Olark 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 Olark and Zendesk side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Olark leads on a free plan; Zendesk 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:
Olark
Live chat software for customer support
Best for you if:
- • You want live chat software
Zendesk
Complete customer service solution
Best for you if:
- • You want industry leader
| At a Glance | Olark | Zendesk |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $29/seat/mo, billed monthly Standard plan | From $19/mo, billed monthly Support Team plan |
Category | Customer Support Live Chat | Customer Support Live Chat |
Rating | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.3 695 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 Olark or Zendesk?
Choose Olark if
- You want live chat software
- You want easy setup
Choose Zendesk if
- You want industry leader
- You want extensive integrations
- Budget matters ($19/mo, billed monthly vs $29/seat/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
Olark
Live chat software for customer support
Olark's pricing is fair, offering a useful free tier for very small operations and a competitive Standard tier at $29/seat/month.
Strengths
- Pro: Live chat software
- Pro: Easy setup
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Chatbots available
Weaknesses
- Con: UI dated
- Con: Limited features
- Con: Better alternatives exist
- Con: Support basic
- Con: Declining relevance
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: Olark vs Zendesk
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olark |
| olark.com/pricing read Oct 11, 2026 |
| Zendesk |
| zendesk.com/pricing read Oct 15, 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 Olark pricing and Zendesk pricing.
Key Takeaways
Olark
- Has a free plan
Zendesk
- Lower entry price: $19/mo, billed monthly vs $29/seat/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Olark leads on a free plan; Zendesk leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 695 reviews for Olark, 4.3/5 from 11,165 reviews for Zendesk).
- Zendesk has the lower entry price: $19/mo, billed monthly (Support Team) against $29/seat/mo, billed monthly (Standard) for Olark.
- Only Olark has a free plan.
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 Olark and Zendesk compare in 2026?
On the data below, Olark leads on a free plan; Zendesk leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 695 reviews for Olark, 4.3/5 from 11,165 reviews for Zendesk). Zendesk has the lower entry price: $19/mo, billed monthly (Support Team) against $29/seat/mo, billed monthly (Standard) for Olark. Only Olark has a free plan.
What are Olark and Zendesk used for?
Olark: Live chat software for customer support. Zendesk: Complete customer service solution.
What does Olark cost vs Zendesk?
Olark's cheapest paid plan is Standard at $29/seat/mo, billed monthly. Zendesk's cheapest paid plan is Support Team at $19/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 15, 2026.
What's the main difference between Olark and Zendesk?
Olark's main strength: live chat software. Zendesk's main strength: industry leader.