Live Chat · head to head
Slimchat vs Zendesk Chat
The short version
- Only Slimchat has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Slimchat the vendor's own homepage as captured by the Internet Archive on 19 August 2018 (via Novosi, LLC) shows SlimChat was still pre-release at that date, offering an email signup for '3 months FREE' with an 'Expected release: summer 2018' notice and a $15 incentive to test a tour version; combined with the live site now serving a mismatched Squarespace certificate, this indicates the product likely never reached a stable commercial release; Zendesk Chat enterprise plan requires custom pricing quote
- They diverge on capability: Slimchat 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 Slimchat and Zendesk Chat actually diverge.
| Attribute | Slimchat | Zendesk Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $19/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile responsive | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 2016 | 2007 |
Identical on both: 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 Slimchat
- Live chat widget
- Lightweight design
- Fast loading
- Visitor information
- API
- Webhooks
- Mobile responsive support
Only in Zendesk Chat
- Web messaging
- Mobile messaging
- Chatbots
- Proactive chat
- Analytics
- Triggers
- Zendesk Support
- Salesforce
Both cover
- Zapier
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Slimchat
- Customer engagementnot Zendesk Chat
- Lead generationnot Zendesk Chat
- Customer supportnot Zendesk Chat
- Sales automationnot Zendesk Chat
Zendesk Chat
- Customer support team managementnot Slimchat
- Multi-channel messagingnot Slimchat
- AI-powered contact centersnot Slimchat
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Slimchat
- The vendor's own homepage as captured by the Internet Archive on 19 August 2018 (via Novosi, LLC) shows SlimChat was still pre-release at that date, offering an email signup for '3 months FREE' with an 'Expected release: summer 2018' notice and a $15 incentive to test a tour version; combined with the live site now serving a mismatched Squarespace certificate, this indicates the product likely never reached a stable commercial release
Zendesk Chat
- Enterprise plan requires custom pricing quote
- AI agent usage beyond plan allowance billed separately
Pricing, plan by plan
Slimchat
Free- FreeFree
- Live chat
- 1 agent
- Basic features
- Pro$20/month
- Multiple agents
- Advanced options
- Business$50/month
- Unlimited features
- Priority support
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 Slimchat if
- You need live chat widget.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile responsive.
- You also want lightweight design.
Choose Zendesk Chat if
- You need web messaging.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want mobile messaging.
Questions people ask
- Is Slimchat or Zendesk Chat better?
- Neither clearly leads. Slimchat 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, Slimchat or Zendesk Chat?
- Slimchat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Slimchat and $19/month for Zendesk Chat.
- Does Slimchat or Zendesk Chat run on more platforms?
- Slimchat runs on Web, Mobile responsive. Zendesk Chat runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Slimchat for free?
- Yes. Slimchat has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zendesk Chat starts at $19/month.
- What is Slimchat best used for?
- Slimchat is most often used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation. Of those, customer engagement and lead generation are not what Zendesk Chat is typically brought in for.
- What can Slimchat do that Zendesk Chat cannot?
- Slimchat covers Live chat widget, Lightweight design, Fast loading, Visitor information. Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging, Mobile messaging, Chatbots, Proactive chat. Both handle Zapier, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceZendesk 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.
SourceZendesk 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.
SourceZendesk 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.
SourceZendesk 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.
SourceZendesk 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Zendesk Chat
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- Zendesk Chat vs Amazon Lex
- Zendesk Chat vs Botpress
- Zendesk Chat vs Pure Chat
- Zendesk Chat vs LiveChat
- Zendesk Chat vs Tidio
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- Zendesk Chat vs Olark
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- Zendesk Chat vs Chatra
- Zendesk Chat vs Comm100

