Drift vs Freshdesk
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Drift | Freshdesk |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $2500/mo | From $79/seat/mo |
| Best For | Large enterprises with complex B2B sales processes | Mid-sized businesses needing traditional helpdesk with automation |
| Standout Feature | Advanced conversational AI and revenue acceleration | Freddy AI for automated ticket classification and responses |
| Free Plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| G2 Rating | 4.4 | 4.4/5 |
Drift and Freshdesk represent two different philosophies in customer engagement. Drift focuses on conversational marketing with AI-powered chatbots, while Freshdesk offers traditional helpdesk functionality with comprehensive ticketing systems.
Both platforms maintain strong G2 ratings of 4.4/5, but serve different business needs and budgets.
Feature Comparison
Drift excels in conversational marketing with sophisticated AI chatbots designed to drive revenue and qualify leads. Its strength lies in proactive customer engagement and sales automation.
Freshdesk provides comprehensive traditional helpdesk features with robust ticketing systems, knowledge base management, and multi-channel support. However, users often note its dated UI as a drawback.
The choice depends on whether you prioritize modern conversational AI or established helpdesk workflows.
Pricing Comparison
Drift starts at $2,500/month for custom plans, making it a premium solution focused on enterprise clients with substantial budgets.
Freshdesk offers more accessible pricing from $0 to $79 per agent per month, with a generous free tier that makes it attractive for smaller teams and budget-conscious organizations.
The pricing difference is significant - Drift's sales-focused approach comes with enterprise-level costs, while Freshdesk provides scalable per-agent pricing.
Drift
Pros
- ✓ Powerful conversational AI
- ✓ Strong B2B focus
- ✓ Advanced lead qualification
Cons
- ✗ Extremely expensive pricing
- ✗ Complex setup and learning curve
- ✗ Overkill for small businesses
Freshdesk
Pros
- ✓ Mature platform with proven reliability
- ✓ Strong automation and workflow capabilities
- ✓ Good integration ecosystem
Cons
- ✗ Messaging channels require add-ons
- ✗ Interface can feel dated
- ✗ Complex setup for multi-channel
Verdict
Choose Drift if you need advanced conversational marketing and AI chatbots for revenue-focused customer engagement. Choose Freshdesk if you want proven ticketing functionality with budget-friendly options including a free tier.
Choose Drift if: You have a substantial budget ($2,500+/month) and need advanced AI chatbots for revenue-focused conversational marketing.
Choose Freshdesk if: You want proven ticketing functionality with flexible pricing, including a free tier option, despite the dated interface.
Alternative: Consider Converge at $49/month flat rate with up to 15 agents - offering modern customer engagement without per-agent fees or enterprise-level pricing.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Drift comparisons and all Freshdesk comparisons.