17 Best ServiceNow Alternatives Reviewed In 2025
Best ServiceNow Alternatives Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 17 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
ServiceNow is a widely used service management platform known for its extensive IT service management (ITSM) features. However, its complex interface and high cost can be a drawback, especially for small to mid-sized businesses seeking alternatives.
Using my experience with customer experience software, I tested and compared several of the top ServiceNow alternatives available. From there, I compiled my results into detailed reviews to help you find the best software for your specific needs.
What Is ServiceNow?
ServiceNow is a cloud-based platform that streamlines workflows and automates various business processes, primarily for IT service management (ITSM), but also extending to HR, customer service, and security operations.
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It’s generally used by IT professionals and service desk teams to help manage IT operations and routing, while improving efficiency through automation, incident management, and workflow optimization.
Why Look for a ServiceNow Alternative?
While ServiceNow is a versatile software for several end users, there are a number of reasons why you may seek out alternative solutions. You might be looking for a ServiceNow alternative because:
- It's too expensive for smaller teams
- The interface is too complex for beginners
- There are limited customization options
- It requires extensive training
- It's not ideal for non-IT departments
- There is a lack of local support in certain regions
If any of these sound like you, you’ve come to the right place. My list contains several ServiceNow alternatives options that are better suited for teams facing these challenges.
Best ServiceNow Alternatives Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top ServiceNow alternative selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  HappyFox HappyFox simplifies ticketing, offers an intuitive interface, and tracks performance. | Best for ease of use and automation | Free demo available | From $29/user/month | Website |
| 2 |  Help Scout Help Scout offers personalized support, collaboration tools, and email-based ticketing. | Best for personalized support | 15-day free trial | From $22/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 3 |  BMC Helix BMC Helix provides AI insights, automates tasks, and supports scalable cloud-based IT management. | Best for data insights | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
| 4 |  Zendesk Zendesk centralizes customer interactions, provides insights, and supports workflow customization. | Best for omnichannel support | Free trial available | From $19/agent/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 5 |  Helpjuice Helpjuice centralizes information sharing, offers advanced search, and supports real-time collaboration. | Best for knowledge management | 14-day free trial | From $120/user/month | Website |
| 6 |  TOPdesk TOPdesk simplifies setup and customization, reducing onboarding time and fitting workflows. | Best for quick setup and customization | Free demo available | From $35/user/month | Website |
| 7 |  SolarWinds SolarWinds improves tracking and reporting with automated workflows and asset management. | Best for IT asset management | 30-day free trial | From $19/user/month | Website |
| 8 |  Atomicwork Atomicwork integrates with Slack and Teams, providing real-time updates and customizable workflows. | Best for employee communication | Free trial + demo available | From $90/user/year | Website |
| 9 |  Zoho Desk Zoho Desk ensures data security, offers customizable dashboards, and automates tasks. | Best for user privacy focus | 15-day free trial | From $7/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 10 |  Salesforce Service Cloud Salesforce Service Cloud integrates CRM, automates tasks, and tracks performance analytics. | Best for CRM integration | 14-day free trial | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
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We’ve been testing and reviewing customer experience software since 2020. As customer experience managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.
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Best ServiceNow Alternatives Reviews
Here are my detailed summaries of the best ServiceNow alternatives. Each review covers key features, pros and cons, integrations, and ideal use cases to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
HappyFox is a help desk software solution aimed at businesses seeking efficient ticket management and customer support. It's used by support teams to handle inquiries, automate workflows, and improve response times.
Why HappyFox is a good ServiceNow alternative: HappyFox is easy to use, so your team can get started quickly without much training. The software’s automated ticketing reduces manual work, while the intuitive interface works well for teams of any size. Along with these features, HappyFox also offers customizable reports so you can track support performance and spot areas for improvement.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable workflows, ticket automation, and a self-service knowledge base to enhance support efficiency. Additionally, it provides detailed reporting, integrations with popular apps, and AI-powered tools to automate repetitive tasks.
Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Shopify, Mailchimp, Google Workspace, Jira, Trello, QuickBooks, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports workflow automation
- Customizable reporting options
- Intuitive user interface
Cons:
- Lacks extensive analytics tools
- Limited advanced features
Help Scout is a customer support platform aimed at businesses that want to provide personalized customer service. It's used by support teams to manage inquiries, track customer interactions, and improve response times.
Why Help Scout is a good ServiceNow alternative: Help Scout focuses on personalized support, allowing your team to engage with customers more meaningfully. With features like customer profiles and history, you can tailor responses to individual needs. Similarly, built-in collaboration tools help your team work together efficiently to resolve issues, while email-based ticketing keeps communication organized and accessible.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include shared inboxes for easy collaboration, integrated knowledge bases for self-service, and automation features for workflows. It also offers robust reporting and analytics, as well as customer-centric features like in-app messaging and tagging for streamlined service.
Integrations include Slack, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Salesforce, Shopify, WooCommerce, Jira, Trello, Stripe, and Google Analytics.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports customer engagement
- Built-in performance reporting
- Strong collaboration tools
Cons:
- Features can be complex
- Lacks comprehensive analytics
BMC Helix is an IT service management platform designed for enterprises seeking to enhance their IT operations. It's primarily used by large organizations to manage services, automate workflows, and gain insights into IT performance.
Why BMC Helix is a good ServiceNow alternative: BMC Helix gives your team AI-powered insights for better decision-making and proactive incident management. The software’s machine learning helps spot patterns, while cognitive automation reduces manual tasks and boosts efficiency. Additionally, its cloud-based setup makes it easy to scale as your business grows.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include predictive analytics, cognitive automation, and proactive incident management.
Integrations include Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Splunk, Jira, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Dynatrace, and PagerDuty.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible automation options
- Scalable cloud-native design
- Predictive analytics available
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Lengthy implementation process
Zendesk is a customer service and engagement platform primarily used by support teams to handle customer inquiries and improve customer interactions. It facilitates ticket management, customer communication, and support analytics.
Why Zendesk is a good ServiceNow alternative: Zendesk lets your team handle customer interactions from email, chat, and social media all in one place. This way, you can give consistent support no matter how customers reach out. With easy reporting and analytics, you'll get insights into customer behavior and service metrics. Plus, you can customize it to fit your team's workflow.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include omnichannel support, ticket management, and advanced reporting.
Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Shopify, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Trello, and QuickBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable workflows
- Advanced reporting tools
- Strong omnichannel capabilities
Cons:
- High learning curve for new users
- Can be complex to set up
Helpjuice is a knowledge-based software solution designed for teams looking to manage and share knowledge effectively. It's primarily used by customer support and IT teams to create and organize internal documentation and FAQs.
Why Helpjuice is a good ServiceNow alternative: Helpjuice is perfect for teams that need a central place to share information. Its advanced search and analytics make it easy for your team to find what they need fast. You can also customize the templates to fit your brand, while real-time collaboration helps your team keep content up-to-date together.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a user-friendly interface, powerful search functionality, and customization options for branding. Additionally, it offers detailed analytics to track how users interact with the knowledge base, helping organizations improve customer support and internal knowledge sharing.
Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, Google Analytics, HubSpot, Mailchimp, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed content analytics
- Centralized knowledge sharing
- Real-time content collaboration
Cons:
- Not ideal for complex workflows
- Limited to knowledge management
TOPdesk is an IT service management tool used primarily by IT departments and service desk teams. It helps with incident management, asset management, and other IT service processes.
Why TOPdesk is a good ServiceNow alternative: TOPdesk is easy to set up and customize, so your team can get started quickly without a steep learning curve. You can tweak dashboards and forms to fit your workflows, all without needing technical expertise. This flexibility cuts down onboarding time and helps you tailor the platform to meet your team’s needs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable dashboards, incident management, and asset tracking. With TOPdesk, your team can easily track issues and manage assets without complicated processes. Plus, its user-friendly interfaces allow you to manage your IT services without getting bogged down in overly complex systems.
Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Slack, Azure DevOps, Jira, Outlook, Active Directory, Google Workspace, Intune, SAP, and Okta.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Simple setup process
- Flexible dashboards
- Good for small teams
Cons:
- May lack depth for large enterprises
- Limited advanced features
SolarWinds is an IT service management platform designed for IT professionals and support teams. It focuses on asset management, service desk operations, and automation.
Why SolarWinds is a good ServiceNow alternative: SolarWinds excels in IT asset management, providing detailed tracking and reporting features that help your team maintain control over hardware and software assets. Its automated workflows reduce manual tasks, enhancing efficiency in service delivery. Plus, with built-in analytics, you can gain insights into asset utilization and service performance.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a real-time network, server, and application monitoring, as well as automated alerting and reporting capabilities. SolarWinds also provides advanced tools for troubleshooting, capacity forecasting, and security management, making it essential for IT professionals managing complex infrastructures.
Integrations include Microsoft Active Directory, Microsoft Office 365, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Google Workspace, ServiceNow, Salesforce, Zendesk, and Okta.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to implement
- Automated workflow capabilities
- Strong asset management
Cons:
- Requires setup and training
- Limited customization options
Atomicwork is a collaboration platform designed to enhance team communication and project management. It's primarily used by teams that rely on Slack and Microsoft Teams for their daily operations.
Why Atomicwork is a good ServiceNow alternative: Atomicwork integrates directly with Slack and Teams, so your team can manage tasks and collaborate without leaving their favorite chat tools. Members get real-time updates and communication, keeping everyone on the same page. You can also customize workflows to fit your team's processes, or automate notifications to make sure everyone stays informed and on track.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an employee service desk, automated workflows, and task management tools that simplify onboarding, payroll, and employee support.
Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Calendar, Trello, Asana, GitHub, Jira, Zoom, Dropbox, and Salesforce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time project updates
- Customizable workflow options
- Strong chat tool integrations
Cons:
- Lacks extensive reporting tools
- Limited advanced features
Zoho Desk is a customer service software designed to help support teams manage customer interactions and improve service delivery. It's used by businesses to handle tickets, track performance, and enhance customer support operations.
Why Zoho Desk is a good ServiceNow alternative: Zoho Desk is known for its strong commitment to user privacy by adhering to stringent data protection regulations like GDPR. It offers features such as data encryption, role-based access control, and audit logs to ensure user experience data is handled securely. Additionally, Zoho’s privacy policy emphasizes transparency and minimal data sharing, making it a reliable choice for businesses concerned with safeguarding sensitive customer information.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include AI-driven automation, multi-channel support (email, chat, social media), and a self-service knowledge base. Additionally, Zoho Desk offers customizable workflows, advanced analytics, and strong data security measures to protect user privacy.
Integrations include Zoho CRM, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Trello, Jira, Shopify, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- AI-powered chatbots available
- Customizable dashboard options
- Focused on data privacy
Cons:
- Basic reporting tools
- May require setup time
Salesforce Service Cloud is a customer service platform used by support teams to manage customer interactions and enhance service delivery. It provides tools for case management, workflow automation, and customer engagement.
Why Salesforce Service Cloud is a good ServiceNow alternative: Salesforce Service Cloud integrates with CRM, giving your team access to customer data and history while improving response times and personalization. Connected to this, its AI-driven features help to automate routine tasks and provide insights into customer interactions. Additionally, the software’s customizable dashboards allow you to tailor the interface to your team's needs, while its strong analytics help track performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include AI-powered automation with Salesforce Einstein, customizable workflows, and real-time analytics. Service Cloud also integrates seamlessly with other Salesforce products, providing a 360-degree view of customers to improve personalized service and support.
Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Mailchimp, Google Workspace, Jira, Trello, HubSpot, Zendesk, QuickBooks, and Docusign.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalable for large enterprises
- Detailed performance analytics
- Customizable dashboard options
Cons:
- Basic features may be limited
- High learning curve
Other ServiceNow Alternatives
Here are some additional ServiceNow alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- SysAid
For AI-driven automation
- InvGate
For automated ticketing
- Atera
For remote IT management
- ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus
For ITIL support
- monday Service
For customizable workflows
- Jira Service Management
For Agile IT teams
- Freshservice
For incident management
ServiceNow Alternatives Selection Criteria
When choosing the best ServiceNow alternatives for this list, I focused on common buyer needs and pain points, such as customization and ease of use. I also followed this framework to ensure a fair and structured evaluation:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Incident management
- Change management
- Asset tracking
- Service request management
- Knowledge base management
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- AI-driven analytics
- Omnichannel support
- Customizable workflows
- Automated ticketing
- Real-time collaboration
- Scalability
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Ease of navigation
- Customization options
- Learning curve
- Mobile accessibility
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates
- Onboarding webinars
- Chatbot assistance
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Live chat options
- Response time
- Knowledgeable support staff
- Availability of support resources
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Pricing transparency
- Features included per pricing tier
- Competitive, yet cost-effective pricing
- Discounts for annual billing
- Free trial availability
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Commonly mentioned pros and cons
- Feedback on support services
- User feedback on features
- Recommendations from current users
ServiceNow Key Features
Here are some of the key features of ServiceNow to help you contrast and compare what alternative solutions offer:
- Incident Management: Track and resolve incidents efficiently, ensuring your team can address issues promptly.
- Change Management: Manage changes to IT services with structured workflows to minimize disruptions.
- Asset Management: Keep track of hardware and software assets, allowing for better control and planning.
- Service Catalog: Provide a centralized location for users to request and access IT services, improving service delivery.
- Knowledge Management: Store and retrieve knowledge articles to help your team resolve issues faster.
- Workflow Automation: Automate routine tasks to boost efficiency and reduce manual workload.
- Self-Service Portal: Empower users to solve common problems on their own, reducing the burden on your support team.
- Performance Analytics: Analyze data to gain insights into service performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Mobile Accessibility: Access ServiceNow features on mobile devices, enabling your team to work from anywhere.
- Reporting and Dashboards: Create and customize reports to monitor key metrics and track progress.
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