Intercom vs respond.io

vsRE

Two Support tools side by side: what each does, what it costs and who it suits.

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The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

On the data we hold, respond.io comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.

What the data says

Only respond.io has a free plan to start on.
Intercom starts lower, at $29/mo against $79/mo.
Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
In our Support ranking, respond.io places 8 and Intercom 5 of 16.

Side by side

Intercom and respond.io compared
At a glance	Intercom	RErespond.io
Starts at	$29/mo	$79/mo
Free plan	No	Yes
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	Yes	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Intercom

EssentialPer seat; Fin AI Agent costs $0.99 per resolved outcome on top.$29/mo/seat
AdvancedPer seat with 20 free Lite seats; Fin AI Agent costs $0.99 per outcome.$85/mo/seat
ExpertPer seat with 50 free Lite seats; Fin AI Agent costs $0.99 per outcome.$132/mo/seat

respond.io

StarterSmall teams starting managed conversations$99/mo
GrowthScaling sales and marketing automation$199/mo
AdvancedMature teams needing deeper integrations$349/mo

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Intercom if…

Support and customer experience teams that want an AI agent to resolve a share of conversations alongside a human shared inbox across email, chat, phone and social channels.

Visit Read the review

Choose respond.io if…

We haven't written up who respond.io suits yet.

Visit Read the review

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