Help Scout vs Zoho Desk
Compare Help Scout and Zoho Desk 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
- • Email-first SMB shared inbox
- • Docs / knowledge-base emphasis
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
- ✓ Knowledge base
Zoho Desk is better for
- ✓ Ticketing depth
- ✓ Live chat
- ✓ Omnichannel inbox
- ✓ SLA & routing
Tie
- • Free plan
- • Ecommerce helpdesk
- • AI features
Choose Help Scout if: Email-first SMB shared inbox
Choose Zoho Desk if: Lower paid per-agent floors at team scale
Zoho Desk
Budget helpdesk in the Zoho suite — free 3 agents; Express $7, Standard $14, Professional $23, Enterprise $40 agent/mo annual.
Best for
- • Lower paid per-agent floors at team scale
- • Zoho suite buyers
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free plan available
Help Scout vs Zoho Desk pricing
Research 2026-08-18. Both have free caps — model the paid qualifying plan. Affiliate economics excluded.
Help Scout
From $0.00/user/mo
Zoho Desk
From $0.00/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.
Zoho Desk
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free trial available
- Free$0.00/user/mo
- Free for up to 3 agents — entry helpdesk tier.
- max agents: 3
- Express$7.00/user/mo
- $7/agent/mo annual — lightweight ticketing for small teams.
- StandardPopular$14.00/user/mo
- $14/agent/mo annual — SLAs, workflows, and multichannel.
- Professional$23.00/user/mo
- $23/agent/mo annual — advanced automations and telephony.
- Enterprise$40.00/user/mo
- $40/agent/mo annual — AI, sandbox, and enterprise controls.
Estimate your team cost
Monthly estimate from verified per-seat list pricing. Confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.
Help Scout
$0.00/mo
Zoho Desk
$0.00/mo
Similar estimated cost
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.
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