Best HelpCenter Alternatives in 2026
The top HelpCenter alternatives are Gorgias, DelightChat and Freshdesk: 15 shopify help desk apps our editors would look at instead of HelpCenter, in our ranking order.
HelpCenter: A low-cost Shopify helpdesk with order context, chat and ticket-based plans. Where it falls short: free plan is limited to 10 tickets and one support agent monthly.
Switching from HelpCenter? For most shopify help desk apps buyers the best HelpCenter alternative is Gorgias, built for shopify-first support teams needing commerce context. On a budget, Freshdesk starts at $19/user/mo. Help Scout has a free plan. DelightChat offers the most included agent seats (5 agents).
Why People Look for a HelpCenter Alternative
- Free plan is limited to 10 tickets and one support agent monthly
- Paid plans cap monthly tickets at 50, 300 or 1,000
- Platform and integration options focus on Shopify and a small set of tools
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallGorgias8.9
Shopify-first support teams needing commerce context
Visit Gorgias - Lowest priceFreshdesk8.6
Paid plans from $19/user/mo
Visit Freshdesk - Best free optionHelp Scout8.5
Has a free plan
Visit Help Scout - Most included agent seatsDelightChat8.7
5 agents
Visit DelightChat
All 15 HelpCenter Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forShopify-first support teams needing commerce context
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.6
A Shopify-focused help desk combining commerce context, shared inboxes, automation, and AI support.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Gorgias -
Best forSmall teams centered on WhatsApp and social support
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.6
A Shopify-connected shared inbox for teams handling WhatsApp and social support.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit DelightChat -
Best forTeams prioritizing established ticketing and self-service
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.6
Established ticketing and self-service, with Shopify among its integrations.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Freshdesk -
Best forSmall teams wanting established shared-inbox support
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.6
A broad support workspace for small teams, with less explicit Shopify order context.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Help Scout -
Best forTeams seeking a mature multichannel chat and inbox tool
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.6
A broad customer messaging suite with Shopify integration, but not Shopify-specific support actions.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Crisp -
Best forTeams needing collaborative omnichannel ticket management
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.6
A collaborative help desk with broad channels, automation, and annual per-seat pricing.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Front -
Best forSmall teams needing Shopify context and mobile support
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.6
Shopify order context, shared conversations and mobile support for small teams.
- Mobile agent app
- Knowledge base
- Shopify order context
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Herodesk -
Best forLarger teams automating commerce support
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.6
A commerce-focused help desk with order context, self-service, and AI support.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Richpanel -
Best forTeams wanting mature workflows at a clear entry
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.6
A mature multi-channel help desk with Shopify integration and a $19 annual-billing entry plan.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit HelpDesk -
Best forTeams wanting broad channels and Shopify AI actions
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A Shopify-focused helpdesk pairing broad messaging channels with AI and order self-service.
- Knowledge base
- Shopify order context
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Commslayer -
Best forBudget-minded teams needing a broad help desk
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A broad help desk with a free tier, mobile apps, automation, and multichannel ticketing.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Desk -
Best forMid-market teams with complex routing and SLA needs
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.6
Dixa brings multichannel support, routing, SLAs, and AI into one workspace.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Dixa -
Best forEnterprise teams needing customer timelines and workflows
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.6
A deep Shopify help desk option for larger teams that need customer context and workflow control.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Kustomer -
Best forTeams focused on live chat and AI-assisted service
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.6
A broad chat and support workspace, though Shopify order-context workflows are not explicit.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Intercom -
Best forE-commerce sellers managing several sales channels
- Better than HelpCenter:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.6
A multichannel ecommerce help desk with order context, automation, and AI tools.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit eDesk
HelpCenter Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to HelpCenter?
Gorgias: #1 in our Shopify Help Desk Apps ranking, with an editor score of 8.9 out of 10. A Shopify-focused help desk combining commerce context, shared inboxes, automation, and AI support.
Is there a free alternative to HelpCenter?
Yes. Help Scout, Crisp, Herodesk, Commslayer and Zoho Desk have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to HelpCenter?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Freshdesk starts lowest, at $19/user/mo.
Why do people look for HelpCenter alternatives?
Free plan is limited to 10 tickets and one support agent monthly; Paid plans cap monthly tickets at 50, 300 or 1,000; Platform and integration options focus on Shopify and a small set of tools.
Which HelpCenter alternative has the most included agent seats?
DelightChat, with 5 agents.
How do I switch from HelpCenter?
Export your data from HelpCenter (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel HelpCenter.
How to Switch from HelpCenter
- Export your data from HelpCenter (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel HelpCenter.
HelpCenter vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | HelpCenter | Yes | $59.99/yr | 6.6 |
| 1 | Gorgias | No | 8.9 | |
| 2 | DelightChat | No | $29/mo | 8.7 |
| 3 | Freshdesk | No | $19/user/mo | 8.6 |
| 4 | Help Scout | Yes | $25/user/mo | 8.5 |
| 5 | Crisp | Yes | $45/mo | 8.4 |
| 6 | Front | No | $25/seat/mo | 8.3 |
| 7 | Herodesk | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 8 | Richpanel | No | $99/seat/mo | 8.1 |
| 9 | HelpDesk | No | $19/user/mo | 8.0 |
| 10 | Commslayer | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 11 | Zoho Desk | Yes | ₹420/user/mo | 7.9 |
| 12 | Dixa | No | €89/seat/mo | 7.8 |
| 13 | Kustomer | 7.7 | ||
| 14 | Intercom | No | $29/seat/mo | 7.6 |
| 15 | eDesk | No | $39/user/mo | 7.5 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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