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Quick verdict

Freshdesk edges it overall, winning 2 of 4 rating categories. Freshdesk is cheaper to start ($19 vs $29).

Choose Freshdesk if…

You’re small and mid-size support teams that want an easy, affordable help desk. Freshworks’ help desk: easy ticketing, automations and a self-service portal at a lower per-agent price than Zendesk, with Freddy AI agents and copilot as add-ons.

Visit Freshdesk
Choose Intercom if…

You’re saaS and digital businesses that want AI to handle most first-line support. An AI-first customer service platform built around Fin, its AI agent that resolves customer questions, plus a modern inbox, help center and in-app messaging.

Visit Intercom

Side by side

FreshdeskIntercom
Our rating4.5/54.4/5
Value4.4/53.8/5
Features4.5/54.7/5
Ease of use4.6/54.5/5
Output quality4.4/54.7/5
CategoryCustomer supportCustomer support
Free planNo free plan listed on the pricing page: 14-day trialNo: free trial
Cheapest paid plan (monthly)$19/mo$29/mo
Same plan billed yearly$19/mo$29/mo
Top planEnterprise: $89/moExpert: $132/mo
SeatsPer agentPer seat; Fin billed per outcome
Trial / refund14-day trial with Enterprise featuresFree trial, add-ons included
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android
Best forSmall and mid-size support teams that want an easy, affordable help deskSaaS and digital businesses that want AI to handle most first-line support

Freshdesk: pros & cons

  • Growth plan from $19/agent billed yearly
  • Easy to set up and use
  • First 500 AI agent sessions included
  • Extra AI sessions cost $49 per 100
  • Copilot is an add-on, not on Growth
  • Monthly prices are higher (about 20% more)

Read the full Freshdesk review

Intercom: pros & cons

  • Fin is one of the strongest AI support agents
  • Beautiful in-app messenger
  • Fin can run on top of Zendesk or Salesforce
  • Per-seat plus per-outcome pricing is hard to forecast
  • Expensive for large human teams

Read the full Intercom review

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