Liveagent vs Chatwoot: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Liveagent 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.
Bottom line: Chatwoot wins this matchup. Our overall Live Chat pick is Zoho Desk. Our free Live Chat pick is tawk.to. 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:
Liveagent
Unified omnichannel customer support for growing teams
Best for you if:
- • You want help desk software
- • You want good for support
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
| At a Glance | Liveagent | Chatwoot |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $15/agent/monthSmall Business | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Help Desk | Customer Support |
Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Liveagent or Chatwoot?
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
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
| Feature | Liveagent | Chatwoot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.0/5 2,616 reviews | ★4.5/5 16 reviews |
| Categories | Help DeskLive Chat | Customer SupportLive Chat |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Liveagent vs Chatwoot
| Plan | Liveagent | Chatwoot |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $15 agent/month Small Business | Free Hacker |
| Tier 2 | $29 agent/month Medium Business | $19 agent/month Startups |
| Tier 3 | $49 agent/month Large Business | $39 agent/month Business |
| Tier 4 | $69 agent/month Enterprise | $99 agent/month Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Liveagent pricing and Chatwoot 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?
Liveagent: 4.0/5 (2,616 reviews). Chatwoot: 4.5/5 (16 reviews).
Go with: Chatwoot
Value user reviews?
Liveagent: 2,616 reviews (4.0/5). Chatwoot: 16 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Liveagent
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Liveagent is paid. Chatwoot is freemium. Chatwoot lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Liveagent is a help desk tool. Chatwoot is in customer support. 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. Our overall Live Chat pick is Zoho Desk. Our free Live Chat pick is tawk.to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Liveagent or Chatwoot better?
Chatwoot is rated in our evaluation. Liveagent is paid and Chatwoot is freemium.
What are Liveagent and Chatwoot used for?
Liveagent: Unified omnichannel customer support for growing teams. Chatwoot: Open source customer engagement.
What does Liveagent cost vs Chatwoot?
Liveagent is a paid tool. Chatwoot is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.