If Zendesk feels too expensive or complicated for your business, you’re not alone. Many small businesses are looking for affordable, and user-friendly Zendesk alternatives that still offer robust customer service features.
In this post, we’ll guide you through the best Zendesk alternatives, and help you decide which tool works best for your business.
What is Zendesk Used For in Customer Service?
Zendesk is a popular customer service platform designed to manage and streamline customer support across various channels, such as ticketing, live chat, and knowledge base management. Zendesk allows businesses to provide timely responses, track interactions, and automate customer service workflows.
Image 1: Zendesk Customer Service Platform
Why Look for Alternatives to Zendesk?
Zendesk is a comprehensive platform for managing customer support through ticketing, live chat, and self-service options.
Why look for alternatives? Here are some potential reasons:
High pricing for small businesses.
Complexity for teams needing simpler workflows.
Limited customization at lower-tier plans.
While it's an effective tool, Zendesk can be expensive, especially for small businesses that don't require the full range of features. That's where alternatives come in.
Who Are Zendesk's Biggest Competitors for Customer Service?
Let’s explore 10 of the best alternatives to Zendesk, starting with Wonderchat, which offers AI-powered customer support solutions for growing businesses.
1. Wonderchat
Wonderchat is a great alternative to Zendesk. It offers an AI-powered chatbot that integrates with Zendesk but can also work independently for businesses looking to streamline basic support tasks without paying for complex ticketing systems.
It’s easy to set up, doesn’t require any coding, and integrates with website platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Wix.
Image 2: Wonderchat - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
Build and customize AI-powered chatbots for eCommerce
Zendesk integration for automatic ticket creation
Integrates with popular website platforms like: WordPress, Shopify, and Wix
Automates up to 70% of support queries, reducing response time
24/7 automated customer service
No coding is required for easy setup
Pricing:
Free Trial: for the first 10 messages
Paid Plans: Starting at $19/month (Zendesk integration starts at $249/month)
Best For:
Businesses, Enterprises and eCommerce stores looking for an easy-to-implement AI chatbot solution with Zendesk integration.
Why Integrate Zendesk with Wonderchat for Customer Service
Wonderchat stands out amongst other chatbot platforms because it offers a seamless Zendesk integration, allowing your business to escalate complex queries to Zendesk's ticketing system. Here's why:
Benefits of Integrating Zendesk with Wonderchat:
Efficient Ticket Escalation: Wonderchat handles your routine questions, escalating more complex ones to Zendesk automatically.
24/7 Automated Support: Wonderchat offers instant assistance while Zendesk steps in for follow-up support.
Resource Optimization: Wonderchat handles up to 70% of support queries, freeing up your team to handle critical cases.
Seamless Integration: The seamless integration between Wonderchat and Zendesk provides a unified support experience.
How to Integrate Zendesk with Wonderchat
Here's a quick guide:
Create an AI chatbot in Wonderchat following this beginner's guide.
Connect to your Zendesk helpdesk by clicking on the "Z" logo from the list of app integrations.
Click on “Connect Zendesk” and enter your Zendesk helpdesk information to log in.
Once the connection is successful, you’ll receive a pop-up notification informing you of the successful integration with Zendesk.
And you're all set! You'll start receiving escalated messages from Zendesk that require your customer service's attention.
2. Freshdesk
Freshdesk is an affordable alternative to Zendesk, offering a user-friendly ticketing system and automation features that help businesses manage customer support across multiple channels.
Image 3: Freshworks - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
Multi-channel support (email, phone, chat, social media).
Ticket automation and routing.
Customizable knowledge base and self-service portal.
24/7 AI Assistant.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Available with basic features.
Paid Plans: Starting at $15/month.
AI Features: From $49/month.
Best For:
Small to mid-sized businesses looking for a flexible and affordable support platform.
3. Help Scout
Help Scout is designed to help businesses set up an efficient self-help desk. It offers features like a shared inbox, live chat, and a self-service help center. While it's priced higher than Wonderchat, this Zendesk alternative can save you time and empower your customers to access the information they need by using a self-help approach.
Image 4: Help Scout - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
Shared inbox for team collaboration.
Live chat and knowledge base features.
Automated workflows and reporting.
Create a self-help desk for your customers.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Available.
Paid Plans: Starting from $50/month for 100 customers.
Best For:
Customer service teams who prefer to let their customers find the support they need by using a self-help approach.
While Help Scout is not cheap, it's still a more affordable alternative to Zendesk.
4. Zoho Desk
Zoho Desk is a simple ticketing system part of the Zoho suite. It offers strong automation features, multi-channel support, and an intuitive interface for small teams starting with customer service automation.
Image 5: Zoho Desk - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
Multi-channel support (email, phone, chat, social media).
Built-in knowledge base and self-service options.
Automated workflows and reporting.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Available with basic features.
Paid Plans: Starting at $20/month.
Best For:
Zoho Desk is a good Zendesk alternative for businesses already using other Zoho products or those looking for a comprehensive customer management solution.
5. Salesforce Service Cloud
Salesforce Service Cloud is part of the Salesforce ecosystem and is designed for enterprises looking to improve customer service. The Salesforce CRM suite helps your team resolve issues faster, personalize interactions, and collaborate in one place.
Image 6: Salesforce - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
AI-powered chatbots and automation.
Seamless integration with Salesforce CRM.
Omnichannel support and reporting.
Pricing:
Paid Plans: Basic features starting at $25/month.
Omni-channel routing: Starting at $100/month.
Best For:
Salesforce Service Cloud is a Zendesk alternative better suited for larger enterprises that need advanced functionality and deeper CRM integration.
6. Gorgias
Gorgias is an eCommerce-focused tool designed to help online stores manage customer support efficiently. This AI-powered platform integrates with online stores like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce and helps brands automate customer experience.
Image 7: Gorgias - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, and more.
Multi-channel customer support (email, chat, social media).
Automation for order-related queries.
Pricing:
Paid Plans: Starting at $300/month for 2,000 helpdesk tickets.
AI and Automated replies: Starting at $555/month.
Best For:
Gorgias is a Zendesk competitor suitable for large eCommerce store owners, with over 2000 tickets/month, looking for an integrated customer service platform.
7. LiveAgent
LiveAgent is an all-in-one helpdesk platform with built-in social media integrations, making it a budget-friendly alternative to Zendesk. Designed for startups and small customer support teams, it offers essential features like ticketing and multi-channel support at an affordable price for startups.
Image 8: LiveAgent - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
Ticketing system, live chat, and social media support.
Customizable workflows and automation.
Reporting and analysis.
Pricing:
Paid Plans: Starting at $19/month + 39/month for adding social media integration (Facebook, Instagram).
Best For:
LiveAgent is good for startups and small customer service teams looking for a helpdesk solution.
8. HappyFox
HappyFox provides businesses with a straightforward web-based helpdesk solution. It covers ticket management, multi-channel support, and client self-service portals.
Image 9: HappyFox - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
Multi-channel support (email, live chat, social).
Automation and reporting features.
Self-help knowledge base.
Pricing:
Paid Plans: Starting at $9/month per agent.
Team Plan: Starting at $49/month includes custom ticket queues and customization features.
Best For:
Small to medium businesses looking for a scalable and more cost-effective solution to the Zendesk helpdesk.
9. Nextiva
Nextiva is an all-in-one communications platform that combines VoIP services with customer service tools, making it great for businesses needing a unified communications solution.
Image 10: Nextiva - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
VoIP phone system and text messaging.
Ticketing system, live chat, and CRM features.
Analytics and reporting.
Pricing:
Team Plan: Starting at $30/month for social media channels and voice.
Best For:
Nextiva is a competitor to Zendesk suitable for medium-sized businesses needing both VoIP services and customer support in one platform.
10. HubSpot Service Hub
HubSpot Service Hub provides a full suite of customer service tools, with a focus on seamless integration into the HubSpot CRM platform.
Image 11: Hubspot - alternative to Zendesk
Key Features:
Ticketing system and live chat support.
Knowledge base and AI-powered automation tools.
CRM integration for personalized support.
Pricing:
Basic Plan: Starting at $15/month.
Paid Plans: Starting at $90/month, including advanced AI automation.
Best For:
Established businesses that already use HubSpot CRM and need an integrated customer service solution.
Summary Comparison Table:
Image 12: Top 10 alternatives to Zendesk - Comparison table
Wonderchat’s Strengths: Pricing, Features, and Ease of Use
Wonderchat stands out as a great Zendesk alternative due to the following:
Pricing: Starting at $19/month, making it a cost-effective option to Zendesk for businesses of any size.
Features: Wonderchat offers AI-powered chatbots, Zendesk integration, and multi-platform support.
Ease of Use: With no coding required, Wonderchat is perfect for small businesses and eCommerce owners looking for an easy-to-use chatbot solution.
Conclusion - Take the Next Step Toward Better Customer Service with Wonderchat
Choosing the right customer service tool for your business is a big decision. If you're a small business or eCommerce store owner, Wonderchat could be the ideal Zendesk alternative. Sign up today for a free Wonderchat account and experience how easy it is to deliver automated, AI-powered support without the complexity of Zendesk.
