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Pure Chat vs Zendesk

Pure Chat logo

Pure Chat

Live Chat

Simple and affordable live chat for any business

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Zendesk logo

Zendesk

Customer Support

Champions of customer service

From
$19/month
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Pure Chat has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Pure Chat growth plan limited to 1 website and 100 SMS notifications; 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: Pure Chat covers Live chat widget, Zendesk covers Ticket management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Pure Chat and Zendesk differ
AttributePure ChatZendesk
Starting priceFree$19/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, IOS, AndroidWeb
CategoryLive ChatCustomer Support
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 Pure Chat

  • Live chat widget
  • Visitor information
  • Chat transcripts
  • Department routing
  • HubSpot
  • Zapier
  • API
  • Web support

Only in Zendesk

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

Both cover

  • Salesforce

What people use each for

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

Pure Chat

  • Customer support chatnot Zendesk
  • Website engagementnot Zendesk
  • Lead capturenot Zendesk
  • Sales chatnot Zendesk

Zendesk

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

Where each one falls short

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

Pure Chat

  • Growth plan limited to 1 website and 100 SMS notifications
  • Additional operators cost extra: $13-$15/month per operator depending on plan and billing
  • Growth plan has significantly lower limits than PRO

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

Pure Chat

Free
  • Growth$49/month
    • 4 users/operators
    • 1 website
    • 100 SMS notifications
  • Growth Annual$39/month
    • Annual billing saves 20% off monthly rate
  • PRO$99/month
    • 10 users/operators
    • Unlimited websites
    • 1,000 SMS notifications
  • PRO Annual$79/month
    • Annual billing saves 20% off monthly rate

Zendesk

$19/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Zendesk review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Pure Chat if

  • You need live chat widget.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android.
  • You also want visitor information.
Pure Chat review

Choose Zendesk if

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

Questions people ask

Is Pure Chat or Zendesk better?
Neither clearly leads. Pure Chat starts at Free and Zendesk at $19/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pure Chat or Zendesk?
Pure Chat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Pure Chat and $19/month for Zendesk.
Does Pure Chat or Zendesk run on more platforms?
Pure Chat runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android. Zendesk runs on Web.
Can I use Pure Chat for free?
Yes. Pure Chat has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zendesk starts at $19/month.
What is Pure Chat best used for?
Pure Chat is most often used for customer support chat, website engagement, lead capture, sales chat. Of those, customer support chat and website engagement are not what Zendesk is typically brought in for.
What can Pure Chat do that Zendesk cannot?
Pure Chat covers Live chat widget, Visitor information, Chat transcripts, Department routing. Zendesk covers Ticket management, Omnichannel support, Knowledge base, Live chat. Both handle Salesforce.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Pure Chat: How much does PureChat cost?

PureChat's Growth plan costs $49/month (or $39/month annually) with 4 users and 1 website. The PRO plan is $99/month (or $79/month annually) with 10 users and unlimited websites.

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
Pure Chat: Does PureChat offer a free trial?

Yes, PureChat offers a free 30-day trial of the PRO plan to prospective customers.

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
Pure Chat: What is the difference between Growth and PRO plans?

Growth includes 4 users and 1 website with 100 SMS notifications per month. PRO includes 10 users, unlimited websites, and 1,000 SMS notifications. Additional operators can be added for $8-$15/month.

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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