel?

Yes. Build your AI Agent once and deploy it to web, mobile, and social messaging channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, and more.

Source
Zendesk Chat: Why should I switch from legacy live chat to Messaging?

Messaging enables users to replicate and enhance live chat experiences by leveraging AI agents and omnichannel routing capabilities.

Source
Zendesk Chat: Can I build something custom or go beyond the out-of-the-box experience?

Absolutely. With access to the Zendesk messaging platform, you can create fully custom experiences that fit your unique business needs.

Source
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