Alternatives · Help Desks
Kayako alternatives
As of Nov 12, 2026, the highest-graded Kayako alternative is Zendesk (2.4 GPA).
Kayako compared with 6 alternatives: Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, HappyFox, HelpDesk and 1 more.
Kayako's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. None of the alternatives has a free plan. 6 more offer a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Kayako sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| KayakoThis tool | Paid | No | Web |
| Zendesk | Free trial · from $19/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Freshdesk | Free trial · from $19/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Intercom | Free trial · from $29/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| HappyFox | Free trial · from $24/mo | Trial only | Web |
| HelpDesk | Free trial · from $19/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Acquire | Free trial | Trial only | Web |
How each one differs from Kayako
Zendesk
Ticketing, messaging, help center and AI agents for support teams
- Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
- Zendesk also lists iOS and Android apps.
- Zendesk also covers reports.
- Zendesk does not cover shared inbox, which Kayako does.
Suits: Support teams handling email, chat and phone in one queue
Freshdesk
Email ticketing help desk with a knowledge base and AI agents
- Freshdesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually.
- Freshdesk also lists iOS and Android apps.
- Freshdesk also covers reports.
- Freshdesk does not cover live chat, which Kayako does.
Suits: Support teams that work mainly from email
Intercom
Helpdesk with live chat and the Fin AI agent priced per outcome
- Intercom starts at $29 per seat / month, billed annually ($39 billed monthly).
- Intercom also lists iOS and Android apps.
- Intercom also covers reports.
Suits: Software and app companies that support customers through in-app chat
HappyFox
Ticketing help desk with SLAs, a knowledge base and add-on AI
- HappyFox starts at $24 per agent / month, billed annually ($29 billed monthly).
- HappyFox also covers workflow automation and ticketing.
- HappyFox does not cover live chat and AI support agent, which Kayako does.
Suits: Teams that need SLAs and ticketing across support, IT and HR
HelpDesk
Ticketing with an AI agent for email, chat, Messenger and SMS
- HelpDesk starts at $19 per user / month, billed yearly ($25 billed monthly).
- HelpDesk also covers sMS marketing and chatbots.
- HelpDesk does not cover help center, which Kayako does.
Suits: Small ecommerce teams on Shopify that want support and sales in one inbox
Acquire
Customer support platform with live chat, SMS, email and video
- Acquire also covers workflow automation and video calls.
- Acquire does not cover help desk, help center and AI support agent, which Kayako does.
Suits: Support teams that want chat, SMS and email in one workspace
Limits worth knowing in Kayako
- Kay costs $1 per resolved ticket; escalations to humans and partial resolutions are not charged, and the page says there are no seat or setup fees.
- No price for Kayako One is published, so this listing records its pricing as unverified.
- A resolution means Kay solved the issue without a human agent, by acting or giving an answer the customer confirms.
- Kayako says its team sets up the platform for you, so it is less of a self-serve sign-up.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Kayako?
The alternatives to Kayako in this directory are Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, HappyFox, HelpDesk and Acquire. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Kayako.
Is there a free alternative to Kayako?
None of the alternatives listed here has a free plan. Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, HappyFox, HelpDesk and Acquire offer a free trial.
Which Kayako alternatives work on Android?
The Kayako listing does not include an Android app. Zendesk, Freshdesk and Intercom list one.
Which Kayako alternatives work on iOS?
The Kayako listing does not include an iOS app. Zendesk, Freshdesk and Intercom list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.