Best Free Help Desk Software
Our curated selection of the top 10 tools. Compare features, pricing, and find the perfect fit for your needs.
TL;DR
- 1Tawk.to(7.8/10) — You're a small business wanting a free live chat tool to engage website visitors instantly.. Easy to use and affordable.
- 2Help Scout(7.6/10) — Choose Help Scout if you're a small to medium-sized business needing user-friendly support without complex features.. Easy to use and great integrations.
- 3Freshdesk(8.0/10) — Your small business needs a cost-effective helpdesk solution without compromising essential features.. Easy to use and feature-rich.
Why Tawk.to is #1 for free help desk software
Consider alternatives if you prioritize:
Our Picks
Freshdesk
Cloud-based helpdesk software for customer support.
Tawk.to
Tawk.to is a free live chat application that helps businesses engage with website visitors in real-time.
Help Scout
Help Scout is a user-friendly customer support tool designed for small to medium-sized businesses.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Price | Rating | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tawk.to | Free — Paid plans start at $15/month | 3.7 | 7.8 | small businesses wanting free, full-featured live chat. |
| Help Scout | From $20/user/mo | 4.3 | 7.6 | small to mid-sized teams wanting simple, human support. |
| Freshdesk | Free — From $15/agent/mo | 4.5 | 8.0 | small to mid-sized teams needing affordable helpdesk softwar |
| Hiver | From $12/user/mo | 4.3 | 7.6 | Gmail-centric teams needing shared inbox customer support. |
| Discourse | Free (self-hosted) — From $50/mo | 4.3 | 7.6 | communities seeking a modern, open-source discussion platfor |
Detailed Rankings
Tawk.to is a free live chat application that helps businesses engage with website visitors in real-time.
Skip if: you need paid service required to remove tawk.to branding
Help Scout is a user-friendly customer support tool designed for small to medium-sized businesses.
Skip if: you need limited customization compared to enterprise-level platforms
Cloud-based helpdesk software for customer support.
Skip if: you need advanced reporting locked behind higher-priced tiers
Hiver transforms Gmail into a collaborative helpdesk, streamlining customer support.
Open-source community forum platform for discussions, knowledge sharing, and customer support.
Collaborate seamlessly with your team using Slite's intuitive customer support tool.
Zoho Desk is a cloud-based customer support software that streamlines ticket management.
Notion is a versatile customer support tool that enhances team collaboration.
Enhance customer support with Bettermode's intuitive platform for seamless communication.
JitBit is a powerful customer support tool designed to streamline ticket management.
How to Choose
When choosing the right tool for “best free help desk software”, consider: your team size and budget, must-have features vs nice-to-haves, integration with your existing tools, and long-term pricing scalability. Start with free trials when available — most tools on this list offer them.
Former SaaS product manager turned analyst. Personally tested 200+ tools and built the scoring methodology behind SaasHunter rankings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free help desk software?
Based on user ratings and features, Tawk.to is the top pick for best free help desk software. Other strong options include Help Scout, Freshdesk, Hiver.
Are there free options for customer support?
Yes, Tawk.to, Freshdesk, Discourse offer free plans in the Customer Support category.
How did we rank these tools?
Tools are ranked based on keyword relevance to the use case, user ratings from the SaasHunter community, and feature coverage. Featured tools with strong ratings rank higher.
How often is this list updated?
This list is updated automatically as new tools are added and user ratings change. Pricing and feature information is refreshed regularly.
Problems These Tools Solve
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