Zoho SalesIQ vs Zendesk
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Zoho SalesIQ | Zendesk |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $39/seat/mo | From $89/seat/mo |
| Best For | Zoho ecosystem users wanting integrated live chat and visitor tracking | Large enterprises needing comprehensive ticketing with compliance requirements |
| Standout Feature | Deep Zoho CRM integration with lead scoring and visitor intelligence | Industry-leading ticketing system with 1000+ integrations |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
Zoho SalesIQ and Zendesk represent two different philosophies in customer support software. SalesIQ offers budget-friendly pricing starting at $0-$20 per operator monthly, while Zendesk positions itself as an enterprise solution at $55-$169 per agent monthly.
Both platforms maintain strong user satisfaction with G2 ratings of 4.4/5 (248 reviews) for SalesIQ and 4.3/5 for Zendesk, but they serve distinctly different market segments and use cases.
Feature Comparison
Zoho SalesIQ excels in affordability and Zoho ecosystem integration, offering deep CRM connectivity and unique features like Telegram support. However, it suffers from a dated UI and limited functionality outside the Zoho environment.
Zendesk dominates in enterprise features with over 1000 integrations, robust compliance certifications (HIPAA/SOC2), and mature ticketing systems. The downside is complex setup requirements and AI features requiring additional costs.
SalesIQ users often cite slow support response times, while Zendesk users frequently mention the steep learning curve and expensive per-agent pricing model.
Pricing Comparison
The pricing difference is dramatic: SalesIQ ranges from free to $20 per operator monthly, making it accessible for small teams and startups. Zendesk's $55-$169 per agent monthly pricing targets established businesses with larger support budgets.
For a 10-person support team, SalesIQ could cost as little as $0-$200 monthly, while Zendesk would run $550-$1,690 monthly. This 3-8x price difference makes SalesIQ attractive for cost-conscious organizations, especially those already using Zoho products.
Zoho SalesIQ
Pros
- ✓ Very competitive pricing
- ✓ Excellent Zoho ecosystem integration
- ✓ Good visitor tracking and lead scoring
Cons
- ✗ Interface feels dated
- ✗ Best value within Zoho ecosystem
- ✗ Limited integrations outside Zoho
Zendesk
Pros
- ✓ Industry-leading ticketing system with mature workflows
- ✓ Massive integration ecosystem with 1000+ apps
- ✓ Enterprise-grade security and compliance (HIPAA, SOC2)
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing scales with team size
- ✗ Complex setup and configuration
- ✗ AI features require additional costs
Verdict
Choose Zoho SalesIQ if you're already in the Zoho ecosystem, need affordable pricing with a free tier, or want Telegram support integration. Choose Zendesk if you're an enterprise requiring 1000+ integrations, HIPAA/SOC2 compliance, and mature ticketing workflows.
Choose Zoho SalesIQ if: You're budget-conscious, already use Zoho products, need Telegram integration, or want to start with a free tier and scale affordably.
Choose Zendesk if: You're an enterprise needing extensive integrations, compliance certifications, mature ticketing workflows, and have the budget for premium per-agent pricing.
Consider Converge as an alternative: At $49 monthly flat rate with up to 15 agents, Converge offers a simpler middle ground between SalesIQ's basic features and Zendesk's complexity, especially valuable for growing teams that need more than SalesIQ but find Zendesk's per-agent costs prohibitive.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Zoho SalesIQ comparisons and all Zendesk comparisons.