Help Scout vs Intercom
Compare Help Scout and Intercom on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
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 teams wanting email-first shared inbox support without enterprise complexity
- • Startups using the free 5-user tier
- • Buyers prioritizing ease of use over omnichannel breadth
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
No universal winner. Choose based on which criteria matter most for your team.
Help Scout is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Ticketing depth
- ✓ Live chat
- ✓ Knowledge base
Intercom is better for
- ✓ Omnichannel inbox
- ✓ AI features
- ✓ Integrations
Choose Help Scout if: SMB teams wanting email-first shared inbox support without enterprise complexity
Choose Intercom if: Support teams that want Messenger + shared inbox + Fin AI in one CS platform
Intercom
Customer messaging / shared inbox with Fin AI — Essential from $29/seat/mo + Fin from $0.99/outcome.
Best for
- • Support teams that want Messenger + shared inbox + Fin AI in one CS platform
- • Mid-market SaaS organisations standardising on Intercom for in-app messaging
- • Buyers evaluating AI agent resolutions as a primary CX bet
Starting from $29.00/user/mo
No free plan
Help Scout vs Intercom pricing
Help Scout researched starting price from $0/mo; a free plan is researched. Intercom researched starting price from $29/mo. Affiliate economics excluded.
Help Scout
From $0.00/user/mo
Intercom
From $29.00/user/mo
Help Scout
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free trial available
- Free$0.00/user/mo
- Free for up to 5 users — entry SMB shared inbox.
- max users: 5
- Standard$25.00/user/mo
- $25/user/mo annual — core shared inbox and docs.
- PlusPopular$45.00/user/mo
- $45/user/mo annual — workflows, routing, and light automations.
- Pro$75.00/user/mo
- $75/user/mo annual — advanced permissions and API depth.
Intercom
Starting from $29.00/user/mo
Free trial available
- Essential$29.00/user/mo
- $29/seat/month annual — Fin AI Agent, Messenger, shared inbox/ticketing, pre-built reports, public help center. Fin outcomes from $0.99.
- AdvancedPopular$85.00/user/mo
- $85/seat/month annual — multiple team inboxes, workflows, round-robin, private/multilingual help center, 20 Lite seats.
- Expert$132.00/user/mo
- $132/seat/month annual — SSO, HIPAA path, SLAs, multibrand Messenger/Help Center, 50 Lite seats.
- Fin AI AgentSee details
- From $0.99 per Fin outcome on Intercom plans (also Fin standalone on existing helpdesks). Usage-priced AI resolutions — not included unlimited.
Estimate your team cost
Monthly estimate from verified per-seat list pricing. Confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.
Help Scout
$0.00/mo
Intercom
$435.00/mo
+$435.00/mo — Intercom costs more
Verified monthly unit prices · Aug 18, 2026
Prices in USD
Shown per user / month from verified list pricing.
Plans can change
Confirm live vendor rates before purchasing.
Add-ons may apply
Calling, SMS, or usage fees can add cost.
Independence
Affiliate status never changes pricing outcomes.
Some visit links may be affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Comparison outcomes are never based on commission.