When it comes to customer support, Intercom AI is one of the big names in the game. Its smart chatbots and proactive messaging are designed to make your team’s life easier and your customers happier. Sounds great, right?
But here’s the catch: it doesn’t come cheap.
If you’ve looked into Intercom AI, you’ve probably noticed its pricing isn’t exactly simple. Extra charges for things like customer interactions, add-ons, and team seats can leave you guessing what your monthly bill will be. For smaller businesses, that unpredictability can make it hard to know if it’s worth it.
That’s why we’re here. In this guide, we’ll break down Intercom AI’s pricing, highlight what it does well, and compare it with other options—like eesel AI, an affordable alternative that offers powerful features without the steep costs.
Let’s see how Intercom stacks up. Then, we’ll explore other options to help you make the smartest choice for your team’s needs.
But first, how much does Intercom AI cost?
Intercom has three pricing plans—Starter, Pro, and Premium—but what you actually pay depends on how much you use it. The costs can stack up based on how many teammates you have, how many customers you talk to, and how often you rely on the AI to solve issues.
Hidden fees to watch out for
Intercom’s plans don’t cover everything. Here are a few extra costs to keep in mind:
- People reached: Your plan includes 2,000 interactions per month. Go over that, and you’ll pay $50 for every 1,000 extra.
- Add-ons: Features like WhatsApp integration or proactive messaging start at $99/month.
- AI resolutions: Fin AI charges $0.99 per resolved query, which can add up fast.
Intercom’s features are powerful, but the costs can spiral quickly, making it tricky for smaller teams or businesses with tight budgets to keep up.
What intercom does well
Intercom AI brings a lot to the table, especially if your team handles a high volume of customer interactions. Here’s what it has to offer:
Saves time with smart automation
Intercom’s Fin AI chatbot takes care of the repetitive stuff—answering common questions, learning from interactions, and supporting multiple languages. It frees up your team to focus on the trickier problems.
Integrates seamlessly
Intercom connects with over 1,000 apps like Slack, Zendesk, and Google Drive, so you can keep everything running smoothly without jumping between tools.
Gives you smarter insights
Detailed analytics help your team see what’s working (and what’s not). You can prioritize tasks, track how you’re performing, and tweak your approach to improve customer experiences.
Keeps you ahead with proactive tools
Intercom lets you engage customers before they even ask for help. Use in-app messages, product tours, and push notifications to anticipate needs and boost satisfaction.
Intercom is a great fit for growing or established teams with lots of customer interactions. But if your team is smaller or your needs are simpler, these perks might not outweigh the cost.
Why intercom’s pricing doesn’t work for everyone
For all its features, Intercom’s pricing can be hard to justify, especially for smaller businesses.
- Unpredictable costs: Monthly invoices fluctuate based on how many customers you reach, how often Fin AI resolves queries, and how many teammates need access.
- High starting price: Even the entry-level plan is $74/month, and upgrading to get must-have features quickly becomes expensive.
- Add-on overload: Essential tools like WhatsApp integration or proactive support aren’t included in base plans.
- Limited value for small teams: Many of Intercom’s advanced tools go unused, leaving smaller teams paying for features they don’t need.
If these challenges sound familiar, you’re not alone. Many businesses are turning to alternatives that offer similar functionality without the hefty price tag.
eesel and Intercom AI: What’s the better deal?
When you stack Intercom AI and eesel side by side, both do a great job helping teams level up their customer support with AI. But the way they’re priced, the features they offer, and who they’re built for couldn’t be more different. Let’s break it down:
Pricing
- Intercom AI: Starts at $74/month, but costs quickly rise with add-ons, additional users, and fees tied to metrics like customer reach and AI resolutions. Keeping track of your costs? Not so easy.
- eesel: Starts at $39/month, and what you see is what you pay. With its straightforward pay-per-interaction model there are no hidden fees, and you NEVER get automatically charged, making it easy to scale without surprises.
Winner: eesel offers predictable pricing, which is ideal for teams on a budget.
Integrations
- Intercom AI: Connects with over 1,000 apps, including Salesforce, Zendesk, and Slack, making it a versatile platform for established workflows.
- eesel: Built to make the tools you’re already using—like Zendesk, Google Drive, and Confluence—even smarter. Instead of replacing your setup, eesel adds a layer of automation that works seamlessly with what you’ve got.
Winner: Both platforms do a great job, but eesel’s “work-with-what-you’ve-got” style is perfect for teams that don’t want the hassle of rebuilding their setup.
AI capabilities
- Intercom AI: Comes with Fin, a smart chatbot that handles replies, speaks multiple languages, and gets better over time. But at $0.99 per resolved query, the costs can pile up fast for busy teams.
- eesel: Lets you create AI bots that learn from past tickets to deliver better responses. Plus, its pay-as-you-scale pricing means you only pay for what you actually need. No surprises.
Winner: Intercom AI’s chatbot is great for big teams with tons of activity, but eesel’s customizable, budget-friendly bots are a better fit for smaller businesses that don’t need all the extras.
Ease of use
- Intercom AI: It’s powerful, but the steep learning curve can be tough if you don’t have a support pro on your team.
- eesel: Super easy to set up and use, so any team—big or small, AI-savvy or not—can hit the ground running.
Winner: eesel takes this one for being the no-fuss, quick-start option.
Is Intercom AI worth it?
Intercom AI is a solid pick for large enterprises with high volumes of customer interactions and a need for advanced features. It’s powerful and packed with tools, but the unpredictable costs and steep pricing make it a tough sell for smaller businesses.
For startups, small teams, or those who want a simpler setup, alternatives like eesel AI are a much better fit. eesel delivers smart automation, seamless integrations, and straightforward pricing—without the complexity. It is a user-friendly solution that gets the job done without breaking the bank.
In short, if you’re a big team with big needs, Intercom might be worth it. But for everyone else? eesel is the smarter, simpler choice.
Take the next step
Looking for a smarter way to handle customer service without breaking the bank? eesel AI could be just what your team needs. With a free trial, you can explore all its features without spending a dime upfront. Want to see how it works in action? Book a demo and discover how easily eesel AI fits into your current setup while boosting your team’s efficiency.
Say goodbye to unpredictable costs and tools that don’t scale with your business. eesel AI is built to work within your budget and grow alongside your team. Start your free trial today and see the difference for yourself!
