Kayako vs LiveAgent vs Zoho Desk Comparison
Kayako
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Kayako is the premier customer support software, marketplace, and community for support teams. Kayako provides all the tools to create an engaging support experience for website visitors while delivering exceptional cust…
LiveAgent
Starting at $15 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
LiveAgent is online support software that gives users the freedom to talk with their customers, manage projects and deliver live chat, e‑mail and phone support. It's mobile‑enabled too so it doesn't matter where customer…
Zoho Desk
Starting at $7 /user/month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Zoho Desk is a robust help desk software that offers a free plan with essential features, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. It allows organizations to manage unlimited agents efficiently wh…
LiveAgent leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 1,542 reviews.
SpotSaaS Analysis
KayakoLiveAgentZoho Desk
The core difference between Kayako and LiveAgent lies in their target audience and complexity; Kayako is tailored for mid-sized support teams seeking advanced automation and multi-channel capabilities, while LiveAgent is designed for small to mid-sized teams looking for a straightforward omnichannel solution. Ideal buyers for Kayako are larger organizations with 50-500+ employees needing a robust help desk, whereas LiveAgent is best suited for smaller teams (10-500 employees) that prioritize simplicity and quick setup.
- Best for mid-sized support teams. - Offers multi-channel help desk capabilities. - Includes built-in automation tools. - Ideal for E-commerce, SaaS, and FinTech sectors. - Supports companies with 50-500+ employees. - Focuses on reducing manual support tasks.
- Best for small to mid-sized teams. - Provides simple omnichannel customer support. - Combines live chat, email, phone, SMS, and social media. - Ideal for quick, low-complexity setup. - Supports companies with 10-500 employees. - Mobile-enabled for customer engagement.
Kayako vs LiveAgent vs Zoho Desk — at a glance
| Feature | Kayako | LiveAgent | Zoho Desk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 262 | 1,542 | 3,462 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $15 /User/Month | $7 /user/month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Help Desk Software | Help Desk Software | Help Desk Software |
| Integrations | 1+ apps | — | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | Available | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | GDPR | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 |
| Data residency | Global | Global | Global |
Key differences between Kayako and LiveAgent
- Pricing: LiveAgent starts at $15 /User/Month. Kayako pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: Kayako is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while LiveAgent targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
- User satisfaction: LiveAgent scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
- Deployment: Kayako supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; LiveAgent supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare Kayako vs LiveAgent vs Zoho Desk — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Help Desk Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for mid-sized support teams needing multi-channel help desk with automation.
- You manage a 50-500+ employee company needing unified inbox across channels.
- You want to reduce manual support tasks with built-in automation tools.
- You value integrated chat support that also helps close more sales.
- You are a very small business with fewer than 50 employees.
- You require highly specialized or advanced enterprise-level support features.
Best for small to mid-sized teams needing simple omnichannel customer support.
- You want an all-in-one platform combining live chat, email, phone, SMS, and social media support.
- Your team values quick, low-complexity setup with mobile-enabled customer engagement.
- You require integrations with popular tools like Google Apps, Twitter, and MailChimp.
- Your company needs highly customizable, enterprise-grade workflows and advanced analytics.
- You are a large enterprise concerned about scalability and transparent pricing for higher tiers.
Best for businesses needing AI-driven, multi-channel help desk with Zoho integration.
- You want a cost-effective help desk with a robust free plan for startups and SMBs.
- Your team requires AI-powered automation and intelligent ticket routing to boost productivity.
- You use Zoho CRM, Mail, or other Zoho apps and want seamless ecosystem integration.
- Your organization needs a fully mobile-optimized help desk experience with full app functionality.
- You prefer a very simple, out-of-the-box setup without technical configuration or learning curve.
Kayako: Best for mid-sized support teams needing multi-channel help desk with automation. LiveAgent: Best for small to mid-sized teams needing simple omnichannel customer support.
Description | Kayako is the premier customer support software, marketplace, and community for support teams. Kayako provides all the tools to create an engaging support experience for website visitors ... Read More about Kayako | LiveAgent is online support software that gives users the freedom to talk with their customers, manage projects and deliver live chat, e‑mail and phone support. It's mobile‑enabled too so ... Read More about LiveAgent | Zoho Desk is a robust help desk software that offers a free plan with essential features, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. It allows organizations to manage ... Read More about Zoho Desk |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 50-500 employees500+ employees | 10-50 employees51-500 employees | 10-2000 employeesSmall to Large Businesses |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Unified Inbox: Consolidates customer inquiries from different channels into one location, streamlining support processes.
- Multi-Channel Support: Allows businesses to manage customer interactions across various channels, including email, live chat, and social media.
- Automation Capabilities: Offers automation tools to streamline support processes, reduce manual tasks, and improve overall efficiency.
- All-in-One Omnichannel Support: Supports live chat, email, call center, SMS, and social media in one platform—ideal for centralizing customer communication.
- Wide Range of Integrations: Easily integrates with popular tools like Google Apps, Twitter, MailChimp, Slack, and more, streamlining customer service workflows.
- Competitive Pricing & Easy Setup: Offers affordable pricing tiers and fast onboarding, making it a strong choice for startups and small to mid-sized businesses.
- Multi-Channel Support in One Dashboard: Centralizes email, social media, chat, and more, allowing teams to manage all customer interactions from a unified interface.
- AI-Powered Assistance and Automation: Includes intelligent suggestions, automated ticket routing, and prioritization through Zia AI, improving agent productivity and response accuracy.
- Robust Free Plan & Zoho Ecosystem Integration: Offers a generous free plan and seamless connectivity with Zoho CRM, Zoho Mail, and other Zoho tools—ideal for businesses already in the Zoho ecosystem.
Best fit
- 50–500+ Employees
- E-commerce, SaaS, FinTech, Telecommunications, Retail
- Customer Support Manager, IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Administrator, Operations Manager, Customer Success Manager
- 10 – 500 Employees
- E-commerce, SaaS, Education, Healthcare, Travel, Retail, Marketing Agencies
- Customer Support Manager, Help Desk Agent, Operations Manager, Customer Success Specialist, IT Support Admin, Marketing Manager.
- 10 – 2,000 Employee
- SaaS, Retail, E-commerce, Education, Insurance, Fintech, Healthcare
- Customer Support Manager, IT Service Desk Lead, Operations Manager, Technical Support Specialist, CRM Administrator, Client Services Director
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Kayako's customization features are often considered limited, making it challenging for businesses with specific needs to tailor the software to their requirements.
- New users may find Kayako's interface less intuitive, leading to a steep learning curve and potential delays in onboarding.
- Some users have reported significant price increases over time, which may not be justified by the features offered, leading them to seek more cost-effective alternatives.
- Some users find LiveAgent’s interface less modern or intuitive compared to newer customer support platforms with more refined UX/UI.
- Compared to tools like Zendesk or Intercom, LiveAgent currently lacks advanced AI-driven automation, chatbots, and machine learning capabilities.
- While well-suited for SMBs, large organizations may find LiveAgent’s infrastructure less capable of handling complex, high-volume, or multi-department workflows at scale.
- While feature-rich, Zoho Desk’s interface may feel overwhelming to first-time users or smaller teams unfamiliar with help desk platforms, especially when configuring automations or integrations.
- Essential features like advanced automation, AI capabilities, and extensive reporting may be restricted in free or lower-tier plans, prompting some users to seek alternatives with more generous entry-level offerings.
- Though it integrates with many third-party tools, users sometimes report inconsistencies or limitations in data sync and functionality, especially outside the Zoho ecosystem.
Software Demo
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How do Kayako, LiveAgent and Zoho Desk Compare on Features?
Total Features | 16 Features | 25 Features | 27 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Kayako, LiveAgent and Zoho Desk on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | ✗ No | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
Kayako vs LiveAgent User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyers appreciate Kayako's multi-channel support and automation but express concerns about pricing transparency and feature depth. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally praise LiveAgent for its comprehensive omnichannel support and ease of setup, though some note limitations for large enterprise needs. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Zoho Desk's powerful automation and multi-channel capabilities, though some users note a learning curve and mobile limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers |  Kayako_customers_0  Kayako_customers_1  Kayako_customers_2 |  LiveAgent_customers_0  LiveAgent_customers_1  LiveAgent_customers_2 |  NHS  Rogers  ESSILOR |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  14 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  5 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Kayako or LiveAgent?
- LiveAgent edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 3.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Kayako and LiveAgent offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Kayako and LiveAgent offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Kayako vs LiveAgent?
- Kayako starts at Contact for pricing. LiveAgent starts at $15 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Kayako?
- Top alternatives to Kayako include Zoho Desk, Freshservice, ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, Freshdesk, Deskero.
- What are the top alternatives to LiveAgent?
- Top alternatives to LiveAgent include Zoho Desk, Freshservice, ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, Freshdesk, ClickDesk.