Intercom vs LiveAgent: Helpdesk Comparison (2026)

Intercom and LiveAgent are both helpdesk platforms offering a free tier. Intercom starts at $19/user/month, while LiveAgent starts at $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.

Intercom leads overall38% cited vs LiveAgent 0% across 84 probes.
ChatGPT
IntercomLeads
8 / 9 probes
89%
Excellent
LiveAgent
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
Perplexity
Intercom
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
LiveAgent
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
Gemini
Intercom
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
LiveAgent
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
Claude
IntercomLeads
8 / 9 probes
89%
Excellent
LiveAgent
0 / 9 probes
0%
Invisible
Copilot
Intercom
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
LiveAgent
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Scale:NoneLowFairStrongExcellent

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

Pricing

Intercom
Starting price
$19/user/month
Free tier
Yes
intercom.com
LiveAgent
Starting price
$15/agent/month
Free tier
Yes
liveagent.com

Key Features

Intercom
  • Fin Customer Agent
  • Shared inbox and ticketing system
  • Public help center
  • Workflows automation builder
  • SSO & identity management
  • HIPAA support
  • Collaboration features
  • Proactive support tools
LiveAgent
  • Ticketing
  • Live chat
  • Knowledgebase
  • Customer Portal
  • Contact forms
  • Automation rules
  • Integrations
  • Multiple language support

When to choose Intercom

Intercom is suitable for businesses that require advanced automation capabilities, proactive support tools, and integrations with platforms like Salesforce. It also offers flexible seat pricing and HIPAA support.

When to choose LiveAgent

LiveAgent is a good option for businesses looking for a helpdesk solution with live chat, a customer portal, and multiple language support at a competitive starting price. It provides a wide range of features across its plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in features between Intercom and LiveAgent?
Intercom offers specific features such as Fin Customer Agent, SSO & identity management, HIPAA support, and collaboration features. LiveAgent, on the other hand, provides live chat, a customer portal, and multiple language support as key features.
Do both Intercom and LiveAgent offer free trials?
Yes, both Intercom and LiveAgent offer free trials. Intercom offers a free trial, and LiveAgent provides a 30-day free trial.
What are the pricing models for Intercom and LiveAgent?
Intercom starts at $19/user/month and has a complex pricing model where prices can increase with usage and add-ons can be costly. LiveAgent starts at $15/agent/month; however, monthly pricing for all plans is not listed, and some features are only available on higher plans.
What integrations do these platforms offer?
Intercom integrates with Salesforce. LiveAgent does not explicitly mention specific integrations, though it lists 'Integrations' as a general feature.

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