Freshdesk vs Gorgias: Which Customer Support Tool Is Better in 2026?

Freshdesk

From $15

Gorgias

From $50

Quick verdict

Overall pick: Tie

Pick Freshdesk if you are a budget-conscious team or small business that wants a free tier and per-seat pricing starting at $15, with every listed feature included. Pick Gorgias if you run a Shopify or BigCommerce store and prefer a flat starting price of $50 over per-seat billing, accepting that there is no free plan. Feature coverage is identical across the eight compared capabilities, so the decision comes down to pricing model and e-commerce fit.

Freshdesk's entry plan ($15) is 70% cheaper than Gorgias's ($50).
Freshdesk charges per user while Gorgias uses a flat price, so Gorgias gets relatively cheaper as your team grows.
Freshdesk has a free plan; Gorgias does not.
They cover the same 8 of 8 core features we track, so price and UX decide.

Try Freshdesk →Try Gorgias →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
Freshdesk · per user	$75.00	$900
Gorgias · flat	$50.00	$600

Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.

Which one should you choose?

If you need…	Pick	Why
Small business testing helpdesk software with no budget	Freshdesk	Freshdesk offers a free plan; Gorgias does not.
Team that wants to add seats cheaply	Freshdesk	Freshdesk bills per seat starting at $15, while Gorgias starts at a $50 flat price.
Shopify or BigCommerce store wanting an e-commerce-focused helpdesk	Gorgias	Gorgias is positioned as an all-in-one e-commerce helpdesk built natively for Shopify and BigCommerce.
Buyer who prefers flat pricing over per-seat billing	Gorgias	Gorgias uses flat billing; Freshdesk bills per seat.
Buyer comparing feature checklists	Tie	Both tools include all eight compared features: live chat, AI bot, shared inbox, ticketing, knowledge base, voice, customer history, and API.

Feature comparison: Freshdesk vs Gorgias

Feature	Freshdesk	Gorgias
Free plan	✅	❌
Starting price	$15 /user/mo	$50 /mo
Real-time live chat widget	✅	✅
AI agent / automated chatbot resolution	✅	✅
Omnichannel shared team inbox	✅	✅
SLA-based ticketing system	✅	✅
Self-service help center / FAQ	✅	✅
Built-in voice telephony & call center	✅	✅
Full customer timeline & context	✅	✅
Public REST API & webhooks	✅	✅

Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.

Pros and cons

Freshdesk

Free plan available, lowering the cost of getting started.
Per-seat pricing starting at $15, which suits budget-conscious teams.
All eight compared features included, from live chat and AI bot to voice and API.
Founded in 2010, giving it a longer operating history than Gorgias.

Per-seat billing means costs scale with team size.
No stated native e-commerce platform focus comparable to Gorgias's Shopify and BigCommerce positioning.

Try Freshdesk →

Gorgias

Flat billing starting at $50, an alternative to per-seat pricing.
Positioned specifically for e-commerce, with native Shopify and BigCommerce support.
All eight compared features included, matching Freshdesk's coverage.
Targets Shopify stores and e-commerce customer service as its best-fit use cases.

No free plan, so evaluation requires a paid commitment.
Starting price of $50 is higher than Freshdesk's $15 starting price.
Founded in 2015, a shorter operating history than Freshdesk.

Try Gorgias →

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At a glance

Freshdesk

Affordable omnichannel customer support software with free tier.

Founded 2010 · From $15 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: budget-conscious teams, small businesses

See Freshdesk alternatives →

Gorgias

The all-in-one e-commerce helpdesk built natively for Shopify and BigCommerce.

Founded 2015 · From $50 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: Shopify stores, e-commerce customer service

See Gorgias alternatives →

FAQ

Is Freshdesk cheaper than Gorgias?

Freshdesk starts at $15 per seat and offers a free plan; Gorgias starts at a $50 flat price with no free plan. For a single seat, Freshdesk's starting price is lower, but the models differ: per-seat versus flat.

Do Freshdesk and Gorgias have the same features?

Yes, based on the compared list: both include live chat, AI bot, shared inbox, ticketing, knowledge base, voice telephony, customer history, and API.

Which tool is better for Shopify stores?

Gorgias, which is positioned as an all-in-one e-commerce helpdesk built natively for Shopify and BigCommerce. Freshdesk's stated best-fit audiences are budget-conscious teams and small businesses.

Does either tool offer a free plan?

Freshdesk offers a free plan. Gorgias does not.

How does billing differ between the two?

Freshdesk bills per seat starting at $15. Gorgias uses flat billing starting at $50.

Related comparisons

Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Customer Support tools →