Earlier than I swapped buyer requires catchy content material, I by no means imagined I might discover myself deep on the planet of IT service administration. However life has a humorous manner of coming full circle.
Once I acquired to collaborate with G2’s IT crew to doc their seek for the finest service desk software program, I took it as a chance to dive headfirst right into a world I’d solely seen from the sidelines.
What began as a easy documentation challenge shortly became a hands-on exploration. I sat with my IT crew, watched the professionals deal with infinite inner requests, and witnessed firsthand the chaos of managing workflows, approvals, and asset monitoring—all whereas protecting the enterprise working easily. Naturally, I couldn’t resist getting concerned myself. I signed up for trial after trial, examined options, and even acquired oddly enthusiastic about automation guidelines.
My objective? To determine which instruments truly assist help groups keep organized and environment friendly—and which of them really feel like they have been designed by somebody who’s by no means answered a help ticket.
So, if you happen to’re on the hunt for one of the best service desk software program—with out having the endurance to strive each possibility—you are in the precise place. I’ve accomplished the heavy lifting so you possibly can concentrate on what issues: protecting your IT operations clean and your colleagues pleased.
8 finest service desk software program for 2025: My prime picks
- Freshservice for automating routine service desk duties primarily based on finest practices. ($19/mo)
- ServiceNow IT Service Administration for quick, good, and automatic IT service administration. ($149/mo)
- Autotask PSA for versatile options that meet distinctive enterprise necessities. (Out there on request)
- Atera for limitless units with distant monitoring and AI-driven analytics. ($129/mo)
- SysAid for all-in-one IT service and asset administration platform. (Out there on request)
- Helpdesk 365 for easy, customizable helpdesk powered by Workplace 365. (Out there on request)
- SolarWinds Service Desk for a devoted buyer success supervisor for premier customers. ($39/mo)
- Splashtop Distant Assist for top efficiency and superior safety. ($22/mo)
*These service desk software program options are top-rated of their class, in response to G2 Grid Studies. I’ve additionally added their month-to-month pricing to make comparisons simpler.
8 finest service desk software program I like to recommend
I used to assume service desk software program was only a fancier model of a assist desk—answering IT tickets and fixing stuff when it breaks. However after diving in, I spotted it’s a lot extra.
For me, service desk software program is like the final word command heart for IT groups. It retains every little thing within the firm working easily—dealing with inner requests, monitoring IT property, managing incidents, and ensuring nobody’s left hanging when their tech acts up (which occurs so much).
Whether or not organising new staff with the precise instruments or determining why the Wi-Fi retains dropping in the course of conferences, the IT service desk is the place all these issues get tackled.
However right here’s the cool half—service desk software program isn’t nearly placing out fires. It helps IT groups get forward of points by automating duties, providing self-service portals (so folks can repair easy stuff on their very own), and protecting monitor of each single request to verify nothing slips by way of the cracks.
How did I discover and consider one of the best service desk software program?
To verify I used to be one of the best of one of the best, I turned to G2’s grid studies that rank service desk software program primarily based on actual consumer evaluations and market presence. By specializing in the leaders and excessive performers within the area, I may zero in on essentially the most talked-about instruments—those that IT groups belief to maintain their operations working easily.
As soon as I had my shortlist, I labored intently with my IT crew, documenting their day-to-day wants and ache factors. From managing inner service requests and monitoring IT property to organising automation workflows and guaranteeing compliance with SLAs, I wished to see how every device dealt with real-world situations. We additionally simulated widespread IT challenges to know how effectively these platforms may help a busy IT surroundings.
I took issues a step additional by tapping into AI-powered evaluation of consumer suggestions. I combed by way of tons of of G2 evaluations to uncover recurring themes—what customers liked, what pissed off them, and which options they relied on of their every day workflows. This deepened my understanding of long-term usability and potential deal-breakers that may not floor in short-term testing alone.
What I search for in one of the best service desk software program: Prime components
Selecting one of the best IT service desk software program isn’t about flashy options and smooth interfaces. The actual take a look at lies in how effectively the device performs in chaotic workflows, integrates with present IT infrastructure, and helps the advanced wants of IT service administration (ITSM).
I evaluated every answer by way of a technical lens with my crew to make sure it meets the calls for of recent IT operations.
- Automation and workflow functionality: IT groups have sufficient on their plates with out having to trace each single request manually. I paid shut consideration to every device’s capacity to automate repetitive duties—whether or not routing tickets to the precise division, sending automated responses for widespread points, or organising escalation guidelines to make sure nothing slips by way of the cracks. Sturdy automation options are environment friendly and let IT workers concentrate on higher-value duties as a substitute of getting slowed down in routine requests.
- Ease of setup and usefulness: No person desires to spend weeks (or months) attempting to configure a service desk device. An incredible platform ought to have an intuitive interface that makes it simple for IT groups to rise up and working shortly without having a PhD in system administration. I appeared for software program that supplied a clear consumer expertise, logical workflows, and useful onboarding assets to make sure clean adoption throughout the group. In any case, if a device is just too advanced, it’s more likely to be underutilized or, worse, prevented altogether.
- Reporting, dashboards, and analytics: Information-driven decision-making is the spine of any environment friendly IT operation. I examined how effectively every service desk software program offered insights into efficiency metrics like ticket decision occasions, service degree compliance, and recurring points. Good reporting capabilities ought to assist IT managers establish bottlenecks, enhance useful resource allocation, and constantly improve their service supply. Bonus factors went to instruments that supplied customizable dashboards, real-time analytics, and easy-to-export studies for sharing with stakeholders.
- Self-service and information administration: Empowering staff to resolve points earlier than they attain IT can considerably lighten the workload. I assessed how effectively every platform enabled self-service by way of information bases, FAQs, and automatic chatbots. One of the best instruments present a strong, searchable information administration system that permits customers to shortly discover solutions, submit requests, and monitor their very own tickets—lowering dependency on IT for minor points.
- Safety and compliance options: With IT service desks dealing with delicate inner information, safety is a prime precedence. I evaluated every platform’s compliance with trade requirements, guaranteeing they provide enterprise-grade safety controls similar to role-based entry management (RBAC), encryption (each at relaxation and in transit), and audit logs for monitoring each motion taken throughout the system. I additionally checked whether or not the software program helps single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to boost consumer authentication and defend towards unauthorized entry.
By evaluating service desk software program towards these technical standards, I used to be capable of establish the highest 8 out of 30+ options that aren’t solely feature-rich but additionally able to scaling with enterprise wants, integrating seamlessly with IT ecosystems, and serving to with steady enchancment.
The checklist beneath incorporates real consumer evaluations from one of the best IT service desk software program class web page. To be included on this class, an answer should:
- Present an inner ticketing system for IT division inquiries
- Make the most of a portal for workers to submit questions, points, or requests
- Supply a information base for worker self-service
- Report the IT property in use by an organization and any change in property
*This information was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some evaluations might have been edited for readability.
1. Freshservice
Once I first dove into Freshservice, I anticipated the same old IT service desk setup grind—advanced configurations, infinite tweaking, and perhaps a light existential disaster. However Freshservice shocked me.
From the second I logged in, the clear, fashionable interface made it ridiculously simple to get began. Establishing the ticketing system took me much less time than brewing a cup of espresso, and the onboarding expertise was refreshingly clean, with useful tooltips guiding me by way of every function.
We determined to check it by simulating real-world IT situations—onboarding new staff, monitoring IT property, and, in fact, the basic “printer not working” ticket. Freshservice’s automation capabilities actually stood out right here. I may arrange workflow automation that routed tickets primarily based on precedence, class, and even key phrases. For instance, once I submitted a ticket labeled “pressing,” it was robotically escalated and assigned to the precise crew with out me lifting a finger.
One other spotlight was the AI-powered solutions. It analyzed incoming tickets and beneficial options primarily based on our inner information base, which saved me quite a lot of time responding to repetitive points.
Asset administration was one other space through which Freshservice impressed me. Utilizing its built-in discovery device, I scanned my community and, inside minutes, had a transparent stock of all linked units—laptops, printers, even these mysterious “orphan” units that nobody desires to say accountability for.
The configuration administration database (CMDB) allowed me to map dependencies between property and companies, which was useful when troubleshooting outages.
As a lot as I liked the platform’s automation and asset monitoring, I encountered just a few roadblocks. Reporting, for instance, left me wanting extra customization. Positive, the pre-built studies have been helpful, however once I tried to drill down into specifics—like monitoring decision occasions by agent efficiency over a customized interval—I hit a wall.
Additionally, whereas Freshservice integrates seamlessly with huge gamers like Slack and Microsoft Groups, I needed for simpler integrations with some area of interest instruments my IT crew depends on every day.
What I like about Freshservice:
- With just a few clicks, I may scan my complete community and populate an in depth checklist of IT property, together with their utilization standing and relationships with different methods. This function alone saved us hours of guide monitoring.
- The built-in AI didn’t simply guess; it supplied me helpful solutions pulled from our information base, which decreased my time spent responding to repetitive queries.
What G2 customers like about Freshservice:
“Its ease of use, simple set up, wonderful ticket administration system, and rock-solid technical help are all options that I admire. Each tickets and property are dealt with successfully. Our firm’s effectivity has been drastically enhanced by its customizable options, automated workflows, and talent to combine with different functions. Any firm that makes use of tickets to trace duties, automate processes, and hold monitor of property would profit drastically from this technique’s superior ticket monitoring and administration capabilities.”
– Freshservice Overview, Tim A.
What I dislike about Freshservice:
- Whereas the default studies have been helpful, I struggled to create extremely personalized studies with deep-dive metrics. Slightly extra flexibility right here would go a great distance.
- Establishing primary automation was simple, however as soon as I wished to fine-tune processes to suit distinctive enterprise wants, I hit some irritating limitations.
What G2 customers dislike about Freshservice:
“The reporting options should not effectively developed. There are quite a lot of primary studies that we use to run from our earlier assist desk system that we’re unable to do inside FreshService. For instance, report towards a contract quantity to see the related/linked property. In some methods, the reporting is overcomplicated.
Most of our studies required from administration are wanted in checklist/desk view and have to be exported in excel format moderately than within the view of widgets and charts.”
– Freshservice Overview, Renee S.
2. ServiceNow IT Service Administration
Once I determined to strive ServiceNow IT Service Administration, I knew I used to be getting into the enterprise-grade territory. This isn’t your common service desk device—it’s a whole ITSM ecosystem that feels prefer it was constructed for organizations that take IT severely.
From incident and alter administration to asset monitoring and automation, ServiceNow goals to be the all-in-one answer that may scale with even essentially the most advanced IT environments.
I began by diving into its incident administration capabilities—testing how effectively it dealt with ticket consumption, categorization, and escalation. Proper out of the gate, the platform’s AI-powered Digital Agent impressed me. I simulated an inflow of help requests (sure, I principally flooded the system with pretend issues), and the AI did a wonderful job of suggesting related information base articles and routing tickets to the precise groups with out human intervention.
The automation workflows listed here are highly effective—as soon as correctly arrange, they’ll deal with something from recurring points to advanced approvals with multi-step circumstances. The change administration module was one other standout. I examined it by working just a few mock change requests for system upgrades and {hardware} replacements, and the approval workflows felt hermetic. ServiceNow ensured each change was assessed for affect and danger earlier than transferring ahead, which is a lifesaver if you happen to’re coping with delicate infrastructure modifications.
Nevertheless, ServiceNow actually flexes its muscle groups by way of integration capabilities. It plugged proper into our present instruments—assume Microsoft 365, AWS, and even some legacy methods—with minimal problem. The platform’s CMDB is extremely detailed, permitting me to hyperlink incidents to particular property, see dependency relationships, and monitor every little thing from {hardware} to cloud companies in a single place.
Now, for all its strengths, ServiceNow does have a studying curve—extra like a studying mountain. Configuring workflows, customizing dashboards, and navigating the huge array of options can initially really feel overwhelming. I needed to dive into documentation (which, fortunately, is in depth) and lean on their help assets to essentially get essentially the most out of the platform.
What I like about ServiceNow IT Service Administration:
- The AI chatbot genuinely shocked me with how effectively it dealt with repetitive queries and redirected customers to self-service choices earlier than they even wanted to submit a ticket.
- ServiceNow works effectively with virtually every little thing—cloud platforms, safety instruments, collaboration apps, you title it. I didn’t have to leap by way of hoops to get it working with our present ecosystem.
What G2 customers like about ServiceNow IT Service Administration:
“We have now been utilizing this device for the final 4 years and located it user-friendly as an intuitive interface to work. Has a very good information base and coaching. Very simple to implement as it may be accessed by way of an internet interface additionally. It may be built-in simply with different instruments and has good buyer help. We have now supported our shoppers for the previous 4 years on this for normal service administration.”
– ServiceNow IT Service Administration Overview, Rudra P.
What I dislike about ServiceNow IT Service Administration:
- Out of the field, ServiceNow doesn’t maintain your hand. Anticipate to spend a very good chunk of time configuring workflows, customizing studies, and tweaking the system to suit your wants.
- Should you’re working a small to mid-sized enterprise, the fee may be a tricky tablet to swallow. ServiceNow is undoubtedly a powerhouse, however you’re paying premium costs for that energy.
What G2 customers dislike about ServiceNow IT Service Administration:
“One draw back of ServiceNow IT Service Administration could possibly be its complexity. Generally, it feels such as you want a guide simply to navigate by way of all of it. Additionally, setting it up initially is usually a little bit of a problem, particularly for smaller groups. So, whereas it is highly effective, it won’t be essentially the most user-friendly possibility for everybody.”
– ServiceNow IT Service Administration Overview, Amritansh A.
Learn the way a well-structured assist desk guide can empower your crew, facilitate workflows, and guarantee everybody is aware of precisely easy methods to deal with requests effectively.
3. Autotask PSA
Once I tried Autotask PSA, it was not simply one other service desk answer—it’s a full-fledged Skilled Providers Automation (PSA) platform constructed with Managed Service Suppliers (MSPs) in thoughts.
Should you’re juggling a number of shoppers, monitoring billable hours, and managing IT companies throughout completely different companies, Autotask PSA brings every little thing below one roof—ticketing, challenge administration, billing, and buyer relationship administration.
I began my testing by diving into the ticketing system, and I’ve to say, it’s impressively dynamic. Autotask PSA does an excellent job of centralizing all shopper interactions in a single place. Each ticket comes with a wealth of context—linked property, previous points, and contract particulars—making it simple to offer knowledgeable help with out scrambling by way of data.
I ran a number of take a look at situations, from primary password resets to advanced multi-phase tasks, and the platform dealt with prioritization and escalation workflows easily.
Considered one of my favourite options was the customizable dashboards. I may tailor them to trace every little thing from technician efficiency to ticket decision occasions, which gave me a transparent image of service effectivity at a look.
Talking of monitoring, the built-in time monitoring and billing integration is superb. I logged work hours straight inside tickets, and Autotask PSA robotically generated invoices primarily based on contract phrases—no extra chasing down time entries or doing guide calculations.
The actual power of Autotask PSA, nonetheless, lies in its integrations. It linked seamlessly with distant monitoring and administration (RMM) instruments like Datto RMM, permitting me to tug in asset information, automate ticket creation primarily based on alerts, and even set off remediation workflows—all with out guide intervention. This degree of automation helped me concentrate on proactive help moderately than firefighting points.
Nevertheless, as a lot as I appreciated its complete function set, I did discover that Autotask PSA has a studying curve. There are quite a lot of settings to tweak, and getting the workflows proper took some trial and error. Plus, whereas the reporting options are highly effective, customizing them to extract precisely what I must requires a little bit of endurance.
What I like about Autotask PSA:
- I liked having the ability to create personalised dashboards that offered instantaneous visibility into key metrics like SLA compliance, ticket decision occasions, and monetary efficiency.
- Autotask PSA eradicated my must juggle a number of instruments. All the pieces is interconnected, which simplifies service supply and improves effectivity.
What G2 customers like about Autotask PSA:
“I like its dashboards and its complete performance. It’s an all-in-one answer that mixes service desk, stock, workflow automation, challenge administration, time and expense monitoring, billing, buyer relationship administration, and reporting and analytics in a single platform. This may help streamline workflows, enhance communication, and cut back the necessity for a number of instruments and methods. Some options are not so good as others; for instance, Challenge Administration isn’t one of the best at school, nevertheless it is sufficient to get began with out further prices.”
– Autotask PSA Overview, Ivan D.
What I dislike about Autotask PSA:
- I felt the UI design may use a refresh. Navigating between completely different modules typically felt clunky, and I sometimes struggled to seek out particular settings buried inside menus.
- Whereas I admire flexibility, the sheer variety of configuration choices may be overwhelming. Customizing workflows, studies, and notifications took extra effort than I anticipated.
What G2 customers dislike about Autotask PSA:
“The consumer interface is dated, however you get used to it. The reporting engine could possibly be so much higher. It will even be good if it supported integration with Xero with out a plugin. However these are small particulars for which we finally discovered workarounds.”
– Autotask PSA Overview, Christian V.
Dive into the evolution of assist desks in cybersecurity for companies and uncover how at present’s service desks are adapting to maintain your online business safe in an ever-changing digital panorama.
4. Atera
Once I first fired up Atera, I anticipated one other run-of-the-mill IT service desk. What I discovered was one thing extra—a full-stack IT administration platform that mixes service desk performance with RMM in a single neat bundle.
It’s designed with IT professionals and MSPs in thoughts, and let me let you know, it’s like having a whole IT division in your again pocket.
I kicked off my testing by exploring the ticketing system, and I used to be impressed by how easily it integrates with the RMM aspect of issues. I created take a look at tickets primarily based on automated system alerts—like disk area working low or antivirus updates failing—and Atera seamlessly generated tickets and assigned them to the suitable technician.
This proactive method to IT help actually stood out as a result of it allowed me to catch potential points earlier than they escalated.
Considered one of Atera’s largest promoting factors is its all-you-can-eat pricing mannequin, which implies you pay per technician moderately than per endpoint. I examined this by loading the system with as many endpoints as I may handle—laptops, desktops, servers, you title it—and Atera dealt with all of them with out breaking a sweat. It’s excellent for IT groups managing massive fleets of units whereas attempting to maintain prices predictable.
The distant entry instruments constructed into Atera are one other spotlight. Whether or not I wanted to leap right into a machine through Splashtop or run distant scripts throughout a number of units without delay, the method was quick, safe, and painless. I simulated every little thing from routine upkeep to emergency troubleshooting, and Atera’s distant help options have been dependable and fast, making it simple to resolve points with out bodily being on-site.
After all, no IT administration device is full with out reporting and analytics, and Atera delivers on this division, too—although with just a few limitations. I ran studies on ticket response occasions, asset efficiency, and SLA compliance, and whereas the information was insightful, I discovered myself wanting extra customization choices to drill down into specifics.
What I like about Atera:
- Whether or not I used to be managing tickets, automating patch administration, or working scripts remotely, Atera’s interface was clear and straightforward to navigate without having a deep dive into the documentation.
- Atera’s alert system ensured I wasn’t always enjoying catch-up. It proactively created tickets primarily based on system well being metrics, protecting me forward of potential points as a substitute of reacting to them after they escalated.
What G2 customers like about Atera:
“Atera is unbelievable for useful resource administration. I exploit it virtually day-after-day to both add new workstations or servers to the platform (putting in the agent is extremely easy) or to remotely handle a server/consumer’s workstation that is experiencing points. The flexibility to run scheduled updates for various teams of endpoints and run massive batches of scripts could be very helpful and saves quite a lot of time and complications.
We do not implement the ticketing system, so I haven’t got expertise with that aspect of Atera, however the integration with a backup device like Acronis has been a lifesaver for our group. It made it extremely easy for us emigrate from our earlier backup device. ”
– Atera Overview, Zyphlen Ok.
What I dislike about Atera:
- Whereas Atera presents strong out-of-the-box studies, I discovered it troublesome to create extremely personalized studies that have been drilled down into particular information factors that mattered most to my IT operations.
- Atera presents first rate automation, however once I tried organising extra advanced, multi-step workflows, I bumped into some limitations. For these used to superior automation platforms, it’d really feel a bit restrictive.
What G2 customers dislike about Atera:
“Whereas Atera presents a strong set of options, the reporting instruments could possibly be extra customizable to fulfill particular enterprise wants. Moreover, whereas buyer help is responsive and useful, implementing new function requests or updates can take longer than anticipated. Lastly, the platform would profit from extra granular controls in workflow customization to cater to advanced environments.”
– Atera Overview, Alex B.
Ensure your service desk software program meets your group’s distinctive necessities. Take a look at this information on assist desk software program necessities to know extra.
5. SysAid
Once I began exploring SysAid, I anticipated yet one more inflexible IT service administration device—constructed for construction however missing persona. SysAid blends sturdy ITSM capabilities with a surprisingly user-friendly, even enjoyable, expertise. It is like that dependable co-worker who will get issues accomplished however nonetheless manages to crack a joke in the course of chaos.
Setting it up was simple, and SysAid’s out-of-the-box ITIL templates made it simple to hit the bottom working. I examined every little thing from incident and downside administration to vary and asset monitoring, and the platform offered a structured but versatile method to ITSM. I may outline workflows, automate ticket assignments, and arrange escalation guidelines with out feeling like I wanted a sophisticated diploma in course of administration.
I examined the self-service portal by simulating end-user requests, and I used to be impressed by how intuitive and customizable the portal was. Customers may seek for options within the information base earlier than submitting tickets, lowering pointless IT workload. SysAid even means that you can embed useful video tutorials and FAQs, which I discovered to be a pleasant contact for onboarding new staff.
On the asset administration aspect, SysAid would not disappoint. I deployed its automated community discovery device, and inside minutes, I had a full stock of all linked units. It didn’t simply give me primary data; it offered an in depth look into {hardware} specs, software program licenses, and even utilization statistics—excellent for planning IT budgets and monitoring lifecycle prices.
Whereas the SysAid’s UI is useful, it feels somewhat dated in locations, and navigating deeper settings typically required extra clicks than I might’ve favored. I additionally discovered the cellular app a bit underwhelming—nice for viewing tickets however missing a number of the extra sturdy options obtainable on the desktop model.
What I like about SysAid:
- I liked how SysAid mapped out our complete IT infrastructure with an in depth breakdown of {hardware}, software program, and interdependencies—making audits and compliance checks a lot simpler.
- The flexibility to create and retailer inner documentation, troubleshooting guides, and step-by-step options meant I may empower end-users to resolve minor points themselves.
What G2 customers like about SysAid:
“I have been utilizing SysAid for over 5 years. SysAid has confirmed to be an excellent device for managing IT companies. It performs exceptionally effectively at ticket administration, making it simple to trace and resolve issues, and its reporting options supply insightful details about traits and efficiency. We use it each to offer companies to our inner and exterior clients.”
– SysAid Overview, Kacian S.
What I dislike about SysAid:
- Whereas the platform supplies first rate studies, I discovered the customization choices considerably restrictive. Should you’re used to deep, drill-down analytics, you may really feel a bit constrained.
- SysAid presents quite a lot of customization, nevertheless it took me some trial and error to get every little thing proper. So, the training curve is steep if you wish to tailor workflows past the fundamentals.
What G2 customers dislike about SysAid:
“Whereas SysAid has been nice total, we discovered that some preliminary configurations took a little bit of time to know totally. Nevertheless, their buyer help crew was all the time there to assist, and as soon as we acquired the cling of it, every little thing ran easily.”
– SysAid Overview, Luigi C.
6. Helpdesk 365
I had excessive hopes about Helpdesk 365—in spite of everything, it’s constructed particularly for Microsoft 365 customers, and I exploit Groups, Outlook, and SharePoint every day.
The promise? A helpdesk answer that matches proper into the Microsoft ecosystem with out feeling like an add-on. Truthfully, for essentially the most half, it delivered.
Getting arrange was a breeze. Because it’s totally built-in into SharePoint and Groups, I didn’t should juggle one other login or fear about information safety—all of it stays throughout the Microsoft surroundings. I had the system up and working inside just a few hours, tweaking settings and automating ticket flows with minimal effort. I used to be pleasantly shocked by the intuitive interface—no clunky dashboards or complicated menus, only a easy, acquainted structure that made it simple to hit the bottom working.
I ran some assessments by submitting tickets in varied methods—by way of electronic mail, SharePoint, and even straight in Groups—and I liked how every little thing synced effortlessly. The automated ticket task function labored effectively, distributing tickets primarily based on classes and urgency. I even arrange escalation workflows to make sure high-priority points acquired the wanted consideration. What I actually appreciated was the way in which Helpdesk 365 used Microsoft’s notification system, pinging me on Groups at any time when an SLA was about to breach—no extra “oops, I forgot” moments.
The self-service portal is one other spotlight. I examined it by having just a few colleagues submit take a look at requests, and so they may monitor their ticket standing with out pinging IT for updates. The portal permits customers to look by way of a information base, log requests, and even chat with a bot for fast fixes—all utilizing their present Microsoft credentials.
Nevertheless, once I dug into the reporting options, I discovered them to be fairly primary. Positive, I may monitor ticket decision occasions and agent efficiency, however I wished extra flexibility—like drilling down into traits and recurring points. I needed to export information to Excel and analyze it manually, which wasn’t very best.
On the flip aspect, the mixing with Microsoft Groups was an absolute win. I may reply to tickets straight inside Groups with out leaping between apps.
What I like about Helpdesk 365:
- I didn’t should be taught something new—every little thing from ticket monitoring to notifications match seamlessly into Microsoft 365. I may reply to tickets inside Groups and get real-time updates with out leaving the app.
- Establishing automated ticket routing, precedence escalations, and response triggers took me minutes, and I didn’t should dig by way of infinite documentation to determine it out.
What G2 customers like about Helpdesk 365:
“Helpdesk 365 has confirmed to be a useful device for our group. The app is extremely simple to implement, and coaching finish customers is a breeze. The seamless integration between SharePoint and Groups enhances our workflow considerably. Moreover, the customer support is excellent, guaranteeing that any points we encounter are resolved promptly. Total, I might price this app 9 out of 10 stars for its effectivity and help.”
– Helpdesk 365 Overview, Sheila S.
What I dislike about Helpdesk 365:
- I wished extra management over issues like ticket classes and workflow customization. The default choices have been superb for primary wants, however tweaking issues to suit my particular workflow required extra effort than I’d like.
- Should you’re working a much bigger IT operation, Helpdesk 365 may really feel too simplistic. It really works nice for SMBs, however scaling it to deal with advanced ITSM workflows could also be difficult.
What G2 customers dislike about Helpdesk 365:
“We had some troubles within the implementation section. The documentation could be very ‘easy methods to’ and doesn’t clarify the primary ideas and the way they cling collectively. For instance, clear explanations in regards to the useful distinction between (re)assigning, transferring, and escalating tickets.”
– Helpdesk 365 Overview, Franky S.
7. SolarWinds Service Desk
Diving into SolarWinds Service Desk revealed a powerhouse ITSM answer that’s filled with automation, asset administration, and ITIL-aligned workflows.
Proper from the beginning, the platform impressed me with its structured method to service administration, providing a sturdy ticketing system that helps IT groups keep organized and environment friendly. Nevertheless, beneath its spectacular capabilities, I uncovered a platform that requires cautious configuration and endurance to shine actually.
Configuring SolarWinds Service Desk took effort, however the onboarding wizard offered useful steerage as I personalized ticket classes, escalation guidelines, and automation flows. The system’s AI-driven suggestions stood out, proactively suggesting options primarily based on previous tickets and information base content material—an absolute lifesaver when coping with repetitive points.
Testing it with high-priority tickets proved how effectively the automation engine can prioritize, route, and escalate points with out breaking a sweat.
Exploring the asset administration module showcased one other main power. Deploying the agent throughout units shortly populated the stock with detailed {hardware} and software program insights, making it simple to trace every little thing from laptops to licenses.
SolarWinds Service Desk additionally supplies strong change administration workflows, which I examined by simulating an office-wide software program replace. The approval chains and danger evaluation instruments supplied wonderful oversight, guaranteeing no rogue modifications slipped by way of.
Nevertheless, customizing these workflows required delving deep into settings and documentation, which could overwhelm smaller IT groups on the lookout for simplicity.
Regardless of its in depth function set, I encountered just a few hiccups alongside the way in which. The consumer interface, whereas useful, feels barely outdated and cluttered. Navigating advanced menus typically felt cumbersome, particularly when making fast changes.
Moreover, whereas SolarWinds presents sturdy options, the value tag can climb shortly as you scale, making it a major funding for rising organizations.
What I like about SolarWinds Service Desk:
- I may monitor {hardware}, software program, and even guarantee statuses, giving me an entire image of our IT infrastructure with out the effort of guide audits.
- The system robotically categorized and assigned tickets with spectacular accuracy, lowering any guide intervention on my half and dashing up decision occasions.
What G2 customers like about SolarWinds Service Desk:
“SolarWinds Service Desk is extraordinarily user-friendly. Our workers can simply entry the platform and submit a ticket. We, in flip, are capable of get them the assistance they want as quickly as doable and assign it to the right tech to assist repair their downside. It is linked with Dameware Distant All over the place, which can be extraordinarily useful as we’ve got many distant units that we service.
Conserving monitor of property is easy. Moreover, the power to create our personal tickets and put a course of in for our techs to comply with actually helps reduce errors or missed steps and maximize time spent straight serving to workers.”
– SolarWinds Service Desk Overview, Maria S.
What I dislike about SolarWinds Service Desk:
- Once I tried tuning the platform to suit particular workflows, it took appreciable effort from the IT crew’s finish, and I really feel smaller groups might battle to optimize it.
- The core options are robust and able to use. However unlocking AI-driven insights and superior reporting got here at a steep value for somebody like me who’s very used to AI options in each device I exploit.
What G2 customers dislike about SolarWinds Service Desk:
“Utilizing SolarWinds to handle all units within the community is without doubt one of the challenges we face, and this will likely create protection holes. In final month’s scheduled audit, some inconsistencies within the information from certainly one of our distant information facilities have been noticed. This misalignment impacts our capacity to investigate server and utility site visitors precisely, so including human effort to troubleshoot manually is the consequence.”
– SolarWinds Service Desk Overview, Maria V.
8. Splashtop Distant Assist
Exploring Splashtop Distant Assist instantly highlighted its concentrate on simplicity and velocity, which, let’s be sincere, are the 2 stuff you need most in a distant help device.
With a powerful emphasis on distant entry and management, Splashtop is ideal for IT groups who must troubleshoot points shortly and effectively—with out pointless complexity or bloated options getting in the way in which.
Establishing Splashtop was refreshingly easy. After deploying the agent throughout a handful of take a look at units—each Home windows and macOS—the dashboard offered an instantaneous overview of all managed endpoints. I liked how simple it was to group units, assign permissions, and arrange unattended entry with out leaping by way of hoops.
Inside minutes, I used to be remotely managing units as if I have been sitting proper in entrance of them. The connection velocity was spectacular, with minimal lag even when working with bandwidth-heavy duties like software program installations and troubleshooting video-related points.
As a lot as I appreciated its straightforwardness, I shortly realized that Splashtop is primarily a distant entry device, not a full-fledged IT administration answer. The platform focuses on getting you into distant methods shortly however lacks most of the deeper ITSM options discovered in additional complete options.
For example, I discovered the alerting and monitoring capabilities to be fairly restricted—there’s no proactive solution to catch potential points earlier than they escalate, which meant I needed to depend on guide machine checks.
Whereas the distant file switch function labored flawlessly—I may simply drag and drop recordsdata between my native and distant methods—there have been some notable limitations in different areas. The dearth of built-in chat performance was irritating, particularly once I wanted to speak with finish customers throughout troubleshooting periods. I ended up counting on exterior messaging instruments to fill the hole, which felt like an pointless further step.
Splashtop’s multi-monitor help was a spotlight throughout my testing, making it simple to toggle between screens on distant methods. Nevertheless, I observed that Mac customers don’t get the identical degree of performance as their Home windows counterparts—sure options, like distant printing, felt underdeveloped or unavailable.
What I like about Splashtop Distant Assist:
- I continuously needed to troubleshoot advanced setups with a number of screens, and Splashtop dealt with them superbly. The flexibility to modify between shows and even rearrange them remotely gave me a way of management that another instruments lacked.
- The flexibility to remotely entry machines with out intervention was invaluable, particularly for after-hours upkeep. I scheduled updates, reboots, and troubleshooting duties with out disrupting finish customers.
What G2 customers like about Splashtop Distant Assist:
“To this point, Splashtop has labored for me flawlessly. Connections with shoppers are fast, secure, and supply all of the options I require. I should not have a clientele that requires 24/7 monitoring, so coming in on request is a bonus and saves journey time for an in-person go to. The options required by my service, reboots, file transfers, and entry to process supervisor, make my job easy.
For many of my shoppers, the method of organising Splashtop to be used is straightforward inside their capabilities. I’ve not had the necessity to contact Buyer Assist, which can be a results of a balanced and well-built platform. I’ve used Splashtop a number of occasions per week, which will increase the time wanted to deal with much more shoppers in a given timeframe.”
– Splashtop Distant Assist Overview, Court docket N.
What I dislike about Splashtop Distant Assist:
- Whereas Splashtop excels in Home windows environments, Mac customers get the quick finish of the stick. Options like distant printing, clipboard syncing, and sound redirection have been both lacking or didn’t work as easily as they did on Home windows methods. This made it much less very best for companies with blended environments.
- Splashtop does its job effectively, nevertheless it’s not significantly versatile in the case of customizing workflows. I needed for extra choices to tailor the interface, consumer roles, and automation triggers to go well with my crew’s wants higher.
What G2 customers dislike about Splashtop Distant Assist:
“The one draw back to Splashtop SOS is that some superior options, like file switch and multi-monitor help, can be found solely in higher-tier plans. It will be nice to have extra of those options included within the primary bundle to offer much more worth for customers needing complete help.”
– Splashtop Distant Assist Overview, Brad B.
FAQs about finest service desk software program
Have extra questions? I’ve answered a number of the most continuously requested questions on service desk software program beneath.
Q. What’s one of the best free assist desk software program?
Freshservice and SysAid supply beneficiant free trials that provide you with entry to their core options with out limitations. Freshservice presents a 21-day trial, which is a good alternative to check its automation-heavy method and asset-tracking capabilities. SysAid, with its intuitive self-service portal and structured ITIL processes, supplies a strong trial expertise. Should you’re on the lookout for distant support-focused options, Splashtop additionally presents a free trial that’s excellent for testing distant entry capabilities.
Q. How do I select one of the best service desk software program for my group?
Selecting the best service desk software program will depend on components like your group’s measurement, funds, and IT complexity. Search for options similar to automation, integrations, reporting capabilities, and ease of use. ServiceNow is a strong alternative for enterprises with advanced wants, whereas Freshservice or SysAid may be higher for small to mid-sized companies in search of simplicity and affordability.
Q. Which service desk software program has one of the best automation options?
ServiceNow leads the pack with highly effective automation, providing AI-driven workflows that simplify advanced IT processes. Freshservice additionally supplies sturdy automation instruments which might be simple to arrange, together with ticket routing, approvals, and escalations. SolarWinds Service Desk presents strong automation capabilities, although it requires extra preliminary setup effort.
Q. What’s the function of AI in fashionable service desk software program?
AI helps automate ticket classification, recommend options from the information base, and predict potential points earlier than they escalate. ServiceNow and Freshservice use AI to boost effectivity by auto-resolving widespread requests and offering analytics for proactive IT administration.
Q. Can I migrate my present tickets and information to a brand new service desk software program?
Sure, most service desk platforms help information migration from present methods. Freshservice and SysAid present easy import choices for tickets and consumer information, whereas bigger platforms like ServiceNow might require extra advanced migration plans with API integrations or skilled companies.
Mission IT-possible
After diving headfirst into the world of service desk software program, I’ve realized that selecting the correct one feels so much like assembling my dream IT toolkit. Some instruments are the on a regular basis necessities—easy, dependable, and able to deal with the same old requests with none fuss. Others are filled with options, like a high-end energy drill, providing far more than I would like proper now however excellent for these moments when issues get sophisticated.
What I’ve discovered is that no single device does all of it, however there’s undoubtedly a proper match for each crew. The secret is discovering that steadiness—one thing highly effective sufficient to deal with robust challenges however not so overwhelming that it slows me down.
Now comes the enjoyable half—testing issues out. Join free trials, poke round each function, and see if the software program can sustain with the calls for of a busy IT surroundings. Submit tickets, automate processes, and even run studies to verify they ship what you want. And, in fact, gather suggestions out of your crew as a result of nothing says “incorrect alternative” like pissed off coworkers coping with clunky software program day-after-day.
Ultimately, discovering one of the best service desk software program isn’t nearly ticking off function lists or chasing the most recent traits. It’s about making IT help smoother, extra environment friendly, and—dare I say it—much less of a headache.
In case your focus is on delivering top-notch customer support moderately than inner IT help, try the finest assist desk software program to handle inquiries, automate responses, and improve total service experiences.