Freshchat vs Zendesk
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Freshchat | Zendesk |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $49/seat/mo | From $89/seat/mo |
| Best For | Large enterprises already using Freshworks products | Large enterprises needing comprehensive ticketing with compliance requirements |
| Standout Feature | Deep integration with Freshworks CRM and helpdesk | Industry-leading ticketing system with 1000+ integrations |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.2 | 4.3/5 |
Freshchat and Zendesk are both popular customer support platforms with different strengths. Freshchat (G2 4.4/5) focuses on modern messaging support with competitive pricing, while Zendesk (G2 4.3/5) offers extensive integrations and enterprise compliance features.
This comparison examines their features, pricing models, and ideal use cases to help you choose the right platform for your team.
Feature Comparison
Freshchat excels in modern messaging with strong chatbot capabilities and WhatsApp support, making it ideal for businesses prioritizing conversational customer service. Its free tier provides good value for small teams.
Zendesk offers over 1000 integrations and robust compliance features including HIPAA and SOC2 certification, making it suitable for enterprises with complex requirements and regulatory needs.
However, Freshchat's free tier has limitations, and both platforms use per-agent pricing that can become expensive as teams grow.
Pricing Comparison
Freshchat offers more affordable entry points with pricing from $0-$79 per agent per month, including a free tier for small teams. However, per-agent costs can add up quickly.
Zendesk's pricing ranges from $55-$169 per agent per month, reflecting its enterprise focus and extensive feature set. The higher cost comes with more integrations and compliance features.
Both platforms' per-agent pricing models can become expensive for larger teams, making cost predictability challenging as you scale.
Freshchat
Pros
- ✓ Part of Freshworks ecosystem
- ✓ Strong mobile app
- ✓ Good WhatsApp integration
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing gets expensive
- ✗ Limited customization options
- ✗ Steep learning curve
Zendesk
Pros
- ✓ Industry-leading ticketing system with mature workflows
- ✓ Massive integration ecosystem with 1000+ apps
- ✓ Enterprise-grade security and compliance (HIPAA, SOC2)
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing scales with team size
- ✗ Complex setup and configuration
- ✗ AI features require additional costs
Verdict
Choose Freshchat if you want modern messaging support with a free tier and competitive per-agent pricing ($0-$79/agent/month). Choose Zendesk if you need extensive integrations (1000+) and enterprise compliance features like HIPAA/SOC2 ($55-$169/agent/month).
Choose Freshchat if: You want modern messaging support, need WhatsApp integration, prefer starting with a free tier, or have a smaller team that fits within its pricing sweet spot.
Choose Zendesk if: You require extensive third-party integrations, need enterprise compliance features like HIPAA/SOC2, or have complex support workflows that benefit from its comprehensive toolset.
Alternative consideration: If per-agent pricing is a concern for your growing team, Converge offers up to 15 agents for a flat $49/month, providing cost predictability as you scale.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Freshchat comparisons and all Zendesk comparisons.