Top 10 Alternatives to Help Scout AI in 2025

In 2025, Help Scout AI is facing competition from a variety of robust help desk solutions. Here we explore the top 10 alternatives, detailing their key features, pricing, use cases, and ideal user bases.

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1. Zendesk

Key Features: AI-powered automation (chatbots, predictive analytics), omnichannel support (email, chat, phone, social media), extensive CRM integrations, customizable workflows, self-service knowledge base.
Pricing: From $55 to $115 per agent per month.
Use Cases: Scalable customer service operations.
Target Audience: Enterprises requiring comprehensive omnichannel support. Continue reading about Zendesk

2. Freshdesk

Key Features: Omnichannel support (email, phone, chat, social media), AI-powered chatbot (Freddy), efficient ticketing system, team collaboration tools, customizable dashboards and analytics, CRM integration.
Pricing: $19 to $119 per agent per month, free plan available.
Use Cases: Unified support for teams, collaboration across channels.
Target Audience: Small to medium-sized businesses. Discover Freshdesk

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3. Zoho Desk

Key Features: Ticket management, automated workflows, self-service options, AI contextual support, social media integration, reporting tools.
Pricing: $14 to $40 per agent per month.
Use Cases: Budget-friendly ticket management and self-service.
Target Audience: Businesses with budget constraints. Explore Zoho Desk

4. HubSpot Service Hub

Key Features: Integration with HubSpot CRM, customer portal, multi-channel support, workflow automation, reporting and analytics.
Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $15 per user per month.
Use Cases: Integrated service, sales, and marketing support.
Target Audience: Businesses using HubSpot CRM. Learn more about HubSpot Service Hub

5. HelpDesk

Key Features: Personalized ticket management, AI-powered tools, intuitive workflows, customizable reporting, integrations (LiveChat, ChatBot).
Pricing: Paid plans from $29 per agent per month, 14-day free trial.
Use Cases: Personalizing support and efficient ticket handling.
Target Audience: Organizations seeking highly customizable help desk solutions. Check out HelpDesk

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6. Intercom

Key Features: Real-time messaging, targeted emails/push notifications, custom bots, SMS marketing management, integrations.
Pricing: From $74 per month billed annually.
Use Cases: Real-time customer interaction and campaign management.
Target Audience: Companies focusing on real-time communications and marketing. Visit Intercom

7. LiveAgent

Key Features: Multi-channel communication, live chat, ticketing system, customer service automation, advanced reporting.
Pricing: From $15 per agent per month billed annually.
Use Cases: Live support and multi-channel communication.
Target Audience: Businesses needing robust real-time support options. Explore LiveAgent

8. HappyFox

Key Features: Rule-based automation, live website chat, advanced reporting, unlimited shared inboxes, branding customization.
Pricing: $19 per user per month.
Use Cases: Automation and live support integration.
Target Audience: Businesses aiming for advanced automation and reporting capabilities. Discover HappyFox

9. Front

Key Features: Shared inbox functionality, personal email integration, team collaboration, workflow automation, business tool integrations.
Pricing: Varies, contact for details.
Use Cases: Managing shared communications and personal interactions.
Target Audience: Teams managing collaborative communication. Learn more about Front

10. Jira Service Management

Key Features: Agile help desk, automation, scalability, service desk chat, IT asset management, SLA management.
Pricing: $10 to $44.27 per agent per month, free plan available.
Use Cases: IT service management and enterprise-level operations.
Target Audience: Large enterprises needing scalable IT service solutions. Check out Jira Service Management

These alternatives span a wide range of features, pricing, and target users, catering to different business needs and sizes. Evaluating these options helps ensure you find the best help desk solution for your requirements.

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FAQ

1. What are the key features of Zendesk as an alternative to Help Scout AI?

Zendesk offers AI-powered automation, omnichannel support, extensive integrations, customizable workflows, and self-service knowledge base options. Learn more about Zendesk

2. How does Freshdesk compare to Help Scout AI in terms of pricing and features?

Freshdesk provides omnichannel support, an AI-powered chatbot, efficient ticketing, customizable dashboards, and various integrations. Pricing ranges from $19 to $119 per agent per month, with a free plan available. Explore Freshdesk

3. What makes Zoho Desk a suitable alternative for budget-conscious businesses?

Zoho Desk offers affordable pricing from $14 to $40 per agent per month, with features such as ticket management, self-service options, AI assistance, social media integration, and reporting tools. Discover Zoho Desk

4. Why is HubSpot Service Hub a good alternative for businesses looking to integrate with CRM?

HubSpot Service Hub integrates seamlessly with HubSpot CRM, providing customer portals, multi-channel support, workflow automation, and analytics, with pricing starting at $15/user/month. Learn about HubSpot Service Hub

5. What unique features does HelpDesk offer as an alternative to Help Scout AI?

HelpDesk emphasizes personalized support with features like ticket management, AI-powered tools, intuitive workflows, customizable reporting, and integrations with LiveChat or ChatBot. Check out HelpDesk

6. How does Intercom enhance customer communication compared to Help Scout AI?

Intercom specializes in real-time messaging, targeted emails, custom bots, SMS marketing, and integrations with various platforms, with pricing from $74 per month billed annually. Explore Intercom

7. What capabilities does LiveAgent bring to the table as an alternative to Help Scout AI?

LiveAgent offers multi-channel communication, live chat support, a ticketing system, customer service automation, and advanced reporting, priced from $15 per agent per month billed annually. Discover LiveAgent

8. Why consider HappyFox as an alternative to Help Scout AI?

HappyFox provides features like rule-based automation, live website chat, advanced reporting, unlimited shared inboxes, and branding customization, with pricing at $19 per user per month. Learn more about HappyFox

9. How does Front's shared inbox functionality benefit teams over Help Scout AI?

Front allows team collaboration using a shared inbox, personal email address integration, workflow automation, and business tool integrations. Check out Front

10. What sets Jira Service Management apart as an enterprise-level alternative to Help Scout AI?

Jira Service Management is designed for IT service management with agile help desk software, automation, scalability, service desk chat, IT asset management, and SLA management. Pricing ranges from $10 to $44.27 per agent per month, with a free plan available. Discover Jira Service Management

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.