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Managing customer support can be a real headache, especially when your tools don't quite fit your needs. If you're finding Zoho Desk isn't cutting it for your team, you're not alone. Many customer experience managers face similar challenges, seeking alternatives that better address their unique business needs.

I've independently tested and reviewed various customer service software, focusing on what truly matters to you and your team. In this article, I'll share my top picks for Zoho Desk alternatives, offering an unbiased and well-researched perspective.

What Is Zoho Desk?

Zoho Desk is a customer service software designed to help your team manage support tickets and improve customer interactions. It's commonly used by support agents, managers, and customer experience professionals who need a reliable tool to handle inquiries efficiently. Automation, multi-channel support, and reporting features help with organizing tasks, communicating with customers, and tracking performance. Overall, Zoho Desk can enhance your team's ability to provide timely and effective customer support.

Best Zoho Desk Alternatives Summary

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top Zoho Desk alternative selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

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.

We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different customer experience use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our software review methodology.

Best Zoho Desk Alternatives Reviews

Below are my detailed summaries of the best Zoho Desk 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.

Best for growing businesses

  • 15-day free trial
  • From $15/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

Groove is a customer support software designed for small to medium-sized businesses aiming to improve their customer service operations. It's used by teams that want an easy-to-use platform to manage customer inquiries and enhance customer satisfaction.

Why Groove is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: Groove offers a straightforward interface that makes it easy for your team to get started without a steep learning curve. Its shared inbox feature ensures all customer interactions are centralized, helping your team stay organized. With customizable ticketing, your team can tailor workflows to match specific business needs. Additionally, Groove's reporting tools provide insights into customer support performance, aiding in strategic decision-making.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a knowledge base for customer self-service, live chat for real-time support, and customer satisfaction surveys for valuable feedback. These tools help reduce support requests, enhance interactions, and improve service quality.

Integrations include Slack, Shopify, Mailchimp, Trello, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Zapier, Jira, and HubSpot.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Responsive customer support
  • Integrated knowledge base
  • Efficient email ticket organization

Cons:

  • ​Performance issues with extensive automation
  • Limited social media integration

Best for IT integrations

  • Free demo available
  • From $24/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

HappyFox is a help desk software designed for businesses that require efficient ticket management and customer support operations. It's used by teams looking to streamline their IT support processes and enhance service delivery.

Why HappyFox is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: HappyFox offers a comprehensive ticketing system that simplifies the handling of customer inquiries, making it a strong choice for IT teams. Its automation capabilities reduce the workload by automating routine tasks, allowing your team to focus on complex issues. The self-service portal empowers customers to find solutions independently, minimizing support requests.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a knowledge base for customer self-service, reducing reliance on support agents. SLA management prioritizes tickets for timely responses, while a community forum fosters engagement, enabling users to share insights and collaborate on solutions.

Integrations include Slack, Salesforce, Shopify, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Trello, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Jira, and Zapier.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports customer self-service
  • Reduces workload with automation
  • Efficient ticket management

Cons:

  • Mobile app limitations
  • Performance issues with extensive automation

Best for AI-first service

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $29/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Intercom is a customer communication platform designed for businesses looking to enhance their customer interactions using AI. It's used by teams that want to automate support and provide personalized customer experiences.

Why Intercom is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: Intercom offers AI-powered chatbots that automate routine inquiries, freeing up the customer support team for more complex tasks. Its customer data platform helps your team deliver personalized experiences by providing insights into customer behavior. 

The live chat features the ease of use of real-time interaction, ensuring quick responses to customer queries. Additionally, Intercom's proactive messaging helps your team engage with customers at the right moments, improving satisfaction.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a help center that enables self-service, allowing customers to find answers independently. Product tours guide users through features, improving onboarding and user adoption. Additionally, targeted messaging helps engage specific customer segments at the right time, enhancing personalized interactions and overall satisfaction.

Integrations include Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Shopify, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Trello, Jira, and Zendesk.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Proactive messaging
  • Real-time interaction
  • Provides customer behavior insights

Cons:

  • Complexity in ticket routing and automation
  • Occasional delays in message delivery​

Best for B2B SaaS support

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $50/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

TeamSupport is a customer support software tailored for B2B companies, focusing on improving customer relationships and support efficiency. It's used by teams that need to manage complex customer interactions and enhance service delivery.

Why TeamSupport is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: TeamSupport provides customer management tools that help your team understand and address the unique needs of B2B clients. Its ticketing system is designed to handle complex issues, making it ideal for businesses with intricate support requirements. The collaboration features allow your team to work together seamlessly, ensuring no customer inquiry goes unresolved. Additionally, TeamSupport's reporting tools help you track performance and improve service quality.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a customer database to centralize client information for personalized support, product management to track and resolve product-related issues efficiently, and SLA management to ensure timely responses and maintain service commitments.

Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, HubSpot, Jira, QuickBooks, Zapier, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, and Trello.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Centralizes client information
  • Handles complex issues efficiently
  • Strong B2B focus

Cons:

  • Not ideal for small teams
  • Takes time to implement

Best for automating tasks

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $15/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4/5

Kayako is a customer service software designed to help teams automate their support processes and manage customer interactions efficiently. It's used by businesses that want to enhance their support capabilities with automation.

Why Kayako is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: Kayako offers a live chat function that allows your team to engage with customers in real-time. Its automation features help reduce repetitive tasks, giving your team more time for complex inquiries.

The shared inbox ensures all team members are on the same page, improving communication and collaboration. Additionally, Kayako's customer journey mapping helps your team understand customer interactions and improve service delivery.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a knowledge base for self-service support, ticket management for organized and timely responses, and customer satisfaction surveys for valuable feedback. These features help reduce workload, improve efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.

Integrations include Slack, Shopify, Zapier, Salesforce, Trello, Jira, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Mailchimp, and QuickBooks.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • High service standards
  • Maps customer journeys
  • Reduces repetitive tasks

Cons:

  • Integration complexity
  • Frequent updates

Best for IT service management

  • Free trial + free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 1/5

SysAid is an IT service management software designed for IT departments looking to improve their support operations. It's used by teams that need to manage IT assets and support requests efficiently.

Why SysAid is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: SysAid offers IT asset management features that help your team track and manage hardware and software assets efficiently. Its automation capabilities reduce the manual workload by streamlining repetitive IT tasks. 

The self-service portal empowers users to resolve issues independently, reducing the number of support requests. Additionally, SysAid's reporting tools provide insights into IT performance, helping your team improve service delivery.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a help desk that centralizes all support tickets, ensuring efficient issue tracking and resolution. A knowledge base supports user self-service, enabling employees to find solutions independently and reduce support workload. Additionally, change management helps track IT modifications, ensuring smooth transitions and minimizing service disruptions.

Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Slack, Jira, Salesforce, Azure, Active Directory, QuickBooks, Dropbox, and Okta.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Tracks software and hardware assets
  • Supports user self-service
  • Reduces manual IT tasks

Cons:

  • Not ideal for non-IT teams
  • Requires technical expertise

Best for small teams

  • 21-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $18/user/month

Freshdesk is a customer service software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on delivering efficient ticket management and customer support. It's popular among support teams looking for an easy-to-use platform to handle customer inquiries and improve service delivery.

Why Freshdesk is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: Freshdesk offers automation features that simplify repetitive tasks, making it a great fit for small teams that need to enhance efficiency without complexity. Its intuitive interface helps your team quickly adapt and manage customer interactions effectively. 

Freshdesk's scalability ensures it grows with your business, accommodating increasing demands. Additionally, it provides multi-channel support and seamless integration, allowing your team to manage emails, calls, and chats from a single place.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include ticketing automation that minimizes manual workload, and streamlining customer support tasks. It offers a knowledge base for self-service, enabling customers to find answers without agent intervention. Additionally, team collaboration tools enhance internal communication, ensuring seamless coordination and faster issue resolution.

Integrations include Slack, Shopify, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Mailchimp, Trello, HubSpot, Salesforce, Jira, and Dropbox.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good for small teams
  • Multi-channel support
  • Strong ticketing automation

Cons:

  • Can be slow at times
  • Limited advanced reporting

Best for personal touch support

  • Free plan available
  • From $50/month

Help Scout is a customer service platform designed for businesses that prioritize personal and humanized customer interactions. It's used by teams that aim to provide help desk solutions while managing customer inquiries efficiently.

Why Help Scout is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: Help Scout's intuitive interface makes it easy for your team to engage with customers on a personal level. The shared inbox feature allows team members to collaborate seamlessly, ensuring every customer query is handled effectively. With its customer profiles, your team can access detailed information, helping tailor responses to individual needs. Additionally, Help Scout's automation for repetitive tasks frees up time for more meaningful customer interactions.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a knowledge base that empowers customers with self-service options, reducing support inquiries. Reporting tools offer valuable insights into team performance, helping optimize customer interactions. Additionally, live chat enables real-time support, ensuring quick and personalized responses.

Integrations include Slack, Shopify, Mailchimp, Salesforce, HubSpot, Trello, Jira, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Zapier.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Intuitive interface
  • Detailed customer profiles
  • Automation for repetitive tasks

Cons:

  • No native social media integration
  • Lack of built-in CRM

Best for AI-driven service

  • 30-day free trial + free demo available
  • From $25/user/month (billed annually)

Salesforce Service Cloud is a customer service platform tailored for businesses that want to leverage AI to enhance their support operations. It's widely used by enterprises needing to manage large volumes of customer interactions and automate service processes.

Why Salesforce Service Cloud is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: Salesforce Service Cloud offers AI-powered tools that help your team automate repetitive tasks, improving efficiency. Its predictive analytics provide insights into customer behavior, helping you anticipate needs and deliver proactive support. With customizable workflows, your team can tailor processes to fit specific business requirements. 

Standout features & integrations:

Features include case management to efficiently organize customer inquiries, and ensure structured and timely resolutions. Its self-service portal empowers customers to find solutions independently, reducing agent workload. Additionally, its omnichannel routing directs inquiries to the right agent, enhancing response efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Jira, Dropbox, Trello, Zoom, and QuickBooks.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • AI integration
  • Multichannel support
  • Robust automation

Cons:

  • Can be overwhelming for small teams
  • Takes time to implement

Best for all-in-one support

  • Free plan available
  • From $15/seat/month (billed annually)

HubSpot Service Hub is a customer service platform designed for businesses seeking to integrate support with their existing marketing and sales efforts. It's ideal for teams that want to provide efficient customer service while maintaining alignment with other business functions.

Why HubSpot Service Hub is a good Zoho Desk Alternative: HubSpot Service Hub offers a unified platform that connects customer service with marketing and sales, enhancing collaboration across your team. Its customer feedback tools provide insights that help you understand and improve customer satisfaction. With a shared inbox, your team can manage all customer interactions in one place, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Additionally, the knowledge base feature aids in creating self-service options for your customers.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a ticketing system to organize customer inquiries and ensure timely responses. Live chat provides real-time support, allowing your team to engage with customers instantly. Reporting tools offer insights into team performance, helping you track progress and improve support strategies.

Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Shopify, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, Trello, Zapier, Jira, and SurveyMonkey.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Strong reporting capabilities
  • Unified platform for teams
  • Integrates with marketing tools

Cons:

  • Takes time to implement
  • May need more customization

Other Zoho Desk Alternatives

Here are some additional Zoho Desk alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:

  1. Zendesk

    For large enterprises

  2. LiveAgent

    For omnichannel support

  3. Front

    For team collaboration

  4. Spiceworks Help Desk

    For IT support teams

  5. Vision Helpdesk

    For satellite help desks

  6. Kustomer

    For customer relationship insights

  7. ProProfs Help Desk

    For knowledge base integration

  8. Tidio

    For live chat features

  9. Deskpro

    For multilingual support

Zoho Desk Alternatives Selection Criteria

When selecting the best Zoho Desk alternatives to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points related to customer service software products, like customization options and ease of integration. 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 database management
  • Automation of routine tasks

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • AI-driven insights
  • Advanced workflow automation
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Proactive customer engagement
  • 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
  • Short learning curve
  • Accessibility across devices
  • Customization options
  • User feedback and adaptation

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Onboarding webinars
  • Access to templates
  • Support from chatbots

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • 24/7 support availability
  • Multiple support channels
  • Responsiveness to inquiries
  • Quality of support resources
  • Availability of dedicated account managers

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Pricing transparency
  • Features included in base plans
  • Cost relative to competitors
  • Discounts for annual billing
  • Flexibility in pricing plans

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 customer service
  • User recommendations
  • Reported ROI and benefits

Why Look for a Zoho Desk Alternative?

While Zoho Desk is a good choice of customer service software, there are several reasons why some users seek out alternative solutions. You might be looking for a Zoho Desk alternative because of…

  • Limited integration options with other tools
  • Complexity in setup for small teams
  • Lack of advanced reporting features
  • Restrictions in customization for unique workflows
  • Limited support for certain global regions

If any of these sound like you, you’ve come to the right place. My list contains several customer service software options that are better suited for teams facing these challenges with Zoho Desk and looking for alternative solutions.

Zoho Desk Key Features

Here are some of the key features of Zoho Desk, to help you contrast and compare what alternative solutions offer:

  • Omnichannel support: Streamlines customer interactions across multiple platforms, including social media and live chat, to ensure your team can engage with customers wherever they are.
  • AI integration: Zia, the AI assistant, provides contextual support, auto-tags tickets, performs sentiment analysis, and offers generative AI for response customization, helping your team manage inquiries efficiently.
  • Self-service options: Customers can access guided conversations and a knowledge base for quick answers, reducing the workload on your team.
  • Agent productivity tools: Features like work modes, reply efficiency, and mobility enhance collaboration and ticket management, allowing your team to work more effectively.
  • Automation: Automates repetitive tasks, ticket assignments, and notifications to improve efficiency, freeing your team to focus on complex issues.
  • Extensibility: Integrates with other software and allows for custom functions and modules, tailoring the help desk to meet your specific business needs.
  • Insights and analytics: Provides reports and dashboards for performance monitoring and time tracking, giving your team valuable insights to improve service.
  • Customization: Offers extensive options for branding, templates, and layouts to fit your organization's needs.
  • Security: Ensures data protection with role-based access, GDPR compliance, and audit logs, so your team can handle customer data securely.

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Hannah Clark
By Hannah Clark

Hannah Clark is the Editor of The CX Lead. After serving over 12 years working in front-line customer experience for major brands, Hannah pivoted to a career in digital publishing and media production. Having gained a holistic view of the challenges and intricacies of delivering exceptional experiences, Hannah aims to help CX practitioners 'level up' their skills by amplifying the voices of today's thought leaders in the space.