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Savena

8 best Intercom alternatives in 2026

Last updated 2026-10-28 · Written by the Savena team. Savena is our product, and it is listed first; every other entry is described from the vendor's own pricing and feature pages.

Intercom is one of the most capable support platforms available, and Fin is one of the best-known AI agents. Teams usually look at its competitors because of how the bill adds up: seats, Fin outcomes and per-message channels are all charged separately. Ecommerce teams also find that Intercom was built for software companies first.

Below are eight alternatives, with prices from each vendor's pricing page as of October 2026.

Why teams look for a Intercom alternative

  • Seats are from $29 a month on Essential, $85 on Advanced and $132 on Expert.
  • Fin is billed at $0.99 per outcome on top of the seat price.
  • WhatsApp, SMS and phone are billed by usage.
  • In-app messaging and product tours are built for software products; an online store may not use them.

At a glance

ToolBest forPricing modelStarts at
SavenaShopify stores that want the AI to act on the order, not just answer about itFlat platform fee + per AI resolution$99/mo
ZendeskLarger or multi-brand teams that need enterprise workflowsPer agent$55 per agent/mo (annual)
Help ScoutEmail-first teams that want a simple, human-feeling shared inboxPer userFree; paid from $25 per user/mo
FreshdeskTeams that want a broad helpdesk at a low per-agent pricePer agent$19 per agent/mo (annual)
CrispSmall teams that want flat-priced multichannel chatFlat per workspaceFree; paid from $45/mo
GorgiasShopify brands that want an ecommerce helpdesk with order actions for agentsPer ticket$10/mo (50 tickets)
ChatwootTeams that want open source or to self-hostPer agent (or self-hosted)Free; paid from $19 per agent/mo
TidioSmall stores that want free or low-cost live chat with an AI chatbotConversation volume, plus separate AI and Flows usageFree; paid from $29/mo

1. SavenaOur product

Best for: Shopify stores that want the AI to act on the order, not just answer about it

Savena is a unified support inbox with an AI agent that reads the live Shopify order and makes the change the customer asks for: it cancels orders, edits the shipping address before the order ships, and adds, removes or swaps items, after verifying the customer with a one-time code. You choose which actions it is allowed to take; anything else goes to your team with the conversation and a short brief attached.

Pricing
$99/month including 3 team members ($25/month each after), unlimited conversations, plus $0.99 for each conversation the AI resolves on its own. 21-day free trial.
AI
Included in the platform; billed $0.99 only when the AI resolves a conversation without a human. Handoffs cost nothing.
Channels
Email, live chat widget, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs and comments, Facebook Messenger
Shopify
Order lookup and tracking, cancellations, address and item edits, and capped discount codes, each switched on per store

Strengths

  • The AI takes the action in Shopify instead of drafting a reply for an agent to carry out.
  • Every write is gated: a one-time code to the email on the order, plus a confirmation step.
  • Conversations are unlimited; you pay for AI outcomes, not ticket volume.
  • Stripe integration for refunds and subscription changes in the same inbox.

Limitations

  • Refunds on Shopify orders are handed to a person rather than issued by the AI.
  • No SMS or phone channel.
  • No importer for past tickets from another helpdesk; history stays in the old tool.
  • No permanently free plan.

2. Zendesk

Best for: Larger or multi-brand teams that need enterprise workflows

Zendesk Suite is the most widely used enterprise helpdesk, with mature ticketing, SLAs, reporting and a large app marketplace. It is priced per agent, with AI resolutions and some channels billed on top.

Pricing
Suite Team $55 per agent/month billed annually ($69 monthly); Suite Professional $115 ($149 monthly).
AI
5 or 10 automated resolutions per agent per month included; then $1.50–$2.00 each. Copilot is $50 per agent/month.
Channels
Email, chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook; voice and SMS as add-ons
Shopify
Through marketplace apps

Strengths

  • Mature ticketing, SLAs and reporting.
  • Large marketplace of integrations.

Limitations

  • Per-agent price plus resolution fees and channel add-ons.
  • Heavier to set up than ecommerce-specific tools.

Savena vs Zendesk

3. Help Scout

Best for: Email-first teams that want a simple, human-feeling shared inbox

Help Scout is a shared inbox and help center known for being easy to use. It added chat, messaging channels and per-resolution AI, and its Shopify integration lets agents refund, cancel, edit and duplicate recent orders from the sidebar.

Pricing
Free (5 users, 100 contacts a month); Standard $25, Plus $45, Pro $75 per user/month. Annual billing saves 16%.
AI
$0.75 per resolution.
Channels
Email, live chat, SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger (from Standard)
Shopify
Agents refund, cancel, edit and duplicate recent orders

Strengths

  • Easy to learn, with a built-in help center.
  • Lowest per-resolution AI price on this list.

Limitations

  • No native voice.
  • Less ecommerce-specific automation than Shopify-first tools.

4. Freshdesk

Best for: Teams that want a broad helpdesk at a low per-agent price

Freshdesk is a full helpdesk with ticketing, automations and the Freddy AI agent. Its official Shopify app lets agents cancel orders before fulfillment and issue full or partial refunds, once an admin enables them.

Pricing
Growth $19, Pro $55, Enterprise $89 per agent/month billed annually; Freshdesk Omni from $29.
AI
Freddy AI Agent includes 500 sessions; more are $49 per 100 sessions.
Channels
Email, portal, chat and messaging (Omni plans)
Shopify
Agents cancel before fulfillment and refund

Strengths

  • Low per-agent entry price.
  • Mature ticketing and automation.

Limitations

  • AI is billed per session, not per resolution.

5. Crisp

Best for: Small teams that want flat-priced multichannel chat

Crisp sells flat per-workspace plans with a set number of seats, and covers an unusually wide range of messaging channels. AI is sold as credits included with each paid plan.

Pricing
Free (2 seats), Mini $45 (4 seats), Essentials $95 (10 seats), Plus $295 (20+ seats) per month; extra agents $10/month.
AI
AI credits: about 90 conversations on Mini, 450 on Essentials, 1,350 on Plus. None on Free.
Channels
Chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, SMS, phone, Telegram, LINE, Viber
Shopify
Shows orders, cart and tracking in the conversation

Strengths

  • Flat price per workspace, not per seat.
  • Very wide channel coverage.

Limitations

  • The omnichannel inbox and meaningful AI volume start on Essentials ($95/month).
  • Shopify support is mainly for viewing orders.

Savena vs Crisp

6. Gorgias

Best for: Shopify brands that want an ecommerce helpdesk with order actions for agents

Gorgias is the best-known Shopify helpdesk. Agents can edit, refund and cancel orders inside the ticket, and the AI Agent automates common questions. Pricing follows ticket volume, so it suits stores with modest volume and grows with them.

Pricing
Starter $10 (50 tickets), Basic $60 (300), Pro $360 (2,000), Advanced $900 (5,000) per month; overage $0.36–$0.40 per ticket.
AI
$0.90–$1.00 per automated interaction, and each one also counts as a ticket.
Channels
Email, chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok Shop; SMS and voice as paid add-ons
Shopify
Agents edit, refund and cancel orders inside the ticket

Strengths

  • Deep, long-standing Shopify integration.
  • SMS and voice available in the same helpdesk.
  • Very low entry price for small stores.

Limitations

  • Cost grows with ticket volume, and AI is billed on top.
  • Voice and SMS cost extra on every plan.

Savena vs Gorgias

7. Chatwoot

Best for: Teams that want open source or to self-host

Chatwoot is an open-source omnichannel inbox you can self-host or use as a cloud service. Its Captain AI runs on credits included with each plan.

Pricing
Hacker free (2 agents, chat only); Startups $19, Business $39, Enterprise $99 per agent/month.
AI
Captain AI: 300–800 credits included; extra credits $20 per 1,000.
Channels
Email, chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger; voice on Business and up
Shopify
Order lookup

Strengths

  • Open source, with full control over your data when self-hosted.
  • Low per-agent price.

Limitations

  • Shopify integration is for looking orders up, not changing them.

Savena vs Chatwoot

8. Tidio

Best for: Small stores that want free or low-cost live chat with an AI chatbot

Tidio is a live chat and chatbot tool with a free plan and the Lyro AI add-on. It is quick to install on Shopify, and agents can cancel unfulfilled orders and issue refunds from the chat panel.

Pricing
Free plan for 50 conversations a month; Starter $29/month ($24.17 billed annually); Growth from $49.17; Plus from $300.
AI
Lyro add-on from $32.50/month for 50 AI conversations.
Channels
Live chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger
Shopify
Agents cancel unfulfilled orders and refund from the chat panel; Lyro looks up order status

Strengths

  • Permanently free plan.
  • Fast to set up on a Shopify store.

Limitations

  • Conversations, Lyro AI and Flows are metered separately.
  • Plans below Plus are capped at 10 seats.

Savena vs Tidio

How to choose a Intercom alternative

  • Decide what you used Intercom for. If you rely on in-app messages and product tours, few tools here replace them. If Intercom is mainly your support inbox and AI agent, every tool on this list covers that.
  • Compare how the AI is billed. Per resolution or outcome (Intercom, Savena, Help Scout), an allowance per agent and then per resolution (Zendesk), sessions (Freshdesk), credits (Crisp, Chatwoot), an add-on priced by AI conversations (Tidio), or per automated interaction (Gorgias). Price your real AI volume on each.
  • Count the seats you will pay for. Zendesk, Help Scout, Freshdesk and Chatwoot charge per agent, like Intercom. Crisp charges per workspace, Gorgias by ticket volume, and Savena a flat platform fee that includes a few team members.
  • Check who acts on the order. For a Shopify store: Intercom, Gorgias, Help Scout and Freshdesk let agents change orders from the conversation. Savena's AI makes the change itself, within the actions you switch on.

Read the full Savena vs Intercom comparison

Frequently asked questions

Who are Intercom's main competitors?

Zendesk is the closest competitor for larger teams. Help Scout and Freshdesk compete on a lower price per agent, Crisp and Chatwoot on chat-first support at a flat or low price, and Gorgias and Savena on ecommerce support for Shopify stores.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Intercom?

Freshdesk starts at $19 per agent a month billed annually, Chatwoot at $19 per agent, Help Scout at $25 per user, and Crisp is $95 a month for 10 seats. Savena is $99/month including 3 team members ($25 for each extra member), with unlimited conversations and $0.99 per conversation the AI resolves on its own.

What is the best Intercom alternative for ecommerce?

Gorgias if you want an established Shopify helpdesk where agents act on orders; Savena if you want the AI to cancel orders, edit addresses before shipping and change items itself, after verifying the customer.

Which Intercom alternative has an AI agent like Fin?

Zendesk, Help Scout, Freshdesk, Gorgias, Crisp, Chatwoot, Tidio and Savena all include an AI agent. They differ in how it is billed and in what it can do beyond answering questions.

Can I bring my conversation history from Intercom?

It depends on the tool you move to. Savena does not import past conversations, so most teams keep Intercom open read-only while existing conversations close out.

Try Savena on your own store

Connect Shopify and your channels, switch on the actions you want the AI to take, and see what it resolves before you pay for anything.

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Other alternatives guides

Gorgias alternativesTidio alternativesRe:amaze alternativesCrisp alternatives

Key terms

AI agentHuman handoffOmnichannel customer service