Jira Service Management Alternatives 2026: 5 Options Compared
Find the right help desk/support solution for your team
Jira Service Management pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $51.42 per agent/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 Jira Service Management Alternatives
Zendesk
Medium EffortChoose Zendesk over JSM if you prioritize customer-facing support, need a broader channel mix (voice, social, messaging), and want the largest third-party app ecosystem
Freshservice
Easy MigrationChoose Freshservice over JSM if you want a more intuitive ITSM experience with faster onboarding, built-in asset management at lower tiers, and don't need deep Jira integration
Freshdesk
Easy MigrationChoose Freshdesk over JSM if your focus is customer support rather than internal IT, and you want a free plan for up to 10 agents versus JSM's 3-agent free limit
ServiceNow
Complex MigrationChoose ServiceNow over JSM if you need enterprise-grade ITSM with CMDB, GRC, and HR service delivery at scale, and budget is less of a concern
Help Scout
Easy MigrationChoose Help Scout over JSM if you want a streamlined email-based support tool without the complexity of ITSM workflows
When to Stay with Jira Service Management
Stay with Jira Service Management if your team is deeply embedded in the Atlassian ecosystem (Jira Software, Confluence, Bitbucket) and values tight development-to-operations integration at a competitive per-agent price
- You've invested heavily in customizations and integrations
- Your team is highly trained and productive on Jira Service Management
- You need features that alternatives don't offer
- Migration costs would exceed multi-year savings
Price Comparison
| Product | Price Range | Migration |
|---|---|---|
| Current Jira Service Management | $0-$51.42/agent/month | - |
| Zendesk | $19-115/agent/mo | Medium |
| Freshservice | $19-119/agent/mo | Easy |
| Freshdesk | $0-79/agent/mo | Easy |
| ServiceNow | Custom ($100+/user/mo) | Hard |
| Help Scout | $20-65/user/mo | Easy |
Detailed Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What are the best Jira Service Management alternatives?
The top Jira Service Management alternatives include Zendesk, Freshservice, Freshdesk, ServiceNow, Help Scout. Each offers different strengths: Zendesk is teams needing a mature customer-facing support platform with extensive marketplace, while Freshservice is it teams wanting modern itsm with easier setup and more intuitive ui.
02 Is it hard to switch from Jira Service Management to an alternative?
Migration difficulty varies by alternative. Among Jira Service Management alternatives, Freshservice and Freshdesk and Help Scout 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 Jira Service Management?
Depending on the alternative you choose, you could save anywhere from 20% to 70% on per-user costs. Jira Service Management'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 Jira Service Management or switch?
Stay with Jira Service Management if your team is deeply embedded in the Atlassian ecosystem (Jira Software, Confluence, Bitbucket) and values tight development-to-operations integration at a competitive per-agent price However, if your needs have evolved or you're not using Jira Service Management's advanced features, exploring alternatives could save you money and complexity.
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