ServiceNow® is a leading IT Service Management (ITSM) platform designed for complex, global organizations. While it's a powerful solution for enterprise-level operations, many companies explore alternatives that better align with their specific needs, budget, and organizational size.
In this guide, we compare the top ServiceNow alternatives, including InvGate Service Management, highlighting features, pricing, and review scores so you can choose the right fit.
Methodology
Before we dive into the analysis, we want to be transparent: InvGate develops and sells IT Service Management and IT Asset Management software, which means we operate within the same market as some of the vendors discussed in this article.
Although we may compete with certain companies featured here, our commitment is to deliver accurate, unbiased, and valuable insights that empower you to make well-informed decisions.
Our evaluations draw from publicly accessible sources, including vendor websites, official product documentation, user feedback on platforms like Gartner Peer Insights, G2, and Capterra, industry analyst reports, and hands-on testing or product demos whenever feasible. We assess each solution across key dimensions: features and functionality, pricing (where publicly available), integration capabilities, user experience, and customer support.
The information presented in this article reflects the landscape as of October 2025 and will be periodically reviewed and refreshed to account for evolving products and market dynamics.
ServiceNow alternatives comparative table
| Hosting | Free Trial | Pricing | Gartner score | |
| ServiceNow ITSM | Cloud and on-premise | No | Not disclosed | 4.3 |
| InvGate Service Management |
Cloud and on-premise | Yes (30 days) | Starts at $17 per agent per month. | 4.8 |
| Jira Service Management | Cloud and on-premise | Yes (7 days) | Standard: $19 Premium: $47.82 |
4.4 |
| Freshservice | Cloud | Yes | Starter: $19 Growth: $49 Pro: $99 |
4.2 |
| ManageEngine Service Desk Plus | Cloud and on-premise | Yes (30 days) | Starts at $13 /per agent/month (Cloud) | 4.4 |
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How to evaluate ServiceNow alternatives
When considering alternatives to ServiceNow, organizations should evaluate more than just features. Factors like cost, speed of deployment, usability, scalability, security, and vendor support all play a decisive role in long-term success. Here are the key aspects to keep in mind when comparing solutions:
Implementation speed
Deployment timelines can determine how quickly you see value. Implementation speed varies significantly based on organizational size, complexity, and customization needs.
To estimate realistic timelines for your organization, consider:
- Consulting with implementation partners who can assess your specific requirements and provide project estimates
- Speaking with ServiceNow representatives about typical deployment schedules for organizations of similar size and complexity
- Connecting with peers on professional forums or user communities to learn from companies that have gone through similar implementations
- Reviewing case studies that detail implementation experiences from organizations in your industry
If an alternative offers faster deployment options, consider that it can mean reducing opportunity costs, minimizing disruption, and accelerating ROI — especially important for organizations responding to urgent IT or compliance needs.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Licensing fees are only the start. Additional costs often include consultants, certified administrators, and ongoing customization. A strong alternative should offer transparent, modular pricing and minimize reliance on professional services, allowing IT teams to manage changes internally and keep budgets predictable.
Ease of use and adoption
A solution’s effectiveness depends on how easily users embrace it. Complex UIs or overloaded feature sets can slow adoption. Look for intuitive interfaces, self-service portals, and searchable knowledge bases that empower end users and reduce help desk tickets. High adoption rates typically translate into faster time-to-value and reduced training overhead.
Configurability without consultants
Customization should not always require hiring external specialists. Modern ITSM alternatives offer drag-and-drop workflow builders, custom dashboards, and no-code automation tools that IT staff can manage directly. This self-sufficiency reduces costs, increases agility, and ensures IT teams can adapt quickly to new business requirements.
Integration with IT Asset Management (ITAM)
Incidents and requests often involve specific devices, licenses, or infrastructure. Alternatives that include ITAM provide:
- Automated asset discovery to eliminate blind spots.
- License management to control software costs and ensure compliance.
- Depreciation tracking for more accurate financial planning.
- A unified CMDB linking assets to users and services for faster resolution.
This 360° view strengthens decision-making, speeds up troubleshooting, and supports compliance audits.
Scalability for growth
An effective ServiceNow alternative must support both current and future needs. Assess whether the platform can scale from hundreds to tens of thousands of users without major architectural changes. Key signs of scalability include multi-department Service Management, multi-language support, and high availability infrastructure.s.
Key takeaway:
Evaluating ServiceNow alternatives requires balancing cost, speed, usability, scalability, compliance, and vendor partnership. The right solution isn’t just about replacing ServiceNow’s functionality — it’s about finding a platform that delivers sustainable value, adapts quickly, and aligns with your organization’s growth trajectory.
To structure your evaluation, consider using an ITSM RFP (Request for Proposal). It’s a document that outlines your requirements, helping vendors respond with clear answers on how their solution fits your needs. If you need a starting point, check out this ITSM RFP free template!
Top ServiceNow Alternatives (2025)
In this list, you'll find a side-by-side overview of some of the most widely used ServiceNow alternatives. We’ll go over what they’re known for, which features stand out, and what real users have to say.
InvGate Service Management

InvGate Service Management is a no-code ITSM platform designed for organizations that want enterprise-grade functionality without the high costs and long deployments associated with ServiceNow. With fast implementation timelines measured in weeks (not years), modular pricing, and native integration with IT Asset Management, it offers a powerful yet cost-effective alternative.
It's used by teams at NASA, KPMG, Allianz, and Motorola, often as a more practical alternative to ServiceNow. Where ServiceNow can feel overwhelming, InvGate focuses on usability, faster setup, and solid ITIL alignment without the overhead.
InvGate Service Management key features
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Integrated ITSM + ITAM: Seamlessly links service tickets with asset data for a complete operational view.
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No-Code Workflows: Drag-and-drop editor to design and update workflows without consultants.
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AI Hub: Includes AI-powered ticket responses, predictive analytics, and knowledge article creation.
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Self-Service Portal & Knowledge Base: Empowers end users to resolve common issues quickly.
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360° Visibility: Unified dashboards connecting incidents, devices, and users.
InvGate Service Management pricing
InvGate uses a modular pricing model, starting at $17 per agent per month, that scales with the number of agents and assets, making it adaptable to organizations of different sizes and growth stages.
Companies can explore the platform risk-free with a 30-day free trial and even run a tailored Proof of Concept. This approach helps de-risk your evaluation, giving you hands-on experience with real processes before committing. For teams comparing alternatives, speaking with an InvGate specialist can further fast-track the assessment and ensure the solution aligns with your specific requirements.
InvGate enterprise case study
TroGroup, a global manufacturing company with around 1,900 employees across 40+ locations, was struggling with complex, siloed processes and limited visibility using ServiceNow. Their IT teams lacked the agility and transparency needed to support a growing global operation.
By migrating to InvGate Service Management, TroGroup centralized their support processes with a fully adopted self-service portal and reduced their critical incident backlog by 90%, all without writing a single line of code.
To explore how InvGate empowered TroGroup’s global IT transformation — and how it could do the same for your organization — read the full case study or speak with one of our specialists.
InvGate Service Management user reviews and rating
Recognized as a Gartner® Peer Insights™ Customers’ Choice, InvGate Service Management is consistently praised for its ease of use, responsive support, and balance of power and simplicity.
- Gartner Peer Insights: 4.8/5
- G2: 4.6/5
"Overall, the experience is excellent. I fell the company takes care of every detail. From the very beginning they provide top-level personalized support and are always willing to help us overcome any issues that arise. I can't imagine working at this company today without their products."
User review from Gartner, IT Coordinator
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus

ManageEngine® ServiceDesk Plus, part of Zoho’s IT operations suite, is a cost-effective ITSM solution aimed at mid-sized organizations. It offers a combination of service desk functionality and integrated IT Asset Management, with both cloud and on-premise deployment options.
It’s available in both cloud and on-premise versions, making it a fit for organizations with infrastructure constraints. It’s commonly used in education, healthcare, and public sector organizations.
Read more at the ManageEngine vs ServiceNow analysis post.
ManageEngine ServiceDesk features
Here are five top features of ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus from their official web (accesed: November 2025):
- Full-stack ITSM: it supports incident, problem, change, release, asset, project, and service catalog modules.
- Includes generative AI, a conversational virtual agent, and predictive intelligence for technicians and end users.
- Self-service portal: offers a branded interface, live chat, knowledge base, and mobile apps so users can help themselves.
- Automation rules, auto-assignment, notifications, SLAs, and visual workflows to reduce repetitive work.
- Fine-grained authorisations, multi-site support, custom templates, and low-code scripting.
ManageEngine Service Desk Plus pricing details
Their pricing is based on agents and chosen modules, with perpetual licenses for on-premise deployments or subscription pricing for cloud. Costs may rise with advanced features and integrations.
Has three pricing tiers:
- Standard plan: $13 per technician per month.
- Professional plan: $27 per technician per month.
- Enterprise plan: $67 per technician per month.
- Checked on: Nov 2025 (US), official website.
ManageEngine user reviews and ratings
- Gartner Peer Insights score: 4.4
- G2 score: 4.2
Jira Service Management
Jira Service Management (JSM) extends the popular Jira platform into IT Service Management, making it a natural choice for teams already using Atlassian tools like Jira Software or Confluence. It appeals to organizations looking for tight integration with development workflows, agile project tracking, and DevOps pipelines.
Jira Service Management pricing
JSM offers tiered cloud pricing:
- Free for up to three agents.
- Standard: $19 per agent, per month.
- Premium: $48 per agent, per month.
- Enterprise: Quote-based, starting with 201 agents.
Premium and Enterprise also introduce usage-based charges (e.g., $0.05/object/month after 50K assets, $0.30/conversation beyond 1,000 virtual agent interactions).
- Checked on: Nov 2025 (US), official web.
Jira Service Management user reviews and ratings
- Gartner Peer Insights score: 4.4
- G2 score: 4.3
"The interface is straightforward, making it simple for everyone to find what they need without getting lost. Setting up workflows and customizations can be time-consuming and sometimes confusing. Sometimes I feel like it requires a developer to do that."
User review from G2, Project administrator
BMC Helix ITSM

BMC Helix offers extensive configurability and deep ITIL alignment, serving industries with strict compliance and security requirements. It has a proven track record with large enterprises in regulated sectors (finance, healthcare, government).
BMC Helix ITSM features
Based on their official documentation (accessed November 2025), the platform includes:
- Incident and Problem Management with context-aware routing.
- Change and Release Management with risk analytics.
- Asset and Configuration Management (CMDB).
- Digital workplace and service catalog with omni-channel access.
- Analytics and AI-driven automation.
BMC Helix pricing
BMC Helix does not publish pricing; contracts are enterprise-level and typically tailored to each customer.
BMC Helix user reviews and ratings
- Gartner Peer Insights score: 4.3
- G2 score: 3.7
"We have found a friendly user interface, with simple navigation over the old Remedy style. Very good customer support, and also a good internal knowledge module and client interface. If the product is negotiated outside a bundle of products, the costs can be expensive. We have found some integration issues related to external monitoring software and issue management. Implementation costs can also be quite expensive, depending on the number of desired integrations."
User review from Gartner, SysAdmin
Freshservice

Freshservice, developed by Freshworks, is a cloud-based ITSM tool aimed at small and mid-sized organizations. Freshservice prioritizes simplicity, quick adoption, and affordability. Its interface is modern and intuitive, making it popular among startups, SMBs, and educational institutions that need ITSM basics without the overhead of an enterprise platform.
Read more in the ServiceNow vs FreshService article.
Freshservice features
Here are five standout features of Freshservice, taken straight from the official documentation (accessed November 2025):
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Incident Management: Automatically route incidents, use AI-assistance, and generate incident reports.
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Change Management: Automate change control, track change progress visually.
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Service catalog & self-service portal.
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IT Asset Management: Automatically discover assets (hardware, software, cloud), maintain an integrated CMDB, and manage contracts and licenses.
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Drag-and-drop workflows, orchestration, and machine learning to automate approvals, requests, and incident resolution.
Freshservice pricing
Freshservice has four main pricing tiers (billed annually):
- Starter: ~$19 per agent/month – basic ITSM (incident, knowledge base, workflow automation) without ITAM.
- Growth: ~$49 per agent/month – adds service catalog, Asset Management (100 assets included), onboarding workflows, and 2,000 orchestration transactions per month.
- Pro: ~$99 per agent/month – includes Problem/Change/Release Management, analytics, Project & Contract Management, and 5,000 orchestration transactions.
- Enterprise: Custom quote. With AI agents, sandbox environment, audit logs, and 20,000 orchestration transactions.
Notable add-ons:
- Assets Pack: $75/month for 500 assets (or $1,500/month for unlimited).
- Freddy AI Copilot: $29/agent/month (annual billing) on Pro and Enterprise.
- Orchestration Transaction Pack, Advanced Discovery, Project Management, SaaS Management, and Business Agents are extra-cost modules.
While Freshservice starts affordably, costs can grow quickly as more features are needed.
Pricing disclaimer: The pricing details provided are based on publicly available online sources and may vary depending on region, plan updates, or promotional offers. We recommend verifying directly with the vendor for the most accurate and up-to-date information. - Checked on Nov 2025 (US) official website.
Freshservice user reviews and ratings
- Gartner Peer Insights score: 4.2
- G2 score: 4.6
Conclusion: Choosing the right ServiceNow alternative
The best ITSM platform depends on your organization's size, budget, and specific requirements. Whether you need enterprise-scale capabilities or a more streamlined solution, the alternatives in this guide offer viable paths forward.
Evaluate your priorities, test the platforms that align with your needs, and choose the solution that will deliver the most value for your team.
👉 Ready to see if InvGate is the right fit for your organization? Request our 30-day free trial or book a meeting with our experts.
Disclaimer for this ServiceNow alternatives article
This analysis was developed by a team of ITSM industry analysts within our company’s Market Intelligence unit. Comparisons are based on publicly available information as of November 2025, and are provided for informational purposes only. It draws on a combination of win/loss interviews, verified online reviews, and independent analyst reports, with the goal of maintaining the highest possible level of objectivity. Should you find any aspect of this information to be inaccurate or incomplete, we welcome your contributions to enrich the study further and encourage you to share feedback with us through our Contact form.