Help desk · Head to head
Help Scout vs Salesforce Service Cloud: which is better?
Short answer
They cost the same in the first year ($1,500). Pick Help Scout for shared inbox for small support teams; pick Salesforce Service Cloud for enterprise service teams on Salesforce.
| Fact | Help Scout | Salesforce Service Cloud | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Shared inbox for small support teams | Enterprise service teams on Salesforce | — |
| Free plan | Yes, 5 users | No | Help Scout |
| Entry plan | Standard: $25 / seat / mo | Starter Suite: $25 / seat / mo | Tie |
| Mid plan | Plus: $45 / seat / mo | Pro Suite: $100 / seat / mo | Help Scout |
| Top plan | Pro: $75 / seat / mo | Max: $550 / seat / mo | Help Scout |
| 1st year, 5 users | $1,500 | $1,500 | Tie |
| Platforms | Web | Web | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, Help Scout or Salesforce Service Cloud?
They cost the same in the first year ($1,500).
| 1st year, 5 users | Help Scout | Salesforce Service Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Mid | $2,700 | $6,000 |
| Top | $4,500 | $33,000 |
Which has the better free plan, Help Scout or Salesforce Service Cloud?
Help Scout: Yes, 5 users.
Should you pick Help Scout or Salesforce Service Cloud?
Pick Help Scout if
- you want shared inbox for small support teams
- the free plan is enough (5 users)
Pick Salesforce Service Cloud if
- you want enterprise service teams on Salesforce
- you can pay $25 / seat / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Help Scout pricing | helpscout.com/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Salesforce Service Cloud pricing | salesforce.com/service/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare