Kayako vs Zendesk: 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 Kayako and Zendesk side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Kayako leads on lower entry price; Zendesk leads on higher user rating. 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:
Kayako
Unified customer service platform for modern support teams
Best for you if:
- • You want great context across conversations
Zendesk
Complete customer service solution
Best for you if:
- • You want industry leader
| At a Glance | Kayako | Zendesk |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $1/mo Kay plan | From $19/mo, billed monthly Support Team plan |
Category | Customer Support Live Chat | Customer Support Live Chat |
Rating | 4.1/5 G2 4.1 · Capterra 4.0 403 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 · Capterra 4.4 11,165 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | n/a | AI agents are included on Support and Suite, then priced on successful resolutions (official FAQ). That is a second meter next to the seat. |
Choose Kayako or Zendesk?
Choose Kayako if
- You want great context across conversations
- You want collaborative agent features
- Budget matters ($1/mo vs $19/mo, billed monthly)
Choose Zendesk if
- You want industry leader
- You want extensive integrations
In-Depth Analysis
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
Zendesk
Complete customer service solution
Zendesk publishes yearly agent prices on zendesk.com/pricing.
Watch out
AI agents are included on Support and Suite, then priced on successful resolutions (official FAQ). That is a second meter next to the seat.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry leader
- Pro: Extensive integrations
- Pro: Powerful AI features
Weaknesses
- Con: Premium pricing
- Con: Can be overwhelming
Key features
Plans and prices: Kayako vs Zendesk
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kayako |
| kayako.com/pricing read Nov 2, 2026 |
| Zendesk |
| zendesk.com/pricing read Oct 31, 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 Kayako pricing and Zendesk pricing.
Key Takeaways
Kayako
- Lower entry price: $1/mo vs $19/mo, billed monthly
Zendesk
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.1/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Kayako leads on lower entry price; Zendesk leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Zendesk has the higher user rating (4.1/5 from 403 reviews for Kayako, 4.3/5 from 11,165 reviews for Zendesk).
- Kayako has the lower entry price: $1/mo (Kay) against $19/mo, billed monthly (Support Team) for Zendesk.
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 Kayako and Zendesk compare in 2026?
On the data below, Kayako leads on lower entry price; Zendesk leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Zendesk has the higher user rating (4.1/5 from 403 reviews for Kayako, 4.3/5 from 11,165 reviews for Zendesk). Kayako has the lower entry price: $1/mo (Kay) against $19/mo, billed monthly (Support Team) for Zendesk.
What are Kayako and Zendesk used for?
Kayako: Unified customer service platform for modern support teams. Zendesk: Complete customer service solution.
What does Kayako cost vs Zendesk?
Kayako's cheapest paid plan is Kay at $1/mo. Zendesk's cheapest paid plan is Support Team at $19/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Kayako and Zendesk?
Kayako's main strength: great context across conversations. Zendesk's main strength: industry leader.