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Customer Support · head to head

Intercom vs Reply.io

Intercom logo

Intercom

Customer Support

The only AI customer service solution you need

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit IntercomFull review
Reply.io logo

Reply.io

CRM

Multichannel sales engagement platform for email, LinkedIn, calls and SMS outreach

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit Reply.ioFull review

The short version

  • Free plans on both; paid from $29/mo and $49/mo.
  • Only Intercom lists AI-powered inbox; only Reply.io lists multichannel sequences.
  • Where Intercom falls short: pricing is high and unpredictable with confusing per-seat, per-feature, and usage-based structure that makes cost estimation difficult.
  • Where Reply.io falls short: multichannel features and CRM sync require the higher-priced Professional tier or above.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Intercom and Reply.io actually diverge.

Attributes where Intercom and Reply.io differ
AttributeIntercomReply.io
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, API
CategoryCustomer SupportCRM
Founded20112014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Intercom.

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 Intercom

  • AI-powered inbox
  • Live chat
  • Chatbots
  • Help center
  • Product tours
  • Customer data platform
  • Automation
  • Mobile SDKs

Only in Reply.io

  • Multichannel sequences
  • Contact database
  • AI email assistant
  • Deliverability tools
  • CRM sync
  • Reporting and analytics

What people use each for

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

Intercom

  • Customer supportnot Reply.io
  • Lead generationnot Reply.io
  • User onboardingnot Reply.io
  • Product adoptionnot Reply.io
  • Customer engagementnot Reply.io

Reply.io

  • Running multichannel outbound sequences combining email and LinkedInnot Intercom
  • Automating cold calling and SMS follow-ups alongside emailnot Intercom
  • Finding new B2B prospects from a built-in contact databasenot Intercom
  • Syncing outreach activity into an existing CRMnot Intercom

Where each one falls short

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

Intercom

  • Pricing is high and unpredictable with confusing per-seat, per-feature, and usage-based structure that makes cost estimation difficult
  • API rate limited to 1,000 calls per minute, which may constrain integrations for high-volume data users
  • Does not support multiple language versions of knowledge base articles, requiring creation of duplicate articles for each language

Reply.io

  • Multichannel features and CRM sync require the higher-priced Professional tier or above
  • LinkedIn and calling/SMS automation are billed as separate per-account add-ons on top of plan pricing
  • Pricing is per user, which can raise costs quickly for larger sales teams
  • Monthly (non-annual) billing carries a notable price premium over the advertised annual rates

Pricing, plan by plan

Intercom

Free
  • Essential$29/mo
    • Fin AI Agent
    • Messenger
    • Shared inbox
  • Advanced$85/mo
    • Multiple team inboxes
    • Workflow automation
    • Round robin assignment
  • Expert$132/mo
    • SSO
    • HIPAA support
    • SLAs

Reply.io

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited monthly emails
    • Basic sequence features
  • Starter$49/mo
    • Email-only sequences
    • Billed annually per user
  • Professional$89/mo
    • Multichannel sequences
    • CRM sync
    • Billed annually per user
  • Ultimate$139/mo
    • Full AI suite
    • Highest sending limits
    • Advanced reporting and integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose Intercom if

  • You need ai-powered inbox.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want live chat.
Intercom review

Choose Reply.io if

  • You need multichannel sequences.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want contact database.
Reply.io review

Questions people ask

Is Intercom or Reply.io better?
Neither clearly leads. Intercom starts at Free and Reply.io at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Intercom or Reply.io?
Intercom starts at Free and Reply.io at Free.
Does Intercom or Reply.io run on more platforms?
Intercom runs on Web, iOS, Android. Reply.io runs on Web, API.
Can I use Intercom for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Intercom best used for?
Intercom is most often used for customer support, lead generation, user onboarding, product adoption. Of those, customer support and lead generation are not what Reply.io is typically brought in for.
What can Intercom do that Reply.io cannot?
Intercom covers AI-powered inbox, Live chat, Chatbots, Help center. Reply.io covers Multichannel sequences, Contact database, AI email assistant, Deliverability tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Intercom: Is there a free tier and what are the limitations?

Intercom offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required and access to all features and add-ons. After trial, Essential plan starts at $29/seat/month. Free Lite seats are available on paid plans: 20 with Advanced, 50 with Expert.

Source
Intercom: Does Intercom support single sign-on (SSO)?

Yes, Intercom supports SAML SSO with identity provider integration, but it is only available on the Expert plan ($132+/seat/month). SSO also works with Intercom's mobile apps on iOS and Android.

Source
Intercom: Can I export my data from Intercom?

Yes. You can export conversations in CSV format via the Data Export feature in Reports, apply filters to refine exports, and use the REST API to programmatically access conversation and customer data.

Source
Intercom: What would a team of 10 cost on Intercom?

Minimum cost would be $290/month for 10 Essential seats at $29/seat/month. Advanced plan costs $850/month for 10 seats. Prices increase with additional add-ons like Fin AI ($0.99 per resolution), SMS, WhatsApp, or email campaigns.

Source
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