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Kayako vs Freshdesk

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Kayako logo

Kayako

Customer Support

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VS
Freshdesk logo

Freshdesk

Customer Support

Try Freshdesk

A
About 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.

B
About Freshdesk

Freshdesk is a cloud-based helpdesk platform developed by Freshworks that enables businesses to manage customer support across multiple channels including email, phone, chat, and social media. It's designed for companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, offering a ticketing system, automation tools, a knowledge base, and reporting dashboards. What sets Freshdesk apart is its intuitive interface, competitive pricing with a generous free tier, and a marketplace of integrations that extend its functionality. It competes directly with Zendesk but is often favored by small to mid-sized teams looking for a more affordable and easier-to-implement solution.

Pricing Comparison

Tool
Kayako
Freshdesk
Price
From $15/user/mo
Free — From $15/agent/mo
Category
Customer Support
Customer Support
Rating
3.9 (15)
4.5 (55)
Free Plan
No
Yes
Integrations
8+ apps
8+ apps
Founded
2001
2010

Feature Comparison

Feature
Kayako
Freshdesk
Multi-channel support ticketing system
Real-time chat with customers
Customer satisfaction surveys
Automated response suggestions
Knowledge base for self-service
Collaboration tools for support teams
Multi-channel ticketing system
Automated ticket routing
Self-service knowledge base
Collaboration tools for teams
Customizable ticket fields
Real-time reporting and analytics

Choose Kayako

Kayako is a customer support tool that streamlines communication and improves customer satisfaction.

Try Kayako Free

Read full review

Choose Freshdesk

Cloud-based helpdesk software for customer support.

Try Freshdesk Free

Read full review

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Score Comparison

Ease of Use
7.0
8.0
Features
8.0
8.0
Pricing
7.0
7.0
Support
8.0
8.0
Integrations
8.0
9.0
Overall
7.6
8.0
KayakoFreshdesk

Our Verdict

Kayako

Your support team needs to improve customer satisfaction through streamlined communication at a lower cost.

FreshdeskWinner

Your small business needs a cost-effective helpdesk solution without compromising essential features.

Easier to get started
More integrations

Kayako vs Freshdesk: The Bottom Line

Both Kayako and Freshdesk are strong customer support tools, but they serve different needs. Freshdesk has a higher user rating (4.5 vs 3.9). On pricing, Freshdesk is more affordable starting at $0/mo.

Still unsure? Check the full reviews for Kayako and Freshdesk, explore Kayako alternatives, or use our AI search to describe exactly what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kayako or Freshdesk better?

It depends on your needs. Kayako (3.9★) is from $15/mo, while Freshdesk (4.5★) is free to start. Freshdesk has a higher user rating.

Can I switch from Kayako to Freshdesk?

Yes. Most SaaS tools offer data export features. Check if Freshdesk has a migration guide or import tool specifically for Kayako users. Many offer onboarding assistance for switchers.

Which is cheaper, Kayako or Freshdesk?

Freshdesk starts at $0/mo, which is cheaper than Kayako at $15/mo. Freshdesk also offers a free plan.

What are the main differences between Kayako and Freshdesk?

Kayako focuses on multi-channel support ticketing system and real-time chat with customers, while Freshdesk emphasizes multi-channel ticketing system and automated ticket routing. Both are in the Customer Support category but serve slightly different use cases.