Help desk · Head to head
Zendesk vs Intercom: which is better?
Short answer
Zendesk costs less in the first year ($1,140 vs $1,740 for 5 users). Pick Zendesk for established support suites at any scale; pick Intercom for AI-first support with chat messenger.
| Fact | Zendesk | Intercom | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Established support suites at any scale | AI-first support with chat messenger | — |
| Free plan | No | No, 14-day trial | Tie |
| Entry plan | Support Team: $19 / seat / mo | Essential: $29 / seat / mo | Zendesk |
| Mid plan | Suite Team: $55 / seat / mo | Advanced: $85 / seat / mo | Zendesk |
| Top plan | Suite Professional: $115 / seat / mo | Expert: $132 / seat / mo | Zendesk |
| 1st year, 5 users | $1,140 | $1,740 | Zendesk |
| Platforms | Web | Web | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, Zendesk or Intercom?
Zendesk costs less in the first year ($1,140 vs $1,740 for 5 users).
| 1st year, 5 users | Zendesk | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $1,140 | $1,740 |
| Mid | $3,300 | $5,100 |
| Top | $6,900 | $7,920 |
Which has the better free plan, Zendesk or Intercom?
Neither stands out: Zendesk: No; Intercom: No, 14-day trial.
Should you pick Zendesk or Intercom?
Pick Zendesk if
- you want established support suites at any scale
- you can pay $19 / seat / mo from day one
Pick Intercom if
- you want AI-first support with chat messenger
- you can pay $29 / seat / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Zendesk pricing | zendesk.com/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Intercom pricing | intercom.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare