Keeping vs Chatwoot: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Keeping and Chatwoot 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Keeping
Transform Gmail into a powerful shared inbox and help desk for your team.
Best for you if:
- • Transforms Gmail into a shared inbox and help desk.
- • Enables team collaboration, assignment, and tracking of customer emails within Gmail.
Chatwoot
Open source customer engagement
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.3/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Chatwoot is an open-source customer engagement platform and Intercom alternative
- • It provides live chat, email, social media inbox, and chatbots in one tool
| At a Glance |  Keeping |  Chatwoot |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Help Desk | Help Desk |
Rating | —/100 | 83/100 |
| Feature | Keeping | Chatwoot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 83 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Help DeskEmail Clients | Help DeskLive Chat |
Understanding the Differences
Both Keeping and Chatwoot solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Keeping positions itself as "transform gmail into a powerful shared inbox and help desk for your team." while Chatwootfocuses on "open source customer engagement". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Keeping
Keeping makes sense if you're looking for a comprehensive paid solution.
When to Choose Chatwoot
Chatwoot is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool. Scoring 83/100, it edges ahead in our evaluation.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
Chatwoot won't cost you anything to start, which is exactly what early-stage teams need.
We'd pick: Chatwoot
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Chatwoot is built for teams that are leveling up.
We'd pick: Chatwoot
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Keeping is built for organizations like yours.
We'd pick: Keeping
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Want to test first? Chatwoot has a free tier to get you started.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Chatwoot higher (83/100). But the community has upvoted Chatwoot more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Chatwoot Does Better
- Higher overall score (83/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Keeping If
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Chatwoot (83/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Chatwoot scores higher in our analysis, but Keeping might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keeping or Chatwoot better?
Based on our analysis, Chatwoot scores higher with 83/100. Keeping ispaid while Chatwoot is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Keeping to Chatwoot easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Keeping and Chatwoot offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Keeping is paid with potential trial.Chatwoot is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.