Gladly vs Kayako: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 7, 20268 min read
😊
Gladly
Customer Support
94
ToolScout Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
🛶
Kayako
Customer Support
82
ToolScout Score

Quick Comparison

Gladly
Kayako
Starting Price
$180/agent/mo
$30/agent/mo
Free Plan
No
No
Users
500+ orgs
35K+ orgs
Founded
2014
2001
Rating
4.7/5
4.1/5
Best For
Premium brands wanting people-centered service tha...
SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified c...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

GladlyKayako
93Ease of Use81
98Features86
92Value for Money80
89Customer Support77
91Integrations79
92Mobile App80
AI Verdict

Gladly leads with a ToolScout Score of 94 vs 82 for Kayako. Gladly is best suited for Premium brands wanting people-centered service that knows customers across channels, 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 GLADLY IF:

Premium brands wanting people-centered service that knows customers across channels.

CHOOSE KAYAKO IF:

SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gladly better than Kayako?
Gladly scores 94/100 on ToolScout compared to Kayako's 82/100. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Gladly is best for Premium brands wanting people-centered service that knows customers across channels. Kayako is best for SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view.
Does Gladly have a free plan?
No, Gladly does not offer a free plan. Plans start from $180/agent/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 Gladly to Kayako?
Migration between Gladly 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.