Drift vs Olark
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Drift and Olark are credible live chat tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Drift — Conversational marketing and sales.
Choose Olark if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $29/seat/mo) and a longer free trial (14 days). Simple live chat that works.
Drift vs Olark: side by side
| Dimension | Drift | Olark |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $2500/yr | From $29/seat/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | B2b, Sales Teams | Smb |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
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
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 Drift better than Olark?
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 Olark cheaper?
Olark is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $29/seat/mo. Drift starts at from $2500/yr; Olark starts at from $29/seat/mo.
Can Drift 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.