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Customer Support · head to head

Help Scout vs Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat

Help Scout logo

Help Scout

Customer Support

Customer service software that people love

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat logo

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat

Live Chat

Omnichannel chat solution integrated with Microsoft ecosystem

From
On request
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Help Scout has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Help Scout the free plan caps contacts at 100 a month, so it is a volume trial rather than a standing free tier; Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat specific pricing not disclosed on product page
  • They diverge on capability: Help Scout covers Shared inbox, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat covers Omnichannel messaging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Help Scout and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat actually diverge.

Attributes where Help Scout and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat differ
AttributeHelp ScoutMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Chat
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Mobile app, IOS, Android
CategoryCustomer SupportLive Chat
Founded20111975

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Help Scout

  • Shared inbox
  • Knowledge base
  • Customer profiles
  • Workflows
  • Reporting
  • Slack
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot

Only in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat

  • Omnichannel messaging
  • Email support
  • Social media integration
  • Outlook
  • Teams
  • 365
  • Power BI
  • Mobile app support

Both cover

  • Live chat
  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Help Scout

  • Shared inbox and help desk for customer support teamsnot Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat
  • Publishing a knowledge base alongside email and chat supportnot Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat

  • Customer service omnichannel communicationnot Help Scout
  • Multi-channel customer engagementnot Help Scout
  • AI-powered customer conversationsnot Help Scout
  • Enterprise customer service automationnot Help Scout

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Help Scout

  • The free plan caps contacts at 100 a month, so it is a volume trial rather than a standing free tier
  • Inboxes are rationed by plan, at 1 on free, 5 on Plus and 10 on Pro
  • Each plan also caps users, at 25 on Standard and 50 on Plus
  • The Pro plan at $75 per user per month carries a 10 user minimum, so the entry cost is $750 a month
  • SSO, SAML and HIPAA compliance are Pro only
  • AI Answers is billed separately at $0.75 per resolution on top of the seat price

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat

  • Specific pricing not disclosed on product page
  • Directs users to separate pricing overview page for details
  • Requires contacting sales for custom quotes and pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

Help Scout

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 5 users
    • 1 Inbox
    • 1 Docs site
  • Standard$25/month
    • Multiple inboxes
    • Live chat, SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger
    • Multiple knowledge bases
  • Plus$45/month
    • Standard features plus advanced workflows
    • Two advanced SLAs
    • Secure portal
  • Pro$75/month
    • Plus features plus unlimited workflows
    • Unlimited SLAs
    • SSO/SAML

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat

On request
  • Customer Service Professional$100/month
    • Basic chat
    • Ticketing
  • Customer Service Enterprise$200/month
    • Advanced omnichannel
    • AI integration
  • Premium$undefined/month
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Help Scout if

  • You need shared inbox.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want knowledge base.
Help Scout review

Choose Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat if

  • You need omnichannel messaging.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android.
  • You also want email support.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat review

Questions people ask

Is Help Scout or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat better?
Neither clearly leads. Help Scout starts at Free and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Help Scout or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat?
Help Scout has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Help Scout and On request for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat.
Does Help Scout or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat run on more platforms?
Help Scout runs on Web, Ios, Android. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android.
Can I use Help Scout for free?
Yes. Help Scout has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat starts at On request.
What is Help Scout best used for?
Help Scout is most often used for shared inbox and help desk for customer support teams, publishing a knowledge base alongside email and chat support. Of those, shared inbox and help desk for customer support teams and publishing a knowledge base alongside email and chat support are not what Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat is typically brought in for.
What can Help Scout do that Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat cannot?
Help Scout covers Shared inbox, Knowledge base, Customer profiles, Workflows. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat covers Omnichannel messaging, Email support, Social media integration, Outlook. Both handle Live chat, Web support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Help Scout: How much does Help Scout cost?

Help Scout offers a free plan for up to 5 users. Paid plans start at $25/user/month (Standard), $45/user/month (Plus), and $75/user/month (Pro).

Source
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat: How much does Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat cost?

Specific pricing for Dynamics 365 Chat is not published on the product page. Pricing information is available on Microsoft's separate Dynamics 365 pricing overview page, with custom quotes available through sales contact.

Source
Help Scout: What is included in the Pro plan?

Help Scout Pro at $75/user/month includes unlimited workflows, unlimited SLAs, SSO/SAML, HIPAA compliance, up to 50 light users, dedicated onboarding, and a strategic account manager.

Source
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat: Is there a free trial for Dynamics 365 Chat?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers free trials that users can request directly from the product page. Exact trial duration and terms are determined during the trial request process.

Source
Help Scout: Does Help Scout offer a free trial?

Yes, Help Scout offers a 15-day free trial for Standard and Plus plans with no credit card required. Pro plan requires booking a demo.

Source
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Chat: Can I compare Dynamics 365 Chat plans and pricing?

Microsoft provides plan and pricing comparison on their dedicated pricing overview page. Users should visit the Dynamics 365 pricing section to see available plans, features, and pricing tiers before contacting sales.

Source
Help Scout: What is the cost of Help Scout's AI Answers add-on?

Help Scout's AI Answers add-on costs $0.75 per resolution with a 3-month free trial included.

Source
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