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Help Scout vs Hiver

Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.

Customer support that feels personal.

Help desk inside Gmail.

The verdict

Both Help Scout and Hiver are credible helpdesk tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.

Choose Help Scout if you want a longer free trial (15 days). Customer support that feels personal.

Choose Hiver if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free – $19/user/mo) and a free plan to start on. Help desk inside Gmail.

Help Scout vs Hiver: side by side

DimensionHelp ScoutHiver
Starting priceFrom $50/user/moFree – $19/user/moWinner
Free planNoYesWinner
Free trial15 daysWinner7 days
Pricing modelSubscriptionSubscription
Best forSmb, SaasSmb, Google Workspace Users
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, Ios, Android
Rating4.4/54.6/5

Help Scout key facts

Vendor
Help Scout
Pricing
Subscription — From $50/user/mo
Free tier
Free trial (15 days)
Platforms
Web, Ios, Android, Api
Best for
Smb, Saas
Editor rating
4.4 / 5
Founded
2011
Headquarters
Boston, MA, USA

Hiver key facts

Vendor
Hiver
Pricing
Subscription — Free – $19/user/mo
Free tier
Yes
Platforms
Web, Ios, Android
Best for
Smb, Google Workspace Users
Editor rating
4.6 / 5
Founded
2011
Headquarters
San Jose, CA, USA

Frequently asked questions

Is Help Scout better than Hiver?

Neither is universally better — Hiver edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.

Is Help Scout or Hiver cheaper?

Hiver is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $19/user/mo. Help Scout starts at from $50/user/mo; Hiver starts at free – $19/user/mo.

Can Help Scout replace Hiver?

Yes for most teams — both are helpdesk tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.