Help Scout vs LiveChat2026
Help Scout
Customer Support
Simple, human customer support software for growing businesses — shared inbox, live chat, and knowledge base.
LiveChat
Customer Support
Live chat software for sales and customer support with AI bots, ticketing, and 200+ integrations.
Our Verdict
LiveChat is the more affordable option.
Choose Help Scout if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Choose LiveChat if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Help Scout | LiveChat |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $22/mo | $20/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 15 days | 14 days |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Tracked features | 6 | 7 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2011 | 2002 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Help Scout
SubscriptionLiveChat
SubscriptionHelp Scout
$22/moLiveChat
$20/moHelp Scout
LiveChat
Help Scout
15 daysLiveChat
14 daysRatings & Reviews
Help Scout
No reviews yetLiveChat
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Help Scout
small to mid-sized businessesLiveChat
small to mid-sized businessesHelp Scout
6LiveChat
7Company
Help Scout
2011LiveChat
2002Help Scout
LiveChat
Key Differences
Help Scout
$22/mo
LiveChat
✓$20/mo
Help Scout is best for…
Strengths
- Feels human — not like a ticket system
- Shared inbox easy to adopt
- Live chat and knowledge base included
- Good for relationship-driven support
LiveChat is best for…
Strengths
- Best-in-class live chat widget
- Real-time visitor monitoring
- 200+ integrations
- AI chatbot available as add-on
Pricing Comparison
Help Scout
From $22/mo
Standard plan from $22/user/month billed annually.
LiveChat
From $20/mo
Starter plan from $20/agent/month billed annually.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in Help Scout
- Shared Inbox
- Knowledge Base
- Workflow Automation
Both tools
- Live Chat
- API Access
- CSAT Surveys
Only in LiveChat
- Chatbot / AI Agent
- Ticketing System
- Omnichannel Support
- Zapier Integration
Alternatives & More Comparisons
Alternatives to Help Scout
Alternatives to LiveChat
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Help Scout and LiveChat?
- LiveChat is the more affordable option. Choose Help Scout if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage. Choose LiveChat if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage.
- Is Help Scout cheaper than LiveChat?
- LiveChat is cheaper at From $20/mo vs From $22/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from Help Scout to LiveChat?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Help Scout to LiveChat with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. LiveChat offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling Help Scout.
- Does Help Scout or LiveChat offer a free trial?
- Both Help Scout (15 days) and LiveChat (14 days) offer free trials. Try both before committing.
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