kitio.aiFreshdesk vs HelpDesk
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Freshdesk has the lower starting price: about $19 a month, against $25 for HelpDesk.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Omnichannel ticketing
- Freddy AI Agent
- Freddy Copilot
- Knowledge base
- SLA management
- Multichannel shared inbox
- AI agent resolutions
- AI reply suggestions
- AI text editing
- Ticket automation rules
- Shopify and HubSpot integrations
| Feature | Freshdesk | HelpDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Help desk software with Freddy AI agents and agent copilot | Ticketing system with an AI agent, reply suggestions and AI edits |
| Category | Customer support | Customer support |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free trial |
| Starting price | $19/mo | $25/mo |
| Free plan | No, trial available | No, 14-day trial |
| Made by | Freshworks | Text (formerly LiveChat Software) |
| Based in | United States | Poland |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
Freshdesk has the lower starting price: about $19 a month, against $25 for HelpDesk.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Growth
$19/mo
- Per agent, billed annually
- Freddy AI Agent (500 sessions included)
- Ticketing and shared inbox
- Customer portal and knowledge base
Pro
$55/mo
- Per agent, billed annually
- Multilingual helpdesk
- Custom dashboards and intelligent routing
- Multiple SLA policies
Enterprise
$89/mo
- Per agent, billed annually
- Freddy AI Insights
- Skill-based routing and sandbox
- Audit logs and IP whitelisting
3 plans
Essential
$25/mo
- Per user
- Inbox and tickets
- 10 AI resolutions per month
- Automated assignment
Growth
$99/mo
- Per user
- 200 AI resolutions per month
- Custom fields and rules
- Up to 10 teams
Custom
Contact sales
- Custom AI agents
- Multiple brands
- Custom roles
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Freshdesk
- Lower entry price than many rivals
- Easy to set up
- Broad marketplace of apps
- AI features are paid add-ons
- Reporting is basic on lower tiers
- Interface can feel cluttered
HelpDesk
- AI included on every plan
- Clean inbox across several channels
- 14-day trial without a card
- Only 10 AI resolutions a month on Essential
- Extra AI resolutions cost more
- Per-user pricing adds up for big teams
Which one should you choose?
Choose Freshdesk if you want:
- Lower entry price than many rivals
- Easy to set up
- Broad marketplace of apps
Watch out: ai features are paid add-ons.
Choose HelpDesk if you want:
- AI included on every plan
- Clean inbox across several channels
- 14-day trial without a card
Watch out: only 10 ai resolutions a month on essential.
Freshdesk vs HelpDesk FAQ
What is the difference between Freshdesk and HelpDesk?
Freshdesk: Help desk software with Freddy AI agents and agent copilot. HelpDesk: Ticketing system with an AI agent, reply suggestions and AI edits. Both are customer support tools.
Is Freshdesk or HelpDesk cheaper?
Freshdesk has the lower starting price: about $19 a month, against $25 for HelpDesk.
Do Freshdesk and HelpDesk have free plans?
Freshdesk: No, trial available. HelpDesk: No, 14-day trial.
Who makes Freshdesk?
Freshdesk is made by Freshworks, based in United States.
Who makes HelpDesk?
HelpDesk is made by Text (formerly LiveChat Software), based in Poland.
Which should I choose, Freshdesk or HelpDesk?
Choose Freshdesk if you value lower entry price than many rivals and easy to set up. Choose HelpDesk if you value ai included on every plan and clean inbox across several channels.