Help Scout vs Missive
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Customer support that feels personal.
The verdict
Both Help Scout and Missive 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 Missive if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free – $14/user/mo), a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Shared inbox and team email.
Help Scout vs Missive: side by side
| Dimension | Help Scout | Missive |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $50/user/mo | Free – $14/user/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Free trial | 15 daysWinner | — |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Best for | Smb, Saas | Small Teams, Support Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, Api | Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5Winner |
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
Missive key facts
- Vendor
- Missive
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $14/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Small Teams, Support Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Quebec City, Canada
Frequently asked questions
Is Help Scout better than Missive?
Neither is universally better — Missive 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 Missive cheaper?
Missive is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $14/user/mo. Help Scout starts at from $50/user/mo; Missive starts at free – $14/user/mo.
Can Help Scout replace Missive?
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.