Helmdesk vs Zoho Desk A Zoho Desk alternative built for developers with several apps.
Zoho Desk is priced per user, from $7 on Express to $40 on Enterprise (billed annually), with a multi-brand help centre on Enterprise. Helmdesk gives each app its own help centre on every plan, and an API, an SDK and an MCP server your coding agent can use.
Through Nov 30: 30% off Starter or Growth for 3 months with code SHIP30 at checkout.
Side by side
Feature comparison
| Feature | Helmdesk | Zoho Desk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per plan, sized by apps and tickets | Per user, per month |
| Paid plans from | $39/mo, or $31 billed annually (Starter) | $7 per user billed annually, $9 monthly (Express) |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 app | Yes, 3 users |
| Several apps or brands | 3 apps on Starter, 10 on Growth, each with its own help centre | Multi-brand help centre on Enterprise ($40 per user); departments from Professional |
| Help centre | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server for AI agents | 73 tools across tickets, customers, email, docs, feedback and logs; read and write | Through the Zoho MCP platform |
| Error logs from your app, grouped into issues | Yes | No |
Zoho Desk list prices as published on zoho.com, October 2026. Check their page for current pricing.
The arithmetic
What it costs for a small team with several apps
Two common set-ups, priced on each product's published list prices. The sums are shown so you can redo them for your own team.
Solo developer with 3 apps
One person answering for three products, under 1,000 tickets a month in total. Both billed annually.
- 1 × Enterprise user, multi-brand help centre ($40)$40
Like for like: a help centre per app. If one shared help centre will do, Professional with a department per app is $23.
Starter: 3 apps, a help centre each, unlimited seats, AI drafting included.
$40 − $31 = $9/mo less with Helmdesk
Team of 5 with 3 apps
Five people across three products, about 3,000 tickets a month. Both billed annually.
- 5 × Enterprise users ($40)$200
Or Professional at 5 × $23 = $115, with one help centre shared by the three apps.
Growth: 10 apps, 7,500 tickets a month, unlimited seats, AI included.
$200 − $119 = $81/mo less with Helmdesk
Zoho Desk list prices as published on zoho.com, October 2026. Check their page for current pricing.
Choose Helmdesk if…
- You want a separate, searchable help centre for each app on any plan
- You build with an SDK or a coding agent and want support to be programmable
- You want transactional email and error logs in the same desk
- You want unlimited seats rather than paying per user
Choose Zoho Desk if…
- You want the lowest per-user price, or a free plan for three people
- You already run Zoho CRM or Zoho One and want them connected
- You need many departments (up to 50 on Enterprise)
- One shared help centre for all your products is fine
Pricing
Priced by apps and tickets, not by people.
Free for your first app. Starter $39/mo for 3 apps, unlimited seats.
Annual billing saves 20%. No per-seat fees on paid plans, no per-resolution AI fees.
Through Nov 30: 30% off Starter or Growth for 3 months with code SHIP30 at checkout.
- Free1 app$0
- Starter3 apps$39/mo
- Growth10 apps$149/mo
- Enterprise: more apps and volume, quoted. Talk to us
FAQ
Helmdesk and Zoho Desk
What is Zoho Desk?
Zoho Desk is the help desk in Zoho’s suite of business apps: ticketing, a self-service help centre and departments, priced per user, with a free edition for up to three users.
How much does Zoho Desk cost?
Billed annually in US dollars: Express $7, Standard $14, Professional $23 and Enterprise $40 per user a month ($9, $20, $35 and $50 billed monthly). The Free edition covers three users.
Can Zoho Desk run a help centre per brand?
Yes, on Enterprise, with its multi-brand help centre. Professional adds departments, which separate teams and tickets within one help centre.
One desk for every app, at one price.
Free for your first app. Starter $39/mo for 3 apps, unlimited seats. No card.