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Freshdesk vs Kayako: Pricing Comparison 2026

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

Bottom line: Freshdesk starts at $19/mo, making it $60/mo cheaper than Kayako ($79/mo). Neither offers a free plan.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

Freshdesk vs Kayako: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureFreshdeskKayako
Starting Price$19/mo$79/mo
Number of Plans31
Free TierNoNo
Pricing Modelper-seatper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Freshdesk is the more affordable option, starting at $19/mo compared to Kayako's $79/mo. Both are Customer Support tools with 4 combined pricing plans and 6 features compared.

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
Freshdesk
Freshdesk
Try it free
Tier 1
Growth
$19/monthCheapest
Start with Growth
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
$55/monthCheapest
Start with Pro
Tier 3
Enterprise
$89/monthCheapest
Start with Enterprise

Swipe to compare plans →

Freshdesk

Cloud-based helpdesk software with omnichannel support

View all Freshdesk plans

Kayako

Unified customer service platform with chat and ticketing

View all Kayako plans

What Reviewers Say

Our Pick

Freshdesk

Freshdesk starts at $60/mo lower ($19/mo vs $79/mo), offers 3 tiers vs 1.

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

Best value: Freshdesk

Try Freshdesk free

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Freshdesk if:

  • You want lower per-user costs—Freshdesk starts at $19/mo, saving $60/mo compared to Kayako at $79/mo
  • You need 3 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • You need predictable billing — Freshdesk's per-seat model avoids surprise overages

Choose Kayako if:

  • You want more features built-in—Kayako offers 6 additional features across its plans
  • Kayako's single-tier per-seat structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
  • Kayako's expanded feature set across 1 plan fits your workflow better

Freshdesk is the more affordable choice [1], starting at $19/mo compared to Kayako's $79/mo. For a 50-person team on paid plans, this translates to Freshdesk saving approximately $3000/month. Freshdesk offers 3 pricing tiers compared to Kayako's 1, giving you more granular control over scaling costs as your team grows. Across all tiers, Freshdesk provides 0 total features versus 6 for Kayako, offering a more focused toolset depending on your specific needs. For budget-conscious teams seeking predictable costs, Freshdesk delivers superior value. Kayako may justify its premium for specialized needs, but most organizations will find Freshdesk the smarter financial choice.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Freshdesk vs Kayako

Which is cheaper, Freshdesk or Kayako?
As of March 2026, Freshdesk starts at a lower price point. Freshdesk starts at $19/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 Freshdesk have vs Kayako?
Freshdesk offers 3 pricing plans, while Kayako offers 1 plan. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
What is the most popular Freshdesk plan?
The Pro plan is Freshdesk's most popular tier, priced at $55/mo.
How do Freshdesk and Kayako compare for Customer Support?
Both Freshdesk and Kayako are Customer Support tools. Freshdesk offers 3 plans starting at $19/mo, while Kayako offers 1 plan starting at $79/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Customer Support needs.

Sources

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

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