Help Scout vs Intercom: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Help Scout scores 71 out of 100 and Intercom scores 64. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Help Scout | Intercom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 50 | 47 |
| Features | 100 | 71 |
| Security and privacy | 60 | 100 |
| Track record | 76 | 25 |
Pros and cons
Help Scout
- SOC 2 audit
- Has a permanent free plan
- Live chat for customers
- Knowledge base or help center
Intercom
- SOC 2 audit
- ISO 27001 certified
- Live chat for customers
- Knowledge base or help center
- No permanent free plan
- AI costs extra or starts on a higher plan
Facts side by side
| Fact | Help Scout | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Price per agent per month | Not verified | $39.00 intercom.com |
| Free plan | Yes helpscout.com | No intercom.com |
| Free trial | Yes helpscout.com | Yes intercom.com |
| Live chat | Yes helpscout.com | Yes intercom.com |
| Knowledge base | Yes helpscout.com | Yes intercom.com |
| AI in the cheapest paid plan | Yes helpscout.com | No intercom.com |
| Public API | Yes helpscout.com | Yes developers.intercom.com |
| SOC 2 report | Yes helpscout.com | Yes intercom.com |
| ISO 27001 | Not verified | Yes intercom.com |
| GDPR data processing agreement | Yes helpscout.com | Yes intercom.com |
| Public status page | Yes status.helpscout.com | Not verified |
| App Store rating | 4.2★ itunes.apple.com | 2.1★ itunes.apple.com |
| App Store ratings | 332 itunes.apple.com | 173 itunes.apple.com |
| Founded | 2011 helpscout.com | 2011 intercom.com |
| Company headquarters | Not verified | United States intercom.com |
| Company | Not verified | Intercom, Inc. intercom.com |
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