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Software · head to head

Zendesk Chat vs LiveChat

Zendesk Chat logo

Zendesk Chat

Software

Live chat software from Zendesk

From
$49/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LiveChat logo

LiveChat

Software

Customer service software that delights

From
$20/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Zendesk Chat messaging and live chat require at least the Suite Team plan at $55/agent/month paid yearly; the base Support Team plan at $19/agent/month does not include chat at all; LiveChat the Starter plan retains only 60 days of chat history, so an audit trail requires the Team plan at $49 per person per month
  • They diverge on capability: Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging, LiveChat covers Live chat.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Zendesk Chat and LiveChat differ
AttributeZendesk ChatLiveChat
Starting price$49/month$20/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20072002

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

  • Web messaging
  • Mobile messaging
  • Chatbots
  • Proactive chat
  • Triggers
  • Zendesk Support
  • SOC2
  • HIPAA

Only in LiveChat

  • Live chat
  • Ticketing
  • Chat routing
  • Canned responses
  • File sharing
  • HubSpot
  • PCI DSS
  • HIPAA-ready

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • Salesforce
  • Shopify
  • WordPress
  • Zapier
  • GDPR
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Zendesk Chat

  • Support teams wanting live chat bundled with ticketing rather than a standalone chat widgetnot LiveChat

LiveChat

  • Live chat support on a website with agent routingnot Zendesk Chat
  • Handling customer conversations across chat, SMS and messaging channelsnot Zendesk Chat

Where each one falls short

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

Zendesk Chat

  • Messaging and live chat require at least the Suite Team plan at $55/agent/month paid yearly; the base Support Team plan at $19/agent/month does not include chat at all
  • Enterprise-grade chat features (Admin Copilot, skills-based routing) require Suite Professional at $115/agent/month or higher

LiveChat

  • The Starter plan retains only 60 days of chat history, so an audit trail requires the Team plan at $49 per person per month
  • Pricing is per agent, so support cost scales with headcount rather than with conversation volume
  • AI reply suggestions are capped by plan, at 3 knowledge sources on Starter and 10 above it
  • Surveys and eye catchers are predefined rather than customisable below the Enterprise plan
  • SSO, white labelling and HIPAA compliance are Enterprise only

Pricing, plan by plan

Zendesk Chat

$49/month
  • Suite Team$49/month
    • Messaging
    • Help center
    • Basic bots
  • Suite Growth$79/month
    • Team + Multiple brands
    • Custom fields
  • Suite Professional$99/month
    • Growth + AI
    • Custom analytics

LiveChat

$20/month
  • Starter$20/month
    • 60-day chat history
    • Basic customization
    • Ticketing system
  • Team$41/month
    • Unlimited history
    • Advanced reporting
    • Branding removal
  • Business$59/month
    • Staffing prediction
    • Work scheduler
    • Apple Business Chat
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Product training
    • SSO

Which should you pick?

Choose Zendesk Chat if

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

Choose LiveChat if

  • You need live chat.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want ticketing.
LiveChat review

Questions people ask

Is Zendesk Chat or LiveChat better?
Neither clearly leads. Zendesk Chat starts at $49/month and LiveChat at $20/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Zendesk Chat or LiveChat?
Zendesk Chat starts at $49/month and LiveChat at $20/month.
Does Zendesk Chat or LiveChat run on more platforms?
Zendesk Chat runs on Web, Ios, Android. LiveChat runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
What is Zendesk Chat best used for?
Zendesk Chat is most often used for support teams wanting live chat bundled with ticketing rather than a standalone chat widget. Of those, support teams wanting live chat bundled with ticketing rather than a standalone chat widget is not what LiveChat is typically brought in for.
What can Zendesk Chat do that LiveChat cannot?
Zendesk Chat covers Web messaging, Mobile messaging, Chatbots, Proactive chat. LiveChat covers Live chat, Ticketing, Chat routing, Canned responses. Both handle Analytics, Salesforce, Shopify, WordPress.
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Related pages

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