Zendesk alternatives (2026)
These are the helpdesk brands AI engines name when buyers ask. Ranked by how often ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Copilot actually cite them over the last 90 days — not by reviews or paid placement.
Named instead of Zendesk
On the questions Zendesk loses, these are the sites engines cite in its place.
- freshdesk.com ×44
- freshworks.com ×8
Top Zendesk alternatives by AI citation share
Starting price: $25/user/month
Multiple Inboxes · Live chat, Instagram, & Messenger · Unlimited AI Drafts · Dedicated onboarding specialist
AI-enabled IT service management · Fast and scalable setup · 24/7 support with AI agents · Automated ticket routing
- #3Front
Starting price: $25/seat/mo
Shared inbox and ticketing · AI Topics and up to 10 automation rules · Basic analytics · No-code public knowledge base
- #4Gorgias
Starting price: $10/user/month
Unlimited users · Centralize customer conversations · Support & ticket management · AI Agent for automation
- #5Groove
Starting price: $0.50/outcome
Shared inbox & ticketing · Email & live chat · Knowledge base · Macros & saved replies
- #6Hiver
Starting price: $0Free forever
Shared Inbox and ticketing · Manage channels: Email, Chat · 24*7 support · AI Agents
Starting price: $0/mo
Email marketing · Live chat · Forms · CRM segments
- #8Intercom
Starting price: $19/user/month
Fin Customer Agent · Shared inbox and ticketing system · Public help center · Workflows automation builder
- #9Kayako
Starting price: $1/resolved ticket
AI resolves issues end-to-end · No seat or setup fees · Transparent pricing per resolved ticket · Integrates with multiple platforms
- #10Kustomer
AI Profiles · External sources for AI · AI Agent Team Assistant · 2-Way Message Translation
- #11LiveAgent
Starting price: $15/agent/month
Ticketing · Live chat · Knowledgebase · Customer Portal
- #12Re:amaze
Starting price: $29/user/month
Unlimited Email Inboxes · Live Chat · Social Media Channels · Workflow Automation
How this list is built
We put the buyer questions people actually ask in helpdesk to five AI engines on a recurring schedule and record which brands get named. The ranking above is the share of those answers naming each brand over the last 90 days. No paid placement, no review scores.