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Freshdesk vs Intercom
Both sit in customer support. Here is how they differ on the things you can actually check.
On price: both start at the same $19 a month — Freshdesk on Growth, Intercom on Essential. Both figures were read from the vendors' own pricing pages on the dates shown below.
Freshdesk
freshworks.com
Freshworks' help desk — shared inbox, automations, knowledge base and SLA management, with a free tier that covers small teams properly.
Free planCustomer Support
Visit FreshdeskIntercom
intercom.com
Live chat, help centre, product tours and Fin — an AI agent that resolves a large share of conversations before a human sees them. Priced per seat plus per resolution.
Customer Support
Visit Intercom| Freshdesk | Intercom | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $19/mo | $19/mo |
| Entry plan | Growth | Essential |
| Paid annually | $19/mo | $19/mo |
| Price checked | 21 Sept 2026 | 21 Sept 2026 |
| Pricing model | Free plan | Free trial |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Category | Customer Support | Customer Support |
| Around since | 2010 | 2011 |
Every price here was read from the vendor's own pricing page, most recently on 21 Sept 2026. Entry tier only — vendors change pricing without notice.
Freshdesk vs Intercom, answered
- Is Freshdesk cheaper than Intercom?
- Neither. Both start at $19 a month at the entry tier.
- Do Freshdesk or Intercom have a free plan?
- Freshdesk publishes an ongoing free plan; Intercom does not.
- What is the difference between Freshdesk and Intercom?
- Freshdesk: Freshworks' help desk — shared inbox, automations, knowledge base and SLA management, with a free tier that covers small teams properly. Intercom: Live chat, help centre, product tours and Fin — an AI agent that resolves a large share of conversations before a human sees them. Priced per seat plus per resolution.
