Freshchat vs Kayako
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Freshchat | Kayako |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $49/seat/mo | From $79/seat/mo |
| Best For | Large enterprises already using Freshworks products | Traditional businesses focused on email and phone support |
| Standout Feature | Deep integration with Freshworks CRM and helpdesk | Comprehensive knowledge base with customer portal |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.2 | 4.2 |
Freshchat and Kayako represent two different philosophies in customer support software. Freshchat, part of the Freshworks suite, emphasizes modern messaging experiences with AI-powered automation. Kayako focuses on unified customer service with strong email integration and customizable workflows.
Both platforms earn solid G2 ratings of 4.2/5, but serve different organizational needs and team structures.
Feature Comparison
Freshchat excels in modern messaging with features like chatbots, proactive messaging, and seamless mobile experiences. Its AI-powered Freddy bot can handle routine inquiries and route complex issues to human agents.
Kayako shines in email management and ticket organization, offering powerful automation rules and custom fields. Its unified inbox consolidates communications from multiple channels into a single workflow.
While both support live chat, social media, and phone integration, Freshchat leans toward real-time messaging while Kayako emphasizes structured ticket management.
Pricing Comparison
Freshchat pricing ranges from $15 to $69 per agent per month, with higher tiers including advanced automation and reporting features. The pricing scales with team size and feature requirements.
Kayako offers more affordable entry pricing at $15-$35 per agent monthly, making it attractive for smaller teams or budget-conscious organizations. However, advanced features may require higher-tier plans.
For teams with 5+ agents, the cost difference becomes significant over time, with Kayako potentially saving thousands annually compared to Freshchat's premium tiers.
Freshchat
Pros
- ✓ Part of Freshworks ecosystem
- ✓ Strong mobile app
- ✓ Good WhatsApp integration
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing gets expensive
- ✗ Limited customization options
- ✗ Steep learning curve
Kayako
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive multi-channel support
- ✓ Strong knowledge base functionality
- ✓ Good reporting capabilities
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing gets expensive
- ✗ Limited social media integrations
- ✗ Complex setup for advanced features
Verdict
Choose Freshchat if you want modern messaging features with AI automation and can work within Freshworks' ecosystem. Choose Kayako if you need strong email integration with customizable workflows at a lower entry price point.
Choose Freshchat if: You prioritize modern messaging experiences, need AI-powered automation, and want tight integration with other Freshworks products.
Choose Kayako if: You handle high email volumes, need extensive customization options, and want to minimize per-agent costs.
For teams seeking a middle ground with flat-rate pricing, Converge at $49/month offers comprehensive customer support features without per-agent fees, potentially saving money as your team grows.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Freshchat comparisons and all Kayako comparisons.