Chatwoot vs LiveAgent
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Chatwoot | LiveAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $19/seat/mo | From $49/seat/mo |
| Best For | Technical teams wanting open-source flexibility | Traditional customer service teams needing comprehensive help desk functionality with phone support |
| Standout Feature | Open-source with self-hosting option | Comprehensive all-in-one platform combining help desk, live chat, and call center in a single solution |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| G2 Rating | 4.4 | 4.5/5 |
Chatwoot and LiveAgent represent different philosophies in customer support software. Chatwoot offers an open-source, developer-friendly platform with modern architecture, while LiveAgent provides a mature, feature-rich commercial solution with extensive built-in capabilities.
The decision often comes down to whether you prefer open-source flexibility or comprehensive out-of-the-box functionality.
Feature Comparison
Chatwoot excels in modern messaging channels with WhatsApp Business API, Instagram DM, and Twitter integration. Its open-source nature allows unlimited customization and self-hosting options, appealing to privacy-conscious organizations.
LiveAgent offers superior traditional support features including advanced email ticketing, built-in VoIP calling, comprehensive knowledge base, and over 200 third-party integrations. It provides enterprise-grade automation and reporting capabilities.
The core difference lies in approach: Chatwoot for customizable, modern messaging versus LiveAgent for comprehensive, traditional support infrastructure.
Pricing Comparison
Chatwoot offers a free open-source version with self-hosting, plus cloud plans starting at $20/agent/month for basic features, scaling to custom enterprise pricing.
LiveAgent pricing begins at $15/agent/month for ticketing, $29/agent/month including chat, and $49/agent/month for full phone support capabilities.
Chatwoot can be cost-effective with self-hosting but requires technical expertise, while LiveAgent provides predictable commercial pricing with full support.
Chatwoot
Pros
- ✓ Open-source option available
- ✓ Good channel coverage
- ✓ Active development community
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing model
- ✗ Self-hosting requires technical expertise
- ✗ Limited advanced features in lower tiers
LiveAgent
Pros
- ✓ Extensive feature set with 188+ capabilities
- ✓ Strong call center functionality with unlimited recordings
- ✓ Mature platform with robust reporting and analytics
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing can become expensive for larger teams
- ✗ Complex interface may overwhelm users focused on messaging
- ✗ Social media integrations require additional fees on lower tiers
Verdict
Choose Chatwoot if you value open-source flexibility, have development resources, and want to avoid vendor lock-in. Choose LiveAgent if you need a mature, fully-featured solution with extensive integrations and built-in phone support.
Choose Chatwoot if: You have development resources, need extensive customization, prefer open-source solutions, and want to avoid vendor lock-in with self-hosting options.
Choose LiveAgent if: You need a mature, comprehensive solution with built-in phone support, extensive integrations, and prefer commercial support with guaranteed uptime.
For teams wanting simplicity without complexity, Converge offers essential support features at $49/month flat rate, providing predictable costs without per-agent fees or technical overhead.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Chatwoot comparisons and all LiveAgent comparisons.