14 Top Groove Alternatives for Customer Support in 2026

Groove HQ makes a lot of great promises. It's a support platform that helps CS teams quickly resolve issues and increase customer satisfaction. With contact management, sales outreach tools and more packed with a user friendly interface, Groove looks like a great choice. But that's only until you dig deeper.

Groove has a few issues with workflow automation and customization, subpar reporting tools, feature gaps compared to other CS platforms, ticket management problems, and more... These are just some of the reasons why users look for Groove alternatives.

Let's walk you through the very best Groove competitors and the reasons why you should reconsider Groove in the first place. 👇

In short - the best alternatives to Groove for customer support:

• ✨ Featurebase - Best modern AI support & product suite for fast-growing startups
• Zendesk - Best enterprise solution with scalable ticketing and automation
• Intercom - Best for real-time engagement and in-app communication
• HubSpot Service Hub - Best CRM-native support tool for HubSpot users
• Freshdesk - Best flexible omnichannel helpdesk with AI support features
• LiveAgent - Best for built-in call center and multi-channel ticketing
• Kayako - Best unified view of customer interactions across channels
• Help Scout - Best simple, email-first support for small teams
• Tidio - Best affordable live chat and chatbot solution for e-commerce
• ProProfs Help Desk - Best budget-friendly ticketing with automation
• HelpMonks - Best shared inbox with built-in CRM and marketing tools
• Hiver - Best Gmail-based helpdesk for small teams
• EngageBay - Best all-in-one suite with CRM, marketing, and helpdesk
• Zoho Desk - Best AI-powered, multi-channel desk for Zoho users

Why look for alternatives to Groove in the first place?

Groove does a lot of things well at a good price point. But customization is a huge pain point that leaves much to be desired.

No matter the size of your company, you'll need the ability to adjust the app and streamline sales processes or speed up customer support. Groove is consistently bad at this, and many customers complain about not being able to set it up to match their company's workflows.

• "I would like to be able to select which parts of a conversation to include in responses and 'forwards' to users. At the moment it's all or nothing. For some longer conversations involving input from various users, its not always appropriate for some recipients to see the full discussion. In these instances I revert to Outlook but then have a disjointed discussion across two platforms." (G2 review)
• Groove leaves a lot to be desired. Within the actual email app, this is what comes to mind:
  • the inability to filter tickets by date
  • lack of filter options
  • not being able to reverse a merged ticket
  • emails that are forwarded are still in the original thread, it becomes messy very quickly
  • when you close a ticket, it's moved to the date it was received. If you close something in error it can take forever to figure out what it was, it also doesn't show up at the top of recent updates.
• The reporting views they provide give a very basic look at what is happening in support
• Reports are not customizable or extractable
• Comments on CSAT don't show up in the reports, you have to go to each individual ticket and find it.
• (G2 source)

And so on... so here are the best Groove alternatives that you should try! 👇

The best Groove alternatives to improve customer support processes in 2025

Tons of features, great integrations, an attractive entry price point... There are many reasons to go for Groove as your customer support software, but there are also quite a few reasons to take a different path, too. These are some of the best options out there if you feel like Groove just doesn't fit the bill.

1. Featurebase ✨

Featurebase is a modern Groove alternative that combines AI-powered support, feedback, documentation, surveys, and changelogs into a single platform for startups. It's loved by thousands of support teams from companies like Lovable, Raycast, and Beehiiv. 💫

Top features:

• Unified inbox – manage all of your support conversations in one AI-enchanced inbox with your whole team
• AI agent & automations – fully automate your support with AI and endless automations, like extending trials, offering discounts, qualifying leads, etc.
• Omnichannel support – provide support through live chat, emails, slack, and more
• AI-powered Help Center – instant AI answers, multilingual support, and restriction controls
• Mobile app – respond to customers, receive notifications, and unblock users on the go
• Feedback portal & roadmaps – centralize & track all customer requests in one place
• Product updates – publish release notes via email, in-app widgets, and a changelog page
• Embedded surveys – run targeted multi-step NPS, CSAT, or custom surveys
• Integrations – Slack, Linear, Jira, Discord, HubSpot, and many more

How it’s better than Groove: Unlike Groove, which is primarily for ticketing, Featurebase enables you to replace all your customer-facing tools by bringing your omnichannel support, help center, product updates, and feedback collection together in one place, providing powerful ecosystem advantages in modern teams.

Pricing: Featurebase offers a generous Free plan, which includes unlimited support conversations. The paid plans start at $29/month + $0.29 per AI resolution. You can start for free without a credit card, so there's no downside to trying it. 👇

✨ Automate your support with the fastest AI-enhanced Inbox today →

2. Zendesk

Zendesk is one of the most established customer support platforms, offering powerful ticketing and automation features. It’s built for companies that want a scalable solution with flexibility to manage large support operations.

It has solid automation capabilities, but the setup can be time-consuming for smaller teams.

Top features

• Omnichannel support: Handle tickets and customer requests from email, chat, phone, and social.
• Advanced ticketing: Automate routing, SLAs, and escalation rules.
• Self-service options: Build knowledge bases and community forums.
• Analytics & dashboards: Track KPIs and team performance in detail.
• Marketplace apps: Extend functionality with hundreds of integrations.

How it’s better than Groove: Zendesk is far more customizable and scalable, which makes it a better option for enterprise-level support teams. Groove keeps things simple for smaller teams, while Zendesk provides advanced tools for larger, complex operations.

Pricing: Zendek's pricing starts at $19 per user per month.

3. Intercom

Intercom is a comprehensive sales engagement platform that focuses on real-time engagement through live chat, bots, and in-app messaging. It’s popular with SaaS companies and enterprises that want to proactively communicate with users.

Top features

• Business Messenger: A customizable chat widget for websites and apps.
• AI chatbots: Automate answers and qualify leads instantly.
• Product tours: Onboard customers with in-app walkthroughs.
• Help desk tools: Manage conversations and SLAs in one place.
• Integration library: Connect with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other tools.

How it’s better than Groove: Intercom focuses heavily on real-time customer engagement, while Groove is primarily built around email-based support. For marketing and sales teams that need in-app communication and proactive outreach, Intercom is the stronger choice.

Pricing: Intercom pricing starts at $39 per seat per month.

4. HubSpot Service Hub

HubSpot Service Hub extends the HubSpot CRM into customer support, giving teams tools to manage tickets while staying connected to sales and marketing data. It’s best for companies that already use HubSpot Sales Hub and customer relationship management tools and want everything in one ecosystem.

Top features

• Shared inbox: Centralize customer emails and conversations.
• Ticketing system: Track issues with automation and pipelines.
• Knowledge base: Publish articles for self-service support.
• Customer feedback surveys: Gather insights through NPS and CSAT.
• CRM integration: Access sales and marketing data inside support to enable sales automation and easy communication between support and revenue teams.

How it’s better than Groove: HubSpot Service Hub ties customer support directly into its CRM, giving teams visibility into the full customer lifecycle. Groove is simpler but doesn’t offer the same level of CRM-driven context.

Pricing: starts at $20 per user per month.

5. Freshdesk

Freshdesk is a cloud-based customer support software that supports email, chat, phone, and social media. It’s built for companies of all sizes, offering flexibility to start small and grow into more advanced workflows.

Top features

• Omnichannel ticketing: Manage customer queries from multiple channels.
• AI chatbots (Freddy AI): Automate replies and handle routine tasks across the entire sales process.
• Collaboration tools: Use shared ownership and notes for team support.
• SLA management: Define and enforce deadlines for ticket resolution.
• Marketplace integrations: Extend functionality with a large app library.

How it’s better than Groove: Freshdesk supports more channels and advanced automation, while Groove keeps the focus on email-based support. Teams looking for omnichannel coverage and scalability often find Freshdesk the stronger choice.

Pricing: Freshdesk's pricing starts at $15 per agent per month.

6. LiveAgent

LiveAgent is a customer service platform that combines ticketing, live chat, and call center capabilities in one system. It’s designed for businesses that want multi-channel support without necessarily using different apps for CS and marketing automation.

Top features

• Ticketing system: Convert emails, chats, and calls into trackable tickets.
• Live chat widget: Engage visitors with real-time chat on your website.
• Call center tools: Handle inbound and outbound calls directly in the platform.
• Automation rules: Route and prioritize tickets based on conditions.
• Reporting & analytics: Measure response times, workloads, and SLA compliance.

How it’s better than Groove: LiveAgent supports phone and call center features out of the box, while Groove focuses mainly on shared inboxes and email. For teams that need full voice support in addition to tickets, LiveAgent is a stronger choice.

Pricing: starts at $15 per agent per month.

7. Kayako

Kayako is a customer service platform that gives teams a full view of the customer journey across email, chat, and social channels. It’s built for companies that want context-rich support without overly complex setups.

Top features

• Unified inbox: Bring email, live chat, and social conversations into one place.
• Customer journey timeline: See a history of interactions to add context to support.
• Collaboration tools: Share internal notes and assign conversations.
• Automation rules: Route and prioritize tickets based on triggers.
• Self-service portal: Offer a branded help center with FAQs and articles.

How it’s better than Groove: Kayako provides deeper context by showing customer interactions across multiple touchpoints, while Groove keeps the focus on shared email inboxes. For teams that want more visibility into the customer journey, Kayako is the stronger fit.

Pricing: there is only one plan at $79 per month.

8. Help Scout

Help Scout is a customer support platform designed for small to mid-sized teams that want simple, email-first support with a personal touch. It combines shared inboxes with live chat and knowledge base tools to cover core service needs.

Top features

• Shared inbox: Manage customer emails in one place with assignments and tags.
• Beacon widget: Add live chat, help articles, and contact forms to your site.
• Knowledge base: Build a self-service library to reduce repetitive questions.
• Customer profiles: View history and details alongside conversations.
• Collaboration tools: Use private notes and collision detection to stay aligned.

How it’s better than Groove: Help Scout provides a richer mix of support channels, with chat and self-service built in. Groove stays focused on shared inboxes, while Help Scout helps teams scale beyond email.

Pricing: depends on the number of contacts helped. For up to 100 contacts, you can get Help Scout for free. After that, pricing starts at $50 per month.

9. Tidio

Tidio is a customer communication platform that blends live chat, AI chatbots, and email marketing in one package. It’s built for small and mid-sized businesses that want an affordable and easy-to-use alternative to heavier helpdesk systems.

Top features

• Live chat widget: Connect with website visitors instantly through a customizable chat window.
• AI chatbots: Automate answers to FAQs and handle simple requests without agents.
• Email marketing: Send targeted email campaigns directly from Tidio’s dashboard.
• Visitor tracking: Monitor who’s browsing your site and engage them proactively.
• Mobile apps: Stay connected with customers on iOS and Android.

How it’s better than Groove: Tidio offers more variety by combining chat, chatbots, and email marketing in one tool. Groove focuses mainly on email-based support, while Tidio gives businesses more ways to engage customers in real time.

Pricing: Tidio's pricing starts at $29 per month for 100 billable conversations. AI features are not included and can be purchased as an add-on.

10. ProProfs Help Desk

ProProfs Help Desk is a simple, affordable support tool aimed at small to mid-sized businesses. It focuses on ticket management, automation, and ease of use, making it a straightforward option for teams that don’t need enterprise-level complexity.

Top features

• Ticket management: Convert emails into tickets and track them to resolution.
• Shared inbox: Collaborate on customer queries without losing context.
• Automation rules: Assign, prioritize, and route tickets automatically.
• Canned responses: Reply faster with pre-written templates.
• Reporting dashboard: Monitor response times and agent performance.

How it’s better than Groove: ProProfs Help Desk puts more emphasis on automation and reporting, while Groove leans toward simplicity in shared inbox management. It’s a stronger choice for small teams that want affordable ticketing with performance insights.

Pricing: starts at $19.99 per user per month.

11. HelpMonks

HelpMonks is a team email and customer communication platform that centralizes shared inboxes and adds lightweight CRM and collaboration features. It’s designed for businesses that want to move beyond simple email forwarding without adopting a full helpdesk.

Top features

• Shared inbox management: Organize group emails with assignments and labels.
• Collision detection: Prevent multiple agents from replying to the same customer.
• Built-in CRM: Store customer data and history directly in the platform.
• Email marketing tools: Send newsletters and automated campaigns.
• Analytics & reporting: Track workload, response times, and customer interactions.

How it’s better than Groove: HelpMonks includes CRM and marketing capabilities alongside shared inboxes, while Groove focuses mainly on streamlined email support. This makes it more versatile for teams that also want sales and outreach features in one tool.

Pricing: starts at $99 per month for all features included.

12. Hiver

Hiver turns Gmail and Outlook into a helpdesk, giving teams customer support capabilities without leaving their inbox. It’s ideal for companies that prefer to stay inside familiar tools while adding collaboration and automation.

Top features

• Shared inboxes: Manage group addresses like support@ directly inside Gmail or Outlook.
• Email-to-ticket conversion: Assign, track, and resolve tickets without external tools.
• Collision alerts & notes: Avoid duplicate replies and add private notes to emails.
• Workflow automation: Route, prioritize, and escalate tickets automatically.
• Analytics: Track team performance, response times, and SLA adherence.

How it’s better than Groove: Hiver goes deeper inside the inbox itself, making it better for teams who want a helpdesk built directly into email. Groove also focuses on simplicity, but Hiver adds better automation and reporting.

Pricing: Hiver's pricing starts at $19 per user per month but there is a free plan available too.

13. EngageBay

EngageBay is an all-in-one marketing, CRM, and helpdesk suite that offers integrated support tools alongside sales and marketing capabilities.

Top features

• Multi-channel ticketing: Create and manage tickets from email, chat, or forms in a unified helpdesk view.
• Macros & canned responses: Use templated replies to speed up frequent support queries.
• SLAs & escalation: Define service level rules and trigger alerts when response windows are missed.
• Automation & workflows: Automate assignments, escalations, autoresponders, and feedback loops.
• Self-service knowledge base: Provide customers with articles and FAQs to reduce ticket load.

How it’s better than Groove: While Groove is centered on email support, EngageBay gives you a full helpdesk with ticketing, SLAs, automation, and knowledge base tools. You get all of that, plus the added benefit of marketing and CRM in the same platform. That means less switching between apps and stronger alignment between support, sales, and marketing.

Pricing: starts at $12.74 per user per month.

14. Zoho Desk

Zoho Desk is a cloud-based helpdesk that connects tightly with the wider Zoho ecosystem. It’s a strong option for businesses already using Zoho apps for sales, marketing, and operations, but it also works well as a standalone customer service solution.

Top features

• Multi-channel support: Manage tickets from email, chat, phone, and social platforms.
• AI assistant (Zia): Provide sentiment analysis, ticket suggestions, and automation.
• SLA management: Monitor deadlines with escalation rules and tracking.
• Knowledge base: Create self-service portals and FAQs for customers.
• Custom dashboards: Visualize support metrics and team performance across departments.

How it’s better than Groove: Zoho Desk offers broader channel coverage and deeper automation, while Groove is focused mainly on shared email inboxes. For teams that want to manage service across multiple channels or already run on Zoho, it’s a stronger fit.

Pricing: Zoho Desk pricing starts at €7 per user per month.

Conclusion

Groove sits in the middle, and it's not a great place to be sitting in. The feature set is not advanced enough for larger, enterprise teams. On the other hand, it's not easy to use enough to be an option for small companies. In both cases, you're making a compromise, and it's not something your customers or your team deserve.

Featurebase is a modern Groove alternative with an affordable AI-powered live chat & help center. It comes with a omnichannel support, custom automations, mobile app, and much more. It's loved by thousands of companies like Lovable, Polymarket, and Raycast.

What's best is that it comes with a Free plan and unlimited free AI resolutions, so there's no downside to trying it out! 👇

✨ Start today and get the fastest AI-powered inbox & knowledge base →