Chatwoot vs Olark
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Chatwoot | Olark |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $19/seat/mo | From $29/seat/mo |
| Best For | Technical teams wanting open-source flexibility | Small to medium businesses needing basic live chat |
| Standout Feature | Open-source with self-hosting option | Visitor insights and chat targeting |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.4 | 4.2 |
Chatwoot and Olark represent different philosophies in customer communication. Chatwoot is an open-source, self-hosted solution offering complete control and customization, while Olark provides a hosted, plug-and-play live chat service focused on simplicity.
The decision between these platforms typically comes down to technical requirements, customization needs, and hosting preferences.
Feature Comparison
Chatwoot offers comprehensive omnichannel support including website chat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and email. As an open-source platform, it provides unlimited customization possibilities and can be extended with custom integrations.
Olark focuses specifically on live chat with features like visitor monitoring, chat routing, and detailed analytics. It offers excellent widget customization and integrates seamlessly with popular business tools.
Chatwoot's strength lies in its flexibility and multi-channel approach, while Olark excels in specialized chat functionality and ease of implementation.
Pricing Comparison
Chatwoot offers a free self-hosted version with all features included. Their cloud hosting starts at $20/agent/month, making it cost-effective for teams comfortable with self-hosting.
Olark pricing begins at $29/agent/month for their standard plan, with a free tier supporting up to 20 chats per month. All hosting and maintenance are included.
Chatwoot can be significantly cheaper for technical teams willing to self-host, while Olark provides predictable costs with managed hosting.
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
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 Chatwoot if you need open-source flexibility, self-hosting capabilities, and extensive customization options. Choose Olark if you prefer a managed solution with quick setup and reliable hosting.
Choose Chatwoot if: You have technical expertise, need extensive customization, prefer open-source solutions, or want to self-host your customer communication platform.
Choose Olark if: You want a managed solution with reliable hosting, quick implementation, and focused live chat capabilities without technical complexity.
For teams seeking managed hosting with powerful features at a predictable cost, consider Converge at $49/month flat rate - combining the best of both worlds without per-agent pricing or hosting concerns.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Chatwoot comparisons and all Olark comparisons.