Quick Overview
- 1#1: Front - A collaborative platform that unifies team inboxes for email, chat, and SMS with real-time collaboration features.
- 2#2: Help Scout - Shared inbox software built for customer support teams to manage conversations efficiently with notes and assignments.
- 3#3: Missive - Team email and collaboration tool that turns shared inboxes into collaborative workspaces with chat integration.
- 4#4: Hiver - Shared inbox solution for Gmail that enables teams to collaborate directly in their existing inbox without forwarding.
- 5#5: Zendesk - Customer service platform featuring robust shared inbox capabilities with ticketing, automation, and analytics.
- 6#6: Gorgias - E-commerce focused shared inbox that automates customer support across email, chat, and social channels.
- 7#7: Intercom - Customer messaging platform with a shared inbox for handling conversations across web, mobile, and email.
- 8#8: Freshdesk - Cloud-based support software providing shared inboxes, ticketing, and multi-channel collaboration.
- 9#9: Streak - CRM and pipeline management tool that transforms Gmail into a powerful shared team inbox.
- 10#10: Drag - Kanban-style shared inbox for Gmail that organizes emails into boards for team workflows.
Tools were selected and ranked based on key factors: robust feature sets (including real-time collaboration, automation, and channel integration), user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring they deliver practical, scalable solutions for teams of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Explore shared inbox software options including Front, Help Scout, Missive, Hiver, Zendesk, and more with our comparison table. This guide highlights key features, usability, and compatibility to help readers identify the best fit for their team's communication needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Front A collaborative platform that unifies team inboxes for email, chat, and SMS with real-time collaboration features. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Help Scout Shared inbox software built for customer support teams to manage conversations efficiently with notes and assignments. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Missive Team email and collaboration tool that turns shared inboxes into collaborative workspaces with chat integration. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Hiver Shared inbox solution for Gmail that enables teams to collaborate directly in their existing inbox without forwarding. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Zendesk Customer service platform featuring robust shared inbox capabilities with ticketing, automation, and analytics. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 6 | Gorgias E-commerce focused shared inbox that automates customer support across email, chat, and social channels. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Intercom Customer messaging platform with a shared inbox for handling conversations across web, mobile, and email. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 |
| 8 | Freshdesk Cloud-based support software providing shared inboxes, ticketing, and multi-channel collaboration. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Streak CRM and pipeline management tool that transforms Gmail into a powerful shared team inbox. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Drag Kanban-style shared inbox for Gmail that organizes emails into boards for team workflows. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
A collaborative platform that unifies team inboxes for email, chat, and SMS with real-time collaboration features.
Shared inbox software built for customer support teams to manage conversations efficiently with notes and assignments.
Team email and collaboration tool that turns shared inboxes into collaborative workspaces with chat integration.
Shared inbox solution for Gmail that enables teams to collaborate directly in their existing inbox without forwarding.
Customer service platform featuring robust shared inbox capabilities with ticketing, automation, and analytics.
E-commerce focused shared inbox that automates customer support across email, chat, and social channels.
Customer messaging platform with a shared inbox for handling conversations across web, mobile, and email.
Cloud-based support software providing shared inboxes, ticketing, and multi-channel collaboration.
CRM and pipeline management tool that transforms Gmail into a powerful shared team inbox.
Kanban-style shared inbox for Gmail that organizes emails into boards for team workflows.
Front
specializedA collaborative platform that unifies team inboxes for email, chat, and SMS with real-time collaboration features.
Holistic Inbox with seamless multi-channel support and real-time team collision prevention
Front is a leading shared inbox platform that consolidates customer communications from email, live chat, SMS, voice, and social media into a unified, collaborative workspace for teams. It streamlines workflows with powerful automation rules, assignment tools, internal commenting, and real-time collaboration to prevent duplicate responses. Front also offers advanced analytics, AI-powered insights, and extensive integrations to optimize customer support at scale.
Pros
- Multi-channel unification in a single inbox
- Robust automation and AI rules for efficiency
- Real-time collaboration and conflict detection
Cons
- Higher pricing for premium features
- Steeper learning curve for advanced automations
- Limited customization in lower-tier plans
Best For
Scaling customer support teams and enterprises handling high-volume, multi-channel communications.
Pricing
Starts at $19/user/month (Basic), $49/user/month (Plus), $99/user/month (Pro), with custom Enterprise pricing.
Help Scout
specializedShared inbox software built for customer support teams to manage conversations efficiently with notes and assignments.
Shared Inbox with email-style threading that allows seamless collaboration without traditional ticketing rigidity
Help Scout is a customer support platform centered around a shared inbox that transforms email conversations into collaborative tickets for teams. It enables multiple users to manage customer inquiries without duplication, featuring assigned conversations, saved replies, and automated workflows. The platform also includes a knowledge base (Docs), live chat (Beacon), and detailed reporting for insights into support performance.
Pros
- Intuitive email-like shared inbox for quick team adoption
- Powerful workflows and automation for efficient routing
- Strong reporting and analytics for performance tracking
Cons
- Pricing scales up quickly for larger teams or advanced needs
- Limited native integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- No built-in phone or voice support
Best For
Small to medium-sized teams wanting a simple, collaborative inbox for email-based customer support.
Pricing
Starts at $20/user/month (Standard, billed annually), $40 (Plus), $65 (Pro); 15-day free trial, no free plan.
Missive
specializedTeam email and collaboration tool that turns shared inboxes into collaborative workspaces with chat integration.
Real-time collaborative composing where multiple team members edit drafts simultaneously
Missive is a collaborative communication platform that unifies email, chat, SMS, WhatsApp, Twitter, and more into shared team inboxes for seamless collaboration. Teams can draft responses together in real-time, assign conversations, and automate workflows with rules and integrations. It combines inbox management with internal team chat, making it ideal for customer support and sales teams handling multi-channel communications.
Pros
- Real-time collaborative drafting like Google Docs for emails
- Multi-channel support including SMS, WhatsApp, and social media
- Powerful automation rules and 50+ integrations
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers for advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for complex automations
- Limited customization in reporting compared to competitors
Best For
Customer support and sales teams needing real-time collaboration across email, chat, and messaging apps.
Pricing
Free for individuals; paid plans start at $14/user/month (Starter), $28 (Productive), $48 (Advanced), billed annually.
Hiver
specializedShared inbox solution for Gmail that enables teams to collaborate directly in their existing inbox without forwarding.
Native Gmail collision detection that alerts users in real-time to avoid duplicate responses
Hiver is a shared inbox software that integrates directly into Gmail, allowing teams to collaborate on emails without leaving their inbox or forwarding messages. It supports features like email assignments, internal notes, collision detection to prevent duplicate replies, and automation rules for efficient workflow management. Ideal for customer support, sales, and internal teams relying on Gmail, it scales with integrations like Slack, Zendesk, and Jira.
Pros
- Seamless Gmail integration with zero setup or training required
- Smart collision detection prevents overlapping replies
- Robust automation and shared labels for streamlined workflows
Cons
- Limited to Gmail ecosystem, no native support for Outlook or other email clients
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to dedicated helpdesk tools
- Advanced features like AI or telephony require higher-tier plans or integrations
Best For
Gmail-heavy teams in customer support or sales seeking simple, no-frills shared inbox collaboration without app-switching.
Pricing
Starts at $19/user/month (billed annually) for Starter plan; Pro at $49/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing; 14-day free trial available.
Zendesk
enterpriseCustomer service platform featuring robust shared inbox capabilities with ticketing, automation, and analytics.
AI-powered Copilot and advanced automations that suggest responses and route tickets intelligently within shared inboxes
Zendesk is a robust customer service platform that excels as shared inbox software by converting emails into collaborative tickets for team assignment, real-time commenting, and resolution tracking. It supports multiple channels beyond email, including chat and social media, with automation rules to streamline workflows. Designed for scaling support operations, it offers views, macros, and SLAs to organize shared inboxes efficiently.
Pros
- Comprehensive omnichannel support including email, chat, and social
- Powerful automation, macros, and AI tools for efficient collaboration
- Extensive integrations and customizable reporting for team insights
Cons
- Pricing is steep for small teams or basic shared inbox needs
- Setup and advanced customization can have a learning curve
- Overkill for users seeking simple email-only shared inboxes
Best For
Mid-sized businesses and support teams needing scalable, feature-rich shared inboxes with CRM and automation capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $55/agent/month (billed annually) for Suite Team plan; scales to $89 for Growth and $115+ for Enterprise, with a 14-day free trial.
Gorgias
specializedE-commerce focused shared inbox that automates customer support across email, chat, and social channels.
E-commerce data enrichment that automatically loads order details, inventory, and customer history into every ticket.
Gorgias is a customer service platform tailored for e-commerce businesses, providing a shared inbox that unifies emails, live chat, social media, SMS, and voice messages into a single interface. It leverages deep integrations with platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento to enrich tickets with real-time customer data such as order history and product details. The tool emphasizes automation through rules, macros, AI response suggestions, and analytics to streamline support workflows and boost agent productivity.
Pros
- Deep e-commerce integrations that pull in order and customer data
- Powerful AI automation, macros, and response suggestions
- Multi-channel unified inbox with strong analytics
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for higher volumes and teams
- Best suited for e-commerce, less ideal for general businesses
- Advanced features require Pro or Enterprise plans
Best For
E-commerce businesses on Shopify or similar platforms needing integrated, automated customer support.
Pricing
Starter at $10/mo (1 user, limited), Basic at $60/mo (up to 5 users), Pro at $360/mo, Enterprise custom; lower rates annually.
Intercom
enterpriseCustomer messaging platform with a shared inbox for handling conversations across web, mobile, and email.
AI-powered Fin copilot that automates responses and insights directly within the shared inbox
Intercom is a comprehensive customer messaging platform that includes a shared inbox for teams to manage and collaborate on conversations from email, live chat, social media, and more. It combines support, sales, and marketing tools with automation, AI bots, and analytics to streamline customer interactions. The shared inbox allows assignments, internal notes, and real-time collaboration, making it suitable for scaling customer service operations.
Pros
- Robust omnichannel support including chat, email, and social
- Advanced automation and AI-powered bots for efficiency
- Strong analytics and customer data integration
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full feature set
- High pricing that scales quickly with usage
- Overkill and complex for basic shared inbox needs
Best For
Growing SaaS or e-commerce teams needing integrated messaging, automation, and analytics alongside a shared inbox.
Pricing
Starts at $74 per active user/month for Starter plan; scales to Advanced ($119/user/month) and higher tiers based on messages sent and features; custom enterprise pricing.
Freshdesk
enterpriseCloud-based support software providing shared inboxes, ticketing, and multi-channel collaboration.
Collision detection that prevents multiple agents from working on the same ticket simultaneously
Freshdesk is a cloud-based customer support platform that functions as a shared inbox for managing tickets from email, chat, social media, and phone channels. It allows teams to collaborate seamlessly with features like collision detection, internal notes, and assignment rules to ensure efficient query resolution. While versatile for scaling support operations, it extends beyond basic shared inboxes into full ticketing with automation and reporting.
Pros
- Robust automation and collision detection for team collaboration
- Omnichannel support integrates emails, chats, and social seamlessly
- Extensive integrations with 1000+ apps enhance workflow
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for advanced features like SLAs and AI
- Interface can feel bloated for simple shared inbox needs
- Limited customization in lower tiers
Best For
Mid-sized teams needing a scalable shared inbox with ticketing automation and multi-channel support.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $15/agent/month (Sprout), up to $79/agent/month (Enterprise), billed annually.
Streak
specializedCRM and pipeline management tool that transforms Gmail into a powerful shared team inbox.
Native Gmail sidebar integration that turns any inbox into a collaborative CRM pipeline
Streak is a CRM and shared inbox tool that integrates directly into Gmail, transforming email threads into collaborative 'cards' for pipeline management and team assignments. It enables teams to create custom 'Boxes' for organizing emails, add notes, tasks, and snippets, and automate workflows without leaving the Gmail interface. Primarily designed for sales and light support use cases, it emphasizes simplicity and native email integration over standalone apps.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Gmail for zero-context-switching workflows
- Customizable pipelines and Boxes for shared team collaboration
- Affordable pricing with a robust free tier for small teams
Cons
- Limited to Gmail users; no support for other email providers
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to dedicated tools
- Heavy reliance on Gmail sidebar can clutter the interface for high-volume users
Best For
Sales teams and small support groups heavily invested in Gmail who need lightweight CRM and shared inbox capabilities.
Pricing
Free plan for basic features; Pro at $49/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Drag
specializedKanban-style shared inbox for Gmail that organizes emails into boards for team workflows.
Native Gmail Kanban boards that turn emails into draggable tasks
Drag is a shared inbox software that transforms Gmail into a collaborative workspace by organizing emails into customizable Kanban-style boards. Teams can drag and drop emails as tasks, assign them to members, add internal notes, set reminders, and track progress without leaving their inbox. It's particularly suited for sales, support, and marketing teams using Google Workspace, offering a visual and intuitive alternative to traditional email threading.
Pros
- Seamless Gmail integration with no need for email forwarding
- Intuitive drag-and-drop Kanban boards for visual email management
- Affordable pricing with a generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- Limited to Google Workspace users, no support for other email providers
- Fewer advanced automations and integrations compared to dedicated tools
- Reporting and analytics features are basic and lack depth
Best For
Small to medium-sized teams heavily reliant on Gmail who need a simple, visual shared inbox without complex setup.
Pricing
Free for individuals; Pro at $8/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
After exploring the top 10 shared inbox tools, Front emerges as the clear leader, standing out for its unified platform that merges email, chat, and SMS with robust real-time collaboration. Help Scout and Missive follow closely—Help Scout excels in efficient customer support workflows, while Missive transforms shared inboxes into dynamic collaborative workspaces—each offering distinct strengths. Ultimately, the best choice depends on specific needs, but Front remains the top pick for unifying team communication.
Don’t miss out on Front’s powerful, all-in-one solution—dive in and experience how it streamlines your team’s conversations today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison