24 Best ServiceNow Competitors Reviewed in 2025
Best ServiceNow Competitors Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best ServiceNow competitors:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
In the world of IT Service Management, ServiceNow has made a name for itself with its powerful dashboards and real-time data tracking capabilities. As someone who has navigated the vast sea of ITSM tools, I can tell you that ServiceNow excels at streamlining business processes and offering solutions tailored to organizations from startups to giants like IBM. ServiceNow, in essence, is a platform that automates IT business processes, providing a means for departments within a company to enhance their effectiveness.
I understand that every business has unique needs and the one-size-fits-all solution isn't always the best fit. Perhaps you're seeking a tool with more emphasis on mobile app functionality, more customizable templates, or better alignment with software development practices. This guide will walk you through the best alternatives to ServiceNow, focusing on their strengths, so you can choose the one that perfectly aligns with your business needs.
What Is ServiceNow?
ServiceNow is a digital workflow management platform that helps you manage IT services, operations, and business processes in one place. It’s used by IT teams, HR departments, and enterprise ops teams to automate requests, track incidents, and improve service delivery. Ticketing tools, self-service portals, and workflow automation help with handling issues, requests, and approvals more efficiently. Overall, ServiceNow helps your team stay organized and deliver faster support across the business.
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Best ServiceNow Competitors Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top ServiceNow competitor selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for robust ITIL readiness and support | Free demo | Contact for quote | Website | |
| 2 | Best for enriched IT performance analytics | Free trial + free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for innovative codeless configuration | Not available | From $150/user/month | Website | |
| 4 | Best for comprehensive IT asset management | Not available | $19/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 5 | Best for large-scale service management and automation | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 6 | Best for cognitive service management capabilities | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for advanced AI-powered automation | Not available | $60/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 8 | Best for excellent customer service interactions | 21-day free trial + free plan available | From $18/user/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best for transformative digital service delivery | Not available | $45/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 10 | Best for intuitive incident and problem management | 14-day free trial + free demo available | From $19/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
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Pulumi
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Best ServiceNow Competitors Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best ServiceNow competitors that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
ServiceDesk Plus is an IT service management software designed to help businesses manage their IT infrastructure and services with greater efficiency. With its strong alignment with ITIL principles, it's a solid choice for organizations striving for robust ITIL readiness and support.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Wide range of integrations
- Comprehensive IT service management features
- Strong ITIL readiness and support
Cons:
- Fewer non-IT service workflows compared to ServiceNow
- Advanced features come at a higher cost
- User interface might require a learning curve
SysAid is an IT service management solution that offers an all-in-one service desk for organizations. With an emphasis on robust analytics, it indeed warrants the tag of being 'best for' enriched IT performance analytics.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive service management features
- Integrates with several leading platforms
- Extensive analytical capabilities
Cons:
- Customer support could be improved
- The user interface could be more intuitive
- Detailed pricing information is not readily available
Cherwell Service Management is an IT service management tool that leverages automation to deliver efficient IT services. Its innovative approach to codeless configuration makes it an optimal choice for businesses seeking simplicity and adaptability.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive IT service management features
- Wide range of integrations
- Innovative codeless configuration feature
Cons:
- Some users have noted occasional sluggishness in system performance
- The user interface could be more modern and intuitive
- Higher starting price compared to other tools
Service Desk by SolarWinds is an IT service management solution built for businesses to provide faster and more efficient support. Recognized for its comprehensive IT asset management capabilities, this tool facilitates tracking and managing assets throughout their lifecycle.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Wide range of integrations
- Detailed lifecycle tracking
- Comprehensive IT asset management
Cons:
- User interface could be more intuitive
- Advanced analytics require higher-tier plans
- May require initial training for full utilization
Best for large-scale service management and automation
Micro Focus Service Management Automation X (SMAX) is an IT service management tool designed for large-scale operations. It excels in offering a wide range of automation capabilities, making it the best choice for large-scale service management and automation.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers customizability for integrations
- Can handle large-scale service management
- Strong automation capabilities
Cons:
- May be overkill for mid-sized to small businesses
- Can be complex to set up and navigate
- Pricing information is not publicly available
BMC Helix is a potent Saas provider tool offering IT service management (ITSM) and IT operations management (ITOM) capabilities. Its standout feature is its cognitive automation technology that significantly enhances service management processes, making it the best for cognitive service management capabilities.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong integrations with various cloud platforms
- Efficient predictive service management
- Advanced cognitive service management capabilities
Cons:
- Customization might require technical knowledge
- Can be complex for beginners
- Pricing information is not readily available
Ivanti Neurons for ITSM is an efficient IT service management platform that heavily leans on AI to streamline its automation capabilities. Given its potent AI-driven feature set, it offers a strong rationale for being the 'best for' advanced AI-powered automation.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides predictive analytics for better decision-making
- Smooth integrations with major enterprise software vendors
- Advanced AI-powered automation capabilities
Cons:
- Customization may require technical knowledge
- The user interface might seem complex for some users
- Pricing might be a bit steep for smaller businesses
Freshdesk is a feature-rich customer support software solution designed to streamline customer service interactions and make life easier for support teams. This tool brings together all customer conversations into a centralized interface, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- A wide range of integrations
- Comprehensive ticketing system
- Extensive customer service-focused features
Cons:
- Limited ITSM capabilities compared to ServiceNow
- Customization may require technical expertise
- Pricing can escalate with advanced features
IFS Assist is a well-recognized service management tool, excelling at enabling digital transformation in service delivery. With its advanced functionality, it aligns perfectly with the 'best for' statement, offering a transformative approach to delivering digital services.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- AI-enabled automation for streamlined operations
- Robust integrations with various business tools
- Exceptional capability for digital transformation in service delivery
Cons:
- Limited customizability in certain areas
- It might have a steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Higher cost compared to some other tools
Freshservice, developed by Freshworks, provides a range of IT service management capabilities. What sets it apart is its user-friendly interface and advanced incident and problem management capabilities, justifying its place as the best tool for intuitive incident and problem management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong integrations with other commonly used tools
- Excellent incident and problem management capabilities
- Easy-to-use interface makes it ideal for beginners
Cons:
- Some users report the need for better reporting features
- Advanced customization can be challenging
- Some features are only available in higher-priced plans
Other ServiceNow Competitors
Here are some additional ServiceNow competitors that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Jira Service Management
For seamless integration with Atlassian suite
- NinjaOne
For seamless network management and monitoring
- InvGate
Good for intuitive service desk management
- Agiloft
Good for customizable and scalable service management
- Deskera
Good for integrated business management with service support
- Alemba
Good for comprehensive asset management
- ITarian
Good for unified IT management and security
- Serviceaide
Good for AI-powered service management
- TOPdesk
Good for fostering seamless collaboration in service delivery
- Alloy Software
Good for IT asset management and service desk operations
- Hornbill
Good for streamlined IT service management with automated workflows
- Ivanti
Good for unifying IT operations and security data
- Provance
Good for IT service management in Microsoft-centric organization
- EASYVISTA
Good for mobile-first service management
Other Software Reviews
- Cloud Development Platforms
- IaaS Providers
- Cloud Platforms as a Service
- Infrastructure As Code Tools
- Database Monitoring Tools
ServiceNow Alternatives Selection Criteria
When considering software for IT service management, there are certain crucial factors I keep in mind based on my extensive experience in trying out and researching these tools. For this particular review, I've scrutinized over 20 tools and the ones mentioned stood out due to their specialized attributes aligned with the specific needs of IT service management.
Core Functionality
- Incident and Problem Management: The software should be capable of tracking, managing, and resolving incidents efficiently while also having the ability to identify and address the root causes of recurring incidents.
- Change and Release Management: The tool should facilitate the process of making changes to IT infrastructure without causing disruptions. It should also support release management for deploying changes effectively.
- Service Request Management: The software should provide a streamlined process for users to request and receive standard services from the IT department.
- Asset and Configuration Management: The software must maintain a comprehensive inventory of all IT assets and configurations within the organization.
Key Features
- Automation: This feature can significantly enhance efficiency by automating routine tasks, such as ticket assignment and escalation, SLA enforcement, and routine maintenance tasks.
- Reporting and Analytics: The tool should have robust capabilities for generating detailed reports and analytics to provide insights into service performance, SLA compliance, incident trends, etc.
- Integrations: The ability to integrate with other business applications and IT software is crucial for seamless data sharing and collaboration.
- Knowledge Management: A built-in knowledge base can empower users to resolve common issues themselves, reducing the burden on the IT department.
Usability
- Intuitive Interface: For this type of tool, an intuitive interface that presents a clear overview of incidents, changes, and assets can significantly improve user efficiency.
- Onboarding and Training: Given the often complex nature of ITSM software, a strong onboarding program and comprehensive training resources are essential for helping users get up to speed quickly.
- Scalability: The tool should be able to scale with the needs of the business, accommodating growth and changes in IT processes without impacting performance.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is essential, particularly for troubleshooting technical issues that can impact service delivery.
Why Look for a ServiceNow Competitor?
ServiceNow stands as a powerful cloud-based IT support platform that helps businesses manage digital workflows for enterprise operations. Its solutions, covering IT service management (ITSM), IT operations management (ITOM), and IT business management (ITBM), streamline processes and enhance productivity. It primarily targets large organizations and enterprise-level customers who require complex workflow and service management.
Despite its robust features, the need for alternatives to ServiceNow may arise due to various reasons. These could include cost considerations, as ServiceNow is often perceived as expensive, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. It contributes to the enhancement of customer experience and customer relationships by effectively addressing service issues and incidents.
ServiceNow Key Features
Here are some of the key features of ServiceNow, to help you contrast and compare what alternative solutions offer:
- Reporting and dashboards: Gives you real-time data on ticket volume, resolution time, and team performance.
- Incident management: Helps your team track, prioritize, and resolve IT issues faster.
- Change management: Lets you plan, test, and document system changes with less risk.
- Self-service portal: Gives users an easy way to submit tickets and find help articles.
- Service catalog: Lets you offer standard IT services through pre-defined request forms.
- Asset management: Helps you track hardware, software, and related IT assets in one place.
- Knowledge base: Lets your team document and share solutions to common problems.
- CMDB (Configuration Management Database): Maps out relationships between IT assets to support troubleshooting.
- Workflow automation: Automates repetitive tasks like approvals and ticket routing.
- Mobile access: Lets you view and manage tickets from a phone or tablet.
Summary
In summary, the field of ServiceNow competitors is diverse, each providing a distinct set of features, strengths, and pricing structures. Whether your organization values large-scale service management, cognitive service capabilities, or intuitive incident and problem management, there's a ServiceNow alternative that will meet your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding your organization's specific needs and use cases is crucial in selecting the right ITSM tool. Features that are beneficial for one company might be less important to another. Make sure to clearly identify what you need from a ServiceNow competitor before making a decision.
- When it comes to pricing, there is a wide range of options among ServiceNow competitors. Some offer more affordable solutions, while others provide premium services at a higher price point. Be sure to consider the total cost, including potential setup fees and the cost of additional seats as your company grows.
- Lastly, don't underestimate the value of usability and customer support. A tool with an intuitive interface and responsive customer service can save your team valuable time and help avoid potential frustrations. This is especially true for complex ITSM tools, where effective onboarding and ongoing support are key to maximizing value.
What Do You Think?
Of course, the ITSM field is rapidly evolving, and new tools and features are constantly emerging. If there's a ServiceNow competitor that you believe deserves to be on this list, please don't hesitate to share your suggestion. I always appreciate my readers' insights and experiences, and your contribution could help other organizations find the right tool for their needs. Thank you for your time and input!