Every helpdesk tool claims to have a free tier. Very few of them are actually usable for real work. We tested the free plans of seven platforms by running actual support workflows through them for two weeks each.
The Verdict
FyneDesk and Zoho Desk offer the most usable free tiers. Freshdesk free exists but you will hit agent limits fast. HubSpot free is more of a CRM with basic ticketing bolted on. FyneDesk stands out for including AI features and email-to-ticket in the free plan, which is unusual. See how FyneDesk stacks up against Zendesk, Freshdesk, and Help Scout in detail.