Zendesk and Help Scout sit at opposite ends of the help-desk market. Zendesk is the powerful enterprise suite; Help Scout is the simple, friendly tool for small teams.
Quick verdict
- Choose Zendesk for omnichannel scale, deep reporting, and enterprise needs.
- Choose Help Scout for a simple, affordable shared inbox that small teams love.
Head to head
| Zendesk | Help Scout | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Best for | Enterprise omnichannel | Small-team simplicity |
| Free tier | No | Yes (limited) |
| Entry | $55/agent/mo | $20/user/mo |
| Ease of use | Complex | Very easy |
Bottom line
Pick Zendesk for enterprise scale; pick Help Scout for simple, affordable small-team support. Read the full Zendesk review and Help Scout review.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Zendesk or Help Scout?
Help Scout is cheaper to start, at $20/user/mo, compared to Zendesk at $55/agent/mo.
Does Zendesk or Help Scout have a free plan?
Help Scout offers a limited free tier. Zendesk has no free tier.
Which is easier to use, Zendesk or Help Scout?
Help Scout is rated very easy to use, while Zendesk is more complex given its enterprise omnichannel feature set.
Which should I pick, Zendesk or Help Scout?
Choose Zendesk for omnichannel scale, deep reporting, and enterprise needs. Choose Help Scout for a simple, affordable shared inbox that small teams love.