Zendesk vs Intercom: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Zendesk scores 71 out of 100 and Intercom scores 64. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Zendesk | Intercom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 54 | 47 |
| Features | 71 | 71 |
| Security and privacy | 100 | 100 |
| Track record | 58 | 25 |
Pros and cons
Zendesk
- 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
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 | Zendesk | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Price per agent per month | $25.00 zendesk.com | $39.00 intercom.com |
| Free plan | No zendesk.com | No intercom.com |
| Free trial | Yes zendesk.com | Yes intercom.com |
| Live chat | Yes zendesk.com | Yes intercom.com |
| Knowledge base | Yes zendesk.com | Yes intercom.com |
| AI in the cheapest paid plan | No zendesk.com | No intercom.com |
| Public API | Yes developer.zendesk.com | Yes developers.intercom.com |
| SOC 2 report | Yes zendesk.com | Yes intercom.com |
| ISO 27001 | Yes zendesk.com | Yes intercom.com |
| GDPR data processing agreement | Yes zendesk.com | Yes intercom.com |
| Public status page | Yes status.zendesk.com | Not verified |
| App Store rating | 4.5★ itunes.apple.com | 2.1★ itunes.apple.com |
| App Store ratings | 4,228 itunes.apple.com | 173 itunes.apple.com |
| Founded | Not verified | 2011 intercom.com |
| Company headquarters | United States zendesk.com | United States intercom.com |
| Company | Zendesk, Inc. zendesk.com | Intercom, Inc. intercom.com |
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