HubSpot Chat vs Olark: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
HubSpot Chat
Free live chat built into HubSpot CRM with chatbot builder, meeting scheduler, and automatic contact creation for sales and support teams.
Olark
Simple, affordable live chat for small businesses with real-time visitor monitoring and CRM integrations from $29/mo.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | HubSpot Chat | Olark |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | B2B SaaS companies already using HubSpot CRM that want chat-to-CRM lead capture without extra cost | Small businesses that want straightforward chat without learning a complex platform |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $29/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB |
| Rating | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 |
Pros & Cons
HubSpot Chat
Pros
- Free chat that automatically creates and updates CRM contacts — no manual data entry between chat and CRM
- Chatbot builder with drag-and-drop lead qualification and calendar meeting booking works without code
- Full CRM context during chat shows company info, deal stage, previous interactions, and marketing activity
- Massive ecosystem of 1,500+ integrations through the HubSpot marketplace extends chat capabilities
- Setup takes under 10 minutes for existing HubSpot users with zero technical knowledge required
Cons
- Not a dedicated support tool — no ticketing, no SLAs, no omnichannel messaging in the free plan
- Conversation routing is basic with only round-robin or manual assignment on free and Starter plans
- HubSpot branding on the widget requires a paid subscription to remove
- Widget customization is limited compared to Intercom or LiveChat
- High-volume support operations (100+ daily conversations) will outgrow chat features quickly
Olark
Pros
- Dead simple to set up and use — add the code snippet and you are chatting within 5 minutes
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliant chat widget makes it the most accessible option for ADA compliance
- Transparent flat pricing at $29/seat/month with no hidden tiers or surprise add-ons
- PowerUps system lets you add only the features you actually need without forced upgrades
- Reliable and stable — 15+ years of uptime without the constant product churn of newer tools
Cons
- No AI chatbot at all — visitors outside business hours just see an offline contact form
- No mobile app for agents, so you can only manage chats from a desktop browser
- Widget design looks dated compared to the modern aesthetics of Intercom or Crisp
- Reporting is basic — no staffing predictions, no advanced analytics dashboards
- PowerUps like cobrowsing ($99/mo) and translation ($29/mo) add up if you need multiple extras
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| HubSpot Chat | freemium | Free0 |
| Olark | subscription | $29/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose HubSpot Chat if...
B2B SaaS companies already using HubSpot CRM that want chat-to-CRM lead capture without extra cost
Choose Olark if...
Small businesses that want straightforward chat without learning a complex platform
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.