# The best Zendesk AI Agents alternatives

> The strongest alternatives to Zendesk AI Agents, ranked on a published rubric, with what each costs and when switching makes sense.

Published: September 18, 2026 · Updated: September 18, 2026 · Prices and figures verified: September 18, 2026 · By the ai-agents.reviews team

This page was researched and drafted with AI assistance from the sources listed on it. We have not run hands-on tests of these products. Method: [How we review](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/how-we-review)

The best alternatives to Zendesk AI Agents are Ada or Gladly AI as a layer on top of Zendesk, and Intercom Fin or Freshworks Freddy if you are willing to change how you buy. Forethought is not really an alternative any more, because Zendesk owns it.

Most teams look elsewhere for one reason: Zendesk will not tell them what a resolution costs until they talk to sales.

## Why teams look beyond Zendesk AI Agents

- The per-resolution price and your allowance are not published.
- You need voice or messaging channels that are documented and generally available today.
- You want an agent you could keep if you left Zendesk.

> **Scored on a public rubric, from sources you can open.** Every score on this site comes from five published criteria: pricing transparency, performance evidence, access, coverage, and control. Each price and percentage comes from one product database and links to its source, so every page agrees with every other page. Rubric v1.0 · We have not run hands-on tests yet, and no page here claims we did. [Read the full method](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/how-we-review)

## The alternatives, ranked

### 1. Intercom Fin — 9.1/10

_Teams that want a price they can calculate today_

- **Price from:** $0.99 per resolution
- **Pricing model:** Per resolution
- **Works on your existing helpdesk:** Yes
- **Self-serve sign-up:** Yes

Fin is the AI agent from the company formerly called Intercom, which renamed itself Fin in May 2026. It runs inside the Intercom helpdesk or on top of another one, charges $0.99 per outcome, and documents more about its pricing, languages and certifications than any other product we reviewed.

> A published price of $0.99 per outcome. Confirm Zendesk support first.

**The catch:** Customer silence for 24 hours is billed as a resolution, and so is a handoff to a human that you configured. Salesforce has agreed to buy the company.

[Read the review](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/intercom-fin) · [Pricing explained](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/pricing/intercom-fin) · [Alternatives](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/alternatives/intercom-fin)

### 2. Freshworks Freddy AI Agent — 7.7/10

_Small and mid-sized teams already on Freshdesk_

- **Price from:** $0.49 per session
- **Pricing model:** Seats plus usage
- **Works on your existing helpdesk:** Requires Freshdesk
- **Self-serve sign-up:** Yes

Freddy AI Agent is the no-code agent inside Freshdesk and Freshdesk Omni. Prices are public and setup is self-serve, but the billing unit is a session, not a resolution, and the session price rose about fivefold in November 2025.

> Public prices on a cheaper helpdesk, if you are open to moving platform.

**The catch:** A session is consumed whether or not the customer's problem is solved, and the 500 free sessions are a one-time allotment, not monthly.

[Read the review](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/freshworks-freddy) · [Pricing explained](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/pricing/freshworks-freddy)

### 3. Ada — 7.4/10

_Mid-market and enterprise teams that want an agent on top of their current helpdesk_

- **Price from:** est. $36,079 per year
- **Pricing model:** Quote only
- **Works on your existing helpdesk:** Yes
- **Self-serve sign-up:** No

Ada is a Toronto company whose agent works across messaging, email and voice on top of the helpdesk you already have. It sells by quote, but it is the one enterprise vendor with substantial procurement data: a median contract of $72,000 a year across 114 purchases.

> Documents Zendesk handoff, with voice and messaging channels.

**The catch:** Ada's own AI decides which conversations count as billable resolutions, and the contract allows the count to be calculated from a sampled rate.

[Read the review](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/ada) · [Pricing explained](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/pricing/ada) · [Alternatives](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/alternatives/ada)

### 4. Help Scout AI Answers — 6.8/10

_Small Help Scout teams with a good knowledge base_

- **Price from:** $0.75 per resolution
- **Pricing model:** Seats plus usage
- **Works on your existing helpdesk:** Requires Help Scout
- **Self-serve sign-up:** Yes

AI Answers is the customer-facing AI inside Help Scout's Beacon chat widget. It costs $0.75 per resolution, among the lowest published prices in the category, and does one thing: answer questions from your help content.

> A much simpler and cheaper stack for small teams willing to move.

**The catch:** A resolution is inferred when the customer does nothing further, so abandoned sessions can be billed. Hosting is in the United States only.

[Read the review](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/help-scout-ai-answers) · [Pricing explained](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/pricing/help-scout-ai-answers)

### 5. Gladly AI — 6.6/10

_Shopify merchants and consumer brands_

- **Price from:** $1.50 per resolution
- **Pricing model:** Mixed
- **Works on your existing helpdesk:** Yes
- **Self-serve sign-up:** Yes

Gladly AI, formerly Gladly Sidekick, is aimed at retail and consumer brands. It runs inside Gladly's own helpdesk or on top of Gorgias, Zendesk and Salesforce. The only public prices are on the Shopify App Store; everything else is by quote.

> Runs on Zendesk, with a retail focus.

**The catch:** An AI Resolution is not technically defined anywhere we could find, and AI Assists are billed as well.

[Read the review](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/gladly) · [Pricing explained](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/pricing/gladly)

## Comparison table

| Product | Score | Pricing model | Price from | Works on your existing helpdesk | Self-serve sign-up | EU data residency | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Zendesk AI Agents](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/zendesk-ai-agents) | 7.5 | Seats plus usage | $55 per seat per month | No | Yes | Yes | Teams already running support on Zendesk |
| [Intercom Fin](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/intercom-fin) | 9.1 | Per resolution | $0.99 per resolution | Yes | Yes | Yes | Teams that want a price they can calculate today |
| [Freshworks Freddy AI Agent](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/freshworks-freddy) | 7.7 | Seats plus usage | $0.49 per session | No | Yes | Yes | Small and mid-sized teams already on Freshdesk |
| [Ada](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/ada) | 7.4 | Quote only | est. $36,079 per year | Yes | No | Yes | Mid-market and enterprise teams that want an agent on top of their current helpdesk |
| [Help Scout AI Answers](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/help-scout-ai-answers) | 6.8 | Seats plus usage | $0.75 per resolution | No | Yes | No | Small Help Scout teams with a good knowledge base |
| [Gladly AI](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/gladly) | 6.6 | Mixed | $1.50 per resolution | Yes | Yes | Not documented | Shopify merchants and consumer brands |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Forethought an alternative to Zendesk AI agents?

Not an independent one. Zendesk completed its acquisition of Forethought in March 2026 and sells it as an add-on.

### Can I run another vendor's agent on Zendesk?

Yes. Ada, Decagon, Gladly and Forethought document Zendesk integrations. Check Fin's current support before relying on it.

## Related pages

- [Zendesk AI Agents review](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/reviews/zendesk-ai-agents)
- [Zendesk AI Agents pricing explained](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/pricing/zendesk-ai-agents)
- [The best AI customer service agents in 2026](https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/best/ai-customer-service-agents)

## Sources

- [Zendesk AI agents](https://www.zendesk.com/service/ai/ai-agents/) — Zendesk · September 18, 2026
- [Zendesk pricing](https://www.zendesk.com/pricing/) — Zendesk · September 18, 2026
- [About automated resolutions for AI agents](https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/5352026794010-About-automated-resolutions-for-AI-agents) — Zendesk Help · September 18, 2026
- [About automated resolution tiers](https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/9570369117338-About-automated-resolution-tiers) — Zendesk Help · September 18, 2026
- [What happens when I exceed my automated resolutions limit](https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/9751536041754-What-happens-when-I-exceed-my-automated-resolutions-limit) — Zendesk Help · September 18, 2026
- [Announcing expanded access to AI agent capabilities for all Zendesk customers](https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/10487730059034-Announcing-expanded-access-to-AI-agent-capabilities-for-all-Zendesk-customers) — Zendesk Help · September 18, 2026
- [Community forum comment by a Zendesk product manager on the automated resolution list price (August 2025, unofficial)](https://community.zendesk.com/product-updates/we-are-excited-to-launch-ai-agents-and-automated-resolutions-6337/index9.html) — Zendesk Community · September 18, 2026
- [TeamSystem customer story](https://www.zendesk.com/customer/teamsystem/) — Zendesk · September 18, 2026
- [Hello Sugar customer story](https://www.zendesk.com/customer/hello-sugar/) — Zendesk · September 18, 2026
- [Languages supported by AI agents](https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/8357749663130-Languages-supported-by-AI-agents) — Zendesk Help · September 18, 2026
- [Regional Data Hosting Policy](https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408883599130-Regional-Data-Hosting-Policy) — Zendesk Help · September 18, 2026
- [Zendesk Trust Center](https://www.zendesk.com/trust-center/) — Zendesk · September 18, 2026
- [Zendesk says its new AI agent can solve 80% of support issues](https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/08/zendesk-says-its-new-ai-agent-can-solve-80-of-support-issues) — TechCrunch · September 18, 2026
- [Zendesk acquires agentic customer service startup Forethought](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/11/zendesk-acquires-agentic-customer-service-startup-forethought/) — TechCrunch · September 18, 2026
- [Fin homepage](https://fin.ai/) — Fin · September 18, 2026
- [Fin pricing](https://fin.ai/pricing) — Fin · September 18, 2026
- [Intercom pricing](https://www.intercom.com/pricing) — Intercom (Fin) · September 18, 2026
- [Fin pricing: outcomes](https://fin.ai/help/en/articles/13975800-fin-pricing-outcomes) — Fin Help Center · September 18, 2026
- [Anthropic customer story](https://fin.ai/customers/anthropic) — Fin · September 18, 2026
- [Lightspeed customer story](https://fin.ai/customers/lightspeed) — Fin · September 18, 2026
- [Fin channels](https://fin.ai/channels) — Fin · September 18, 2026
- [Fin integrations](https://fin.ai/integrations) — Fin · September 18, 2026
- [Use Fin AI Agent in multiple languages](https://fin.ai/help/en/articles/10840651-use-fin-ai-agent-in-multiple-languages) — Fin Help Center · September 18, 2026
- [Regional data hosting](https://fin.ai/help/en/articles/13976037-regional-data-hosting) — Fin Help Center · September 18, 2026
- [Intercom security](https://www.intercom.com/security) — Intercom (Fin) · September 18, 2026
- [Fin AI Agent explained](https://fin.ai/help/en/articles/13975995-fin-ai-agent-explained) — Fin Help Center · September 18, 2026
- [Today, Intercom becomes Fin](https://www.intercom.com/blog/today-intercom-becomes-fin/) — Intercom (Fin) · September 18, 2026
- [Salesforce signs definitive agreement to acquire Fin](https://www.salesforce.com/news/press-releases/2026/06/15/salesforce-signs-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-fin/) — Salesforce · September 18, 2026
- [Freddy AI Agent](https://www.freshworks.com/freshdesk/omni/freddy-ai-agent/) — Freshworks · September 18, 2026
- [Freshdesk pricing](https://www.freshworks.com/freshdesk/pricing/) — Freshworks · September 18, 2026
- [Freddy AI Agent sessions FAQs](https://crmsupport.freshworks.com/support/solutions/articles/50000004664-freddy-ai-agent-sessions-faqs) — Freshworks Support · September 18, 2026
- [Manage Freddy AI add-ons](https://support.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/50000011515-manage-freddy-ai-add-ons) — Freshdesk Support · September 18, 2026
- [Overview of Freddy AI for ticketing](https://support.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/50000010359-overview-of-freddy-ai-for-ticketing) — Freshdesk Support · September 18, 2026
- [Voice AI Agent integration in Freshcaller](https://crmsupport.freshworks.com/support/solutions/articles/50000011867-voice-ai-agent-integration-in-freshcaller) — Freshworks Support · September 18, 2026
- [Configure AI Agent responses](https://crmsupport.freshworks.com/support/solutions/articles/50000010091-configure-ai-agent-responses) — Freshworks Support · September 18, 2026
- [Freshworks launches new AI capabilities (13 November 2025)](https://www.freshworks.com/pressrelease/freshworks-launches-new-ai-capabilities-to-minimize-customer-service-fragmentation-and-deliver-faster-more-personal-support/) — Freshworks · September 18, 2026
- [Hobbycraft customer story](https://www.freshworks.com/customers/stories/hobbycraft/) — Freshworks · September 18, 2026
- [Freshworks Q4 2025 earnings call transcript](https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/02/11/freshworks-frsh-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript/) — The Motley Fool · September 18, 2026
- [Where are your data servers located?](https://support.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/235810-where-is-your-data-servers-located-) — Freshdesk Support · September 18, 2026
- [Freshworks Trust Center](https://trust.freshworks.com/) — Freshworks · September 18, 2026
- [Freshworks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshworks) — Wikipedia · September 18, 2026
- [Ada homepage](https://www.ada.cx) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Ada platform](https://www.ada.cx/platform/) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Ada messaging](https://www.ada.cx/platform/messaging/) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Ada integrations](https://www.ada.cx/platform/integrations/) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Service-specific terms](https://www.ada.cx/legal/service-specific-terms/) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Understand and improve your AI agent's automated resolution rate](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/generative/measure-success/understand-and-improve-your-ai-agent-s-automated-resolution-rate) — Ada Docs · September 18, 2026
- [About multilingual support](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/setup/languages/about-multilingual-support) — Ada Docs · September 18, 2026
- [Ada subprocessors](https://www.ada.cx/subprocessors) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Ada trust](https://www.ada.cx/platform/trust/) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Epos Now case study](https://www.ada.cx/case-study/epos-now/) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Life360 case study](https://www.ada.cx/case-study/life360/) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Ada doubles YoY growth as demand for agentic customer service surges (3 March 2026)](https://www.ada.cx/media-center/press-release/ada-doubles-yoy-growth-as-demand-for-agentic-customer-service-surges/) — Ada · September 18, 2026
- [Ada pricing (buyer data, 114 purchases)](https://www.vendr.com/marketplace/ada) — Vendr · September 18, 2026
- [Ada company profile](https://sacra.com/c/ada/) — Sacra · September 18, 2026
- [Help Scout AI features](https://www.helpscout.com/ai-features/) — Help Scout · September 18, 2026
- [Help Scout pricing](https://www.helpscout.com/pricing/) — Help Scout · September 18, 2026
- [AI resolutions pricing](https://docs.helpscout.com/article/1746-ai-resolutions-pricing) — Help Scout Docs · September 18, 2026
- [AI Answers](https://docs.helpscout.com/article/1569-ai-answers) — Help Scout Docs · September 18, 2026
- [Manage AI Answers](https://docs.helpscout.com/article/1736-manage-ai-answers) — Help Scout Docs · September 18, 2026
- [Help website visitors with AI](https://docs.helpscout.com/article/1750-help-website-visitors-with-ai) — Help Scout Docs · September 18, 2026
- [Improve AI Answers](https://docs.helpscout.com/article/1742-improve-ai-answers) — Help Scout Docs · September 18, 2026
- [AI Answers usage and spend (21 May 2026)](https://articles.helpscout.com/blog/ai-answers-usage-and-spend/) — Help Scout · September 18, 2026
- [Help Scout self-service](https://www.helpscout.com/self-service/) — Help Scout · September 18, 2026
- [AIHR customer story](https://articles.helpscout.com/customers/aihr/) — Help Scout · September 18, 2026
- [Help Scout customers](https://www.helpscout.com/customers/) — Help Scout · September 18, 2026
- [Security at Help Scout](https://docs.helpscout.com/article/1263-security-at-help-scout) — Help Scout Docs · September 18, 2026
- [Help Scout security](https://www.helpscout.com/company/legal/security/) — Help Scout · September 18, 2026
- [HIPAA at Help Scout](https://docs.helpscout.com/article/330-hipaa) — Help Scout Docs · September 18, 2026
- [Gladly AI product page](https://www.gladly.ai/product/ai/) — Gladly · September 18, 2026
- [Gladly pricing](https://www.gladly.ai/pricing/) — Gladly · September 18, 2026
- [Gladly on the Shopify App Store](https://apps.shopify.com/gladly) — Shopify App Store · September 18, 2026
- [AI pricing: deflection vs outcomes](https://www.gladly.ai/blog/ai-pricing-deflection-vs-outcomes/) — Gladly · September 18, 2026
- [What is Gladly AI](https://help.gladly.com/docs/what-is-gladly-ai) — Gladly Help · September 18, 2026
- [March 2026 releases](https://help.gladly.com/docs/march-2026-releases) — Gladly Help · September 18, 2026
- [Set up the Gladly AI Gorgias integration](https://help.gladly.com/docs/set-up-the-gladly-ai-gorgias-integration) — Gladly Help · September 18, 2026
- [Why your helpdesk needs Gladly](https://www.gladly.ai/blog/why-your-helpdesk-needs-gladly/) — Gladly · September 18, 2026
- [Voice and SMS phone number costs](https://help.gladly.com/docs/voice-and-sms-phone-number-costs) — Gladly Help · September 18, 2026
- [AI security and compliance](https://help.gladly.com/docs/ai-security-and-compliance) — Gladly Help · September 18, 2026
- [Gladly customers](https://www.gladly.ai/customers/) — Gladly · September 18, 2026
- [Breeze Airways customer story](https://www.gladly.ai/customers/breeze-airways/) — Gladly · September 18, 2026
- [Gladly announces agentic commerce capabilities at Gladly Connect Live (6 May 2026)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gladly-announces-agentic-commerce-capabilities-at-gladly-connect-live-302764492.html) — PR Newswire · September 18, 2026

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Canonical: https://ai-agents.reviews/en-us/alternatives/zendesk-ai-agents