Freshdesk vs Help Scout
Compare Freshdesk and Help Scout on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Freshdesk
Helpdesk and omnichannel ticketing from Freshworks — Growth from $19/agent/mo annual with 14-day trial.
Best for
- • Omnichannel helpdesk ticketing
- • SLA and routing on paid tiers
Starting from $19.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
No universal winner. Choose based on which criteria matter most for your team.
Freshdesk is better for
- ✓ Ticketing depth
- ✓ Live chat
- ✓ Omnichannel inbox
- ✓ SLA & routing
Help Scout is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Knowledge base
Tie
- • AI features
Choose Freshdesk if: Omnichannel helpdesk ticketing
Choose Help Scout if: SMB shared inbox with a free 5-user tier
Help Scout
SMB shared inbox and helpdesk — free for up to 5 users; Standard $25, Plus $45, Pro $75 user/mo annual.
Best for
- • SMB shared inbox with a free 5-user tier
- • Docs-first self-service
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free plan available
Feature comparison
Grouped feature support from verified product research for Freshdesk and Help Scout.
Capabilities
| Feature | Freshdesk | Help Scout | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ticketing | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| Shared inbox | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| Live chat | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| Knowledge base | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| Omnichannel inbox | Strong | Moderate | Freshdesk |
| SLA & routing | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| Macros & automation | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| Self-service portal | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| CSAT / satisfaction surveys | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| Helpdesk reporting | Strong | Strong | Tie |
| Ecommerce helpdesk | Limited | Limited | Tie |
| ITSM / service desk | Limited | Limited | Tie |
| Chatbot / AI agent | Strong | Moderate | Freshdesk |
| Agent copilot | Strong | Moderate | Freshdesk |
| Phone support | Moderate | Limited | Freshdesk |
| Helpdesk integrations | Strong | Strong | Tie |
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