Intercom vs Help Scout
Intercom starts at $29/agent/mo and Help Scout at $25/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 | Intercom | Help Scout | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI | $87/mo Essential | $0/mo Free | Help Scout |
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI (monthly billing) | $117/mo Essential | $0/mo Free | Help Scout |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo | $587/mo Essential | $475/mo Standard | Help Scout |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $687/mo Essential | $525/mo Standard | Help Scout |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo | $3,430/mo Essential | $2,750/mo Standard | Help Scout |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $3,930/mo Essential | $3,000/mo Standard | Help Scout |
At a glance
| Feature | Intercom | Help Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per seat + per AI outcome | Per user |
| Watch out for | AI is billed per Fin outcome “from $0.99” — at volume the AI bill can exceed seat costs. | Annual billing saves about 16% ($25 vs $30 on Standard). |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $29/agent/mo | $25/agent/mo |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $39/agent/mo | $30/agent/mo |
| Entry plan includes | Essential: per agent · $0.99 per AI resolution | Standard: per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Forever free | No | Yes |
| Trial | Not listed | Not listed |
| Add-ons | Add-ons: Pro (Operator), Copilot, Proactive Support Plus — priced on the page via add-on cards. Email campaigns, SMS, WhatsApp and phone are pay-as-you-go. | Envoy AI $0.75/resolution. Pre-paid AI discounts not priced. |
All plans
Intercom
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $39 | $29 | per agent · $0.99 per AI resolution |
| Advanced | $99 | $85 | per agent · $0.99 per AI resolution |
| Expert | $139 | $132 | per agent · $0.99 per AI resolution |
Help Scout
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | per agent · max 5 · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Standard | $30 | $25 | per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Plus | $54 | $45 | per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Pro | $90 | $75 | per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
Gotchas
Intercom
- AI is billed per Fin outcome “from $0.99” — at volume the AI bill can exceed seat costs.
- Advertised Essential prices ($29 monthly / $19 annual) are new-customer discounts; we use the regular $39 / $29.
- Lite seats (20 on Advanced, 50 on Expert) are free but limited.
Help Scout
- Annual billing saves about 16% ($25 vs $30 on Standard).
- The Free plan is capped at 5 users and a single inbox.
- Pro must be bought through a demo even though its price is listed.
FAQ
Is Intercom cheaper than Help Scout?
For 10 agents, 300 AI resolutions a month, annual billing: Intercom $587/mo on Essential vs Help Scout $475/mo on Standard. 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 Intercom and Help Scout have free plans or trials?
Intercom: No free plan; “Start free trial” on every plan (trial length Not listed on the pricing page). Help Scout: Free plan: 5 users, 1 inbox and 1 Docs site. Paid plans: “Try for Free”; Envoy AI add-on has a 3-month free trial.
How do Intercom and Help Scout charge for AI?
Intercom: Fin AI Agent on every plan: from $0.99 per Fin outcome. Fin can also be bought standalone for another help desk (no seats required). Help Scout: Envoy AI add-on: $0.75 per resolution, billed monthly; 3-month free trial; pre-paid discounts available.