Best tool for · Customer support
What's the best help desk & live chat tool?
Answer customers, with AI.
Short comparison
| Tool | Pricing model | Free plan | Starting price | Difficulty | Output rights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidio | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | See official site | 1/5 | – | Small e-commerce support |
| Crisp | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | See official site | 1/5 | – | Free live chat on a website |
| Zendesk | Paid plans only | Trial only | See official site | – | – | Growing support teams |
| Intercom | Paid plans only | Trial only | See official site | – | – | AI-first support |
| Freshdesk | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | See official site | – | – | Free ticketing for a small team |
| Help Scout | Paid plans only | Trial only | See official site | – | – | Email support that feels personal |
Ranked by fit for solo businesses: tools we profile in depth first, then those used in our research notes, then the rest. Affiliate status never changes the order. See all 6 help desk & live chat tools with a ranked shortlist.
Quick answers
What's the best help desk & live chat tool?
Our overall pick is Tidio: Small e-commerce support.
What's the best free help desk & live chat tool?
Tidio, which has a free plan or free version. Small e-commerce support.
Which help desk & live chat tool is easiest for beginners?
Crisp, rated 1/5 to learn.