The best help desk software

By Web Tool Ratings editors · Updated Oct 10, 2026 · How we rate

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Help desks charge per agent per month, and now also per AI resolution. Compare both before you choose, because AI pricing can matter more than seat price.

The full list

Best value

Freshdesk

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.5 · Best for small and mid-size support teams that want an easy, affordable help desk

Growth from $19/agent billed yearly; easy to set up.

Category: Customer support
Free plan: No
Paid from: $19/mo
Billed yearly: $19/mo

From $19 /user/moVisit Freshdesk Full review

Best for scaling teams

Zendesk

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for growing and enterprise support teams that need a proven, scalable help desk

The most complete omnichannel suite; Suite Team $55/agent yearly.

Category: Customer support
Free plan: No
Paid from: $25/mo
Billed yearly: $19/mo

From $25 /user/moVisit Zendesk Full review

Best AI agent

Intercom

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for saaS and digital businesses that want AI to handle most first-line support

Fin resolves questions from $0.99 per outcome.

Category: Customer support
Free plan: No
Paid from: $29/mo
Billed yearly: $29/mo

From $29 /user/moVisit Intercom Full review

Best with a free CRM

HubSpot

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for small businesses that want a free CRM that can grow with them

Service tools on top of HubSpot’s free CRM.

Category: Productivity & CRM
Free plan: Yes
Paid from: $20/mo
Billed yearly: $15/mo

From $20 /user/moVisit HubSpot Full review

Compared at a glance

Tool	Our rating	Category	Free plan	Paid from	Year 1 (cheapest paid)
Freshdesk	4.5/5	Customer support	No	$19/mo	$228
Zendesk	4.4/5	Customer support	No	$25/mo	$228
Intercom	4.4/5	Customer support	No	$29/mo	$348
HubSpot	4.4/5	Productivity & CRM	Yes	$20/mo	$180

Checked Oct 10, 2026. Details change: confirm on the provider’s site.

Price per agent at a glance

Tool	Entry (billed yearly)	Popular tier	AI pricing
Freshdesk	$19	Pro $55	500 AI sessions included, then $49/100
Zendesk	$19 (Support Team)	Suite Professional $115	$1.50-$2 per automated resolution
Intercom	$29	Advanced $85	Fin from $0.99 per outcome