Freshdesk vs LiveAgent: Helpdesk Comparison (2026)

Freshdesk and LiveAgent both offer free tiers for their helpdesk platforms. Freshdesk focuses on AI-enabled IT service management with features like AI-driven insights and automated ticket routing. LiveAgent provides a broader range of customer service tools including live chat, a knowledgebase, and a customer portal, with a starting price of $15/agent/month.

AI Citation Scorecard

How often each is cited by major AI engines when buyers ask helpdesk questions. Last 90 days across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot.

Freshdesk leads overall33% cited vs LiveAgent 0% across 84 probes.
ChatGPT
FreshdeskLeads
6 / 9 probes
67%
Excellent
LiveAgent
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
Perplexity
FreshdeskLeads
1 / 9 probes
11%
Below average
LiveAgent
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
Gemini
FreshdeskLeads
1 / 9 probes
11%
Below average
LiveAgent
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
Claude
FreshdeskLeads
5 / 9 probes
56%
Excellent
LiveAgent
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
Copilot
FreshdeskLeads
1 / 6 probes
17%
Average
LiveAgent
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Scale:NoneLowFairStrongExcellent

Probes run hourly; each (engine × query) combo retests every ~3 days.

Pricing

Freshdesk
Starting price
Free tier
Yes
freshworks.com
LiveAgent
Starting price
$15/agent/month
Free tier
Yes
liveagent.com

Key Features

Freshdesk
  • AI-enabled IT service management
  • Fast and scalable setup
  • 24/7 support with AI agents
  • Automated ticket routing
  • Incident management workflows
  • Comprehensive IT asset visibility
  • Employee service management
  • AI-driven insights for continuous improvement
LiveAgent
  • Ticketing
  • Live chat
  • Knowledgebase
  • Customer Portal
  • Contact forms
  • Automation rules
  • Integrations
  • Multiple language support

When to choose Freshdesk

You require a helpdesk solution with strong AI capabilities for IT service management, including AI-driven insights and automated ticket routing. Freshdesk also offers comprehensive IT asset visibility and employee service management.

When to choose LiveAgent

You need a helpdesk platform that combines ticketing with live chat, a knowledgebase, and a customer portal. LiveAgent offers a clear starting price of $15/agent/month and has automation rules and multiple language support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Freshdesk offer a free tier?
Yes, Freshdesk offers a free tier.
Does LiveAgent offer a free tier?
Yes, LiveAgent offers a free tier.
What is the starting price for LiveAgent?
LiveAgent starts at $15/agent/month.
What are the key features of Freshdesk?
Freshdesk's key features include AI-enabled IT service management, fast and scalable setup, 24/7 support with AI agents, automated ticket routing, incident management workflows, comprehensive IT asset visibility, employee service management, and AI-driven insights for continuous improvement.
What are the key features of LiveAgent?
LiveAgent's key features include ticketing, live chat, knowledgebase, customer portal, contact forms, automation rules, integrations, and multiple language support.

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