Drift vs Gladly — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Drift and Gladly to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Gladly takes the lead with a 4.7 rating and is best for dtc and consumer brands wanting premium support experiences. Drift (4.2) is the better pick if you need b2b companies wanting to convert website visitors into pipeline.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Drift | Gladly |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.2(130) | ★★★★★ 4.7(58) |
| Pricing Model | subscription | subscription |
| Starter Price | Custom | Custom (starts ~$150/agent/mo) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Learning Curve | Medium | Easy |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | B2B companies wanting to convert website visitors into pipeline | DTC and consumer brands wanting premium support experiences |
| Verdict | Best Conversational Marketing | Best for Consumer Brands |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Drift | Gladly |
|---|---|---|
| AI Chatbots | — | |
| Live Chat | — | |
| Meeting Scheduling | — | |
| Account Targeting | — | |
| Revenue Orchestration | — | |
| People-Centered | — | |
| Omnichannel | — | |
| AI Answers | — | |
| Task Management | — | |
| Knowledge Base | — |
Drift
Pros
- ✓Excellent lead qualification bots
- ✓Account-based targeting
- ✓Strong Salesforce integration
Cons
- ✕Expensive
- ✕Future unclear post-Salesloft acquisition
- ✕Can be overwhelming to configure
Gladly
Pros
- ✓People-first model is transformative
- ✓True omnichannel experience
- ✓Loved by agents and customers
Cons
- ✕Very expensive
- ✕Not ideal for B2B
- ✕Smaller integration ecosystem
The Bottom Line
Both Drift and Gladly are solid tools in the Customer Support space. Gladly edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and is the better choice for dtc and consumer brands wanting premium support experiences. However, if you prioritize b2b companies wanting to convert website visitors into pipeline, Drift is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.