ChannelDesk or Intercom?
It depends where your customers write. Intercom is strong at chat inside software products, priced per seat. ChannelDesk puts WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, email and website chat in one inbox, with an AI agent, for one price per workspace.
ChannelDesk is free to start. No card needed.
A team of three for a year, in US dollars
ChannelDesk Pro
$390a year
For the whole workspace, with 3 team members
- 500 AI replies a month, never charged per resolution
- WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, email and chat
- Up to 3,000 people writing to you a month
Intercom Essential
$1,044a year
3 seats at $29 a month each
- Plus $0.99 for each Fin outcome
- Live chat and email included
- WhatsApp charged per conversation
The short version. Where ChannelDesk is different.
01
One price for your team
Intercom charges each seat, from $348 a year. ChannelDesk charges each workspace: Pro is $390 a year with 3 team members.
02
AI replies included
Fin costs $0.99 for each outcome. Dot’s answers come from the AI replies every plan includes, and nothing is charged per resolution.
03
WhatsApp at Meta’s price
On Intercom, WhatsApp is charged per conversation. On ChannelDesk you pay Meta directly, and we add nothing.
Side by side
ChannelDesk
Pro, unless it says
Intercom
Essential, unless it says
Price
Priced by
A team of three
A year
Each extra team member
A month
Try it
AI agent
The AI agent
What its answers cost
Channels
Website chat and email
Chat, banners and tips inside your app
Phone calls
Help centre and tickets
Help centre
Tickets
Their prices and features as listed on their websites in September 2026. Check their sites for the latest. All prices are in US dollars, billed yearly. Intercom’s are per seat.
Sources
Common questions
What people ask when choosing between ChannelDesk and Intercom. If yours isn’t here, the free plan is the quickest way to find out.
01Is ChannelDesk cheaper than Intercom?
For a small team, usually. Three people on Intercom Essential cost $1,044 a year, plus $0.99 for each Fin outcome. ChannelDesk Pro is $390 a year for the whole workspace, with 3 team members and 500 AI replies, for up to 3,000 people writing in a month. Growth and Scale cover more.
02Does ChannelDesk charge for each resolution?
No. Dot’s answers count as AI replies, which every plan includes. If the month’s AI replies run out, Dot hands conversations to your team, and nothing extra is charged.
03What does WhatsApp cost on ChannelDesk?
You pay Meta directly, at its own prices, and we add nothing. Meta gives every number 1,000 free replies a month.
04Does ChannelDesk do phone calls?
No. ChannelDesk covers WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, email, website chat and comments on your posts and ads. If you need phone support, Intercom offers it.
05Does ChannelDesk have a help centre?
Yes, on every plan. Free publishes up to 10 articles, and paid plans as many as you like. Dot drafts them from what customers ask.
06Can I try both?
Yes. ChannelDesk has a free plan with no time limit, and Intercom a 14-day free trial. Neither needs a card.
Try ChannelDesk free
Set up your inbox on the free plan. No card needed, and no time limit.