Helploom vs Intercom: Which tool is better for small businesses and solo founders?
Posted on by Preet Mishra
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If you’ve searched for customer support software, you’ve probably seen Intercom at the top of every list. It’s a big name in the space and widely used by large companies and enterprises with a dedicated support team. But here’s the real question: is Intercom the right choice if you’re a solo founder or running a small business?
That’s exactly why I started Helploom, to give founders like you a simpler option. Let’s break it down.
Where Intercom Shines
Intercom is a powerful, all-in-one platform. It offers live chat, bots, product tours, email campaigns, and advanced automation. If you have a dedicated support team, multiple managers, and the budget to match, Intercom can handle just about everything.
The trade-off? With so many features, it comes with a steep learning curve, overwhelming dashboards, and a price tag that quickly scales as you grow.
Why Helploom Exists
Helploom takes a different approach. It’s designed specifically for solo founders and small businesses. Instead of packing in every feature under the sun, it focuses on what actually matters:
- A live chat with a shared inbox for customer conversations.
- Simple setup you can finish in minutes.
- Affordable, flat pricing.
- Human support.
I wanted a tool I could use every day without wasting hours learning or paying for features I’d never touch. That’s why Helploom exists.
Pricing: A Big Difference
Intercom’s pricing starts higher than most small businesses are comfortable with, and costs climb as your usage grows. For founders running lean, that can feel unsustainable.
Helploom keeps things straightforward with flat pricing that won’t surprise you. It also has a free plan that you can try out while you figure out your needs.
| Plans | Intercom | Helploom |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Base plan | $29/month | $13/month |
| Team plan | $29/month/agent | $39/month (unlimited agents) |
$13
/mo
Helploom
$29
/mo
Intercom
The Good Old Comparison Table
| Feature | Intercom | Helploom |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | Large companies and enterprises | Solo founders and small businesses |
| Setup complexity | High (multiple tools and workflows) | Low, ready in seconds |
| Features | Broad suite: bots, tours, marketing | Core support: live chat, human conversations |
| Learning curve | Steep | Easy, intuitive |
| Pricing | Starts high, scales with usage | Simple, affordable flat pricing |
The Bottom Line
Intercom is an excellent choice if you’re managing a large team with complex needs. But if you’re a solo founder or small business owner, it’s often too much. Too complex, too expensive, and too overwhelming.
Helploom was built to give you the opposite: simplicity, affordability, and a tool that helps you stay close to your customers without the overhead.