AI Helpdesk Software
LiveAgent
Customer support helpdesk for SMB teams
- SF Score
- 8.1/10
- Pricing
- From $15/mo
Compare tools
2 of 4 tools selected
AI Helpdesk Software
Zoho Desk
Customer support platform with Zia AI
- SF Score
- 8.4/10
- Pricing
- Free · Paid
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Compare features, strengths, trade-offs, and best-fit use cases.
Comparing
Where each one leads
Read straight from the published figures below — not a ranking, and not a recommendation.
Lowest starting price
Zoho DeskFree to start
2 of 2 have a published entry price
Highest SF Score
Zoho Desk8.4/10
2 of 2 are scored
Only one with a free plan
Zoho DeskFree plan
free-plan status established for all 2
At a glance
The short version
The facts each tool publishes, lined up so you can scan down a column. Anything the catalog does not establish is marked as such rather than counted against the tool.
LiveAgent
- SF Score
- 8.1 / 10
- Starts at
- $15/mo
- Free plan
- Not offered
- Category
- AI Customer Support Software › AI Helpdesk Software
Zoho Desk
- SF Score
- 8.4 / 10
- Starts at
- $14/mo
- Free plan
- Available
- Category
- AI Customer Support Software › AI Helpdesk Software
Key differences
Where these tools actually diverge
The decision dimensions that separate this set, with each tool's own position stated plainly. No winner is declared — fit depends on your workflow.
Positioned for
LiveAgent
AI Helpdesk Software
Zoho Desk
AI Helpdesk Software
Pricing model
LiveAgent
From $15/mo
Zoho Desk
Free · Paid
SoftFinders Score
LiveAgent
8.1 / 10
Zoho Desk
8.4 / 10
Feature comparison
Capability matrix
Grouped by area. Every state carries a word as well as a colour, and anything the catalog has not established stays neutral rather than counting as a missing feature.
4 rows differ 2 identical
| Capability | | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| SF Score | 8.1 / 10Value | 8.4 / 10Value |
| Pricing model | PaidValue | FreemiumValue |
| Starts at | $15/moValue | $14/moValue |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Category | AI Customer Support Software › AI Helpdesk SoftwareValue | AI Customer Support Software › AI Helpdesk SoftwareValue |
| Core features | ||
| Ticketing SystemOmnichannel ticketing across the support program today | Yes | Yes |
Scroll the matrix sideways to see every column.
Listed by one tool only
10 capabilities are published by a single tool in this set. That does not mean the others lack them — only that the catalog has not established an answer either way.
- Live ChatLive chat messenger across the website support
- Voice ChannelVoice channel across the omnichannel support program
- Help CenterHelp center across self service customer portals
- Affordable PlansAffordable plans across SMB support teams
- AI FeaturesAI features across the agent productivity workflow
- Self ServiceSelf service portal across customer support workflows
- Free TierFree starting plan across new support teams
- Zia AIZia AI across the agent productivity workflow
- Workflow AutomationAutomation across the customer support ticket workflow
- Zoho IntegrationZoho ecosystem integration across the broader product
Use cases
What each tool is built for
The workflows each tool publishes for itself. Cards appear only for tools that list use cases.
LiveAgent
- Run omnichannel customer support program
- Run live chat customer messaging
- Run voice channel customer support
- Use AI features across agents
- Build help center self service
+1 more on the LiveAgent profile
Zoho Desk
- Run omnichannel customer support program
- Use Zia AI across agents
- Build self service customer portal
- Use Zoho ecosystem support integration
- Start free with Zoho Desk
+1 more on the Zoho Desk profile
Pros & cons
Strengths and compromises
Each tool's published strengths and the compromises that come with them, as supplied — not scored or ranked against each other. Longer lists fold; nothing is left out.
LiveAgent
Pros
- Affordable platform with broad channel coverage today
- Built in voice and live chat across the platform
- Good value for SMB customer support teams today
Cons
- Smaller marketplace ecosystem relative to Zendesk competitor today
- AI features are layered, not deeply AI native
- Best fit for SMB rather than enterprise teams
Zoho Desk
Pros
- Affordable platform with free starting tier today
- Tight Zoho ecosystem integration across the broader product
- Zia AI features add value across the platform
Cons
- AI features are layered, not deeply AI native
- Best fit for teams already using Zoho ecosystem
- Smaller user base relative to Zendesk and Freshdesk
Pricing
What each one costs
Published pricing signals only. Where a tool has not established a price, that is what it says — never a zero and never "free".
LiveAgent
- Model
- Paid
Paid plans start at $15 per agent per month annual
See full pricingZoho Desk
- Model
- Freemium
Free plan available; paid plans start at $14 per user per month annual
See full pricingNext step
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