ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus vs ServiceNow
Compare ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus and ServiceNow on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus
SMB/mid-market ITSM — Cloud Standard from $13/technician/mo; free up to 5 techs Standard; Professional $27; Enterprise $67; 30-day trial. Does not outrank ServiceNow 8.7 / Freshservice 8.4.
Best for
- • SMB/mid-market IT teams that want a published $13/technician ITSM SKU
- • Zoho/ManageEngine-aligned shops that need incidents, changes, and assets without a ServiceNow RFP
- • Buyers who will actually use the 5-tech free Standard path before paid Cloud
Starting from $13.00/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus and ServiceNow. Choose ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus when SMB/mid-market IT teams that want a published $13/technician ITSM SKU. Choose ServiceNow when Enterprises standardising ITSM (and often HRSD/CSM) on one platform. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus is better for
- ✓ Starting pricing
- ✓ Free plan
ServiceNow is better for
- ✓ Integrations
- ✓ Security & admin
Choose ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus if: SMB/mid-market IT teams that want a published $13/technician ITSM SKU
Choose ServiceNow if: Enterprises standardising ITSM (and often HRSD/CSM) on one platform
ServiceNow
Enterprise ITSM / Now Platform — contact sales. 2026 ITSM tiers Foundation / Advanced / Prime with bundled Now Assist; no public list price.
Best for
- • Enterprises standardising ITSM (and often HRSD/CSM) on one platform
- • ITIL-mature shops that need CMDB + change at scale
- • Buyers with budget for implementation partners
Starting from $100.00/user/mo
No free plan
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus vs ServiceNow pricing
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus researched starting price from $13/mo; a free plan is researched. ServiceNow researched starting price from $100/mo. Affiliate economics excluded.
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus
From $13.00/user/mo
ServiceNow
From $100.00/user/mo
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus
Starting from $13.00/user/mo
Free trial available
- Standard (free up to 5 techs)$0.00/user/mo
- Free Standard path up to 5 technicians — evaluation / tiny IT desks, not unlimited Enterprise.
- 0: Up to 5 technicians
- Cloud StandardPopular$13.00/user/mo
- $13/technician/mo Cloud Standard floor — published SMB ITSM entry. 30-day trial.
- Professional$27.00/user/mo
- $27/technician/mo Professional — broader ITSM/asset depth than Standard.
- Enterprise$67.00/user/mo
- $67/technician/mo Enterprise — highest published Cloud ITSM pack on this ladder.
ServiceNow
Starting from $100.00/user/mo
Free trial available
- ITSM FoundationPopularCustom
- Entry ITSM (incident/request/asset + configured Now Assist) — custom quote.
- ITSM AdvancedCustom
- Full ITIL suite (problem, change, major incident, on-call) — custom quote.
- ITSM PrimeCustom
- Highest Assist pool and custom AI agents — custom quote.
Estimate your team cost
Monthly estimate from verified per-seat list pricing. Confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus
$195.00/mo
ServiceNow
$1,500.00/mo
+$1,305.00/mo — ServiceNow 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.
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