When you run an ecommerce business, customer support quickly moves from being a “nice to have” to a survival tool. Shoppers today expect quick replies, clear answers, and human-like support even when it’s actually software doing the heavy lifting. Gorgias has become one of the most recognized help desk tools for Shopify and other ecommerce platforms. Still, it’s not perfect for everyone. Pricing, features, or simply the need for a different experience often push store owners to look elsewhere.
I’ve been in that situation myself, staring at a long list of SaaS products, wondering which one will keep both my team and my customers happy. It’s overwhelming. Every tool promises speed, automation, integrations, and a better night’s sleep. But after you dig in, only a few feel like they were really made for Shopify merchants who juggle dozens of tickets, chats, and order questions every day. Let’s cut the fluff. Below you’ll find six strong Gorgias alternatives that cover a wide range of needs, starting with a personal favorite of mine.
1. EasyChatDesk – Built for Shopify Stores
The first alternative you should seriously look at is EasyChatDesk. It’s a customer support and live chat platform that works seamlessly with Shopify, which makes it a direct competitor to Gorgias in the ecommerce space. EasyChatDesk combines a live chat widget, ticketing system, chatbot automation, and even CRM features into one clean package. That means you don’t just answer tickets, you actually manage customer relationships in one place.
Shopify merchants often struggle with juggling multiple systems. EasyChatDesk fixes that problem by letting you connect your store directly, so order details, shipping updates, and product information show up in the same support dashboard. You don’t have to bounce back and forth between apps. Agents love that. Customers love that too. Nobody enjoys being kept on hold while a rep tries to hunt down an order number.
The platform also offers AI chatbots that can handle repetitive questions automatically. I tested one myself, and it did a surprisingly good job at answering questions like “where’s my order” and “do you ship internationally.” If the bot gets stuck, the chat passes to a live agent without awkward gaps. On top of that, the pricing is often more affordable than Gorgias, which is a relief for smaller shops.
And because I know what you’re thinking—yes, it even comes with a mobile app. I once handled three customer chats while waiting in line for a coffee. Was it fun? Not really. Was it effective? Absolutely.
2. Zendesk
Next up, we have the heavyweight champion of help desks: Zendesk. This platform has been around for ages, and for good reason. It’s packed with features, has integrations for nearly every app under the sun, and scales to support massive companies with hundreds of agents. If you want power and flexibility, Zendesk delivers.
For ecommerce businesses, Zendesk’s ticketing and automation tools are gold. You can create workflows that route tickets automatically, so customer inquiries never get lost. It also integrates with Shopify, though you may need a few tweaks to get everything running smoothly. That said, once configured, it handles volume like a beast.
The downside? Zendesk can feel overwhelming. There are menus inside menus, dashboards filled with widgets, and more toggles than you’ll ever need. I once clicked around for ten minutes trying to find a simple setting. On the plus side, if you’re a “more features equals more control” kind of person, you’ll feel right at home.
3. Freshdesk
Freshdesk is another strong option for those who want something straightforward without sacrificing capability. Developed by Freshworks, it has a reputation for being user friendly and offering a clean interface. It’s also widely adopted by ecommerce teams that want to manage tickets, chats, and knowledge bases in one spot.
The pricing structure is one of the reasons Freshdesk stands out. You can start small with affordable plans and upgrade as your business grows. The platform has automation for repetitive tasks, integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce, and decent reporting tools.
What I personally like about Freshdesk is its balance. It doesn’t overwhelm you like Zendesk sometimes can, but it doesn’t feel stripped down either. It’s the “Goldilocks” of help desk tools—just right for many small to mid-sized stores.
4. Help Scout
Help Scout has carved out a loyal following by focusing on human-style customer service rather than just raw ticket numbers. Instead of making support feel robotic, it organizes tickets into shared inboxes where your team can collaborate naturally. If you’ve ever had two agents accidentally reply to the same customer, you know why this matters.
For Shopify businesses, Help Scout integrates directly to pull in customer and order data. Agents see context without digging around. You can also set up saved replies, workflows, and automation to keep responses consistent. Its knowledge base builder is excellent too, helping customers help themselves before opening tickets.
It’s not as flashy as some of the bigger platforms, but that’s its charm. Think of Help Scout like a good friend: dependable, straightforward, and always there when you need them. And unlike some of the larger players, you don’t feel like you need a PhD just to configure it.
5. Re:amaze
If you want a support tool that’s tightly focused on ecommerce, Re:amaze is worth exploring. It’s designed with online stores in mind, and it shows in the details. Shopify integration is top notch. You can see order history, edit customer details, and respond directly from the dashboard without switching tabs.
Re:amaze also offers multichannel support, meaning you can respond to live chats, emails, Facebook messages, Instagram DMs, and even SMS—all from one place. That’s powerful if you’re running campaigns across several platforms and customers keep popping up everywhere.
One fun thing: Re:amaze has an auto-messaging feature that lets you proactively engage customers. For example, you can set it to send a friendly “Need help finding the right size?” message when someone lingers on a product page too long. It feels personal, even though it’s automated.
6. LiveAgent
Last on the list is LiveAgent, a versatile help desk system that punches above its weight. It combines ticketing, live chat, call center, and even social media support into one platform. If your business wants an all-in-one communication hub, LiveAgent fits the bill.
It’s not exclusively focused on ecommerce, but its Shopify integration works smoothly enough. You get access to order data, and you can reply quickly without logging into Shopify directly. Beyond that, the real highlight is its live chat system, which is fast, customizable, and able to handle heavy traffic.
Another nice touch: LiveAgent charges a flat fee rather than per-ticket pricing. That helps businesses that get flooded with small inquiries. You won’t feel punished for being popular. I wish my personal inbox worked like that.
Common Features You’ll Find Across These Tools
Before wrapping up, let’s look at a few features that nearly all of these Gorgias alternatives share. These are the must-haves in 2025 if you want customer support software that actually delivers.
Here’s a quick list:
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Shopify and ecommerce platform integrations
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Multichannel support (chat, email, social, SMS)
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Automation and AI-powered responses
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Shared inboxes for team collaboration
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Knowledge base or self-service tools
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Reporting and analytics dashboards
If the tool you pick doesn’t check most of these boxes, keep looking.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Gorgias Alternative
Switching from one help desk to another is not fun. I’ve done it. It feels like moving houses but with more passwords involved. But choosing the right tool makes a massive difference in how smoothly your support team runs and how happy your customers feel when they reach out.
EasyChatDesk is my top recommendation if you’re running a Shopify store. It combines affordability, ease of use, and features built specifically for ecommerce. Zendesk and Freshdesk are excellent if you want power and scalability, while Help Scout brings warmth to customer interactions. Re:amaze shines for proactive ecommerce engagement, and LiveAgent delivers a robust all-in-one solution.
At the end of the day, the right choice depends on your business size, support volume, and the kind of experience you want your customers to have. Don’t just go with the tool that looks cool. Pick the one that feels like it was designed for your actual day-to-day reality.
And remember: customer support is not about answering tickets faster. It’s about making people feel cared for, even when they’re asking the same “where’s my order” question for the hundredth time. Tools help, but the human touch still matters.
One last joke before you go: if only customer complaints could be auto-closed by magic, I’d already be retired on a beach somewhere.
