Groove vs Hiver: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Groove
Simple, affordable help desk built for small businesses. Shared inbox, knowledge base, and live chat starting at $4.80/user/mo.
Hiver
8.3(1,890 reviews)
Gmail-based help desk that turns your inbox into a shared workspace with ticketing, SLAs, and automation. Free for up to 10 users.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Groove | Hiver |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small businesses and startups with 3-25 agents | Teams already using Gmail/Google Workspace for email |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $4.8/mo | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB | WEB |
| Rating | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
Pros & Cons
Groove
Pros
- Among the cheapest paid help desks at $4.80/user/month
- Agents get productive within an hour — minimal training required
- Clean, distraction-free interface that stays out of your way
- Knowledge base and live chat included even on the lowest plan
- Collision detection prevents embarrassing duplicate replies
- Built by a small team that understands small team problems
Cons
- Limited reporting — no custom dashboards or advanced analytics
- No phone channel support at all
- Automation is basic compared to Freshdesk or Zendesk
- Not suitable for teams larger than 25 agents
- No multi-brand or multi-product support
Hiver
Pros
- Zero learning curve if your team already uses Gmail
- Free plan genuinely useful for up to 10 users — not a crippled trial
- Collision detection stops agents from duplicating replies
- Internal notes and email assignments feel native to Gmail
- Live chat feeds into the same Gmail workflow, keeping everything unified
- SLA and automation features rival standalone help desks
Cons
- Only works with Gmail — if you use Outlook or another client, forget it
- No standalone web app — you depend entirely on the Gmail extension
- Live chat features are basic compared to dedicated tools like Intercom
- Limited customization since everything runs within Gmail constraints
- Advanced automation and AI features are locked behind the $49/user Elite plan
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Groove | subscription | $4.8/mo |
| Hiver | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose Groove if...
Small businesses and startups with 3-25 agents
Choose Hiver if...
Teams already using Gmail/Google Workspace for email
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.