HelpDesk vs Zendesk
HelpDesk starts at $19/agent/mo and Zendesk 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 | Zendesk | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI | $57/mo Essential | $57/mo Support Team | Tie |
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI (monthly billing) | $75/mo Essential | $57/mo Support Team | Zendesk |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo | $487/mo Essential | $190/mo Support Team | Zendesk |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $547/mo Essential | $190/mo Support Team | Zendesk |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo | $2,930/mo Essential | $950/mo Support Team | Zendesk |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $3,230/mo Essential | $950/mo Support Team | Zendesk |
At a glance
| Feature | HelpDesk | Zendesk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per user | Per agent, billed yearly |
| Watch out for | Growth is 4× the Essential price — the jump is steep. | Only yearly prices are shown — month-to-month is “typically a higher effective monthly rate” but not priced. |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $19/agent/mo | $19/agent/mo |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $25/agent/mo | $19/agent/mo |
| Entry plan includes | Essential: per agent · 10 AI resolutions included, then $49.50 per 50 | Support Team: per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Forever free | No | No |
| Trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Add-ons | Extra AI resolutions $49.50 per 50. | Copilot $50/agent/mo, Workforce Engagement Bundle $50/agent/mo, Contact Center $83/agent/mo (all paid yearly). Usage-based App Builder, Action Builder and Voice billed beyond plan allowances. |
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 |
Zendesk
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Team | — | $19 | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Suite Team | — | $55 | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Suite Professional | — | $115 | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Suite Enterprise + Copilot | — | — | per agent · AI resolution price Not listed |
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%.
Zendesk
- Only yearly prices are shown — month-to-month is “typically a higher effective monthly rate” but not priced.
- AI agents bill per automated resolution and the rate is not published, so heavy AI use is a quote.
- Copilot is a $50/agent add-on — Suite Professional + Copilot is $165/agent/mo.
FAQ
Is HelpDesk cheaper than Zendesk?
For 10 agents, 300 AI resolutions a month, annual billing: HelpDesk $487/mo on Essential vs Zendesk $190/mo on Support Team. 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 Zendesk have free plans or trials?
HelpDesk: No free plan. 14-day free trial, no credit card, no commitment. Zendesk: No free plan. 14-day free trial; startups program offers 6 months of Suite for up to 50 agents (eligibility applies).
How do HelpDesk and Zendesk charge for AI?
HelpDesk: AI Agent: 10 (Essential) or 200 (Growth) resolutions per month included; extra packages of 50 resolutions cost $49.50. Zendesk: AI agents are included on every Suite and Support plan but billed per “automated resolution”; the per-resolution price is Not listed on the pricing page.