kitio.aiFreshdesk vs Kayako
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Freshdesk starts at $19/mo and Kayako starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Omnichannel ticketing
- Freddy AI Agent
- Freddy Copilot
- Knowledge base
- SLA management
- AI agent for ticket resolution
- Shared inbox and ticketing
- Knowledge base
- Live chat widget
- Automation rules
- Reporting and analytics
| Feature | Freshdesk | Kayako |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Help desk software with Freddy AI agents and agent copilot | Help desk with an AI agent that resolves tickets for you |
| Category | Customer support | Customer support |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Paid |
| Starting price | $19/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | No, trial available | No |
| Made by | Freshworks | Kayako |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Both offer: Knowledge base.
Pricing compared
Freshdesk starts at $19/mo and Kayako starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Growth
$19/mo
- Per agent, billed annually
- Freddy AI Agent (500 sessions included)
- Ticketing and shared inbox
- Customer portal and knowledge base
Pro
$55/mo
- Per agent, billed annually
- Multilingual helpdesk
- Custom dashboards and intelligent routing
- Multiple SLA policies
Enterprise
$89/mo
- Per agent, billed annually
- Freddy AI Insights
- Skill-based routing and sandbox
- Audit logs and IP whitelisting
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Freshdesk
- Lower entry price than many rivals
- Easy to set up
- Broad marketplace of apps
- AI features are paid add-ons
- Reporting is basic on lower tiers
- Interface can feel cluttered
Kayako
- Pay per resolution instead of per seat for the AI
- Onboarding handled by the vendor
- Kay can run on top of an existing help desk
- No self-serve plans or prices listed
- Resolution counts decide the AI bill
- Few integrations named on the homepage
Which one should you choose?
Choose Freshdesk if you want:
- Lower entry price than many rivals
- Easy to set up
- Broad marketplace of apps
Watch out: ai features are paid add-ons.
Choose Kayako if you want:
- Pay per resolution instead of per seat for the AI
- Onboarding handled by the vendor
- Kay can run on top of an existing help desk
Watch out: no self-serve plans or prices listed.
Freshdesk vs Kayako FAQ
What is the difference between Freshdesk and Kayako?
Freshdesk: Help desk software with Freddy AI agents and agent copilot. Kayako: Help desk with an AI agent that resolves tickets for you. Both are customer support tools.
Is Freshdesk or Kayako cheaper?
Freshdesk starts at $19/mo and Kayako starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Freshdesk and Kayako have free plans?
Freshdesk: No, trial available. Kayako: No.
Who makes Freshdesk?
Freshdesk is made by Freshworks, based in United States.
Who makes Kayako?
Kayako is made by Kayako.
Which should I choose, Freshdesk or Kayako?
Choose Freshdesk if you value lower entry price than many rivals and easy to set up. Choose Kayako if you value pay per resolution instead of per seat for the ai and onboarding handled by the vendor.