LiveAgent vs Freshdesk
LiveAgent starts at $11/agent/mo and Freshdesk at $19/agent/mo on annual billing — but agent minimums, seat caps and AI resolution fees decide the real bill. See it costed below.
Costed for three setups
| Setup | LiveAgent | Freshdesk | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI | $33/mo Starter | $57/mo Growth | LiveAgent |
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI (monthly billing) | $45/mo Starter | $69/mo Growth | LiveAgent |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo | $110/mo Starter | $190/mo Growth | LiveAgent |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $150/mo Starter | $230/mo Growth | LiveAgent |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo | $550/mo Starter | $1,685/mo Growth | LiveAgent |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $750/mo Starter | $1,885/mo Growth | LiveAgent |
At a glance
| Feature | LiveAgent | Freshdesk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per agent (Enterprise flat) | Per agent |
| Watch out for | Listed prices are a special offer “if you start a trial by November 22, 2026”; regular prices are about 25% higher. | The page says “first 500 sessions included” without saying whether that resets monthly. |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $11/agent/mo | $19/agent/mo |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $15/agent/mo | $23/agent/mo |
| Entry plan includes | Starter: per agent · AI $0 from vendor (bring your own provider) | Growth: per agent · 500 AI resolutions included, then $49 per 100 |
| Forever free | No | No |
| Trial | 30 days | 14 days |
| Add-ons | Enterprise extra agents $49/mo ($39 annual). | Freddy AI Copilot $35/agent/mo (Pro, Enterprise); day passes $2/$7/$12; connector app tasks $80/5,000; MCP actions $15/1,000. |
All plans
LiveAgent
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $15 | $11 | per agent · AI $0 from vendor (bring your own provider) |
| Team | $26 | $22 | per agent · AI $0 from vendor (bring your own provider) |
| Business | $44 | $38 | per agent · AI $0 from vendor (bring your own provider) |
| Enterprise | $3999 | $3199 | 80 agents included · +$49/agent ($39 annual) · AI $0 from vendor (bring your own provider) |
Freshdesk
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | $23 | $19 | per agent · 500 AI resolutions included, then $49 per 100 |
| Pro | $66 | $55 | per agent · 500 AI resolutions included, then $49 per 100 |
| Enterprise | $107 | $89 | per agent · 500 AI resolutions included, then $49 per 100 |
Gotchas
LiveAgent
- Listed prices are a special offer “if you start a trial by November 22, 2026”; regular prices are about 25% higher.
- AI is free from LiveAgent but you pay your AI provider (e.g. OpenAI) separately.
- Enterprise is a $3,999/mo flat fee — only worth it above ~70 agents.
Freshdesk
- The page says “first 500 sessions included” without saying whether that resets monthly.
- AI sessions are sold in 100-session blocks ($49), so 101 extra sessions cost $98.
- Copilot is a separate $35/agent add-on.
FAQ
Is LiveAgent cheaper than Freshdesk?
For 10 agents, 300 AI resolutions a month, annual billing: LiveAgent $110/mo on Starter vs Freshdesk $190/mo on Growth. The answer flips with agent count, AI resolution volume and monthly vs annual billing — use the calculator on the help desk hub for your exact setup.
Do LiveAgent and Freshdesk have free plans or trials?
LiveAgent: No free plan. 30-day free trial, no credit card required. Freshdesk: 14-day free trial of the Enterprise plan; no forever-free plan shown on the pricing page.
How do LiveAgent and Freshdesk charge for AI?
LiveAgent: LiveAgent charges $0 for AI: you connect your own AI provider and pay that provider directly. Freshdesk: Freddy AI Agent on every plan with the first 500 sessions included; additional sessions $49 per 100.