Top 20 Customer Service Software Picks 2024

Like any business process, a customer service system is not foolproof and solid from the start. It takes constant effort and building to make a smooth and integrated service experience. For example, when a customer walks into your store, you can provide them with free wi-fi access. You can use this touchpoint to initiate a friendly conversation between your business and the customers. For using the wi-fi, the customer will provide either their phone number or email.

Give your teammates the roles of resolute agents, managing admins, or watchful viewers. You can’t delight customers if you don’t have the right people on board, and no, it certainly can’t be just anyone. Customer service professionals must have the right mix of the soft and hard skills necessary to work with customers and represent your brand. Empathy, a positive attitude, proactivity, active listening, and patience are just the tip of the iceberg. Analyzing and testing products and services when obtaining feedback on them.

A completely free version for a maximum of three channels is also available. Follow these 21 tips to improve team productivity and keep your team running like a well-oiled machine. One of the best ways to improve your company’s CSM is by looking at what other companies are doing right. Attendees tune in for 30-minute Zoom sessions to hear how industry leaders at companies like Slack and Etsy deal with CX challenges and triumphs.

ConnectWise Control has a service level agreement (SLA) feature that can help management set clear expectations for customer service quality. Once you program benchmarks for response times and resolution rates, every ticket is automatically monitored and held against these standards. If a ticket doesn’t meet either benchmark, management is notified so they can address the issue. This not only helps your team reduce potential churn, but it also helps managers set a precedent for what excellent customer service looks like. Freshdesk is help desk software that unifies customer messages into one continuous thread. And, Freshdesk has a mobile interface, so agents can respond to tickets even when they’re not at the office or near their computers.

Additionally, LiveAgent offers video call capabilities, allowing for a more personalized and interactive customer service experience. Help Scout is widely recognized as a top customer service software solution, known for its user-friendly design and emphasis on creating a personalized customer experience. Some of ProProfs’ additional features include a knowledge base for self-service, allowing customers to access articles and FAQs. ProProfs also has surveys that help teams collect feedback and track customer satisfaction (CSAT). Help Scout is an excellent and straightforward customer service software tool. The platform includes a live chat functionality integrated with a knowledge base, allowing users to transition between these tabs effortlessly.

Even in smaller operations, this software streamlines processes, automating repetitive tasks, freeing time for addressing complex issues, and focusing on business growth. The integration allows users to automate contact details based on ticket events in Freshdesk. Customers aren’t interested in stiffly written scripts or one-size-fits-all email templates that never quite fit the issue at hand. Instead, customers want to have conversations with businesses where their concerns and needs are listened to and met in a timely manner. Sometimes the changes are due to shifts in customer or industry expectations. Other times, updates stem from technological advances that allow developers to offer features that weren’t previously possible.

The application has a Kanban board style UI, making it easy to move tasks between different lifecycle stages. Even though many consumers prefer digital channels, calling is still the best option for problems that require quick solutions. Speaking to a support representative can ensure both parties understand each other and there are no misunderstandings. Service Hub helps you identify opportunities to deepen customer relationships, connect to the front office, and drive efficiency so customers have a superior experience throughout their journey.

However, some would be even happier with LiveChat if they added features like embedded links in chat windows or customer cart previews. Moreover, by providing your customers with real-time support options like live chat, you can assist more customers and solve more problems faster. Thanks to automatic ticket routing, messages from your customers will always be automatically assigned to a support agent that’s best equipped to answer them. By eliminating any standstill and creating a feeling of responsibility, you can improve response times by nearly 23%.

This online library contains answers to common questions, step-by-step guides, and troubleshooting tips. Customers and agents can search through FAQs, articles, and even video tutorials to find solutions independently, reducing pressure on your support team. Upwork integrates its live chat with chatbots to deflect incoming requests to self-service resources. Now, only 42 percent of chat interactions require support team involvement. Users can configure LiveAgent’s workflow automation tools with its Rules feature. LiveAgent is also customizable with a library of integrations to connect with third-party tools.

AI-powered help center

Documenting product or service knowledge in various forms to empower the customer, such as external help center articles, email onboarding, webinars, explainer videos, or live Q&A sessions. Once the system has been set up, the company’s concern should be on how to constantly better the system and improve its performance. The company can attach new processes and components in the system or replace old components with better and new updated versions, faster and quicker in delivering results.

It empowers agents to handle multiple chats simultaneously, reducing wait times. Live chat helps increase website conversions and improve customer satisfaction with timely and convenient support. An omnichannel workspace allows businesses to meet customers where they are. It gives agents, management, sales reps, and anyone who interacts with consumers the context they need to deliver a high-quality customer experience at scale.

Zoho Desk also features an AI-powered assistant, Zia, which can detect how customers feel based on their language and automatically route tickets to agents with that context. You can foun additiona information about ai customer service and artificial intelligence and NLP. Additionally, Zia can auto-tag https://chat.openai.com/ tickets and notify agents when unusual activity takes place in the ticket workflow. Bitrix24’s built-in video calling allows agents and customers to connect face-to-face when resolving issues.

Sprout Social has all of the social media features your marketing team needs to engage with your audience and all of the customer service tools necessary to provide great social care. Zendesk is a customer service solution that provides omnichannel support through email, live chat, voice, and various social media platforms. It connects all your data sources into a unified location, ensuring the right information is always available when a customer reaches out. Service desk software acts as the backbone of IT support, designed specifically to manage internal requests from employees or more technical customer issues. Employees can submit tickets for tech malfunctions, password resets, software access requests, and other IT-related needs. Service desk software streamlines workflows, offering features like ticket tracking, automated routing, prioritization, knowledge base access, and reporting.

According to eMarketer, 60% of customers said they are concerned about bad customer service. So make sure to pick a customer service solution that enables you to launch self-service options like a knowledge base portal, a help widget, and a chatbot. By strengthening customer self-service, you can also free up your team’s bandwidth while improving customer experience. You also need to remember that customer support software is anything that enables you to track and manage your service to customers better.

Salesforce Service Cloud is a multi-channel support platform equipped with AI and designed for the seamless creation, tracking, and management of customer inquiries. The platform efficiently handles customer concerns with automated case routing and prioritization. The client portal, integrated with Salesforce CRM, empowers clients to monitor the progress of their cases actively. HelpCrunch offers multi-channel support software with various ways to communicate with your customers.

Self-service tools

To make things easy for you, we’ve put together this list with key features so you can compare tools and pick the best one for your business. For instance, a customer may submit a support request through a website form, an email, or a social media message. The software would then create a ‘ticket’ for this request, which could be automatically routed to the appropriate department or employee based on predefined criteria. As the issue is being resolved, all correspondence, progress updates, and pertinent information are tracked within the ticket, ensuring a cohesive and informed approach to resolution.

This empowers the customer while eliminating a tedious task for the support agent. Other key features of the free version of Service Hub include contact management, live chat, team email, a shared inbox, ticketing, tickets closed reports, and a reporting dashboard. customer service system However, unlike Intercom, Podium has internal communication channels so your agents can communicate with each other privately. Agents can collaborate on complex or time-sensitive service cases, which leads to faster response times and resolution rates.

But you have the option to enhance your Aircall by opting for additional services. For a separate monthly fee, you can choose to integrate the AI and the Analytics tools. This flexibility allows you to customize your plan based on your specific needs and preferences.

• The software can help customer service agents seamlessly send short customer satisfaction surveys for feedback collection.
• However, most software transforms messages from various communication channels into tickets and stores them in a shared, centralized inbox.
• Many users prefer chatting with businesses via familiar social platforms like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, or Twitter.

Some users also wish they could modify fonts and different task colors to distinguish between high-priority tasks easier. LiveAgent customer service software and Trello can be used together to ensure all agents stay on top of their tasks. For example, whenever a new card or to-do list is created in Trello, Trello can automatically send you a LiveAgent notification in the form of a ticket. The email automation platform also offers Website & eCommerce plans that feature an eCommerce website builder, SEO tools, sales reporting, and social posting. While one servicedesk software might be the best choice for one company, it may be inadequate for another.

It’s designed to streamline customer interactions and enhance support efficiency, making it a valuable tool for managing customer service inquiries. When shopping for customer service software, look for tools that have features that put the customer experience first. Intercom is an excellent messaging service that connects with multiple channels.

Look for features like automated ticketing, predefined responses, and even chatbots. Automation accelerates response times and allows your team to focus on more intricate issues that require a human touch. The less time spent deciphering complex features, the more time your team can dedicate to solving customer issues. Smart alerts ensure that agents are notified promptly, ensuring a timely and efficient resolution for your customers.

Though the improvements to ChatGPT are quite impressive, their accuracy levels are still too low to be used without human supervision. This lets you fully customize your SysAid account and ensures you don’t spend money on tools and services your team never uses. She has a deep passion for telling stories to educate and engage her audience. In her free time, she goes mountain hiking, practices yoga, and reads books related to guerrilla marketing, branding, and sociology.

I also love that there’s no startup fee, credit card required, and you can cancel anytime. Customers go out of their way to buy from brands they love—and stronger loyalty usually means more sales. Our comparison chart offers swift insights into pricing, free trial options, and key features so you can make informed decisions that align with your customer support needs.

Customers communicate through various channels – email, social media, and live chat. Identify where your customers hang out and choose software that supports those channels. Being present where your customers are ensures that you’re available for support whenever and wherever they need it. HappyFox offers an entry-level subscription at $39 per agent monthly, featuring multi-channel ticketing and a knowledge base. Additionally, four unlimited subscription options are available, starting from $1499 per month. Usersnap provides an easy-to-use user feedback platform with a convenient survey widget and in-depth analytics, making it a robust tool for understanding your users.

Plus, Tidio’s live chat can trigger real-time conversations with website visitors, offering product suggestions or tailored discounts based on browsing behavior. It also provides reports on your company’s overall service trends, so upper management has the data needed to make successful changes to support workflows. Its Smart Inbox feature centralizes all network and profile interactions into a single stream for quick monitoring and response.

The platform also includes a cutting-edge chatbot for automated assistance and efficient case management for streamlined operations. Moreover, HelpCrunch has a detailed view of user profiles in a window, enabling your team to engage with customers on a personalized level. HelpCrunch is a complete solution to streamline your customer relationships.

Also, set up regular meetings for support staff with sales, marketing, or community managers to better understand customers and how they speak or behave. Using the proper app to gather knowledge allows everyone to learn at their own pace. Klaus is a conversation review and quality assurance platform that promises to improve customer service quality through easy and systematic internal feedback. The software analyzes and rates each conversation using sentiment analysis and a complexity filter powered by machine learning. The modern customer doesn’t want to waste time contacting customer service. Instead, they search for answers to their customer questions independently by scouring your website for FAQs, verified community forums, or any related resources.

Tickets are also customizable, so users can add notes and create custom tags. Tidio can automatically assign tickets to agents and close them upon resolution. The software can also send an automated satisfaction survey once the interaction is over. Let’s drill into the best customer support tools and lay out the important details. Here, we’ll provide an overview of the software and a list of features, starting prices, and trial information.

You may need to further investigate issues that weren’t resolved the first time around. A customer feedback loop enables companies to make improvements based on user comments and suggestions. It enhances customer retention by allowing you to better meet customer needs and address issues before they get worse. Most of us have experienced poor customer service where the agent knows little to nothing about our history with the company. It feels like they’re trying to end the interaction as quickly as possible—whether the result is successful or not. According to McKinsey, 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions.

This will help you in choosing the right components for your customer service system. Use a flow chart or organizational chart to show how departments interact and relate to each other to support the customer experience. For instance, if customers complain about the delivery process for takeout orders, gather a team to work to improve that process. This includes helping employees understand how what they do impacts the customer experience, which is critical to achieving corporate objectives. Customers now expect a higher standard for sanitation, delivery processes, and a great customer experience.

In fact, 33% of consumers now prefer to contact a company’s customer service via social media rather than by phone. HappyFox is a customer service solution and help desk management software provider. It features a ticketing system that helps teams organize requests and features a single customer view for omnichannel support. With automation, customizable workflows, and AI-powered chatbots, Chat PG HappyFox helps automate everyday tasks. Unlike a shared email inbox, customer service software contains a ticketing system that consolidates customer requests across channels, including email, live chat, messaging, and the phone. Support agents can utilize predefined ticket responses, collaborate on tickets, and automatically tag tickets so they are easily referenceable.

HelpCrunch caters to the diverse needs of customer support, engagement, and management. The platform’s AI-powered chatbot, Einstein Bots, can automate responses to common customer inquiries, freeing agents to handle more complex issues. When it comes to social media customer service, Sprout Social has a shared inbox that allows your team to easily manage and respond to customer comments and direct messages.

According to a survey, about 69% of customers try to solve their issues themselves before reaching out for support. This trend highlights the importance of offering robust self-service features within your customer service platform, such as knowledge bases, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides. Customer service software has become indispensable for businesses aiming to deliver exceptional customer experiences. By implementing best practices in the use of customer service software, companies can efficiently manage customer inquiries, enhance satisfaction, and build lasting relationships.

Calibrating customer service solutions to simplify work for the entire team. And you can easily meet these needs with a properly implemented customer service management strategy. Great customer service has many benefits to boost business, reduce churn, and enhance the customer experience.

The average cost of the best customer support software ranges from free plans to hundreds of dollars per agent per month. Some vendors offer custom plans for large enterprises that require tailored packages. A few vendors also provide free plans with limited features, benefits, and capabilities, while free trials let you test the software to see if it fits your needs. Combining multiple tools can help businesses provide a more comprehensive customer service experience.

Customer service software compared

Aircall provides a range of subscription plans tailored for groups starting from a minimum of three users. The entry-level package, priced at $40 per user each month, offers essential features. Helpjuice is probably the most known stand-alone customer self-service software.

It combines various tools in a single platform to help you deliver excellent customer service and boost sales. Tidio features a live chat for active communication, an automated chat with pre-set responses, and personalized greetings for new and repeat visitors. Gorgias is a customer service software solution that offers a help desk with a shared inbox system for support teams to collaboratively manage customer queries. Gorgias integrates with e-commerce sites, like Shopify, so agents can access customer details, such as customer data, order information, and order history. Kustomer is a customer service platform that can help support teams manage customer interactions.

For example, if the customer uses a real-time channel, such as the phone or live chat, the system automatically starts ringing to alert online support agents. Once an agent picks up the call or chat, the agent and customer can begin communicating in real-time. A customer service software is software that streamlines customer communication across different channels. Each software is different in the way it handles incoming customer messages. However, most software transforms messages from various communication channels into tickets and stores them in a shared, centralized inbox. Enterprise businesses can utilize social messenger integration, email responses, live chat support, and a dedicated call center.

This is because, in truth, there are software and real-life touchpoints which create a customer service system. This is why it would be better to call them Customer Servicing Platforms due to the high number of different touchpoints and several software features and components. Nicereply is an excellent solution because it integrates with major help desk software solutions, including LiveAgent, Zendesk, Freshdesk, and HelpScout.

• Customer service management (CSM or CSMP) is a set of strategies, tactics, and technologies that support teams can use to handle and analyze multiple customer interactions simultaneously.
• Klaus users love the easy setup, aesthetic interface, and robust reporting tools.
• Things like team management, robust analytics, smart automations, and a host of other features mean Olark can meet the needs of almost any team.
• This tool is also valuable considering millennials prefer live chat for customer service over every other communication channel.
• Finding the right customer service software is like building the perfect sandwich—everything has to be just right.

Zendesk has garnered a wealth of insights and refined its offerings over time. This extensive experience contributes to the platform’s reliability and effectiveness. While its UI/UX may have some traces of its earlier iterations, the consistent updates and improvements ensure that users benefit from a stable and proven customer service solution. Zendesk is probably one of the most well-developed customer service software if we talk about the number of features it offers.

LiveAgent’s ActiveCampaign plugin helps you bring some of the great functionalities of ActiveCampaign into your dashboard. Some languages include English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese (Simplified). Because Salesforce pricing can widely vary based on your business needs, please consult Salesforce’s pricing page for more details.

Collecting features help you answer the question, “How do we get customer communications into this system so we can handle them? ” They provide the first point of interaction between the customer and the customer service software. Once upon a time, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and other social media platforms were simply digital homes to post pictures of food you’d eaten and to argue with strangers about politics. Though those are still primary uses of the platforms, more people are trying to resolve their issues via social customer service. In those instances, live chat is a great option since it offers the immediacy of phone support while being less resource-intensive.

MailChimp is an all-in-one marketing platform for small businesses that can be used to create email newsletters and track their performance. In addition, MailChimp users can segment their customers into different groups, making it super easy and convenient to send out personalized marketing messages. Growing businesses can also benefit from flexible customer service software.

The customer will feel seen and understood, and your agents can use the information to improve resolutions and satisfaction. You need a customer service system that can accommodate your business’s unique needs and workflows. Extend its capabilities by integrating with your existing tech stack, having multiple levels of access, and offering support in the languages of your choice.

It is easy to set up, configure, and manage—allowing you to save time and resources. The unified, omnichannel solution backed with generative AI can elevate support capabilities with more engaging experiences and improved agent productivity. If you’re looking for a better way to handle customer queries, an alternative to your existing customer service software, or just want to learn more about them, you are on the right page. Zendesk for Service offers the support features you need to keep customers coming back.