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Zendesk vs Five9 (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Last Update

Nov 17, 2024

We earn a commission from partner links on Keevee. Commissions do not affect our editor's opinions or evaluations.

Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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Zendesk

Zendesk offers a comprehensive customer service platform with a user-friendly interface and a wide range of integrations. Its versatile features make it suitable for businesses of all sizes.

  • Comprehensive customer service platform
  • User-friendly interface
  • Wide range of integrations
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited call center capabilities

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$19 per month
Good Value For Price
4.1

0

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Five9

Five9 provides advanced call center features and a scalable cloud-based platform. Its robust CRM integrations enhance agent productivity and customer engagement.

  • Advanced call center features
  • Scalable cloud-based platform
  • Robust CRM integrations
  • Focus on voice communication
  • Less comprehensive ticketing system

Free plan?

No

Starting price

$119 per month

What is Zendesk?

Zendesk is a comprehensive customer service platform that streamlines communication between businesses and their customers. It offers a suite of tools designed to enhance customer support, including ticketing systems, live chat, and knowledge bases. By centralizing customer interactions, Zendesk helps businesses provide timely and efficient support, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, Zendesk's scalable solutions can adapt to your needs, making it easier to manage customer relationships and drive business growth.

What is Five9?

Five9 is a cloud-based contact center solution that empowers businesses to deliver exceptional customer service. It offers a range of features, including automatic call distribution, predictive dialing, and CRM integrations, to enhance agent productivity and customer engagement. Five9's intuitive interface and robust analytics provide insights into customer interactions, enabling businesses to optimize their support strategies. Whether you're handling inbound or outbound calls, Five9's scalable platform ensures seamless communication, helping you build stronger customer relationships and achieve your business goals.

Pros and Cons of Zendesk vs Five9

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Pros & Cons of Zendesk

Comprehensive customer service platform
  • Zendesk offers a wide range of tools to enhance customer support, including ticketing systems, live chat, and knowledge bases. Its comprehensive suite of features makes it a versatile solution for businesses of all sizes.
User-friendly interface
  • Zendesk's intuitive design allows users to quickly navigate through its features, reducing the learning curve and making it easy for businesses to manage customer interactions efficiently.
Wide range of integrations
  • Zendesk's extensive app marketplace provides a wide range of integration options, making it easy to connect with popular business tools and enhance customer service operations.
Higher cost for advanced features
  • While Zendesk offers a comprehensive set of features, its advanced capabilities come at a higher cost, which may be a consideration for businesses with limited budgets.
Limited call center capabilities
  • Zendesk's focus is more on customer service operations, and its call center capabilities are limited compared to dedicated call center solutions like Five9.
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Pros & Cons of Five9

Advanced call center features
  • Five9 excels in call center functionalities, offering advanced tools like predictive dialing and automatic call distribution, making it ideal for businesses with high call volumes.
Scalable cloud-based platform
  • Five9's cloud-based platform ensures seamless scalability, allowing businesses to easily adapt to changing needs and handle increased call volumes without disruption.
Robust CRM integrations
  • Five9 offers strong CRM integrations, allowing businesses to connect with existing systems for a seamless customer service experience and enhanced agent productivity.
Focus on voice communication
  • Five9's primary focus is on voice communication, which may limit its appeal for businesses looking for a more comprehensive customer service platform with diverse features.
Less comprehensive ticketing system
  • While Five9 offers basic ticketing capabilities, its focus is more on call center operations, making it less suitable for businesses that rely heavily on ticketing for customer support.

Zendesk vs Five9: At A Glance

Decision FactorZendeskFive9
Value to Price
Good4.2
Good4.0
Ease of Use
Excellent4.4
Good4.2
Functionality
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.3
Scalability
Excellent4.3
Good4.1
Integrations
Excellent4.4
Good4.2
Customer Support
Excellent4.3
Good4.1
Security
Good4.2
Good4.0
Overall Rating
Excellent4.3
Good4.1

Value to Price

Zendesk offers a robust set of features at a competitive price, making it a great value for businesses looking to enhance their customer service. Its comprehensive suite of tools, including ticketing systems and live chat, provides excellent value for the price. Five9, while slightly more expensive, offers advanced call center features that justify its cost for businesses with specific needs. If you're looking for a cost-effective solution with a wide range of features, Zendesk is the better choice.

Ease of Use

Zendesk is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for businesses to manage customer interactions efficiently. Its intuitive design allows users to quickly navigate through its features, reducing the learning curve. Five9 also offers a straightforward interface, but its advanced features may require more time to master. If ease of use is a priority, Zendesk is the more accessible option for most users.

Functionality

Zendesk excels in providing a wide range of functionalities, from ticketing systems to live chat and knowledge bases. Its versatility makes it suitable for businesses of all sizes. Five9, on the other hand, focuses on call center functionalities, offering features like predictive dialing and CRM integrations. If your business requires a comprehensive customer service platform, Zendesk is the better choice, while Five9 is ideal for call center operations.

Scalability

Both Zendesk and Five9 offer scalable solutions that can grow with your business. Zendesk's modular approach allows businesses to add features as needed, making it a flexible option for growing companies. Five9's cloud-based platform ensures seamless scalability for call center operations. If you're looking for a solution that can adapt to your business's changing needs, both tools are viable options, but Zendesk offers more flexibility.

Integrations

Zendesk offers a wide range of integrations with popular business tools, making it easy to connect with existing systems. Its extensive app marketplace provides additional functionality to enhance customer service operations. Five9 also offers integrations with CRM systems and other business tools, but its focus is primarily on call center operations. If integrations are a key consideration, Zendesk provides more options for businesses looking to connect with various tools.

Customer Support

Zendesk is renowned for its excellent customer support, offering various channels for assistance, including live chat and email. Its comprehensive support resources ensure that users can quickly resolve any issues. Five9 also provides reliable customer support, but its focus is more on call center operations. If customer support is a priority, Zendesk offers more comprehensive resources for businesses.

Security

Both Zendesk and Five9 prioritize security, offering robust measures to protect customer data. Zendesk's security features include data encryption and regular security audits, ensuring that customer information is safe. Five9 also offers strong security measures, with a focus on call center operations. If security is a top concern, both tools provide reliable options, but Zendesk offers more comprehensive security features for customer service operations.

Overall Rating

Zendesk receives a higher overall rating due to its comprehensive features, ease of use, and excellent customer support. It is a versatile platform suitable for businesses of all sizes. Five9, while slightly lower in overall rating, excels in call center functionalities, making it a great choice for businesses with specific needs. If you're looking for a well-rounded customer service platform, Zendesk is the better option.

Zendesk vs Five9: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesZendeskFive9
Ticketing System
Excellent4.5
Good4.0
Live Chat
Excellent4.4
Good4.1
Knowledge Base
Excellent4.3
Good4.0
Call Center Features
Good4.0
Excellent4.5
CRM Integrations
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.3
Analytics
Excellent4.3
Good4.2

Ticketing System

Zendesk's ticketing system is a standout feature, offering a streamlined process for managing customer inquiries. Its intuitive interface allows you to easily track and prioritize tickets, ensuring timely responses. Five9, while offering basic ticketing capabilities, focuses more on call center operations. If your business relies heavily on ticketing for customer support, Zendesk is the superior choice, providing a more comprehensive and user-friendly solution.

Live Chat

Zendesk's live chat feature is designed to enhance real-time customer interactions, providing a seamless experience for both agents and customers. Its integration with other Zendesk tools ensures a cohesive support strategy. Five9 also offers live chat capabilities, but its primary focus is on voice communication. If live chat is a critical component of your customer service strategy, Zendesk offers a more robust and integrated solution.

Knowledge Base

Zendesk's knowledge base feature allows businesses to create a comprehensive self-service portal for customers, reducing the need for direct support. Its easy-to-use interface makes it simple to organize and update content. Five9 offers basic knowledge base capabilities, but its focus is more on call center operations. If a knowledge base is essential for your business, Zendesk provides a more complete and user-friendly solution.

Call Center Features

Five9 excels in call center features, offering advanced tools like predictive dialing and automatic call distribution. Its focus on voice communication makes it ideal for businesses with high call volumes. Zendesk, while offering basic call center capabilities, is more suited for businesses with diverse customer service needs. If your business requires a dedicated call center solution, Five9 is the better choice, providing specialized features for voice communication.

CRM Integrations

Both Zendesk and Five9 offer CRM integrations, allowing businesses to connect with existing systems for a seamless customer service experience. Zendesk's extensive app marketplace provides a wide range of integration options, making it easy to connect with popular CRM tools. Five9 also offers CRM integrations, but its focus is more on call center operations. If CRM integrations are a priority, Zendesk provides more options for businesses looking to connect with various tools.

Analytics

Zendesk's analytics feature provides valuable insights into customer interactions, helping businesses optimize their support strategies. Its intuitive dashboard makes it easy to track key metrics and identify areas for improvement. Five9 also offers robust analytics capabilities, focusing on call center performance. If analytics are a key consideration, both tools provide reliable options, but Zendesk offers more comprehensive insights for customer service operations.

Pricing Comparison of Zendesk and Five9

To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Zendesk and Five9. This comparison will highlight the best option for enhancing your customer service capabilities.

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Zendesk Pricing Plans

Suite Team
For Small Businesses
$55

per month per user

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Suite Team includes:
  • Includes ticketing system with email, chat, voice, and social messaging.
  • Access to AI agents for automated customer support.
  • Prebuilt analytics dashboards for performance insights.
  • 1,000+ apps & integrations for enhanced functionality.
Suite Growth
For Growing Businesses
$89

per month per user

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Includes Suite Team, plus:
  • Multiple ticket forms for diverse customer queries.
  • Light Agents for extended team collaboration.
  • Service level agreements (SLA) for quality assurance.
  • Multilingual support and content for global reach.
Suite Professional
For Large Enterprises
$115

per month per user

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Includes Suite Growth, plus:
  • Skills-based ticket routing for efficient issue resolution.
  • Custom and live analytics for data-driven decisions.
  • Integrated community forums for customer engagement.
  • HIPAA enabled for enhanced data security.
Suite Enterprise
For Enterprises
Contact sales
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Includes Suite Professional, plus:
  • Custom roles and permissions for tailored access control.
  • Dynamic, contextual workspaces for efficient task management.
  • Advanced AI add-on eligibility for superior automation.
  • Sandbox environment for testing and development.
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Five9 Pricing Plans

Digital
For digital-only businesses
$119

per month

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Digital includes:
  • Includes chat, voice, email, SMS/MMS, and social messaging channels.
  • Blended inbound and outbound communication with agent desktop.
  • Geo redundancy and recording for reliable operations.
  • 24/7 world-class support for uninterrupted service.
Core
For voice-only businesses
$119

per month

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Core includes:
  • Includes chat, voice, email, SMS/MMS, and social messaging channels.
  • Blended inbound and outbound communication with agent desktop.
  • Geo redundancy and recording for reliable operations.
  • 24/7 world-class support for uninterrupted service.
Premium
For comprehensive communication
Contact sales
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Includes Core, plus:
  • Essential quality management for improved service.
  • Blended inbound and outbound communication with agent desktop.
  • Geo redundancy and recording for reliable operations.
  • 24/7 world-class support for uninterrupted service.
Optimum
For enhanced engagement
Contact sales
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Includes Core, plus:
  • Essential quality management for improved service.
  • Blended inbound and outbound communication with agent desktop.
  • Geo redundancy and recording for reliable operations.
  • 24/7 world-class support for uninterrupted service.
Ultimate
For advanced analytics
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Includes Core, plus:
  • Essential quality management for improved service.
  • Blended inbound and outbound communication with agent desktop.
  • Geo redundancy and recording for reliable operations.
  • 24/7 world-class support for uninterrupted service.

Our Rating Methodology

We conduct extensive testing on each customer service tool, evaluating key features like functionality, scalability, and integrations. We also analyze user reviews to ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each of the seven evaluation factors is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you avoid poor-quality tools and make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

Zendesk or Five9: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose Zendesk If You Need ...

  • Comprehensive customer service platform

    If you are a business looking for a comprehensive customer service platform with a wide range of features, Zendesk is the ideal choice. Its versatile tools, including ticketing systems and live chat, make it suitable for businesses of all sizes.

  • User-friendly interface

    If you prioritize ease of use and a user-friendly interface, Zendesk is the better option. Its intuitive design allows users to quickly navigate through its features, reducing the learning curve and ensuring efficient customer service operations.

Choose Five9 If You Need ...

  • Advanced call center features

    If your business requires advanced call center features, Five9 is the superior choice. Its focus on voice communication and tools like predictive dialing make it ideal for businesses with high call volumes.

  • Scalable cloud-based platform

    If you need a scalable solution that can adapt to changing business needs, Five9's cloud-based platform is the better option. Its seamless scalability ensures that your business can handle increased call volumes without disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.