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HubSpot Live Chat vs Zendesk Chat

HubSpot Live Chat logo

HubSpot Live Chat

Software

Live chat integrated with HubSpot CRM platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Zendesk Chat logo

Zendesk Chat

Software

Live chat software from Zendesk

From
$49/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only HubSpot Live Chat has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HubSpot Live Chat the Internet Archive's capture of HubSpot's live chat page on 4 January 2022 confirmed live chat is offered free as part of Service Hub, which the page states also has separate premium plans, though no premium figure appeared on the page itself.; Zendesk Chat messaging and live chat require at least the Suite Team plan at $55/agent/month paid yearly; the base Support Team plan at $19/agent/month does not include chat at all
  • They diverge on capability: HubSpot Live Chat covers Live chat messaging, Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HubSpot Live Chat and Zendesk Chat actually diverge.

Attributes where HubSpot Live Chat and Zendesk Chat differ
AttributeHubSpot Live ChatZendesk Chat
Starting priceFree$49/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, IOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20062007

Identical on both: 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 HubSpot Live Chat

  • Live chat messaging
  • CRM integration
  • Visitor identification
  • Chatbot builder
  • Slack
  • Gmail
  • Outlook
  • Mobile app support

Only in Zendesk Chat

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

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

HubSpot Live Chat

  • Customer engagementnot Zendesk Chat
  • Lead generationnot Zendesk Chat
  • Customer supportnot Zendesk Chat
  • Sales automationnot Zendesk Chat

Zendesk Chat

  • Support teams wanting live chat bundled with ticketing rather than a standalone chat widgetnot HubSpot Live Chat

Where each one falls short

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

HubSpot Live Chat

  • The Internet Archive's capture of HubSpot's live chat page on 4 January 2022 confirmed live chat is offered free as part of Service Hub, which the page states also has separate premium plans, though no premium figure appeared on the page itself.

Zendesk Chat

  • Messaging and live chat require at least the Suite Team plan at $55/agent/month paid yearly; the base Support Team plan at $19/agent/month does not include chat at all
  • Enterprise-grade chat features (Admin Copilot, skills-based routing) require Suite Professional at $115/agent/month or higher

Pricing, plan by plan

HubSpot Live Chat

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live chat
    • CRM
    • Basic features
  • Starter$50/month
    • Marketing automation
    • Enhanced features
  • Professional$320/month
    • Advanced workflows
    • Custom reporting

Zendesk Chat

$49/month
  • Suite Team$49/month
    • Messaging
    • Help center
    • Basic bots
  • Suite Growth$79/month
    • Team + Multiple brands
    • Custom fields
  • Suite Professional$99/month
    • Growth + AI
    • Custom analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose HubSpot Live Chat if

  • You need live chat messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android.
  • You also want crm integration.

Choose Zendesk Chat if

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

Questions people ask

Is HubSpot Live Chat or Zendesk Chat better?
Neither clearly leads. HubSpot Live Chat starts at Free and Zendesk Chat at $49/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HubSpot Live Chat or Zendesk Chat?
HubSpot Live Chat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HubSpot Live Chat and $49/month for Zendesk Chat.
Does HubSpot Live Chat or Zendesk Chat run on more platforms?
HubSpot Live Chat runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android. Zendesk Chat runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use HubSpot Live Chat for free?
Yes. HubSpot Live Chat has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zendesk Chat starts at $49/month.
What is HubSpot Live Chat best used for?
HubSpot Live Chat is most often used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation. Of those, customer engagement and lead generation are not what Zendesk Chat is typically brought in for.
What can HubSpot Live Chat do that Zendesk Chat cannot?
HubSpot Live Chat covers Live chat messaging, CRM integration, Visitor identification, Chatbot builder. Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging, Mobile messaging, Chatbots, Proactive chat. Both handle Salesforce, Web support, Android support.

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