HelpDesk vs Freshdesk
HelpDesk starts at $19/agent/mo and Freshdesk at $19/agent/mo on annual billing — but agent minimums, seat caps and AI resolution fees decide the real bill. See it costed below.
Costed for three setups
| Setup | HelpDesk | Freshdesk | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI | $57/mo Essential | $57/mo Growth | Tie |
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI (monthly billing) | $75/mo Essential | $69/mo Growth | Freshdesk |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo | $487/mo Essential | $190/mo Growth | Freshdesk |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $547/mo Essential | $230/mo Growth | Freshdesk |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo | $2,930/mo Essential | $1,685/mo Growth | Freshdesk |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $3,230/mo Essential | $1,885/mo Growth | Freshdesk |
At a glance
| Feature | HelpDesk | Freshdesk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per user | Per agent |
| Watch out for | Growth is 4× the Essential price — the jump is steep. | The page says “first 500 sessions included” without saying whether that resets monthly. |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $19/agent/mo | $19/agent/mo |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $25/agent/mo | $23/agent/mo |
| Entry plan includes | Essential: per agent · 10 AI resolutions included, then $49.50 per 50 | Growth: per agent · 500 AI resolutions included, then $49 per 100 |
| Forever free | No | No |
| Trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Add-ons | Extra AI resolutions $49.50 per 50. | Freddy AI Copilot $35/agent/mo (Pro, Enterprise); day passes $2/$7/$12; connector app tasks $80/5,000; MCP actions $15/1,000. |
All plans
HelpDesk
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $25 | $19 | per agent · 10 AI resolutions included, then $49.50 per 50 |
| Growth | $99 | $79 | per agent · 200 AI resolutions included, then $49.50 per 50 |
| Enterprise | — | — | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
Freshdesk
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | $23 | $19 | per agent · 500 AI resolutions included, then $49 per 100 |
| Pro | $66 | $55 | per agent · 500 AI resolutions included, then $49 per 100 |
| Enterprise | $107 | $89 | per agent · 500 AI resolutions included, then $49 per 100 |
Gotchas
HelpDesk
- Growth is 4× the Essential price — the jump is steep.
- AI resolutions above the allowance are sold in 50-packs ($0.99 each).
- Annual billing saves up to 24%.
Freshdesk
- The page says “first 500 sessions included” without saying whether that resets monthly.
- AI sessions are sold in 100-session blocks ($49), so 101 extra sessions cost $98.
- Copilot is a separate $35/agent add-on.
FAQ
Is HelpDesk cheaper than Freshdesk?
For 10 agents, 300 AI resolutions a month, annual billing: HelpDesk $487/mo on Essential vs Freshdesk $190/mo on Growth. The answer flips with agent count, AI resolution volume and monthly vs annual billing — use the calculator on the help desk hub for your exact setup.
Do HelpDesk and Freshdesk have free plans or trials?
HelpDesk: No free plan. 14-day free trial, no credit card, no commitment. Freshdesk: 14-day free trial of the Enterprise plan; no forever-free plan shown on the pricing page.
How do HelpDesk and Freshdesk charge for AI?
HelpDesk: AI Agent: 10 (Essential) or 200 (Growth) resolutions per month included; extra packages of 50 resolutions cost $49.50. Freshdesk: Freddy AI Agent on every plan with the first 500 sessions included; additional sessions $49 per 100.