Top 10 Alternatives to Forethought in 2025

Forethought has made significant strides in the AI-powered customer support landscape, but 2025 has brought forth a spectrum of alternatives, each unique in their offerings and capabilities. If you are seeking reliable and efficient AI tools for customer service, here are the top 10 alternatives you should consider.

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1. Ada

Description: Ada is an AI-powered customer service automation platform designed to handle a wide range of customer inquiries.
Key Features:
AI-powered chatbot for quick responses
Comprehensive analytics dashboard
Customizable workflows and integrations
Multilingual support
Data Points:
G2 Rating: 4.6/5 (154 reviews)
Known for its ease of use and fast response times
Offers a free trial
Website: Learn more about Ada

2. Zendesk AI Agents (Ultimate)

Description: AI-powered tools within the Zendesk platform designed to enhance customer support efficiency.
Key Features:
AI-driven automation for repetitive tasks
Intelligent ticket routing
Predictive analytics
Integration with Zendesk Support Suite
Data Points:
G2 Rating: 4.6/5 (135 reviews)
Known for robust integrations and ticketing systems
Website: Explore Zendesk AI Agents

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3. Intercom

Description: This customer communication platform provides a suite of tools for support, marketing, and engagement.
Key Features:
AI-powered chatbots for 24/7 support
Personalized messaging
Real-time chat and messaging
Integration with CRM and marketing tools
Data Points:
G2 Rating: 4.5/5 (3,297 reviews)
Optimized for quick response and seamless integration
Website: Check out Intercom

4. Salesforce Service Cloud

Description: A comprehensive customer service platform that leverages AI for improved interactions and agent productivity.
Key Features:
AI-powered recommendations and workflow automation
Omnichannel support management
Integration with Salesforce CRM
Data Points:
G2 Rating: 4.4/5 (5,601 reviews)
Website: Discover Salesforce Service Cloud

5. Drift

Description: Drift is a conversational AI platform focused on enhancing sales and customer engagement.
Key Features:
AI-powered chatbots for lead capture
Live chat and personalized messaging
Automated meeting scheduling
Real-time visitor insights
Data Points:
G2 Rating: 4.4/5 (1,251 reviews)
Optimized for quick response and sales engagement
Website: Learn more about Drift

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6. Gladly

Description: Aimed at providing a more human-centered approach to support, Gladly focuses on long-term customer relationships.
Key Features:
AI-driven customer profiles
Omnichannel support
Agent empowerment tools
Advanced analytics
Data Points:
G2 Rating: 4.7/5 (974 reviews)
Known for its human-centered approach and comprehensive analytics
Website: Explore Gladly

7. Kore.AI

Description: A conversational AI platform for building and deploying intelligent virtual assistants.
Key Features:
AI-powered virtual assistants
Advanced natural language processing
Customizable workflows
Enterprise-level deployments
Data Points:
G2 Rating: 4.7/5 (380 reviews)
Known for enterprise-level support and advanced NLP
Website: Discover Kore.AI

8. Freshdesk

Description: Freshdesk offers customer support software with AI capabilities for enhanced efficiency.
Key Features:
Freddy AI for automated ticketing
Multichannel support
Collaboration tools
Customizable dashboards
Data Points:
Known for AI-driven automation and customizable solutions
Website: Learn more about Freshdesk

9. Saufter

Description: Saufter is an automation software designed for e-commerce customer service.
Key Features:
Custom automation for repetitive tasks
Self-service live chat
Automated bug fixes
Ecommerce workflow automation
Data Points:
Offers personalized pricing and a 15-day free trial
Provides 24/7 customer support
Website: Discover Saufter

10. LiveAgent

Description: A customer service platform with a strong focus on providing multi-channel support.
Key Features:
Robust multi-channel support
Ticketing system
Automation and workflow capabilities
Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Data Points:
Capterra Rating: 4.7/5 (1,660 reviews)
Known for its multi-channel support and robust ticketing system
Website: Learn more about LiveAgent

Additional Insights:

AI is Critical: AI in customer service is becoming indispensable due to its efficiency and scalability.
Automation: AI tools are handling up to 85% of interactions with minimal human intervention.
Improvement in Customer Experience: AI is key to revolutionizing customer experience.
Omnichannel Support: Support across multiple channels is crucial.
Personalization: AI provides tailored customer experiences.
Cost Efficiency: Implementing AI significantly reduces operational costs.

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FAQ

1. What is Ada and how does it help with customer service automation?

Ada is an AI-powered customer service automation platform designed to handle a wide range of customer inquiries. It features AI-powered chatbots, customizable workflows, and multilingual support, enabling businesses to offer efficient and personalized customer interactions. Learn more about Ada

2. What features do Zendesk AI Agents (Ultimate) offer?

Zendesk AI Agents provide automation for repetitive tasks, intelligent ticket routing, predictive analytics, and seamless integration with the broader Zendesk ecosystem, enhancing customer support efficiency. Explore Zendesk AI Agents

3. How does Intercom support customer engagement?

Intercom offers AI-powered chatbots, personalized messaging, integration with CRM and marketing tools, real-time chat, and knowledge base management to ensure a seamless and engaging customer communication experience. Discover Intercom

4. What makes Salesforce Service Cloud a comprehensive customer service platform?

Salesforce Service Cloud leverages AI to provide recommendations and workflow automation, personalized customer interactions, omnichannel support management, and integration with Salesforce CRM for a unified customer view. Learn more about Salesforce Service Cloud

5. What are the key features of Drift for sales and customer engagement?

Drift focuses on AI-powered chatbots for lead capture, live chat, personalized messaging, integration with CRM and marketing platforms, automated meeting scheduling, and real-time visitor insights. Explore Drift

6. How does Gladly aim to provide a human-centered approach to customer service?

Gladly emphasizes AI-driven customer profiles, omnichannel support, long-term customer relationships, advanced analytics, and agent empowerment and collaboration. Discover Gladly

7. What capabilities does Kore.AI offer for building intelligent virtual assistants?

Kore.AI provides AI-powered virtual assistants, customizable workflows, advanced natural language processing, multi-language support, and a focus on enterprise-level deployments. Learn more about Kore.AI

8. How does Freshdesk enhance customer support with AI?

Freshdesk utilizes Freddy AI to automate ticketing, response generation, and prioritization, offering multichannel support, collaboration tools, and customizable dashboards for efficient customer service operations. Explore Freshdesk

9. What specific features does Saufter offer for e-commerce businesses?

Saufter provides custom automation for repetitive tasks, self-service live chat, automated bug fixes, e-commerce workflow automation, and AI-drafted responses, tailored for e-commerce businesses. Learn more about Saufter

10. How does LiveAgent support multi-channel customer service?

LiveAgent offers robust multi-channel support, including email, chat, social media, and phone, along with a ticketing system, automation and workflow capabilities, comprehensive reporting, and integration options with other business tools. Discover LiveAgent

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.