Help Scout Alternatives 2026: 4 Options Compared
Find the right help desk/support solution for your team
Help Scout pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $75 per user/month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Top Help Scout Alternatives
Freshdesk
Easy MigrationChoose Freshdesk over Help Scout if you need multi-channel support (phone, chat, social) and advanced automation with a generous free tier
Zendesk
Medium EffortChoose Zendesk over Help Scout if you need enterprise-grade features, advanced reporting, and a massive marketplace of integrations
Intercom
Medium EffortChoose Intercom over Help Scout if you need advanced chatbots, product tours, and proactive customer engagement beyond email support
Gorgias
Easy MigrationChoose Gorgias over Help Scout if you run an e-commerce store and need customer order data and fulfillment status directly in support tickets
When to Stay with Help Scout
Stay with Help Scout if you value email-first support, personal customer relationships, and a simple interface without overwhelming feature complexity of enterprise platforms
- You've invested heavily in customizations and integrations
- Your team is highly trained and productive on Help Scout
- You need features that alternatives don't offer
- Migration costs would exceed multi-year savings
Price Comparison
| Product | Price Range | Migration |
|---|---|---|
| Current Help Scout | $0-$75/user/month | - |
| Freshdesk | $0-79/agent/mo | Easy |
| Zendesk | $19-115/agent/mo | Medium |
| Intercom | $39-139/seat/mo | Medium |
| Gorgias | $10-900/mo | Easy |
Detailed Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What are the best Help Scout alternatives?
The top Help Scout alternatives include Freshdesk, Zendesk, Intercom, Gorgias. Each offers different strengths: Freshdesk is teams needing more channels and automation at lower cost, while Zendesk is enterprise teams needing extensive customization and integrations.
02 Is it hard to switch from Help Scout to an alternative?
Migration difficulty varies by alternative. Among Help Scout alternatives, Freshdesk and Gorgias offer easy migration paths with import tools. More complex migrations may require data cleanup and workflow reconfiguration.
03 How much can I save by switching from Help Scout?
Depending on the alternative you choose, you could save anywhere from 20% to 70% on per-user costs. Help Scout's pricing is competitive, so cost savings depend on your specific feature requirements. Factor in migration costs and productivity dip during transition.
04 Should I stay with Help Scout or switch?
Stay with Help Scout if you value email-first support, personal customer relationships, and a simple interface without overwhelming feature complexity of enterprise platforms However, if your needs have evolved or you're not using Help Scout's advanced features, exploring alternatives could save you money and complexity.
Get a personalized Help Scout alternatives analysis
We'll compare your options and recommend the best fit based on your team size, budget, and requirements.