Introduction
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the best help desk software free options available in 2021!
With most businesses taking their services online, the demand for efficient customer service support has grown exponentially. As a result, many companies have begun investing in help desk software to streamline their customer support processes and improve overall efficiency.
Help desk software can aid businesses in managing customer requests and inquiries, streamline the ticketing system, provide real-time communication, and much more. However, these features often come with a significant price tag, which small businesses or startups may not be able to shoulder.
Fortunately, there are many help desk software free options available, providing small business owners with the opportunity to improve their services without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll explore the top free help desk software available, highlighting their features, pros and cons, and overall value.
Help Desk Software Free: What You Need to Know
Before diving in, it’s important to understand the different types of help desk software and what features to keep an eye out for. Most help desk software falls into one of two categories: cloud-based or on-premise software. Cloud-based software is web-based and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, while on-premise software is installed and maintained on your company’s server.
When choosing help desk software, it’s important to consider the following key features:
1. Ticket Management
The hallmark of any help desk software is the ability to manage customer requests and inquiries. The software should track every customer request so that no inquiry goes unnoticed or ignored.
2. Automation
Automation is essential to help desk software, as it helps streamline the ticketing process, enabling you to handle a high volume of requests without getting bogged down in administrative tasks.
3. Reporting and Analytics
Generating reports and analytics can help businesses track the progress of support requests and evaluate the performance of their customer service team.
4. Customization
Help desk software should be customizable to suit your business’s unique needs. Customization features may include branding, templates, and ticket workflows.
5. Integration
Help desk software should integrate seamlessly with other software your business uses, such as CRM Systems or email clients.
6. User Management
Managing user roles and permissions is critical for businesses to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive customer data and support tickets.
7. Multichannel Support
Help desk software should provide omnichannel support, enabling customers to reach out through various channels such as email, social media, phone, or chat.
Free Help Desk Software: Our Top Picks
Now that you have an idea of what to look out for, let’s explore our top picks for the best help desk software free options available.
Software |
Type |
Key Features |
Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Freshdesk |
Cloud-based |
Unlimited Agents, 24/7 Email Support, Customizable Team Inbox, Multilingual, Automation |
Free for up to three agents |
Zoho Desk |
Cloud-based |
Advanced Ticket Management System, Task Automation, Analytics, Multilingual, Customization |
Free for up to three agents |
Spiceworks |
On-Premise |
Inventory Management, Network Configuration, Help Desk Management, Automation, Reporting |
Free for unlimited agents |
Hiver |
Cloud-based |
Email Management, Collision Detection, Workflow Automation, Collaboration/Hive |
Free for up to three agents |
Zammad |
Cloud-based |
Conversational Ticket Management, Multi-Channel Support, Task Automation, Customizable Workflows |
Free for up to three agents |
Freshdesk: The Ultimate Help Desk Software Free Option
Freshdesk is one of the leading help desk software free options, with a range of features that make it an attractive choice for small businesses. It offers omnichannel support, including email, chat, phone, and social media, all of which can be managed in a single dashboard, making it convenient for agents to stay on top of requests.
Moreover, Freshdesk offers automation for repetitive tasks, such as ticket assignment or routing, which can save agents time and keep the ticket flow moving smoothly. It also offers reporting and analytics, customization, support for SLAs, and multilingual support for teams based anywhere in the world.
Zoho Desk: The Best Option for Customization
Zoho Desk offers a range of customization options, enabling businesses to create a helpdesk interface that aligns with their brand identity. The software also supports automation, instant notifications, and the ability to manage multiple brands and domains from a single dashboard.
Zoho Desk also offers an AI-powered chatbot, Zia, which can help customers with simple inquiries, freeing up agents to handle more complex requests. Other features include time tracking, a knowledge base, and integration with popular apps like Salesforce, Slack, and Google Drive.
Spiceworks: The Best On-Premise Help Desk Software Free Option
Spiceworks is an on-premise help desk software that offers inventory management, network configuration, and other IT management features in addition to ticket management. Spiceworks’ on-premise nature means that all data and sensitive information remains within the business, offering an extra layer of security. Spiceworks is available for unlimited agents and is free to use.
Hiver: The Best Option for Email Management
Hiver is another cloud-based help desk software free option that focuses on email management. Hiver allows agents to manage emails from their Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo mailboxes in a unified workplace, enabling them to handle customer inquiries more efficiently. The software also offers collaboration tools for teamwork and collision detection to eliminate duplicate responses.
Zammad: The Best Conversational Ticket Management
Zammad is a newer entrant to the help desk software market that has gained popularity for its conversational ticket management approach. Zammad offers a wide range of channels for customer support, such as email, phone, chat, and social media. It also provides multilingual support, easy customization, task automation, and other features to enhance its usability for small businesses.
FAQs: Your Guide to Help Desk Software Free
1. What is help desk software?
Help desk software is a tool used by businesses to manage customer support requests and inquiries. It allows businesses to effectively communicate with customers in real-time, track progress, and provide a better customer service experience.
2. What types of help desk software are available?
There are two main types of help desk software: cloud-based and on-premise software. Cloud-based software is web-based and can be accessed from anywhere, while on-premise software is installed on your company’s server.
3. What features should I look for in help desk software?
Consider the following key features when choosing help desk software:
- Ticket Management
- Automation
- Reporting and Analytics
- Customization
- Integration
- User Management
- Multichannel Support
4. Is there help desk software free options available?
Yes! Many help desk software free options are available, providing small business owners with the opportunity to improve their services without breaking the bank.
5. What are some of the best help desk software free options available?
Some of the best help desk software free options available are Freshdesk, Zoho Desk, Spiceworks, Hiver, and Zammad.
6. How much does it cost to use help desk software?
The cost of using help desk software varies depending on the software, the number of agents, and the type of software. Some help desk software is free for small businesses, while others can cost hundreds of dollars per month.
7. How can help desk software benefit my business?
Help desk software can benefit your business by improving customer service, streamlining your support processes, and increasing overall efficiency, resulting in happier customers and a better reputation for your business.
Conclusion: Invest in Your Business with the Best Help Desk Software Free
Help desk software free options are a great way for small businesses to improve their customer service without breaking the bank. By providing real-time communication, efficient ticket management, and automation of repetitive tasks, these free help desk software options can help your business streamline its support processes and provide a better customer experience.
We hope this guide has been informative and helps you choose the best help desk software free option for your business. Remember to consider the key features we’ve discussed, and choose software that aligns with your business’s unique needs.
Investing in the right help desk software free option can have a significant impact on your business’s reputation and profitability. Don’t hesitate to take the leap and invest in the best help desk software free option for your business today!
Closing
Thank you for reading our guide on the best help desk software free options available in 2021. We hope this guide has been informative and will help you make the best decisions for your business needs. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for educational and informational purposes only. The selection of help desk software is solely the responsibility of the reader, who is encouraged to do their research and consider their business’s unique needs before making a decision.