Kayako vs Zendesk: Complete Comparison (2026)
Updated: March 7, 20268 min read
VS
Quick Comparison
Kayako
Zendesk
Starting Price
$30/agent/mo
$19/agent/mo
Free Plan
No
No
Users
35K+ orgs
100K+ orgs
Founded
2001
2007
Rating
4.1/5
4.3/5
Best For
SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified c...
Mid-market and enterprise teams running high-volum...
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
KayakoZendesk
81Ease of Use85
86Features90
80Value for Money84
77Customer Support81
79Integrations83
80Mobile App84
AI Verdict
Zendesk leads with a ToolScout Score of 86 vs 82 for Kayako. Zendesk is best suited for Mid-market and enterprise teams running high-volume customer support, 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 KAYAKO IF:
SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view.
CHOOSE ZENDESK IF:
Mid-market and enterprise teams running high-volume customer support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kayako better than Zendesk?
Zendesk scores 86/100 on ToolScout compared to Kayako's 82/100. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Kayako is best for SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view. Zendesk is best for Mid-market and enterprise teams running high-volume customer support.
Does Kayako have a free plan?
No, Kayako does not offer a free plan. Plans start from $30/agent/mo.
Does Zendesk have a free plan?
No, Zendesk does not offer a free plan. Plans start from $19/agent/mo.
Can I migrate from Kayako to Zendesk?
Migration between Kayako and Zendesk 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.