Quick Overview
- 1#1: ServiceDesk Plus - IT help desk software with integrated asset discovery, inventory tracking, and management for hardware and software licenses.
- 2#2: Freshservice - Cloud-based IT service desk platform featuring CMDB, automated asset discovery, and comprehensive inventory management.
- 3#3: InvGate Service Desk - Asset-centric ITSM tool combining help desk ticketing with advanced IT inventory and lifecycle management.
- 4#4: ServiceNow - Enterprise IT service management suite with robust CMDB for configuration items, inventory, and asset tracking.
- 5#5: SysAI d - ITSM platform offering help desk automation alongside asset management, scanning, and inventory control.
- 6#6: Jira Service Management - Service desk solution with integrated assets module for IT inventory, CMDB, and help desk workflows.
- 7#7: ConnectWise Manage - PSA tool providing help desk ticketing and detailed inventory management for IT assets and configurations.
- 8#8: Zendesk - Customer support platform with Sunshine Assets for inventory tracking and help desk integration.
- 9#9: HaloITSM - Flexible ITSM software with service desk and asset management for IT inventory and CIs.
- 10#10: Spiceworks - Free cloud help desk and inventory tool for scanning, tracking, and managing IT assets.
We evaluated tools based on feature completeness (including inventory tracking, automation, and configuration management), usability, reliability, and value, ensuring a balanced list that caters to diverse needs, from small teams to large enterprises.
Comparison Table
This comparison table evaluates key features, usability, and scalability of leading help desk inventory software, featuring ServiceDesk Plus, Freshservice, InvGate Service Desk, ServiceNow, SysAI d, and more. It helps readers identify the tool that best aligns with their organization's needs, covering core functionality and integration capabilities.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ServiceDesk Plus IT help desk software with integrated asset discovery, inventory tracking, and management for hardware and software licenses. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Freshservice Cloud-based IT service desk platform featuring CMDB, automated asset discovery, and comprehensive inventory management. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | InvGate Service Desk Asset-centric ITSM tool combining help desk ticketing with advanced IT inventory and lifecycle management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | ServiceNow Enterprise IT service management suite with robust CMDB for configuration items, inventory, and asset tracking. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 5 | SysAI d ITSM platform offering help desk automation alongside asset management, scanning, and inventory control. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 6 | Jira Service Management Service desk solution with integrated assets module for IT inventory, CMDB, and help desk workflows. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | ConnectWise Manage PSA tool providing help desk ticketing and detailed inventory management for IT assets and configurations. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 8 | Zendesk Customer support platform with Sunshine Assets for inventory tracking and help desk integration. | enterprise | 6.8/10 | 5.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.0/10 |
| 9 | HaloITSM Flexible ITSM software with service desk and asset management for IT inventory and CIs. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Spiceworks Free cloud help desk and inventory tool for scanning, tracking, and managing IT assets. | other | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
IT help desk software with integrated asset discovery, inventory tracking, and management for hardware and software licenses.
Cloud-based IT service desk platform featuring CMDB, automated asset discovery, and comprehensive inventory management.
Asset-centric ITSM tool combining help desk ticketing with advanced IT inventory and lifecycle management.
Enterprise IT service management suite with robust CMDB for configuration items, inventory, and asset tracking.
ITSM platform offering help desk automation alongside asset management, scanning, and inventory control.
Service desk solution with integrated assets module for IT inventory, CMDB, and help desk workflows.
PSA tool providing help desk ticketing and detailed inventory management for IT assets and configurations.
Customer support platform with Sunshine Assets for inventory tracking and help desk integration.
Flexible ITSM software with service desk and asset management for IT inventory and CIs.
Free cloud help desk and inventory tool for scanning, tracking, and managing IT assets.
ServiceDesk Plus
enterpriseIT help desk software with integrated asset discovery, inventory tracking, and management for hardware and software licenses.
Integrated CMDB that correlates assets with tickets, changes, and problems for holistic IT asset lifecycle management
ServiceDesk Plus by ManageEngine is a comprehensive IT service management platform that excels in help desk ticketing integrated with robust inventory and asset management capabilities. It automates network-based asset discovery, tracks hardware, software licenses, contracts, and purchase orders, while linking assets directly to incidents and changes via a powerful CMDB. This solution streamlines IT operations by providing real-time inventory visibility and proactive maintenance within a unified help desk environment.
Pros
- Automated asset discovery and scanning across networks for accurate inventory
- Seamless integration of inventory data with help desk tickets and CMDB
- Advanced reporting, analytics, and customization for IT governance
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced CMDB and automation features
- Higher pricing tiers required for enterprise-scale deployments
- On-premise version demands IT infrastructure maintenance
Best For
Mid-sized to large IT teams needing an all-in-one help desk solution with deep inventory management and ITSM integration.
Pricing
Free edition for up to 2 technicians; Standard starts at ~$95/technician/year; Professional (~$235) and Enterprise (~$495) editions add advanced features (billed annually).
Freshservice
enterpriseCloud-based IT service desk platform featuring CMDB, automated asset discovery, and comprehensive inventory management.
Unified CMDB with agentless discovery for real-time, relational asset visibility
Freshservice is a cloud-based IT service management (ITSM) platform that combines help desk ticketing with robust inventory and asset management capabilities. It tracks hardware, software licenses, cloud assets, and contracts through a centralized CMDB, enabling automated discovery and relationship mapping. The tool integrates inventory data directly into incident and request workflows, streamlining IT operations and compliance.
Pros
- Comprehensive CMDB for asset relationships and dependencies
- Automated discovery tools for hardware, software, and SaaS inventory
- Seamless integration with ticketing for proactive inventory-linked support
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with users and advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for CMDB customization
- Limited low-code automation in entry-level plans
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams needing integrated help desk ticketing with advanced asset and inventory management.
Pricing
Starts at $19/agent/month (Starter, billed annually; min. 10 agents), Pro at $49, Enterprise at $79; asset management included across plans with advanced discovery in higher tiers.
InvGate Service Desk
specializedAsset-centric ITSM tool combining help desk ticketing with advanced IT inventory and lifecycle management.
Integrated CMDB with relationship mapping for visualizing IT asset dependencies and inventory interrelations
InvGate Service Desk is a robust IT service management (ITSM) platform that combines help desk ticketing with advanced asset and inventory management capabilities. It features a centralized CMDB for tracking hardware, software licenses, contracts, and purchases, enabling automated discovery and lifecycle management of IT assets. The tool supports workflow automation, detailed reporting, and integrations to streamline help desk operations while maintaining comprehensive inventory oversight.
Pros
- Powerful CMDB and automated asset discovery for accurate inventory tracking
- Extensive automation and workflow customization for efficient help desk processes
- Strong reporting and analytics for IT asset insights and compliance
Cons
- Pricing can be high for smaller teams without scaling benefits
- Initial setup and configuration have a moderate learning curve
- Mobile app lacks some desktop feature parity
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams in enterprises needing integrated help desk ticketing with deep asset inventory and CMDB functionality.
Pricing
Starts at ~$20/agent/month (Starter), up to $35+/agent/month (Enterprise); quote-based with annual billing discounts.
ServiceNow
enterpriseEnterprise IT service management suite with robust CMDB for configuration items, inventory, and asset tracking.
ServiceNow Discovery: AI-powered, agentless automation that scans networks to automatically populate and normalize the CMDB with accurate inventory data.
ServiceNow is an enterprise-grade IT service management platform with robust Help Desk Inventory capabilities via its IT Asset Management (ITAM) and Configuration Management Database (CMDB) modules. It enables comprehensive tracking of hardware, software, and consumable assets, automated discovery, lifecycle management, and integration with incident ticketing for streamlined help desk operations. While powerful for large-scale environments, it offers normalization, depreciation tracking, and contract management to maintain accurate inventory visibility.
Pros
- Advanced CMDB for mapping asset relationships and dependencies
- Automated Discovery tool for agentless inventory scanning and updates
- Deep integration with ITSM for help desk workflows and reporting
Cons
- Complex setup requiring significant customization and expertise
- High licensing and implementation costs
- Overkill for small to mid-sized teams with simple inventory needs
Best For
Large enterprises with complex IT ecosystems needing integrated asset management and help desk functionality.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote; typically $100-$200+ per user/month for core ITSM/ITAM, plus implementation fees often exceeding $100K.
SysAI d
enterpriseITSM platform offering help desk automation alongside asset management, scanning, and inventory control.
Advanced CMDB with automated discovery that maps IT asset dependencies for superior inventory visibility
SysAI d is a comprehensive IT service management (ITSM) platform that excels in help desk ticketing and asset inventory management, enabling IT teams to track hardware, software, and configurations across their environment. It integrates inventory data seamlessly with incident management for proactive support and automates discovery via agents and scans. The tool supports CMDB for relational asset mapping, making it suitable for organizations needing robust inventory tied to service desk operations.
Pros
- Powerful automated asset discovery and inventory scanning
- Seamless integration between help desk ticketing and asset management
- Customizable CMDB for detailed asset relationships and lifecycle tracking
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and customization
- Pricing can be high for small teams without scaling benefits
- Some inventory reporting requires additional configuration
Best For
Mid-sized to large IT departments in enterprises seeking integrated ITSM with strong asset inventory capabilities.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; Professional edition starts around $10,000/year for 100 assets/users, with Enterprise options scaling higher.
Jira Service Management
enterpriseService desk solution with integrated assets module for IT inventory, CMDB, and help desk workflows.
Insight-powered Assets CMDB for dynamic object schemas and visual dependency mapping
Jira Service Management, from Atlassian, is an IT service management platform with a dedicated Assets module that serves as a powerful CMDB for help desk inventory tracking. It enables teams to catalog hardware, software licenses, and other assets, map relationships between them, and link inventory directly to service requests, incidents, and changes. While versatile for enterprise ITSM, its inventory features shine in visualizing asset dependencies and automating lifecycle management within help desk operations.
Pros
- Robust CMDB for asset discovery, tracking, and relationship mapping
- Seamless integration with Jira ticketing for contextual inventory access
- Flexible schemas, automation rules, and import/export capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to Jira's complexity
- Premium inventory features require higher-tier plans
- Overkill and resource-intensive for simple inventory-only needs
Best For
Mid-to-large IT help desks in Atlassian-using organizations needing integrated asset management with ITSM workflows.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 agents; Standard at $8.15/agent/month (annual billing), Premium at $16.15/agent/month, Enterprise custom.
ConnectWise Manage
enterprisePSA tool providing help desk ticketing and detailed inventory management for IT assets and configurations.
Dynamic inventory linking to tickets, allowing technicians to view and update asset details in real-time during help desk interactions
ConnectWise Manage is a comprehensive Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform designed primarily for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), featuring integrated help desk ticketing and inventory management capabilities. It enables tracking of IT assets, hardware, software licenses, and procurement processes within a unified interface, linking inventory data directly to service tickets for efficient issue resolution. The tool supports automation, reporting, and customization to streamline help desk operations alongside inventory oversight.
Pros
- Seamless integration of inventory tracking with help desk ticketing for contextual asset information during service requests
- Robust asset lifecycle management including procurement, depreciation, and license compliance
- Advanced reporting and dashboards for inventory insights and forecasting
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and extensive customization options
- High pricing that may not suit small teams or pure inventory-focused needs
- Overkill for organizations not requiring full PSA functionality
Best For
Mid-sized MSPs and IT service providers needing an integrated PSA solution with strong help desk-linked inventory management.
Pricing
Subscription-based; starts at around $59 per user/month (billed annually), with custom pricing based on users, modules, and add-ons.
Zendesk
enterpriseCustomer support platform with Sunshine Assets for inventory tracking and help desk integration.
Sunshine Assets platform for customizable, API-driven asset tracking directly embedded in support tickets
Zendesk is a robust customer support platform primarily focused on ticketing, live chat, and multi-channel customer service. While it includes basic asset and inventory management through its Sunshine Assets feature, allowing tracking of IT hardware, software licenses, and configurations linked to tickets, it is not a dedicated inventory solution. This makes it suitable for help desks needing light inventory alongside strong support workflows, but it lacks depth in advanced CMDB or bulk inventory operations compared to specialized tools.
Pros
- Seamless integration of assets with ticketing for contextual support
- Scalable platform with strong automation and AI capabilities
- User-friendly interface with mobile app support
Cons
- Basic inventory features lacking advanced CMDB or reporting depth
- High pricing requires add-ons like Sunshine for full asset functionality
- Not optimized for standalone inventory management without ticketing needs
Best For
Help desks prioritizing customer support ticketing with supplementary light asset tracking over comprehensive inventory control.
Pricing
Starts at $55/agent/month for Suite Team (billed annually); Sunshine Assets add-on pricing custom, often $20K+ annually for enterprise inventory use.
HaloITSM
enterpriseFlexible ITSM software with service desk and asset management for IT inventory and CIs.
Integrated CMDB with automated asset discovery and relationship visualization
HaloITSM is a comprehensive cloud-based IT Service Management (ITSM) platform that integrates help desk ticketing with asset and inventory management capabilities. It features a centralized Configuration Management Database (CMDB) for tracking IT assets, hardware, software licenses, and their relationships, enabling seamless linking of inventory to incidents, changes, and requests. The tool supports automated discovery, reporting, and compliance tracking, making it suitable for IT teams managing inventory within service desk workflows.
Pros
- Robust CMDB for detailed asset relationship mapping and inventory tracking
- Strong integration with ticketing for contextual inventory access during help desk operations
- Automation and discovery tools reduce manual inventory updates
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller teams focused only on inventory
- Full feature set has a moderate learning curve beyond basic help desk use
- Some advanced inventory features require higher-tier plans or add-ons
Best For
Mid-sized IT departments seeking integrated ITSM with advanced asset inventory management tied to service desk processes.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting around $65/user/month for Professional plan, scaling with users, modules, and enterprise features.
Spiceworks
otherFree cloud help desk and inventory tool for scanning, tracking, and managing IT assets.
Agentless network scanning that automatically builds a detailed hardware and software inventory
Spiceworks is a free, community-driven IT management platform that combines help desk ticketing with comprehensive network inventory tracking. It uses agentless scanning to automatically discover and catalog hardware, software, and devices across the network, providing asset details directly within the help desk interface for efficient troubleshooting. While powerful for basic needs, it relies on on-premises installation for full inventory features and includes a cloud-based help desk option.
Pros
- Completely free core features with no user or ticket limits
- Agentless automatic network discovery and inventory scanning
- Integrated help desk and community support forums
Cons
- Intrusive ads in the free version
- Complex initial setup and on-premises requirements
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
Best For
Small to medium-sized IT teams seeking a no-cost solution for basic help desk ticketing and network inventory management.
Pricing
Free for on-premises inventory and basic cloud help desk; premium cloud features start at around $19/user/month.
Conclusion
With a range of tools catering to diverse needs, the top 3—ServiceDesk Plus, Freshservice, and InvGate Service Desk—stand out as leaders. ServiceDesk Plus takes the top spot, excelling in integrated asset discovery and management; Freshservice impresses with robust cloud-based capabilities and a comprehensive CMDB; and InvGate Service Desk offers a strong asset-centric approach. Each brings unique strengths, ensuring there’s a fit for various workflows.
Ready to elevate your help desk operations? Start with ServiceDesk Plus to experience its seamless integration of inventory tracking and ticketing—your team (and assets) will thank you.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison