20 Best Zendesk Alternatives Reviewed in 2025
Best Zendesk Alternatives Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
As a customer experience manager, balancing efficiency and customer satisfaction can be challenging. If Zendesk isn’t meeting your needs, the right help desk software can make all the difference. I’ve tested various alternatives to help you find a better fit. In this article, I’ll share my top picks, highlighting their strengths and how they can benefit your team.
What Is Zendesk?
Zendesk is a help desk software designed to improve customer support operations. It's commonly used by customer service teams, IT professionals, and businesses looking to enhance communication with their clients. Features like ticketing, live chat, and analytics help manage customer interactions efficiently and provide valuable insights to improve service. Overall, Zendesk offers a solid platform to boost your team's ability to meet customer needs effectively.
Best Zendesk Alternatives Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top Zendesk alternative selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for integrated self-help support | 15-day free trial + free plan available | From $19.99/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 2 | Best for ticket management | Free demo available | From $24/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 3 | Best for IT management | 30-day free trial | From $19/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 4 | Best for AI-driven support | 14-day free trial | From $29/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 5 | Best for data insights | 14-day free trial | From $89/user/month | Website | |
| 6 | Best for customer retention | Free plan available | From $15/seat/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 7 | Best for eCommerce integration | Free trial + free demo available | From $10/month | Website | |
| 8 | Best for simplicity | 14-day free trial | From $13/user/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best for small businesses | Free trial + free plan available | From $50/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 10 | Best for AI collaboration | 30-day free trial + free demo available | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
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CRM Creatio
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.7 -
monday Service
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Issuetrak
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.1
Best Zendesk Alternatives Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best Zendesk alternatives that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
ProProfs Help Desk is a customer support software designed to assist businesses in managing customer inquiries effectively. It's ideal for organizations aiming to enhance their support operations.
Why ProProfs Help Desk is a good Zendesk alternative: ProProfs Help Desk includes a built-in knowledge base for self-service, reducing support tickets and helping customers find answers independently. Features like ticket prioritization and assignment keep support organized and efficient, making it a great choice for businesses needing integrated self-help solutions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include collaborative email, which lets your team manage support emails collectively, ensuring no query goes unanswered. Canned responses enable quick replies to common questions, saving time and maintaining consistency. Detailed reports and analytics provide insights into your support team's performance, helping you identify areas for improvement.
Integrations include ProProfs Knowledge Base, Live Chat, Survey Maker, Quiz Maker, Training Maker, Project, and Qualaroo.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Responsive customer support
- Real-time reporting
- Collaboration tools
Cons:
- Basic reporting limitations
- Dependence on stable internet connection
HappyFox is a help desk software designed for businesses looking to streamline their customer support processes. It caters to support teams by providing tools for ticket management and customer communication.
Why HappyFox is a good Zendesk alternative: HappyFox offers advanced ticket management capabilities that help your team organize and prioritize customer inquiries efficiently. The platform's automation features reduce manual work by automating repetitive tasks. With its focus on efficient ticket handling and automation, HappyFox is a strong alternative for teams seeking to improve their support operations.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a self-service knowledge base for independent issue resolution, SLA management for consistent service delivery, and reporting tools for performance insights. These tools enhance efficiency and improve support quality.
Integrations include Slack, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Shopify, Jira, Mailchimp, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Trello, and Dropbox.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive knowledge base capabilities
- Scalable for various business sizes
- Comprehensive SLA management
Cons:
- Lack of notification feature for new tickets
- Additional costs for SMS and chat features
SolarWinds Service Desk is a cloud-based IT service management solution designed for IT teams in businesses of all sizes. It helps manage service requests, incidents, and IT asset management to improve service delivery.
Why SolarWinds Service Desk is a good Zendesk alternative: SolarWinds Service Desk offers comprehensive IT management capabilities that are particularly beneficial for IT teams. The platform's focus on ITIL best practices ensures your team can deliver reliable and consistent service. With its specialized IT features, SolarWinds Service Desk is a strong choice for those seeking an alternative to Zendesk for IT management.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a self-service portal, SLA management, and reporting tools. The self-service portal empowers users to find solutions independently. SLA management ensures your team meets service level agreements consistently.
Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Google Workspace, Active Directory, Azure, Okta, OneLogin, Splunk, and AWS.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable reporting tools
- Efficient incident management
- Comprehensive asset management
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Limited data export capabilities
Intercom is a customer communications platform designed for businesses looking to enhance their customer engagement and support. It's primarily used by support teams, marketers, and sales professionals to facilitate real-time communication and personalized customer interactions.
Why Intercom is a good Zendesk alternative: Intercom's AI-driven support tools are a standout feature, offering capabilities like the Fin AI Agent, which automates responses and resolves a significant portion of support queries. This AI functionality enables your team to handle more interactions efficiently. The platform's omnichannel support and proactive messaging tools further enhance customer engagement. Intercom's focus on AI integration makes it a strong alternative for teams seeking advanced automation and efficiency.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include in-app messaging, a help center for self-service, and proactive support tools. The platform also offers AI-driven automation to improve customer interactions. You can customize your messaging and support options to align with your team's goals.
Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Stripe, Shopify, Zendesk, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Jira, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Robust data analytics and reporting
- Seamless integration with various platforms
- AI-driven automation
Cons:
- Complexity in ticket routing and automation
- Occasional delays in message delivery
Kustomer is a customer service platform designed for businesses focused on delivering personalized support through data-driven insights. It's used by customer support teams to manage interactions and automate workflows.
Why Kustomer is a good Zendesk alternative: It offers advanced data insights to understand customer behavior, a unified timeline for personalized support, and automation tools, including bots, to streamline tasks. With its focus on data and efficiency, Kustomer helps support agents and team members improve service and customer engagement.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include AI-driven chatbots, customizable dashboards, and customer journey tracking. You can use AI chatbots to handle routine inquiries and save time. Its customizable dashboards provide insights into key performance metrics.
Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, Zendesk, Facebook, Instagram, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Snooze status feature
- Efficient tag management
- Detailed customer timelines
Cons:
- Latency during high usage
- Disappearing tags issue
HubSpot Service Hub is a customer service software designed for businesses of all sizes, offering tools to enhance customer support and retention. It's used by customer service teams to manage inquiries, automate processes, and improve customer interactions.
Why HubSpot Service Hub is a good Zendesk alternative: HubSpot Service Hub provides integrated customer success workspaces and feedback management tools that enhance customer retention strategies. Its AI-driven features and omni-channel messaging help your team deliver personalized support efficiently.
The integration with HubSpot’s Smart CRM offers comprehensive insights into customer interactions, which can boost satisfaction and retention. HubSpot's focus on customer health scores and proactive service makes it a strong alternative if your team is looking to improve retention.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a knowledge base, customer health scores, and ticketing automation. You can utilize AI chatbots to handle routine inquiries and free up your team for complex issues. The platform also offers advanced analytics to track and improve service delivery.
Integrations include Slack, Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, Shopify, QuickBooks, Zendesk, and Jira.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive CRM insights
- AI-driven support features
- Integrated customer success tools
Cons:
- Feature overload for small teams
- Limited offline access
Gorgias is a help desk software focused on providing customer support solutions for eCommerce businesses. It's designed for online retailers to manage customer inquiries efficiently and automate responses.
Why Gorgias is a good Zendesk alternative: Gorgias offers deep integration with eCommerce platforms, making it ideal for online stores. It allows your team to view order details and customer history directly within the help desk, streamlining support processes. The software also automates common inquiries, helping your team save time and focus on more complex issues.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated responses, a unified view of customer interactions, and customizable templates. You can create rules to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency. With its eCommerce-centric features, Gorgias provides specialized support that can enhance your store's customer experience.
Integrations include Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, WooCommerce, Instagram, Facebook, Gmail, WhatsApp, Klaviyo, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable templates
- Automated inquiry handling
- Strong eCommerce focus
Cons:
- Overwhelming features for small team
- Performance issues with high ticket volumes
SupportBee is a help desk software designed for businesses seeking to enhance customer support through efficient collaboration. It provides key functions like ticket management and a shared inbox to streamline communication with customers.
Why SupportBee is a good Zendesk alternative: SupportBee's simplicity and user-friendly design make it easy for your team to manage customer inquiries without the complexity of larger systems. The shared inbox allows for efficient collaboration, ensuring your team can handle requests promptly. Its affordability and straightforward setup appeal to teams looking for a hassle-free alternative to Zendesk.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include mobile accessibility for support on the go, customizable ticket views for better task prioritization, and performance tracking for insights into team efficiency.
Integrations include Slack, Trello, GitHub, Zapier, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Stripe, Mailchimp, Dropbox, and Salesforce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Collaboration features
- Effective ticket management
- Seamless integration
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- G2
- Performance issues
Help Scout is a customer service platform designed to support small businesses in managing customer inquiries and delivering personalized support. It offers tools for email management, live chat, and customer self-service.
Why Help Scout is a good Zendesk alternative: Help Scout provides a simpler, more intuitive interface tailored for small businesses. The platform's focus on personalization and simplicity makes it easy for your team to deliver standout customer experiences. With its cost-effective pricing and seamless integration within an ecosystem of support tools, Help Scout is a practical choice for small teams looking for an alternative to Zendesk.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a a knowledge base for customer self-service, reporting tools for performance insights, and customer profiles for personalized support. These tools help improve efficiency, track satisfaction, and enhance the customer experience.
Integrations include Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Shopify, WooCommerce, Stripe, Google Workspace, Outlook, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Live chat functionality
- Seamless integrations
- Responsive customer support
Cons:
- Occasional search functionality issues
- Limited advanced features
Salesforce Service Cloud is a customer service platform designed for businesses looking to enhance their support operations. It serves customer service teams by providing tools for case management, customer interaction, and service automation.
Why Salesforce Service Cloud is a good Zendesk alternative: Salesforce Service Cloud leverages AI collaboration tools like Einstein AI to enhance support capabilities. This AI-driven approach helps your team automate routine tasks and gain insights from data, improving decision-making.
The platform supports omnichannel communication, allowing consistent customer interactions across multiple channels. Its focus on AI and collaboration tools makes it a compelling choice for teams seeking advanced support solutions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include case management, a customizable knowledge base, and service analytics. You can automate workflows to boost efficiency and use the knowledge base to provide self-service options. The analytics tools offer insights into customer satisfaction and team performance.
Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Mailchimp, Google Workspace, Dropbox, QuickBooks, DocuSign, Zoom, LinkedIn, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive integrations
- Self-service options
- Strong security
Cons:
- Support limitations
- Performance issues
Other Zendesk Alternatives
Here are some additional Zendesk alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Zoho Desk
For user privacy
- Freshdesk
For scalable ticketing solutions
- Tidio
For chatbot integration
- Vision Helpdesk
For satellite desk functionality
- Deskpro
For multi-language support
- LiveAgent
For live chat features
- ServiceNow
For enterprise solutions
- ManageEngine Service Desk Plus
For ITIL compliance
- Vivantio
For service management
- Groove
For small teams
Zendesk Alternatives Selection Criteria
When selecting the best Zendesk alternatives to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points related to Help Desk Software products, like ease of use and integration capabilities. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Ticket management
- Multi-channel support
- Reporting and analytics
- Customer self-service
- Team collaboration
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- AI-driven automation
- Customizable dashboards
- Advanced security protocols
- Integration with eCommerce platforms
- Real-time collaboration tools
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy navigation
- Quick response times
- Accessibility on mobile devices
- Customizability of features
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 chatbots for guidance
- Comprehensive webinars
- Ready-to-use templates
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability
- Multiple support channels
- Knowledgeable support staff
- Quick response times
- Comprehensive help center
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Flexible pricing plans
- Features included in basic plans
- Discounts for annual billing
- Cost relative to features offered
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
- Feedback on feature usefulness
- Reports on customer service experience
- Comments on ease of use
- Insights on reliability and uptime
Why Look for a Zendesk Alternative?
While Zendesk is a good choice of help desk software, there are a number of reasons why some users seek out alternative solutions. You might be looking for a Zendesk alternative because…
- You need more affordable pricing
- Your team requires a simpler setup
- You need better customization options
- Your business has unique industry needs
- You want more flexible integration
- You need enhanced data privacy controls
If any of these sound like you, you’ve come to the right place. My list contains several help desk solutions that are better suited for teams facing these challenges with Zendesk and looking for alternative solutions.
Zendesk Key Features
Here are some of the key features of Zendesk, to help you contrast and compare what alternative solutions offer:
- Ticketing system: Manage customer inquiries efficiently with a unified ticketing platform.
- Multi-channel support: Handle interactions across email, chat, phone, and social media.
- Knowledge base: Provide customers with self-service options through a comprehensive help center.
- Automation tools: Automate repetitive tasks to save time and increase productivity.
- Analytics and reporting: Gain insights into team performance and customer satisfaction with detailed reports.
- Live chat and messaging: Engage with customers in real-time to resolve issues quickly.
- Customer relationship management: Track and manage customer interactions in one place for better service.
- Customizable dashboards: Tailor your workspace to focus on key metrics and workflows.
- Collaboration tools: Enhance teamwork with shared views and internal notes.
- Integration capabilities: Connect with other tools and platforms to extend functionality.
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