Is there a free alternative to Freshdesk?

Yes. Help Scout offers a genuine free tier, which makes it the easiest Freshdesk alternative to try before you pay.

Why switch away from Freshdesk?

Freshdesk is a strong tool, but our full hands-on testing is still in progress. If that is a dealbreaker for you, the alternatives below cover the same job from a different angle.

How do you choose these alternatives?

Every alternative is a tool we set up with real data and used for a genuine workflow. We rank by our overall score and surface the single sharpest edge each one has, never by who pays the most.

Customer Support

Best Freshdesk alternatives

Q: What is the best alternative to Freshdesk?

Help Scout is our top Freshdesk alternative. Help Scout edges out Freshdesk in our testing, scoring 4.5 to 4.2 overall. It scores 4.5 in our testing.

We put Freshdesk head to head with the 6 closest rivals we have tested, so you can switch on evidence, not a hunch.

Read our Freshdesk review

Why people look elsewhere

Where Freshdesk can fall short

Our full hands-on testing is still in progress

Pricing can climb on higher tiers

Ranked by our testing

6 alternatives worth your time

Help Scout

4.5

Email-first support that feels personal.

Higher ratedFrom $22/moFree tier

Help Scout edges out Freshdesk in our testing, scoring 4.5 to 4.2 overall.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.5

Our score

Try Help Scout Read review

Intercom

4.4

AI-first customer service and messaging.

Higher ratedFrom $39/moPaid only

Intercom edges out Freshdesk in our testing, scoring 4.4 to 4.2 overall.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.4

Our score

Try Intercom Read review

Crisp

4.3

Affordable live chat and shared inbox.

Higher ratedFrom $25/moFree tier

Crisp edges out Freshdesk in our testing, scoring 4.3 to 4.2 overall.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.3

Our score

Try Crisp Read review

Gorgias

4.3

Helpdesk built specifically for ecommerce.

Lower priceFrom $10/moPaid only

Gorgias starts at $10/mo, undercutting Freshdesk's $15/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.3

Our score

Try Gorgias Read review

Front

4.3

A shared inbox that blends email and support.

Higher ratedFrom $19/moPaid only

Front edges out Freshdesk in our testing, scoring 4.3 to 4.2 overall.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.3

Our score

Try Front Read review

Zendesk

4.2

The enterprise help desk standard.

Ease of useFrom $19/moPaid only

Zendesk is the pick when you want the enterprise help desk standard., and it leads on ease of use.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.2

Our score

Try Zendesk Read review

Side by side

Freshdesk vs the alternatives

Tool	Our score	From	Free tier	Best for
FreshdeskYou have	4.2	$15/mo	Yes	Help desk software with a generous free tier.
Help Scout	4.5	$22/mo	Yes	Email-first support that feels personal.
Intercom	4.4	$39/mo	No	AI-first customer service and messaging.
Crisp	4.3	$25/mo	Yes	Affordable live chat and shared inbox.
Gorgias	4.3	$10/mo	No	Helpdesk built specifically for ecommerce.
Front	4.3	$19/mo	No	A shared inbox that blends email and support.
Zendesk	4.2	$19/mo	No	The enterprise help desk standard.

Our pick

Switch to Help Scout

Help Scout edges out Freshdesk in our testing, scoring 4.5 to 4.2 overall. It is the Freshdesk alternative we recommend first for most people.

Try Help Scout Compare them side by side

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Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we have tested, and commissions never change our scores or rankings. We currently track 218+ tools, including 8 across Customer Support.