Sendbird vs Zendesk
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Sendbird | Zendesk |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $399/mo | From $89/seat/mo |
| Best For | Developers building custom in-app messaging experiences | Large enterprises needing comprehensive ticketing with compliance requirements |
| Standout Feature | Comprehensive SDK with voice, video, and messaging | Industry-leading ticketing system with 1000+ integrations |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.3 | 4.3/5 |
Sendbird and Zendesk represent two different approaches to customer communication. Sendbird specializes in in-app chat SDK solutions, while Zendesk offers comprehensive customer support platform capabilities.
Both platforms have earned 4.3/5 ratings on G2, but serve distinct use cases and technical requirements.
Feature Comparison
Sendbird excels as a chat SDK platform, offering scalable in-app messaging solutions that are highly developer-friendly. It's designed for businesses that want to build custom chat experiences into their applications.
Zendesk provides over 1000+ integrations and maintains HIPAA/SOC2 compliance, making it ideal for enterprises requiring comprehensive support infrastructure and regulatory compliance.
The key difference: Sendbird requires development work but offers more customization, while Zendesk provides ready-to-use solutions but with less flexibility.
Pricing Comparison
Sendbird offers pricing from free to $999/month, making it accessible for startups while scaling with enterprise needs.
Zendesk uses per-agent pricing at $55-$169 per agent per month, which can become expensive as teams grow but includes comprehensive support features out of the box.
The total cost depends heavily on team size and technical requirements - Sendbird may be more cost-effective for larger teams, while Zendesk's per-agent model works better for smaller support teams.
Sendbird
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive SDK suite
- ✓ Excellent developer documentation
- ✓ Scalable infrastructure
Cons
- ✗ Expensive for small businesses
- ✗ Complex pricing structure
- ✗ Limited social media integrations
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 Sendbird if you need a developer-friendly chat SDK for in-app messaging and have technical resources for implementation. Choose Zendesk if you want a turnkey support solution with extensive integrations and compliance features.
Choose Sendbird if: You need in-app chat functionality, have development resources, and want a scalable SDK solution.
Choose Zendesk if: You need a turnkey support platform with extensive integrations and compliance features, despite the per-agent pricing complexity.
Alternative: Consider Converge at $49/month flat rate with up to 15 agents - offering predictable pricing without per-agent fees or complex implementation requirements.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Sendbird comparisons and all Zendesk comparisons.