How Much Does Help Desk Software Cost in 2026?
Short answer
Entry plans for the help desks we rank start between $7 and $25 per agent per month in US dollars, and Zoho Desk lists euro prices. The entry plan is rarely the full bill: live chat, knowledge bases and SLAs often sit on higher tiers, and most vendors now charge for AI resolutions on top of seats.
Entry prices by tool
The cheapest paid plan for each help desk in our ranking, from each vendor's pricing page:
| Tool | Entry price | Plan and billing | Free plan / trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zendesk | $19/agent/mo | Support Team, billed annually ($25 monthly); Suite Team $55 | 14-day trial |
| Zoho Desk | €7/agent/mo | Express, billed annually; Standard €14 (euro prices last confirmed Oct 26, 2026) | Free plan (3 agents); 15-day trial |
| Freshdesk | $19/agent/mo | Growth, billed annually; Pro $55 | 14-day trial of Enterprise |
| Intercom | $19/seat/mo | Essential, introductory price for new customers; Fin AI from $0.99 per outcome | Free trial |
| HubSpot Service Hub | $7/seat/mo | Starter, billed annually ($20 monthly); Professional $90 plus $1,500 onboarding | Free tools for up to 2 users |
| Front | $25/seat/mo | Starter, billed annually, up to 10 seats | 14-day trial, no card needed |
| Help Scout | $25/user/mo | Standard, billed monthly; 16% off annually | Free plan (5 users); 15-day trial |
Starting prices are the cheapest paid plan on each vendor's pricing page on Oct 31, 2026, billed annually where shown. Zoho Desk's euro prices were last confirmed Oct 26, 2026; on Oct 31 its page showed rupee prices only. Help Scout's listed price is monthly, with 16% off annual billing. AI resolutions are billed on top of seats for most vendors.
What a 10-agent team pays per year
Ten agents on each vendor's entry plan, at the per-agent prices above (taxes, AI usage and add-ons excluded):
| Tool | Per agent per month | 10 agents per year |
|---|---|---|
| HubSpot Service Hub | $7 | $840 |
| Freshdesk | $19 | $2,280 |
| Intercom | $19 | $2,280 |
| Zendesk | $19 | $2,280 |
| Front | $25 | $3,000 |
| Help Scout | $25 | $3,000 |
Check what each entry plan includes before comparing these totals. For example, our Zendesk vs Freshdesk comparison shows the plan each needs for a knowledge base and AI agent.
What drives the cost
- Agents. Almost every help desk charges per agent (or seat) per month, so cost scales with team size. Some offer free light or viewer seats.
- Plan tier. Channels such as live chat and phone, a knowledge base, SLAs and custom reporting often start one or two tiers above the entry plan.
- AI resolutions. Many vendors now charge per AI resolution on top of seats: Intercom from $0.99 per outcome, Help Scout $0.75 per resolution, and Zendesk $1.50 to $2.00 per resolution above the included amount.
- Billing period. Annual billing is usually cheaper than paying month to month.
- One-time fees. Some vendors charge onboarding fees on higher tiers, such as HubSpot Service Hub Professional.
How to keep the bill down
- Price the plan that covers the channels you use today, not every channel you might add.
- Estimate monthly AI resolutions before turning on an AI agent, and set a cap if the vendor offers one.
- Give occasional users free light or collaborator seats where available.
- Start on a free plan if your team is small; see the free options below.
FAQ
How much does help desk software cost per agent?
Entry plans for the help desks we rank start between $7 and $25 per agent per month in US dollars, with higher tiers for more channels, SLAs and AI.
Is there free help desk software?
Zoho Desk has a free plan for 3 agents, Help Scout for 5 users with 1 inbox, and HubSpot offers free service tools for up to 2 users.
Do AI agents cost extra?
Many vendors now charge per AI resolution on top of seats: Intercom from $0.99 per outcome, Help Scout $0.75 per resolution, and Zendesk $1.50 to $2.00 per resolution above the included amount.
Which help desk is best value?
Zendesk scores highest in our ranking for teams that need every channel. Zoho Desk is the best value, and Freshdesk is a strong middle ground with AI and SLAs at a lower price.