9 Best Zendesk Alternatives to Consider in 2025

by | Last updated May 27, 2025

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pipedrive
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keap
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Zendesk alternatives

Zendesk is the most popular customer service platform, but it’s not the only one out there.

Maybe you’re looking for something more affordable or features that better fit your business.

Whatever your reason, you’ve come to the right place!

This post will explore 9 of the best Zendesk alternatives available in 2025.

We’ll examine their key features, pricing, and what makes them stand out.

By the end, you will have all the information you need to make the best choice for your needs. Let’s get started!

What is the Best Zendesk Alternative?

It’s a tricky question! There isn’t one “best” for everyone.

The ideal choice fully depends on your needs and what you seek in a customer service platform.

To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of the top 9 Zendesk alternatives, with the best options ranked higher.

1. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a sales management tool.

It focuses on helping you track your deals.

It gives you a clear visual of your sales pipeline.

Unlock its potential with our Pipedrive tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs Pipedrive comparison!

Pipedrive Homepage

Our Take

9.5out of 10

Pipedrive is a solid choice for sales-focused businesses. It’s user friendly, visually appealing, & packed with helpful features. The only reason it doesn’t get a perfect 10 is that the lower-priced plans have some limitations.

Key Benefits

  • Laser focus on sales: Pipedrive is built to help you close more deals.
  • Visual pipeline management: See exactly where each deal stands.
  • Powerful automation: Automate tasks like sending emails and scheduling appointments.
  • 24/7 support: Get help whenever you need it.

Pricing

  • Essential: $14/user/month.
  • Advanced: $24/user/month.
  • Professional: $49/user/month.
  • Power: $59/user/month.
  • Enterprise: $79/user/month.
Pipedrive Pricing

Pros

  • Easy to use and navigate.
  • It is a great visual pipeline.
  • Powerful automation features.
  • Excellent customer support.

Cons

  • Limited customization on lower plans.
  • It can be pricey for large teams.
  • Reporting could be more robust.

2. Gohighlevel

GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform built for agencies.

It helps manage leads, sales, and marketing efforts.

It bundles many essential business tools into one.

Unlock its potential with our GoHighLevel tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs GoHighLevel comparison!

Building digital marketing in GoHighLevel

Our Take

9out of 10

This is great for agencies and businesses wanting to consolidate tools. The automation capabilities are very strong. However, its vast feature set means it can be overwhelming for new users, and there’s a definite learning curve.

Key Benefits

  • All-in-one marketing platform.
  • White-labeling available.
  • Automated campaigns.
  • Lead-nurturing tools.
  • Comprehensive reporting.

Pricing

  • Starter: $97/month.
  • Unlimited: $297/month.
GoHighLevel Pricing

Pros

  • All-in-one solution.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Powerful automation tools.
  • Extensive integrations.
  • Active community & support.

Cons

  • Steep learning curve.
  • Itโ€™s pricey for some.
  • Limited customization.

3. Keap

Keap is tailored for small businesses.

It brings together sales and marketing functionalities.

This platform helps you organize contacts and follow up with leads effectively.

Unlock its potential with our Keap tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs Keap comparison!

What is Keap CRM

Our Take

8.5out of 10

Keap is a fantastic option for small businesses to streamline their sales and marketing efforts. It’s user-friendly and packed with valuable features. However, it may not be best for larger companies with more complex needs.

Key Benefits

  • Built-in email marketing: Send targeted emails to your audience.
  • Easy-to-use automation: Automate tasks like sending follow-up messages and assigning leads.
  • Sales pipeline management: Track your deals and identify opportunities.
  • Ecommerce integrations: Connect Keap with your online store to manage orders and customers.

Pricing

Keap offers a free trial and a simple pricing structure to get you started.

  • Simple plan: Starts at $249/month (Annually Billed) and offers two users and 1500 contacts.
Keap Pricing

Pros

  • Great for small businesses.
  • Easy to learn and use.
  • Powerful email marketing tools.
  • Excellent automation features.

Cons

  • It can get expensive as you grow.
  • Limited customization options.
  • Not ideal for large enterprises.

4. ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign excels at email marketing.

It also provides strong automation features.

This helps you send targeted messages at just the right time.

Unlock its potential with our ActiveCampaign tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs ActiveCampaign comparison!

ActiveCampaign

Our Take

8out of 10

ActiveCampaign is an excellent choice for businesses that want to leverage the true power of email marketing and automation. However, it may not be the best fit for beginners due to its complexity.

Key Benefits

  • Advanced automation: Create complex workflows to nurture leads and automate tasks.
  • Email marketing powerhouse: Send beautiful and effective email campaigns.
  • Built-in CRM: Manage contacts and track interactions.
  • Segmentation and personalization: Target specific groups of contacts with personalized messages.

Pricing

  • Starter: $15/month.
  • Plus: $49/month.
  • Pro: $79/month.
  • Enterprise: $145/month.
ActiveCampaign Pricing

Pros

  • Robust automation capabilities.
  • Excellent email deliverability.
  • Detailed reporting and analytics.
  • Great for growing businesses.

Cons

  • It can be complex to learn.
  • Pricing can increase quickly.
  • It’s not as user-friendly as some options.

5. Freshsales CRM

Freshsales CRM is designed to help with sales.

It lets you easily manage customer information.

You can also track communications like calls and emails.

Unlock its potential with our Freshsales CRM tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs Freshsales CRM comparison!

Freshsales Homepagee

Our Take

8out of 10

Freshsales CRM is a solid choice for businesses prioritizing ease of use and affordability. It’s a great way to use CRM without a steep learning curve.

Key Benefits

  • User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate and learn.
  • Built-in phone and email: Connect with customers directly from the platform.
  • AI-powered insights: Get helpful suggestions and predictions.
  • Affordable pricing: Offers a free plan and competitive paid plans.

Pricing

  • Growth + 500 Marketing Contacts: $9/user/month.
  • Pro + 500 Marketing Contacts: $39/user/month.
  • Enterprise + 500 Marketing Contacts: $59/user/month.
Freshsales crm pricing

Pros

  • Intuitive and easy to use.
  • Affordable pricing options.
  • Great for small businesses.
  • Helpful AI-powered features.

Cons

  • Limited customization options.
  • Reporting could be more robust.
  • There are not as many integrations as some competitors

6. HubSpot

HubSpot is a very popular platform.

It combines marketing, sales, and customer service tools.

This makes it a complete solution for many businesses.

Unlock its potential with our HubSpot tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs HubSpot comparison!

What is Hubspot

Our Take

7.5out of 10

HubSpot is a powerful platform with many features, but you must consider your budget and needs before committing. It’s a good choice for businesses that want a comprehensive solution & are willing to invest in it.

Key Benefits

  • Free CRM: Start with a free plan with basic CRM features.
  • All-in-one platform: Access a marketing, sales, and service tools suite.
  • Extensive community and resources: Benefit from a wealth of knowledge and support.
  • Inbound marketing focus: Attract and engage leads with valuable content.

Pricing

  • Free Tools: Free for up to two users.
  • Marketing Hub Starter: $15/seat/month.
  • Starter Customer Platform: $15/seat/month.
  • Marketing Hub Professional + three seats: $800/month, additional seats at $45/month.
HubSpot Pricing

Pros

  • Comprehensive features and tools.
  • Free CRM option.
  • Strong reputation and brand recognition.
  • Great for inbound marketing.

Cons

  • It can be expensive for small businesses.
  • It can be complex to learn and use.
  • Some features are limited to lower plans.

7. Monday CRM

Monday CRM is a part of the Monday.com work OS.

It helps teams collaborate and manage tasks.

You can keep track of customer interactions and sales progress visually.

Unlock its potential with our Monday CRM tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs Monday comparison!

monday CRM homepage

Our Take

7.5out of 10

Monday CRM is a good choice for businesses that want a visually appealing and easy-to-use CRM. However, it may not be best for those with complex sales needs or large teams.

Key Benefits

  • Visually appealing interface: Easy to navigate and understand.
  • Flexible and customizable: Adapt the platform to your specific needs.
  • Collaboration features: Work seamlessly with your team.
  • Integrations with popular apps: Connect with your favorite business tools.

Pricing

  • Basic: $12/seat/month.
  • Standard: $17/seat/month.
  • Pro: $28/seat/month.
  • Enterprise: Custom Pricing based on your needs.
Monday CRM Pricing

Pros

  • Visually appealing and user-friendly.
  • Flexible and customizable workflows.
  • Great for team collaboration.
  • Integrates with popular apps.

Cons

  • It can be expensive for large teams.
  • Limited reporting capabilities.
  • Not as feature-rich as some competitors.

8. Insightly

Insightly is a customer relationship management (CRM) tool for smaller companies.

It assists in managing projects and client information.

You can also link emails directly to customer records.

Unlock its potential with our Insightly tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs Insightly comparison!

What is Insightly

Our Take

7out of 10

Insightly is a solid choice for businesses that need a scalable CRM with project management capabilities.

Key Benefits

  • Scalable for growth: Adapt the platform as your business expands.
  • Project management features: Keep your projects organized and on track.
  • Customizable dashboards and reports: Get the insights you need to make informed decisions.
  • Integrations with popular apps: Connect with your favorite business tools.

Pricing

  • Plus: $29/user/month.
  • Professional: $49/user/month.
  • Enterprise: $99/user/month.
Insightly Pricing

Pros

  • Scalable for businesses of all sizes.
  • Includes project management features.
  • Customizable dashboards and reports.
  • Integrates with popular apps.

Cons

  • It can be complex to learn and use.
  • Some features are limited to lower plans.
  • It can be expensive for large teams.

9. Capsule CRM

Capsule CRM offers a simple and user-friendly experience.

It focuses on managing your contacts and tracking sales opportunities.

It’s a great basic CRM for small businesses.

Unlock its potential with our Capsule tutorial.

Also, explore our Zendesk vs Capsule comparison!

Capsule Homepage

Our Take

6.5out of 10

It’s great for its simplicity and ease of use, especially for small businesses just starting with a CRM. It helps you manage contacts and sales effectively without being overwhelming. However, it might lack some of the more advanced features that larger or growing businesses might need, and its reporting options are not as robust as some competitors.

Key Benefits

  • Simple contact management.
  • Easy sales pipeline tracking.
  • Integrates with many apps.
  • Customizable fields available.
  • Mobile app for on-the-go access.

Pricing

  • Starter: $18/user/month.
  • Growth: $36/user/month.
  • Advanced: $54/user/month.
  • Ultimate: $72/user/month.
Capsule CRM Pricing

Pros

  • Seamless integrations
  • Centralized contact management
  • Great contact management.
  • Effective sales pipeline tools.
  • Integrates with popular apps.

Cons

  • Limited customization options.
  • Reporting could be more robust.
  • No built-in phone support.
  • Free plan is very limited.

Buyers Guide

When doing our research to find the perfect product, we determined using these factors:

  • Pricing: How much did each product cost?
  • Features: What were the best features of a product?
  • Negatives: What was missing from each product?
  • Support or Refund: Do they offer a community, support, or refund policy?

Here’s how we approached our research, examining the customer support software market to provide you with the most informed recommendations:

  • Identified Key Features: We started by pinpointing the essential features of top-tier customer support software. This included a robust ticketing system for efficiently handling customer requests, multi-channel support to address customer inquiries across various platforms (email, chat, social media), and integrations with popular tools like HubSpot Service Hub and Jira Service Management.
  • Prioritized Customer Experience: We considered how each platform facilitated personalized support and streamlined customer communication. We looked for features that empower support teams to manage customer queries and enhance customer conversations efficiently.
  • Evaluated Integrations: Seamless integration with existing systems, such as Salesforce Service Cloud or other customer relationship management (CRM) tools, was crucial to our assessment.
  • Analyzed Pricing: We compared pricing models across different providers to understand the value offered at each price point.
  • Assessed Support and Refund Policies: We investigated the availability of support resources, including knowledge bases, community forums, and direct customer support channels. Additionally, we examined refund policies to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Considered Scalability: We evaluated whether each platform could adapt to growing businesses and evolving customer service operations.
  • Factored in User Reviews: We analyzed user reviews and feedback to gain insights into real-world experiences and identify recurring negatives.
  • Prioritized Innovation: We looked for platforms actively investing in new technologies and features to optimize support operations and enhance the overall customer experience.

This rigorous research allowed us to identify the 15 best Zendesk alternatives catering to diverse business needs and budgets.

Wrapping Up

That’s a wrap on our exploration of the 9 best Zendesk alternatives for 2025!

We’ve covered a lot of ground, from powerful all-in-one platforms like GoHighLevel to specialized tools like Close CRM for sales-focused teams.

Remember, your best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.

Think about what matters most to your support team and customer support teams.

Is it seamless customer communication, efficient ticketing systems, or robust multi-channel support?

By carefully considering your requirements and exploring the options on this list, you’ll be well-equipped to find the perfect Zendesk alternative to elevate your customer support game in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I want an alternative to Zendesk?

While Zendesk is popular, it can be expensive, especially as you add more features. Some businesses find its interface complex or lack the specific features they need. Alternatives often provide better value, specialized features, or a more user-friendly experience.

What’s the most important thing to consider when choosing a Zendesk alternative?

Your specific needs! Think about your budget, the size of your team, and the channels you use to communicate with customers (email, chat, social media). Prioritize features that align with your customer support strategy.

Do these alternatives integrate with other tools I use?

Most do! Many integrate with popular CRMs, marketing automation platforms, and other business tools. Check each platform’s integrations page to ensure it works with your existing systems.

Are there any free Zendesk alternatives?

Some options, like HubSpot CRM, offer free plans with basic features. However, you might need to upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced functionality.

What if I need help with my new customer support platform?

All the alternatives listed offer some level of support, whether it’s through documentation, community forums, or direct customer support. Look for a platform with a strong support system to help you get started and troubleshoot any issues.

Fahim Joharder

Fahim Joharder

Author

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for AI and software innovations. He simplifies complex topics to help readers stay ahead in the digital world.

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