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Google Dialogflow vs Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Google Dialogflow logo

Google Dialogflow

Live Chat

Google's conversational AI platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations logo

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Live Chat

Omnichannel messaging and customer engagement platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Dialogflow has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Dialogflow usage-based pricing expected but specific rates not confirmed; Zendesk Sunshine Conversations cannot be purchased standalone; requires expensive Zendesk Suite Professional or higher plans
  • They diverge on capability: Google Dialogflow covers NLU and NLG, Zendesk Sunshine Conversations covers Live chat.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Dialogflow and Zendesk Sunshine Conversations actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Dialogflow and Zendesk Sunshine Conversations differ
AttributeGoogle DialogflowZendesk Sunshine Conversations
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice assistantsWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19982015

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 Google Dialogflow

  • NLU and NLG
  • Multi-language support
  • Integration with Google services
  • Webhooks
  • Google Cloud
  • Facebook
  • Telegram
  • Mobile support

Only in Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

  • Live chat
  • SMS messaging
  • Facebook Messenger
  • WhatsApp integration
  • Salesforce
  • Zendesk Support
  • API
  • Mobile app support

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Google Dialogflow

  • Customer engagement
  • Lead generation
  • Customer support
  • Sales automation

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

  • Customer engagement
  • Lead generation
  • Customer support
  • Sales automation

Both are used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Google Dialogflow

  • Usage-based pricing expected but specific rates not confirmed
  • Free tier details not documented in available content

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

Google Dialogflow

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 100 requests/day
    • Basic NLU
  • Standard$0.005/month
    • Pay per request
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom SLAs
    • Dedicated 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 Google Dialogflow if

  • You need nlu and nlg.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice assistants.
  • You also want multi-language support.
Google Dialogflow review

Choose Zendesk Sunshine Conversations if

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

Questions people ask

Is Google Dialogflow or Zendesk Sunshine Conversations better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Dialogflow 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, Google Dialogflow or Zendesk Sunshine Conversations?
Google Dialogflow has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Dialogflow and On request for Zendesk Sunshine Conversations.
Does Google Dialogflow or Zendesk Sunshine Conversations run on more platforms?
Google Dialogflow runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice assistants. Zendesk Sunshine Conversations runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Google Dialogflow for free?
Yes. Google Dialogflow has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zendesk Sunshine Conversations starts at On request.
What is Google Dialogflow best used for?
Google Dialogflow is most often used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation.
What can Google Dialogflow do that Zendesk Sunshine Conversations cannot?
Google Dialogflow covers NLU and NLG, Multi-language support, Integration with Google services, Webhooks. Zendesk Sunshine Conversations covers Live chat, SMS messaging, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp integration. Both handle Slack, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Dialogflow: How is Google Dialogflow priced?

Dialogflow uses usage-based pricing through Google Cloud. Costs vary based on the number of requests, interactions, or queries depending on the specific Dialogflow edition (Standard or Enterprise).

Source
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
Google Dialogflow: Does Google Dialogflow offer a free tier?

Google Cloud typically provides free tier access for Dialogflow, but specific free quota limits depend on the Dialogflow edition and must be verified in the Google Cloud Console.

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
Google Dialogflow: What factors affect Dialogflow pricing beyond request volume?

Dialogflow pricing depends on request volume, concurrent users, AI model complexity, data processing volume, and additional features or third-party integrations used.

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
Google Dialogflow: Where can I find exact Dialogflow pricing rates for my use case?

Exact per-query pricing and free tier limits are documented in the Google Cloud Console under Dialogflow billing. Regional pricing variations apply, and enterprise customers can contact Google Cloud sales.

Source
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