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Live Chat · head to head

Pure Chat vs Zendesk Chat

Pure Chat logo

Pure Chat

Live Chat

Simple and affordable live chat for any business

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zendesk Chat logo

Zendesk Chat

Live Chat

Live chat software from Zendesk

From
$19/month
Rated
-
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 Chat enterprise plan requires custom pricing quote
  • They diverge on capability: Pure Chat covers Live chat widget, Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Pure Chat and Zendesk Chat differ
AttributePure ChatZendesk Chat
Starting priceFree$19/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, IOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20112007

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Pure Chat

  • Live chat widget
  • Visitor information
  • Chat transcripts
  • Department routing
  • HubSpot
  • API
  • Mobile app support
  • IOS support

Only in Zendesk Chat

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

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • Zapier
  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Pure Chat

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

Zendesk Chat

  • Customer support team managementnot Pure Chat
  • Multi-channel messagingnot Pure Chat
  • AI-powered contact centersnot 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 Chat

  • Enterprise plan requires custom pricing quote
  • AI agent usage beyond plan allowance billed separately

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 Chat

$19/month
  • Support Team$19/month
    • Email ticketing
    • Routing and analytics
    • Pre-written responses
  • Suite Team$55/month
    • All Support features
    • AI Agents
    • Knowledge Base
  • Suite Professional$115/month
    • Suite Team features
    • Admin Copilot
    • App Builder

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 Chat if

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

Questions people ask

Is Pure Chat or Zendesk Chat better?
Neither clearly leads. Pure Chat starts at Free and Zendesk Chat 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 Chat?
Pure Chat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Pure Chat and $19/month for Zendesk Chat.
Does Pure Chat or Zendesk Chat run on more platforms?
Pure Chat runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android. Zendesk Chat runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Pure Chat for free?
Yes. Pure Chat has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zendesk Chat 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 Chat is typically brought in for.
What can Pure Chat do that Zendesk Chat cannot?
Pure Chat covers Live chat widget, Visitor information, Chat transcripts, Department routing. Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging, Mobile messaging, Chatbots, Proactive chat. Both handle Salesforce, Zapier, Web support, Android support.

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 Chat: Can Messaging be used for live, session-based conversations or asynchronous chats?

Both. Messaging supports real-time sessions for fast help as well as ongoing asynchronous conversations, so customers can chat at their own pace and agents stay flexible.

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 Chat: Do agents need a separate tool or tab to use Messaging?

No. Messaging is built right into the Zendesk Agent Workspace, so agents can manage conversations seamlessly without switching tools or tabs.

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 Chat: How do I know if my AI agents are handling my tickets effectively?

Zendesk QA automatically reviews all conversations, enabling performance tracking and continuous improvement of AI and agent support.

Source
Zendesk Chat: Once I build an AI agent, can I deploy it across more than one social channel?

Yes. Build your AI Agent once and deploy it to web, mobile, and social messaging channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, and more.

Source
Zendesk Chat: Why should I switch from legacy live chat to Messaging?

Messaging enables users to replicate and enhance live chat experiences by leveraging AI agents and omnichannel routing capabilities.

Source
Zendesk Chat: Can I build something custom or go beyond the out-of-the-box experience?

Absolutely. With access to the Zendesk messaging platform, you can create fully custom experiences that fit your unique business needs.

Source
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