Drift vs Intercom
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Drift and Intercom are credible live chat tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Drift — Conversational marketing and sales.
Choose Intercom if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $39/seat/mo), a longer free trial (14 days) and broader platform coverage. AI-first customer service.
Drift vs Intercom: side by side
| Dimension | Drift | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $2500/yr | From $39/seat/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | B2b, Sales Teams | Saas, Startups, Support Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Ios, Android, ApiWinner |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Drift key facts
- Vendor
- Salesloft
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $2500/yr
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- B2b, Sales Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Boston, MA, USA
Intercom key facts
- Vendor
- Intercom, Inc.
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $39/seat/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android, Api
- Best for
- Saas, Startups, Support Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Drift better than Intercom?
Neither is universally better — Drift 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 Drift or Intercom cheaper?
Intercom is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $39/seat/mo. Drift starts at from $2500/yr; Intercom starts at from $39/seat/mo.
Can Drift replace Intercom?
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.