Help desk · Head to head
Help Scout vs Zendesk: which is better?
Short answer
Zendesk costs less in the first year ($1,500 vs $1,140 for 5 users). Pick Help Scout for shared inbox for small support teams; pick Zendesk for established support suites at any scale.
| Fact | Help Scout | Zendesk | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Shared inbox for small support teams | Established support suites at any scale | — |
| Free plan | Yes, 5 users | No | Help Scout |
| Entry plan | Standard: $25 / seat / mo | Support Team: $19 / seat / mo | Zendesk |
| Mid plan | Plus: $45 / seat / mo | Suite Team: $55 / seat / mo | Help Scout |
| Top plan | Pro: $75 / seat / mo | Suite Professional: $115 / seat / mo | Help Scout |
| 1st year, 5 users | $1,500 | $1,140 | Zendesk |
| 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 Zendesk?
Zendesk costs less in the first year ($1,500 vs $1,140 for 5 users).
| 1st year, 5 users | Help Scout | Zendesk |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $1,500 | $1,140 |
| Mid | $2,700 | $3,300 |
| Top | $4,500 | $6,900 |
Which has the better free plan, Help Scout or Zendesk?
Help Scout: Yes, 5 users.
Should you pick Help Scout or Zendesk?
Pick Help Scout if
- you want shared inbox for small support teams
- the free plan is enough (5 users)
Pick Zendesk if
- you want established support suites at any scale
- you can pay $19 / seat / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Help Scout pricing | helpscout.com/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Zendesk pricing | zendesk.com/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare