Chatwoot vs Kayako
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
AAbout Chatwoot
Chatwoot is an open-source customer support platform that consolidates conversations from multiple channels—live chat, email, social media, and messaging apps—into a single dashboard. It's built for support teams that want full control over their customer communication without being locked into proprietary software. Being self-hostable is a major differentiator, giving privacy-conscious organizations and developers the flexibility to run it on their own infrastructure. The platform offers a clean, modern interface comparable to tools like Intercom or Zendesk, but with the transparency and customizability that comes with open-source software.
BAbout Kayako
Kayako is a customer support platform that unifies conversations from email, live chat, social media, and other channels into a single shared inbox. It's built for small to mid-sized businesses and growing support teams that need to track and manage customer interactions without losing context. Kayako stands out with its customer journey visualization, which gives agents a timeline of every interaction and activity a customer has had. The platform aims to deliver more personal support by giving teams full visibility into customer history across all touchpoints.
Pricing Comparison
Feature Comparison
Choose Chatwoot
Chatwoot is an open-source customer support tool for effective communication.
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Kayako is a customer support tool that streamlines communication and improves customer satisfaction.
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Score Comparison
Our Verdict
You're an open-source advocate looking for a customizable support tool for larger teams.
Your support team needs to improve customer satisfaction through streamlined communication at a lower cost.
Chatwoot vs Kayako: The Bottom Line
Both Chatwoot and Kayako are strong customer support tools, but they serve different needs. Kayako has a higher user rating (3.9 vs 3.8). On pricing, Chatwoot is more affordable starting at $0/mo.
Still unsure? Check the full reviews for Chatwoot and Kayako, explore Chatwoot alternatives, or use our AI search to describe exactly what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chatwoot or Kayako better?
It depends on your needs. Chatwoot (3.8★) is free to start, while Kayako (3.9★) is from $15/mo. Kayako has a higher user rating.
Can I switch from Chatwoot to Kayako?
Yes. Most SaaS tools offer data export features. Check if Kayako has a migration guide or import tool specifically for Chatwoot users. Many offer onboarding assistance for switchers.
Which is cheaper, Chatwoot or Kayako?
Chatwoot starts at $0/mo, which is cheaper than Kayako at $15/mo. Chatwoot also offers a free plan.
What are the main differences between Chatwoot and Kayako?
Chatwoot focuses on multi-channel messaging support and real-time chat with customers, while Kayako emphasizes multi-channel support ticketing system and real-time chat with customers. Both are in the Customer Support category but serve slightly different use cases.