Freshchat vs Help Scout (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

Lower starting price
Freshchat
From $19/mo against from $25/mo
Free plan
Tie
Both have one
Higher rating
Help Scout
4.3 against 4.5
Same job?
Yes
Both are Customer Support tools

Side by side

Compared on	Freshchat	Help Scout
Our rating	4.3	4.5Better
Starts at	$19/moBetter	$25/mo
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Category	Customer Support	Customer Support
Plans	Free$0 Growth$19 per agent/mo, billed annually Pro$49 per agent/mo, billed annually Enterprise$79 per agent/mo, billed annually	FreeFree Standard$25/user/mo Plus$50/user/mo
Key features	Unified inbox spanning web, mobile, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, email, and SMS No-code chatbot builder for automating routine conversations Freddy AI Agent and Copilot add-ons for automated responses and agent assistance Routing rules to direct conversations to the right team or agent Built-in analytics across all connected channels	Shared inbox designed to feel like personal email No visible ticket numbers shown to customers AI-drafted reply suggestions and conversation summaries Built for small and mid-sized teams Free tier for very small teams
Pros	Genuinely free tier for up to 10 agents, not a time-limited trial only Omnichannel inbox avoids juggling separate tools per messaging channel Backed by Freshworks' broader, mature product suite and support infrastructure	Genuinely lighter-weight and easier to adopt than enterprise ticketing platforms Feels more personal and human to customers Free tier available for small teams
Cons	Freddy AI Agent and Copilot are billed as separate add-ons on top of per-agent pricing Per-agent pricing across Growth/Pro/Enterprise tiers can add up fast for larger support teams Deepest value requires buying into the broader Freshworks ecosystem	Less suited to very high-volume or highly complex enterprise support operations Fewer advanced workflow and automation features than enterprise competitors AI capabilities are a newer addition to an intentionally simpler core platform
Company	Freshworks, founded 2010	Help Scout, founded 2011

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260629. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Freshchat better than Help Scout?

In our reviews Freshchat scores 4.3 and Help Scout scores 4.5. The better pick depends on the job. Freshchat: Freshworks' AI-powered messaging platform for live chat, chatbots, and omnichannel support. Help Scout: A shared inbox designed to feel like email, not enterprise ticketing.

Which is cheaper, Freshchat or Help Scout?

Freshchat has the lower starting price: from $19/mo for Freshchat and from $25/mo for Help Scout.

Do Freshchat and Help Scout have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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