Help Scout vs Hiver2026
Help Scout
Customer Support
Simple, human customer support software for growing businesses — shared inbox, live chat, and knowledge base.
Hiver
Customer Support
Helpdesk built inside Gmail — manage shared inboxes without leaving Google Workspace.
Our Verdict
Hiver is the more affordable option.
Choose Help Scout if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Choose Hiver if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Help Scout | Hiver |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $22/mo | $19/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 15 days | 7 days |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Tracked features | 6 | 7 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2011 | 2011 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Help Scout
SubscriptionHiver
SubscriptionHelp Scout
$22/moHiver
$19/moHelp Scout
Hiver
Help Scout
15 daysHiver
7 daysRatings & Reviews
Help Scout
No reviews yetHiver
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Help Scout
small to mid-sized businessesHiver
small to mid-sized businessesHelp Scout
6Hiver
7Company
Help Scout
2011Hiver
2011Help Scout
Hiver
Key Differences
Help Scout
$22/mo
Hiver
✓$19/mo
Help Scout is best for…
Strengths
- Feels human — not like a ticket system
- Shared inbox easy to adopt
- Live chat and knowledge base included
- Good for relationship-driven support
Hiver is best for…
Strengths
- Works entirely inside Gmail
- No new app to learn
- SLA tracking and automation
- Multi-channel support
Pricing Comparison
Help Scout
From $22/mo
Standard plan from $22/user/month billed annually.
Hiver
From $19/mo
Lite plan from $19/user/month billed annually.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in Help Scout
- Knowledge Base
Both tools
- Shared Inbox
- Live Chat
- Workflow Automation
- CSAT Surveys
- API Access
Only in Hiver
- SLA Management
- Omnichannel Support
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Help Scout and Hiver?
- Hiver is the more affordable option. Choose Help Scout if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage. Choose Hiver if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage.
- Is Help Scout cheaper than Hiver?
- Hiver is cheaper at From $19/mo vs From $22/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from Help Scout to Hiver?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Help Scout to Hiver with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. Hiver offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling Help Scout.
- Does Help Scout or Hiver offer a free trial?
- Both Help Scout (15 days) and Hiver (7 days) offer free trials. Try both before committing.