ServiceNow ITSM vs ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus

ServiceNow ITSM9.4Visit ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus8.9Visit

Higher score ServiceNow ITSM #1 in Enterprise IT Management Software 9.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit ServiceNow

vs

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus #5 in Enterprise IT Management Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit ManageEngine

• ServiceNow ITSM fits best

  Enterprises prioritizing incident and ITSM workflows

• ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus fits best

  IT teams needing affordable service-desk foundations

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Side by side

Feature	ServiceNow ITSM 9.4/10 Visit ↗	ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Enterprise IT Management Software	#5 in Enterprise IT Management Software
Best for	Enterprises prioritizing incident and ITSM workflows	IT teams needing affordable service-desk foundations
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$13/user/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Phone, Email
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ServiceNow ITSM 0/6 · ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus 0/6
Endpoint management	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Patch management	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Asset discovery	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Service desk	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Identity and access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Automation workflows	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Routes incidents through intake, assignment, prioritization, and resolution workflows Advanced adds major incident, on-call, change, and problem management Connects employee self-service across portal, chat, and mobile channels	Free Standard edition supports up to five technicians. Incident handling, self-service, knowledge base, SLAs, and approvals. Professional and Enterprise add asset management and broader service features.
Cons	Pricing requires a custom quote through sales On-call management is not included in ITSM Foundation Its focus is ITSM rather than broad endpoint operations	Asset management starts with Professional at $27 per technician monthly. Change management and projects require Enterprise at $67 per technician monthly. No 24/7 support; support channels are phone and email.
Our verdict	ServiceNow ITSM brings incidents, service requests, changes, and problems into shared IT workflows. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise IT organizations that want to coordinate service delivery, employee self-service, and incident… Read the review →	ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus brings incident and request management, self-service, knowledge base, SLA handling, approvals, and reporting into a service desk for IT teams and departments such as HR, facilities, and finance. It is aimed at… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ServiceNow ITSM — where it wins

  • Routes incidents through intake, assignment, prioritization, and resolution workflows
  • Advanced adds major incident, on-call, change, and problem management
  • Connects employee self-service across portal, chat, and mobile channels

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires a custom quote through sales
  • On-call management is not included in ITSM Foundation
  • Its focus is ITSM rather than broad endpoint operations

• ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus — where it wins

  • Free Standard edition supports up to five technicians.
  • Incident handling, self-service, knowledge base, SLAs, and approvals.
  • Professional and Enterprise add asset management and broader service features.

  Where it doesn't

  • Asset management starts with Professional at $27 per technician monthly.
  • Change management and projects require Enterprise at $67 per technician monthly.
  • No 24/7 support; support channels are phone and email.

• ServiceNow ITSM9.4/10 · Pricing on request

  A workflow-based ITSM suite for organizations focused on service delivery and incident response.

  Visit ServiceNowFull verdict →
• ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus8.9/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  An affordable service desk with a free edition and paid tiers that add asset and change management.

  Visit ManageEngineFull verdict →