Helpwise vs Hiver: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Helpwise
Shared inbox and help desk for teams with live chat, WhatsApp integration, automation, and SLA tracking.
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 | Helpwise | Hiver |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Teams of 5-30 outgrowing a shared email account | Teams already using Gmail/Google Workspace for email |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $12/mo | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB |
| Rating | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
Pros & Cons
Helpwise
Pros
- Affordable starting price at $12/user/month undercuts most competitors
- WhatsApp Business integration is well-executed and easy to set up
- SLA management and automation rules at this price point are uncommon
- Clean interface with minimal learning curve
- Collision detection prevents agents from working on the same conversation
- Handles email, chat, WhatsApp, and SMS in a unified inbox
Cons
- Reporting lacks the depth needed by data-driven teams
- Mobile apps exist but feel underdeveloped
- No native phone/voice channel support
- Smaller integration ecosystem compared to Freshdesk or Zendesk
- Knowledge base editor is fairly basic
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Helpwise | subscription | $12/mo |
| Hiver | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose Helpwise if...
Teams of 5-30 outgrowing a shared email account
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.