The 7 best AI tools for customer support in 2025 (Tried & tested)

Let's be real, working in customer support can feel like you're constantly fighting a losing battle. The tickets pile up, you get the same questions a hundred times a day, and every customer needs an answer five minutes ago. It's a tough gig, and the pressure to keep everyone happy is no joke.

I’ve been in those shoes. That’s why I decided to dive deep into the world of AI tools for customer support. The promise is tempting: less repetitive work, quicker resolutions, and happier agents. But the reality can be a mess. A lot of tools promise the moon but deliver a clunky, confusing platform that’s a nightmare to set up. Others lock you into their system or slap you with a surprise bill after a busy month.

So, I decided to cut through all the marketing noise. I spent weeks testing, comparing, and getting my hands dirty with dozens of platforms to find the ones that actually make a difference. This is my straightforward breakdown of the 7 best AI tools for customer support in 2025, based on what teams like yours and mine actually need.

What are AI tools for customer support?

When you hear "AI for customer support," you probably picture a basic chatbot. But the tools we’re talking about are on a completely different level. Modern AI tools for customer support are smart platforms that connect directly to the helpdesk you already use, like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and give your whole operation a boost.

They basically do three main things:

• Automate resolutions: They can figure out what a customer is asking, dig up the right answer from your knowledge sources, and solve the ticket from start to finish without a human ever getting involved.

• Assist agents: When a trickier issue comes up, the AI acts like a sidekick for your team. It can instantly draft accurate replies, give you the short version of a long ticket history, and point new agents toward the right solution.

• Automate workflows: Beyond just answering questions, these tools handle the boring admin tasks. Think automatically tagging tickets, sending them to the right person, and clearing out spam.

This isn't about replacing your amazing human agents. It’s about freeing them from the repetitive grind so they can focus on the complex, high-stakes conversations that actually build customer loyalty.

How we picked the best AI tools for customer support

Not all AI platforms are the same. A flashy demo doesn't tell you what it’s like to use a tool day in and day out. I focused on a few things that I know make a real difference for support teams:

• Easy setup: How quickly can you get it working? I looked for platforms you can actually set up yourself in a few minutes, not tools that make you sit through weeks of sales calls and hire a developer just to get started.

• Real control: Can you tell the AI exactly what to do? I preferred tools with powerful but simple workflow editors over "black box" solutions where you have no idea why the AI is doing what it's doing.

• Connects to everything: Does it learn from all your team's knowledge? The best tools don't just read your help center. They connect to past tickets, internal wikis like Confluence and Google Docs, and even your Shopify store.

• Safety first: Can you trust it not to mess up? I gave big points to platforms with a simulation mode that lets you test the AI on your real historical data before it ever speaks to a customer.

• Clear pricing: Is the cost simple and predictable? I favored flat-rate plans over confusing "pay-per-resolution" models that can lead to a nasty surprise on your monthly bill.

A quick comparison of the top AI tools for customer support

Tool	Best For	Ease of Setup	Key Integrations	Pricing Model
eesel AI	Teams needing a powerful, self-serve tool that works with their existing helpdesk.	Minutes (Self-serve)	Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, Slack, Confluence, Google Docs, Shopify	Flat monthly fee
Zendesk AI	Teams already committed to the Zendesk ecosystem.	Moderate	Deep Zendesk integration, limited outside	Per-resolution add-on
Intercom (Fin)	Businesses looking for an all-in-one "rip and replace" customer service suite.	Moderate to Complex	Salesforce, HubSpot, its own helpdesk	Per-resolution add-on
Forethought	Large enterprises with complex needs and a budget for managed implementation.	Complex (Sales-led)	Salesforce, ServiceNow, Zendesk	Custom/Annual contract
Gorgias	Ecommerce brands exclusively using Shopify or BigCommerce.	Easy	Deep Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento integration	Per-resolution add-on
Chatbase	Simple, no-code chatbot creation for basic Q&A.	Easy	Zapier, Slack, Zendesk	Per-message/Tiered
Sierra	Enterprise teams wanting advanced voice and conversational AI capabilities.	Complex (Sales-led)	Salesforce, Zendesk, Shopify	Custom/Annual contract

The 7 best AI tools for customer support

Here’s a closer look at the platforms that made the cut.

1. eesel AI

eesel AI stands out because it feels like it was built to solve the biggest headaches I’ve had with other AI tools. It’s designed to be incredibly simple to set up while giving you complete control, all without making you ditch the helpdesk you already know.

Why we chose it: It hits that sweet spot between ease and power. You can sign up and be live in minutes by connecting to your helpdesk with a single click. But its simplicity doesn't mean it's weak. The simulation mode is a huge plus; you can test your AI on thousands of your past tickets to see exactly how it will perform and what your savings will be before you turn it on. It also connects to all your scattered knowledge sources, not just a single help center, to give much better answers.

A screenshot of a simulation mode for an AI lead generation agent, showing predicted performance and cost savings based on historical data. These AI tools for customer support are very helpful.

Pros:

• Go live in minutes: It’s truly self-serve with one-click integrations for platforms like Zendesk, Freshdesk, and Intercom. You don't have to talk to a salesperson.

• Test with confidence: The simulation mode shows you an accurate preview of performance and savings using your own historical data.

• Total workflow control: A simple editor lets you tweak the AI's personality, set up custom actions (like looking up order info), and decide exactly which tickets it should handle.

• Transparent pricing: You pay a flat monthly fee. No surprise bills or getting penalized for having a busy month.

Cons:

• It's a newer platform, so it’s still building out some of the super-niche, complex features you might find in older tools designed for massive enterprises.

A visual of the eesel AI pricing page, which contrasts with the opaque Glean pricing model by showing clear, public-facing costs. These AI tools for customer support are transparent.

Pricing:

The pricing for eesel AI is refreshingly simple. Plans are based on a set number of monthly "AI interactions" (a reply or an action), not weird per-resolution fees.

• Team Plan: $299/month for 1,000 interactions.

• Business Plan: $799/month for 3,000 interactions, plus the ability to train on past tickets and use AI Actions.

• You get a 20% discount if you pay annually.

2. Zendesk AI

Zendesk AI is the built-in solution for the millions of teams already using Zendesk. If your entire operation lives inside Zendesk, it offers the promise of a smooth, deeply integrated experience.

Why we chose it: For teams that are all-in on Zendesk, it’s a convenient option. The AI features, like smart routing and suggested replies for agents, are baked right into the workspace your team uses every day. No need to manage a separate tool.

Pros:

• It works perfectly with the entire Zendesk ecosystem.

• AI features are part of the normal agent workflow, which helps with getting your team to actually use them.

Cons:

• Vendor lock-in: This is the biggest catch. It only works with Zendesk. If you ever decide to switch helpdesks, your entire AI setup and all the work you put in are gone.

• Complicated, unpredictable pricing: This is a huge issue. While the AI features are part of their Suite plans, they only include a tiny number of "automated resolutions." Once you go over that limit, you’re paying per resolution ($1.50-$2.00 each), which can make your costs explode without warning.

• Limited knowledge sources: It mostly learns from your Zendesk Help Center. Trying to pull in knowledge from other places your team works, like a wiki in Confluence, is a lot harder.

Pricing:

Zendesk's AI pricing is tied to their Suite plans, which start at $55/agent/month (billed annually). This includes a laughably small number of automated resolutions (like 5 per agent). After that, you have to buy add-on packs.

• Committed Automated Resolutions: $1.50 per resolution.

• Pay-as-you-go Automated Resolutions: $2.00 per resolution.

3. Intercom (Fin)

Intercom's AI agent, Fin, isn't just an add-on; it's the heart of their entire platform. It's a powerful and conversational tool for businesses that want a single, AI-native solution for everything.

A screenshot of the Fin by Intercom landing page, one of the best AI tools for customer support.

Why we chose it: Intercom has bet big on AI, and you can tell. Fin can handle complex, back-and-forth conversations and feels more natural than many other bots. If you're starting from square one or are willing to move your entire support operation, it's a very solid choice.

Pros:

• One of the most capable and conversational AIs out there.

• Tightly integrated with Intercom’s other products for a single, unified experience.

Cons:

• "Rip and replace" approach: This is a deal-breaker for a lot of teams. You can't just add Fin to your existing helpdesk; you have to move your whole team and workflow over to the Intercom platform, which is a massive project.

• Expensive and unpredictable costs: The pricing model is a classic per-resolution trap. At $0.99 for every AI resolution, costs can get out of hand fast for any team with decent ticket volume.

• Less control: The setup isn't as hands-on or flexible compared to platforms built to integrate with other tools.

Pricing:

Intercom's pricing has two parts: the cost for each agent's seat and the cost for Fin.

• Platform Fee: Starts at $29/seat/month for the Essential plan.

• Fin AI Agent: $0.99 per AI resolution.

4. Forethought

Forethought bills itself as an enterprise-grade AI platform. It’s built for large organizations that need a powerful system for the entire support process, from solving tickets to sorting them and helping human agents.

Why we chose it: It’s a seriously powerful platform that gets great results for big companies that have the budget and time to invest in a managed, white-glove solution.

Pros:

• Customers say it has very high resolution rates.

• It looks at the whole support process, not just one piece of it.

Cons:

• Not self-serve: You can't just sign up and start playing around. You have to go through a long sales cycle, sit through multiple demos, and have their team lead the implementation.

• Hidden pricing: There's no public pricing on their site. You have to get a custom quote, which almost always means a big annual contract.

• Less flexible: It's designed for huge, structured companies, which can make it too rigid for teams that need to move a bit faster.

Pricing:

You can only get custom pricing after talking to their sales team.

5. Gorgias

Gorgias is a helpdesk built from the ground up for one specific purpose: ecommerce. It has incredibly deep integrations with platforms like Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce, making it a beast for online stores.

Why we chose it: If you run an ecommerce store, Gorgias is a lifesaver. It can automatically pull order data, process returns, answer product questions, and even apply discounts. This automates a huge chunk of the work retail support teams face every day.

Pros:

• Fantastic, native integration with Shopify and other major ecommerce platforms.

• Automates the most common ecommerce support questions right out of the box.

Cons:

• Extremely niche: It’s great for ecommerce, but it’s not a good choice for almost any other kind of business (like SaaS, finance, or B2B).

• Confusing pricing: The price is based on "billable tickets," and AI resolutions are an add-on that also counts toward your ticket limit. This makes it really hard to predict your monthly costs.

Pricing:

Gorgias's pricing model is based on your monthly ticket volume.

• Basic Plan: Starts at $50/month for 300 tickets.

• Pro Plan: Starts at $300/month for 2,000 tickets.

• AI Agent Interactions: Cost an extra $0.90 per resolved conversation (on annual plans). A plan with 600 AI resolutions would add $540 to your monthly bill.

6. Chatbase

Chatbase is a tool that does one thing very well: it lets you quickly build a simple chatbot from your existing data, like a website, a PDF, or a bunch of documents.

Why we chose it: If you just need a basic informational chatbot for your website, it's incredibly fast and easy. You don't need to be a tech expert to upload your content and get a working bot in minutes.

Pros:

• Extremely easy and fast to get started.

• You can train it on a wide range of different documents and files.

Cons:

• Not a real support agent: It's a Q&A bot, not a support agent. It can't connect deeply with your helpdesk to do things like tag, route, or close tickets.

• Limited control: You can't build complex support workflows or have it check external systems for real-time information. It’s built for answering questions, not solving problems.

Pricing:

Chatbase's pricing is based on "message credits" per month.

• Free Plan: Includes 100 message credits.

• Hobby Plan: $40/month for 2,000 message credits.

• Standard Plan: $150/month for 12,000 message credits.

7. Sierra

Sierra is a high-end conversational AI platform for very large enterprise customers. It’s focused on delivering sophisticated, human-like conversations and has recently made a big move into voice support over the phone.

Why we chose it: Sierra is at the cutting edge of the market, offering features that go way beyond typical text chat. For massive companies looking to automate phone support with an AI that sounds natural and on-brand, it’s an interesting option.

Pros:

• Strong focus on creating AI personas that sound empathetic and match your brand voice.

• Voice AI is a big differentiator for call centers.

Cons:

• Enterprise-only: The technology and price tag are out of reach for most small or mid-sized companies.

• Sales-led and hidden pricing: Just like Forethought, you won't find a pricing page. You have to go through the full sales and demo process to get a custom quote.

Pricing:

Custom pricing is available only upon request.

How to choose the right AI tools for customer support for your team

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the options? Here are a few practical tips to help you find the right tool for your team:

• Ask for a simulation, not just a sales demo. A sales demo is a performance, perfectly staged to look amazing. The only way to know how a tool will really do is to test it on your own data. Ask vendors if you can run their AI against your past tickets. If they say no, that's a huge red flag.

• Pick a tool that works with your helpdesk, not one that replaces it. Switching helpdesks is a painful, expensive project that can disrupt your team for months. A platform that plugs into your existing tools in one click delivers value on day one without making you change how you work.

• Look for clear pricing to avoid surprise bills. Pay-per-resolution pricing sounds good until you have a spike in support volume and your bill triples. A predictable, flat-rate subscription makes budgeting easy and means your AI vendor wins when you get more efficient, not when you get more tickets.

• Make sure you can control what the AI does. You need to be in charge of your AI. Look for a tool with a flexible workflow editor that lets you define its knowledge sources, customize its actions (like checking an order status), and set clear rules for when to hand off a conversation to a human.

The best AI tools for customer support deliver control and confidence

The market is flooded with options, but the best AI tools for customer support are the ones that give your team power instead of locking you into a rigid system. They should be quick to set up, safe to test, and flexible enough to adapt to your business. The right tool gives you the confidence to start automating, knowing you're still in the driver's seat.

This video shows you how to use AI to make customer service way easier, which is what the best AI tools for customer support are all about.

Go live with AI in minutes with eesel AI

If you’re looking for a platform that was built to be powerful, flexible, and surprisingly easy to use, you should check out eesel AI. It checks all the boxes that matter: it's self-serve, connects to your tools in minutes, lets you test everything safely in a simulation, and has simple, transparent pricing.

You can see for yourself how it works and start automating your support in the time it takes to grab your next coffee.

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