Alternatives
Zendesk alternatives worth comparing
Customer service suite with ticketing, messaging and live chat, help center, voice and AI agents. AI agent work is billed per automated resolution on top of per-agent plans. Teams often look elsewhere because Zendesk prices every agent seat and adds $1.50 to $2.00 for each conversation its AI resolves, which adds up for small teams.
Facts read from each vendor’s own site, most recently on 16 October 2026.
What are the best Zendesk alternatives?
Good Zendesk alternatives depend on why you are leaving. Intercom suits teams that want a strong AI agent with a lower per-resolution fee. Tidio and Crisp suit smaller businesses that want website chat and AI at a lower monthly price. Freshchat adds a free plan for small teams. Each bills differently, so compare in your own monthly volume.
Zendesk and its alternatives on price
| Product | Free plan | Starts at | Billing model | Usage charges | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZendeskOfficial pricing | Not verified | From $19/month per agent, billed yearly | per seat + per resolution | Automated resolution, committed: $1.50 per resolutionAutomated resolution, pay-as-you-go: $2 per resolution | 16 October 2026 |
| IntercomOfficial pricing | Not verified | From $29/month per seat, billed yearly | per seat + subscription + per resolution + usage credits | Fin outcome (resolution, procedure handoff, routing): $0.99 per outcomeFin qualification outcome: $9.99 per outcome | 16 October 2026 |
| TidioOfficial pricing | Yes50 billable conversations; first 50 Lyro conversations free (lifetime) | From $29/month | subscription | None published | 16 October 2026 |
| CrispOfficial pricing | Yes2 seats, no AI credits | From $45/month per workspace | subscription + usage-based | Additional agent seat: $10 per seat per month | 16 October 2026 |
| FreshchatOfficial pricing | YesUp to 10 agents; chat widget, shared inbox, 100 campaign contacts/month | From $19/month per agent, billed yearly | per seat + per conversation | Freddy AI Agent sessions: $49 per 100 sessions | 16 October 2026 |
| GorgiasOfficial pricing | Not verified | From $10/month per account | subscription + usage-based | AI Agent automated interaction, annual plans: $0.90 per automated interactionAI Agent automated interaction, monthly plans: $1 per automated interaction | 16 October 2026 |
Each alternative, and when it fits
1. Intercom by Fin (formerly Intercom), part of Salesforce
You want a full help desk with an AI agent and a lower per-resolution fee, at $0.99 per Fin outcome plus seats.
From $29/month per seat, billed yearly. Billing: per seat + subscription + per resolution + usage credits. Free plan: not verified.
2. Tidio by Tidio
You run a smaller business and want website live chat with a free plan, adding the Lyro AI agent as a separate plan when you need it.
From $29/month. Billing: subscription. Free plan: yes.
3. Crisp by Crisp
You prefer pricing per workspace instead of per agent, with AI included on the paid plans.
From $45/month per workspace. Billing: subscription + usage-based. Free plan: yes.
4. Freshchat by Freshworks
You want a free plan for up to 10 agents and AI sessions priced in packs of 100.
From $19/month per agent, billed yearly. Billing: per seat + per conversation. Free plan: yes.
5. Gorgias by Gorgias
You run an online store and want a help desk priced by ticket volume rather than by agent.
From $10/month per account. Billing: subscription + usage-based. Free plan: not verified.
Features compared
Confirmed on the vendor’s site Vendor says it is not offered Not verified (not the same as no)
| Feature | Zendesk | Intercom | Tidio | Crisp | Freshchat | Gorgias |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website chat widget | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Learns from your content | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not verified | Yes |
| Hand-off to a person | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not verified | Not verified | Yes |
| CRM connection | Not verified | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not verified | Not verified |
| Multiple languages | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not verified |
| Remove branding | Yes | Not verified | Yes | Yes | Not verified | Not verified |
Questions
What is a cheaper alternative to Zendesk?
For small teams, Tidio and Crisp have lower entry prices and free plans, though Crisp's free plan has no AI. Freshchat is free for up to 10 agents. For a full help desk, Intercom's per-resolution fee is lower than Zendesk's, but its seats are priced separately.
Sources and method
- Zendesk, checked 16 October 2026: pricing page, docs
- Intercom, checked 16 October 2026: pricing page, docs, pricing page, product page
- Tidio, checked 16 October 2026: pricing page
- Crisp, checked 16 October 2026: pricing page
- Freshchat, checked 16 October 2026: pricing page
- Gorgias, checked 16 October 2026: pricing page, docs
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