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Software · head to head

Pure Chat vs Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Pure Chat logo

Pure Chat

Software

Simple and affordable live chat for any business

From
Free
Rated
-
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations logo

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Software

Omnichannel messaging and customer engagement platform

From
On request
Rated
-

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 is capped at 4 users and 1 website, and PRO is capped at 10 users, with extra seats billed separately at $8 to $15/month per additional operator; Zendesk Sunshine Conversations cannot be purchased standalone; requires expensive Zendesk Suite Professional or higher plans
  • They diverge on capability: Pure Chat covers Live chat widget, Zendesk Sunshine Conversations covers Live chat.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Pure Chat and Zendesk Sunshine Conversations differ
AttributePure ChatZendesk Sunshine Conversations
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, IOS, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20112015

Identical on both: 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 Pure Chat

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

Only in Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

  • Live chat
  • SMS messaging
  • Facebook Messenger
  • WhatsApp integration
  • Zendesk Support
  • Slack

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • API
  • Web support
  • Mobile app support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Pure Chat

  • Small single-site teams needing live chat with SMS notificationsnot Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

  • Customer engagementnot Pure Chat
  • Lead generationnot Pure Chat
  • Customer supportnot Pure Chat
  • Sales automationnot 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 is capped at 4 users and 1 website, and PRO is capped at 10 users, with extra seats billed separately at $8 to $15/month per additional operator
  • Monthly billing costs more than annual: Growth is $49/month monthly versus $39/month annual, and PRO is $99/month monthly versus $79/month annual

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

  • Cannot be purchased standalone; requires expensive Zendesk Suite Professional or higher plans
  • Low included monthly active users (1,000 MAU) and notifications (1,000) necessitate paid add-ons for most businesses
  • Custom implementations require developer resources for webhooks and API configuration

Pricing, plan by plan

Pure Chat

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 1 agent
    • Basic chat
  • Premium$50/month
    • Unlimited agents
    • Advanced features
  • Business$100/month
    • White-label
    • Premium support

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

On request
  • Team$19/month
    • Chat + messaging
    • Basic features
    • Limited agents
  • Growth$49/month
    • Omnichannel
    • Advanced automation
    • Routing
  • Professional$99/month
    • All features
    • Custom workflows
    • Premium support

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.

Choose Zendesk Sunshine Conversations if

  • You need live chat.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want sms messaging.

Questions people ask

Is Pure Chat or Zendesk Sunshine Conversations better?
Neither clearly leads. Pure Chat starts at Free and Zendesk Sunshine Conversations at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pure Chat or Zendesk Sunshine Conversations?
Pure Chat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Pure Chat and On request for Zendesk Sunshine Conversations.
Does Pure Chat or Zendesk Sunshine Conversations run on more platforms?
Pure Chat runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android. Zendesk Sunshine Conversations 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 Sunshine Conversations starts at On request.
What is Pure Chat best used for?
Pure Chat is most often used for small single-site teams needing live chat with sms notifications. Of those, small single-site teams needing live chat with sms notifications is not what Zendesk Sunshine Conversations is typically brought in for.
What can Pure Chat do that Zendesk Sunshine Conversations cannot?
Pure Chat covers Live chat widget, Visitor information, Chat transcripts, Department routing. Zendesk Sunshine Conversations covers Live chat, SMS messaging, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp integration. Both handle Salesforce, API, Web support, Mobile app support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations: Can I buy Zendesk Sunshine Conversations standalone?

No. Sunshine Conversations is only available with Zendesk Suite Professional, Enterprise, or Enterprise Plus plans. It cannot be purchased as a standalone product.

Source
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations: What messaging channels does Sunshine Conversations support?

Sunshine Conversations connects 15+ messaging channels including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, SMS, and provides a Web Widget for on-site chat.

Source
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations: What are the usage limits on Zendesk Sunshine Conversations?

The base includes 1,000 Monthly Active Users and 1,000 notifications per month. Additional usage requires $50 add-ons for each 2,500 MAU pack or $50 for each 25,000 notification pack.

Source

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