Help Scout vs Kayako
Updated 2026 — Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and scores.
Help Scout
7.8/10
Great
Ease of Use9
Value for Money8.5
Support9
Features7
Scalability7
Integrations6.5
Kayako
6.6/10
Good
Ease of Use7
Value for Money6.5
Support7
Features7
Scalability6.5
Integrations5.5
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Help Scout | Kayako |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket Management | ✓ Email-based conversation management | ✓ Conversation-based ticketing |
| Live Chat | ✓ Beacon live chat widget | ✓ Built-in live chat on all plans |
| Knowledge Base | ✓ Docs knowledge base on all plans | ✓ Help center with article search |
| Automation Rules | ✓ Workflows for auto-assignment and tagging | ✓ Professional plan and above |
| Multichannel Support | ~ Email, chat, and Beacon; no native phone or social | ✓ Email, chat, social, and help center |
| Reporting & Analytics | ✓ Standard and custom reports | ✓ Performance dashboards |
| SLA Management | ~ Basic SLA via workflows, no dedicated SLA module | ✓ Professional plan and above |
| Customer Portal | ✓ Docs + Beacon self-service | ✓ Self-service help center |
| AI Features | ✓ AI drafts and AI answers on Standard+ | ~ Basic suggested responses |
| Mobile App | ✓ iOS & Android | ✓ iOS & Android |
| API Access | ✓ REST API | ✓ REST API |
| Third-Party Integrations | ✓ 100+ integrations | ~ 70+ integrations including Salesforce and Slack |
| Free Plan Available | ✓ Free plan with 50 contacts/month | ✗ 14-day free trial only |
| CSAT Surveys | ✓ Happiness ratings on all plans | ✓ Professional plan and above |
| Shared Inbox | ✓ Core feature — collaborative shared mailbox | ✓ Unified conversations with SingleView |
✓ Full support~ Limited✗ Not available
Pricing Comparison
Help Scout Pricing
FreeFree
FreeFree
StandardPopular$25/mo
$20/mo billed annually
StandardPopular$25/mo
$20/mo billed annually
Plus$50/mo
$40/mo billed annually
Plus$50/mo
$40/mo billed annually
Kayako Pricing
EnterpriseCustom
EnterpriseCustom
Essential$39/mo
$33/mo billed annually
Essential$39/mo
$33/mo billed annually
ProfessionalPopular$99/mo
$79/mo billed annually
ProfessionalPopular$99/mo
$79/mo billed annually
FAQ
Is Help Scout or Kayako better?
It depends on your needs. Help Scout scores 7.8/10 overall while Kayako scores 6.6/10. Compare the detailed feature matrix above to find the best fit.