Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Email Collaboration Software

Help Scout vs Google Groups Collaborative Inbox

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Help Scout #1 in Email Collaboration Software 9.3/10 Free plan · paid from $25/user/mo · 15-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Help Scout
Google Groups Collaborative Inbox #3 in Email Collaboration Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Google Groups

Help Scout leads on 0 checks, Google Groups Collaborative Inbox on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHelp Scout · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGoogle Groups Collaborative Inbox · 1 of 3

Help Scout scores higher on our rubric for email collaboration software: 9.3 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Google Groups Collaborative Inbox offers email assignment; Help Scout doesn't publish it.

Help Scout is the better fit for teams wanting a mature, full-featured support inbox. Google Groups Collaborative Inbox is the better fit for groups needing a simple, free shared email queue.

  • Help Scout fits best

    Teams wanting a mature, full-featured support inbox

  • Google Groups Collaborative Inbox fits best

    Groups needing a simple, free shared email queue

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Help Scout 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Google Groups Collaborative Inbox 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.8
Ranking #1 in Email Collaboration Software #3 in Email Collaboration Software
Best for Teams wanting a mature, full-featured support inbox Groups needing a simple, free shared email queue
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $25/user/mo Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Docs Docs, Community
Built for Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Help Scout 0/3 · Google Groups Collaborative Inbox 1/3
Email assignment Not published ✓ (best)
Shared drafts Not published —
Email approvals Not published —
Specs
Inbox channels Not published Email
Email providers Not published Other
Automation rules Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Shared inboxes include internal notes and collision detection.
  • Combines workflows and SLA tracking with Docs and a customer portal.
  • iOS and Android apps, APIs, and integrations support flexible operations.
  • Assign or reassign conversations and let members claim them.
  • Track complete, duplicate, and no-action-needed states.
  • Use shared labels and search by assignee or resolution status.
Cons
  • Standard starts at $25 per user per month, with advanced tools on higher plans.
  • Free is limited to 5 users, 1 Inbox, and 1 Docs site.
  • Pro trial access is handled through sales; 24/7 support is not listed.
  • Focused on email conversations sent to a group address.
  • Draft collaboration and approval workflows are not included.
  • Work or school accounts need Groups for Business to enable these features.
Our verdict

Help Scout brings customer conversations, knowledge content, and support operations into a cloud platform for growing businesses and customer-facing teams. Its shared inbox supports collaborative email handling with internal notes and…

Read the review →

Google Groups Collaborative Inbox turns messages sent to a group address into a shared queue for teams that need basic coordination. Members with the right permissions can take conversations to volunteer to respond, assign or reassign…

Read the review →
  1. Help ScoutEmail Collaboration Software 9.3Free plan · paid from $25/user/mo · 15-day trial
  2. Google Groups Collaborative InboxEmail Collaboration Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Help Scout — where it wins

    • Shared inboxes include internal notes and collision detection.
    • Combines workflows and SLA tracking with Docs and a customer portal.
    • iOS and Android apps, APIs, and integrations support flexible operations.

    Where it doesn't

    • Standard starts at $25 per user per month, with advanced tools on higher plans.
    • Free is limited to 5 users, 1 Inbox, and 1 Docs site.
    • Pro trial access is handled through sales; 24/7 support is not listed.

  • Google Groups Collaborative Inbox — where it wins

    • Assign or reassign conversations and let members claim them.
    • Track complete, duplicate, and no-action-needed states.
    • Use shared labels and search by assignee or resolution status.

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on email conversations sent to a group address.
    • Draft collaboration and approval workflows are not included.
    • Work or school accounts need Groups for Business to enable these features.
  • Help Scout9.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $25/user/mo · 15-day trial

    A broad support inbox with collaboration, self-service, automation, and AI features.

    Visit Help ScoutFull verdict →
  • Google Groups Collaborative Inbox8.8/10 · Free plan

    A free shared queue for teams that need basic email assignment and resolution tracking.

    Visit Google GroupsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All email collaboration software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update