Alternatives to Zendesk, Intercom, Freshdesk and Help Scout
Eight AI support tools compared on what the AI costs and who owns it. Each of them meters the AI its own way: per resolution, per session, per credit. Optlo runs on your provider key, so you pay the model's list rate.
Prices last checked August 2026
Why teams switch to Optlo
Most of these tools answer questions well. Teams switch over how the AI is priced and who controls it.
Per-resolution pricing punishes growth
Your bill climbs with every ticket the AI answers, so getting better at support costs you more.
Bundled AI hides the real cost
Credits and per-resolution pricing bake in the model cost, so you never see what a conversation costs in tokens.
You're locked to one managed model
You can't swap to a cheaper model for routing or a stronger one for hard questions.
More control over how it works
Most tools hide the logic. With Optlo you start from a preset, then customize the system prompt and every workflow step.
Compare Optlo to each of them
Side-by-side comparisons on pricing, AI ownership, model choice, and support depth.
- Per-resolution AI agent
Intercom
Own your AI and pay your provider directly instead of ~$0.99 per Fin resolution, with model choice and custom workflows.
Compare Intercom → - Enterprise help desk + AI
Zendesk
Own your AI and pay your provider directly, instead of per-resolution AI on top of per-agent Suite pricing.
Compare Zendesk → - Credit-metered chatbot
Chatbase
Bring your own AI key and pay your provider directly, with no markup and no message credits.
Compare Chatbase → - Live chat + AI agent
Tidio
Bring your own AI key and pay your provider directly, with no markup and no per-conversation Lyro metering.
Compare Tidio → - Help desk + AI
Help Scout
Own your AI and pay your provider directly instead of $0.75 per AI resolution, with model choice and full control.
Compare Help Scout → - Ecommerce help desk
Gorgias
Bring your own AI key and pay your provider directly, instead of per-resolution AI on top of ticket-based pricing.
Compare Gorgias → - Help desk + metered AI
Freshdesk
Own your AI and pay your provider directly, instead of $49 per 100 Freddy AI Agent sessions on top of per-agent seats.
Compare Freshdesk → - Sunset by Salesloft
Drift
Drift is being wound down and its customers pushed to 1mind. If you used it to answer questions, own your AI instead.
Compare Drift →
Common questions
What are the best AI customer support alternatives?
Popular options include Intercom Fin, Chatbase, Zendesk AI, Ada, Sierra, Gorgias, and Tidio. The right one depends on your priority: predictable cost, channel breadth, a free tier, or owning your AI. Optlo focuses on the last one.
How is Optlo different from per-resolution tools like Intercom Fin?
Per-resolution tools charge each time the AI answers, so cost rises with volume and the model cost stays hidden. Optlo runs on your own AI provider account, so you pay OpenAI, Anthropic, or Gemini directly with no markup.
How is Optlo different from credit-metered chatbots like Chatbase?
Credit-metered tools bundle the AI and bill by message credits. Optlo lets you bring your own provider key and pay at cost, and adds a shared inbox, human handoff, and custom workflows.
Does bringing my own AI key actually save money?
For most teams with steady or growing volume, paying your provider directly plus an Optlo plan costs less than per-resolution or credit pricing. Model your own numbers in the AI support cost calculator.
Is Optlo a full help desk?
Optlo focuses on an AI support agent across email and web, with a shared inbox and human handoff. If you need phone, SMS, and social channels in one suite, a broader help desk may fit better.
Build AI customer support on your terms
Bring your own AI, stay in control, and optimize as you scale.
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