LiveAgent vs Zendesk Chat
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | LiveAgent | Zendesk Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $49/seat/mo | From $89/seat/mo |
| Best For | Traditional customer service teams needing comprehensive help desk functionality with phone support | Large support teams needing comprehensive ticketing integration |
| Standout Feature | Comprehensive all-in-one platform combining help desk, live chat, and call center in a single solution | Deep integration with Zendesk Support platform |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.2 |
LiveAgent and Zendesk Chat (now part of Zendesk Suite) serve different market segments. LiveAgent offers an all-in-one help desk solution with competitive pricing, while Zendesk Chat provides enterprise-grade live chat as part of the broader Zendesk ecosystem.
The comparison centers on comprehensive help desk functionality versus specialized chat within a larger enterprise platform.
Feature Comparison
LiveAgent provides comprehensive support infrastructure including advanced email ticketing, built-in VoIP calling, social media integration, and robust knowledge base functionality. It offers over 200 integrations and sophisticated automation rules.
Zendesk Chat excels in enterprise live chat capabilities with advanced visitor tracking, detailed analytics, and seamless integration with Zendesk Support and other Zendesk products. It provides superior reporting and enterprise security features.
The key distinction is scope: LiveAgent as a standalone complete solution versus Zendesk Chat as part of an integrated enterprise platform.
Pricing Comparison
LiveAgent offers transparent pricing starting at $15/agent/month for ticketing, $29/agent/month with chat, and $49/agent/month for full phone support capabilities.
Zendesk Chat pricing starts at $14/agent/month for basic chat, but typically requires Zendesk Support ($49-$99/agent/month) for full functionality, making it significantly more expensive for complete help desk needs.
LiveAgent provides better value for comprehensive support, while Zendesk Chat makes sense only within the broader Zendesk ecosystem.
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
Zendesk Chat
Pros
- ✓ Strong brand recognition
- ✓ Comprehensive support suite
- ✓ Good integrations
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing gets expensive
- ✗ Limited to web chat only
- ✗ No social media messaging
Verdict
Choose LiveAgent if you need a complete, cost-effective help desk solution with built-in phone support and extensive automation. Choose Zendesk Chat if you're already in the Zendesk ecosystem or need enterprise-grade chat with advanced analytics.
Choose LiveAgent if: You need a complete, affordable help desk solution with email, chat, and phone support, plus extensive automation without ecosystem lock-in.
Choose Zendesk Chat if: You're already using Zendesk products, need enterprise-grade chat analytics, and budget allows for the full Zendesk Suite investment.
For straightforward support needs without enterprise complexity, Converge at $49/month flat rate delivers essential functionality without per-agent costs or platform lock-in.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all LiveAgent comparisons and all Zendesk Chat comparisons.