Help Scout is loved for its simplicity: a free plan for small teams, paid plans at $25, $45 and $75 per user per month, AI drafts included on paid plans and Envoy AI at $0.75 per resolution (as of November 2026). Teams usually leave when they hit the free plan’s contact cap, need live chat on the cheaper tier, or want more automation.
Alternatives
| Alternative | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FreeScout | Free self-host; paid modules | A self-hosted Help Scout lookalike |
| Freshdesk | $19/agent/mo | More automation for the money |
| Zoho Desk | From $7/user/mo | Lowest price |
| Front | See vendor | Shared inbox for sales + support |
| Chatwoot | Free self-host; $19/agent cloud | Chat + email + WhatsApp |
| Gorgias | From $10/mo | Ecommerce |
| Helpin | Free self-host; cloud from $79/mo | Support + CRM + docs |
FreeScout: the closest free match
FreeScout is an open-source, self-hosted helpdesk modelled on Help Scout’s shared inbox. The core is free; features such as a knowledge base, saved replies and reports come as paid modules. If you can run a small server, it gives you a Help Scout-style experience without per-user fees.
Picks
- Same feel, no per-user fees: FreeScout.
- More automation: Freshdesk.
- Omnichannel: Chatwoot.
Related: Zendesk alternatives · Best AI helpdesk software
Munaza
Founder & Editor, SupportPricing
Munaza runs a digital marketing agency that manages social media and SEO for client brands across multiple platforms. Her work puts her inside SaaS tools every day: she sets up help centers, writes product content and compares software for clients before they buy. She started SupportPricing because customer service software pricing kept changing faster than anyone could track. Every price on this site comes from the vendor’s own pricing page and carries the date she checked it.