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Head-to-head · IT Help Desk Software

SolarWinds Service Desk vs SysAid

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 9 checks side by side
Higher score SolarWinds Service Desk #3 in IT Help Desk Software 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 7 of 7 features Visit SolarWinds
SysAid #7 in IT Help Desk Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 7 of 7 features Visit SysAid

SolarWinds Service Desk leads on 1 check, SysAid on 0, and 8 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 9 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSolarWinds Service Desk · 9.1/10
  • Lowest starting priceSolarWinds Service Desk · $39/seat/mo
  • Free trialonly SolarWinds Service Desk

SolarWinds Service Desk scores higher on our rubric for it help desk software: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

SolarWinds Service Desk is cheaper to start at $39/user/mo against $89/user/mo.

SolarWinds Service Desk is the better fit for enterprise ITSM with CMDB depth. SysAid is the better fit for AI-heavy enterprise service desks.

  • SolarWinds Service Desk fits best

    Enterprise ITSM with CMDB depth

  • SysAid fits best

    AI-heavy enterprise service desks

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature SolarWinds Service Desk 9.1/10 Visit ↗ SysAid 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #3 in IT Help Desk Software #7 in IT Help Desk Software
Best for Enterprise ITSM with CMDB depth AI-heavy enterprise service desks
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $39/seat/mo (best) $89/user/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community · 24/7 Email, Live chat, Tickets, Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 200+ integrations 1,000+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features SolarWinds Service Desk 7/7 · SysAid 7/7
SLA management ✓ ✓
Knowledge base ✓ ✓
Employee portal ✓ ✓
Asset management ✓ ✓
Single sign-on ✓ ✓
Approval workflows ✓ ✓
Mobile apps ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Visual CMDB and dependency mapping connect assets with incidents.
  • Incident, SLA, change, asset, and service-catalog workflows cover core ITSM.
  • Web, mobile, API, and integrations support distributed service operations.
  • Covers incident, request, change, and problem management
  • Combines assets, CMDB, workflows, approvals, SLAs, and analytics
  • Offers AI Copilot, AI agents, chatbot, mobile apps, and self-service
Cons
  • Listed pricing starts at $39 per technician per month with annual billing.
  • There is no free plan for ongoing use.
  • AI incident features are limited to the Premier plan.
  • Professional is listed at 89 per agent per month, billed monthly
  • No free plan is offered
  • Enterprise pricing is custom and starts at 20 agents
Our verdict

SolarWinds Service Desk is a cloud-based IT service management platform for IT teams and organizations supporting employees. It combines incident, problem, change, and release management with a service catalog, employee self-service…

Read the review →

SysAid is an IT service management and help desk platform for internal IT teams and service organizations. It brings incident, request, change, and problem management together with service-level management, knowledge resources, asset…

Read the review →
  1. SolarWinds Service DeskIT Help Desk Software 9.130-day trial
  2. SysAidIT Help Desk Software 8.7Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SolarWinds Service Desk — where it wins

    • Visual CMDB and dependency mapping connect assets with incidents.
    • Incident, SLA, change, asset, and service-catalog workflows cover core ITSM.
    • Web, mobile, API, and integrations support distributed service operations.

    Where it doesn't

    • Listed pricing starts at $39 per technician per month with annual billing.
    • There is no free plan for ongoing use.
    • AI incident features are limited to the Premier plan.

  • SysAid — where it wins

    • Covers incident, request, change, and problem management
    • Combines assets, CMDB, workflows, approvals, SLAs, and analytics
    • Offers AI Copilot, AI agents, chatbot, mobile apps, and self-service

    Where it doesn't

    • Professional is listed at 89 per agent per month, billed monthly
    • No free plan is offered
    • Enterprise pricing is custom and starts at 20 agents
  • SolarWinds Service Desk9.1/10 · 30-day trial

    A mature ITSM suite for teams that need CMDB, asset, SLA, and change-management depth.

    Visit SolarWindsFull verdict →
  • SysAid8.7/10 · Paid

    A broad, AI-heavy service desk for enterprises that can justify its 89-per-agent starting price.

    Visit SysAidFull verdict →

More comparisons

All IT help desk software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update