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 approach of coming full circle.
Once I received to collaborate with G2’s IT crew to doc their seek for the greatest 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 rapidly changed into a hands-on exploration. I sat with my IT crew, watched the professionals sort out countless inside requests, and witnessed firsthand the chaos of managing workflows, approvals, and asset monitoring—all whereas maintaining the enterprise operating easily. Naturally, I couldn’t resist getting concerned myself. I signed up for trial after trial, examined options, and even received oddly enthusiastic about automation guidelines.
My objective? To determine which instruments really assist assist 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 assist ticket.
So, if you happen to’re on the hunt for the perfect service desk software program—with out having the persistence to strive each possibility—you are in the fitting place. I’ve carried out the heavy lifting so you possibly can give attention to what issues: maintaining your IT operations easy and your colleagues blissful.
8 greatest service desk software program for 2025: My prime picks
- Freshservice for automating routine service desk duties primarily based on greatest practices. ($19/mo)
- ServiceNow IT Service Administration for quick, sensible, and automatic IT service administration. ($149/mo)
- Autotask PSA for versatile options that meet distinctive enterprise necessities. (Accessible on request)
- Atera for limitless gadgets with distant monitoring and AI-driven analytics. ($129/mo)
- SysAid for all-in-one IT service and asset administration platform. (Accessible on request)
- Helpdesk 365 for easy, customizable helpdesk powered by Workplace 365. (Accessible on request)
- SolarWinds Service Desk for a devoted buyer success supervisor for premier customers. ($39/mo)
- Splashtop Distant Help for top efficiency and superior safety. ($22/mo)
*These service desk software program options are top-rated of their class, in accordance with G2 Grid Reviews. I’ve additionally added their month-to-month pricing to make comparisons simpler.
8 greatest 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 noticed it’s a lot extra.
For me, service desk software program is like the last word command middle for IT groups. It retains the whole lot within the firm operating easily—dealing with inside requests, monitoring IT belongings, managing incidents, and ensuring nobody’s left hanging when their tech acts up (which occurs loads).
Whether or not organising new workers with the fitting 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 individuals can repair easy stuff on their very own), and maintaining observe of each single request to ensure nothing slips by means of the cracks.
How did I discover and consider the perfect service desk software program?
To ensure I used to be taking a look at the perfect of the perfect, I turned to G2’s grid experiences that rank service desk software program primarily based on actual person opinions and market presence. By specializing in the leaders and excessive performers within the area, I may zero in on probably the most talked-about instruments—those that IT groups belief to maintain their operations operating easily.
As soon as I had my shortlist, I labored carefully with my IT crew, documenting their day-to-day wants and ache factors. From managing inside service requests and monitoring IT belongings to organising automation workflows and making certain compliance with SLAs, I wished to see how every instrument dealt with real-world situations. We additionally simulated widespread IT challenges to know how effectively these platforms may assist a busy IT surroundings.
I took issues a step additional by tapping into AI-powered evaluation of person suggestions. I combed by means of a whole bunch of G2 opinions to uncover recurring themes—what customers cherished, what annoyed 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 the perfect service desk software program: High components
Selecting the perfect IT service desk software program isn’t about flashy options and smooth interfaces. The actual take a look at lies in how effectively the instrument performs in chaotic workflows, integrates with current IT infrastructure, and helps the advanced wants of IT service administration (ITSM).
I evaluated every answer by means of a technical lens with my crew to make sure it meets the calls for of contemporary 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 instrument’s means to automate repetitive duties—whether or not routing tickets to the fitting division, sending automated responses for widespread points, or organising escalation guidelines to make sure nothing slips by means of the cracks. Robust automation options are environment friendly and let IT employees give attention to higher-value duties as an alternative of getting slowed down in routine requests.
- Ease of setup and usefulness: No one needs to spend weeks (or months) making an attempt to configure a service desk instrument. An important platform ought to have an intuitive interface that makes it straightforward for IT groups to stand up and operating rapidly with no need a PhD in system administration. I seemed for software program that supplied a clear person expertise, logical workflows, and useful onboarding sources to make sure easy adoption throughout the group. In any case, if a instrument is just too advanced, it’s prone to be underutilized or, worse, averted 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 determine 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 experiences for sharing with stakeholders.
- Self-service and data administration: Empowering workers to resolve points earlier than they attain IT can considerably lighten the workload. I assessed how effectively every platform enabled self-service by means of data bases, FAQs, and automatic chatbots. The very best instruments present a sturdy, searchable data administration system that enables customers to rapidly discover solutions, submit requests, and observe their very own tickets—decreasing dependency on IT for minor points.
- Safety and compliance options: With IT service desks dealing with delicate inside knowledge, safety is a prime precedence. I evaluated every platform’s compliance with business requirements, making certain they provide enterprise-grade safety controls akin 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 reinforce person authentication and defend in opposition to unauthorized entry.
By evaluating service desk software program in opposition to these technical standards, I used to be capable of determine 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 listing beneath comprises real person opinions from the perfect IT service desk software program class web page. To be included on this class, an answer should:
- Present an inside ticketing system for IT division inquiries
- Make the most of a portal for workers to submit questions, points, or requests
- Supply a data base for worker self-service
- File the IT belongings in use by an organization and any change in belongings
*This knowledge was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some opinions could 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, countless tweaking, and perhaps a gentle existential disaster. However Freshservice stunned me.
From the second I logged in, the clear, trendy interface made it ridiculously straightforward to get began. Organising the ticketing system took me much less time than brewing a cup of espresso, and the onboarding expertise was refreshingly easy, with useful tooltips guiding me by means of every function.
We determined to check it by simulating real-world IT situations—onboarding new workers, monitoring IT belongings, and, in fact, the traditional “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, after I submitted a ticket labeled “pressing,” it was robotically escalated and assigned to the fitting crew with out me lifting a finger.
One other spotlight was the AI-powered options. It analyzed incoming tickets and beneficial options primarily based on our inside data base, which saved me numerous time responding to repetitive points.
Asset administration was one other space by which Freshservice impressed me. Utilizing its built-in discovery instrument, I scanned my community and, inside minutes, had a transparent stock of all related gadgets—laptops, printers, even these mysterious “orphan” gadgets that nobody needs to assert duty for.
The configuration administration database (CMDB) allowed me to map dependencies between belongings and companies, which was helpful when troubleshooting outages.
As a lot as I cherished the platform’s automation and asset monitoring, I encountered a number of roadblocks. Reporting, for instance, left me wanting extra customization. Positive, the pre-built experiences have been helpful, however after 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 wanted for simpler integrations with some area of interest instruments my IT crew depends on every day.
What I like about Freshservice:
- With a number of clicks, I may scan my complete community and populate an in depth listing of IT belongings, together with their utilization standing and relationships with different methods. This function alone saved us hours of handbook monitoring.
- The built-in AI didn’t simply guess; it supplied me helpful options pulled from our data base, which diminished 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 assist are all options that I admire. Each tickets and belongings are dealt with successfully. Our firm’s effectivity has been significantly 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 preserve observe of belongings would profit significantly from this method’s superior ticket monitoring and administration capabilities.”
– Freshservice Assessment, Tim A.
What I dislike about Freshservice:
- Whereas the default experiences have been helpful, I struggled to create extremely custom-made experiences with deep-dive metrics. A bit extra flexibility right here would go a great distance.
- Organising fundamental automation was straightforward, 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 usually are not effectively developed. There are numerous fundamental experiences that we use to run from our earlier assist desk system that we’re unable to do inside FreshService. For instance, report in opposition to a contract quantity to see the related/linked belongings. In some methods, the reporting is overcomplicated.
Most of our experiences required from administration are wanted in listing/desk view and have to be exported in excel format reasonably than within the view of widgets and charts.”
– Freshservice Assessment, 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 instrument—it’s a complete 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 probably 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 assist requests (sure, I principally flooded the system with pretend issues), and the AI did a superb job of suggesting related data base articles and routing tickets to the fitting groups with out human intervention.
The automation workflows listed below are highly effective—as soon as correctly arrange, they will 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 operating a number of mock change requests for system upgrades and {hardware} replacements, and the approval workflows felt hermetic. ServiceNow ensured each change was assessed for impression and danger earlier than transferring ahead, which is a lifesaver if you happen to’re coping with delicate infrastructure adjustments.
Nonetheless, ServiceNow actually flexes its muscle groups when it comes to integration capabilities. It plugged proper into our current instruments—assume Microsoft 365, AWS, and even some legacy methods—with minimal trouble. The platform’s CMDB is extremely detailed, permitting me to hyperlink incidents to particular belongings, see dependency relationships, and observe the whole lot 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 intensive) and lean on their assist sources to essentially get probably the most out of the platform.
What I like about ServiceNow IT Service Administration:
- The AI chatbot genuinely stunned 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 the whole lot—cloud platforms, safety instruments, collaboration apps, you identify it. I didn’t have to leap by means of hoops to get it working with our current ecosystem.
What G2 customers like about ServiceNow IT Service Administration:
“Now we have been utilizing this instrument for the final 4 years and located it user-friendly as an intuitive interface to work. Has a superb data base and coaching. Very straightforward to implement as it may be accessed by means of an internet interface additionally. It may be built-in simply with different instruments and has good buyer assist. Now we have supported our shoppers for the previous 4 years on this for normal service administration.”
– ServiceNow IT Service Administration Assessment, Rudra P.
What I dislike about ServiceNow IT Service Administration:
- Out of the field, ServiceNow doesn’t maintain your hand. Count on to spend a superb chunk of time configuring workflows, customizing experiences, and tweaking the system to suit your wants.
- For those who’re operating a small to mid-sized enterprise, the fee could 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. Typically, it feels such as you want a handbook simply to navigate by means of all of it. Additionally, setting it up initially generally is a little bit of a trouble, particularly for smaller groups. So, whereas it is highly effective, it won’t be probably the most user-friendly possibility for everybody.”
– ServiceNow IT Service Administration Assessment, Amritansh A.
Learn the way a well-structured assist desk handbook can empower your crew, facilitate workflows, and guarantee everybody is aware of precisely how one can 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 Companies Automation (PSA) platform constructed with Managed Service Suppliers (MSPs) in thoughts.
For those who’re juggling a number of shoppers, monitoring billable hours, and managing IT companies throughout totally different companies, Autotask PSA brings the whole lot underneath 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 ideal job of centralizing all consumer interactions in a single place. Each ticket comes with a wealth of context—linked belongings, previous points, and contract particulars—making it straightforward to offer knowledgeable assist with out scrambling by means of information.
I ran a number of take a look at situations, from fundamental password resets to advanced multi-phase initiatives, 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 the whole lot 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 wonderful. I logged work hours instantly inside tickets, and Autotask PSA robotically generated invoices primarily based on contract phrases—no extra chasing down time entries or doing handbook calculations.
The actual energy of Autotask PSA, nevertheless, lies in its integrations. It related seamlessly with distant monitoring and administration (RMM) instruments like Datto RMM, permitting me to tug in asset knowledge, automate ticket creation primarily based on alerts, and even set off remediation workflows—all with out handbook intervention. This degree of automation helped me give attention to proactive assist reasonably than firefighting points.
Nonetheless, as a lot as I appreciated its complete function set, I did discover that Autotask PSA has a studying curve. There are numerous 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 have to requires a little bit of persistence.
What I like about Autotask PSA:
- I cherished having the ability to create customized dashboards that offered on the spot visibility into key metrics like SLA compliance, ticket decision occasions, and monetary efficiency.
- Autotask PSA eradicated my have to 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 might help streamline workflows, enhance communication, and scale back the necessity for a number of instruments and methods. Some options are inferior to others; for instance, Challenge Administration shouldn’t be the perfect at school, however it is sufficient to get began with out extra prices.”
– Autotask PSA Assessment, Ivan D.
What I dislike about Autotask PSA:
- I felt the UI design may use a refresh. Navigating between totally different modules generally felt clunky, and I often struggled to search out particular settings buried inside menus.
- Whereas I admire flexibility, the sheer variety of configuration choices might be overwhelming. Customizing workflows, experiences, and notifications took extra effort than I anticipated.
What G2 customers dislike about Autotask PSA:
“The person interface is dated, however you get used to it. The reporting engine could possibly be loads higher. It could even be good if it supported integration with Xero with no plugin. However these are small particulars for which we in the end discovered workarounds.”
– Autotask PSA Assessment, Christian V.
Dive into the evolution of assist desks in cybersecurity for companies and uncover how in the present day’s service desks are adapting to maintain your enterprise 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 complete 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 facet of issues. I created take a look at tickets primarily based on automated system alerts—like disk area operating low or antivirus updates failing—and Atera seamlessly generated tickets and assigned them to the suitable technician.
This proactive strategy to IT assist actually stood out as a result of it allowed me to catch potential points earlier than they escalated.
Considered one of Atera’s greatest promoting factors is its all-you-can-eat pricing mannequin, which implies you pay per technician reasonably than per endpoint. I examined this by loading the system with as many endpoints as I may handle—laptops, desktops, servers, you identify it—and Atera dealt with all of them with out breaking a sweat. It’s excellent for IT groups managing giant fleets of gadgets whereas making an attempt 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 by way of Splashtop or run distant scripts throughout a number of gadgets without delay, the method was quick, safe, and painless. I simulated the whole lot from routine upkeep to emergency troubleshooting, and Atera’s distant assist options have been dependable and fast, making it straightforward to resolve points with out bodily being on-site.
After all, no IT administration instrument is full with out reporting and analytics, and Atera delivers on this division, too—although with a number of limitations. I ran experiences on ticket response occasions, asset efficiency, and SLA compliance, and whereas the info 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 operating scripts remotely, Atera’s interface was clear and simple to navigate with no need a deep dive into the documentation.
- Atera’s alert system ensured I wasn’t continually enjoying catch-up. It proactively created tickets primarily based on system well being metrics, maintaining me forward of potential points as an alternative of reacting to them after they escalated.
What G2 customers like about Atera:
“Atera is unbelievable for useful resource administration. I take advantage of it nearly day by day to both add new workstations or servers to the platform (putting in the agent is extremely easy) or to remotely handle a server/person’s workstation that is experiencing points. The flexibility to run scheduled updates for various teams of endpoints and run giant batches of scripts could be very helpful and saves numerous time and complications.
We do not implement the ticketing system, so I haven’t got expertise with that facet of Atera, however the integration with a backup instrument like Acronis has been a lifesaver for our group. It made it extremely easy for us emigrate from our earlier backup instrument. ”
– Atera Assessment, Zyphlen Okay.
What I dislike about Atera:
- Whereas Atera affords strong out-of-the-box experiences, I discovered it troublesome to create extremely custom-made experiences that have been drilled down into particular knowledge factors that mattered most to my IT operations.
- Atera affords first rate automation, however after 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 affords a sturdy set of options, the reporting instruments could possibly be extra customizable to satisfy particular enterprise wants. Moreover, whereas buyer assist 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 Assessment, Alex B.
Ensure that 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 instrument—constructed for construction however missing character. SysAid blends strong ITSM capabilities with a surprisingly user-friendly, even enjoyable, expertise. It is like that dependable co-worker who will get issues carried out 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 straightforward to hit the bottom operating. I examined the whole lot from incident and downside administration to alter and asset monitoring, and the platform offered a structured but versatile strategy 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 data base earlier than submitting tickets, decreasing pointless IT workload. SysAid even permits you to embed useful video tutorials and FAQs, which I discovered to be a pleasant contact for onboarding new workers.
On the asset administration facet, SysAid would not disappoint. I deployed its automated community discovery instrument, and inside minutes, I had a full stock of all related gadgets. It didn’t simply give me fundamental 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 purposeful, it feels a bit of dated in locations, and navigating deeper settings generally 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 strong options obtainable on the desktop model.
What I like about SysAid:
- I cherished 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 inside 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 ideal instrument for managing IT companies. It performs exceptionally effectively at ticket administration, making it straightforward to trace and resolve issues, and its reporting options provide insightful details about traits and efficiency. We use it each to offer companies to our inside and exterior prospects.”
– SysAid Assessment, Kacian S.
What I dislike about SysAid:
- Whereas the platform supplies first rate experiences, I discovered the customization choices considerably restrictive. For those who’re used to deep, drill-down analytics, you would possibly really feel a bit constrained.
- SysAid affords numerous customization, however it took me some trial and error to get the whole lot 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 general, we discovered that some preliminary configurations took a little bit of time to know absolutely. Nonetheless, their buyer assist crew was all the time there to assist, and as soon as we received the dangle of it, the whole lot ran easily.”
– SysAid Assessment, 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 take advantage of 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 probably the most half, it delivered.
Getting arrange was a breeze. Because it’s absolutely built-in into SharePoint and Groups, I didn’t need to juggle one other login or fear about knowledge safety—all of it stays throughout the Microsoft surroundings. I had the system up and operating inside a number of hours, tweaking settings and automating ticket flows with minimal effort. I used to be pleasantly stunned by the intuitive interface—no clunky dashboards or complicated menus, only a easy, acquainted structure that made it straightforward to hit the bottom operating.
I ran some checks by submitting tickets in varied methods—by means of electronic mail, SharePoint, and even instantly in Groups—and I cherished how the whole lot 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 received the wanted consideration. What I actually appreciated was the way in which Helpdesk 365 used Microsoft’s notification system, pinging me on Groups each time 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 a number of colleagues submit take a look at requests, and so they may observe their ticket standing with out pinging IT for updates. The portal permits customers to go looking by means of a data base, log requests, and even chat with a bot for fast fixes—all utilizing their current Microsoft credentials.
Nonetheless, after I dug into the reporting options, I discovered them to be fairly fundamental. Positive, I may observe ticket decision occasions and agent efficiency, however I wished extra flexibility—like drilling down into traits and recurring points. I needed to export knowledge to Excel and analyze it manually, which wasn’t superb.
On the flip facet, the combination with Microsoft Groups was an absolute win. I may reply to tickets instantly inside Groups with out leaping between apps.
What I like about Helpdesk 365:
- I didn’t need to be taught something new—the whole lot 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.
- Organising automated ticket routing, precedence escalations, and response triggers took me minutes, and I didn’t need to dig by means of countless documentation to determine it out.
What G2 customers like about Helpdesk 365:
“Helpdesk 365 has confirmed to be a useful instrument for our group. The app is extremely straightforward 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, making certain that any points we encounter are resolved promptly. Total, I might price this app 9 out of 10 stars for its effectivity and assist.”
– Helpdesk 365 Assessment, 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 fundamental wants, however tweaking issues to suit my particular workflow required extra effort than I’d like.
- For those who’re operating a much bigger IT operation, Helpdesk 365 would possibly 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 ‘how one can’ and doesn’t clarify the primary ideas and the way they dangle collectively. For instance, clear explanations in regards to the purposeful distinction between (re)assigning, transferring, and escalating tickets.”
– Helpdesk 365 Assessment, Franky S.
7. SolarWinds Service Desk
Diving into SolarWinds Service Desk revealed a powerhouse ITSM answer that’s full of automation, asset administration, and ITIL-aligned workflows.
Proper from the beginning, the platform impressed me with its structured strategy to service administration, providing a strong ticketing system that helps IT groups keep organized and environment friendly. Nonetheless, beneath its spectacular capabilities, I uncovered a platform that requires cautious configuration and persistence to shine really.
Configuring SolarWinds Service Desk took effort, however the onboarding wizard offered useful steering as I custom-made ticket classes, escalation guidelines, and automation flows. The system’s AI-driven suggestions stood out, proactively suggesting options primarily based on previous tickets and data 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 energy. Deploying the agent throughout gadgets rapidly populated the stock with detailed {hardware} and software program insights, making it straightforward to trace the whole lot 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, making certain no rogue adjustments slipped by means of.
Nonetheless, customizing these workflows required delving deep into settings and documentation, which could overwhelm smaller IT groups searching for simplicity.
Regardless of its intensive function set, I encountered a number of hiccups alongside the way in which. The person interface, whereas purposeful, feels barely outdated and cluttered. Navigating advanced menus generally felt cumbersome, particularly when making fast changes.
Moreover, whereas SolarWinds affords strong options, the value tag can climb rapidly as you scale, making it a big 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 trouble of handbook audits.
- The system robotically categorized and assigned tickets with spectacular accuracy, decreasing any handbook intervention on my half and rushing up decision occasions.
What G2 customers like about SolarWinds Service Desk:
“SolarWinds Service Desk is extraordinarily user-friendly. Our employees can simply entry the platform and submit a ticket. We, in flip, are capable of get them the assistance they want as quickly as attainable and assign it to the right tech to assist repair their downside. It is related with Dameware Distant All over the place, which can also be extraordinarily useful as we’ve many distant gadgets that we service.
Maintaining observe of belongings is straightforward. Moreover, the flexibility to create our personal tickets and put a course of in for our techs to observe actually helps decrease errors or missed steps and maximize time spent instantly serving to employees.”
– SolarWinds Service Desk Assessment, 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 could battle to optimize it.
- The core options are sturdy 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 instrument I take advantage of.
What G2 customers dislike about SolarWinds Service Desk:
“Utilizing SolarWinds to handle all gadgets within the community is likely one of the challenges we face, and this may increasingly create protection holes. In final month’s scheduled audit, some inconsistencies within the knowledge from one in all our distant knowledge facilities have been noticed. This misalignment impacts our means to research server and software visitors precisely, so including human effort to troubleshoot manually is the consequence.”
– SolarWinds Service Desk Assessment, Maria V.
8. Splashtop Distant Help
Exploring Splashtop Distant Help instantly highlighted its give attention to simplicity and velocity, which, let’s be trustworthy, are the 2 stuff you need most in a distant assist instrument.
With a robust emphasis on distant entry and management, Splashtop is ideal for IT groups who have to troubleshoot points rapidly and effectively—with out pointless complexity or bloated options getting in the way in which.
Organising Splashtop was refreshingly easy. After deploying the agent throughout a handful of take a look at gadgets—each Home windows and macOS—the dashboard offered an on the spot overview of all managed endpoints. I cherished how straightforward it was to group gadgets, assign permissions, and arrange unattended entry with out leaping by means of hoops.
Inside minutes, I used to be remotely managing gadgets 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 rapidly realized that Splashtop is primarily a distant entry instrument, not a full-fledged IT administration answer. The platform focuses on getting you into distant methods rapidly however lacks lots of the deeper ITSM options discovered in additional complete options.
As an illustration, I discovered the alerting and monitoring capabilities to be fairly restricted—there’s no proactive technique to catch potential points earlier than they escalate, which meant I needed to depend on handbook machine checks.
Whereas the distant file switch function labored flawlessly—I may simply drag and drop information 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 after 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 assist was a spotlight throughout my testing, making it straightforward to toggle between screens on distant methods. Nonetheless, I seen 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 Help:
- I often needed to troubleshoot advanced setups with a number of screens, and Splashtop dealt with them fantastically. The flexibility to change 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 Help:
“Up to now, Splashtop has labored for me flawlessly. Connections with shoppers are fast, secure, and provide all of the options I require. I would 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 job 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 Help, which can be a results of a balanced and well-built platform. I’ve used Splashtop a number of occasions every week, which will increase the time wanted to handle much more shoppers in a given timeframe.”
– Splashtop Distant Help Assessment, Courtroom N.
What I dislike about Splashtop Distant Help:
- 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 superb for companies with combined environments.
- Splashtop does its job effectively, however it’s not notably versatile in relation to customizing workflows. I wanted for extra choices to tailor the interface, person roles, and automation triggers to swimsuit my crew’s wants higher.
What G2 customers dislike about Splashtop Distant Help:
“The one draw back to Splashtop SOS is that some superior options, like file switch and multi-monitor assist, can be found solely in higher-tier plans. It could be nice to have extra of those options included within the fundamental bundle to offer much more worth for customers needing complete assist.”
– Splashtop Distant Help Assessment, Brad B.
FAQs about greatest service desk software program
Have extra questions? I’ve answered a number of the most often requested questions on service desk software program beneath.
Q. What’s the perfect free assist desk software program?
Freshservice and SysAid provide beneficiant free trials that provide you with entry to their core options with out limitations. Freshservice affords a 21-day trial, which is a superb alternative to check its automation-heavy strategy and asset-tracking capabilities. SysAid, with its intuitive self-service portal and structured ITIL processes, supplies a strong trial expertise. For those who’re searching for distant support-focused options, Splashtop additionally affords a free trial that’s excellent for testing distant entry capabilities.
Q. How do I select the perfect service desk software program for my group?
Choosing the proper service desk software program relies on components like your group’s dimension, price range, and IT complexity. Search for options akin to automation, integrations, reporting capabilities, and ease of use. ServiceNow is a strong alternative for enterprises with advanced wants, whereas Freshservice or SysAid could be higher for small to mid-sized companies in search of simplicity and affordability.
Q. Which service desk software program has the perfect automation options?
ServiceNow leads the pack with highly effective automation, providing AI-driven workflows that simplify advanced IT processes. Freshservice additionally supplies strong automation instruments which can be straightforward to arrange, together with ticket routing, approvals, and escalations. SolarWinds Service Desk affords strong automation capabilities, although it requires extra preliminary setup effort.
Q. What’s the function of AI in trendy service desk software program?
AI helps automate ticket classification, counsel options from the data base, and predict potential points earlier than they escalate. ServiceNow and Freshservice use AI to reinforce effectivity by auto-resolving widespread requests and offering analytics for proactive IT administration.
Q. Can I migrate my current tickets and knowledge to a brand new service desk software program?
Sure, most service desk platforms assist knowledge migration from current methods. Freshservice and SysAid present easy import choices for tickets and person knowledge, whereas bigger platforms like ServiceNow could 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 choosing the right one feels loads 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 full of options, like a high-end energy drill, providing far more than I want proper now however excellent for these moments when issues get sophisticated.
What I’ve discovered is that no single instrument does all of it, however there’s undoubtedly a proper match for each crew. The secret is discovering that stability—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 experiences to ensure they ship what you want. And, in fact, gather suggestions out of your crew as a result of nothing says “mistaken alternative” like annoyed coworkers coping with clunky software program day by day.
Ultimately, discovering the perfect service desk software program isn’t nearly ticking off function lists or chasing the most recent traits. It’s about making IT assist 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 reasonably than inside IT assist, take a look at the greatest assist desk software program to handle inquiries, automate responses, and improve general service experiences.