Good customer service keeps people coming back. However, customer satisfaction can plummet if you scale up without factoring in your growing number of customers. That’s where customer service software solutions come in.

Every business has to engage its customers at some point, so customer service software solutions aren’t limited to call centers.

Whether you run an online store, manage a service-based business, or are growing a brand, you need customer service tools. They help you manage support requests, track conversations, and keep your team on the same page.

Today, we’ll explore the best customer service software that money can buy. We will see how they deliver personalized support, their best features, pricing, and usability.

Read on to learn more.

Quick overview

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Why should I use customer service software? The benefits

You need to use customer service software because it helps you stay on top of customer conversations.

Customer service matters. If you try to do everything manually through your email inbox and phone, you’ll quickly need to start hiring people to help you. That may be a cost beyond your budget.

According to a 2024 State of Service Trends report by Hubspot, 82% of surveyed customers expect immediate problem resolution. Another 78% expect more personalized interactions.

Image via Hubspot

You can see how challenging it is to keep customers happy all the time. You can easily lose them to your competitor.

So, why should you switch to customer service software solutions? Here are the key benefits.

Faster response times

Customer service software solutions help teams respond to customers much faster by centralizing all interactions in one platform. Agents can instantly access messages, reply from a shared inbox, and use smart tools that prevent delays.

Most of these solutions also alert teams when messages sit unanswered for a certain period.

With features like automatic ticket routing and intelligent message prioritization, customer inquiries are handled quickly and efficiently. This keeps response times low and customer satisfaction high.

Good for scaling up

As your business grows, managing an increasing number of customer requests manually becomes unsustainable. Fortunately, customer service software solutions make it possible to improve productivity without losing control.

With the right tools, you can organize and manage more requests without hiring a big team.

Some of these solutions go as far as supporting multiple users and the addition of new agents without starting from scratch. The only thing you may need to do is pay a little extra for the additional slots.

Centralized customer data

The best customer service software options store all customer interactions in one place. Every chat, email, or call is tracked so nothing gets lost. This makes it much easier to access everything and see what was said and when.

Additionally, agents can view past messages, purchases, or complaints before addressing recurring issues. The customer doesn’t need to repeat themselves every time they’re assigned a new agent.

Consistent customer experience

The quick responses generated through automated customer service software solutions are good for customer satisfaction. They provide templates you can reuse, shared notes for uniform responses, and standardized replies.

Even new agents don’t have to guess how to answer customer’s as they can simply refer to the templates. This creates a consistency that builds customer trust over time.

Reduced response errors

People are prone to mistakes, whether intentional or not, which can harm a brand’s reputation. Customer service software solutions mitigate this risk by providing automatic responses for minor inquiries.

These software solutions also guide human agents on what to respond with when inquiries are assigned to them.

Better workload distribution

Good customer service software options route tickets to the right people without delays. This balances workloads so no one gets overwhelmed while another sits idle.

Some advanced alternatives even allow you to assign tasks based on skill, time, or type of request. This keeps the work flowing and ensures customers aren’t put on hold waiting for one overloaded person.

Improved team collaboration

Customer service software tools make it easy for teams to work together. Agents can leave private notes, tag teammates, or assign tasks within the same system. This helps teams avoid double replies and confusion.

Everyone knows what’s going on, and issues can be handled as a group if needed. One agent simply picks up from where the last one left off without needing to be briefed beforehand.

Real-time performance tracking

Functional customer service software solutions come with dashboards that display the team’s performance. You can see how many tickets are open, how fast they’re being answered, and how satisfied customers are.

These built-in features help you catch issues early and keep your team on track. If something starts to slow down response times, you can identify it quickly and take action before it affects the customer experience.

What types of customer service software are there?

There are so many companies providing customer service software solutions and tools that it can be hard to keep track of what works.

Three main kinds of software can help you. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Help desk software

The first kind of customer service software solution is Help Desk software. Typically, it provides a way for your customers to ask questions, find answers, and solve problems they’re having related to your business.

When a customer asks a question, you’ll get notified, and a ticket is opened. When the issue is solved, you can close the ticket. You’ll be able to see a nice overview of what issues are currently open, how quickly they get resolved, and more.

Many help desk tools offer a wide range of functionality and can encompass the other two main kinds we’re going to look at.

Live chat software

Finally, we have live chat software. While live chat can be incorporated as part of help desk software or a CRM, we’ll look at it as its solution for now.

These customer service software options very popular for internet-based businesses as you can quickly and conversationally engage with customers, and they can have a powerful backend to help you keep track of ongoing conversations and issues that customers are having.

CRM software

The next type of customer service software is CRM software. These can be huge in scope and quite similar to help desk software.

The key difference is that they’re more closely focused on marketing and sales.

If you have long sales cycles and need to engage with leads before they buy from you, a CRM is essential.

Business productivity software

Customer service software like timetoreply’s email response time tracking and analytics is a little different.

This type of customer service software solution works to monitor email reply times on everyday emails, unlike CRMs that control marketing-related content on a mass scale.

If you’re concerned with improving response times to leads and customers or are in the dark as to your team’s email volumes, an email analytics tool is key.

Call center software

The call center software enables teams to manage phone calls more efficiently. It often includes call routing, automated greetings, call recording, and performance tracking. This makes it easier for customer service reps to handle calls quickly and professionally.

Some call center systems also support call scripting or integrate with CRM systems to display customer information during conversations. This eliminates the hassle of switching between tools and helps them offer better service.

Knowledge base software

This customer service software provides a self-help center for customers to find answers on their own. This software enables you to create and manage articles, FAQs, guides, and troubleshooting steps.

Customers search, click, and find what they need without talking to support. It reduces the number of tickets your team receives and helps people solve minor issues even outside business hours.

Ticketing software

This type tracks customer issues by converting them into tickets that move through defined stages, such as Open, In Progress, and Closed.

Each ticket includes key details like the issue the customer has complained about, the team member assigned to handle the tasks, and any updates made along the way.

It’s a customer service software solution that brings structure to your support process. It ensures every problem has a clear status and is assigned to the right person.

Customer feedback software

This customer service software collects opinions from your customers through surveys, forms, or review requests. It helps you understand how people feel after using your product or getting support.

You can use it to measure satisfaction and spot areas that need fixing. Some tools also provide ratings, allowing you to gain clear insights into what’s working and what needs improvement.

How we chose the best customer service software

Here’s how we chose the best customer service software:

  • Ease of use: If the customer service software solution is confusing or difficult to learn, your team won’t use it well. Choose a solution with a clean, intuitive interface and a minimal learning curve. The easier it is to navigate, the faster your team can start delivering great support.
  • Automation features: A good customer service software should handle tasks like auto-replies, ticket management, and reminders. These help save time and reduce human error, and allow agents to focus on more complex issues.
  • Support channels available: Every customer has a preferred channel of communication. Some prefer email, while others prefer live chat. Make sure the customer service software option supports the channels your audience uses.
  • Integration with other tools: Your customer service software solution should connect easily with the tools you already use. This includes email, CRM, or payment systems. It helps everything work together without needing to switch tabs all the time.
  • Cost and pricing model: Some customer service software solutions charge per agent, others have flat fees or add-ons. Before you pick one, make sure the price fits your budget without cutting off useful features. It helps to test the software first with a free trial so you know what you’re paying for.
  • Security and data privacy: Customer service software solutions handle sensitive customer data, so security matters. Look for tools that offer two-factor authentication, user permissions, and data encryption.
  • Scalability: As your business grows, your software should grow with you. Ensure it can handle more agents, customers, and features without slowing down. The right customer service software should work well for both small teams and large ones.
  • Reporting and tracking: Lastly, you’ll want to see how your team’s doing over time. Look for customer service software options that show useful reports like response times, ticket volume, and resolution rate. Clear data helps you make better decisions and spot what needs fixing.

Also Read:

17 best customer service software for 2025

An expanding customer base requires fast action to ensure customer relationships are maintained. Here are the best customer service software solutions you can adopt today.

1. timetoreply

timetoreply

Image via timetoreply

Timetoreply is a practical customer service software that helps teams manage and respond to emails quickly. It focuses on improving email response times without adding unnecessary features that slow you down.

This high-quality service provides a real-time view of how quickly team members respond, making it easier to meet response-time targets. For businesses that communicate with customers daily via email, it provides both visibility and control.

One of the reasons timetoreply works well is that it’s specifically designed for email-based customer service. Unlike live chat tools or ticketing systems, it doesn’t ask you to change how you work.

You just plug it into your existing email setup, and it starts tracking replies. It also supports email tracking on Outlook and Gmail, which most businesses already use.

Additionally, this reliable customer service software option helps you identify performance gaps. You can see who’s responding too slowly or which team member is not replying to customer’s inquiries at all.

As a manager, this helps you hold people accountable and resolve issues before they affect customer satisfaction.

Key features

  • Real-time email response tracking
  • Works with Gmail and Outlook inboxes
  • Reports on individual and team performance
  • Integrates with sales and support teams’ workflow
  • Customizable working hours and response time goals
  • SLA (Service Level Agreement) tracking and alerts
  • No need to change your current email setup
  • Identifies unresponsive or slow threads

Pros

  • Easy to set up and doesn’t disrupt your current system
  • Gives clear visibility into team performance
  • Helps improve customer response speed
  • Supports remote and hybrid teams effectively
  • Affordable compared to traditional support platforms

Cons

  • Limited collaboration features beyond reporting and tracking

Pricing

timetoreply comes with three plans:

  • Essentials: $36 per mailbox per month
  • Pro: $44 per mailbox per month
  • Premier: Custom price

timetoreply pricing

Image via timetoreply

Tool Level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • timetoreply is easy to use and navigate around, even for intermediate users. Beginners will need some time learning it.

Pro tip: Set up SLA alerts for different inboxes so you’re always notified before a reply is late. It keeps your sales team sharp and avoids customer frustration

2. Zendesk

zendesk

Image via Zendesk

Zendesk is one of the most popular customer service software companies out there, and for good reason. They’re well established and have a range of products and solutions for all types of businesses.

They have products for everything from live chat to integrated customer service, to knowledge base systems, to a CRM.

Additionally, everything is organized in one place, so your team doesn’t have to switch between tools. That makes it easier to respond faster and keep things on track.

Another significant reason people choose Zendesk as a customer service software solution is its robust ticketing system. It turns every message, email, or social media DM into a ticket to ensure your team does not miss anything.

Your team can tag, sort, and assign tickets based on priority or topic. This saves time and ensures that each customer receives a reply tailored to their issue.

Zendesk software solution also integrates well with other tools. This is helpful if you’re already using tools like Slack, Shopify, or Zoom. You don’t have to change how you work; Zendesk just fits in.

This is the kind of flexibility that enables growing teams to maintain high-quality support without overhauling their entire system.

Lastly, Zendesk also allows you to build a help center. You can create FAQs and how-to guides, allowing customers to often find answers on their own. This reduces the number of support tickets, allowing your team to focus on business productivity.

If you’re already using multiple products and would rather have everything under one roof, then Zendesk is the customer service software option for you.

Key features

  • A ticketing system that organizes every customer message
  • Omnichannel support
  • Customizable help center and self-service portal
  • AI-powered bots to handle simple questions
  • Detailed analytics and reporting features
  • Integration with hundreds of popular apps like Slack, Zoom, and more
  • Role-based access for different team levels
  • Mobile app for support on the go

Pros

  • Scales well with business growth
  • Excellent multi-channel support
  • Strong reporting and metrics
  • Fast replies with wide integration support

Cons

  • Cost goes higher the bigger you grow
  • Steep learning curve for new users

Pricing

Zendesk comes with four price plans:

  • Support Team: $25 per agent per month
  • Suite Team: $69 per agent per month
  • Suite Professional: $149 per agent per month
  • Suite Enterprise: custom pricing

zendesk pricing

Image via Zendesk

Tool level

  • Expert

Usability

  • Zendesk is a manageable customer service software solution for people who have experience with customer care tools. However, new users will need time to understand how it works.

Pro tip: Set up triggers and automations early to handle routine tasks. This will save your team time and keep things running smoothly.

3. Freshdesk

freshworks

Image via Freshworks

Next up on our list of the best customer service software solutions is Freshdesk. It’s part of the Freshworks ecosystem and has one of the quickest setup processes.

It has all of the features you would expect from a help desk solution, such as live chat, email, and phone support, but you can even integrate your social media messages into it.

Additionally, you don’t need a big tech team to get started. The layout is clean, and most features are easy to find. Even smaller teams can start offering solid support without extended weeks of training.

Freshdesk also helps your team stay on top of customer requests by turning every message into a ticket. You can set up rules to assign, tag, or sort them automatically based on topic or urgency.

That way, nothing gets buried, and your team doesn’t waste time on manual tasks. You also get an AI feature called Freddy AI, which combines the functionality of AI Agent and AI Copilot to automatically resolve customer queries across channels.

Key features

  • Unified inbox for handling messages from all channels
  • Help center builder for self-service support
  • Smart automations to reduce manual work
  • AI chatbot for simple customer queries
  • Reports and dashboards for team performance
  • Multi-brand and multi-language support

Pros

  • Fast and simple setup
  • Affordable plans for smaller teams
  • Clear and organized dashboard
  • Helpful automations for busy support teams

Cons

  • Chatbot resources need fine-tuning for advanced use
  • Report customization isn’t simple to configure

Pricing

You get four price options if you choose Freshdesk. They include the following:

  • Growth: $18 per agent per month
  • Pro: $59 per agent per month
  • Pro + AI Copilot: $94 per agent per month
  • Enterprise: $95 per agent per month

freshworks pricing

Image via Freshworks

Tool level

  • Beginner to intermediate

Usability

  • Freshdesk is beginner-friendly and works well for teams without a tech background. It’s made to be simple without feeling limited.

Pro tip: Use canned responses for common questions. It keeps replies consistent and saves your team a lot of time.

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4. LiveAgent

liveagent

Image via LiveAgent

LiveAgent is an excellent customer service software for businesses handling high volumes of customer messages.

LiveAgent boasts of having the fastest chat widget on the market and has 175+ help desk features and 40+ integrations. All these combine to make sure most of your apps can work with it.

It’s a comprehensive customer service software option designed to consolidate all crucial customer communications in a single dashboard. This includes emails, social messages, and live chats.

Another factor that makes LiveAgent a reliable customer service software solution is its strong emphasis on real-time support. It offers one of the fastest live chat widgets on the market.

LiveAgent achieves this through an AI feature called LiveAgent AI Answer Assistant. It generates personalized email responses using ChatGPT. This reduces the need for human customer reps who work 24/7.

Additionally, this customer service software option offers a ticketing system for managing customer communications. Every message is converted into a ticket, which is automatically sorted and tracked.

Your team can assign tags, set priorities, and leave notes on each one. This keeps everyone in sync and avoids double replies or missed tickets.

There’s also ample support for multiple languages, making LiveAgent an ideal choice for businesses that operate across different time zones.

Key features

  • Unified inbox for email, live chat, social, and calls.
  • Real-time live chat with typing preview
  • Built-in call center with call routing
  • Ticket tracking and history
  • Custom rules for automation and sorting
  • Knowledge base and FAQ builder
  • Support for multiple languages
  • Reliable AI chat assistants

Pros

  • Strong real-time chat support
  • Works well for both small and large teams
  • Good automation options
  • Built-in call and voice support

Cons

  • The mobile app isn’t as smooth as the desktop
  • Some setup steps can take time for new users

Pricing

LiveAgent is a fairly affordable customer service software option that offers four price plans that include the following:

  • Small business: $15 per agent per month
  • Medium business: $29 per agent per month
  • Large business: $49 per agent per month
  • Enterprise: $69 per agent per month

liveagent pricing

Image via LiveAgent

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • LiveAgent works for intermediate to expert users. It’s not very complicated, but beginners will need time learning how to use it.

Pro tip: For the best results, set up chat triggers to initiate conversations with visitors automatically. This is a great way to boost engagement without waiting for someone to ask for help.

5. Intercom

intercom

Image via Intercom

If you’ve been on a tech company’s website, you’ll instantly recognize the Intercom widget. Used by many, it’s a customer service software solution designed to help you build better customer relationships by delivering personalized messaging to your customers.

You can link it up with your website to send targeted messages depending on the page someone is on. Additionally, you can automate your customer service responses by sending answers to frequently asked questions through it.

Their automated answering bot can supposedly resolve up to 33% of commonly asked questions without you even having to do anything. You can also build your knowledge base in Intercom, which can be a big time saver, as you can quickly send links to customers with questions that have a published answer.

Moreover, Intercom is built for fast-moving support teams that want to maintain fast response times without being overwhelmed. It’s more than just a help desk, thanks to its interactive Fin AI agent.

Fin AI can maintain human-level conversations and even clarify actual customer questions. It can take actions on behalf of customers across your systems without requiring human intervention.

Key features

  • Real-time live chat with automated replies
  • Custom bots that can route questions and gather info
  • Built-in knowledge base for quick self-help
  • Shared inbox for team collaboration
  • Mobile app for keeping in touch with customers anywhere
  • Offers email campaigns tied directly to customer behaviour
  • Integration support for tools like Slack, Hubspot, and more

Pros

  • Great balance between automation and personal support
  • Very easy to use
  • Support for self-help resources, email, and live chat
  • Incorporates email campaigns into its framework
  • Easy to manage multiple customer chats

Cons

  • Gets more expensive as your team grows
  • Chatbots require configuration to reflect brand voice

Pricing

Intercom has four price plans you can choose from:

  • Essential: $39 per seat per month, plus an extra $0.99 per Fin resolution
  • Advanced: $99 per seat per month, plus an extra $0.99 per Fin resolution
  • Expert: $139 per seat per month, plus an extra $0.99 per Fin resolution
  • Fin AI Agent: $0.99 per Fin resolution

intercom pricing

Image via Intercom

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • Intercom is best for intermediate users, though beginners can pick it up with a bit of practice.

Pro tip: Use custom bots to handle basic questions, allowing your team to focus on more complex issues. It saves time without losing that human feel.

Also Read:

6. Salesloft (Formerly Drift)

salesloft

Image via Salesloft

Salesloft is a customer service software solution built for speeding up how teams talk to customers. It focuses on real-time chat and automating first contact. Customers don’t have to wait around for resolutions.

It’s especially fitting for businesses that have just expanded and are receiving a flood of inquiries from regular and new customers.

Salesloft’s best-selling point is simplicity. It handles both live and automated conversations without making it feel clunky. You can set up custom chatbots that qualify leads, book meetings, or answer basic questions.

The customer service software solution can be integrated with more than 180 apps. You can track email responses on Outlook, Gmail, Zoom, LinkedIn, Slack, and more.

Key features

  • Deep CRM integration with tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Dynamics
  • Forecasting and revenue analytics with performance dashboards
  • Built-in artificial intelligence chatbots for 24/7 responses
  • Offers extra tools like Drift, Cadence, and Rhythm to streamline customer communications
  • Conversation intelligence that captures and analyzes customer interactions
  • Shared inbox and team collaboration features for consistent support coverage
  • Mobile access for agents

Pros

  • Provides a rich range of features for every business’s needs
  • Accurate bots that handle live chats
  • Good targeting based on customer behavior
  • Allows bookings for meetings
  • Fast follow-ups

Cons

  • The initial cost is pricey for small teams
  • Bot integration takes a while
  • Steep learning curve

Pricing

Salesloft offers two price plans: Advanced and Premier. However, you have to contact the sales department to get the full price.

salesloft pricing

Image via Salesloft

Tool level

  • Expert

Usability

  • Salesloft is advanced enough to be used by large businesses. Therefore, users who have never handled customer service software and related tools will find it challenging.

Pro tip: Use Salesloft’s calendar integration to book meetings right in the chat. It saves time and keeps the conversation moving.

7. Zoho Desk

zoho desk

Image via Zoho Desk

Zoho Desk is part of the popular Zoho platform. It’s a customer service software option that helps teams manage high volumes of customer interactions with ease.

It can help you identify and act on trends and patterns in your customer questions, and in your team’s responses, as well as incorporate time tracking and reporting features to help you easily see how your team is performing.

You’ll be able to identify areas that you can improve upon or automate to help get the right answers to your customers as quickly as possible.

Zoho Desk also combines customer emails, chat, social media, phone, and web forms on one screen. The friendly ticketing system organizes messages so agents can reply clearly and quickly.

Another core feature that sets Zoho Desk apart as one of the best customer service software solutions is Zia. It’s a built-in AI assistant that suggests knowledge base articles, auto‑tags tickets, analyzes customer sentiment, and predicts ticket anomalies.

This smart help reduces manual work and the associated errors, freeing your agents to focus on other problems.

Zoho Desk excels in customization and workflow automation. You can automate customer SLA (Service Level Agreement) rules, alerts, and approval paths. It’s a flexible solution that helps you streamline processes and ensure consistent support.

Additionally, this customer service software option supports custom layouts, roles, and multi-brand portals, allowing you to accurately mirror your support process.

Key features

  • Omnichannel support that includes email chat, phone, social media, web forms, and more
  • Live chat support
  • Knowledge base and self‑service customer portal
  • Reporting dashboards with performance metrics, time‑tracking, and live HQ view
  • Security features that include field‑level controls, GDPR, and audit logging
  • Zia answer bot that shares relevant answers
  • Auto-tag ticketing
  • Generative AI that helps agents create the right responses with the right contexts

Pros

  • Unified customer service software across channels
  • AI features cut repetitive tasks and boost speed
  • Flexible automation and visual workflow setup
  • Affordable plans with a free tier for small teams
  • Strong security and regulatory compliance

Cons

  • Automation advanced options may require technical setup
  • The interface can feel cluttered for new users

Pricing

Zoho Desk is one of the most affordable customer service software alternatives and it comes with four price plans that include the following:

  • Express: $6 per user per month
  • Standard: $14 per user per month
  • Professional: $24 per user per month
  • Enterprise: $35 per user per month

zoho desk pricing

Image via Zoho Desk

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

Compared to some advanced customer service software options, Zoho Desk is a little easier to navigate for intermediate users.

Pro tip: Take time to set up your SLA rules and Zia workflows early. It cuts delays and keeps tickets flowing to the right agents automatically.

Also Read:

8. Help Scout

helpscout

Image via Help Scout

Help Scout is a customer service software solution designed to help companies provide a personalized customer service experience. You can use it to avoid making customers feel like they’re shouting into a void when they need help.

It has powerful features such as a shared inbox so your team can get an easy view of what other team members are working on and help them as needed, as well as robust reporting features.

Plus, Help Scout integrates with 50+ tools such as Salesforce, Slack, Mailchimp, and Shopify, so no matter what your tech stack looks like, Help Scout will fit in nicely.

This customer service software option also combines automation and personal care, allowing you to use AI setups, like Beacon. This feature summarizes threads, polishes drafts, and translates responses for efficiency.

Help Scout also utilizes a shared inbox that functions like email but incorporates powerful tools to keep things organized. Any member of the team can respond fast, tag conversations, and even schedule messages. 

You also get detailed insights into how your support team is doing. It tracks metrics like response time, chat wait time, search success, and customer ratings. This sets up clear paths for improving your customer service software setup.

As for integrations, you can use Help Scout with over 100 tools. These include Slack, Shopify, Mailchimp, and more.

Key features

  • Automation workflows for sorting and tagging
  • Beacon widget for live chat and help center access
  • AI tools for summarizing, drafting, and translation
  • Reporting on response, wait, and resolution times
  • Customer satisfaction surveys embedded in workflows
  • Full customer context with CRM and app integrations
  • Shared inbox that feels like a group email

Pros

  • User-friendly email interface
  • Easy to set up and learn for teams
  • Strong reporting and performance insights
  • Unlimited users without per-seat cost
  • Helpful AI features

Cons

  • Limited language support
  • Not ideal for complex enterprise needs

Pricing

Help Scout offers three price plans as detailed below:

  • Free: $0 for 50 contacts per month
  • Standard: $55 for 100 contacts per month
  • Plus: $83 for 100 contacts per month

helpscout pricing

Image via Help Scout

Tool level

  • Beginner

Usability

  • Help Scout is user-friendly enough for beginners and powerful enough to be used by advanced users.

Pro tip: Use workflows and tags to automatically prioritize tickets. It keeps your inbox clear and ensures that urgent requests don’t slip through.

9. Front

front

Image via Front

Front is primarily an email app, but it doubles up as a reliable customer service software solution that does more than your average inbox.

It provides a crystal clear picture of your customer service needs and integrates your team’s inboxes into one place.

You can connect your calendar and apps to it, allowing you and your team to schedule meetings or bring your team into the loop as needed.

You’ll even be able to see if another member of your team or a support agent is in the process of replying to a customer to save multiple messages being sent at once.

Like the majority of the other customer service software alternatives, Front centralizes emails and chat into one inbox. Your team doesn’t have to waste time juggling tools. This works well for businesses that need to keep communication fast and personal.

Front also strikes a good balance between the use of AI and human interactions. You can set up smart rules to route messages, assign tickets, or respond automatically. All of these can be achieved without coming across as robotic to the customer.

Additionally, this reliable customer service software supports genuine teamwork. Multiple agents can collaborate on a message without stepping on each other’s toes. It ensures a smooth internal communication and a unified response to the customer.

This is helpful for brands that need to involve different teams, such as sales, billing, or tech support, while maintaining a smooth response.

Another notable feature is the rich integration support. Front fits well with how modern businesses work. It integrates with your existing tools like CRMs, project boards, and analytics dashboards.

Key features

  • Omnichannel inbox that pulls in email, short messages, live chat, and social media
  • Workflow automation for routing, tagging, and message assignment
  • Built-in ticketing system that tracks the full customer conversation
  • Integration with over 100 apps, including CRMs and help desk tools
  • AI tools for response suggestions and automatic replies
  • Easy team collaboration with shared drafts and internal notes
  • Knowledge base tools for storing common answers and articles
  • Support reports and analytics to measure team performance

Pros

  • Clean, easy-to-use interface
  • Strong automation tools without losing the personal touch
  • Centralized system for managing customer interactions
  • Good support for collaborations

Cons

  • It may feel basic for advanced users with more needs

Pricing

Front comes with four price plans:

  • Starter: $29 per seat per month (billed monthly)
  • Growth: $79 per seat per month (billed monthly)
  • Scale: $99 per seat per month (billed annually)
  • Premier: Custom pricing

front pricing

Image via Front

Tool level

  • Beginner-intermediate

Usability

  • Front is easy to use and works well for beginners and intermediate users.

Pro tip: Use Front’s tagging and automated rules together to sort messages by type, priority, or customer tier. This keeps your team focused and reduces response time.

10. Salesforce Service Cloud

salesforce service cloud

Image via Salesforce Cloud

Salesforce Service Cloud is designed to manage high volumes of service requests, making it an ideal customer service software for large businesses with diverse customer needs.

It unifies communication channels, phone, email, chat, messaging apps, and more, into a single platform. This allows agents to work efficiently without jumping between tools.

Service Cloud combines flexibility with AI-powered efficiency. Its built-in AI assistant helps teams respond faster by suggesting relevant replies and knowledge base articles. This ensures customer inquiries get the most helpful answers.

This customer service software also predicts what customers might ask based on past customer data. This kind of support makes a difference when your team has to handle numerous tickets every day.

Furthermore, Salesforce Service Cloud is built with both speed and teamwork in mind. Agents can see customer history, open cases, and related data all in one view. They don’t need to ask customers to repeat themselves.

The customer service software solution also supports automation across different areas like routing, workflows, and reporting. You can set rules that direct cases to the right person or escalate problems when they’re not solved in time.

Key features

  • Agentic self-service options with knowledge base creation capabilities
  • Predictive AI that can anticipate what customers may ask
  • Visual dashboards for tracking performance and service levels
  • Omnichannel support
  • Integration with Salesforce CRM for full customer context
  • Workflow automation that manages ticket routing and case escalation
  • Field service tools for dispatching agents and managing on-site visits

Pros

  • Strong AI tools that help agents save time
  • Seamless connection between service and sales data
  • Customizable workflows that fit different business needs
  • Good reporting and analytics tools for managers
  • Scales well for growing teams

Cons

  • Setup and customization can take time
  • Not beginner-friendly without some training
  • Costs can add up with advanced features

Pricing

Salesforce Cloud Service comes with five price plans:

  • Starter Suite: $25 per user/ per month
  • Pro Suite: $100 per user/ per month
  • Enterprise: $165 per user/ per month
  • Unlimited: $330 per user/ per month
  • Einstein 1 Service: $500 per user/ per month

salesforce service cloud pricing

Image via Salesforce Service Cloud

Tool level

  • Intermediate to expert

Usability

  • Salesforce Service Cloud is best for intermediate and expert users.

Pro tip: Set up automated case routing based on topic or customer type to get tickets to the right agents faster and reduce wait times.

Also Read:

11. HelpCrunch

helpcrunch

Image via HelpCrunch

HelpCrunch is a customer service software built for speed. The combination of live chat, email, and automation ensures your business responds to every message on time.

It’s ideal for small to medium teams that want fast, personal support. The simple yet effective features, such as AI chatbots, enable you to handle customer inquiries in real-time.

These smart chatbots answer common questions and collect basic info before passing the chat to a real person.

HelpCrunch also provides a crucial shared inbox to manage chat, email, and chatbot replies. That means your team sees the full picture without switching tabs.

Another valuable feature offered by this customer service software solution is email marketing support that makes it easier to re-engage customers.

You can set up automated campaigns or newsletters directly from the same platform where you handle support. This is useful for brands that want to turn support chats into long-term relationships.

Key features

  • Real-time live chat for fast support
  • A shared inbox that brings all messages together
  • Smart chatbots for basic automation
  • Website pop-ups for announcements or promotions
  • Knowledge base for self-service support
  • Integrations with popular CRMs for centralized management
  • Email marketing and automation tools

Pros

  • Combines chat, email, and automation in one tool
  • Simple setup
  • Reliable automation options
  • Works well with growing teams

Cons

  • No advanced features for larger businesses
  • Basic reporting capabilities

Pricing

HelpCrunch may not be the cheapest customer service software but monthly plans are within affordable range. It has the following price plans:

  • Basic: $12 per month
  • Pro: $20 per month
  • Unlimited: $495 per month

helpcrunch pricing

Image via HelpCrunch

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • HelpCrunch is beginner-friendly and works well for small to mid-sized teams.

Pro tip: Create chatbot flows that collect key information, such as name, issue type, and urgency, upfront. This helps your team respond faster and prioritize tasks better.

12. Talkdesk

talkdesk

Image via Talkdesk

Talkdesk sets itself apart from other customer service software with its in-depth AI capabilities. Nearly every feature is designed to leverage AI, including the Talkdesk Autopilot and Self-Service AI.

These features allow customers to find help on their own without waiting for an agent.

This customer service software also has multi-agent orchestration, an advanced AI capability that enables multiple digital agents to work in sync. Each specializes in specific tasks.

For example, one agent can handle FAQs while another manages returns, creating a smoother, more efficient support experience.

You also receive Agentic engagement tools that enable you to reach out to customers before problems arise. It achieves this by running surveys, follow-up emails, or appointment reminders without needing someone to do it manually.

This advanced customer service software also integrates with other tools. It works well with CRMs, help desks, and messaging apps, so you don’t need to switch between systems all the time.

With Talkdesk’s AppConnect, you can easily extend its functionality by connecting to a wide range of third-party apps. You also get embedded tools that help you manage calls, messages, and chatbot interactions without needing to open a separate tool.

Key features

  • Automates support through Talkdesk Autopilot and Self-Service AI
  • AI-based orchestration across multiple digital agents
  • Embedded support inside business apps
  • Strong integrations with CRMs and productivity tools
  • Omnichannel messaging from one dashboard
  • Agentic engagement tools for proactive communication
  • AppConnect store for extending features
  • Smart chatbots for handling common questions
  • Easy workflow automation and routing rules

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of AI services
  • Integrates well with tools that many teams already use
  • Handles customer contact across multiple channels
  • Customizable with apps from AppConnect
  • Self-service tools reduce the support backlog

Cons

  • Too complex for beginners
  • Too much AI reduces the necessary human touch

Pricing

Talkdesk has two-tiered price plans that include the following:

  • Industry Experience Cloud Editions
    • Financial Services Experience Cloud for Banking Edition: $225
    • Financial Services Experience Cloud for Insurance Edition: $225
    • Healthcare Experience Cloud Edition: $225
    • Retail Experience Cloud Edition: $225
    • CX Cloud Government Edition: $225

talkdesk pricing 1

Image via Talkdesk

  • CX Cloud Editions
    • CX Cloud Digital Essentials: $85 per user per month
    • CX Cloud Voice Essentials: $105 per user per month
    • CX Cloud Elite: $165 per user per month

talkdesk pricing 2

Image via Talkdesk

Tool level

  • Expert

Usability

Talkdesk is pretty advanced, making it unsuitable for beginners who have never handled customer service software solutions before.

Pro tip: Start with automation templates for the most common issues your customers report. This will cut lead response times and help your team focus on tickets that really need a human touch.

Also Read:

13. Genesys Cloud CX

genesys

Image via Genesys Cloud CX

Genesys Cloud CX is a cloud-native customer service software solution that handles all types of customer communication channels. It uses AI-powered routing and bots to ensure that each customer receives assistance quickly.

This is a detailed email analytics platform with journey tracking built in, allowing you to monitor customer interactions and identify areas for improvement.

Genesys Cloud CX also takes customer security very seriously. Data is encrypted and regularly tested for vulnerabilities, ensuring that all customer communications remain private. Since it’s cloud, security updates are prompt.

This customer service software option also uses smart tools like conversational AI, predictive routing, and the Agent Copilot to assist both customers and agents. That means customers can self-serve with chatbots or IVR (interactive voice response).

The platform integrates seamlessly with your existing tech ecosystem. It has open APIs (application programming interfaces) and integrates with common CRMs, knowledge bases, and third-party tools.

You get a unified desktop where everything pops up together, including screen pops, customer context, and team chat.

Key features

  • Omnichannel routing for voice, chat, email, and more
  • AI-powered conversational bots and IVR self-service
  • Predictive routing and Agent Copilot to guide agents
  • Speech analytics and journey tracking
  • Workforce engagement tools like scheduling, coaching, and QA (question and answer)
  • Open APIs and integrations with CRM and knowledge tools
  • Cloud-based infrastructure with encryption and compliance
  • Outbound campaign and dialer automation
  • Real-time dashboards and reporting

Pros

  • Reliable AI tools for cutting down response times
  • Scalable and secure with automatic updates and flexible plans
  • Practical analytics help you monitor and tweak customer journeys
  • Easy integration with existing tech stacks

Cons

  • Too sophisticated for small businesses
  • Advanced features like Agent Copilot require higher-tier plans
  • Custom integrations may need developer support

Pricing

Genesys Cloud CX comes with four price plans that include the following:

  • Genesys Cloud CX 1: $75 per user per month
  • Genesys Cloud CX 2: $115 per user per month
  • Genesys Cloud CX 3: $155 per user per month
  • Genesys Cloud CX 4: $240 per user per month

genesys pricing

Image via Genesys Cloud CX

Tool level

  • Expert

Usability

  • Genesys Cloud CX is equipped with advanced features needed for fast-scaling businesses. So it requires expert-level knowledge to handle it.

Pro tip: Use Pilot AI’s predictive features, like predictive routing or conversational bots, on a common customer issue. This allows you to test the impact, gather insights, and build confidence before rolling them out across all channels.

Also Read:

14. Podium

podium

Image via Podium

Podium is a customer service software solution designed to provide an easy way for customers to engage and ask questions to local businesses by using text messages rather than web-based messaging.

It’s a handy solution that lets you set up automatic responses, send reminders, and even ask for reviews without needing someone to do it manually each time. This saves time and keeps things running smoothly.

Podium also helps with gathering reviews. For example, it sends review invites after a purchase or service. This makes it easy for customers to leave feedback.

The software also lets you track reviews across sites like Google and Facebook, which helps you stay on top of your public reputation.

Payments are another smart feature available on this customer service software option. Podium allows you to send payment links via text. This makes collecting money quick and convenient.

You can also integrate Podium with other platforms, such as CCC, DealSocket, CDKGlobal, and many more.

Key features

  • All-in-one messaging inbox
  • Automated customer feedback tracking
  • Text-based payment collection with payment links
  • Team collaboration tools for shared inboxes and internal notes
  • Webchat widget that connects directly to SMS
  • Templates and auto-replies to save time
  • Reporting and analytics on messages, reviews, and response times

Pros

  • Fast communication across multiple channels
  • Helps improve online reputation with review tools
  • Reduces back-and-forth with automation
  • Easy to collect payments via text
  • Keeps all conversations in one place

Cons

  • Limited customization in some automation tools
  • Focuses more on messaging than full helpdesk features

Pricing

Podium has three pricing plans: Core, Pro, and Signature. Each has custom pricing, but expect to pay $350 – $450 per month.

podium pricing

Image via Podium

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • Podium works well for intermediate users and business teams who are comfortable managing multiple tools within a single dashboard.

Pro tip: Set automated review requests immediately after key actions, like purchases or appointments. This boosts response rates without adding more work for your team.

15. Hiver

hiver

Image via Hiver

Hiver is another customer service software solution built directly into Gmail. This makes it easy for teams to manage customer support emails without switching tools. It’s isead for businesses that already use Google Workspace.

Hiver allows you set up automation without needing special skills. You can create rules that assign conversations, send canned replies (pre-written messages), or tag emails based on set conditions.

Hiver also comes with smart AI features that can suggest replies and detect sentiment in customer messages. This helps your team understand what the customer might be feeling and respond the right way.

The AI can also help sort messages and flag ones that need attention. These features help support teams act faster and more accurately while improving customer experience.

Hiver, like the other customer service software alternatives, also includes a shared inbox. This feature makes it easier to track who’s working on what. You can leave notes for teammates, avoid duplicate replies, and assign emails clearly..

The reporting and analytics tools let you check how fast your team is replying, how many conversations are open, and where the bottlenecks are.

Key features

  • Shared inbox that works directly inside Gmail
  • Automation rules for tagging, assigning, and responding to emails
  • Built-in AI for sentiment detection and reply suggestions
  • Knowledge base and a portal for customer self-service
  • Analytical reports for tracking performance
  • Internal notes and collision alerts to avoid double replies
  • Integrations with tools like Slack, Asana, WhatsApp, and more

Pros

  • Uses a Familiar Gmail interface
  • Helpful AI features for smarter replies
  • Easy automation setup without coding
  • Great internal cooperation capabilities
  • Good tracking and reporting tools

Cons

  • LLimited mainlyto Google Workspace
  • Limited customization on customer portal design

Pricing

Hiver comes with four price plans, but none of them display the price. You have to contact customer support for the full quote.

Tool level

  • Beginner – Intermediate

Usability

  • Hiver is easy enough for beginners but also works well for intermediate users who want a smoother workflow inside Gmail.

Pro tip: Use Hiver’s automation rules to auto-assign emails by category or keyword. This keeps the right tasks with the right people and saves your team from having to sort through the inbox manually.

Also Read:

16. SaneBox

Sanebox

Image via SaneBox

SaneBox is a customer service solution designed to streamline email communication. It helps businesses automatically sort and manage incoming emails, so teams can focus on what matters.

Instead of replacing your email provider, SaneBox integrates seamlessly with it to reduce clutter and organize conversations more efficiently. It learns from your email habits over time, helping to prioritize your emails and keep your inbox organized.

Sanebox is another worthy customer service software thanks to its intelligent approach to managing email overload. It uses smart filtering to automatically move less important messages out of your primary inbox and into folders like SaneLater or SaneBlackHole.

Another standout feature is automation. You don’t need to build complex rules or manage endless filters — Sanebox handles it all behind the scenes.

It also offers team-wide features like shared training and admin controls. This makes it easier to maintain consistency and streamline communication across departments.

It also supports team-wide features like shared training and admin controls. This makes it easier to keep everything consistent across departments.

Key features

  • Smart email filtering that sorts important and unimportant emails
  • Custom folders like SaneLater, SaneBlackHole, and SaneNoReplies
  • Follow-up reminders and email snoozing
  • A Do Not Disturb mode to control team focus time
  • Shared team settings and admin tools for business accounts
  • Attachment and social media filtering to remove distractions
  • Automatic filtering adapts to user behavior over time

Pros

  • Saves time by automatically filtering out clutter
  • Good for team collaboration
  • Works with most email clients
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • No live chat option
  • Mainly designed for emails

Pricing

SaneBox comes with three price plans that include the following:

  • Snack: $7 per month
  • Lunch: $12 per month
  • Dinner: $36 per month

Sanebox pricing

Image via SaneBox

Tool level

  • Intermiediate

Usability

  • SaneBox is a usable customer service software solution that works well for intermediate users. There’s a slight learning curve involved for first-time users, but no sophisticated technical skills are required.

Pro tip: Train your SaneBox filters consistently for the first few days. Move emails between folders manually when needed, and SaneBox will quickly learn how to sort messages your way automatically.

17. Pipedrive

Pipedrive

Image via Pipedrive

Last on our list of the top customer service software solutions is Pipedrive. It’s a practical option for businesses looking to manage customer inquiries and email marketing from a single platform.

It’s known for its visual pipeline layout, which lets teams track every deal, conversation, or issue from start to finish. Customer-facing teams can use this to maintain a high level of organization even when handling high-volume messages and emails.

Another feature that makes Pipedrive a good customer service software solution is its advanced automation capabilities.

You can set it to send emails, assign tasks, or update fields automatically based on what’s happening in the pipeline. This saves time and makes sure no customer interaction is forgotten.

You can also send updates, promotions, or check-in emails directly from the platform and track how customers respond. This gives you control over all customer interactions without needing to switch to a separate system.

Pipedrive is also equipped with a built-in AI feature called Pipedrive AI, which handles ticketing on your behalf. The AI prioritizes the most urgent inquiries and forwards those that require human attention to the nearest available agent.

Key features

  • A visual pipeline to track customer interactions step-by-step
  • Automation for tasks, emails, and follow-ups
  • Pipedrive AI assistant for guiding actions and suggesting next steps
  • Customizable fields and workflows to match your process
  • Real-time notifications and reminders
  • Reporting tools to track performance and workload
  • Integrates with email, chat, and other support tools

Pros

  • Easy layout
  • Advanced automation for ticketing
  • It combines email marketing and customer tracking
  • Practical for both small and large businesses
  • Fast live chat support

Cons

  • Setting up complex workflows requires technical skills
  • You need higher-priced tiers to access crucial features

Pricing

Pipdrive offers users five price plans that include the following:

  • Essential: $24 per seat per month
  • Advanced: $49 per seat per month
  • Professional: $69 per seat per month
  • Power: $79 per seat per month
  • Enterprise: $129 per seat per month

pipedrive pricing

Image via Pipedrive

Tool level

  • Intermediate – experts

Usability

  • Pipedrive is designed for advanced users. It may have an easy user interface but learning how it works requires time.

Pro tip: Use Pipedrive’s automation to handle repetitive customer updates. Set rules to send thank-you emails or status notifications after each stage to maintain good customer relations.

Also Read:

FAQ

1. What software is used for customer service?

Customer service software includes tools that enable teams to effectively respond to customer messages, manage tickets, and monitor performance. Popular options are Zendesk, Freshdesk, Help Scout, and timetoreply.

2. What is CRM in customer service? 

CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. In customer service, it’s used to keep track of conversations, purchase history, and customer details all in one place. This helps agents provide more personalized and accurate assistance.

3. Is Zendesk a CRM software?

Zendesk is primarily a customer service platform, but it also includes CRM features such as customer history and ticket tracking. Support teams often use it to manage email, chat, and help desk tasks. 

4. What software is used for customer management?

Customer management software includes platforms like Zoho CRM and Salesforce. These tools help store customer information, follow up on leads, and track communication.

5. What are five examples of customer service?

Examples of customer service include responding to support emails, assisting customers via live chat, resolving issues over the phone, replying to social media messages, and following up after a sale.

Wrapping Up

Customer service can be a major competitive advantage, and I hope this post has helped you find the right type of customer service software solutions for you and your company.

Regardless of which one you choose, the key is to always focus on delivering customer service that you’d expect from any product or service you paid for.

These customer service software options are going to help you get organized and streamline your customer service by speeding up your email response times. So grab the one that fits your needs and get started.

If you’re looking for a simple way to get faster, more efficient with email support, try timetoreply. Book a demo today and see how it can elevate your customer service.



Barry Blassoples

Head of Customer Success @ timetoreply
Barry Blassoples is the Head of Customer Success at timetoreply, where he helps customer-facing teams boost revenue and protect brand reputation by providing actionable insights to improve their business email response times. He has over 15 years of leadership experience across customer success, sales, and marketing roles in high-growth tech companies.



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