Zendesk for Startups vs LiveAgent
Choose Zendesk for Startups if your company qualifies for its extended free access to Suite Professional; choose LiveAgent if you want published per-agent prices without applying to a startup program. Both offer ticketing and live chat, but the deciding differences are eligibility, what happens after the free period, and which plan includes the channels you need.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Zendesk for Startups | LiveAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Free access | Six months for approved startups; up to two years for eligible partners | 30-day trial; no credit card required |
| Eligibility | New subscribers; startup age, funding and employee criteria apply | No startup eligibility requirement for listed plans |
| Paid pricing | Suite Professional: $115 per agent/month, billed annually | Small business: $15 per agent/month, billed annually |
| Other listed plans | Support Team $19; Suite Team $55 per agent/month, billed annually | Medium $29; Large $49; Enterprise $69 per agent/month, billed annually |
| Voice availability | Not included in startup trial unless coverage is confirmed | Call center and IVR from Medium business |
| Social channels | Social and business messaging in Zendesk Suite | Facebook, Instagram, X and WhatsApp on Large business |
| Integrations | Zendesk Marketplace apps and integrations | Integrations and API on paid plans |
| Platforms | Web; iOS and Android agent app | Web; iOS and Android agent apps |
| Deployment | Cloud service | Cloud service; self-hosted licenses no longer offered |
| Published limits | Up to 50 agents in the startup program | Unlimited ticket history on paid plans |
| Vendor assistance | Startup program account executive and onboarding resources | Dedicated account manager and priority support on Enterprise |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Zendesk for Startups if
- Qualifying startups seeking at least six months of free Suite Professional access
- Teams planning around Zendesk’s Marketplace apps and integrations
- Startups that want the included Professional-tier routing and reporting tools
Choose LiveAgent if
- Teams that want published per-agent prices without startup-program approval
- Small teams needing paid ticketing and live chat from $15 per agent per month, billed annually
- Teams that want a 30-day trial without a credit card
- Buyers who need call center and IVR features on a published-price plan
The verdict
Zendesk for Startups fits a qualifying new Zendesk customer that wants Suite Professional and can make use of at least six months of free access. LiveAgent fits a team that wants to start with a lower-priced paid plan or does not meet Zendesk’s startup criteria. Compare the plans at the channel level: LiveAgent adds its call center on Medium business, while Zendesk says voice is not included in its startup trial unless program coverage is confirmed.
Zendesk for Startups vs LiveAgent: common questions
- Is this comparison worth publishing?
- Yes. Zendesk for Startups is an active program accepting applications, and LiveAgent sells help desk subscriptions. Both serve teams choosing customer support software.
- Who qualifies for Zendesk for Startups?
- Zendesk for Startups requires a new Zendesk subscriber at a company under 10 years old with no more than Series B funding. Zendesk lists an employee limit below 250 and requires a partner referral for companies with 50 to 249 employees. Approval determines the offer.
- Does every startup get two years of free Zendesk?
- No. Zendesk says the baseline Zendesk for Startups offer is six months. One- or two-year offers depend on qualifying investor or accelerator partnerships and the approved program terms.
- What happens when Zendesk for Startups free access ends?
- Zendesk says no credit card is required upfront for its startup offer. To keep using the account when the trial ends, the startup must choose a paid plan.
- How much do the paid plans cost?
- Zendesk lists Suite Professional at $115 per agent per month billed annually; its Support Team plan starts at $19 on the same basis. LiveAgent lists Small business at $15, Medium at $29, Large at $49 and Enterprise at $69 per agent per month billed annually.
- Can I use phone support during the free period?
- LiveAgent says its 30-day trial includes calls, with call center and IVR available from Medium business after the trial. Zendesk says voice is not included in its startup trial unless the program contact confirms coverage.
- Can either product be self-hosted?
- LiveAgent says it no longer offers standalone self-hosted licenses and is exclusively cloud-based. Zendesk for Startups provides access to Zendesk’s cloud service, not a self-hosted license.
- Does LiveAgent still offer the Free, Ticket and All-inclusive plans?
- LiveAgent’s current pricing page lists Small business, Medium business, Large business and Enterprise paid plans, rather than the older Ticket and All-inclusive names. It also publishes a separate limited Free plan.