Freshdesk vs Kayako: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Freshdesk and Kayako side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Freshdesk leads on higher user rating; Kayako leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Freshdesk
Scale support with smart ticketing, automation, and AI
Best for you if:
- • You want free tier available
Kayako
Unified customer service platform for modern support teams
Best for you if:
- • You want great context across conversations
| At a Glance | Freshdesk | Kayako |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $19/agent/mo, billed monthly Growth plan | From $1/mo Kay plan |
Category | Customer Support Knowledge Base | Customer Support Live Chat |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 3,771 reviews | 4.1/5 G2 4.1 · Capterra 4.0 403 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Copilot translation limited to 40 translations per license per month | n/a |
Choose Freshdesk or Kayako?
Choose Freshdesk if
- You want free tier available
- You want easy to use
Choose Kayako if
- You want great context across conversations
- You want collaborative agent features
- Budget matters ($1/mo vs $19/agent/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
Freshdesk
Scale support with smart ticketing, automation, and AI
Freshdesk offers the best free tier in customer support (2 agents, email ticketing) and competitive per-agent pricing for basic ticketing.
Watch out
Copilot translation limited to 40 translations per license per month
Strengths
- Pro: Free tier available
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Good value
Weaknesses
- Con: Less powerful than Zendesk
- Con: Limited customization on free plan
Key features
Kayako
Unified customer service platform for modern support teams
It's best suited for businesses prioritizing a unified platform and willing to pay a premium for comprehensive features.
Strengths
- Pro: Great context across conversations
- Pro: Collaborative agent features
- Pro: Clean interface
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing can add up with larger teams
- Con: Mobile app could be better
- Con: Limited customization options
Key features
Plans and prices: Freshdesk vs Kayako
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Freshdesk |
| freshdesk.com/pricing read Oct 30, 2026 |
| Kayako |
| kayako.com/pricing read Nov 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Freshdesk pricing and Kayako pricing.
Key Takeaways
Freshdesk
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.1/5
Kayako
- Lower entry price: $1/mo vs $19/agent/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Freshdesk leads on higher user rating; Kayako leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Freshdesk has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 3,771 reviews for Freshdesk, 4.1/5 from 403 reviews for Kayako).
- Kayako has the lower entry price: $1/mo (Kay) against $19/agent/mo, billed monthly (Growth) for Freshdesk.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Freshdesk and Kayako compare in 2026?
On the data below, Freshdesk leads on higher user rating; Kayako leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Freshdesk has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 3,771 reviews for Freshdesk, 4.1/5 from 403 reviews for Kayako). Kayako has the lower entry price: $1/mo (Kay) against $19/agent/mo, billed monthly (Growth) for Freshdesk.
What are Freshdesk and Kayako used for?
Freshdesk: Scale support with smart ticketing, automation, and AI. Kayako: Unified customer service platform for modern support teams.
What does Freshdesk cost vs Kayako?
Freshdesk's cheapest paid plan is Growth at $19/agent/mo, billed monthly. Kayako's cheapest paid plan is Kay at $1/mo. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Freshdesk and Kayako?
Freshdesk's main strength: free tier available. Kayako's main strength: great context across conversations.