If your support inbox looks like chaos and your team is managing customer queries with sticky notes or Gmail filters, itβs time for helpdesk software. In 2025, the best helpdesk platforms go beyond ticket tracking. They automate workflows, centralize communication, integrate with CRM tools, and help support teams deliver fast, personalized service β even at scale.
This list breaks down the best helpdesk tools and best time management apps by use case: small business, IT support, remote work, eCommerce, and more.
π Top Helpdesk Software Tools (2025)
π Tool | Best For | Free Plan | Ticketing | Live Chat | Knowledge Base | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zendesk | Enterprise customer service teams | β | β | β | β | Widely adopted, robust features |
Freshdesk | Small to mid-sized businesses | β | β | β | β | Easy to set up, flexible pricing |
Help Scout | Customer-centric small teams | β | β | β | β | Great UX, email-first design |
Zoho Desk | Budget-conscious growing teams | β | β | β | β | Good for Zoho ecosystem users |
HubSpot Service Hub | Teams using HubSpot CRM | β | β | β | β | Best for sales + support synergy |
LiveAgent | Multichannel, live-chat-heavy teams | β | β | β | β | Strong call center tools |
Spiceworks | Internal IT support | β | β | β | β | Free IT helpdesk for small teams |
Jira Service Management | DevOps + IT support | β | β | β | β | Best for software teams |
Hiver | Gmail-based helpdesk | β | β | β | β | Great for email-based workflows |
β Zendesk: Best Helpdesk for Enterprise Support
Zendesk remains the industry standard for scalable support across multiple channels (email, chat, social, phone). You get:
- Automation, macros, and SLA policies
- Full-blown reporting and analytics
- AI-driven ticket suggestions and routing

Itβs not cheap, but itβs bulletproof for big teams.
π‘ Freshdesk: Best Free Helpdesk Software for Small Teams
Freshdesk offers one of the best free tiers out there, with core ticketing, chat, and automation tools. You also get:
- Smart automations and canned responses
- SLA tracking
- Help center builder

Their Pro plans scale well if you grow. Make sure to use Freshdesk time tracking to see how much you spend on each task!
βοΈ Help Scout: Best for Customer-Centric Teams
Help Scout feels like shared email β but with powerful ticketing under the hood. Why it works:
- Email threads stay human (no ticket numbers or weird formatting)
- Easy-to-use interface for non-technical teams
- Beacon widget combines docs + chat in one

Perfect for startups, nonprofits, and lean teams. Make sure to set up Help Scout time tracking to know where your time is going!
π§° Zoho Desk: Best for Cost-Conscious Growth
If your team already uses Zoho products (CRM, Books, Projects), Zoho Desk integrates smoothly. Features include:
- AI-powered ticket triage
- Workflow automation
- Multidepartment and multibrand support

Itβs affordable, customizable, and works great for growing support teams.
π€ HubSpot Service Hub: Best for CRM-Connected Helpdesk
If your sales and support teams need to stay in sync, HubSpot Service Hub is a no-brainer. Why itβs strong:
- Ties tickets to contacts, deals, and sales activities
- Customer satisfaction surveys + feedback tools
- Strong automation and chatbot builder

Great for inbound teams and full-service workflows.
π LiveAgent: Best for Real-Time Support Teams
LiveAgent shines if you need:
- Phone support tools (SIP calling, IVR)
- Social + email + live chat unification
- Agent collision prevention

Itβs ideal for high-volume, multichannel support.
π₯οΈ Spiceworks: Best Free IT Helpdesk Software
Need a simple, internal helpdesk for your IT team? Spiceworks is still one of the best free options. Why itβs useful:
- Asset management tools
- Email-to-ticket conversion
- Knowledge base builder

Itβs free and works well for small IT departments.
βοΈ Jira Service Management: Best for DevOps & ITIL Teams
Built by Atlassian, Jira Service Management is perfect for:
- IT ticketing with SLAs and automation
- Incident management and change control
- Integrating dev and support workflows

Itβs powerful, but best suited for technical teams.
π§ Hiver: Best for Gmail-Based Support Workflows
If your team lives in Gmail and needs helpdesk structure without switching platforms. Hiver lets you:
- Assign and track emails as tickets
- Use internal notes and shared drafts
- Monitor team performance inside Gmail

Saves time by keeping support where you already work.
β FAQs
1. What is the best helpdesk software in 2025?
Zendesk for enterprise. Freshdesk for small business. Help Scout for email-based teams. Jira for IT/dev support.
2. Whatβs the best free helpdesk software?
Freshdesk and Zoho Desk offer excellent free tiers. Spiceworks is solid for IT support.
3. What is the best helpdesk software for customer service teams?
Zendesk and HubSpot Service Hub are top choices for multichannel customer experience.
4. What helpdesk is best for small businesses?
Freshdesk, Help Scout, and Zoho Desk are great depending on your teamβs complexity and size.
5. What is the best helpdesk ticketing software for IT teams?
Spiceworks (free), Jira Service Management (enterprise), and Freshservice.
6. Are there helpdesks that work with WhatsApp or live chat?
Yes β LiveAgent, Zendesk, and Freshdesk support WhatsApp, chat, and social inboxes. You can also check out the best email marketing tools.
7. Which is the best helpdesk software for remote teams?
Help Scout, Hiver, and Freshdesk all have strong remote-ready workflows.
π Final Word
Great support starts with better systems. Whether you need a customer-facing ticketing machine or a lightweight tool for your IT team, helpdesk software in 2025 is more flexible and integrated than ever.
Want to track how long support tickets actually take? Connect a time tracker like Everhour to your support stack and get time data by agent, client, or issue β right where you work.