Softwr

Software · head to head

LivePerson vs IBM Watson Assistant

LivePerson logo

LivePerson

Software

Enterprise-grade conversational AI platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IBM Watson Assistant logo

IBM Watson Assistant

Software

IBM's enterprise AI platform for conversational experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only IBM Watson Assistant has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LivePerson no price is published for any of the three tiers, and the page states no cost metric; IBM Watson Assistant listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £112 per instance per month, submitted directly by IBM United Kingdom Limited for IBM watsonx Assistant
  • They diverge on capability: LivePerson covers Live chat, IBM Watson Assistant covers NLU engine.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LivePerson and IBM Watson Assistant actually diverge.

Attributes where LivePerson and IBM Watson Assistant differ
AttributeLivePersonIBM Watson Assistant
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, IOS, Android, Messaging appsWeb, Mobile, Messaging, Voice, Contact centers
Founded19951911

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 LivePerson

  • Live chat
  • Conversational AI
  • Mobile messaging
  • Intent detection
  • Zendesk
  • Webhooks
  • Mobile app support
  • IOS support

Only in IBM Watson Assistant

  • NLU engine
  • Dialogue management
  • Integration with Watson services
  • Multi-language
  • Teams
  • SAP
  • Mobile support
  • Messaging support

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • Slack
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

LivePerson

  • Conversational AI and messaging across web, SMS and social channelsnot IBM Watson Assistant
  • Routing customer conversations between bots and human agentsnot IBM Watson Assistant

IBM Watson Assistant

  • Customer engagementnot LivePerson
  • Lead generationnot LivePerson
  • Customer supportnot LivePerson
  • Sales automationnot LivePerson

Where each one falls short

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

LivePerson

  • No price is published for any of the three tiers, and the page states no cost metric
  • Despite advertising minimal add ons, SMS outbound and WhatsApp carry separate charges plus a 15% handling fee
  • X is supported only with additional fees
  • Every route to a figure is a quote request or an RFP

IBM Watson Assistant

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £112 per instance per month, submitted directly by IBM United Kingdom Limited for IBM watsonx Assistant

Pricing, plan by plan

LivePerson

On request
  • Professional$100/month
    • Live chat
    • Basic AI
    • Automations
  • Enterprise$500/month
    • Advanced AI
    • Custom integrations
  • Premium$undefined/month
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support

IBM Watson Assistant

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic chatbot
    • Limited interactions
  • Plus$140/month
    • Unlimited interactions
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Full customization
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose LivePerson if

  • You need live chat.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android, Messaging apps.
  • You also want conversational ai.
LivePerson review

Choose IBM Watson Assistant if

  • You need nlu engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Messaging, Voice, Contact centers.
  • You also want dialogue management.
IBM Watson Assistant review

Questions people ask

Is LivePerson or IBM Watson Assistant better?
Neither clearly leads. LivePerson starts at On request and IBM Watson Assistant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LivePerson or IBM Watson Assistant?
IBM Watson Assistant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LivePerson and Free for IBM Watson Assistant.
Does LivePerson or IBM Watson Assistant run on more platforms?
LivePerson runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android, Messaging apps. IBM Watson Assistant runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging, Voice, Contact centers.
Can I use IBM Watson Assistant for free?
Yes. IBM Watson Assistant has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LivePerson starts at On request.
What is LivePerson best used for?
LivePerson is most often used for conversational ai and messaging across web, sms and social channels, routing customer conversations between bots and human agents. Of those, conversational ai and messaging across web, sms and social channels and routing customer conversations between bots and human agents are not what IBM Watson Assistant is typically brought in for.
What can LivePerson do that IBM Watson Assistant cannot?
LivePerson covers Live chat, Conversational AI, Mobile messaging, Intent detection. IBM Watson Assistant covers NLU engine, Dialogue management, Integration with Watson services, Multi-language. Both handle Salesforce, Slack, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on LivePerson

More on IBM Watson Assistant

Keep looking

Other head to heads