Zendesk vs Help Scout
Zendesk starts at $19/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 | Zendesk | Help Scout | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI | $57/mo Support Team | $0/mo Free | Help Scout |
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI (monthly billing) | $57/mo Support Team | $0/mo Free | Help Scout |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo | $190/mo Support Team | $475/mo Standard | Zendesk |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $190/mo Support Team | $525/mo Standard | Zendesk |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo | $950/mo Support Team | $2,750/mo Standard | Zendesk |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $950/mo Support Team | $3,000/mo Standard | Zendesk |
At a glance
| Feature | Zendesk | Help Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per agent, billed yearly | Per user |
| Watch out for | Only yearly prices are shown — month-to-month is “typically a higher effective monthly rate” but not priced. | Annual billing saves about 16% ($25 vs $30 on Standard). |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $19/agent/mo | $25/agent/mo |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $19/agent/mo | $30/agent/mo |
| Entry plan includes | Support Team: per agent · AI resolution price Not listed | Standard: per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Forever free | No | Yes |
| Trial | 14 days | Not listed |
| Add-ons | 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. | Envoy AI $0.75/resolution. Pre-paid AI discounts not priced. |
All plans
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 |
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
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.
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 Zendesk cheaper than Help Scout?
For 10 agents, 300 AI resolutions a month, annual billing: Zendesk $190/mo on Support Team 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 Zendesk and Help Scout have free plans or trials?
Zendesk: No free plan. 14-day free trial; startups program offers 6 months of Suite for up to 50 agents (eligibility applies). 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 Zendesk and Help Scout charge for AI?
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. Help Scout: Envoy AI add-on: $0.75 per resolution, billed monthly; 3-month free trial; pre-paid discounts available.