Chatwoot vs Olark
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Chatwoot and Olark are credible live chat tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Chatwoot if you want a lower starting price (free – $19/agent/mo), a free plan to start on, broader platform coverage and a higher overall rating (4.5/5). Open-source customer engagement.
Choose Olark if you'd rather have a longer free trial (14 days). Simple live chat that works.
Chatwoot vs Olark: side by side
| Dimension | Chatwoot | Olark |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $19/agent/moWinner | From $29/seat/mo |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Best for | Startups, Developers | Smb |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted, Ios, AndroidWinner | Web |
| Rating | 4.5/5Winner | 4.3/5 |
Chatwoot key facts
- Vendor
- Chatwoot
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $19/agent/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Startups, Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Olark key facts
- Vendor
- Olark
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $29/seat/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Smb
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2009
- Headquarters
- Palo Alto, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Chatwoot better than Olark?
Neither is universally better — Chatwoot edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Chatwoot or Olark cheaper?
Chatwoot is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $19/agent/mo. Chatwoot starts at free – $19/agent/mo; Olark starts at from $29/seat/mo.
Can Chatwoot replace Olark?
Yes for most teams — both are live chat tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.