Hiver vs Olark

Detailed side-by-side comparison

Hiver

Free

Hiver transforms Gmail into a comprehensive customer support platform, allowing teams to manage shared inboxes, assign emails, and collaborate without leaving their familiar Gmail interface. It's ideal for teams that want helpdesk capabilities while maintaining their Gmail workflow, with minimal learning curve required.

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Olark

From $29/mo

Olark is a live chat software designed to help small to medium-sized businesses engage with website visitors in real-time. It focuses on providing an easy-to-implement chat solution with customizable branding, automated triggers, and strong integrations with existing business tools.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	Hiver	Olark
Primary Communication Channel	Email-focused with shared inbox management in Gmail, plus support for chat and WhatsApp	Real-time live chat exclusively for website visitor engagement
Team Collaboration	Email assignment, collision detection to prevent duplicate responses, internal notes and @mentions	Chat routing to appropriate team members and team management features
Automation Capabilities	Basic automation with SLA tracking and email workflows, though less advanced than dedicated helpdesk tools	Automated chat messages and chatbot triggers, though limited compared to more advanced competitors
Analytics and Reporting	Dashboard analytics, CSAT surveys, and reporting (less robust than enterprise solutions)	Detailed chat transcripts with searchable history and reporting capabilities
Integration Approach	Native Gmail integration with the ability to work entirely within the Gmail interface	Strong integration ecosystem connecting with popular CRM and helpdesk platforms
Setup and Learning Curve	Minimal learning curve for Gmail users with easy setup and onboarding	Simple, quick implementation with user-friendly interface for both agents and visitors

Pricing Comparison

Hiver offers a free starting tier, making it highly accessible for budget-conscious teams already using Gmail, while Olark starts at $29/month but can become expensive as teams grow. Hiver provides better value for email-based support teams, while Olark's pricing reflects its specialized live chat functionality.

Verdict

Choose Hiver if...

Choose Hiver if your team is already using Gmail and wants to add customer support capabilities without learning new software or leaving the Gmail environment. It's perfect for email-heavy support workflows and teams seeking an affordable, low-complexity helpdesk solution.

Choose Olark if...

Choose Olark if you need real-time live chat functionality on your website to engage visitors immediately and drive conversions. It's best for businesses prioritizing instant customer engagement over email-based support and wanting straightforward chat implementation.

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Customer Support

Pros & Cons

Hiver

Pros

+ Seamless Gmail integration requires minimal learning curve
+ No need to switch between multiple platforms
+ Easy setup and onboarding process
+ Affordable pricing for small to medium teams

Cons

- Limited to Gmail ecosystem only
- Advanced automation features lag behind dedicated helpdesk tools
- Reporting capabilities are less robust than enterprise solutions

Olark

Pros

+ Simple setup with quick implementation
+ User-friendly interface for agents and visitors
+ Strong integration ecosystem with popular tools
+ Searchable chat transcripts for quality assurance

Cons

- Limited advanced automation compared to competitors
- Pricing can become expensive as team grows
- Mobile app functionality is basic