The King of Service: The Top 4 Help Desk Applications

by Endgrate Team 2023-07-13

Taking on the Herculean task of help desk software selection?

Dealing with decision fatigue from staring at a myriad of eerily similar solutions? You're not alone. Here to the rescue are what we consider the four most remarkable help desk applications of 2023.

The Fabulous Four of Help Desk Applications:

For those of you facing an overworked customer support team or fielding more customer complaints than you're comfortably equipped for, it's time to invest in some upgraded gear. The trick lies in knowing exactly what you need, to ensure your customer support software doesn't just add to the chaos.

In choosing the best help applications, we consider the following key:

Checking off the Basics: ensure each app has the foundational elements of ticketing, shared inbox, self-service features like knowledge base, and live chat.
Automation features: choose apps that have outstanding automation capabilities, from simple macros to AI-powered reply assistants.
Quality of Reporting and Analytics: prioritize apps that offer insightful reporting features to identify trends and optimize processes.
Collaborative features: Pick apps with features that facilitate seamless collaboration, like shared inboxes, file sharing, and internal knowledge bases, were crucial.
Integrations: choose help desk software that plays nice with the other tools you use in your business ecosystem.
Value for price: ensure the price tag on these apps is justified by the features offered and the target audience.

With these criteria in mind, here are the chosen four.

Best for customization: Zendesk for Service

Zendesk stood out not just due to its fame but also because of its user-friendly interface, extensive customization possibilities, and granular reporting options. It allows you to customize the knowledge base, chatbot, and reporting while offering support in over 40 languages. Although a bit on the pricier side, the multitude of features justifies its price.

Best for a premium experience: Intercom

Intercom offers a premium, yet pricey, experience. With an advanced yet user-friendly inbox, integrated AI, customizable bots, robust knowledge base, and numerous integrations, Intercom truly offers a stellar customer experience, provided your company can foot the bill.

Best for AI features: Zoho Desk

For an AI-advanced yet affordable solution, Zoho Desk leads the pack. Its AI-powered virtual assistant 'Zia' shines in generating intuitive tags, suggesting relevant knowledge base content, analyzing customer emotions, and flagging unusual tickets. Despite an interface that could use some polish, Zoho Desk's advanced features balance out its minor flaws.

Best for CRM integration: HubSpot Service Hub

HubSpot Service Hub offers a holistic view of customer interactions across all departments. The learning curve might be a bit steep if you're unfamiliar with sales and marketing terminology, but once you get the hang of it, HubSpot delivers incredibly rich customer profiles, leading to a smoother customer experience.

The right help desk software can revolutionize your customer service process, making life easier for both your agents and your customers. So go ahead, pick the one that fits your needs best, and redefine your customer service experience.