Freshdesk vs Apptivo vs Bigin by Zoho CRM Comparison
Freshdesk
Starting at $15 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Freshdesk is a cloud-based help desk software designed to make customer support easier, more efficient and more effective. Freshdesk answers all customer support needs by making it easy for users to communicate with cust…
Apptivo
Starting at $8 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Apptivo is a web-based and mobile app based CRM that allows you to manage all of your contacts, prospects, opportunities, companies and deals in one single place. Apptivo's smart features can be flexibly configured to as…
Bigin by Zoho CRM
Starting at $7 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Small Business
Bigin by Zoho CRM is a solution for managing business contacts, creating sales opportunities, monitoring the pipeline and recording activities. The solution integrates email, calendar, tasks and more. It can be accessed…
Apptivo leads on user satisfaction with a 4.1-star rating across 145 reviews.
Freshdesk vs Apptivo vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — at a glance
| Feature | Freshdesk | Apptivo | Bigin by Zoho CRM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 5,374 | 145 | 119 |
| Starting price | $15 /User/Month | $8 /User/Month | $7 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Small Business |
| Category | Help Desk Software | CRM Software | CRM Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | Available | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | — | — |
| Data residency | Global | US | Global |
Key differences between Freshdesk and Apptivo
- Pricing: Freshdesk starts at $15 /User/Month, while Apptivo starts at $8 /User/Month.
- User satisfaction: Apptivo scores higher with a 4.1-star average.
- Deployment: Freshdesk supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Apptivo supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare Freshdesk vs Apptivo vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Help Desk Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for streamlined omnichannel customer support in small to mid-sized teams.
- You need unified support across email, social media, and phone channels.
- Your team values real-time collaboration with internal notes and task splitting.
- You operate a small to mid-sized company (10-1,000 employees) seeking easy setup.
- Your organization requires highly customized or complex enterprise workflows.
- You do not need omnichannel support or prefer transparent, flexible pricing.
Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Small Business
Freshdesk typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises. Apptivo tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Freshdesk is a cloud-based help desk software designed to make customer support easier, more efficient and more effective. Freshdesk answers all customer support needs by making it easy for ... Read More about Freshdesk | Apptivo is a web-based and mobile app based CRM that allows you to manage all of your contacts, prospects, opportunities, companies and deals in one single place. Apptivo's smart features ... Read More about Apptivo | Bigin by Zoho CRM is a solution for managing business contacts, creating sales opportunities, monitoring the pipeline and recording activities. The solution integrates email, calendar, ... Read More about Bigin by Zoho CRM |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | |||
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 10-50 employees51-1,000 employees | — | — |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Omnichannel Support: Freshdesk allows teams to manage conversations across email, social media (Twitter, Facebook), phone, and more, all from a single platform.
- Collaborative Ticketing System: Agents can share notes, tag teammates, and split tasks within a ticket, promoting internal collaboration for faster resolutions.
- Context-Rich Customer Communication: Tickets include customer history and context, enabling agents to personalize responses and resolve issues more effectively.
No key benefits available yet.
No key benefits available yet.
Best fit
- 10 – 1,000 Employee
- SaaS, E-commerce, Education, Retail, Healthcare, Logistics
- Customer Support Specialist, IT Helpdesk Technician, Support Manager, Operations Manager, Service Desk Analyst, CRM Administrator
No best-fit guidance available yet.
No best-fit guidance available yet.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- While Freshdesk offers a free plan, essential features like advanced automation, reporting, or multi-language support are gated behind higher-tier subscriptions, which may become expensive for large or growing teams.
- Users looking to implement complex workflows or automation may face a steeper learning curve and require additional configuration time or support.
- Some users report slower load times or occasional system lags during peak usage, which can impact support efficiency.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Freshdesk, Apptivo and Bigin by Zoho CRM Compare on Features?
Total Features | 16 Features | 10 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Freshdesk, Apptivo and Bigin by Zoho CRM on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🇺🇸 US |
Freshdesk vs Apptivo User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyers generally appreciate Freshdesk for its ease of use and omnichannel support but note limitations in advanced customization and pricing transparency. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 164 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 279 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  Pearson  Bridgestone  Kern High School District | No Customers information available. |  Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd  Investacc  Hire |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |  2 Screenshots |
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Videos |  3 Videos |  2 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Freshdesk or Apptivo?
- Apptivo edges out the other on user ratings (4.1 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Freshdesk and Apptivo offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Freshdesk and Apptivo offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Freshdesk vs Apptivo?
- Freshdesk starts at $15 /User/Month. Apptivo starts at $8 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Freshdesk?
- Top alternatives to Freshdesk include Zoho Desk, SeamlessDesk, LiveAgent, HelpDesk, SysAid.
- What are the top alternatives to Apptivo?
- Top alternatives to Apptivo include Bigin by Zoho CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales, Salesforce.