LiveChat vs Zoho Desk
Compare LiveChat and Zoho Desk on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
LiveChat
Established live chat from Text — Starter $19, Team $49, Business $79, Enterprise $52 per person/mo annual.
Best for
- • Teams wanting mature live chat with Text ecosystem optionality
- • SMB–mid-market website support with per-agent clarity
- • Buyers who may add ChatBot or HelpDesk from the same vendor
Starting from $19.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
No universal winner. Choose based on which criteria matter most for your team.
Zoho Desk is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Ticketing depth
- ✓ Knowledge base
- ✓ Omnichannel inbox
Tie
- • Live chat
- • AI features
- • Integrations
Choose LiveChat if: Teams wanting mature live chat with Text ecosystem optionality
Choose Zoho Desk if: Budget-conscious teams wanting helpdesk with $7 Express floor
Zoho Desk
Budget helpdesk in the Zoho suite — free 3 agents; Express $7, Standard $14, Professional $23, Enterprise $40 agent/mo annual.
Best for
- • Budget-conscious teams wanting helpdesk with $7 Express floor
- • Existing Zoho CRM/One customers
- • SMB teams needing free 3-agent entry
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free plan available
LiveChat vs Zoho Desk at a glance
Criterion-level leaders from verified research.
Scorecard preview
Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.
- Starting pricingDepends
LiveChat
Zoho Desk
- Free planZoho Desk
LiveChat
Zoho Desk
- Agent / licence minimumDepends
LiveChat
Zoho Desk
- Ticketing depthZoho Desk
LiveChat
Zoho Desk
- Live chatTie
LiveChat
Zoho Desk
Which Customer Service is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Zoho Desk
Best for free plan
LiveChat does not research a free plan; Zoho Desk researches a free plan.
- → Zoho Desk
Best for ticketing depth
Stronger ticketing availability
- → Zoho Desk
Best for knowledge base
Stronger knowledge base availability
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Free plan
Zoho Desk winsLiveChat
Trails Zoho Desk on this criterion
Zoho Desk
LiveChat does not research a free plan; Zoho Desk researches a free plan.
Ticketing depth
Zoho Desk winsLiveChat
Trails Zoho Desk on this criterion
Zoho Desk
Stronger ticketing availability
Knowledge base
Zoho Desk winsLiveChat
Trails Zoho Desk on this criterion
Zoho Desk
Stronger knowledge base availability
Omnichannel inbox
Zoho Desk winsLiveChat
Trails Zoho Desk on this criterion
Zoho Desk
Stronger omnichannel inbox availability
SLA & routing
Zoho Desk winsLiveChat
Trails Zoho Desk on this criterion
Zoho Desk
Stronger sla routing availability
Ecommerce helpdesk
Zoho Desk winsLiveChat
Trails Zoho Desk on this criterion
Zoho Desk
Stronger ticketing availability
Which should you choose?
Choose LiveChat if
- Teams wanting mature live chat with Text ecosystem optionality
- SMB–mid-market website support with per-agent clarity
- Buyers who may add ChatBot or HelpDesk from the same vendor
Choose Zoho Desk if
- Budget-conscious teams wanting helpdesk with $7 Express floor
- Existing Zoho CRM/One customers
- SMB teams needing free 3-agent entry
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
Freshchat
Freshworks live chat — free up to 10 agents; Growth $19, Pro $49, Enterprise $79 agent/mo annual.
Tidio
Live chat and AI messaging — Starter $24.17/mo annual (100 billable convos); Growth from $49.17. Re-homed from CRM to CS live-chat primary.
Freshdesk
Helpdesk and omnichannel ticketing from Freshworks — Growth from $19/agent/mo annual with 14-day trial.
Zendesk Suite
Enterprise helpdesk and Suite omnichannel — Support Team from $19/agent/mo annual; Suite Team $55, Suite Pro $115.
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
Still deciding between LiveChat and Zoho Desk?
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- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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