Help Scout vs Kayako: Complete Comparison (2026)
Updated: March 7, 20268 min read
VS
Quick Comparison
Help Scout
Kayako
Starting Price
$22/user/mo
$30/agent/mo
Free Plan
No
No
Users
12K+ orgs
35K+ orgs
Founded
2011
2001
Rating
4.6/5
4.1/5
Best For
Customer-centric teams wanting support that feels ...
SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified c...
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Help ScoutKayako
91Ease of Use81
96Features86
90Value for Money80
87Customer Support77
89Integrations79
90Mobile App80
AI Verdict
Help Scout leads with a ToolScout Score of 92 vs 82 for Kayako. Help Scout is best suited for Customer-centric teams wanting support that feels personal, not robotic, 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 HELP SCOUT IF:
Customer-centric teams wanting support that feels personal, not robotic.
CHOOSE KAYAKO IF:
SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Help Scout better than Kayako?
Help Scout scores 92/100 on ToolScout compared to Kayako's 82/100. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Help Scout is best for Customer-centric teams wanting support that feels personal, not robotic. Kayako is best for SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view.
Does Help Scout have a free plan?
No, Help Scout does not offer a free plan. Plans start from $22/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 Help Scout to Kayako?
Migration between Help Scout 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.