Are you looking for help desk software that complements your growth? While Help Scout has made waves in the industry, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Perhaps you’re on the hunt for help desk software with a different flair or a few extra features? Well, you’re in luck. The digital world is brimming with robust alternatives to Help Scout.
So, if you’re all set to discover your business’s next help desk software, let’s dive into these standout Help Scout competitors. Shall we begin?
10 Best Help Scout Alternatives & Competitors for SMBs
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Is Help Scout?
Meet Help Scout: a key player in the customer service universe. At its core, Help Scout isn’t just another help desk tool; it’s a platform designed to foster genuine, meaningful customer conversations.
With features facilitating seamless communication and intuitive ticket management, Help Scout has earned its place in many businesses’ hearts.
However, as diverse as the SMB world is, one size rarely fits all. Some teams might find that Help Scout is almost perfect, but it may lack a feature or two they desire, or they may be looking for a different user experience.
That’s why many businesses venture out, scouting (pun intended) for Help Scout alternatives that resonate more closely with their unique operational rhythms and goals.
So, while Help Scout is great, let’s explore what else is out there waiting to be your next customer service superstar.
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat To Look For In An Alternative To Help Scout
- Seamless user experience: The best service desk software is to navigate, and the quicker teams can respond to customer needs. Look for intuitive designs and minimal learning curves to boost team productivity
- Multi-channel support: Today’s customers reach out to support teams from multiple channels—emails, social media, chat, and more. An ideal customer service software should aggregate these channels, ensuring no query gets overlooked
- Affordable pricing models: Every dollar counts in an SMB. Seek out platforms that offer a bang for your buck with scalable pricing, so you’re only paying for what you truly need
- Rich feature set: Different businesses, different needs. Find a tool that offers a comprehensive suite of desk features, like knowledge base capabilities or collaborative support software for requests, allowing you to customize your complete customer support suite and approach
- Robust integrations: A platform’s strength often lies in its compatibility with other customer success software your customer service agents use. Opt for solutions that easily integrate with your existing software stack, streamlining workflows, and working with multiple channels
- Positive customer reviews: Word of mouth is invaluable. Check for platforms with rave reviews; they often highlight real-world pros and cons you might not have considered
- Reliable customer support team: Who supports the support agents? A customer support solution should also have a strong support team behind it. Ensure your chosen alternative backs you up with responsive, helpful support agents and multi-channel support so you’re never left in the lurch
Summarize this article for me please10 Best Help Scout Alternatives
Now that you and your support team know what to keep an eye out for as you look ahead to a post-Help Scout world, let’s introduce you to the customer support contenders.
1. ClickUp
ClickUp is more than a Help Scout alternative. It’s a holistic solution tailored for businesses that crave organization and efficiency.
With desk features like multiple assignees, custom fields, and the ability to prioritize tasks, ClickUp has positioned itself as a powerhouse in the productivity realm.
Especially for customer service teams, the platform offers unparalleled versatility compared to other Help Scout alternatives.
From allocating resources and managing clients to tracking customer support tickets, ClickUp ensures every step is seamless.
Its intuitive interface and robust integrations make it a standout choice for support teams looking beyond Help Scout.
ClickUp best features
- Delegate tasks to multiple team members effectively
- Use ClickUp Docs to build your knowledge base
- Tailor your workspace according to business needs with ClickUp Custom Fields
- Distinguish between critical tasks and those that can wait
- Ensure a structured approach to tasks with ClickUp Task checklists
- Merge all your information and tie your entire tech stack together with deep integrations
- Quickly create a help desk environment with the ClickUp Help Desk Template
- Make sure you are supporting your customers every step of the day with these customer journey templates
ClickUp limitations
- The steeper learning curve for beginners
- Customization options may be overwhelming for some support teams
- Integration with some third-party apps requires tweaking
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (2,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (2,000+ reviews)
2. Zendesk
Zendesk isn’t just another name in the customer service industry; it’s some of the most reliable help desk software. Providing advanced support features, Zendesk is designed from the ground up to nurture and enhance customer communications.
It stands out from other Help Scout alternatives with its simplicity, ensuring every customer interaction is efficient yet personal.
The platform’s adaptability, scalability, and advanced analytics features make it a top contender for support teams of all sizes looking for a solid Help Scout alternative.
Zendesk best features
- Seamlessly integrate all communication channels with comprehensive customer messaging software
- Empower customers with self-service options using a built-in knowledge base tool
- AI-powered chatbot provides speedy responses at all hours
- Customizable ticket views help you sort and prioritize tickets effortlessly, making Zendesk some of the best ticketing software on the market
- Compatible with many third-party apps
- Gain actionable insights from data to improve customer satisfaction
- Offer in-app support for mobile users
Zendesk limitations
- Pricing can be high for smaller teams
- Some advanced features require integrations
- The initial setup might feel complex
Zendesk pricing
- Team: $19/month per user
- Growth: $49/month per user
- Professional: $99/month per user
- Enterprise: Starts at $150/month per user
Zendesk ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (100+ reviews)
3. Intercom
Intercom is a desk solution redefining the paradigms of customer support.
With a keen focus on real-time conversations, this Help Scout alternative combines chat support, interactive product tours, and nuanced customer engagement techniques.
What sets it apart is its dedication to fostering genuine, lasting relationships. In an era where immediacy is key, Intercom ensures businesses can instantly engage, support, and delight their customers.
Intercom best features
- Use live chat to engage with visitors in real time and improve the customer experience
- Ensure speedy answers around the clock with chatbots and knowledge-base articles
- Product tours let you educate users directly within your app
- Send relevant content to specific user groups
- Tailor support based on user behavior
- Fuse seamlessly with popular tools
- Understand customer trends and behavior
Intercom limitations
- Slightly steeper price point for startups
- Audio and video calls are not native features
Intercom pricing
- Starter: $74/month
- Pro: Contact Intercom for pricing
- Premium: Contact Intercom for pricing
Intercom ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (2,500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (900+ reviews)
4. Front
Front is revolutionizing email communication by turning it into a collaboration powerhouse.
With its unique approach, teams can effortlessly respond to emails, apps, social media messages, and even SMS, all from a centralized hub.
The ability to integrate with other tools, track analytics, and automate workflows makes Front a compelling choice for teams looking to elevate their customer communication game.
Front best features
- Combine all channels in one place
- Collaborate in real-time on responses
- Automate follow-up emails to save time
- Schedule seamlessly without leaving the platform
- Dive deep into team performance metrics
- Sync with CRMs, project management tools, and more
- Stay connected on the go
Front limitations
- Requires a change in mindset from traditional email
- Advanced analytics are on the pricier tiers
- It might have a slight learning curve for newcomers
Front pricing
- Starter: $19/month per user
- Growth: $59/month per user
- Scale: $99/month per user
- Premier: $299/month per user
Front ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (1,800+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (200+ reviews)
5. Hiver
Hiver supercharges Gmail, transforming it into a collaborative hub for customer support.
Without departing from the familiarity of Gmail, teams can manage shared inboxes, assign tasks, and even track performance metrics.
The seamlessness with which Hiver operates ensures that teams can focus on delivering top-notch customer support, making it an invaluable tool for Gmail-centric teams.
Hiver best features
- Centralize communication for seamless teamwork
- Avoid overlapping responses with real-time notifications
- Organize and categorize emails for streamlined processing
- Track team performance and identify areas of improvement
- Simplify repetitive tasks with rules and workflows
- Ensure timely responses even during peak times
- Hiver also serves as your team’s knowledge base software, so your team can access information swiftly
Hiver limitations
- Built specifically for Gmail, limiting users of other email platforms
- Advanced analytics are available only in higher plants
- Integration options are fewer compared to some competitors
Hiver pricing
- Lite: $15/month per user
- Pro: $39/month per user
- Elite: $59/month per user
Hiver ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (800+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (100+ reviews)
6. Freshdesk
Freshdesk, from the trusted house of Freshworks, is known among Help Scout alternatives for its streamlined customer support.
As a multi-channel help desk solution, it offers many automation tools that simplify and amplify customer conversations.
Whether managing tickets, integrating with third-party apps, or providing multi-language support, Freshdesk ensures every interaction leads to effective resolution.
Freshdesk best features
- Streamline and prioritize customer inquiries
- Consolidate emails, chats, calls, and social messages
- Set up ticket dispatch, escalation, and notifications
- Use team huddles and linked tickets for efficient teamwork
- Reduce ticket volumes with self-service options like a knowledge base
- Monitor agent productivity and ticket resolution time
- Get insights tailored to your needs
Freshdesk limitations
- Some features might be a bit overwhelming for small businesses
- Customization can require a learning curve
- Integration with external tools can occasionally be clunky
Freshdesk pricing
- Free
- Growth: $15/agent per month
- Pro: $49/agent per month
- Enterprise: $79/agent per month
Freshdesk ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (2,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (3,000+ reviews)
Bonus: 10 Best Freshdesk Alternatives and Competitors in 2024
7. ServiceNow
ServiceNow goes beyond traditional Help Scout alternatives, offering a wide array of cloud solutions to automate customer communication and modernize IT service management.
Its prowess lies in its ability to streamline complex workflows, particularly in larger organizations.
With a suite of tools dedicated to improving operations, collaboration, and customer service, ServiceNow is a comprehensive choice for enterprises seeking robustness and scalability.
ServiceNow best features
- Efficiently resolve and analyze incidents
- Seamlessly introduce new updates
- Allow users to self-resolve common issues with its knowledge base feature
- Customize and extend ServiceNow capabilities
- Automate and optimize IT operations with AI
- Dive deep into metrics and improve service delivery
- Access ServiceNow functionalities on-the-go
ServiceNow limitations
- It might be too much for small to medium-sized businesses. If that’s the case for you, check out these ServiceNow competitors
- Initial setup and customization can be complex
- Costs can rack up with add-on modules and features
ServiceNow pricing
- Contact ServiceNow for pricing
ServiceNow ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (1,700+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
8. Helpwise
Helpwise is a breath of fresh air in the shared inbox arena.
By turning email collaboration into an effortless endeavor, it is a reliable companion for sales, support, and operations teams.
With myriad features like automated workflows, built-in chat, and analytics, Helpwise ensures small businesses can manage emails efficiently while keeping customer satisfaction at the forefront.
Helpwise best features
- Merge team communication for fluid coordination
- Set behaviors for auto-tagging, assignment, and more
- Integrate popular apps like Slack, CRM, and more
- Prevent simultaneous responses for efficient handling
- Gauge team performance with powerful metrics
- Adapt the dashboard to each team member’s needs
- Know when your emails are read
Helpwise limitations
- Limited functionality in the basic plan
- Advanced integrations are reserved for higher tiers
- The user interface might seem less intuitive to some
Helpwise pricing
- Standard: $15/month per user
- Premium: $29/month per user
- Advanced: $50/month per user
Helpwise ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (20+ reviews)
9. HubSpot Service Hub
HubSpot Service Hub is a testament to integrated customer service.
Beyond just help desk functionalities, it offers an entire ecosystem ensuring businesses can serve, satisfy, and retain their customers.
With features like knowledge bases, feedback surveys, and reporting dashboards, the Service Hub ensures every touchpoint is an opportunity to delight.
HubSpot Service Hub’s best features
- Integrate emails, chats, and more into one place
- Craft informative articles in the knowledge base to address common queries
- Swiftly direct support tickets to the right teams with HubSpot’s ticket management tools
- Understand your customer sentiments
- Analyze service metrics to optimize further
- Engage in real-time with customers
- Organize and address customer issues effectively
HubSpot Service Hub limitations
- Some advanced features necessitate a steeper learning curve
- Integrations with non-HubSpot tools can sometimes be challenging
- Customization can be limited compared to standalone solutions
HubSpot Service Hub pricing
- Free
- Starter: $18/month
- Professional: $450/month
HubSpot Service Hub ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (10,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (3,000+ reviews)
10. Zoho Desk
Zoho Desk is not just a customer service tool; it’s an experience.
Crafting a rich, context-aware environment for agents and customers reimagines how businesses approach support.
With AI-driven assistance, multi-channel capabilities, and advanced reporting, Zoho Desk ensures businesses can forge meaningful and lasting customer relationships.
Zoho Desk’s best features
- Engage via email, social media, chat, and more
- Organize, prioritize, and address inquiries
- Speed up support ticket responses and task assignments with built-in automations
- Empower customers with answers on-demand
- Gain insights for continuous improvement
- Team up to support customers faster
- Make Zoho Desk genuinely yours with a customizable interface
Zoho Desk limitations
- The mobile application could be more intuitive
- Requires training for full feature utilization
- Initial setup can be a bit time-consuming
Zoho Desk pricing
- Standard: $14/month per user
- Professional: $23/month per user
- Enterprise: $40/month per user
- Ultimate: $52/month per user
Zoho Desk ratings and reviews
- G2: 4/5 (2,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (6,000+ reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhy ClickUp Tops The List of Help Scout Alternatives
ClickUp offers an all-in-one solution beyond the confines of other Help Scout alternatives to support customers. Its ease of customization and integration capabilities make it a top choice for businesses looking for a robust Help Scout alternative.
With the ability to manage everything from customer queries to internal tasks, it’s a game-changer for small and medium businesses. Add to that the plethora of resources available on ClickUp’s blog, and it’s easy to see why ClickUp stands out. From service desk software to customer journey templates, ClickUp is the holistic solution teams have been searching for.
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