Hiver vs Kayako: Complete Comparison (2026)
Updated: March 7, 20268 min read
VS
Quick Comparison
Hiver
Kayako
Starting Price
$19/user/mo
$30/agent/mo
Free Plan
Yes
No
Users
10K+ orgs
35K+ orgs
Founded
2011
2001
Rating
4.5/5
4.1/5
Best For
Gmail-first teams wanting shared inbox help desk w...
SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified c...
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
HiverKayako
92Ease of Use81
94Features86
94Value for Money80
85Customer Support77
87Integrations79
88Mobile App80
AI Verdict
Hiver leads with a hiltonsoftware.co Score of 90 vs 82 for Kayako. Hiver is best suited for Gmail-first teams wanting shared inbox help desk without leaving Gmail, while Kayako excels for SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view. Both are strong options in the Customer Support space.
CHOOSE HIVER IF:
Gmail-first teams wanting shared inbox help desk without leaving Gmail.
CHOOSE KAYAKO IF:
SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hiver better than Kayako?
Hiver scores 90/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Kayako's 82/100. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Hiver is best for Gmail-first teams wanting shared inbox help desk without leaving Gmail. Kayako is best for SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view.
Does Hiver have a free plan?
Yes, Hiver offers a free plan. Paid plans start from $19/user/mo.
Does Kayako have a free plan?
No, Kayako does not offer a free plan. Plans start from $30/agent/mo.
Can I migrate from Hiver to Kayako?
Migration between Hiver and Kayako depends on the specific features you use. Both tools are in the Customer Support category. Check each tool's import/export options for data portability before switching.