TL;DR:
The best HubSpot Service Hub alternative depends on how your team works. Desk365 fits teams that live in Microsoft Teams and need IT asset management, offering a 21-day free trial and plans ranging from $12 to $32 per agent per month. Freshdesk, Zoho Desk, and LiveAgent suit teams that want a free option. Zendesk and Salesforce Service Cloud suit larger teams with bigger budgets. Most teams leave HubSpot Service Hub over price, support depth, ecosystem lock-in, or missing IT features.Â
HubSpot Service Hub works well when your team already lives in HubSpot customer relationship management (CRM). Tickets sit on the contact record, and sales and marketing see the same history. If you do not run the full HubSpot stack, the picture changes fast.Â
This guide is for support team heads at small and growing businesses. You want a help desk that your team can set up in days, not months. You also want a price you can predict. We compared G2 and Capterra ratings, vendor pricing, and what small business owners say on Reddit.Â
If you’ve ever used HubSpot’s Service Hub, you might appreciate the constant updates and improvements the platform undergoes. HubSpot is putting a lot of resources into its service offering, and while it’s getting better every day, a few things still might leave you wanting more.
Compared to other industry giants like Desk365, Zendesk, Jira, or Freshdesk, HubSpot’s Service Hub can feel a little less mature, especially when it comes to internal team collaboration features.
For teams looking for a more robust solution, especially one that excels in helping both customers and internal teams communicate seamlessly, there are a number of strong alternatives on the market. These options often provide a deeper set of tools for managing internal workflows, automating tasks, and offering multi-channel support.
If you’re looking for a customer service platform that balances great features for both external and internal teams, the following alternatives might just be what you need.
Common reason why you might look for HubSpot Service Hub alternatives
1. Ticket system needs improvements
One user mentioned that HubSpot Service Hub’s ticketing system could use some enhancements. Specifically, they believe adding a time tracking feature—tracking the duration from when a ticket is opened to when it’s closed—would be incredibly helpful.Â
The ticket system still needs some improvements. It would be better to add a time tracking, from a ticket being opened till it closed. It would give the sum up of the time used to close a case. This would help us for internal metrics purposes. – Updates must be done to better optimize the search bar and fix some small bugs.
2. Little cumbersome
One user mentioned that while the free plan offers a lot of features, it’s a bit overwhelming because of all the functionality available. They said it can feel cumbersome at times, especially when trying to navigate everything. However, they acknowledged that once you start needing more advanced features, the cost starts to add up quickly, making it pricey to access those extra tools.
It is a little cumbersome, but that is only because there are so many features and functionality. The free plan offers a ton, but once you need those extras, it gets pricy pretty quickly.
3. Least mature compared to other tools
A user expressed that, while HubSpot Service Hub offers many useful features, it still lags behind more established platforms like Zendesk, Jira, and Freshdesk. They noted that, although it’s not as mature, HubSpot is heavily investing in improving the platform and it continues to evolve with each new update. As a result, it gets better almost every single day.
The thing I don’t like personally about HubSpot’s Service Hub is that compared to the other popular customer service tools on the market like(Zendesk, Jira, Freshdesk, etc.) it’s the least mature. However, HubSpot is investing heavily in it and it gets better almost every single day as new updates are released.
Why switch from HubSpot Service Hub to another platform?
Beyond the reviews mentioned above, teams switch for four more reasons. They show up in G2 and Capterra data and in what buyers say on Reddit.Â
- The first reason is the price jump. HubSpot’s free plan covers the basics. As per G2’s comparison summary, Starter seats run about $20 to $45 per month, then Professional seats run $100 to $450. Advanced plans also add onboarding fees. That is a steep climb for a small team.
- The second reason is thinner support features. HubSpot is a CRM-first platform, and Service Hub is one part of it. On Capterra, reviewers score HubSpot Service Hub 4.1 for functionality, its lowest score of the five measures. Desk365 scores 4.6 on the same measure, though from far fewer reviews.
- The third reason is ecosystem lock-in. Service Hub shines when you run HubSpot CRM, and G2’s summary credits its deep link to HubSpot’s marketing and sales tools. If you only need a help desk, you pay for a whole platform to get one part of it.
- The fourth reason is internal support. IT, HR, and facilities teams need asset tracking, approvals, and requests inside Microsoft Teams. The G2 comparison summary notes that Service Hub has no native IT asset management and puts less weight on deep ticketing inside Teams.Â
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To be fair, Service Hub still makes sense for some teams. If your sales, marketing, and support teams all work inside HubSpot, the shared customer view is hard to beat.Â
Small business owners ask this question often. One example is the r/CRMSoftware thread on the best alternatives to HubSpot for small businesses.Â
The original poster said HubSpot gets pricey and asked for cheaper tools with similar features. Commenter TheGrowthMentor replied that once you add the third-party tools needed to match HubSpot Starter, the pricing starts to even out. Demand-Gen-Guy said there are ways around HubSpot’s paywalls, but they are harder than paying for the native features. Firm_Wealth_1218 noted that charging per contact instead of per seat can change the bill a lot.Â
Almost every pick in the thread is a CRM or marketing tool, such as Zoho CRM, EngageBay, Pipedrive, and GoHighLevel. Support teams got little advice. That gap is why this guide focuses on help desks. Two commenters also said they work for the vendors they recommended, so weigh those picks with care.Â
What is the best customer service software similar to HubSpot?
No single tool wins for every team. The tools below fall into five groups.Â
Dedicated help desks put ticketing first. Desk365, Zendesk, Freshdesk, and Zoho Desk belong here. Front is a shared inbox that feels more like email. Intercom leads with AI chat. Salesforce Service Cloud is a CRM-native option for enterprise teams. Gorgias focuses on e-commerce stores, and LiveAgent pairs ticketing with live chat.Â
Here is how all nine compare at a glance.Â
| Tool | Best for | Starting price per agent per month |
|---|---|---|
| Desk365 | Microsoft Teams users and IT asset management | Free 21-day trial, then $12 |
| Zendesk | Large teams with deep ticketing needs | $55 |
| Freshdesk | Budget multichannel support | $19 |
| Zoho Desk | Teams already on Zoho | $14 |
| Intercom | AI-led product support | $39 |
| Front | Shared inbox teams | $25 |
| Salesforce Service Cloud | Enterprise CRM-native support | $25 |
| Gorgias | Shopify and e-commerce stores | $10 |
| LiveAgent | Live chat plus ticketing | $15 |
That gives you the big picture. Before we go through each tool one by one, we will put HubSpot Service Hub next to one alternative, Desk365, so you can see how a typical switch plays out. The next few sections compare their pricing, user ratings, Microsoft Teams support, and free plans. After that, we cover all nine tools in detail.Â
Disclaimer: This is a Desk365 blog, so we focus more on Desk365 in the comparison below. We have tried to keep the information on every tool accurate and fair, based on publicly available details. Features and pricing change often, so please check each vendor’s website for the latest information.Â
How much do Desk365 and HubSpot Service Hub cost?
Here is a plan-by-plan view. All paid prices are per agent or seat per month, billed annually.Â
| Plan level | Desk365 price | What Desk365 includes | HubSpot Service Hub price | What HubSpot includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 21-day free trial. Up to 50 tickets a month and basic ticketing | $0 | 14-day free trial. Basic service tools, ticketing, live chat, bots, and a shared inbox |
| Standard or Starter | $12 | Ticketing, email, Microsoft Teams, support portal, web form and widget, automation, Service Level Agreement (SLA) reminders, AI drafting, and customization | $7 | Conversation routing, HubSpot branding removed, simple ticket automation, and calling |
| Plus or Professional | $22 | Everything in Standard, plus change and approval management, AI Copilot, round robin assignment, and customer satisfaction (CSAT) surveys | $90 | AI reply suggestions, knowledge base, customer portal, surveys, and automation |
| Premium or Enterprise | $32 | Everything in Plus, plus IT asset management, HIPAA compliance, advanced encryption, and scheduled reports | $150 | AI ticket enrichment, skills-based routing, conversation intelligence, multiple knowledge bases, and SLAs |
For a deeper look at HubSpot’s tiers, read our guide to HubSpot Service Hub pricing.Â
How do users rate Desk365 and HubSpot Service Hub on G2?
G2 reviewers score Desk365 higher on every criterion in the comparison. The biggest gaps show up in ease of setup and ease of admin.Â
G2 also notes where HubSpot leads. It offers broader CRM integration and more marketing and sales synergy. That matters if your sales team uses the same platform.Â
One G2 reviewer of Desk365 told other buyers to stop searching for a help desk and choose Desk365.Â
How does Microsoft Teams support differ between Desk365 and HubSpot?
This is where the two tools differ most for Microsoft 365 teams. Â Desk365 runs ticketing inside Microsoft Teams. Agents and employees can create tickets, update statuses, and get notifications without leaving Teams. See how it works on the Desk365 Microsoft Teams integration page.Â
HubSpot Service Hub also connects to Teams. The connection mainly supports chats and notifications. It puts less weight on full ticket handling inside Teams. If your people spend all day in Teams, that gap shows up in daily work.
Which free help desk software is a good alternative to HubSpot?
HubSpot’s own free plan covers basic ticketing, live chat, bots, and a shared inbox. Several rivals match it, and some go further on ticket handling.Â
| Tool | What the free option gives you | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Desk365 | Lifetime free plan. Up to 50 tickets a month with basic ticketing | Paid plans start at $12 and add Microsoft Teams, automation, AI and a lot more |
| Freshdesk | A free program for one to two agents for six months | The free period ends, and Growth costs $19 per agent |
| Zoho Desk | Free for up to three agents with email ticketing, a help center, and basic reporting | Growing teams need Standard at $14 per agent |
| LiveAgent | A forever-free plan | Live chat sits in the Ticket plus Chat plan at $29 per agent |
Free plans work well for small teams that handle light ticket volume. They stop working when you need service level targets, automation, or reports. Ask three questions before you pick one. How many tickets will you handle each month? How many agents need access? Which features sit behind the paywall?Â
Desk365’s free plan is a good fit if you want to test a Teams-first help desk with a small queue. Start with the Desk365 pricing page to see current limits.
What are the best HubSpot Service Hub alternatives for small businesses?
Small teams need quick setup, clear pricing, and room to grow. Here are nine tools worth a look, starting with ours.Â
1. Desk365
Desk365 is a help desk and IT service management (ITSM) tool built around Microsoft 365. Agents can work tickets inside Microsoft Teams, over email, through a support portal, or from a web widget.Â
Its AI Agent answers repeat questions using your own knowledge base. The AI Copilot drafts replies, summarizes tickets, and writes knowledge base articles. SLA management sends reminders before a ticket goes overdue. IT asset management lets you link laptops, software, and other assets to tickets. That is something HubSpot Service Hub does not offer natively.Â
Desk365 also has custom ticket views, workflow automation, and reports on resolution time and agent performance. Premium adds HIPAA compliance, advanced encryption, and data redaction.Â
Pricing runs from $12 to $32 per agent per month on annual billing. A free plan covers up to 50 tickets a month. Best for teams in Microsoft 365 that want support and IT in one tool. The tradeoff is that Desk365 is not a CRM, so you would pair it with one if you need sales pipelines. See Desk365 pricing or request a demo.
2. Zendesk
Zendesk, often compared with ServiceNow, is a powerful customer service software that caters to businesses looking for a robust, scalable solution to manage their customer interactions. Known for its flexibility and comprehensive set of features, Zendesk allows companies to build better customer relationships through streamlined communication and improved support services. This platform stands out in the Zendesk review landscape as a top choice for businesses looking to elevate their customer experience with efficiency and customization.
Recommended Reading – Â Best Zendesk Alternatives in 2026
Key features of Zendesk
- Multi-channel support
- Advanced ticketing system
- Automation and workflows
- Customizable interfaces
- Reporting and analytics
- Integrations with other business tools
- Knowledge base and self-service options
- Live chat capabilities
- AI and machine learning enhancements
- Security and compliance measures
Pricing
- Suite team: $55/agent/monthÂ
- Suite growth: $89/agent/monthÂ
- Suite Professional: $115/month/ user
Read More – Zendesk Pricing: Does it offer value for money?
3. Salesforce Service Cloud
Salesforce Service Hub is a comprehensive customer service platform offered by Salesforce, designed to help businesses manage and improve their customer support operations. It is part of the broader Salesforce Service Cloud, which provides tools for managing customer service interactions across various channels.
Key features of Salesforce Service Cloud
- Case management
- Omnichannel support
- Automation and AI
- Knowledge base
- Collaboration tools
- Reports and dashboards
- Customizable service console
- Integration with Salesforce ecosystem
Pricing
- Starter Suite:Â Starting at $25 per user per month.
- Pro Suite:Â Starting at $100 per user per month.
- Enterprise Edition:Â $165 per user per month.
- Unlimited Edition:Â $330 per user per month.
- Einstein for Service:Â $500 per user per month.Â
4. IntercomÂ
Intercom is a customer communication platform designed to help businesses engage with their customers more effectively. It provides a suite of tools that support real-time, personalized communication and service, aimed primarily at improving user engagement, support, and conversion.
Intercom features
- Live chatÂ
- Bots and automationÂ
- In-App messagingÂ
- Customizable chat widgetsÂ
- Help Desk and ticketingÂ
- Knowledge baseÂ
- Customer feedbackÂ
- Email campaignsÂ
- Reporting and analyticsÂ
- Integrations with other tools
Pricing
- Essential: $39/monthÂ
- Advanced: $99/monthÂ
- Expert: $139/monthÂ
5. Freshdesk
Freshdesk, often compared with Zendesk, is a comprehensive customer support software developed by Freshworks Inc. It’s designed to streamline customer service processes and improve the quality of support provided by businesses across various industries. Freshdesk offers a multitude of features aimed at enhancing customer experience and boosting the efficiency of support teams.
Recommended Reading – 12 Best Freshdesk Alternatives for Businesses for 2026
Freshdesk features
- Ticket management
- Freddy AI Assist
- Self-service
- Agent productivity
- Customization
Pricing:
- Growth: $15/agent/month
- Pro: $49/agent/month
- Enterprise: $79/agent/month
Which HubSpot Service Hub alternative is best for you?
6. Zoho Desk
Zoho Desk, often compared with Zendesk is a cloud-based customer service software designed to help businesses manage their customer support activities efficiently. As a part of the Zoho ecosystem, which includes a wide range of business and productivity tools, Zoho Desk integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications as well as third-party systems. Here’s what makes Zoho Desk stand out:
Zoho Desk features
- Customization
- Ticket management
- Omnichannel
- Automation
- Analytics
Pricing:
- Free: up to three agentsÂ
- Standard: $14/user/monthÂ
- Professional: $23/user/monthÂ
- Enterprise: $40/user/monthÂ
7. FrontÂ
Front is a customer communication platform that centralizes your email, social media, and team collaboration into one unified inbox. It is designed to help teams work together more efficiently on customer communications and to provide better service. Â
Key features of Front:Â
- Unified inboxÂ
- Collaboration toolsÂ
- Automated workflowsÂ
- Analytics and reportingÂ
- IntegrationsÂ
- CustomizationÂ
- Mobile accessibilityÂ
Pricing
- Starter: $19/user/monthÂ
- Growth: $59/user/monthÂ
- Scale: $99/user/monthÂ
- Premier: $229/user/monthÂ
8. LiveAgent
LiveAgent is a versatile customer support software that provides a comprehensive suite of tools for businesses to manage customer interactions across multiple channels.
It offers features such as ticketing, live chat, call center integration, and a knowledge base, all within a single platform. LiveAgent’s real-time chat and ticketing system enable support teams to respond quickly and efficiently to customer inquiries, while its robust reporting and analytics tools help track performance and identify areas for improvement.
Additionally, LiveAgent offers customization options and integration with various third-party applications, making it a flexible solution for businesses looking to enhance their customer support and engagement strategies.
Recommended Reading – Top LiveAgent Alternatives in 2026
LiveAgent features
- Ticket management
- Live chat
- Real-time visitor monitoring
- Video chat
- Multi-channel support (email, social media, voice)
- Knowledge base
- Customer Portal
- Automation and rules
- SLA management
- Reporting and analytics
Pricing
Free: Forever free plan
Ticket: $15/agent/month
Ticket + Chat: $29/agent/month
All-Inclusive: $39/agent/month
9. Gorgias
Gorgias is a customer service management platform specifically designed for e-commerce businesses. It boasts seamless integration with major platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento, allowing you to manage support and even handle order edits and refunds directly within the software.Â
Gorgias features
- Manage all customer inquiries across channels (email, chat, social media) in one unified platform.Â
- Edit orders, modify subscriptions, and process refunds directly from the Gorgias interface.Â
- Track and manage all customer conversations, including text messages, social media interactions, and live chat sessions.
Pricing
Lowest plan – $10/agent/monthÂ
Highest plan – $50/agent/month
How do you pick the right HubSpot Service Hub alternative?
Here is a four-question test for you if you are looking to pick the right HubSpot Service Hub alternative. Answer them in order.Â
- First, will you keep HubSpot CRM? If yes, pick a help desk with a HubSpot integration and check its integration list first. If no, the whole field opens up.Â
- Second, where does your team work all day? If the answer is Microsoft Teams, Desk365 fits best. If it is a shared email inbox, Front feels natural. If it is Shopify, look at Gorgias.Â
- Third, do you handle IT assets or approvals? If you do, you need native asset management and change approvals. Desk365 includes both in Plus and Premium. Most customer-first tools do not.Â
- Fourth, what will your bill look like at your team size? Multiply the list price by your agent count. Then add AI fees, onboarding fees, and any paid add-ons.Â
How do you switch from HubSpot Service Hub without losing tickets?
Keep the move simple and in order. Start by deciding whether HubSpot CRM stays. That one choice sets your shortlist. Next, export your tickets, contacts, and knowledge base articles. Check whether your new tool has a documented HubSpot migration path.Â
Then rebuild only your most important workflows first. Think routing rules, SLAs, and your top macros. Add the rest later. Reconnect your email, chat, and CRM. Finally, run both tools side by side for a short time. Check that nothing slips through. Then turn off Service Hub so you do not end up with split queues.Â
Ready to try a HubSpot Service Hub alternative?
Desk365 is free to start and takes minutes to set up. Start a free trial or book a demo to see Microsoft Teams ticketing in action. If you want a wider view first, read our guide to the best helpdesk software or the best customer service software.Â
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your team. Desk365 is a strong pick for Microsoft Teams users who also need IT asset management. Freshdesk and Zoho Desk fit teams that want a low price, and Zendesk fits large teams with heavy ticket volume.Â
Yes. Desk365 has a lifetime free plan for up to 50 tickets a month. Zoho Desk is free for up to three agents, and LiveAgent has a forever-free plan. Freshdesk offers a free program for up to two agents for six months. Limits differ, so check ticket caps, agent caps, and locked features first.Â
The most common reasons are the price jump between plans, fewer support features than a dedicated help desk, and value that depends on running HubSpot CRM. Some IT teams also leave because Service Hub has no native asset management.Â
Often, yes. Many help desks offer a HubSpot integration, so you can keep your customer records and use a dedicated help desk for tickets. Check the integration list of the tool you pick first.Â
Yes, at list price. Desk365 runs $12 to $32 per agent per month on annual billing. HubSpot Service Hub Professional runs about $100 per seat per month and adds an onboarding fee. Your final cost depends on your plan and team size.Â
Yes. Desk365 lets agents and employees create tickets, update statuses, and get notifications inside Microsoft Teams. Learn more on the Desk365 Microsoft Teams integration page.Â
