CM.com vs Olark
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | CM.com | Olark |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $83/seat/mo | From $29/seat/mo |
| Best For | Large enterprises and developers needing comprehensive CPaaS solutions with extensive API capabilities | Small to medium businesses needing basic live chat |
| Standout Feature | Comprehensive Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) with enterprise-grade infrastructure and extensive API capabilities | Visitor insights and chat targeting |
| Free Plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.2 |
CM.com and Olark serve different niches in customer communication. CM.com provides enterprise-grade messaging infrastructure with conversational commerce capabilities, while Olark focuses specifically on live chat solutions with simplicity and ease of use as core principles.
The choice between these platforms depends on whether you need comprehensive messaging infrastructure or specialized live chat functionality with straightforward implementation.
Feature Comparison
CM.com offers comprehensive messaging infrastructure including SMS, WhatsApp Business, RCS, and other messaging channels with built-in commerce capabilities. Their platform supports payment processing within conversations and enterprise-scale messaging operations.
Olark specializes exclusively in live chat with features like visitor insights, chat transcripts, automated messages, and team collaboration tools. Their focus on chat simplicity makes implementation straightforward without complex configuration requirements.
CM.com provides broader messaging capabilities for omnichannel communication, while Olark excels in delivering focused live chat functionality with minimal complexity and quick deployment.
Pricing Comparison
CM.com uses usage-based pricing that scales with message volume across different channels. Costs can vary significantly based on messaging patterns, channel usage, and commerce transaction volume.
Olark offers simple per-seat pricing starting at $29/month per seat, with transparent pricing and no hidden usage fees. Their pricing model is predictable and scales linearly with team size.
Olark typically provides better value for teams focused solely on live chat, while CM.com's pricing reflects its broader messaging infrastructure and commerce capabilities.
CM.com
Pros
- ✓ Extensive channel coverage including voice and SMS
- ✓ Robust API-first architecture for developers
- ✓ Enterprise-grade infrastructure with high uptime
Cons
- ✗ Complex pricing structure with multiple add-on costs
- ✗ Steep learning curve for smaller teams
- ✗ Limited transparency in pricing details
Olark
Pros
- ✓ Easy setup and customization
- ✓ Good visitor tracking
- ✓ Reliable uptime
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing gets expensive
- ✗ Limited mobile app functionality
- ✗ No social media integration
Verdict
Choose CM.com if you need enterprise messaging infrastructure, conversational commerce, or multi-channel messaging beyond live chat. Choose Olark if you want simple, effective live chat with easy setup and affordable pricing focused specifically on website chat functionality.
Choose CM.com if: You need multi-channel messaging infrastructure, conversational commerce capabilities, or enterprise-scale SMS and WhatsApp operations beyond basic live chat.
Choose Olark if: You want focused live chat functionality with simple setup, transparent pricing, and don't need broader messaging infrastructure or commerce features.
Teams seeking comprehensive customer communication without the complexity of enterprise platforms or the limitations of chat-only solutions might consider Converge at $49/month flat rate, providing balanced functionality across multiple communication channels.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all CM.com comparisons and all Olark comparisons.