Who are HelpScout's main competitors?
HelpScout's main competitors include several customer service and support platforms that offer similar features and functionalities. Some of the prominent ones are:
Top HelpScout Alternatives for 2025
Looking for alternatives to HelpScout for your customer service needs? Here are some top free and paid options to consider:
HelpDesk
HelpDesk is a customer service software that enables businesses to provide personalized customer support. It offers features such as ticket management, automation, reporting, and integrations with other tools like LiveChat or ChatBot. HelpDesk aims to streamline customer communications and improve satisfaction through its user-friendly interface and customizable workflows. The platform is designed to help companies promptly manage and resolve customer inquiries and issues.
Key Features
Key HelpDesk features are ticket management, AI-powered tools, intuitive workflows, end-to-end system personalization, and customizable reporting features.
Pros of HelpDesk
The most important advantages of this tool are a user-friendly interface, seamless integration with other systems, and exceptional customer support.
Pricing
HelpDesk offers a 14-day free trial. After that, you can choose one of its plans.
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LiveAgent
LiveAgent is a help desk software offering a multichannel customer support platform for businesses of all sizes. It combines various communication channels, including email, live chat, phone, and social media, into one unified platform, enabling companies to provide efficient and personalized customer support. LiveAgent also includes features such as ticket management, automation, reporting, and integrations with various third-party tools. LiveAgent aims to help businesses streamline their customer support processes and improve customer satisfaction.
Key Features
Key LiveAgent features are real-time chat, ticketing system, knowledge base, customer portal, and social media integration.
Pros
The most important advantages of LiveAgent include its seamless integration of multiple communication channels, a robust ticketing system, and detailed reporting and analytics capabilities.
Pricing
LiveAgent offers a 14-day free trial and their pricing can be found at this URL: https://www.liveagent.com/pricing/
HubSpot Service Hub
HubSpot is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform that offers tools to attract, engage, and delight customers. It includes marketing, sales, customer service, content management, and analytics tools to help businesses grow through insights, automation, and scalability. The focus is on inbound marketing strategies to attract and convert leads into loyal customers, making it a comprehensive solution for improving customer relationships and driving growth. Additionally, HubSpot's AI-powered customer platform connects marketing, sales, and customer service, enabling businesses to grow faster by focusing on their customers.
Key Features
Key HubSpot features are lead generation, email marketing automation, social media management, and customer relationship management.
Pros
The most important advantages of this tool are its ease of use, comprehensive features, and ability to streamline marketing, sales, and customer service processes.
Pricing
Yes, HubSpot offers a free trial for their software. You can find pricing information at: https://www.hubspot.com/pricing
Freshdesk
Freshworks is a cloud-based customer support software that assists businesses in managing customer interactions across various channels such as email, phone, chat, and social media. The Freshdesk platform equips businesses with tools to streamline and automate customer support procedures, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction. Freshworks provides a wide range of features, including ticketing, self-service portals, knowledge base management, and analytics, all designed to help businesses deliver personalized and effective customer support on a large scale.
Key Features
Key Freshworks features are ticketing system, automation, collaboration, reporting, and self-service options to streamline customer support operations.
Pros
The most important advantages of this tool include its easy-to-use interface, powerful features, and seamless integrations with various platforms.
Pricing
Freshworks offers a free trial for their tools. For pricing information, visit: https://www.freshworks.com/pricing/
Front
Front is a platform that assists teams in improving their communication and efficiency. It serves as a central hub for team communication, enabling users to collaborate on emails, messages, and social media interactions in one place. By consolidating communication channels, Front aims to streamline workflow and enhance productivity. The platform offers features like message assignment, inbox management, and integration with tools like Slack and Salesforce. Front is designed for teams of all sizes looking to optimize their communication processes.
Key Features
Key Front features are real-time collaboration, automated task tracking, and file-sharing capabilities to streamline project management processes.
Pros
This tool offers key benefits such as streamlining communication, fostering team collaboration, and boosting project management efficiency.
Pricing
Front offers a free trial, and more information on pricing can be found at https://www.front.com/pricing.
Groove
Groove is a customer support software that helps teams to deliver personalized customer experiences. It provides tools for managing customer requests, collaboration between team members, and automating repetitive tasks. Groove also offers shared inboxes, support ticketing, knowledge base management, reporting and analytics, and multi-channel communication options. The platform aims to streamline customer support processes and improve efficiency, customer satisfaction, and retention.
Key Features
- Simple and user-friendly help desk software for small businesses.
- Shared inbox for team collaboration on customer support.
- Integration with popular apps like Slack, Trello, and Shopify.
- Reporting and analytics to monitor team performance.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use, even for small teams.
- Affordable pricing tailored for startups and small businesses.
- Offers a clean and intuitive interface.
- Flexible pricing options for different business needs.
Cons
- Limited advanced features compared to larger platforms.
- No live chat or phone support options.
Pricing
Starts at $12 per user per month for the Starter plan.
HappyFox
HappyFox is an all-in-one help desk and customer support software designed to streamline ticket management and enhance customer service. It offers powerful automation tools, multichannel support, and a user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for businesses of all sizes.
Key Features
- Omnichannel ticketing system to manage queries from email, chat, social media, and calls.
- Automation tools for repetitive tasks and ticket routing.
- Integrated knowledge base and self-service portals.
- Customizable workflows and advanced reporting.
Pros
- Comprehensive set of features for mid-sized to large businesses.
- Excellent ticketing and automation capabilities.
- Strong focus on self-service tools.
Cons
- Higher cost compared to other help desk tools.
- Advanced features may require a learning curve.
Pricing
Starts at $29 per user per month for the Basic plan.
Zoho
Zoho is a customer support software designed to help businesses provide efficient and personalized customer service. It offers a multichannel ticketing system, automation tools, and analytics to streamline support operations and improve customer satisfaction. Zoho Desk allows teams to collaborate, track customer interactions, and resolve issues quickly and effectively. Additionally, it offers customizable dashboards and reports to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions.
Key Features
- Context-aware AI assistant for quick issue resolution.
- Workflow automation to streamline repetitive tasks.
- Omnichannel communication across email, chat, and phone.
- Customizable reports and dashboards.
- Integration with the Zoho suite and third-party tools.
Pros
- Affordable pricing, especially for small businesses.
- Excellent integration with other Zoho apps.
- AI-driven insights for improved efficiency.
Cons
- Some users report limited customization options.
- Advanced features can have a learning curve.
Pricing
Starts at $14 per agent per month (Standard plan). Free plan for up to three agents.
Kayako
Kayako is a customer service software company that provides a help desk and live chat platform for businesses to better communicate with and support their customers. The platform allows businesses to manage customer inquiries, provide self-service options, and collaborate internally to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently. Kayako aims to help companies build stronger customer relationships by providing a seamless and personalized customer service experience.
Key Features
- Omnichannel support (live chat, email, social media, and phone).
- Collaboration tools to enhance team communication.
- Powerful analytics to track performance and customer satisfaction.
- Automated ticketing and routing.
Pros
- Easy to use and intuitive interface.
- Strong reporting and analytics capabilities.
- Excellent for collaborative customer service teams.
Cons
- Limited integration options compared to other platforms.
- Some users find the setup process to be a bit complex.
Pricing
Starts at $15 per agent per month for the Basic plan. Free 14-day trial available.
Trengo
Trengo is a communications platform designed to help businesses of all sizes manage their customer communication channels in one place. It allows teams to collaborate efficiently, automate repetitive tasks, and deliver exceptional customer service across multiple channels like email, chat, WhatsApp, social media, and more. Trengo's features include a shared inbox, team chat, automation tools, and integrations with popular business software. The platform aims to streamline communication processes and improve business customer satisfaction.
Key Features
- Centralized inbox for email, chat, social media, and voice.
- Chatbots for automated responses to common queries.
- Collaboration features like internal team notes and assignments.
- Integration with over 50 tools including CRM platforms.
- Multilingual support for international teams.
Pros
- Intuitive interface and easy setup.
- Strong multichannel capabilities.
- Affordable and scalable for growing businesses.
Cons
- Reporting tools could be more advanced.
- Limited customization for certain workflows.
Pricing
The Basic plan starts at $18 per user per month. Free trial available.
Who should choose HelpScout and why?
Help Scout is a customer service platform designed for businesses that value simplicity, collaboration, and a human-centered approach to customer support. It offers shared inboxes, knowledge bases, and live chat tools that cater to teams of all sizes.
Who should choose HelpScout?
- Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs):
- Help Scout’s pricing and feature set are well-suited for SMBs needing an affordable, user-friendly help desk solution.
- Its intuitive interface ensures quick onboarding for teams without a dedicated IT staff.
- Customer-centric teams:
- Businesses prioritizing personalized, human customer service will benefit from Help Scout’s focus on delivering thoughtful interactions.
- Features like saved replies and customer profiles, make it easy to deliver personalized support.
- Startups and growing teams:
- For startups looking for a scalable support platform, Help Scout offers flexibility with pricing and features that grow with the business.
- Tools like automated workflows and reporting help small teams stay efficient as ticket volumes increase.
- E-commerce and SaaS businesses:
- Companies handling customer inquiries about online purchases or subscription services will find Help Scout’s integrations with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Stripe valuable.
- The Docs feature allows businesses to create and manage self-service knowledge bases to reduce support queries.
- Remote and collaborative teams:
- Teams working across different locations will appreciate Help Scout’s shared inbox, internal notes, and tagging features, which enhance collaboration and communication.
Why choose HelpScout?
- Human-centric design: Help Scout is built to help teams provide personalized, empathetic customer support, with features that encourage thoughtful interactions.
- Ease of use: Its clean, intuitive interface makes it accessible to teams with minimal technical expertise.
- Seamless collaboration: Shared inboxes, internal notes, and tagging keep teams aligned and reduce communication gaps.
- Scalable pricing plans: Help Scout offers plans that cater to businesses at different stages of growth, making it a good long-term solution.
- Strong integrations: Integrates seamlessly with popular tools like Slack, HubSpot, Zapier, and more, enabling businesses to streamline their workflows.
- Comprehensive reporting: Advanced analytics provide insights into team performance, response times, and customer satisfaction.
How to transition smoothly to a HelpDesk tool
Transitioning to a new helpdesk tool can be challenging, but with careful planning and execution, you can ensure a smooth migration of your tickets and data.
Migrate for free from HelpScout ticketing system
We're here to support you during the entire migration process, offering information about any related costs and, if possible, covering them for you.
