In 2025, businesses are on the lookout for smarter ways to improve customer and employee support. In this blog, weâll take a friendly dive into the top six Halp alternatives, highlighting what each option has to offer, along with their pros and cons and what the community has to say. From AI-powered help to support across multiple channels, weâll guide you through the unique features of each solution to help you find the perfect fit for your organizationâs needs. Letâs explore together!
â
How Did We Evaluate the Tools?
We took a closer look at different Halp alternatives by considering six important factors: how well they integrate with Slack, their ticket management features, AI and automation capabilities, support for multiple communication channels, customization options, and pricing. We chose these criteria to give you a well-rounded view of each platformâs strengths and areas for improvement, making it easier for you to find the perfect fit for your organization's needs!
â
ClearFeed
ClearFeed is the go-to Slack-based conversational support platform that centralizes and expedites request handling for customer and employee support teams. It lets your team and customers enjoy the benefits of AI and machine learning capabilities and focus on solving problems rather than worrying about technology.
Key Features
1. Work from Triage Channel: ClearFeed enhances agent experience by centralizing customer requests across Slack channels via the Triage channel. It eases assignment, request tracking, and streamlines communication using a đ emoji for efficient internal commenting.
â
Related Read: Learn How ClearFeedâs Triage Channel Centralizes Communication and Request Management
2. Multiple App Integrations: The exceptional attributes of ClearFeed include its bi-directional integration of Slack with Zendesk and Jira software, presenting a seamless experience.
â
Related Read: Learn How ClearFeed Supports Slack Zendesk Integration
It maintains a synchronized status of messages across Zendesk and Slack and enables users to edit Zendesk ticket fields directly from the Slack interface, making it easy for users to work from Slack while collaborating with the broader team there.
Going beyond the limited integrations that Halp offers - ClearFeed also supports flexibility in integration with other tools, including Salesforce Service Cloud, Freshdesk, HubSpot, and GitHub.
â
â
3. Ticket Creation and Task Management in Slack: You can choose between automatic and manual methods for converting requests into tickets. Using the đŤ emoji with a single click, you can easily transform a Slack thread into a ticket. This action can be taken by customers in a Slack Connect channel as well - enabling them to create tickets for the Support team from Slack. Tickets created in this manner are bi-directionally synced with Zendesk (or the ticketing system of choice) and customers are notified of new comments and updates in the ticket status.
4. Knowledge Management with Refined Answers: ClearFeed's Automated Answers delivers AI-powered real-time support on Slack by leveraging public documentation and private wikis.
â
â
The platform offers quick, accurate answers, streamlined workflows, editable pre-response suggestions, and federated search across multiple knowledge sources to increase efficiency and improve response time.
Pricing
ClearFeed provides tailored pricing options to cater to various scenarios:
- For customer support utilizing external Slack Connect channels: Free, Professional, and Enterprise pricing tiers. Free Tier allows 10 channels for free, the Starter pricing tier begins at $40/month (up to 10 Slack Channels) and scales based on the number of channels.
- For an internal helpdesk setup: The pricing model is based on the number of agents, and the Starter tier starts at $24/month/agent allowing 200 requests/agent/month. The usage based pricing fostering a more cooperative helpdesk environment.
Enterprise pricing options allow custom pricing plans for those with high volumes or special needs.
G2 Reviews: 4.9 out of 5
âCustomer Support Experience Differentiator. We reduced friction in supporting our customers and increased efficiencies within the support team by implementing Clearfeed.â
- Tom Walker, Head of Customer Engineering, Chronosphere
ClearFeed makes it easy to replace Halp seamlessly. Here's how.
â
Zendesk
Zendesk is a well-established name in the customer service and ticketing industry. Known for its scalability and robust features, Zendesk also serves as a powerful internal ticketing solution for IT, HR, and other support teams.
Key Features:
- Customizable Ticketing System: Allows teams to tailor workflows, automation, and ticket categorization.
- Omnichannel Support: Integrates seamlessly with email, Slack, social media, and other platforms.
- Analytics and Reporting: Offers in-depth insights to track performance and identify bottlenecks.
- Knowledge Base Creation: Enables teams to build self-help resources for recurring issues.
Pros:
- Highly scalable for teams of all sizes.
- Intuitive interface for both agents and requesters.
- Strong reporting tools for data-driven decisions.
Cons:
- May feel overwhelming for smaller teams.
- Pricing can be steep for startups or SMBs.
Ideal For:
Organizations seeking a comprehensive ticketing system with a wide range of integrations and scalability.
â
Freshdesk
Freshdesk, a product by Freshworks, is another strong alternative to Halp. It excels in simplifying support processes and fostering collaboration among team members.
Key Features:
- Collaborative Ticketing: Allows multiple agents to work on a single ticket with clear visibility.
- Automated Workflows: Streamlines ticket assignments and follow-ups with customizable triggers.
- AI-Powered Features: Freddy AI assists with smart ticket routing and response suggestions.
- Mobile-Friendly: Fully functional mobile app for on-the-go ticket management.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing tiers.
- Easy-to-use interface for quick onboarding.
- Strong AI tools for automation and efficiency.
Cons:
- Limited reporting features compared to larger platforms.
- Some advanced features are locked behind higher pricing tiers.
Ideal For:
Small to medium-sized teams looking for cost-effective, easy-to-implement ticketing solutions.
â
Jira Service Management
Jira Service Management, developed by Atlassian, is a popular choice for IT and DevOps teams. It integrates with the broader Atlassian ecosystem, making it a natural fit for teams already using Jira Software or Confluence.
Key Features:
- ITIL-Ready Service Desk: Offers features like incident, problem, and change management.
- DevOps Integration: Connects seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines for streamlined issue resolution.
- Customizable Portals: Allows teams to create branded, user-friendly help desks.
- Automation Rules: Simplifies repetitive tasks and improves efficiency.
Pros:
- Deep integration with Atlassian tools.
- Flexible pricing models.
- Rich customization options for technical teams.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
- Focused more on IT and technical workflows, less on general team needs.
Ideal For:
Technical teams requiring advanced integrations with development tools and a focus on ITSM practices.
â
Help Scout
Help Scout is designed with simplicity and customer-centricity in mind. While itâs primarily aimed at customer support, its intuitive interface makes it a viable choice for internal ticketing.
Key Features:
- Shared Inbox: Ensures all team members can track, manage, and resolve tickets collaboratively.
- Beacon Widget: Offers instant self-service for common queries.
- Robust Documentation Tools: Helps build and maintain internal knowledge bases.
- Third-Party Integrations: Works with Slack, Jira, and other productivity tools.
Pros:
- Clean and user-friendly interface.
- Affordable for small teams.
- Great for managing email-heavy support environments.
Cons:
- Limited scalability for larger organizations.
- Fewer advanced automation features compared to competitors.
Ideal For:
Teams prioritizing simplicity and email-based ticketing over technical depth.
â
Zoho Desk
Part of the Zoho suite, Zoho Desk offers a smart, context-aware ticketing system with advanced automation capabilities.
Key Features:
- Multi-Channel Support: Handles tickets from email, chat, social media, and web forms.
- AI Assistance: Zia AI provides insights, automated responses, and sentiment analysis.
- Custom Dashboards: Offers visual insights into team performance and ticket trends.
- Integration with Zoho Apps: Syncs effortlessly with Zoho CRM, Projects, and more.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing plans.
- Strong AI capabilities for automation and analytics.
- Seamless integration within the Zoho ecosystem.
Cons:
- Limited integrations outside the Zoho environment.
- Basic plans lack advanced features.
Ideal For:
Businesses already using Zoho products or those seeking an affordable, AI-driven solution.
â
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right support platform is an important decision that can really boost your team's efficiency and keep your customers happy. Each option we've looked at has its own special strengths, like ClearFeedâs easy integration with Slack and Zoho Deskâs helpful AI features.
As you weigh your choices, think about what your team truly needs, how you like to work together, and where you see growth in the future. Remember, the ideal solution isn't necessarily the one packed with the most features; it's the one that fits your organization's support approach and day-to-day operations best. Happy choosing!
Here's a summary of key takeaways:
- Prioritize platforms that integrate well with your existing tech stack
- Consider the balance between AI capabilities and human touch in customer interactions
- Evaluate the scalability of each solution to ensure it can grow with your business
- Don't underestimate the importance of user-friendly interfaces for quick team adoption
- Look for platforms that offer robust analytics to improve your support processes continually
â
FAQs
What factors should I consider when choosing a Halp alternative?
When selecting a Halp alternative, consider your team's size, primary communication channels, required integrations, budget, and specific support needs. Evaluate each platform's strengths in areas like ticket management, AI capabilities, and customization options to find the best fit for your organization.
Are these Halp alternatives suitable for small businesses?
Many of the alternatives discussed offer scalable solutions suitable for small businesses. A platform like ClearFeed provides user-friendly interfaces and essential features at competitive price points. It's crucial to assess your specific needs and growth projections when choosing a platform.