LiveAgent vs Zendesk
LiveAgent starts at $11/agent/mo and Zendesk 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 | Zendesk | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI | $33/mo Starter | $57/mo Support Team | LiveAgent |
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI (monthly billing) | $45/mo Starter | $57/mo Support Team | LiveAgent |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo | $110/mo Starter | $190/mo Support Team | LiveAgent |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $150/mo Starter | $190/mo Support Team | LiveAgent |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo | $550/mo Starter | $950/mo Support Team | LiveAgent |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $750/mo Starter | $950/mo Support Team | LiveAgent |
At a glance
| Feature | LiveAgent | Zendesk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per agent (Enterprise flat) | Per agent, billed yearly |
| Watch out for | Listed prices are a special offer “if you start a trial by November 22, 2026”; regular prices are about 25% higher. | Only yearly prices are shown — month-to-month is “typically a higher effective monthly rate” but not priced. |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $11/agent/mo | $19/agent/mo |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $15/agent/mo | $19/agent/mo |
| Entry plan includes | Starter: per agent · AI $0 from vendor (bring your own provider) | Support Team: per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Forever free | No | No |
| Trial | 30 days | 14 days |
| Add-ons | Enterprise extra agents $49/mo ($39 annual). | Copilot $50/agent/mo, Workforce Engagement Bundle $50/agent/mo, Contact Center $83/agent/mo (all paid yearly). Usage-based App Builder, Action Builder and Voice billed beyond plan allowances. |
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) |
Zendesk
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Team | — | $19 | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Suite Team | — | $55 | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Suite Professional | — | $115 | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Suite Enterprise + Copilot | — | — | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
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.
Zendesk
- Only yearly prices are shown — month-to-month is “typically a higher effective monthly rate” but not priced.
- AI agents bill per automated resolution and the rate is not published, so heavy AI use is a quote.
- Copilot is a $50/agent add-on — Suite Professional + Copilot is $165/agent/mo.
FAQ
Is LiveAgent cheaper than Zendesk?
For 10 agents, 300 AI resolutions a month, annual billing: LiveAgent $110/mo on Starter vs Zendesk $190/mo on Support Team. 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 Zendesk have free plans or trials?
LiveAgent: No free plan. 30-day free trial, no credit card required. Zendesk: No free plan. 14-day free trial; startups program offers 6 months of Suite for up to 50 agents (eligibility applies).
How do LiveAgent and Zendesk charge for AI?
LiveAgent: LiveAgent charges $0 for AI: you connect your own AI provider and pay that provider directly. Zendesk: AI agents are included on every Suite and Support plan but billed per “automated resolution”; the per-resolution price is Not listed on the pricing page.