Quick Overview
- 1#1: Zendesk - Zendesk is a comprehensive omnichannel customer service platform for managing inquiries via email, chat, phone, and social media.
- 2#2: Freshdesk - Freshdesk provides an intuitive helpdesk software to streamline customer tickets, automate responses, and improve support efficiency.
- 3#3: Intercom - Intercom offers a customer messaging platform for real-time chat, targeted messaging, and proactive inquiry resolution.
- 4#4: Salesforce Service Cloud - Salesforce Service Cloud is an AI-powered CRM service platform for handling complex customer inquiries at enterprise scale.
- 5#5: HubSpot Service Hub - HubSpot Service Hub delivers customer support tools integrated with CRM to manage inquiries, tickets, and feedback seamlessly.
- 6#6: Zoho Desk - Zoho Desk is an affordable multichannel helpdesk solution for organizing, tracking, and resolving customer inquiries.
- 7#7: Help Scout - Help Scout is a simple shared inbox tool focused on personalized email-based customer support and inquiry management.
- 8#8: Front - Front is a shared inbox platform that unifies customer emails, chats, and social messages for team collaboration.
- 9#9: LiveChat - LiveChat enables real-time live chat support on websites to handle customer inquiries instantly and boost satisfaction.
- 10#10: Gorgias - Gorgias is an e-commerce-focused helpdesk that automates customer service inquiries across multiple channels.
We selected and ranked these tools based on critical factors such as functionality (including omnichannel support and automation), user-friendliness, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they align with the varied demands of modern customer service.
Comparison Table
Customer enquiry software is vital for efficient support, and selecting the right tool depends on specific business needs. This comparison table explores tools such as Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, Salesforce Service Cloud, HubSpot Service Hub, and more, detailing their key features, usability, and fit for varied workflows. Readers will learn to evaluate options and choose software that aligns with their operational requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zendesk Zendesk is a comprehensive omnichannel customer service platform for managing inquiries via email, chat, phone, and social media. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Freshdesk Freshdesk provides an intuitive helpdesk software to streamline customer tickets, automate responses, and improve support efficiency. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Intercom Intercom offers a customer messaging platform for real-time chat, targeted messaging, and proactive inquiry resolution. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Salesforce Service Cloud Salesforce Service Cloud is an AI-powered CRM service platform for handling complex customer inquiries at enterprise scale. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | HubSpot Service Hub HubSpot Service Hub delivers customer support tools integrated with CRM to manage inquiries, tickets, and feedback seamlessly. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Zoho Desk Zoho Desk is an affordable multichannel helpdesk solution for organizing, tracking, and resolving customer inquiries. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | Help Scout Help Scout is a simple shared inbox tool focused on personalized email-based customer support and inquiry management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Front Front is a shared inbox platform that unifies customer emails, chats, and social messages for team collaboration. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | LiveChat LiveChat enables real-time live chat support on websites to handle customer inquiries instantly and boost satisfaction. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 10 | Gorgias Gorgias is an e-commerce-focused helpdesk that automates customer service inquiries across multiple channels. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
Zendesk is a comprehensive omnichannel customer service platform for managing inquiries via email, chat, phone, and social media.
Freshdesk provides an intuitive helpdesk software to streamline customer tickets, automate responses, and improve support efficiency.
Intercom offers a customer messaging platform for real-time chat, targeted messaging, and proactive inquiry resolution.
Salesforce Service Cloud is an AI-powered CRM service platform for handling complex customer inquiries at enterprise scale.
HubSpot Service Hub delivers customer support tools integrated with CRM to manage inquiries, tickets, and feedback seamlessly.
Zoho Desk is an affordable multichannel helpdesk solution for organizing, tracking, and resolving customer inquiries.
Help Scout is a simple shared inbox tool focused on personalized email-based customer support and inquiry management.
Front is a shared inbox platform that unifies customer emails, chats, and social messages for team collaboration.
LiveChat enables real-time live chat support on websites to handle customer inquiries instantly and boost satisfaction.
Gorgias is an e-commerce-focused helpdesk that automates customer service inquiries across multiple channels.
Zendesk
enterpriseZendesk is a comprehensive omnichannel customer service platform for managing inquiries via email, chat, phone, and social media.
Sunshine AI platform with autonomous agents that resolve enquiries without human intervention
Zendesk is a leading customer service platform designed to manage and resolve customer enquiries efficiently across email, chat, voice, messaging apps, and social media channels. It provides a centralized ticketing system, AI-driven automation, self-service knowledge bases, and robust reporting analytics to help support teams scale operations. With deep integrations via its Sunshine marketplace and customizable workflows, Zendesk empowers businesses to deliver personalized, high-quality customer experiences.
Pros
- Comprehensive omnichannel support unifying all enquiry channels
- Powerful AI agents and automation for handling routine queries
- Extensive integrations and scalability for enterprises
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for complex customizations
- Can feel overwhelming for very small teams
Best For
Mid-sized to large businesses seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform for high-volume customer support.
Pricing
Starts at $55/agent/month (billed annually) for Suite Team plan; Professional at $89, Enterprise custom pricing with advanced AI and analytics.
Freshdesk
enterpriseFreshdesk provides an intuitive helpdesk software to streamline customer tickets, automate responses, and improve support efficiency.
Freddy AI for intelligent ticket routing, auto-responses, and predictive insights
Freshdesk is a comprehensive cloud-based customer service platform designed to manage and resolve customer inquiries through an intuitive ticketing system. It supports omnichannel interactions including email, chat, phone, social media, and web portals, with built-in automation, AI-powered bots, and collaboration tools to enhance agent efficiency. The software also provides self-service options, detailed analytics, and extensive integrations, making it ideal for scaling support operations while improving customer satisfaction.
Pros
- Robust omnichannel support for seamless inquiry handling
- Powerful automation and Freddy AI for efficiency
- User-friendly interface with quick setup
Cons
- Advanced reporting locked behind higher tiers
- Customization options limited in free/basic plans
- Occasional performance lags with high ticket volumes
Best For
Mid-sized businesses and growing teams seeking scalable, omnichannel customer support without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid tiers start at $15/agent/month (Sprout), up to $79/agent/month (Garden), with Enterprise custom pricing (billed annually).
Intercom
specializedIntercom offers a customer messaging platform for real-time chat, targeted messaging, and proactive inquiry resolution.
Fin AI Copilot for proactive, context-aware enquiry handling and resolutions
Intercom is a robust customer messaging platform designed to handle customer enquiries through live chat, automated bots, email, and in-app messaging. It provides tools for customer segmentation, personalized outreach, analytics, and AI-driven support to streamline interactions across sales, marketing, and support teams. As a full customer data platform, it unifies conversations and data for scalable enquiry management.
Pros
- AI-powered Fin agent for automated enquiry resolution
- Deep customer data integration and 360-degree profiles
- Multi-channel support including chat, email, and mobile
Cons
- High pricing that scales quickly with usage
- Complex setup for advanced customizations
- Limited free tier with restrictive features
Best For
Mid-to-large SaaS or e-commerce businesses seeking scalable, AI-enhanced customer engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $74/month for Essential (billed annually), with Advanced at $139/month and Expert custom pricing; usage-based overages apply.
Salesforce Service Cloud
enterpriseSalesforce Service Cloud is an AI-powered CRM service platform for handling complex customer inquiries at enterprise scale.
Einstein AI for intelligent case classification, predictive routing, and automated recommendations
Salesforce Service Cloud is a robust customer service platform within the Salesforce CRM ecosystem, designed to manage customer inquiries through case tracking, omnichannel support (email, chat, phone, social), and self-service portals. It leverages AI via Einstein for intelligent routing, predictions, and automation to enhance agent productivity and customer satisfaction. Ideal for scaling service operations, it integrates seamlessly with sales, marketing, and other Salesforce tools for a unified customer view.
Pros
- Comprehensive omnichannel support across multiple touchpoints
- Advanced AI capabilities with Einstein for case routing and insights
- Highly customizable with deep integrations into the Salesforce ecosystem
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring expertise
- High pricing that may not suit small businesses
- Ongoing costs for customizations and add-ons can escalate quickly
Best For
Large enterprises with high-volume customer inquiries needing scalable, AI-enhanced service management and CRM integration.
Pricing
Starts at $25/user/month (Service Cloud Essentials), $75-$300+/user/month for higher tiers like Professional, Enterprise, and Unlimited; plus implementation and add-on fees.
HubSpot Service Hub
enterpriseHubSpot Service Hub delivers customer support tools integrated with CRM to manage inquiries, tickets, and feedback seamlessly.
Conversational Inbox that unifies email, chat, and messaging into a single shared view with CRM context
HubSpot Service Hub is a robust customer service platform designed to manage customer inquiries via ticketing systems, shared inboxes, live chat, and feedback tools. It provides a unified view of customer interactions by integrating deeply with HubSpot's CRM, enabling teams to track and resolve issues efficiently. Automation features like workflows, SLAs, and reporting help streamline support operations and improve response times.
Pros
- Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM for 360-degree customer views
- Powerful automation, workflows, and SLA management
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for service performance
Cons
- Expensive pricing for Professional and Enterprise tiers
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization
- Some key features like advanced reporting locked behind higher plans
Best For
Mid-sized businesses seeking scalable customer support tightly integrated with CRM and marketing tools.
Pricing
Free Starter plan; Professional at $90/user/month (min 3 users); Enterprise at $150/user/month (annual billing).
Zoho Desk
enterpriseZoho Desk is an affordable multichannel helpdesk solution for organizing, tracking, and resolving customer inquiries.
Zia AI assistant for predictive ticket routing and intelligent insights
Zoho Desk is a robust omnichannel customer support platform designed to manage inquiries via email, chat, phone, social media, and web forms. It streamlines ticket management with automation rules, AI-powered insights through Zia, and self-service portals for customers. The software integrates seamlessly with the Zoho ecosystem and third-party apps, making it scalable for growing teams handling customer enquiries efficiently.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small teams
- Strong omnichannel support and Zia AI for automation
- Extensive integrations with Zoho suite and 500+ apps
Cons
- Advanced customization requires technical expertise
- Reporting features are limited in lower-tier plans
- Steeper learning curve for non-Zoho users
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking cost-effective, scalable customer support with CRM integration.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 agents; paid plans from $14/user/month (Standard) to $40/user/month (Enterprise), billed annually.
Help Scout
specializedHelp Scout is a simple shared inbox tool focused on personalized email-based customer support and inquiry management.
Shared Inbox that mimics familiar email interfaces for seamless team collaboration on customer conversations
Help Scout is a customer support platform that transforms email inboxes into shared, collaborative spaces for handling customer inquiries efficiently. It offers tools like live chat, a self-service knowledge base (Docs), automation workflows, and performance reporting to streamline team responses and improve customer satisfaction. Designed with simplicity in mind, it focuses on delivering personalized support without the complexity of traditional ticketing systems.
Pros
- Intuitive shared inbox that feels like email for easy collaboration
- Beautiful, customizable knowledge base for self-service support
- Strong automation and workflow tools to save time
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting in entry-level plans
- No native phone support or telephony integration
- Per-user pricing can become expensive for large teams
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and teams prioritizing user-friendly email and chat-based customer support over enterprise-scale features.
Pricing
Starts at $20/user/month (Standard, billed annually) up to $65/user/month (Pro); 15-day free trial available.
Front
specializedFront is a shared inbox platform that unifies customer emails, chats, and social messages for team collaboration.
Seamless shared inbox that aggregates and routes conversations from all channels with real-time team collaboration
Front is a shared inbox platform designed for teams to manage customer communications across multiple channels like email, chat, SMS, voice, and social media in a unified interface. It streamlines customer enquiries through collaboration tools, automation rules, macros, and analytics to improve response times and team efficiency. Primarily used by support, sales, and operations teams, it centralizes conversations to reduce silos and enhance customer experience.
Pros
- Unified multi-channel inbox for email, chat, SMS, and social
- Powerful automation rules and macros for efficiency
- Strong team collaboration with @mentions and assignments
Cons
- Premium pricing may not suit small teams or startups
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Reporting and analytics lack depth in lower tiers
Best For
Mid-sized to large teams in customer support, sales, or operations handling high-volume multi-channel enquiries.
Pricing
Starts at $19/user/month (billed annually) for Starter plan; Pro at $49/user/month; enterprise custom pricing.
LiveChat
specializedLiveChat enables real-time live chat support on websites to handle customer inquiries instantly and boost satisfaction.
Advanced visitor insights and heatmaps for proactive, targeted chat engagement
LiveChat is a robust live chat platform designed for real-time customer engagement on websites, enabling teams to handle inquiries, provide support, and drive sales conversations. It includes AI-powered chatbots, visitor tracking, canned responses, and extensive integrations with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot. As a customer enquiry solution, it excels in proactive messaging to capture leads and resolve issues quickly, making it suitable for support and sales teams.
Pros
- Highly customizable chat widgets and proactive invitations
- Strong automation with chatbots and triggers
- Seamless integrations with over 200 tools including major CRMs
Cons
- Per-agent pricing model scales costs for larger teams
- No perpetual free plan, only trials
- Advanced reporting locked behind higher tiers
Best For
Mid-sized businesses and e-commerce sites needing scalable real-time chat for customer support and lead generation.
Pricing
Starts at $20/agent/month (billed annually) for Team plan; Business at $39/agent/month; Enterprise custom pricing; 14-day free trial.
Gorgias
specializedGorgias is an e-commerce-focused helpdesk that automates customer service inquiries across multiple channels.
Seamless Shopify integration pulling live order data into tickets for contextual support
Gorgias is a customer service platform tailored for e-commerce businesses, providing a unified helpdesk that integrates seamlessly with Shopify, email, live chat, social media, and other channels to manage customer inquiries. It features powerful automation rules, AI-driven ticket deflection, and macros to streamline support workflows and reduce response times. The platform emphasizes data enrichment from orders, enabling agents to resolve issues faster with full context.
Pros
- Deep e-commerce integrations like Shopify with order data access
- Advanced automation and AI for ticket deflection and macros
- Omnichannel support across email, chat, and social media
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply based on order volume
- Learning curve for setting up complex automations
- Reporting and analytics features are somewhat limited
Best For
E-commerce businesses on Shopify or similar platforms seeking automated, scalable customer support.
Pricing
Starts at $10/month (Starter), $60/month (Basic), $360/month (Pro), with custom Enterprise plans; scales with monthly orders and offers annual discounts.
Conclusion
The reviewed customer enquiry software offers diverse solutions, with the top three standing out for their distinct strengths. Zendesk leads as the top choice, boasting comprehensive omnichannel management to handle inquiries across multiple platforms seamlessly. Freshdesk and Intercom follow closely, excelling in intuitive automation and real-time messaging respectively, making them excellent alternatives for tailored needs.
Don’t miss out on optimizing your customer support—begin with Zendesk, its robust features and widespread acclaim position it as the best pick to streamline your inquiry management process.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
