An honest look at how the two compare on pricing and what's included, so you can judge for yourself which fits your team.
| PureDesk | Freshdesk | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat price per workspace | Per agent, per month |
| Free plan | Free forever, up to 2 agents, no card needed | No permanent free plan -- time-limited trial only |
| Starting paid price | £24/mo flat, up to 10 agents | $19/agent/mo (Growth, billed annually) -- e.g. $190/mo for 10 agents |
| Unlimited agents | £79/mo flat (Pro) | Cost keeps rising per seat at every tier |
| Live chat / widget | Included on every plan | Not in core ticketing plans -- requires the separate Freshdesk Omni product, from $29/agent/mo |
| Email-to-ticket | Included on every plan | Included |
| Self-service knowledge base | Included on every plan | Included |
| AI assistant | Included on Pro, 500 sessions/mo, no extra charge | Sold separately (Freddy AI Copilot, $29/agent/mo) plus $49 per 100 extra AI sessions |
Freshdesk figures are its own publicly listed prices (freshworks.com), correct as of September 2026 and shown in USD, since that's how Freshdesk prices it -- PureDesk is priced in GBP. Pricing on both sides changes over time, so check each provider's own pricing page before deciding. Freshdesk is a trademark of Freshworks Inc.; PureDesk isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Freshworks.
Neither tool is right for every team -- here's the honest version.