25 Best Zendesk Alternatives Reviewed in 2025
Best Zendesk Alternatives Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 25 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Zendesk is a widely popular customer support platform, but it might not be the perfect fit for every business. Whether you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, specific features that Zendesk lacks, or a simpler user interface, there are numerous alternatives worth considering.
In this review, we will explore some of the best Zendesk alternatives, comparing their key features, pricing, and unique benefits to help you find the right solution for your customer support needs.
What is Zendesk?
Zendesk is a customer service software designed to help businesses efficiently manage and respond to customer inquiries across multiple channels. It centralizes ticket management, allowing support teams to promptly track, prioritize, and resolve issues.
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With support for email, chat, phone, and social media interactions, Zendesk ensures seamless communication to meet diverse customer needs.
Why Look for a Zendesk Alternative?
Although Zendesk is a valuable tool, it may not be the right fit for your team. There are several reasons why you may start searching for a Zendesk alternative, including:
- Cost: Zendesk’s pricing can be quite steep, especially for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. As a result, you might be looking for a more affordable alternative that still offers strong customer support features.
- Complexity: Zendesk can be overwhelming with its extensive features, which may not be necessary for all teams. If your team needs a simpler, more intuitive platform, a less complex alternative might be a better fit.
- Customization: While Zendesk offers customization options, they may not be sufficient for all business needs. If you require more flexibility to tailor the platform to your unique processes, you might seek a more customizable solution.
- Integration: Zendesk may not seamlessly integrate with some of the other tools and software your business relies on. If smoother integration with your existing workflow is essential, you may need to consider alternatives that offer better compatibility.
- Support: Some users find that Zendesk’s customer support can be slow or impersonal at times. If you prioritize more responsive or personalized support, you might want to explore other options that offer a higher level of customer care.
Alternatives to Zendesk can provide more affordable pricing, simpler interfaces, greater customization, better integration capabilities, and more responsive support, addressing some of the limitations you might face with Zendesk. These alternatives can better align with your specific needs and preferences.
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Best Zendesk Alternatives Summary
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Issuetrak The main dashboard of Issuetrak provides an overview of ongoing issues and tasks, helping users manage and track their projects efficiently. | Best for unlimited free users | 14-day free trial | From $26/agent/month | Website |
| 2 |  SAAS First SAAS First's dashboard provides key functionalities such as ticket management, AI responses, and centralized customer interactions. | Best for AI-powered customer support | Free trial available | From $9/member/month | Website |
| 3 |  Hiver Hiver provides customer support management directly integrated with Gmail. | Best for managing support channels from Gmail inbox | 7-day free trial | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 4 |  HappyFox HappyFox offers an intuitive help desk software solution with effective ticketing and automation features. | Best for instant live chat support across platforms | Free demo available | From $29/user/month | Website |
| 5 |  Help Scout Help Scout offers user-friendly, email-based customer support with a shared inbox, automation, and integrated knowledge base features. | Best for customer-first support | 15-day free trial | From $22/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 6 |  Nextiva Nextiva offers a VoIP and business communication platform with integrated customer support features. | Best for unified customer experience management | 7-day free trial. | From $20/user/month, (billed annually). | Website |
| 7 |  Kustomer Kustomer offers advanced AI-driven CRM capabilities for optimized customer service management. | Best for centralized customer data | 14-day free trial | From $89/user/month | Website |
| 8 |  Crisp Crisp offers an all-in-one messaging platform with automation and real-time customer support capabilities. | Best for leading customer interactions | 14-day free trial | From $6.25/user/month | Website |
| 9 |  eGain eGain provides an omnichannel customer engagement hub with AI capabilities. | Best for knowledge management | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website |
| 10 |  HubSpot Service Hub HubSpot Service Hub provides an advanced customer service platform with CRM integration. | Best for scalable customer service tools | Free plan available | From $15/seat/month (billed annually) | Website |
Best Zendesk Alternatives Reviews
Here are my detailed analyses of each Zendesk alternative, covering their pros and cons, key features, and best use cases to help you make an informed decision.
Issuetrak is a versatile platform designed to help your team manage and resolve issues efficiently. It offers tools for tracking tickets, managing workflows, and handling customer support requests.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: It supports omnichannel ticket submission, allowing for organized management of customer interactions across various platforms, which aids in the effectiveness of support teams. Automated ticket assignments and collaborative task flows are additional features that enhance process efficiency and improve response times. Unlike Zendesk, Issuetrak offers full feature access without tiered pricing, providing features such as unlimited free users and customizable branding without additional costs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a knowledge base, custom forms, user-defined fields, detailed reporting, task management, workflow branching, billing module, surveys module, issue escalation, priority management, SLA management, and email notifications.
Integrations include Gmail, Azure AD, Slack, Microsoft, Salesforce, chat applications, and Issuetrak API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Effective in organizing and managing tickets
- Cloud and on-premises deployment options
- Highly customizable system
Cons:
- Asset management is a paid add-on
- Certain features may be complex to set up
SAAS First is an all-in-one customer support platform designed to enhance your customer relations by leveraging AI-powered tools. It offers a help desk with features like an omnichannel inbox, integrating email, live chat, and social media interactions.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: One reason I like SAAS First is its AI-powered chatbot, Milly. Milly learns from your company's help center articles and website content, allowing for accurate and relevant responses to customer queries. By automating routine inquiries, Milly reduces the workload on your support team, enabling them to focus on more complex issues. This leads to faster response times and improved customer satisfaction. You can also create, organize, and manage articles, categories, and sections for an easy-to-navigate knowledge base to promote self-service.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time customer data analytics, marketing campaign tools, live chat, automated responses, mobile optimization, engagement tracking, and ticket management.
Integrations include WhatsApp, Facebook, and SMS by Twilio.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Facilitates collaboration among team members
- Centralized customer interaction management
- AI-driven features, such as a chatbot
Cons:
- Limited integrations available
- Potential scalability issues
Hiver integrates directly with Gmail to manage customer support teams, making it ideal for handling queries within the Google Workspace environment without switching platforms.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: Hiver simplifies email management by integrating directly with Gmail, eliminating the need for a separate help desk system. This makes it a strong alternative to Zendesk for teams already using Google Workspace, as it reduces the learning curve and streamlines workflows.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include multi-channel support, email management, workflow automation, and analytics, enabling teams to collaborate, automate repetitive tasks, and monitor performance directly within the Gmail interface.
Integrations include Slack, WhatsApp, Aircall, Asana, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Jira, Zapier, Okta, and Google Workspace.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive email management features
- Easy to use with minimal setup
- Direct integration with Gmail
Cons:
- Limited customization options compared to some competitors
- Limited to Google Workspace users
HappyFox is an advanced help desk and customer support software solution. It excels in providing instant live chat support across mobile, desktop, and web platforms for omnichannel support.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: HappyFox is known for its strong live chat capabilities, which are important for businesses requiring real-time customer interaction. Its multi-platform support ensures accessibility across devices, offering a versatile alternative to Zendesk. Additionally, HappyFox provides excellent customer support, ensuring that businesses receive the help they need to maximize the platform’s potential.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a strong ticketing system, AI-driven support, end-to-end process automation, and instant live chat for enhanced customer engagement and support efficiency.
Integrations include Salesforce, Aircall, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Facebook, Jira, Okta, Azure, Asana, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multi-platform live chat support
- AI-driven support features
- Comprehensive ticketing system
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Higher starting price compared to some competitors
Help Scout is a customer support platform featuring a shared inbox, help center, and live chat software. It’s ideal for teams prioritizing personalized customer interactions and efficient support management.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: Help Scout emphasizes a customer-first approach, which is important for businesses that value personalized support. With a shared inbox, teams can easily manage customer interactions efficiently and effectively. Additionally, the software offers a more straightforward and user-friendly interface, making it easier for teams to manage customer support without an overwhelming learning curve.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a shared inbox, live chat, knowledge base, proactive messaging, and AI tools for drafting replies and summarizing conversations, enhancing team productivity.
Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Jira, Slack, Mailchimp, Shopify, WooCommerce, Zapier, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive integrations
- Strong focus on customer-first support
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Potential learning curve
- Limited advanced features
- Limited advanced features
Nextiva is a unified customer experience management platform that centralizes all interactions, offering an advanced suite of tools to manage customer experiences across multiple channels.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: Nextiva provides strong capabilities in unifying customer interactions across multiple channels, which makes it a viable alternative to Zendesk. Its AI-driven features and advanced analytics provide deep insights into customer behavior, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include AI-powered contact centers, real-time analytics, and intelligent routing, enhancing customer interaction management and personalization.
Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Slack, Zendesk, Zoho CRM, QuickBooks, Outlook, and Mailchimp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable call flows
- A unified platform for all customer interactions
- Comprehensive AI and analytics capabilities
Cons:
- Complex setup for smaller businesses
- Occasional interface lage
Kustomer is a customer service CRM platform that uses AI to improve customer interactions and streamline support processes. This makes it ideal for businesses looking to efficiently manage customer service with AI capabilities.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: Kustomer offers users with strong AI capabilities that significantly improve customer service efficiency. It provides a single view of customer interactions across various channels, enabling support teams to resolve issues more efficiently. Additionally, Kustomer excels with its several automation and workflow customization options, making it ideal for businesses that need a more tailored support experience.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include AI chatbots, AI agent copilot, and a unified customer timeline for swift and precise issue resolution, offering comprehensive insights into customer interactions.
Integrations include Slack, Salesforce, Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, Zapier, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Proactive support capabilities
- Unified customer view
- AI-driven automation
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Complex setup for small businesses
Crisp is an all-in-one business messaging platform tailored for startups to efficiently manage customer interactions by centralizing communication channels in one place.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: Crisp offers an advanced suite of tools that are particularly beneficial for startups. Its all-in-one messaging platform stands out by integrating multiple communication channels into a single interface, which simplifies customer relationship management. Additionally, Crisp provides seamless integrations with popular tools and offers a more personalized support experience, making it easier for team members to engage with their customers effectively.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a shared inbox, chatbots, CRM, and co-browsing capabilities, allowing businesses to automate tasks and provide real-time customer assistance.
Integrations include Slack, WhatsApp, Instagram, Zapier, Aircall, Shopify, WordPress, Segment, Salesforce, and Pipedrive.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Affordable pricing for small teams
- Easy integration with multiple communication channels
- Comprehensive feature set for startups
Cons:
- May require some time to set up and customize
- Limited advanced features compared to larger platforms
eGain is a customer service software specializing in AI-driven knowledge management. It excels in providing accurate, consumable answers quickly by leveraging AI and expert collaboration.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: eGain provides users with a strong AI-driven knowledge management capabilities, which stand out when compared to Zendesk. Its ability to integrate AI with human expertise ensures that customer queries are resolved efficiently, making it a valuable solution for businesses seeking personalized, yet automated services.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an AI-powered knowledge base for rapid and accurate customer responses, strong integration with diverse customer service channels, and analytics to gauge interaction effectiveness.
Integrations include Adobe, Apple Business Chat, Amazon Connect, Avaya, Cisco, Five9, Genesys, Google Business Messages, IBM Watson, and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Effective analytics for customer interactions
- Wide range of integrations
- Strong AI-driven knowledge management
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Limited UI customization
HubSpot Service Hub is an advanced customer service software designed to scale with your business. It’s best for scalable customer service tools due to its flexible pricing and extensive feature set that grows with your needs.
Why it's a good Zendesk alternative: HubSpot Service Hub is known for its scalability and large suite of customer service tools. It stands out as a good Zendesk alternative due to its seamless integration with the HubSpot ecosystem, offering a unified platform for marketing, sales, and customer support. Additionally, its powerful CRM integration and comprehensive reporting tools give businesses valuable insights to improve customer service and retention.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include ticketing, team email, live chat, email templates, ticket creation bots, meeting scheduling, and detailed reporting for customer service management.
Integrations include Slack, Salesforce, Shopify, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace, Jira, Asana, Mailchimp, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong integration capabilities
- Comprehensive feature set
- Automated ticketing
Cons:
- Limited customization
- Complex learning curve
Other Zendesk Alternatives
Below is a list of additional Zendesk alternatives that I shortlisted. While they didn’t make the top 10, they’re still valuable and worth further research.
- ServiceNow
For AI-driven proactive digital operations
- ProProfs
For training and customer support tools
- Trengo
Multichannel inbox
- Jira Service Management
For high-velocity service management
- Intercom
For personalized customer messaging
- BoldDesk
For customizable help desk solutions
- Attio
For CRM and customer data management
- Groove
For small business support teams
- Tidio
For live chat and chatbot integration
- Freshdesk
For multi-channel support
- Zoho Desk
For AI-driven customer service
- Sendbird
For in-app chat and messaging
- SupportNinja
For outsourcing customer support
- Helpshift
For mobile app customer support
- Front
For team collaboration on customer support
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Zendesk Alternatives Selection Criteria
The criteria for choosing a Zendesk alternative should directly address buyer needs and common pain points, ensuring that the software serves its intended purpose effectively. As an expert who has personally tried and researched these tools, here are the requirements I use when evaluating software:
Core Functionality (25% of the weighting score):
- Support Ticket Management
- Customer Communication Channels (Email, Chat, Phone)
- Reporting and Analytics
- Knowledge Base Management
- Automation Capabilities and Workflow Customization
Additional Standout Features (25% of total weighting score):
- AI-Powered Chatbots
- Social Media Integration
- Customizable Dashboards
- Multilingual Support
- Mobile App Functionality
- Notifications and Other Add-On Features
Usability (10% of total weighting score):
- Intuitive Interface Design
- Drag-and-Drop Functionality
- Customizable User Roles
- Easy Navigation
- Minimal Learning Curve
Onboarding (10% of total weighting score):
- Availability of Training Videos
- Interactive Product Tours
- Pre-Built Templates
- Chatbots for Initial Guidance
- Webinars for In-Depth Training
Customer Support (10% of total weighting score):
- 24/7 Availability
- Multiple Support Channels (Email, Phone, Chat)
- Dedicated Account Managers
- Comprehensive Help Center
- Fast Response Times
Value For Money (10% of total weighting score):
- Competitive Pricing Plans
- Transparent Pricing Structure
- Free Trial Availability
- Discounts for Annual Subscriptions
- Feature-to-Price Ratio
Customer Reviews (10% of total weighting score):
- Overall Satisfaction Ratings
- Feedback on Usability
- Comments on Customer Support
- Insights on Feature Effectiveness
- User Experience Testimonials
Key Features of Zendesk Alternatives
Here are some key features of Zendesk that your alternative software should be able to replicate or improve upon to be a good fit.
- Ticketing System: Manages customer inquiries by converting them into tickets for streamlined support.
- Multi-Channel Support: Integrates email, social media, phone, and web widgets for seamless customer interactions.
- Self-Service Portal and/or Knowledge Base: Allows customers to find answers on their own through articles, guides, and FAQs.
- Live Chat and Messaging: Provides real-time chat support and integrates with SMS messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp for ease of use.
- Analytics and Reporting: Offers performance dashboards and analytics tools to measure customer satisfaction and support efficiency.
- Automation and Workflows: Automates ticket creation and routing, and supports custom workflows to improve efficiency.
- Customization and Integrations: Supports third-party apps and custom integrations to tailor the platform to specific business needs.
- AI-Powered Chatbots: Deploys intelligent bots to handle common customer requests and provide instant responses.
- Collaboration Tools: Facilitates internal collaboration with shared views, macros, and private support agent comments.
- Security and Privacy: Ensures data protection and compliance with industry standards through advanced security features.
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