Both can run support. The real question is how you want work to flow: classic ticket queues and a massive ecosystem, or a WhatsApp-first, outcome-driven inbox with CRM + automation built in.
Green tick = included. Yellow dash = available but depends on tier/implementation. Red cross = not included.
| Feature | Zendesk | AI Automated Solutions Recommended for WhatsApp → outcomes |
|---|---|---|
|
Inbox
Omnichannel shared inbox (email + messaging)
|
Included | Included |
|
How it feels in practice
Zendesk: Classic ticketing view inside Agent Workspace; strong queues, statuses, and mature admin controls.
AIAS: Conversation-centric inbox that still supports assignment, collaboration, and tracking — optimized for chat-led workflows.
|
||
|
Helpdesk
Classic ticketing (numbers, statuses, queues)
|
Yes | Conversation-first |
|
Practical difference
Zendesk: Strongest if you want “tickets” to be the core object (SLA, status, queues, agent routing).
AIAS: Comparable tracking exists, but the mental model is “conversations that drive outcomes”.
|
||
|
Productivity
Saved replies / macros for speed
|
Macros | Saved replies |
|
Notes
Zendesk: Macros + triggers are very mature, especially at scale.
AIAS: Includes fast replies and pre-built workflow templates to reduce setup effort.
|
||
|
Channels
Website live chat widget
|
Yes | Supported |
|
Notes
Zendesk: Traditional live chat + modern Messaging widget options.
AIAS: Often funnels visitors into WhatsApp (common in SA), but web chat is supported depending on setup.
|
||
|
WhatsApp
WhatsApp Business API support
|
Yes | Yes |
|
Practical difference
Zendesk: WhatsApp becomes another channel inside the ticketing model; often tier/add-on dependent.
AIAS: WhatsApp is typically the “home base” channel, tightly tied to CRM actions and follow-ups.
|
||
|
CRM
Built-in CRM pipelines (leads, stages, tasks)
|
Separate product / integrate | Included |
|
Why it matters
Zendesk: Excellent support suite, but sales pipeline is typically separate (or done via integrations).
AIAS: Support + sales follow-ups can live in one system (WhatsApp → pipeline stage → task → reminder).
|
||
|
Automation
Automation (routing, tags, triggers)
|
Mature | Templates + journeys |
|
Practical difference
Zendesk: Deep ticket workflow customization; great for complex support ops.
AIAS: Common SA workflows are often templated (lead capture, bookings, reviews, follow-ups).
|
||
|
AI
AI assistance (bots, summaries, agent help)
|
Zendesk AI | AI agents + workflows |
|
Notes
Zendesk: Great for support-oriented AI (suggestions, summarization, bot flows).
AIAS: Often positioned to execute actions (book, qualify, send link, update pipeline) directly from chat.
|
||
|
Team
Team collaboration (assignments, internal notes)
|
Yes | Yes |
|
Notes
Zendesk: Very mature agent presence/collision-style controls (often higher tiers for advanced features).
AIAS: Conversation handoff + visibility + tracking; built to keep WhatsApp teams aligned.
|
||
|
Operations
SLA timers + escalations
|
Yes | Higher tier* |
|
Important note
Zendesk: SLA management is a core strength in ticket operations (queues, routing, timers).
AIAS: SLA tracking + escalation/notification flows are available (especially in higher tiers) — ask for it explicitly; custom plans are also available for SLA-heavy teams.
|
||
|
Self-service
Knowledge base / Help center portal
|
Zendesk Guide | Bot-first |
|
Notes
Zendesk: Mature KB, multilingual options, and formal self-service portals.
AIAS: Often answers FAQs via bot + inbox; can integrate external KB if needed.
|
||
|
Ecosystem
Marketplace + extensibility
|
Huge marketplace | Custom builds* |
|
Be precise here
Zendesk: Large app marketplace + mature admin tooling for extending support workflows.
AIAS: Extendable via integrations/webhooks and “built around your needs” implementations — not a giant public app store, but custom plans can deliver the extensions you actually need (especially for WhatsApp → CRM outcomes).
|
||
|
Analytics
Reporting: support metrics vs support+sales
|
Support-first | Higher tier* |
|
Practical difference
Zendesk: Deep support metrics (tickets, CSAT, agent performance) with strong dashboards and exports.
AIAS: Reporting includes support metrics and can extend into sales/campaign outcomes (especially in higher tiers). If you want “support + sales” in one dashboard, ask for the Pro/custom reporting scope.
|
||
|
Pricing
Pricing model (per-agent vs bundled packages)
|
Per agent | Bundled packages |
|
Notes
Zendesk: Per-agent pricing (often USD-based) + add-ons depending on channels/features.
AIAS: Typically packaged for SA teams; higher tiers/custom plans add advanced automation/analytics.
|
||
You need a mature ticketing-first helpdesk, strict queues, and an established marketplace ecosystem.
You want WhatsApp → CRM outcomes: lead capture, follow-ups, bookings, payments, and reporting in one joined-up system.
Ask both vendors to demo: message → routing/SLA → follow-up → reporting (support + sales), end-to-end.
Both can run WhatsApp. The difference is usually setup + compliance controls + how deeply WhatsApp drives outcomes.
This is the simplest decision lens: do you want a support tool you extend… or a joined-up system that runs the whole journey?
You want a proven helpdesk where tickets are the core object, and you’re happy integrating other systems around it.
You want WhatsApp conversations to drive sales/support outcomes with CRM + automation in one place.
Pick the platform that can demo your exact workflow end-to-end without hand-waving.
Short answers to the questions that usually decide the deal.
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