Top 17 Kayako Alternatives & Competitors for Customer Support in 2025

If managing support on Kayako feels cumbersome, you’re not alone. Analytics don’t go deep enough, workflows are complicated, and integrations often fall short. These issues pile up until your team is spending more time figuring out the tool than helping customers.

That’s you need faster, easier alternatives. In this guide, you’ll find the best Kayako alternatives for 2025, with pricing, pros, and cons. I have also mentioned which tool is best for which team, so you can choose a platform that scales your support operations.

Table of Contents

• Quick Summary
• Why Trust Us With Kayako Alternatives?
• Kayako Alternatives: TL;DR
• Why You Need a Kayako Alternative?
• Top Kayako Alternatives to Consider in 2025
  • 1. Hiver
  • 2. Zendesk Support Suite
  • 4. Help Scout
  • 5. Intercom
  • 6. Zoho Desk
  • 7. ProProfs Help Desk
  • 8. HappyFox
  • 9. Front
  • 10. LiveAgent
  • 11. Tidio
  • 12. Supportbench
  • 13. TeamSupport
  • 14. Crisp
  • 15. Vtiger
  • 16. Desk365
  • 17. Enchant
• How to Choose the Right Kayako Alternative for Your Business
• Elevate Your Customer Experience with the Best Kayako Alternatives 
• Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Summary

Kayako promises simplicity but often delivers friction with its dated UI, shallow analytics, and clunky workflows. After testing and reviewing top contenders, we found 17 Kayako alternatives that are faster, smarter, and more intuitive. Hiver leads with AI-first, inbox-native support that boosts agent speed and accuracy. Zendesk remains the best for enterprises, while Freshdesk and Zoho Desk deliver the strongest value for growing teams.

Tool	Notable Features	G2 Rating	Starting Price*
Hiver	Intuitive interface, AI features, fast resolution	4.6 ⭐	$25/user/monthHas a free-forever plan
Zendesk	Omnichannel support, AI, deep customization	4.3 ⭐	$19/agent/month
Freshdesk	AI ticketing, knowledge base, self-service tools	4.4 ⭐	$15/user/monthHas a free-forever plan
Help Scout	Unified inbox, clean UI, AI-powered suggestions	4.4 ⭐	$50/user/month
Intercom	Chat-first design, product tours, automation	4.5 ⭐	$29 per customer conversation

Why Trust Us With Kayako Alternatives?

We have tested out every Kayako alternative mentioned in the list, cross-checked it with user reviews, and compared it against clear criteria such as ease of use, key features, integrations, and support. Our team also works closely with CX leaders so we know what actually holds up in a busy support environment. And with 10,000+ teams trusting Hiver, we’ve learned what makes customer service software truly dependable. So, you get straightforward, unbiased recommendations – nothing more, nothing less.

Kayako Alternatives: TL;DR

Why You Need a Kayako Alternative?

The reason to switch from Kayako is rarely just one big issue. It’s usually a bunch of small frustrations that add up over time. Based on what I found in customer reviews, here are the most common reasons teams start exploring alternatives.

• Scalability Feels Restrictive: Kayako handles the basics, but as teams grow, it struggles to keep up. Automation is limited, and analytics lack depth. Teams often end up building manual workarounds.
  
  “The complexities of building usable reports made the reporting part of the system unusable.”
  
• Clunky to Use: The interface isn’t intuitive. Agents lose time navigating a dated dashboard, and the learning curve slows teams down.
  
  “The main interface is clunky, sometimes tickets are slow to load in, and notifications were easy to miss.”
  
• Integrations Are Limited: Kayako doesn’t work well with modern tech stacks. Many users report setup issues and a lack of essential integrations.
  
  “It’s not so easy to integrate Kayako with other tools or even customize it according to your needs.”
  
• Support Falls Short: Kayako’s own support is a frequent complaint. Response times are slow, and answers often lack clarity. Not ideal when your team depends on the tool to serve customers.
  
  “Support was a headache…very difficulty to get any assistance. You are basically on your own.”
  
• Pricing Lacks Flexibility: Kayako has only one plan at $79/month. That means you end up paying for features you don’t need while still missing the ones you do.
  
  “A few years ago, the company changed its pricing policy dramatically, and it now costs upwards of $100 per agent per month.”

Top Kayako Alternatives to Consider in 2025

Here’s a complete list of Kayako alternatives that offer stronger automation, better reporting, cleaner interfaces, and smoother integrations. These tools are built to help your team move faster and deliver better customer support. 

Tool	Notable Features	G2 Rating	Pricing
Hiver	Intuitive interface, AI features, fast resolution	4.6 ⭐	$25/user/month Has a free forever plan
Zendesk	Omnichannel support, AI, deep customization	4.3 ⭐	$19/agent/month
Freshdesk	AI ticketing, knowledge base, self-service tools	4.4 ⭐	$15/user/month.Has a free forever plan
Help Scout	Unified inbox, clean UI, AI-powered suggestions	4.4 ⭐	$50/user/month
Intercom	Chat-first design, product tours, automation	4.5 ⭐	$29 per customer conversation
Zoho Desk	Flexible workflows, ITSM compatibility	4.4 ⭐	$14/user/monthHas a free forever plan
ProProfs	AI assistant, built-in KB, automation	4.7 ⭐	$19.99/user/monthHas a free forever plan
HappyFox	Deep workflow automation, strong analytics	4.5 ⭐	$21/user/month
Front	Shared inboxes, real-time collaboration	4.7 ⭐	$25/user/month
LiveAgent	Multichannel support, 200+ integrations	4.5 ⭐	$15/agent/monthHas a free forever plan
Tidio	AI bots, proactive messaging	4.7 ⭐	$24.17/monthHas a free forever plan
Supportbench	Customer success workflows, case management	4.9 ⭐	$40/user/month
TeamSupport	Account-based ticketing, SLA management	4.4 ⭐	$45/user/month
Crisp	Live chat, modern UI	4.5 ⭐	$45/month (4 agents)Has a free forever plan
Vtiger	CRM + help desk suite	4.3 ⭐	$10/user/monthHas a free forever plan
Desk365	Shared inbox, MS Teams integration	4.8 ⭐	$12/user/month (annual billing)
Enchant	Smart workflows, tagging	4.8 ⭐	$20/user/month

Let’s zoom in on each of these Kayako alternatives and explore their features in more detail. 

1. Hiver

Hiver is an AI-first customer service platform that unifies all your support channels (email, live chat, WhatsApp, voice, and knowledge base) into one place. Teams can manage all these channels from a left-side panel and get a complete overview of ongoing, pending, and resolved conversations. 

This makes it extremely user-friendly for your agents, and they can start using the tool from day one without a steep learning curve.

Unlike Kayako’s rigid pricing, Hiver offers flexible pricing tiers, so you only pay for what you need. It also has a free-forever plan that covers all basic ticketing functionalities. 

Key features

• AI Agents That Do the Heavy Lifting: Hiver’s AI Agents automate routine work like tagging, triaging, sentiment detection, and auto-resolving repetitive queries. This frees agents to focus on complex issues while customers get faster responses.
• Copilot for Smarter Replies: Hiver’s AI Copilot can summarize long threads in seconds and suggest contextually relevant responses. Agents save time and craft better replies without starting from scratch.
• Built-In Automations: Create rules to route, tag, or escalate conversations automatically based on keywords, priority, or customer type. This eliminates manual triaging and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
• Real-Time Reporting and SLAs: Track SLAs, response times, and CSAT scores through intuitive dashboards. Visual reports make it easy to spot bottlenecks and share insights with leadership.

Pros

• Tags, filters, and “latest first” views make it easy to prioritize urgent conversations.
• SLA tracking makes it easy to see if your team is meeting targets.
• Shared drafts, notes, and @mentions help you collaborate internally without forwards or CCs. 
• Set up your own live chat widget on your website to talk to your customers in real time.
• AI Triage classifies conversations by category, urgency, or sentiment and routes them to the right team. 
• Integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, Slack, and Asana keep you from juggling tabs.

Cons

• Automation is not as deep as other tools.
• The mobile interface has performance hiccups with high-volume tickets.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Hiver replaces Kayako’s complex interface with an intuitive design that feels instantly familiar. Its AI agents automate triaging and summarizing conversations, which are capabilities Kayako lacks. It also offers flexible pricing and deeper integrations with tools like Slack and HubSpot.

Ideal For

SaaS and e-commerce teams that want AI-powered support built directly inside Gmail or Google Workspace.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Hiver’s free plan covers basics like shared inboxes, notes, tags, and Slack/WhatsApp integrations. Paid plans start at $25/user/month for automation and analytics. For $49/user/month, you unlock advanced reporting and CRM integrations. All plans include 24/7 support.

In my opinion, Hiver’s pricing is transparent, scalable, and AI-packed from the start. Even its free plan gets teams moving fast. And at the top tier, you’ll still pay less than Kayako’s flat $79/month while getting more flexibility.

2. Zendesk Support Suite

Zendesk Support Suite is a great tool for large teams and enterprises that need to manage high volumes of conversations across email, chat, phone, and social. Unlike Kayako, which struggles with scalability due to limited automation, basic reporting, and fewer integrations, Zendesk offers features like advanced routing, macros, and AI-powered workflows.

It also offers a deep app marketplace and integrations with CRMs, analytics tools, and collaboration platforms, so teams aren’t stuck with a limited tech stack. The set up can take some time but once done, Zendesk gives enterprises the control they need to run multi-brand, multi-language, and SLA-driven support.

Pros

• AI capabilities help agents with reply suggestions, auto-assign tickets, and reduce manual work.
• Built-in help center and community forums let customers self-serve, cutting down ticket volume.
• Handles thousands of requests with macros, triggers, and advanced routing rules—something Kayako struggles with.
• Zendesk is big on controls. Role-based access keeps sensitive data restricted, SLAs track performance by priority, and sandbox testing lets admins test new workflows without breaking live support.

Cons

• AI and advanced analytics are only available on higher-tier plans, so smaller teams may find Zendesk pricey.
• Reporting is split into different tools (like Zendesk Explore), which means more setup and training before teams see value.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Zendesk scales where Kayako stalls. It handles higher ticket volumes, multi-brand setups, and omnichannel workflows with stronger automation and analytics. Its app marketplace and customization depth make it ideal for large operations needing structure and control.

Ideal For

Enterprises and large organizations managing complex, multi-channel customer operations.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Zendesk’s pricing starts at $19/agent per month for basic email and social support. The $55 Suite Team plan adds live chat, voice, help center, bots, and CSAT tracking. 

Suite Professional, at $115, unlocks advanced routing, forums, and deeper analytics. For enterprises, pricing begins at $169 with sandboxing, advanced permissions, and branding controls.

3. Freshdesk

Freshdesk combines a clean interface with flexible workflows and reliable automation. Its AI tool, Freddy, deflects routine tickets through chatbots, knowledge base suggestions, and automated responses. This cuts agent workload and frees them up for complex issues.

It supports email, phone, chat, and social media. That makes it a strong fit for growing teams that want to scale into omnichannel support without adding complexity.

Pros

• Freshdesk includes a shared inbox, ticket collaboration, basic analytics, and a knowledge base. This is more than Kayako offers without paying.
• Paid plans add automation, SLA tracking, and multichannel support. The entry price is still lower than Kayako.
• Freshdesk also connects with other Freshworks apps and hundreds of third-party tools, giving it a broader ecosystem.

Cons

• Lower plans restrict workflow and report tailoring.
• AI and omnichannel tools exist but lack depth, even on higher tiers, compared to advanced platforms.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Freshdesk’s modern UI and flexible pricing make it easier to adopt and scale. It adds AI-driven ticket routing, workflow automation, and omnichannel support without the rigid setup Kayako requires. The free plan also gives small teams a head start.

Ideal For

Startups and SMBs that need an affordable, scalable help desk with AI and self-service features.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Freshdesk has a Free plan for up to 10 agents with basic ticketing features. This already beats Kayako that doesn’t offer a free tier.

The Growth plan (from $15/agent) adds essentials like automation and reporting. The Pro plan (around $52/agent) gives you features like round-robin assignment and custom roles. The Enterprise plan (around $83/agent) unlocks AI support and advanced admin tools like audit logs.

So, Freshdesk is cheaper to start with than Kayako and grows with you as your team needs more automation and AI.

4. Help Scout

Help Scout keeps support simple by focusing on email-style conversations instead of ticket IDs. Every thread shows the full history, tags, and internal notes in one clean view, which makes it easier for agents to stay in context. 

Unlike Kayako, Help Scout now offers a free plan with AI features included, making it easier for small teams to get started. Shared inboxes, live chat, and an integrated knowledge base are built in, so customers can reach you on their channel of choice and find answers on their own.

Pros

• Help Scout’s Beacon widget lets customers find help articles or start a chat without leaving your site.
• The built-in Docs knowledge base makes self-service simple and cuts repetitive tickets.
• Customer profiles show full history, so every interaction feels personal.
• It integrates with Slack, HubSpot, and Salesforce to keep teams aligned.

Cons

• Help Scout doesn’t show “away” or “busy” statuses in chat, which makes real-time coordination harder.
• Ticket customization is limited. Filters and parent-child ticket setups aren’t as flexible as you might expect.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Help Scout focuses on human conversations rather than rigid ticketing. Its clean, email-style interface makes it easier for teams to manage threads contextually. The built-in knowledge base and AI suggestions make it more intuitive for both customers and agents.

Ideal For

Nonprofits and small teams that prioritize personal, relationship-driven support experiences.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Help Scout offers a free plan with features including automation, knowledge base, shared inbox, and even a few AI features. The Standard plan starts at $50/month and covers all the essentials. The Plus plan, at $75, unlocks more integrations, automations, and advanced reporting. 

5. Intercom

Intercom brings together live chat, AI bots, and help desk tools in one platform. It’s built for teams that need to move fast. Its standout feature is Fin, an AI agent that handles customer queries with natural, human-like responses. 

Each support rep can set up how Fin responds, so automation feels more personal. It’s a strong option for handling Tier-1 support while still offering real-time help when needed.

Pros

• Intercom offers Fin bot that resolves repetitive queries, and Fin Copilot helps agents craft better replies.
• You can trigger proactive messages automatically based on user behavior or inactivity.
• Custom bots collect and qualify info before agents step in, saving time.
• Workflows are advanced yet easy to set up, giving teams more control with less effort.

Cons

• Intercom can get expensive, especially as teams grow or when using Fin AI, which is billed per resolution.
• Advanced tools like workflows and messaging automation take time to set up and customize.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Intercom offers features such as  live chat, AI bots, and proactive engagement in one platform which something Kayako never perfected. Its Fin AI Agent handles Tier-1 queries with human-like precision, freeing agents for deeper issues. It also integrates closely with product tools for in-app messaging.

Ideal For

SaaS and tech companies that rely on real-time chat, onboarding, and behavioral messaging.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Intercom pricing begins at $29 per seat/month. This includes core tools like a shared inbox, live chat, ticketing, and a basic help center. Higher tiers add automation, analytics, and enterprise features. AI add-ons, like Fin AI Agent ($0.99 per resolution) and Fin Copilot (35 per user/month), are billed separately.

6. Zoho Desk

If you’re already invested in the Zoho ecosystem of tools, Zoho Desk is a great pick. It integrates directly with Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps, giving agents full context on each customer without switching tabs. 

Its AI assistant, Zia, can analyze sentiment, suggest replies, and even alert managers when SLAs are at risk – features Kayako doesn’t provide. Automation rules go deeper too: teams can build workflows to auto-assign tickets, escalate based on keywords, or trigger custom actions across other Zoho tools.

Pros

• Omnichannel support across email, chat, phone, and social in one place.
• Zia AI assists with ticket tagging, sentiment analysis, and article suggestions.
• Automation for routing, SLAs, and escalations reduces manual work.
• Customizable dashboards and reports help track performance and spot bottlenecks.

Cons

• Zoho Desk’s free plan is limited, with only basic automation and reporting.
• The interface can feel tricky, and setting up workflows isn’t always intuitive for new users.
• Support is available 24/5, which may be a drawback if you need weekend coverage.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Zoho Desk integrates tightly with Zoho CRM, providing instant context on customer data—a major edge over Kayako’s siloed approach. It also includes Zia AI for sentiment analysis, SLA monitoring, and reply suggestions, bringing automation that Kayako lacks.

Ideal For

Businesses already using Zoho products or those seeking a budget-friendly help desk with CRM-level visibility.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Zoho Desk’s pricing is flexible and team-friendly. The Free plan covers up to 3 users. Standard starts at $14/user/month with core features like workflows and SLAs. 

Professional, at $23, adds automation and time tracking. Enterprise, at $40, unlocks AI, advanced customization, and cross-team tools.

7. ProProfs Help Desk

ProProfs is a solid pick if you’re just getting started with customer support. Its free plan makes it easy to test things out with no upfront cost. It combines AI-powered ticketing with a knowledge base, chatbots, and a shared inbox. 

You’ll also get features like automated ticket routing, AI chatbots, visitor tracking, and helpful features like canned responses and conversation summaries. It’s a budget-friendly option for small and mid-sized teams.

Pros

• ProProfs includes AI features, ticket prioritization, auto-assignment, and internal notes, with automation that’s easy to set up.
• It offers detailed reporting to track performance and improve support.
• The interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
• Its lower starting cost makes it a strong value for small to mid-sized teams.

Cons

• ProProfs covers the basics well, but advanced automation and workflow customization can feel limited.
• The interface is easy to use but looks dated and could use a refresh.

What It Offers Over Kayako

ProProfs offers a simpler setup, stronger automation, and a free plan that Kayako doesn’t. It also combines ticketing with live chat, a knowledge base, and AI bots, giving smaller teams more flexibility without the cost or complexity.

Ideal For

Small and mid-sized businesses looking for an easy, budget-friendly way to manage customer requests

Customer Reviews

Pricing

ProProfs offers a free plan for solo users, making it great for individuals just starting out. For teams, the paid plan starts at around $19.99 per user per month, unlocking multi-user access and core help desk features.

While cost-efficient, I find ProProfs to be lacking in features. So, before signing up, try the free plan and see if it works for your team. 

8. HappyFox

HappyFox focuses on workflow automation that cuts down manual triage. Unlike Kayako, where workflows often feel rigid and limited, HappyFox lets you design detailed rules to route, escalate, and close tickets automatically. Its Assist AI helps agents respond faster by drafting replies to repetitive questions.

The platform also covers multiple channels, like email, chat, social, and even phone, under one dashboard, making it easier to track requests without bouncing between tools. Pricing is straightforward, starting lower than Kayako’s plan.

Pros

• HappyFox is quick to set up and requires minimal configuration.
• It offers advanced workflow automation that reduces manual work for high-volume teams.
• The built-in AI assistant helps draft responses to FAQs and boosts agent productivity.
• Its interface is clean, modern, and easy to navigate.

Cons

• Customization can be time-consuming, and tweaking workflows isn’t always intuitive.
• There’s no mobile app for agents, which makes on-the-go responses difficult.

What It Offers Over Kayako

HappyFox delivers automation depth Kayako haven’t achieved. You can design detailed workflows for routing, escalation, and resolution without coding. Its Assist AI also drafts replies for repetitive questions, reducing agent workload.

Ideal For

Mid-size IT and service teams managing structured, high-volume customer workflows.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

HappyFox’s pricing starts at $21/user/month for basic support needs. The $39 Team plan adds SLAs and roles, while the $89 Pro plan unlocks automation and task workflows. Enterprise plans are custom-priced.

9. Front

Front is designed for teams that want collaboration inside their support inbox. Every customer message, whether it comes in through email, chat, SMS, or social, lands in a shared inbox where agents can @mention teammates, share drafts, or leave comments directly on the thread. This cuts down on side Slack messages or back-and-forth emails.

Pros

• Front feels like a shared inbox, so teams can adopt it quickly.
• Collaboration is easy with internal comments, assignments, and tagging.
• Automation and AI features make routing and responses faster.
• It integrates well with CRMs and productivity apps, reducing context switching.

Cons

• Pricing can get expensive as your team grows.
• Built-in reporting is limited and lacks deep customization.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Front strengthens collaboration with a more modern, shared-inbox experience. Agents can @mention teammates, share drafts, and comment directly within conversations.  This makes  team communication smoother and more visible

Ideal For

Sales and support teams that thrive on collaboration and shared inbox management.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Front’s pricing starts at $25/user/month for basic workflows. The $65 Pro plan adds automation. For large teams, the $105 Premier plan includes enterprise-grade features.

My views on this align with the customer review I referred to. While scalability is an advantage, integration is something you might want to consider.  

10. LiveAgent

LiveAgent is a multichannel help desk that combines email ticketing, live chat, social media, and even a built-in call center in one platform. Compared to Kayako, which focuses more narrowly on email and chat, LiveAgent offers 200+ integrations and 175+ features, giving teams wider flexibility.

Pros

• LiveAgent offers fast onboarding and responsive customer support.
• Its live chat includes typing previews, canned responses, and real-time features that speed up conversations.
• The ticketing system is powerful, with features like universal inbox, hybrid ticket streams, and automated workflows.
• The platform also includes call center capabilities, making it a true multichannel solution.

Cons

• The interface feels dated, and the number of features can be overwhelming.
• Social channels like Facebook and WhatsApp often require paid add-ons.

What It Offers Over Kayako

LiveAgent unifies ticketing, chat, call center, and social support into one hub which is something Kayako can’t do natively. It includes real-time chat tools, 200+ integrations, and faster onboarding, helping teams serve customers across every channel without friction.

Ideal For

E-commerce and retail businesses managing multichannel, real-time customer support.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

LiveAgent has a free plan with basic ticketing and 7-day history. Paid plans start at $15/month with chat and knowledge base, go up to $49/month for social integration and gamification. The plans top out at $69/month with priority support and a dedicated manager on enterprise level.

11. Tidio

Tidio is a great option if you’re looking for a chat-first support tool that’s quick to set up and easy on the budget. It combines live chat with AI-powered chatbots, helping you engage customers instantly and automate responses to common questions. Whether you’re running a small team or scaling up, Tidio makes it simple to stay responsive without overwhelming your agents.

Pros

• Tidio’s AI chatbots handle repetitive queries instantly, reducing manual work for support teams.
• Pricing is affordable and transparent, making it ideal for small teams that need strong features.
• It integrates seamlessly into websites, enabling real-time customer engagement.
• Tidio also includes proactive messaging tools that help businesses convert more visitors into customers.

Cons

• Tidio is chat-focused and lacks full ticketing features, so it may fall short for teams that rely on email support.
• Its AI responses can feel generic, and training is needed to match your brand’s tone and customer expectations.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Tidio simplifies chat automation with AI-powered bots that engage and qualify customers instantly. Its proactive messaging and real-time tracking make it better suited for conversions and lead capture than Kayako’s limited chat options.

Ideal For

Small businesses and online stores that rely on live chat and automation to drive engagement and sales.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Tidio’s Free plan includes live chat, ticketing, and 50 AI conversations; ideal for small teams. The $24.17 Starter plan adds basic analytics and custom hours. 

Growth, at $49.17, unlocks advanced analytics, higher limits, and removes branding. There’s also a Plus plan for additional integrations at $749..

I believe that Tidio is among the best Kayako alternatives as it gets your team up and going quickly. While some features may be lacking, you can test it out with the free plan.

12. Supportbench

Supportbench is built for B2B teams that want smart, no-fuss support. You get AI that actually helps—think ticket summaries, CSAT predictions, and smart suggestions baked right in. The SLAs are flexible, the dashboards are customizable, and the whole thing is super easy to set up. 

It also provides a branded self-service portal where customers can access resources and manage interactions. They can find answers on their own, creating a convenient, on-demand support experience.

Pros

• Supportbench includes built-in AI for sentiment analysis, auto-summaries, and CSAT prediction.
• It allows flexible SLAs and reporting with rules, triggers, and customizable dashboards.
• It’s designed for B2B support, letting you manage accounts, track multiple contacts, and connect with your CRM.
• It also offers customer success workflows, helping teams move beyond reactive support.

Cons

• Supportbench has a steep learning curve. The feature set is rich, but the interface feels overwhelming until teams get used to it.
• Its integrations are limited. While it covers the basics, it doesn’t connect with as many third-party tools.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Supportbench focuses on B2B success, offering flexible SLAs, account-level ticketing, and AI for summaries, sentiment, and CSAT prediction which are features Kayako doesn’t provide. It also blends reactive support with proactive customer success workflows.

Ideal For

B2B SaaS and enterprise teams that manage complex accounts and long-term customer relationships.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

The Professional plan is $40/user/month with full access to AI, ticketing, chat, CSAT, and KPIs. The Enterprise plan at $125/user/month adds advanced customization and premium support. 

13. TeamSupport

TeamSupport is built for B2B customer support, where accounts often involve multiple stakeholders and long-term contracts. It unifies multi-channel ticketing, customer management, collaboration tools, and reporting in one platform. 

You also get a self-service portal, automation for repetitive tasks, and CRM integrations. Its clean interface keeps agents aligned and makes handling complex accounts easier.

Pros

• TeamSupport offers precise SLA management with flexible triggers and follow-ups.
• It integrates seamlessly with Salesforce, Jira, HubSpot, Slack, and more.
• Users rate it highly for support quality, ease of setup, and overall satisfaction.
• It’s designed for B2B support, with account-based ticketing and multi-contact management.

Cons

• TeamSupport has a steep learning curve, and new users may take time to get comfortable.
• Customization is limited, so tailoring workflows or reports can be challenging.

What It Offers Over Kayako

TeamSupport provides true account-based support with shared customer profiles and multi-contact tracking, where Kayako remains ticket-focused. It also offers advanced SLA management and collaboration tools to keep large teams aligned.

Ideal For

B2B enterprises that handle multi-stakeholder accounts and prioritize SLA-driven support.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

TeamSupport pricing starts at $45/user/month for core ticketing (reporting, customer pages, product pages, agent ratings, and core integrations) and AI. The $65 Professional plan adds customer portals, AI routing, and playbooks. At $85, the Scale plan unlocks advanced automation, custom fields, and reporting for larger B2B teams.

It’s a strong Kayako alternative with a learning curve, but once set up, it’s a reliable tool.

14. Crisp

Crisp is built for teams that want a modern, chat-first support platform. Its chatbots can qualify leads, route queries, or handle FAQs automatically.  Crisp also offers a unified inbox where email, live chat, Messenger, WhatsApp, and other channels are centralized. 

Crisp also includes a built-in knowledge base and lets teams trigger proactive chat messages on websites.

Pros

• Crisp unifies email, chat, Messenger, and WhatsApp into one clean inbox.
• Its chatbot is simple to set up and handles common questions automatically.
• The modern interface is fast, intuitive, and easy for small teams to adopt.
• It also includes co-browsing and video chat, helping agents resolve issues in real time.

Cons

• Crisp’s reporting tools are basic and may not meet advanced analytics needs.
• It works best for startups and small teams, but scaling is difficult because workflow automation and role-based permissions are limited.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Crisp combines modern messaging with automation and co-browsing tools that create a more interactive experience than Kayako’s static interface. Its unified inbox merges email, chat, and WhatsApp into one clean workspace.

Ideal For

Startups and digital-first businesses that value live chat, automation, and a sleek, unified interface.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Crisp uses flat-rate pricing per workspace, so costs don’t rise with every new agent or chat. The Free plan covers two agents with basic live chat. 

Paid plans start at $45/month for 4 agents and go up to $295/month. Higher tiers add advanced automation, omnichannel messaging, and white-labeling.

15. Vtiger

Vtiger brings your sales, support, and marketing into one clean dashboard, so your team’s not bouncing between apps all day. Vtiger includes a shared inbox, ticketing, a knowledge base, and AI-powered suggestions to speed up resolutions. 

With everything in one place, teams stay organized and keep customer conversations moving smoothly.

Pros

• Vtiger gives agents a complete view of each customer, from support history to deal status, enabling more personalized service.
• AI features handle ticket classification, suggest responses, and surface insights to speed up workflows.
• Custom dashboards and automation make it adaptable for teams as they scale.
• It also integrates tightly with sales and marketing modules, keeping customer data consistent across departments.

Cons

• Vtiger has a longer setup process, and new users may find onboarding overwhelming because of its many features.
• The interface can feel clunky at times, with navigation and customization needing more polish.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Vtiger bridges the gap between CRM and support by bringing sales, marketing, and customer service together. Unlike Kayako, it gives agents full visibility into each customer’s journey, making service more informed and personalized.

Ideal For

Small and mid-sized businesses seeking an all-in-one CRM and help desk suite.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Vtiger’s Free plan covers up to 10 users with essentials like ticketing, automation, and a knowledge base. The Starter plan at $10/user/month adds a customer portal and call logging. For more power, the Professional plan at $20/user/month includes custom modules, Twitter support, and advanced insights.

16. Desk365

Desk365 is great if you want an AI-powered help desk that doesn’t need a long setup. It pulls in emails, chats, and web form queries into one shared inbox so your team stays on the same page. 

You get built-in automation for ticket routing, response suggestions, and even summaries, saving tons of time. Clean UI, smart features, and affordable plans make it a solid alternative to Kayako.

Pros

• Desk365 is quick to set up and easy to use right out of the box.
• Its support team is highly responsive and earns strong reviews from users.
• It offers robust automation, SLAs, and workflows at a lower cost.
• It also integrates tightly with Microsoft Teams, making it ideal for Microsoft-centric businesses.

Cons

• The interface feels dated, and the dashboard and customer portal aren’t very intuitive.
• Reporting is limited, with only basic metrics and little depth for advanced insights.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Desk365 integrates natively with Microsoft Teams, something Kayako lacks entirely. Its AI ticket suggestions and workflow automation simplify support for Microsoft-driven environments without the learning curve.

Ideal For

Businesses using Microsoft 365 that want a lightweight, affordable help desk with built-in automation.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Desk365’s Standard plan starts at $12/user/month (billed annually) with core features like ticketing, Microsoft Teams integration, AI drafting, and a knowledge base. The Plus plan, at $20/user/month, adds advanced automations, time tracking, and AI-generated help articles.

I find Desk365 to be among the top Kayako alternatives as it offers various features. It’s easier on the pocket, and your team will be ready to operate quickly. 

17. Enchant

Enchant is a lightweight help desk built to simplify multichannel support by bringing email, chat, SMS, and social into a single shared inbox. Its email-like design makes adoption effortless.

It includes automation, AI-powered reply suggestions, a built-in knowledge base, and clear reporting to streamline daily operations. For teams that want modern support tools without the heavy setup of enterprise platforms, Enchant strikes the right balance.

Pros

• Enchant supports multi-brand management, so teams can handle multiple businesses or product lines from one account.
• It includes advanced tagging and workflow rules that make ticket organization simple.
• The pricing is straightforward, with no hidden add-ons or confusing tiers.
• Customer support earns consistently high marks for responsiveness and clarity.

Cons

• Enchant lacks advanced features like deep reporting, custom roles, and complex workflow automation.
• It offers fewer third-party integrations, which may limit flexibility for larger teams.

What It Offers Over Kayako

Enchant offers simplicity where Kayako adds clutter. It brings multi-channel support into an email-like interface with clear automation, making it easy for agents to adapt quickly. It’s built for speed, not complexity.

Ideal For

Digital-first teams that want straightforward, clutter-free support without the overhead of enterprise software.

Customer Reviews

Pricing

Enchant offers a straightforward pricing model—just one simple plan at $20 per user per month. You can also opt for add-ons for features like advanced security and removing the Enchant branding as per your requirements.

How to Choose the Right Kayako Alternative for Your Business

Switching your help desk brings many questions, from pricing to features. The goal is to find the right tool that supports your team, not the other way around. Here’s a quick checklist to guide your decision-making:

• Feature Fit: Start with the basics: does it cover what your team actually uses, like email, chat, social, and knowledge base. Look for time-savers like automation, AI replies, and workflows, too.

• Easy to Use: If your team needs a training course to get started, skip it. The right tool should feel familiar, with a clean UI and setup that doesn’t eat up a week.

• Integrations that Matter: Your help desk should play nice with your current tools — Slack, CRM, Google Workspace, whatever’s in your stack. Fewer tabs, fewer headaches.

• Scalable and Transparent: Pick a platform with clear pricing and flexible plans that won’t balloon as you grow. Make sure it can handle more agents, channels, and workflows as your team scales.

• Solid Vendor Support: You’re buying a support tool, so their own support better be good. Fast response times, helpful onboarding, and real humans matter more than you think.

• Smart Reporting: You can’t improve what you can’t see. Real-time dashboards, custom reports, and performance insights should come built-in, not buried behind a paywall.

Elevate Your Customer Experience with the Best Kayako Alternatives

If Kayako is slowing your team down, it’s time to switch. Modern tools like Hiver offer AI, automation, and an inbox-native design that help agents work faster and deliver better support.

Focus on what matters: does the platform cut response times, scale with your team, and give clear insights into performance? The right choice will reduce friction for agents and create a smoother customer experience.You’ve seen the best alternatives. Try a few, find the one that fits, and give your team the support platform they deserve. Here’s Hiver’s free trial for you to begin with.

Frequently Asked Questions