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LivePerson vs Zendesk

LivePerson logo

LivePerson

Live Chat

Enterprise-grade conversational AI platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zendesk logo

Zendesk

Customer Support

Champions of customer service

From
$19/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LivePerson no price is published for any of the three tiers, and the page states no cost metric; Zendesk aI agents operate on per-resolution billing; customers pay only when an AI agent successfully resolves a ticket without escalation
  • They diverge on capability: LivePerson covers Conversational AI, Zendesk covers Ticket management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LivePerson and Zendesk actually diverge.

Attributes where LivePerson and Zendesk differ
AttributeLivePersonZendesk
Starting priceOn request$19/month
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, IOS, Android, Messaging appsWeb
CategoryLive ChatCustomer Support
Founded19952007

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 LivePerson

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

Only in Zendesk

  • Ticket management
  • Omnichannel support
  • Knowledge base
  • Call center
  • Analytics & reporting
  • Automation
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Jira

Both cover

  • Live chat
  • Salesforce
  • Slack

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 Zendesk
  • Routing customer conversations between bots and human agentsnot Zendesk

Zendesk

  • Help desk and ticketing system managementnot LivePerson
  • Omnichannel customer supportnot LivePerson
  • Knowledge base and self-service portalsnot LivePerson
  • AI-assisted customer servicenot 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

Zendesk

  • AI agents operate on per-resolution billing; customers pay only when an AI agent successfully resolves a ticket without escalation
  • Copilot and Contact Center features available as separate add-ons at £50+/agent/month
  • Advanced routing, workforce engagement, and approval workflows limited to Enterprise tier
  • Highest tier requires sales consultation and custom pricing

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

Zendesk

$19/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Zendesk review.

Which should you pick?

Choose LivePerson if

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

Choose Zendesk if

  • You need ticket management.
  • You also want omnichannel support.
Zendesk review

Questions people ask

Is LivePerson or Zendesk better?
Neither clearly leads. LivePerson starts at On request and Zendesk at $19/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LivePerson or Zendesk?
LivePerson starts at On request and Zendesk at $19/month.
Does LivePerson or Zendesk run on more platforms?
LivePerson runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android, Messaging apps. Zendesk runs on Web.
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 Zendesk is typically brought in for.
What can LivePerson do that Zendesk cannot?
LivePerson covers Conversational AI, Mobile messaging, Intent detection, Zendesk. Zendesk covers Ticket management, Omnichannel support, Knowledge base, Call center. Both handle Live chat, Salesforce, Slack.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LivePerson: How much does LivePerson cost?

LivePerson does not publish pricing on its website. The platform operates on a quote-based model with three subscription tiers: Bronze (messaging-first workspace), Silver (with automation and AI features), and Gold (advanced analytics and Generative AI). Customers must request quotes from the sales team.

Source
Zendesk: What is included in the free trial?

You'll have access to all features on the Zendesk Customer Service Suite Professional plan for 14 days, with Copilot included by default.

Source
LivePerson: What are LivePerson's pricing tiers?

LivePerson offers Bronze (includes multi-channel workspace and Intent Manager), Silver (adds AI automation and Conversation Assist), and Gold (adds Generative AI and Proactive Messaging). Each tier includes progressively more advanced AI capabilities and support levels.

Source
Zendesk: How is Zendesk pricing calculated?

Base subscription pricing is determined by your selected plan tier and the number of agent seats needed. Additional costs include usage-based features like App Builder and Voice, plus optional add-ons.

Source
LivePerson: Are there additional fees beyond the base LivePerson subscription?

Yes, Proactive Messaging charges carrier rates plus a 15% handling fee, and additional fees apply for certain communication channels like X (formerly Twitter).

Source
Zendesk: What are the contract terms?

Zendesk subscriptions are month to month, annual, or multi-year. Annual billing typically costs less than monthly payments.

Source
Zendesk: Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

Yes, changes may apply immediately or at renewal depending on your subscription terms.

Source
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