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Customer Support

Kayako vs Zendesk: Pricing Comparison 2026

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

Bottom line: Kayako starts at $79/mo and Zendesk starts at Custom pricing. Compare all 5 pricing tiers side by side.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

Kayako vs Zendesk: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureKayakoZendesk
Starting Price$79/moCustom pricing
Number of Plans14
Free TierNoNo
Pricing Modelper-seatper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Kayako and Zendesk are both priced at $79/mo, making them equally accessible Customer Support tools. Together they offer 5 pricing plans with 6 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

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
Kayako One
$79/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Unified inbox
  • Ticketing system
  • Knowledge base
  • Live chat widget
  • Automation rules
  • Reporting & analytics
Start with Kayako One
ADVANCED AI AGENTS
Custom pricing
Start with ADVANCED AI AGENTS
Tier 2
COPILOT
Custom pricing
Start with COPILOT
Tier 3
ZENDESK QUALITY ASSURANCE
Custom pricing
Start with ZENDESK QUALITY ASSURANCE
Tier 4
ZENDESK WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT
Custom pricing
Start with ZENDESK WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

Swipe to compare plans →

Kayako

Unified customer service platform with chat and ticketing

View all Kayako plans

Zendesk

Customer service and engagement platform with ticketing

View all Zendesk plans

What Reviewers Say

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Kayako if:

  • You want more features built-in—Kayako offers 6 additional features across its plans
  • You prioritize Kayako's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
  • You need predictable billing — Kayako's per-seat model avoids surprise overages

Choose Zendesk if:

  • You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Zendesk offers negotiated terms for large deployments
  • You prioritize Zendesk's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)

Kayako and Zendesk offer competitively positioned plans [1], with Kayako starting at $79/mo and Zendesk at Custom pricing. This pricing similarity means value differentiation comes down to feature alignment rather than cost. Kayako provides 1 pricing tier versus Zendesk's 4 options, which affects your flexibility and cost-per-tier efficiency as your team scales and usage increases. Feature-wise, Kayako offers 6 total features across its tiers, while Zendesk provides 0. Map your required features to each tier to determine which tool delivers the capabilities you need at your target price point. With similar pricing, your final decision should prioritize feature requirements, integration ecosystem, and hands-on user experience testing. Request demos or activate trials with both vendors to validate long-term fit before committing to annual contracts.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Kayako vs Zendesk

How many pricing plans does Kayako have vs Zendesk?
Kayako offers 1 pricing plan, while Zendesk offers 4 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Kayako or Zendesk offer custom enterprise pricing?
Zendesk offers a custom-priced enterprise tier for larger teams. Kayako lists all its pricing publicly.
How do Kayako and Zendesk compare for Customer Support?
Both Kayako and Zendesk are Customer Support tools. Kayako offers 1 plan starting at $79/mo, while Zendesk offers 4 plans starting at Custom pricing. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Customer Support needs.

Sources

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

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