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Alternatives

Best Zendesk alternatives in 2026

Zendesk is customer service platform with ticketing, chat and AI agents. These 7 alternatives come from the same rankings, ordered by editorial score. Connected products carry a small, disclosed lift.

7 alternatives From best customer support software How we rank

Ranked alternatives

  1. 1

    Intercom

    Live chat, in-app messaging and a shared inbox, with the Fin AI agent priced per outcome. Per-seat fees and AI usage add up, so it suits product-led teams more than small helpdesks.

    Best for Product-led teams with in-app messaging

    WebSubscription

    90.5score
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  2. 2

    Freshdesk

    A clear helpdesk with SLA policies, a knowledge base and the Freddy AI agent, priced per agent. AI sessions and day passes cost extra, and it sits in the Freshworks family.

    Best for Mid-sized support teams that want helpdesk and AI

    WebSubscription

    89.0score
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  3. 3

    Help Scout

    Also runs on iOS, Android. A focused shared inbox for email support, with saved replies, workflows and iOS and Android apps. It is lighter than Zendesk for complex routing and is priced per user.

    Best for Small teams that run support mainly on email

    WebiOSAndroidSubscription

    87.5score
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  4. 4

    Zoho Desk

    A helpdesk that connects to Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps, with pre-built AI agents and per-user pricing. Its ecosystem is narrower outside Zoho.

    Best for Businesses already using Zoho apps

    WebSubscription

    86.0score
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  5. 5

    Crisp

    Has a free option. Website chat, a shared inbox and a help center, with a free plan for solopreneurs. Paid plans are priced per workspace, and it has a smaller reach than Intercom or Zendesk.

    Best for Small businesses that want chat and a shared inbox

    WebFree plan, paid upgrades

    84.0score
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  6. 6

    Chatwoot

    Has a free option; is open source. An open-source inbox that combines chat, email and social channels, with an MIT-licensed core. Self-hosting means running updates and backups, and its ecosystem is smaller than the large vendors.

    Best for Teams that want open-source support on their own server

    WebSelf-hostedFree and open sourceOpen source

    81.5score
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  7. 7

    tawk.to

    Has a free option. Free live chat for websites, with a shared inbox and a basic CRM. Advanced features come from paid add-ons, so it suits small sites more than complex support teams.

    Best for Small websites that need free live chat

    WebFree plan, paid upgrades

    78.5score
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Narrow the alternatives

Free alternatives to Zendesk

About Zendesk alternatives

What is the best alternative to Zendesk?
On listme.name the highest-scored alternative is Intercom, followed by Freshdesk. The right choice depends on price, platform and whether you need open source.
Is there a free alternative to Zendesk?
Yes. Free options include Crisp, Chatwoot, tawk.to.