Freshdesk vs Help Scout
A detailed comparison of Freshdesk and Help Scout to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
💰 Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Freshdesk | Help Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | ✓ Up to 10 agents | ✓ Up to 50 contacts/mo |
| Lowest Paid | $18/agent/mo | $25/user/mo |
| Enterprise | $95/agent/mo | $50/user/mo |
⚡ Feature Comparison
| Feature | Freshdesk | Help Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Ticketing | ✓ | — |
| Knowledge Base | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automations | ✓ | — |
| SLA Management | ✓ | — |
| Community Forums | ✓ | — |
| Freddy AI | ✓ | — |
| Shared Inbox | — | ✓ |
| Live Chat (Beacon) | — | ✓ |
| Customer Profiles | — | ✓ |
| Saved Replies | — | ✓ |
| Workflows | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✗ |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.3 | ⭐ 4.4 |
Pros & Cons
Freshdesk
Pros
- ✓ Generous free tier
- ✓ Clean intuitive UI
- ✓ Good automation
- ✓ Affordable paid plans
Cons
- ✗ Reporting limited on lower tiers
- ✗ Customization constrained
- ✗ Marketplace smaller than Zendesk
- ✗ AI features cost extra
Help Scout
Pros
- ✓ Feels like email not tickets
- ✓ Simple and clean
- ✓ Great knowledge base
- ✓ Excellent customer support
Cons
- ✗ Limited reporting
- ✗ No phone/call center
- ✗ Fewer integrations
- ✗ Basic automation
🏆 The Verdict
Choose Freshdesk if: You need small to mid-size teams wanting capable helpdesk without high cost. Freshdesk excels with its generous free tier and clean intuitive ui.
Choose Help Scout if: You need small businesses wanting personal, human customer support. Help Scout stands out with its feels like email not tickets and simple and clean.
Best free option: Both Freshdesk and Help Scout offer free tiers. Freshdesk offers "Up to 10 agents" while Help Scout offers "Up to 50 contacts/mo".
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freshdesk better than Help Scout?
It depends on your needs. Freshdesk is better for small to mid-size teams wanting capable helpdesk without high cost, while Help Scout is better for small businesses wanting personal, human customer support. Both are excellent tools rated 4.3 and 4.4 respectively.
Which is cheaper, Freshdesk or Help Scout?
Freshdesk starts at $18/agent/mo while Help Scout starts at $25/user/mo. Both offer free tiers.
Can I switch from Freshdesk to Help Scout?
Most tools offer import/export features to help you migrate. We recommend trying Help Scout's free tier before fully committing to a switch.
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