HubSpot Live Chat vs Zendesk Messaging

HubSpot Live Chat9.0Visit Zendesk Messaging8.8Visit

Higher score HubSpot Live Chat #4 in WordPress Live Chat Plugins 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit HubSpot

vs

Zendesk Messaging #6 in WordPress Live Chat Plugins 8.8/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Zendesk

• HubSpot Live Chat fits best

  Teams already using HubSpot CRM

• Zendesk Messaging fits best

  Larger teams needing messaging and service workflows

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	HubSpot Live Chat 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Zendesk Messaging 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.8
Ranking	#4 in WordPress Live Chat Plugins	#6 in WordPress Live Chat Plugins
Best for	Teams already using HubSpot CRM	Larger teams needing messaging and service workflows
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$55/user/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features HubSpot Live Chat 0/5 · Zendesk Messaging 0/5
Chatbot support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mobile apps	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Visitor tracking	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Proactive chat	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Chat routing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Messaging channels	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Stores chat history in the HubSpot CRM inbox Routes inquiries and supports team availability hours Agents can reply through the mobile app or Slack	Handles real-time and asynchronous conversations across web, mobile, and social Unifies agent conversations with routing, AI agents, analytics, and reporting APIs and mobile SDKs support custom messaging experiences
Cons	Free chat includes HubSpot branding Bots are limited on both listed plans Verified integrations center on HubSpot CRM, Messenger, and Slack	No free plan; Suite Team starts at $55 per agent monthly with annual billing Messaging is part of Zendesk Suite, not a separately priced standalone plan Suite pricing is substantial for teams seeking a narrowly focused chat plugin
Our verdict	HubSpot Live Chat connects website visitors with sales and support teams through a customizable chat widget. Teams can set welcome messages, route inquiries to people or teams, and define availability and operating hours. Its chatbot… Read the review →	Zendesk Messaging brings real-time and asynchronous customer conversations into Zendesk Agent Workspace, alongside customer context and other support channels. It is aimed at service teams that want website, mobile, and social messaging… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• HubSpot Live Chat — where it wins

  • Stores chat history in the HubSpot CRM inbox
  • Routes inquiries and supports team availability hours
  • Agents can reply through the mobile app or Slack

  Where it doesn't

  • Free chat includes HubSpot branding
  • Bots are limited on both listed plans
  • Verified integrations center on HubSpot CRM, Messenger, and Slack

• Zendesk Messaging — where it wins

  • Handles real-time and asynchronous conversations across web, mobile, and social
  • Unifies agent conversations with routing, AI agents, analytics, and reporting
  • APIs and mobile SDKs support custom messaging experiences

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; Suite Team starts at $55 per agent monthly with annual billing
  • Messaging is part of Zendesk Suite, not a separately priced standalone plan
  • Suite pricing is substantial for teams seeking a narrowly focused chat plugin

• HubSpot Live Chat9.0/10 · Free plan

  A practical live chat option for teams that already work in HubSpot CRM.

  Visit HubSpotFull verdict →
• Zendesk Messaging8.8/10 · 14-day trial

  A service-workflow suite with messaging, routing, and AI, priced for larger teams.

  Visit ZendeskFull verdict →