Help Scout vs Freshdesk: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Help Scout and Freshdesk comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Help Scout
Customer support for growing teams
Best for you if:
- • Help Scout is a customer service platform with shared inboxes and knowledge base
- • It provides email-based support, docs, and live chat with a focus on simplicity
Freshdesk
Intuitive customer support software
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Cloud-based customer support software
- • Affordable alternative to Zendesk
| At a Glance |  Help Scout |  Freshdesk |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Help Desk | Help Desk |
Rating | 84/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Help Scout | Freshdesk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Help DeskLive Chat | Help DeskLive Chat |
How Help Scout and Freshdesk Compare
Help Scout
Customer support for growing teams
Paid · 84/100 score
Freshdesk
Intuitive customer support software
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Freshdesk has a free tier. Help Scout is paid only.
Go with: Freshdesk
Want the highest-rated option?
Help Scout: 84/100. Freshdesk: 85/100.
Go with: Freshdesk
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Freshdesk
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Help Scout is paid. Freshdesk is freemium. Freshdesk lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are help desk tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Freshdesk scores higher: 85/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Freshdesk
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Help Scout
The Bottom Line
Freshdesk (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Help Scout or Freshdesk better?
Freshdesk scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Help Scout is paid and Freshdesk is freemium.
What are Help Scout and Freshdesk used for?
Help Scout: Customer support for growing teams. Freshdesk: Intuitive customer support software.
What does Help Scout cost vs Freshdesk?
Help Scout is a paid tool. Freshdesk is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.