Updated October 18, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
EngageBay vs SparrowDesk
EngageBay
Higher score in this comparison
SparrowDesk
Where EngageBay and SparrowDesk differ
| Compare | EngageBayReviewVisitVisit | SparrowDeskReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price per user from | $14.99Lower | $16 |
| Free plan limits | 250 contacts, up to 15 users | Up to 3 users |
| Plan tiers | Free, Basic, Growth, Pro | Free, Starter, Professional, Enterprise |
| Product | CRM, Help deskCovers more | Help desk |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 14 days |
| Integrations | 250 | Not confirmed |
| Compliance certifications | GDPR, DPF | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- EngageBay scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Price per user from is lower at EngageBay: $14.99 vs $16.
- Support channels: only EngageBay offers Chat, Phone, Help centre.
- Pricing model: only SparrowDesk offers Free trial.
- Product: only EngageBay offers CRM.
Our verdict on each
EngageBay
EngageBay suits small businesses and beginners seeking CRM and help-desk tools with a free entry point. Its free plan allows 250 contacts, up to 15 users, giving a clear starting check on contact and user allowances before reviewing paid tiers for your growing team.
SparrowDesk
SparrowDesk suits small support teams that want a real free tier before they commit to a paid plan. Paid entry sits at $16 per user, under LiveAgent and Zendesk, the free plan covers Up to 3 users, and the trial runs 14 days, though support runs on email only.
Score breakdown
| Area | EngageBay | SparrowDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7HigherEngageBay lists a per-user starting price of $14.99. | 9.4Entry price of $16 per user. The help desk median sits at €17.10, with LiveAgent and Zendesk higher and HansaWorld lower. |
| Offer | 9.5HigherEngageBay lists CRM and help-desk coverage as CRM and help desk. | 8.4 |
| Trust | 8.3EngageBay lists compliance coverage as GDPR and DPF. | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | EngageBay | SparrowDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Help desk software | 2 of 51 | 3 of 51 |
The bill, worked out
5 users for a year
EngageBay
$899.40
60 × $14.99
SparrowDesk
$960
60 × $16
EngageBay costs $60.60 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 28, 2026.
A third option
SendPulse has price per user from at $8, against $14.99 for EngageBay and $16 for SparrowDesk.
SendPulse reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | EngageBay | SparrowDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Small business, Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Free plan | Free plan, Free trialCovers more |
| Legal entity | EngageBay Inc. | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2017 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Email marketing
| Fact | EngageBay | SparrowDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Price at 1,000 contacts | $64.99 | Not confirmed |
| Price at 10,000 contacts | $119.99 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EngageBay | SparrowDesk | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per user from | $14.99lowest quarter | $16lowest quarter | $25 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 14 daysat the median | 14 days |
| Integrations | 250above the median | Not confirmed | 77 |
Median across 81 listed software products.
Pros and cons
EngageBay
Pros
- The listed allowances of 250 contacts, up to 15 users give you a clear free entry point to review contacts and users before paying.
- The listed total of 250 integrations helps you judge how EngageBay might sit alongside tools you already use.
- Contact based pricing at $64.99 and $119.99 gives you separate listed points for larger contact needs.
Cons
- The included allowances are capped at 250 contacts, up to 15 users, so a growing list or a larger team may need to look beyond the entry allowances.
- EngageBay at $14.99 is higher than Nutshell at $13, which matters when you compare per-user starting prices.
SparrowDesk
Pros
- A free plan that keeps Up to 3 users covered at no cost, with no end date attached.
- Paid entry of $16 per user, under LiveAgent at $19 and Zendesk at $19 per user.
- A 14 day trial on top of the free plan, so the pricing model reads free plan and free trial and a team can test before it spends.
Cons
- Support runs on email only, so anyone wanting live chat or a phone line has to look at LiveAgent.
- The free plan tops out at Up to 3 users, so a support team that outgrows it moves to a paid tier.
- $16 per user is not the floor: HansaWorld lists $10 per user.
Who each suits
EngageBay
Who it suits
- Small businesses comparing CRM and help-desk options, with EngageBay listing coverage as CRM and help desk.
- Beginners wanting a free entry point with stated allowances of 250 contacts, up to 15 users and audience focus of small business and beginners.
- Teams that value many connections alongside clear tiers, with 250 integrations and Free, Basic, Growth, Pro.
Who should look elsewhere
- If a lower listed per-user starting price is your main concern, check Nutshell at $13 against EngageBay at $14.99.
- If your contact base already exceeds the free allowances of 250 contacts, up to 15 users, compare Bumpa and Dolisoft before settling on EngageBay.
SparrowDesk
Who it suits
- Small support teams that fit inside a free plan covering Up to 3 users.
- Budget conscious teams weighing entry price, since a paid seat starts at $16 per user.
- Teams that answer questions in writing and are happy with email support.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who need live chat or a phone line, since support runs on email only, so weigh Zendesk instead.
- Price first shoppers, because HansaWorld lists $10 per user, under $16.
Current offers
SparrowDesk
Current offer
Free trial
14 day free trial: 14 days
No credit card required
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
EngageBay
What is EngageBay's per-user starting price?+
EngageBay lists a per-user starting price of $14.99. That figure describes the entry per-user price and sits alongside separate contact based prices. Check which pricing basis matches the option you are reviewing so you compare matching measures.
What does EngageBay charge at the lower listed contact volume?+
For the lower listed contact volume, EngageBay gives a price of $64.99. This is a contact based price, separate from the per-user starting price of $14.99. Confirm whether you are comparing contact pricing or per-user pricing before deciding.
SparrowDesk
How much does SparrowDesk cost per user?+
Paid entry is $16 per user. LiveAgent and Zendesk both start at $19 per user, so the difference at the entry point is small, while HansaWorld sits lower again at $10 per user. Budget from the entry figure and treat anything above it as a tier upgrade.
Does SparrowDesk have a free plan?+
Yes, and it is permanent rather than a trial. The free plan limits are Up to 3 users, and that is the figure that decides whether a small team can stay on it. Teams that fit inside the ceiling pay nothing, while teams that outgrow it move to a paid tier.