Live Chat · head to head
Google Dialogflow vs Kayako
The short version
- Only Google Dialogflow has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Google Dialogflow usage-based pricing expected but specific rates not confirmed; Kayako the AI agent is billed at $1 per resolved ticket, so support cost scales with ticket volume rather than being a fixed subscription
- They diverge on capability: Google Dialogflow covers NLU and NLG, Kayako covers Unified inbox.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Dialogflow and Kayako actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Dialogflow | Kayako |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $30/month |
| Pricing model | usage-based | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice assistants | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 1998 | 2001 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Live Chat).
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 Google Dialogflow
- NLU and NLG
- Multi-language support
- Integration with Google services
- Webhooks
- Google Cloud
- Telegram
- Mobile support
Only in Kayako
- Unified inbox
- Live chat
- Help center
- Customer journey
- Automation
- Reporting
- Salesforce
- Zapier
Both cover
- Slack
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Google Dialogflow
- Customer engagementnot Kayako
- Lead generationnot Kayako
- Customer supportnot Kayako
- Sales automationnot Kayako
Kayako
- Help desk ticketing with a unified inbox and knowledge basenot Google Dialogflow
- Resolving support tickets automatically with an AI agentnot Google Dialogflow
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Google Dialogflow
- Usage-based pricing expected but specific rates not confirmed
- Free tier details not documented in available content
Kayako
- The AI agent is billed at $1 per resolved ticket, so support cost scales with ticket volume rather than being a fixed subscription
- A resolution counts when the AI solves the issue without human involvement, so the definition of a billable event is set by the vendor's own system
- No per agent monthly price is published for the full Kayako One platform
- Full platform pricing requires talking to an expert
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Dialogflow
Free- Free TierFree
- 100 requests/day
- Basic NLU
- Standard$0.005/month
- Pay per request
- Advanced features
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Custom SLAs
- Dedicated support
Kayako
$30/month- Inbox$30/month
- Email & live chat
- Help center
- Basic automation
- Growth$60/month
- Everything in Inbox
- Customer journey
- SLA management
- Scale$100/month
- Everything in Growth
- Advanced reporting
- Custom roles
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Dialogflow if
- You need nlu and nlg.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice assistants.
- You also want multi-language support.
Choose Kayako if
- You need unified inbox.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want live chat.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Dialogflow or Kayako better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Dialogflow starts at Free and Kayako at $30/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Dialogflow or Kayako?
- Google Dialogflow has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Dialogflow and $30/month for Kayako.
- Does Google Dialogflow or Kayako run on more platforms?
- Google Dialogflow runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice assistants. Kayako runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Google Dialogflow for free?
- Yes. Google Dialogflow has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Kayako starts at $30/month.
- What is Google Dialogflow best used for?
- Google Dialogflow is most often used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation. Of those, customer engagement and lead generation are not what Kayako is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Dialogflow do that Kayako cannot?
- Google Dialogflow covers NLU and NLG, Multi-language support, Integration with Google services, Webhooks. Kayako covers Unified inbox, Live chat, Help center, Customer journey. Both handle Slack, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Google Dialogflow: How is Google Dialogflow priced?
Dialogflow uses usage-based pricing through Google Cloud. Costs vary based on the number of requests, interactions, or queries depending on the specific Dialogflow edition (Standard or Enterprise).
SourceKayako: How much does Kayako charge?
Kayako uses results-based pricing where customers pay $1 per resolved ticket when Kay AI Agent solves the issue without human intervention. There are no seat fees or setup fees. Kayako One helpdesk platform pricing requires contacting sales.
SourceGoogle Dialogflow: Does Google Dialogflow offer a free tier?
Google Cloud typically provides free tier access for Dialogflow, but specific free quota limits depend on the Dialogflow edition and must be verified in the Google Cloud Console.
SourceKayako: What counts as a resolved ticket for Kayako pricing?
A resolution occurs when Kay solves the customer's issue without human agent involvement, whether by taking action or providing an answer the customer confirms solves their problem. Escalations to humans and simple deflections do not count.
SourceGoogle Dialogflow: What factors affect Dialogflow pricing beyond request volume?
Dialogflow pricing depends on request volume, concurrent users, AI model complexity, data processing volume, and additional features or third-party integrations used.
SourceKayako: What is Kayako's AI resolution rate?
Kayako reports a 68 percent AI resolution rate for Kay AI Agent. The platform claims a cost advantage of $1 per resolution versus $4.60 for competitors, with reported CSAT improvement of 14 points.
SourceGoogle Dialogflow: Where can I find exact Dialogflow pricing rates for my use case?
Exact per-query pricing and free tier limits are documented in the Google Cloud Console under Dialogflow billing. Regional pricing variations apply, and enterprise customers can contact Google Cloud sales.
SourceRelated pages
More on Google Dialogflow
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