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Freshdesk Best Competitors & Alternatives updated April 2025

Freshdesk Best Competitors & Alternatives updated April 2025

Top Freshdesk Alternatives & Competitors based on 695 Reviews

Reviews collected from capterra.com trustpilot.com sitejabber.com trustradius.com softwareadvice.com gartner.com facebook.com reviews.io .

Brand Pricing
freshdesk.com favicon Freshdesk
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
1.4
crisp.chat favicon Crisp
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
2.9
Crisp provides three pricing plans: Free, Pro ($25/month), and Unlimited ($95/month). The Free plan allows basic chat functionality, Pro adds more features such as chatbot capabilities and integrations, while Unlimited includes all features and support for unlimited users.
drift.com favicon Drift
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
3.2
Drift has three main pricing tiers: Free, Premium (price on request), and Enterprise (custom pricing). The Free plan allows basic chat features, while the Premium plan adds advanced capabilities such as automation and analytics. Enterprise offers custom solutions tailored to larger organizations.
intercom.com favicon Intercom
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
3.2
Intercom’s pricing is based on specific products and usage, which includes a Starter plan (custom pricing), Engage (from $74/month), and Support (from $39/month). Each plan provides various features tailored to customer messaging and support, with options to customize based on business needs.
livechat.com favicon LiveChat
★ ★ ★ ★
3.6
LiveChat offers three primary pricing plans: Starter ($19/month), Team ($39/month), and Business ($59/month) per agent. Starter includes basic chat functions, Team adds more advanced tools, while Business includes features for larger teams like reporting and customizations.
zendesk.com favicon Zendesk
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
1.6
Zendesk features five pricing tiers: Essential ($5/month), Team ($19/month), Professional ($49/month), Enterprise ($99/month), and Elite ($199/month). Each plan includes gradually more features, expanding from basic ticketing to advanced support and custom solutions for large enterprises.

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Why should you be looking for a Freshdesk alternative?

Users often seek alternatives to Freshdesk due to specific feature requirements, ease of use, budget constraints, or the desire for better support options. Enhanced functionality or integration capabilities may cater to unique business needs, while cost considerations drive users to explore more budget-friendly solutions. In this context, alternatives such as Crisp, Drift, Intercom, LiveChat, and Zendesk present compelling options. This overview will dissect their distinctive features, pricing structures, and target user bases, helping you make an informed decision on your customer support solution.

Quick Overview of Top Freshdesk Competitors

  • Crisp – Best Freshdesk Alternative for All-in-One Messaging

    • Combines live chat, helpdesk, and CRM features in one platform.
    • Offers unique integrations with various messaging apps like Messenger and WhatsApp.
    • Provides a free plan with essential features, appealing to startups and small businesses.
  • Drift – Leading Freshdesk Competitor for Conversational Marketing

    • Focuses on real-time chat and lead generation to drive customer engagement.
    • Integrates marketing and sales tools for a seamless customer journey.
    • Offers intelligent chatbots to improve response times and automate FAQs.
  • Intercom – Premium Freshdesk Alternative for Customer Engagement

    • Emphasizes personalized messaging and customer insights through data analytics.
    • Provides a versatile platform for onboarding, support, and customer communication.
    • Leverages targeted messaging to engage users based on behavior and lifecycle.
  • LiveChat – User-Friendly Freshdesk Competitor for Simple Support

    • Simplifies customer interactions with an intuitive interface for both agents and users.
    • Includes features like chat tags and ratings to enhance customer experience.
    • Seamlessly integrates with multiple eCommerce and CMS platforms for easier support.
  • Zendesk – Comprehensive Freshdesk Alternative for Large Enterprises

    • Offers a robust ticketing system and extensive reporting capabilities.
    • Scalable solution suitable for large teams and complex customer support needs.
    • Provides a vast array of integrations with other critical business applications.

Freshdesk Alternatives: Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature/Platform Crisp Drift Intercom LiveChat Zendesk Freshdesk
Live Chat Crisp offers real-time chat with customizable chatbox appearances. Drift combines live chat with a conversational marketing platform. Intercom focuses on live chat as part of a broader engagement strategy, including product tours and onboarding. LiveChat provides a traditional chat solution with various integrations. Zendesk offers Live Chat as a part of its support ticketing system. Freshdesk provides omnichannel support including chat but lacks deep marketing tools.
Chatbots Crisp features a smart chatbot that can be trained to answer FAQs. Drift’s chatbots excel with personalized conversations and lead qualification. Intercom offers sophisticated chatbots that can handle complex queries and contextual conversations. LiveChat has a simple chatbot for FAQs but is less customizable. Zendesk’s chatbot capabilities focus on scaling customer support efficiency primarily. Freshdesk provides basic automation but lacks advanced AI capabilities found in competitors.
Integrations Crisp integrates with a variety of tools but not as extensively as others. Drift offers robust integrations with CRM and marketing tools, enhancing sales workflows. Intercom provides numerous integrations, particularly with tools favored by product teams. LiveChat also supports a wide range of third-party integrations for seamless workflow. Zendesk has a strong marketplace with extensive integrations across various business applications. Freshdesk’s integrations are solid but less extensive in unique tools compared to top competitors.
Analytics & Reporting Crisp provides basic analytics for chat performance. Drift offers in-depth reporting on lead activity and chat performance metrics. Intercom features advanced analytics, including customer journey tracking and performance insights. LiveChat offers analytics tools but lacks advanced insights beyond basic metrics. Zendesk delivers comprehensive reporting and analytics, crucial for enterprise-level tracking. Freshdesk’s reporting features are adequate but may require additional customization for detailed insights.
User Experience Crisp is recognized for its user-friendly interface and ease of setup. Drift prioritizes user experience with modern design and intuitive navigation. Intercom’s user experience focuses heavily on engagement design and seamless onboarding. LiveChat is user-friendly but can feel cluttered compared to competitors. Zendesk has a steeper learning curve but provides extensive features for experienced users. Freshdesk is designed with usability in mind, but it can be less modern than others.
Mobile App Crisp has a mobile app that offers core functionalities on the go. Drift’s mobile app allows for real-time conversation management, enhancing accessibility. Intercom’s mobile app also provides rich chat functionality, keeping teams connected. LiveChat has a responsive mobile app for chat but lacks advanced features. Zendesk’s mobile app is comprehensive, offering support features on mobile devices. Freshdesk provides a good mobile app experience with basic ticket and chat management.
Customer Support Crisp provides efficient 24/7 customer support via chat. Drift emphasizes rapid response times for customer inquiries. Intercom offers in-app messaging for support, enriching user engagement. LiveChat has responsive support but less immediate contact options compared to others. Zendesk excels with comprehensive support options including extensive resources and community support. Freshdesk provides solid customer support, but response times can vary based on subscription level.
Pricing Crisp offers competitive pricing with a straightforward model. Drift’s pricing can be higher but reflects its extensive features. Intercom adopts a value-based pricing model based on contact volume and feature set. LiveChat has varied pricing tiers aligned with feature access. Zendesk is considered premium, justified by its advanced capabilities. Freshdesk offers flexible pricing tiers suitable for different business sizes, often more accessible than others.
Unique Features Crisp has unique multi-channel messaging (chat, email, etc.) integrated within a single dashboard. Drift’s conversational marketing features significantly enhance capturing leads. Intercom’s targeted messaging allows for personalized in-app experiences. LiveChat has proactive chat options to engage visitors before they need assistance. Zendesk’s customizable setup allows users to tailor their support system to specific needs. Freshdesk focuses on gamification features for agent productivity, a unique factor among competitors.

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Integration Capabilities for each Freshdesk competitor

Alternative Supported Integrations Compatibility Notes
Freshdesk Slack, Microsoft Teams, Shopify, Salesforce, Jira, Zapier, Mailchimp, WordPress Strong integration with widely-used tools for support and collaboration.
Crisp Slack, Zapier, WordPress, Shopify, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Facebook, Discord Good for small businesses; strong integration with marketing tools.
Drift Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, Zapier, Slack, Intercom, Zendesk, Google Calendar Primarily aimed at sales and marketing, integrates well with CRM systems.
Intercom Salesforce, Slack, Stripe, Zoom, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Segment, Zendesk, Zapier, Microsoft Dynamics Focuses on both support and marketing; strong CRM integration capabilities.
LiveChat Zapier, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Shopify, WordPress, Facebook, Salesforce, Zendesk Excellent support for e-commerce and CRM tools; connects well with customer management platforms.
Zendesk Salesforce, Shopify, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Jira, Google Analytics, Trello, ServiceNow Comprehensive integration options for a variety of tools in customer support and project management.

Pros and Cons of each Freshdesk Alternative

Here’s a comparison table highlighting the primary pros and cons of five alternatives to Freshdesk: Crisp, Drift, Intercom, LiveChat, and Zendesk.

Alternative Pros Cons
Crisp – User-friendly interface with quick setup.
– Multi-channel support (chat, email, and web messaging).
– Affordable pricing plans for small businesses.
– Good integration capabilities with other tools.
– Limited features in the free version.
– Less robust reporting and analytics compared to Freshdesk.
– Some users report slower response times from support.
Drift – Excellent for real-time chat and AI-driven chatbots.
– Strong focus on lead generation and sales integration.
– Intuitive user experience.
– Great for marketing teams with its unique features.
– Higher cost for advanced features.
– Less comprehensive ticketing and support options compared to Freshdesk.
– Primarily geared towards sales, which may not suit all businesses.
Intercom – Advanced messaging capabilities including targeted messages.
– Strong automation and bots for customer engagement.
– Extensive integration options with third-party tools.
– Good for both customer support and marketing.
– Higher pricing compared to Freshdesk.
– Complex feature set may require a steeper learning curve.
– Can be overkill for small businesses with simple needs.
LiveChat – Real-time chat support with a clean interface.
– Good for businesses focused solely on live chat.
– Strong analytics and reporting feature.
– Easy to install and use.
– Lacks comprehensive support ticketing system.
– Limited channel support compared to Freshdesk.
– Can get expensive as additional features and integrations are added.
Zendesk – Robust ticketing system and advanced support features.
– Highly customizable with numerous integrations.
– Strong reporting and analytics capabilities.
– Scalable for larger businesses or organizations.
– Higher pricing, which may not be ideal for small businesses.
– Setup and customization can be complex.
– Can feel overwhelming with its extensive features.

This table specifically highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative in relation to Freshdesk, targeting typical use cases for customer service and support platforms.

Freshdesk vs Competitors: Traffic & Marketing Comparison

Traffic Comparison:
Zendesk leads significantly in organic traffic with approximately 23.7 million visits in March 2025, showcasing its dominant position in the customer support software market. Following it is LiveChat with around 10.2 million visits. Freshdesk, while a strong player, garners about 2.7 million visits, marking it as the lowest in this comparison. Crisp and Drift trail further behind, with traffic in the range of 165k to 102k, indicating a less effective reach in comparison to their larger competitors.

Top Performing Keywords:
Freshdesk excels with top rankings for prominent keywords like "customer support software" and "help desk software," contributing significantly to its traffic. Zendesk shares similar strengths with high rankings in equivalent categories and also ranks for "customer success tools." Notably, LiveChat dominates with unique keywords focusing on chat solutions, while Drift’s and Crisp’s keyword strategies display less variation. Crisp manages to rank for "business messaging platforms" but lacks broader keyword strength despite some niche performance.

Conclusions on Visibility and Reach:
Zendesk is the clear leader in online visibility, driven by high organic traffic and a robust keyword ranking strategy. Freshdesk and LiveChat also demonstrate solid visibility, though not on the same scale as Zendesk. Freshdesk’s strategic keyword focus on support solutions positions it well within its niche, while LiveChat harnesses chat-specific keywords effectively. Crisp and Drift, however, show weaker visibility, with lower traffic and fewer high-ranking keywords, potentially limiting their reach in a competitive landscape.

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Other “Freshdesk” Alternatives & Competitors that you can find for free

Here are five alternatives to Freshdesk, along with their key features, strengths, and value propositions:

  1. Zoho Desk
    Key Features: Multi-channel support (email, social, chat), AI-powered assistance, ticket management, automation, and reporting tools.
    Strengths: Seamless integration with other Zoho products, user-friendly interface, and competitive pricing.
    Value Proposition: Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a comprehensive customer support solution that integrates well with other business tools.

  2. Help Scout
    Key Features: Shared inbox, customer management, collaboration tools, reporting, and knowledge base creation.
    Strengths: Focus on email-based customer support, easy-to-use interface, and excellent collaboration features.
    Value Proposition: Perfect for teams that prioritize straightforward customer communication and want to maintain a personal touch.

  3. Kayako
    Key Features: Multi-channel support, live chat, automation, collaboration tools, and reporting insights.
    Strengths: Strong focus on customer journey and collaboration, allowing teams to track customer interactions across various channels.
    Value Proposition: Suitable for businesses that need a holistic view of customer interactions combined with effective collaboration tools.

  4. Gorgias
    Key Features: E-commerce integration, multi-channel support, automation, and reporting.
    Strengths: Tailored for e-commerce businesses, strong integration with platforms like Shopify, and robust automation capabilities.
    Value Proposition: Best for e-commerce brands wanting to improve customer support while leveraging integrations with their sales platforms.

  5. Contactually
    Key Features: Relationship management, automated follow-ups, contact organization, and insights.
    Strengths: Strong focus on relationship building and personalized engagement, making it unique in the customer support landscape.
    Value Proposition: Ideal for businesses that prioritize relationship management and nurturing customer loyalty through personalized communication.

These alternatives provide various functionalities catering to different business sizes and industry needs, making them viable competitors to Freshdesk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Freshdesk and what are its main features?

Freshdesk is a cloud-based customer support software that helps businesses manage customer inquiries and support tickets. Its main features include ticket management, a knowledge base, multi-channel support (email, chat, phone, social media), automation tools, reporting and analytics, and collaboration tools for support teams.

How does Freshdesk compare to its competitors like Zendesk and ServiceNow?

Freshdesk is often seen as more user-friendly and affordable compared to competitors like Zendesk and ServiceNow. While Zendesk offers a broader range of integrations and advanced capabilities, Freshdesk focuses on providing a simpler interface and essential features suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.

Is Freshdesk suitable for small businesses?

Yes, Freshdesk is particularly suitable for small businesses due to its flexible pricing plans, user-friendly interface, and essential features that cater to the needs of smaller teams. It allows businesses to start with basic features and scale as they grow.

Does Freshdesk offer integration with other tools?

Yes, Freshdesk supports various integrations with popular tools, including CRM systems like Salesforce, project management tools like Trello, and collaboration platforms like Slack. This helps teams streamline their workflow and manage customer support more effectively.

What are the pricing options for Freshdesk?

Freshdesk offers multiple pricing tiers starting with a free plan for basic features. Paid plans include options with additional features such as automation, reporting, and advanced analytics, with prices scaling based on the number of agents and the features needed.

Can Freshdesk handle multi-channel support?

Yes, Freshdesk allows businesses to handle customer support inquiries from various channels including email, phone, live chat, and social media, all from a single platform. This enables support teams to provide a seamless customer experience across different platforms.

What customer support options does Freshdesk provide?

Freshdesk offers several customer support options, including email support, live chat, phone support, and an extensive online knowledge base. Additionally, users can access community forums and various resources for self-service support.

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