Chatwoot vs Liveagent: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Chatwoot and Liveagent comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Chatwoot wins this matchup. Zoho Desk is our overall Live Chat pick. Zoho Desk is our free Live Chat pick. Pick Liveagent if you need help desk.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Chatwoot
Open source customer engagement
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want open source
- • You want self-hostable
Liveagent
Unified omnichannel customer support for growing teams
Best for you if:
- • You want help desk software
- • You want good for support
| At a Glance | Chatwoot | Liveagent |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $15/agent/monthSmall Business |
Best For | Customer Support | Help Desk |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Chatwoot or Liveagent?
Choose Chatwoot if
Open source customer engagement
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want open source
- You want self-hostable
- Your work is customer support-shaped, not help desk-shaped
Choose Liveagent if
Unified omnichannel customer support for growing teams
- You want help desk software
- You want good for support
- Budget matters ($15/agent/month vs Free)
- Your work is help desk-shaped, not customer support-shaped
| Feature | Chatwoot | Liveagent |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 16 reviews | ★4.0/5 2,616 reviews |
| Categories | Customer SupportLive Chat | Help DeskLive Chat |
In-Depth Analysis
Chatwoot
Open source customer engagement
Chatwoot's pricing is quite generous, especially with the free Hacker tier offering 500 conversations/month.
Strengths
- +Open source
- +Self-hostable
- +Multi-channel
Weaknesses
- -Setup required
- -Fewer integrations
Key features
Liveagent
Unified omnichannel customer support for growing teams
LiveAgent's pricing is fair, especially with the annual discounts.
Strengths
- +Help desk software
- +Good for support
- +Fair pricing
- +Multiple channels
- +Good features
Weaknesses
- -UI dated
- -Learning curve
- -Setup complexity
- -Better modern alternatives
- -Support varies
Key features
Pricing: Chatwoot vs Liveagent
| Plan | Chatwoot | Liveagent |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Hacker | $15 agent/month Small Business |
| Tier 2 | $19 agent/month Startups | $29 agent/month Medium Business |
| Tier 3 | $39 agent/month Business | $49 agent/month Large Business |
| Tier 4 | $99 agent/month Enterprise | $69 agent/month Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Chatwoot pricing and Liveagent pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Chatwoot has a free tier. Liveagent is paid only.
Go with: Chatwoot
Want the highest-rated option?
Chatwoot: 4.5/5 (16 reviews). Liveagent: 4.0/5 (2,616 reviews).
Go with: Chatwoot
Value user reviews?
Chatwoot: 16 reviews (4.5/5). Liveagent: 2,616 reviews (4.0/5).
Go with: Liveagent
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Chatwoot is freemium. Liveagent is paid. Chatwoot lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Chatwoot is a customer support tool. Liveagent is in help desk. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Chatwoot is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.0/5.
Key Takeaways
Chatwoot
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.0/5
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Liveagent
- Larger review base (2,616 reviews)
- Better fit for help desk
The Bottom Line
Chatwoot wins this matchup. Zoho Desk is our overall Live Chat pick. Zoho Desk is our free Live Chat pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chatwoot or Liveagent better?
Chatwoot is rated in our evaluation. Chatwoot is freemium and Liveagent is paid.
What are Chatwoot and Liveagent used for?
Chatwoot: Open source customer engagement. Liveagent: Unified omnichannel customer support for growing teams.
What does Chatwoot cost vs Liveagent?
Chatwoot is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Liveagent is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.