Zendesk is a specialized customer support platform excelling in ticketing and omnichannel support, while HubSpot is an all-in-one CRM with integrated sales, marketing, and service tools. Zendesk costs $55-$165/month per agent for support alone, whereas HubSpot's Service Hub starts at $50/month with CRM bundled, making HubSpot better for businesses needing integrated tools and Zendesk superior for enterprises prioritizing advanced support features.
Zendesk vs HubSpot — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Multi-channel customer service platform with ticketing, live chat, and extensive integrations.
All-in-one CRM platform combining sales, marketing, service, and customer operations.
Primary Function. Starting Price (Monthly). Omnichannel Support Channels. AI-Powered Features. Knowledge Base Capability. Sales Pipeline Integration. Implementation Time
Choose Zendesk if you need world-class customer support infrastructure, advanced ticketing workflows, omnichannel excellence, and have complex support operations that justify specialized tooling. Choose HubSpot if you're a small-to-mid-market business needing an integrated platform combining sales, marketing, and service without managing multiple vendor relationships, or if you want lower total cost of ownership with bundled functionality.
Zendesk: 700 requests/min | HubSpot: 500 calls/15 sec (43,200/day)
Zendesk: 30 days | HubSpot: 14 days (with free tier option)
Zendesk: Advanced predictive, sentiment analysis, auto-routing | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: $19 (Suite Team) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: 1000+ integrations | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: iOS & Android available | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: SOC 2, GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, FedRAMP | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: 20+ years optimized | HubSpot: 10+ years in service
Zendesk: Add-on only | HubSpot: Included standard
Zendesk: 100 requests/min | HubSpot: 120 requests/min
Zendesk: 4.6/5 (28K reviews) | HubSpot: 4.7/5 (42K reviews)
Zendesk: Answer Bot (30% deflection) | HubSpot: ChatSpot (25% deflection)
Zendesk: 150+ languages | HubSpot: 55+ languages
Zendesk: Advanced (predictive analytics, intent detection, ticket routing) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: 6+ (email, chat, phone, social, SMS, WhatsApp) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: Add-on only ($50+/month) | HubSpot: Yes (basic conversational)
Zendesk: Basic (additional $50/month for Zendesk AI) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: iOS & Android full-featured | HubSpot: iOS and Android
Zendesk: Einstein AI with predictive routing, sentiment analysis, automated responses | HubSpot: Predictive lead scoring, AI chatbots, email insights
Zendesk: 7 (email, chat, phone, SMS, social, messaging, video) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: Zendesk AI (advanced, ticket summarization, routing) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: 4.5/5 (5,800+ reviews) | HubSpot: 4.4 stars (7,200 reviews)
Knowledge Base Articles (Typical Mid-Plan)
Zendesk: Predictive analytics, sentiment analysis, AI routing, 30% CSAT improvement | HubSpot: ChatSpot AI (content generation, workflow automation, analysis)
Zendesk: 4.4/5 (12,700 reviews) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: 45% (Answer Bot) | HubSpot: N/A
Monthly Cost Per Agent/User (Entry Level)
Monthly Cost Per Agent/User (Professional Tier)
Zendesk: 8+ channels | HubSpot: 5 channels
Zendesk: 1,000+ via Zendesk & Zapier | HubSpot: 1,200+ native & app partners
Zendesk: Generative AI with predictive analytics | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: $280 ($11 per agent) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: Intermediate (Answer Bot) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: Unlimited (1000+) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: No (requires third-party apps) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: 8 minutes (without AI enabled) | HubSpot: N/A
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: All tiers (Breeze)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Full suite (email, automation, journeys)
Monthly Cost (50-person team, full suite)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 15 million (unlimited practical)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Comprehensive (email, lead scoring, workflows, forms, landing pages)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes (Service Hub)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Functional (secondary focus)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Activity logging available
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: UI Extensions, expanded API capabilities, object settings navigation
Starting Price (per user/month, billed annually)
Professional Tier Price (per user/month)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: High - requires training
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 6+ (CRM, Marketing, Sales, Service, Content, Operations)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Good secondary feature
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 14-day free trial
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 4 (Sales, Marketing, Service, CMS)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Nearly identical ratings
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Unlimited contacts
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Advanced (complex logic, unlimited sequences, lead scoring)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes, full CRM suite included
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes (drag-and-drop, mobile-responsive, A/B testing)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes (available but less prominent)
Contact List Size Limit (Standard Pricing)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Unlimited growth with pro-rated pricing
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 2,000 emails/month
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Native unified CRM
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Advanced behavioral & predictive scoring
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Email, SMS, social, landing pages, ads
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Complex multi-step workflows with conditions
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Steep (comprehensive platform)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 13 new features + 86 enhancements (Spring 2026)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 3 (email, chat, phone only)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes (1 user, 5 contacts)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Separate add-on ($45/month)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Native HubSpot Chatbot
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 300+ requests/sec (Enterprise)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Unlimited (Professional+)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Comprehensive iOS/Android apps
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Basic predictive content
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: HubSpot Starter at $20
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: HubSpot Professional at $50
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Dedicated ecosystem integration
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: HubSpot AI - advanced automation and predictive
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Third-party integrations required
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 4.7/5 - intuitive interface
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Good option - established in India
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes (via add-on)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Third-party Integration
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1 to 1000+ people
Professional/Standard Plan Monthly Price
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Native full CRM platform
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Unlimited with visual builder
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Mid-market to enterprise
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Chatspot add-on; requires manual training and configuration
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Native with A/B testing, sequences, and workflows
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Deal pipelines, team pipeline visibility, activity feeds
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: $120/month base (not per-agent)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 3 channels (email, chat, ticketing)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Full (360° CRM with pipelines, deals, forecasting)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes (email sequences, workflows, forms, landing pages)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1000+ integrations
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1,000,000+ (Enterprise)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Full-featured automation
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 5/10 (Basic rules-based)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 3,000+ certification courses
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Full pipeline with forecasting
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Basic (secondary feature)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: $50 (Marketing Hub Starter)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Limited (50 rules in Standard tier)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Third-party connector (2-4 hr delays)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 74% (Predictive Lead Scoring)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Month-to-month available
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: No (enterprise add-on only)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes, paid add-on ($600/month minimum)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Advanced with forecasting and stages
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Predictive AI-powered scoring
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Unlimited users (freemium model)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: No (requires CallRail $50-300/month)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1.4 million (free tier only)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 4.4/5 (3,800 reviews)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 3 (free tier) / Unlimited (paid)
CRM Contact Storage Limit (Free/Entry Tier)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 5 (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, TikTok)
AI Sentiment Analysis / Social Listening
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Basic keyword monitoring only
Team Members Supported (Free/Standard Tier)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Unlimited on free tier
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: $800 (Marketing Hub Pro)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1,000 contact limit (capped)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1,000+ integrations
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Moderate (workflows, limited coding)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: No, third-party integration required
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Full suite with workflows, landing pages, forms
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 400+ integrations
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes, unlimited users
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 3+ (Phone, Chat, Email, Academy)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Full CRM with pipeline, deals, tasks, and analytics
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 10-1000+ (growing to enterprise)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Copilot AI, content generation, predictive scoring
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Full marketing automation with workflows
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Higher tiers only
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Contact management, deal pipelines, activity tracking, custom fields, lead scoring
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Phone calling, meeting scheduling, document tracking, forecasting, sequences
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Limited automations; multi-step workflows in paid tiers
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: $50-$120 (varies by tier)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 2 users (Starter tier)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Limited per tier (1,000-10,000)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: No, requires Sales Hub Professional ($100+/user)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Included in Marketing Hub tiers
Starting Monthly Price (Single User/Starter Tier)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Available, requires separate setup
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Full suite with A/B testing and workflows
Price for 10-Person Support Team (Annual)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: $540/year (Starter) or $9,600+ (Professional)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Free CRM tier with limited features
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: $45/month (Starter plan, up to 2 users)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Free tier included (unlimited contacts)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Gmail, Outlook, web interface, Apple Mail
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Intermediate (predictive in Enterprise tier)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1,000+ templates
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Via third-party integration only
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 200,000+ customers
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1,000,000 contacts
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 4.6/5 (45,000 reviews)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes - email campaigns, workflows, landing pages, ads
Customer Support Response Time (Paid Plans)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 1-24 hours depending on plan
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 8 (deals, pipelines, scoring, etc)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: 168 (24/7 phone, chat, email)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes (up to 3 users)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Limited on Starter tier
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Advanced (unlimited workflows)
Zendesk: N/A | HubSpot: Yes (with AI predictive scoring)
How to choose between Zendesk and HubSpot
Zendesk vs HubSpot — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Zendesk vs HubSpot. Contains 308 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Zendesk vs HubSpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Zendesk vs HubSpot.
HubSpot is typically better for startups because it offers a free CRM tier, faster implementation (2-4 weeks vs 4-8), integrated sales/marketing/service tools eliminating the need to manage multiple platforms, and a lower barrier to entry at $50/month. Zendesk is better only if your startup's core value depends on exceptional support quality and omnichannel capabilities.
How much will I spend annually with 20 support agents?
Zendesk Team plan (entry level): 20 agents × $55/month × 12 = $13,200/year. HubSpot Service Hub Starter: $50/month base + ~$50-80/month for 20 seats = approximately $7,200-10,800/year. HubSpot is 30-45% cheaper for this scenario, though Zendesk Professional tier with dedicated support may offer better features for high-volume teams.
Yes. HubSpot Service Hub can be used standalone for customer support without accessing CRM functionality, but you'll still have access to contact records. However, you cannot use just the sales or marketing tools separately without the CRM foundation—they're bundled products.
No. Zendesk focuses exclusively on customer support and service. To add sales pipeline management, you must purchase Zendesk Sell as a separate product at $25-65/month per user, essentially creating a multi-vendor technology stack. HubSpot includes sales, marketing, and service in one integrated platform.
Which has better AI and automation capabilities?
Both offer AI, but differently: Zendesk AI excels at support-specific tasks (sentiment analysis, auto-routing, ticket summarization). HubSpot AI focuses on lead scoring, content generation, and sales forecasting. For customer support automation, Zendesk is stronger. For sales pipeline prediction and marketing automation, HubSpot is superior. Choice depends on where you need AI most.
How to Choose Between Zendesk and HubSpot
Primary Function: Zendesk has Dedicated customer support & ticketing platform, while HubSpot has All-in-one CRM with integrated sales, marketing & service.
Starting Price (Monthly): Zendesk has $55 per agent (Team plan), while HubSpot has $50 per user (Starter CRM + free Service Hub).
Omnichannel Support Channels: Zendesk has 8+ channels (email, chat, phone, social, messaging apps), while HubSpot has 5 channels (email, chat, phone, social, ticketing).
AI-Powered Features: Zendesk has Zendesk AI with sentiment analysis & auto-routing, while HubSpot has HubSpot AI with content generation & predictive lead scoring.
Knowledge Base Capability: Zendesk has Advanced self-service with AI-powered article recommendations, while HubSpot has Basic knowledge base, focuses more on internal documentation.
Sales Pipeline Integration: Zendesk has Requires Zendesk Sell (separate product, additional cost), while HubSpot has Native sales CRM fully integrated with support & marketing.
Implementation Time: Zendesk has 4-8 weeks for enterprise deployments, while HubSpot has 2-4 weeks, faster onboarding for SMBs.