Freshdesk vs HubSpot Service Hub: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Freshdesk positions itself as "helpdesk software with a generous free tier" while HubSpot Service Hub goes after "crm-connected customer support inside hubspot" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Both tools compete in the customer support software category. Check the feature comparison below to see which capabilities matter most for your specific use case.
At a glance
| Freshdesk | HubSpot Service Hub | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 79/100 | 76/100 |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $15/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Helpdesk software with a generous free tier | CRM-connected customer support inside HubSpot |
Pricing comparison
Freshdesk
Pricing verified 2026-04-02
HubSpot Service Hub
Pricing verified 2026-04-02
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Freshdesk | HubSpot Service Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Email ticketing | Yes | Yes |
| Live chat | Add-on | Yes |
| Call centre | Add-on | No |
| Knowledge base | Yes | Yes |
| CSAT surveys | Growth+ | Starter+ |
| In-app messaging | No | No |
advanced
| Feature | Freshdesk | HubSpot Service Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Automation rules | Growth+ | No |
| AI triage | Enterprise | No |
| Custom analytics | Pro+ | No |
| SLA management | Growth+ | Professional+ |
| AI agent | No | Professional+ |
| Customer portal | No | Professional+ |
| Playbooks | No | Professional+ |
integrations
| Feature | Freshdesk | HubSpot Service Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Freshsales | Yes | No |
| Slack | Yes | Yes |
| Shopify | Yes | No |
| Jira | Yes | Yes |
| Salesforce | Yes | Professional+ |
| HubSpot CRM | No | Yes |
| Zapier | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
How costs scale
HubSpot Service Hub's pricing curve is steeper — the jump from its entry plan to its top tier is more dramatic than Freshdesk's. If you're a growing team, model the 12-month cost at your projected team size, not just today's. Freshdesk tends to stay more predictable as you add seats or usage.
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Freshdesk means going without AI agent, Customer portal, Playbooks (which HubSpot Service Hub offers). Choosing HubSpot Service Hub means losing Call centre, Automation rules, AI triage. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
HubSpot Service Hub (7,000+ employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Freshdesk (5,000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Freshdesk if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose HubSpot Service Hub if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Freshdesk or HubSpot Service Hub better?
Freshdesk scores 79/100 compared to HubSpot Service Hub's 76/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Freshdesk excels at ease of use (8/10) while HubSpot Service Hub scores 8/10.
How much does Freshdesk cost compared to HubSpot Service Hub?
Freshdesk starts at $15/mo (free tier available). HubSpot Service Hub starts at $15/mo (free tier available). Freshdesk is the more affordable option.
Does Freshdesk or HubSpot Service Hub have a free plan?
Yes, both Freshdesk and HubSpot Service Hub offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
Related comparisons
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