Freshdesk
Value-priced help desk with automation, a free starter program and Freddy AI
- Pricing
- $19/agent/mo
- Free options
- Free trial
- Deployment
- Android, Cloud / SaaS, iOS
- Popular with
- Education, Professional services
About Freshdesk
Freshdesk is the help desk product from Freshworks. It collects email, chat, phone and social conversations into one ticket queue and gives agents canned responses, automations, a knowledge base and collision detection so two people do not answer the same customer. The interface is approachable, which keeps training time short for new agents.
Its pricing is one of the main reasons teams shortlist it: paid plans start at $19 per agent per month on annual billing, and a free program has been offered to very small teams. Freddy AI features are sold as add-ons with their own usage-based pricing, so budget for them separately if you plan to automate replies.
A practical way to test fit is to run a two-week trial with your real ticket volume and measure how many AI sessions you consume. If the included 500 sessions are enough, Freshdesk is among the cheapest ways to run a capable help desk. If not, add the per-100 session cost to your forecast before comparing it with Zendesk or Zoho Desk.
At a glance, Freshdesk offers Ticketing, Automation rules, Knowledge base, Canned responses, Collision detection and more. It is best suited to small and mid-sized teams that want strong capability at a lower price, and a weaker fit for enterprises with highly specialised workflow requirements. Published plans are summarised in the pricing section below, and prices should be confirmed on the vendor site before purchase.
Popular with: EducationProfessional servicesRetail and ecommerceSoftware and IT
Features
- AI assistant
- Canned responses
- Collision detection
- Knowledge base
- Reporting and analytics
- SLA management
- Team collaboration
- Ticketing
- Workflow automation
Integrations
Pricing
Growth
Billed annually
Pro
Billed annually, includes Freddy Copilot as an add-on
Enterprise
Billed annually, advanced controls
Pricing verified October 2026 against the vendor pricing page. Check the vendor for current pricing. How we evaluate software.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Competitive per-agent pricing
- Easy interface that is quick to learn
- Broad channel coverage for the price
- Includes knowledge base and automation on paid tiers
Cons
- AI sessions and Freddy Copilot are paid extras
- Advanced reporting sits on higher tiers
- Some features require upgrading from Growth
Frequently asked questions
How much is Freshdesk per agent?
Our pricing guide lists Growth at $19, Pro at $55 and Enterprise at $89 per agent per month on annual billing.
Is there a Freshdesk free plan?
Freshworks has offered a free program for up to two agents for six months. Check current eligibility on the vendor site.
How much do Freshdesk AI sessions cost?
The guide notes 500 AI sessions included once per account and $49 per 100 additional sessions, with Freddy Copilot at $29 per agent per month on Pro and Enterprise.
Does Freshdesk have a knowledge base?
Yes. A self-service knowledge base is part of the product.
What are the best alternatives to Freshdesk?
Popular alternatives covered on PreferWise include Zendesk, Zoho Desk and Intercom. Which fits best depends on team size, channels and budget, so compare them side by side before you decide.
Who should not use Freshdesk?
Enterprises with highly specialised workflow requirements. If that describes you, compare Freshdesk with alternatives before committing.