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Drift vs Kayako: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Drift and Kayako. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Drift starts at $50/mo, making it $29/mo cheaper than Kayako ($79/mo). Drift offers a free plan.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

Drift vs Kayako: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureDriftKayako
Starting Price$50/mo$79/mo
Number of Plans41
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelflatper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Drift is the more affordable option, starting at $50/mo compared to Kayako's $79/mo. Both are Customer Support tools with 5 combined pricing plans and 17 features compared.

Drift stands out with a free plan for getting started. Drift uses flat pricing while Kayako uses per-seat pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Customer Support needs.

Pricing Plans
Tier 1
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Basic features
  • Limited integrations
Start with Free
Kayako One
$79/month
Includes
  • Unified inbox
  • Ticketing system
  • Knowledge base
  • Live chat widget
  • Automation rules
  • Reporting & analytics
Start with Kayako One
Tier 2
ProPopular
$50/monthCheapest
$600 / year
Includes
  • Advanced features
  • Unlimited integrations
  • Priority support
Start with Pro
Tier 3
Business
$100/monthCheapest
$1200 / year
Includes
  • All Pro features
  • Custom reporting
  • Dedicated account manager
Start with Business
Tier 4
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Includes
  • All Business features
  • Custom solutions
  • 24/7 support
Start with Enterprise

Swipe to compare plans →

Drift

Conversational marketing and sales platform

View all Drift plans

Kayako

Unified customer service platform with chat and ticketing

View all Kayako plans
Our Pick

Drift

Drift offers a free plan, starts at $29/mo lower ($50/mo vs $79/mo), offers 4 tiers vs 1.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Best value: Drift

Try Drift free

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Drift if:

  • You want lower per-user costs—Drift starts at $50/mo, saving $29/mo compared to Kayako at $79/mo
  • You need a free plan with Basic features, Limited integrations—Drift offers no-cost access with no credit card required
  • You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • You want more features built-in—Drift offers 5 additional features across its plans

Choose Kayako if:

  • You want Kayako's approach to incremental feature unlocking across its 1 pricing tier
  • Kayako's focused feature set keeps your team in control without tool bloat
  • Your Customer Support team's workflow matches Kayako's feature organization more naturally

Drift is the more affordable choice [1], starting at $50/mo compared to Kayako's $79/mo. For a 50-person team on paid plans, this translates to Drift saving approximately $1450/month. Drift offers 4 pricing tiers compared to Kayako's 1, giving you more granular control over scaling costs as your team grows. Across all tiers, Drift provides 11 total features versus 6 for Kayako, offering a richer feature set depending on your specific needs. For budget-conscious teams seeking predictable costs, Drift delivers superior value. Kayako may justify its premium for specialized needs, but most organizations will find Drift the smarter financial choice.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Drift vs Kayako

Which is cheaper, Drift or Kayako?
As of March 2026, Drift starts at a lower price point. Drift starts at $50/mo while Kayako starts at $79/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does Drift have vs Kayako?
Drift offers 4 pricing plans, while Kayako offers 1 plan. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Drift or Kayako offer a free plan?
Drift offers a free plan, while Kayako does not. If budget is a concern, Drift lets you get started at no cost.
Can I save money by paying annually for Drift or Kayako?
Both Drift and Kayako offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
What is the most popular Drift plan?
The Pro plan is Drift's most popular tier, priced at $50/mo. Key features include Advanced features, Unlimited integrations, Priority support.
Does Drift or Kayako offer custom enterprise pricing?
Drift offers a custom-priced enterprise tier for larger teams. Kayako lists all its pricing publicly.
What pricing models do Drift and Kayako use?
Drift uses a flat pricing model, while Kayako uses per-seat pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.

Sources

  1. Drift Official PricingVendor pricing page
  2. Kayako Official PricingVendor pricing page

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