This is the most common comparison in helpdesk software. Both platforms can do almost everything. The differences come down to pricing structure, interface preferences, and which ecosystem you want to bet on.
The Verdict
Zendesk wins on depth and ecosystem. Freshdesk wins on price and initial simplicity. Neither is cheap once you need the features that actually matter. If you are a smaller team, consider whether you need either of these or if a leaner tool like Help Scout or FyneDesk would save you both money and complexity. FyneDesk publishes direct comparisons against both Zendesk and Freshdesk on their site.