Quick Overview
- 1#1: Freshdesk - Cloud-based customer support platform offering simple ticketing, automation, and multi-channel collaboration.
- 2#2: Help Scout - Email-first help desk software focused on personalized customer conversations and team collaboration.
- 3#3: Zendesk - Scalable customer service platform with ticketing, AI-powered bots, and analytics for simple to advanced needs.
- 4#4: Zoho Desk - Affordable omnichannel help desk software with automation, self-service portals, and CRM integration.
- 5#5: LiveAgent - Real-time live chat and help desk ticketing software for multichannel customer support.
- 6#6: HubSpot Service Hub - Free customer service tools including ticketing, knowledge base, and feedback surveys integrated with CRM.
- 7#7: Deskpro - Flexible on-premise or cloud help desk software with custom workflows and real-time chat.
- 8#8: osTicket - Free open-source ticketing system for managing customer inquiries and support requests.
- 9#9: Zammad - Open-source help desk and IT service management platform with email, chat, and phone integration.
- 10#10: FreeScout - Free open-source help desk and shared mailbox software inspired by Zendesk and Help Scout.
We ranked tools based on key factors like intuitive design, robust features (including automation, multi-channel support, and integration), performance, and overall value, ensuring the best balance of simplicity and functionality for varied business requirements.
Comparison Table
Navigating simple help desk software can be challenging, but this comparison table breaks down top tools like Freshdesk, Help Scout, Zendesk, Zoho Desk, LiveAgent, and more to streamline selection. Readers will learn about key features, pricing models, and usability to find the ideal fit for their team's needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freshdesk Cloud-based customer support platform offering simple ticketing, automation, and multi-channel collaboration. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Help Scout Email-first help desk software focused on personalized customer conversations and team collaboration. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | Zendesk Scalable customer service platform with ticketing, AI-powered bots, and analytics for simple to advanced needs. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Zoho Desk Affordable omnichannel help desk software with automation, self-service portals, and CRM integration. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 5 | LiveAgent Real-time live chat and help desk ticketing software for multichannel customer support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | HubSpot Service Hub Free customer service tools including ticketing, knowledge base, and feedback surveys integrated with CRM. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Deskpro Flexible on-premise or cloud help desk software with custom workflows and real-time chat. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | osTicket Free open-source ticketing system for managing customer inquiries and support requests. | other | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | Zammad Open-source help desk and IT service management platform with email, chat, and phone integration. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | FreeScout Free open-source help desk and shared mailbox software inspired by Zendesk and Help Scout. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
Cloud-based customer support platform offering simple ticketing, automation, and multi-channel collaboration.
Email-first help desk software focused on personalized customer conversations and team collaboration.
Scalable customer service platform with ticketing, AI-powered bots, and analytics for simple to advanced needs.
Affordable omnichannel help desk software with automation, self-service portals, and CRM integration.
Real-time live chat and help desk ticketing software for multichannel customer support.
Free customer service tools including ticketing, knowledge base, and feedback surveys integrated with CRM.
Flexible on-premise or cloud help desk software with custom workflows and real-time chat.
Free open-source ticketing system for managing customer inquiries and support requests.
Open-source help desk and IT service management platform with email, chat, and phone integration.
Free open-source help desk and shared mailbox software inspired by Zendesk and Help Scout.
Freshdesk
specializedCloud-based customer support platform offering simple ticketing, automation, and multi-channel collaboration.
Freddy AI copilot for intelligent ticket routing, auto-responses, and predictive insights
Freshdesk is a cloud-based help desk software designed to simplify customer support by centralizing tickets from email, chat, phone, social media, and other channels into a unified interface. It offers automation rules, AI-powered Freddy bot for quick resolutions, and self-service portals to reduce ticket volume. Ideal for simple help desk needs, it provides robust reporting and collaboration tools without overwhelming complexity, making it scalable for growing teams.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and minimal training required
- Seamless multi-channel ticketing and automation for efficiency
- Generous free plan and scalable paid options with strong ROI
Cons
- Advanced AI and reporting features require higher-tier plans
- Customization options can feel limited in basic plans
- Occasional performance lags with very high ticket volumes
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses seeking an easy-to-use, scalable help desk solution for straightforward customer support without enterprise bloat.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $15/agent/month (Grow), up to $79/agent/month (Enterprise), billed annually.
Help Scout
specializedEmail-first help desk software focused on personalized customer conversations and team collaboration.
Shared Inbox – treats support conversations as collaborative email threads for seamless teamwork.
Help Scout is a customer support platform that converts email inboxes into collaborative shared help desks, enabling teams to manage conversations efficiently without traditional ticketing complexity. It offers tools like a customizable knowledge base (Docs), live chat, AI-powered search, and self-service portals to empower customers. Ideal for simplicity-focused teams, it emphasizes a human, conversational approach to support while integrating with popular apps.
Pros
- Intuitive shared inbox that feels like email, easing team adoption
- Beautiful, SEO-optimized knowledge base for self-service
- Strong focus on customer experience with personalization features
Cons
- Limited advanced automation and workflows compared to enterprise tools
- No free plan, with pricing starting at mid-range levels
- Reporting and analytics are basic for complex needs
Best For
Small to medium businesses wanting a straightforward, email-like help desk with excellent UX for support teams.
Pricing
Standard ($20/user/mo), Plus ($49/user/mo), Pro ($65/user/mo), billed annually; 15-day free trial.
Zendesk
specializedScalable customer service platform with ticketing, AI-powered bots, and analytics for simple to advanced needs.
Unified Workspace that brings all channels and AI assistance into a single, intuitive agent interface
Zendesk is a robust customer service platform designed for help desk operations, offering ticketing, live chat, knowledge base, and omnichannel support to manage customer inquiries efficiently. It includes automation, AI-powered bots, and analytics to streamline workflows and improve agent productivity. While highly scalable, it excels at centralizing support from email, chat, social media, and more into a single interface.
Pros
- Comprehensive omnichannel ticketing and automation
- Powerful AI tools like Copilot for real-time agent assistance
- Extensive integrations and scalability for growing teams
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit very small or simple setups
- Advanced features have a learning curve
- Customization often requires developer support
Best For
Mid-sized teams needing a scalable help desk that handles complex customer interactions across multiple channels.
Pricing
Starts at $55/agent/month for Suite Team (billed annually), scaling to $115/agent/month for Suite Enterprise with custom options.
Zoho Desk
specializedAffordable omnichannel help desk software with automation, self-service portals, and CRM integration.
Zia AI assistant for automated ticket triage, sentiment analysis, and response suggestions
Zoho Desk is a cloud-based help desk software designed to manage customer support tickets across multiple channels including email, chat, social media, and phone. It provides automation rules, self-service portals, and AI-powered features like Zia for efficient query resolution and analytics. While scalable for growing teams, it offers a straightforward interface for basic ticketing needs, making it suitable for small businesses seeking simplicity without sacrificing functionality.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with a functional free plan for small teams
- Strong omnichannel support unifying communications into tickets
- Robust automation and AI tools for streamlining workflows
Cons
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Steeper learning curve for customizations and reporting
- Limited native integrations compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses needing an affordable, scalable help desk with multi-channel capabilities.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 agents; paid plans start at $14/user/month (Standard), $23 (Professional), $40 (Enterprise), billed annually.
LiveAgent
specializedReal-time live chat and help desk ticketing software for multichannel customer support.
Universal inbox that merges all communication channels into one searchable ticket stream
LiveAgent is an all-in-one customer support platform that unifies ticketing, live chat, call management, and social media monitoring into a single interface. It enables teams to handle inquiries from email, web chat, Facebook, Twitter, and phone calls efficiently through a shared inbox. With built-in automation, reporting, and a self-service knowledge base, it streamlines help desk operations for growing businesses.
Pros
- Multichannel ticketing in a universal inbox
- Robust automation and SLA management
- Strong integrations with 200+ apps
Cons
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Free plan is very limited
- UI feels dated compared to modern alternatives
Best For
Small to medium businesses needing multichannel support without separate tools for chat and tickets.
Pricing
Free limited plan; paid plans start at $15/agent/month (Ticket), $29 (Ticket + Chat), $49 (All-inclusive), billed annually.
HubSpot Service Hub
specializedFree customer service tools including ticketing, knowledge base, and feedback surveys integrated with CRM.
Seamless 360-degree customer view via CRM integration
HubSpot Service Hub is a customer service platform within the HubSpot CRM ecosystem, offering ticketing, shared inboxes, knowledge bases, and feedback tools to manage customer support efficiently. It automates workflows, provides reporting, and integrates seamlessly with sales and marketing data for a unified customer view. While suitable for simple help desk needs via its free tier, it excels in scaling for growing teams with advanced features.
Pros
- Generous free plan with core ticketing and knowledge base
- Deep integration with HubSpot CRM for customer insights
- Intuitive interface and powerful automation tools
Cons
- Rapidly increasing costs beyond basic tier
- Feature bloat can overwhelm simple help desk users
- Full value requires commitment to HubSpot ecosystem
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses using HubSpot CRM who need scalable support with customer data integration.
Pricing
Free plan available; Starter at $20/user/month (min 2 users); Professional $90/user/month; Enterprise $150/user/month (billed annually).
Deskpro
specializedFlexible on-premise or cloud help desk software with custom workflows and real-time chat.
Blueprint visual workflow builder for custom automations
Deskpro is a flexible help desk software platform designed for managing customer support tickets across email, chat, social media, and phone channels. It offers automation rules, a self-service portal, and customizable workflows to streamline support operations. While feature-rich, it provides a solid foundation for simple ticketing needs with scalability for growing teams.
Pros
- Multi-channel ticketing support
- Powerful automation and macros
- Self-service knowledge base and portal
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for setup
- Higher cost for advanced features
- On-premise version requires technical expertise
Best For
Small to mid-sized teams needing scalable ticketing with some customization beyond basic tools.
Pricing
Cloud: starts at $29/agent/month (billed annually); on-premise custom quote.
osTicket
otherFree open-source ticketing system for managing customer inquiries and support requests.
Advanced email piping that automatically converts inbound emails into structured tickets with full threading
osTicket is a free, open-source help desk ticketing system that streamlines customer support by converting emails and web forms into manageable tickets. It supports ticket queues, agent assignment, auto-responders, and SLA management to help teams handle inquiries efficiently. Ideal for self-hosted deployments, it offers customization through plugins and themes for basic to moderate help desk needs.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Strong email piping and ticket threading for seamless integration
- Highly customizable via plugins and API for tailored workflows
Cons
- Dated, clunky user interface that feels outdated
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server management
- Limited built-in reporting and mobile support
Best For
Small to medium businesses or IT teams seeking a no-cost, customizable ticketing system for basic support operations.
Pricing
Free (open-source, self-hosted); optional paid enterprise support starts at $495/year.
Zammad
otherOpen-source help desk and IT service management platform with email, chat, and phone integration.
Seamless multichannel ticket ingestion from 20+ sources including Telegram, Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp
Zammad is a 100% open-source, web-based helpdesk system designed for managing customer support tickets across multiple channels like email, web chat, social media, and telephony. It provides tools for ticket organization, automated workflows, knowledge base management, and detailed reporting to streamline support operations. While highly customizable, it's particularly suited for teams needing a flexible, self-hosted solution without licensing costs.
Pros
- Completely free open-source edition with no user limits
- Robust multichannel support (email, chat, social media, SMS)
- Highly customizable with extensive automation and reporting
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance
- Interface can feel overwhelming for absolute beginners
- Fewer native integrations than some proprietary competitors
Best For
Small to medium businesses or tech-savvy teams seeking a cost-free, customizable helpdesk without vendor lock-in.
Pricing
Free open-source self-hosted edition; hosted plans start at €5/user/month (billed annually).
FreeScout
otherFree open-source help desk and shared mailbox software inspired by Zendesk and Help Scout.
Modular extension system for adding features like Slack integration or reports without custom development
FreeScout is a free, open-source help desk and shared mailbox software that serves as a self-hosted alternative to Help Scout, enabling teams to manage customer support emails as threaded conversations in a unified inbox. It supports ticket assignment, custom fields, canned responses, and automation rules for efficient workflow. The platform's modular architecture allows easy extensions via community-built modules without requiring deep coding knowledge.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no user or ticket limits
- Clean, intuitive interface similar to premium tools
- Highly customizable through modules and self-hosting
Cons
- Requires technical setup for self-hosting (PHP/MySQL server needed)
- Limited native integrations and no official mobile app
- Community support only, lacking enterprise-grade features
Best For
Small teams or tech-savvy users seeking a cost-free, customizable self-hosted help desk without subscription fees.
Pricing
Free (open-source, self-hosted); optional paid modules for advanced features starting at $29 one-time.
Conclusion
After analyzing the top 10 help desk software options, Freshdesk emerges as the clear winner, leveraging cloud-based simplicity, robust automation, and multi-channel collaboration to streamline support. Help Scout follows closely, excelling with its email-first focus and personalized customer interactions that foster team collaboration, while Zendesk stands out for its scalable, AI-enhanced platform suitable for both basic and advanced needs. Each tool offers distinct strengths, ensuring there’s a fit for varying priorities like budget, integration requirements, or support dynamics.
Don’t miss out on enhancing your support efficiency—try Freshdesk today to experience intuitive ticketing, automation, and seamless collaboration that elevates your customer service.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison