HelpLane vs Intercom
Looking for an Intercom alternative? HelpLane delivers modern conversational support without per-resolution fees or premium per-seat pricing.
Quick Comparison
HelpLane
- $49-$199/month flat - unlimited seats
- AI included - no per-resolution fees
- Free plan available - 50 conversations/month
- Social channels included from Standard
Intercom
- $39-$139/seat/month - costs multiply
- Fin AI costs extra - $0.99 per resolution
- No free plan - 14-day trial only
- WhatsApp/SMS Advanced plan required
Why Teams Switch from Intercom to HelpLane
No Per-Resolution AI Fees
Intercom's Fin AI charges $0.99 per automated resolution. If AI handles 1,000 conversations/month, that's $990 extra. HelpLane includes AI with monthly credits - no surprise bills.
Predictable Costs at Scale
Intercom's per-seat pricing ($39-$139/seat) plus resolution fees add up fast. A 10-person team on Advanced costs $1,390/month before AI fees. HelpLane's flat $199/month includes everything.
Generous Free Tier
Intercom removed their free plan. HelpLane offers a permanent free tier with 50 conversations/month, AI features, and help center - perfect for startups and small teams.
Social Channels Without Premium Pricing
Intercom gates WhatsApp, SMS, and social channels behind their Advanced plan ($99/seat). HelpLane includes Instagram and Telegram on Standard ($49), with WhatsApp on Growth ($99 flat).
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See how HelpLane and Intercom compare across key features.
| Feature | HelpLane | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Plans | ||
| Starting Price | $49/month flat | $39/seat/month (Essential) |
| Free Plan | Yes (50 conversations) | No (14-day trial only) |
| Seat/Agent Pricing | Unlimited on paid plans | Per-seat all tiers |
| AI Resolution Fees | No - included in credits | $0.99 per AI resolution |
| Communication Channels | ||
| All plans | All plans | |
| Live Chat/Messenger | All plans | All plans |
| Growth plan ($99) | Advanced plan ($99/seat) | |
| SMS | Growth plan ($99) | Advanced plan |
| Social (Facebook, Instagram) | Standard+ ($49) | Advanced plan |
| Phone/Voice | Not available | Add-on available |
| AI Features | ||
| AI Reply Suggestions | All plans (included) | Fin AI (per-resolution fee) |
| AI Summaries | All plans (included) | All plans |
| AI Chatbot | All plans | Fin AI ($0.99/resolution) |
| AI Cost Model | Monthly credits included | Pay per resolution |
| Core Features | ||
| Knowledge Base/Help Center | All plans | All plans |
| CSAT Surveys | Standard plan | All plans |
| Automation (Workflows) | Growth plan | All plans (limited) |
| Product Tours | Not available | Add-on ($199+/month) |
| Custom Bots | AI Intent Flows | Custom bots builder |
| API Access | Growth plan | All plans |
| Team & Analytics | ||
| Team Inbox | All plans | All plans |
| Reporting/Analytics | Standard+ plan | All plans |
| Custom Roles | Pro plan | Advanced plan |
| SLA Management | Pro plan | Advanced plan |
The True Cost of Intercom vs HelpLane
Per-seat pricing plus per-resolution AI fees can create unpredictable costs.
Monthly Cost: 5 Agents + 1,000 AI Resolutions
HelpLane Growth
Unlimited agents, 2,000 AI credits included, AI bot, automation rules, all channels
Intercom Advanced + Fin AI
5 seats × $99 = $495 + 1,000 AI resolutions × $0.99 = $990
Save over $1,300/month with HelpLane - that's $16,000+/year
* Intercom's AI costs can be unpredictable. As your AI handles more conversations, your bill grows. HelpLane's credit-based model keeps costs predictable, with additional credits available at $5/500.
When to Choose Each Platform
Choose HelpLane if you:
- Want predictable monthly costs
- Plan to use AI heavily without usage fees
- Need a free tier to start with
- Are scaling your team without scaling costs
Intercom might be better if you:
- - Need product tours and in-app messaging
- - Want extensive marketplace integrations
- - Require advanced custom bot builders
- - Have budget for premium per-seat pricing
Start Delivering Great Customer Experiences Today
Set up HelpLane in minutes and start managing all your customer conversations in one place. 14-day free trial—no credit card required.