Hornbill Systems Supportworks vs Zendesk comparison

Hornbill Systems and Zendesk are both solutions in the IT Service Management (ITSM) category. Hornbill Systems is ranked #31, while Zendesk is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.4. Additionally, 50% of Hornbill Systems users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of Zendesk users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Hornbill Systems Supportworks and Zendesk are competing in the customer support software market. Zendesk seems to have the upper hand due to its robust features and scalability.

Features: Hornbill Systems Supportworks offers customizable workflow automation, comprehensive ticket management, and flexibility in tailoring operations. Zendesk provides extensive integration options, advanced analytics tools, and a comprehensive support suite.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Hornbill Systems Supportworks allows for deeper customization with on-premise deployment but requires longer timelines for implementation. It offers dedicated assistance with a personalized approach. Zendesk has a cloud-based deployment model with intuitive onboarding, which reduces setup time and facilitates rapid adoption, and offers round-the-clock support through various channels.

Pricing and ROI: Hornbill Systems Supportworks presents competitive upfront pricing with customizable packages, catering to specific business needs, leading to higher ROI for tailored environments. Zendesk, though having a higher initial setup cost, justifies its expense with extensive features and scalability, promising substantial long-term ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Hornbill Systems Supportworks vs. Zendesk Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Hornbill Systems Supportworks vs. Zendesk

August 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Automation Anywhere

Featured Reviews

Venkat Sivaprakash

Management Consultant at Accenture

Has significantly improved document-driven workflows and reduced processing time across finance and HR functions

Automation Anywhere has evolved significantly and upgraded itself to provide agentic AI and AI-based automation solutions for document automation. The product has matured considerably over time. We can create workflows that can call an API. We can include prompts in particular workflows for ChatGPT-related functions, connecting to an LLM and RAG to perform tasks. For document automation, modern features are available to train documents, ensuring high accuracy and repeatability over time. The system is very easy to use. I recently completed a course in document automation, typically designed for people involved in coding and technical aspects. Though I understand coding comprehensively, I don't do actual coding. The course was very accessible. Currently, extensive coding isn't necessary due to the hybrid model incorporating GenAI aspects, low-code, no-code capabilities, APIs, and numerous pre-built objects in Automation Anywhere. The features include GenAI-driven prompting methods and workflow creation capabilities. In these workflows, we can create decision boxes and call APIs without coding. We simply pull objects, drop them, connect them, and add minimal coding when needed. The most crucial aspect isn't coding but rather sizing the automation and fleshing out the details. Automation Co-pilot takes notes and performs automated analysis. It can extract details from videos, summarize conversations, and provide detailed information. During calls, it identifies instructions and performs tasks such as preparing reports and reconciliation. Automation Anywhere can also connect with Microsoft Co-pilot. Through Co-pilot, real-time operations can be executed, allowing direct interaction between vendors and automation through this component.

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it_user1262703

Service Desk Team Leader at a healthcare company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Excels in call logging and call flows but is limited in terms of scalability

I'd advise others to map their processes out before starting with the solution. Hornbill has recently generated a new version of its product and it meets some of the requirements that we would have been looking for. It's a bit more scalable, a bit more responsive to a customer-focused model for support, and they've improved a lot of things like process flow and self-service. In terms of rating the solution, it's difficult to grade. It really depends on the size of the organization that's trying to use it as that tool. One of the reasons why we're looking to shift is because we've grown quite a bit over the years that we've had it, which makes it difficult for it to meet our demands. However, for an organization the size of what we were when we started our journey with it, I'd rate it ten out of ten. Where we are now, with our company size and needs, I'd rate it six out of ten.

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AmandaSanchez

Consultant and Startup Founder at AimHi Enterprises

Macros and automation have streamlined workflows and reduced manual effort across support teams

The ability to communicate on the Zendesk ticket through the actual user software, so TOPs, would have been helpful. Somehow seeing a user's ticket history within our app would have been beneficial. That is the only thing that I do not think existed at the time that might have been helpful. Some people struggled with Zendesk, but it was always easy enough to show them how to use it and what they were missing. The only times we really had people report concerns about it was when they did not understand that it could do that or how to use it in that way.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Automation Anywhere has been an integral part of this product's evolution in general. A hindrance that we were faced with was companies who did not have API integrations for Salesforce. This is where RPA and Automation Anywhere came in and helped us with integrating solutions which did not have API integrations within themselves. That's how we've evolved in the past two to three months."

"Automation Anywhere has improved my company significantly; earlier we were dependent on the client installed on local machines, but now it is completely web-based, so we don't have to worry about having a dedicated VM."

"This tool provides us with easy accessibility for adopting the new process, as it is more user-friendly, and many new resources are able to grasp the tool and start doing the automation with ease, which is basically missing in the other vendors' tools."

"With Automation Anywhere bots, we are able to cut down the manual efforts by 80% in generating Excel and Power BI reports, extracting and uploading files to various sites, and many other web-based administrative tasks."

"The development of the company from Automation Anywhere V11 to a2019 was valuable. I found many important and new features, like changing the way we write code and programming. It became much easier and very flexible in version 2019A. It became very easy to use and the recording was also good. Excel became very good too."

"The product is easy to use. It is a good tool for developers and business users."

"Automation Anywhere has helped us in many ways and is one of the best RPA tools."

"I don't think one feature is more valuable than any other. In my opinion, the value is in the totality of the platform. It is easy to use for our developers with a well laid out UI and many canned tools. The Control Room is very easy to navigate and mostly intuitive to use."

More Automation Anywhere pros

"The solution's business process flow is quite strong. Its reporting is quite good. The standard, basic ITSM functionality like call logging and call flow, for example, are areas the solution really excels in."

"We've definitely seen an ROI; we've had the system in place for eight years, and it's provided a solid platform for us to deliver our services during that period."

"It is quite user friendly to use and has a lot of very useful features that makes the analyst/technician's life easier."

"The feature to move over my customer experience team tickets for different specialists is very valuable for my team."

"Zendesk is a great product but find a software package that will work best for your team and company."

"Zendesk is a great product for managing and maintaining requests from users."

"It forced the organization to rethink sub-par work processes and enabled us to work smarter."

"It's a very stable tool, very powerful."

"Users can create their own tags, and they have their own views which are very nicely organized so they can see what is happening at any given time."

"This feature allowed our team organize and assign certain members to a particular group."

"It's an amazing product, it really helps out in organizing all our tasks."

More Zendesk pros

Cons

"To achieve a perfect ten, I would want to see new features working as expected and further advancements in automation."

"The license cost is high and needs improvement."

"The Control room audit logs should be moved to an archive for those that are more than six months old."

"New versions keep coming up. The challenge for us is to have the downtime to do the migrations. This could be improved upon. We would like fewer version changes and upgrades happening to the application. While the downtime is not that much, depending on the business processes, there are times few critical processes are running on a daily or hourly basis. We would expect the downtime to be even less for them."

"There are a lot of issues in the tool. There are a lot of breakdowns."

"As far as stability is concerned, there have been some challenges. Sometimes, we experience our computers freezing up for no apparent reason or the network being inaccessible."

"The key area where improvement can happen is understanding the different perspectives and different industries that they're serving in terms of industry-wise use cases."

"Overall improvement is needed for non-technical users who face challenges with how to use it and how to perform more tasks."

More Automation Anywhere cons

"It's worked well for us for a significant period of time. However, we are kind-of outgrowing it at the moment. We're struggling a bit with making it meet our requirements."

"Customer Service: I'd rate it as a 5/10 or 6/10."

"It was not easy to set up so we're only using a third of all of the features, and we wanted something that was easier to configure and set up."

"Merging tickets is very time consuming; maybe the system can automatically merge tickets that are related and on the same topic."

"We needed to code stuff on our side due to business specific needs which Zendesk could not account for."

"There is always a network issue with Zendesk. But we don’t know whether it is managed. The network issue is that when I call, it does not let us."

"As per me, there arent much significant issues or areas for improvement with Zendesk, as my usage of it is limited. I appreciate its ability to organize tickets effectively based on tags, allowing me to easily gather and analyze customer feedback and requests."

"We have been quite frustrated lately with Zendesk, to the point where we are actually considering switching to different software that is more intuitive and better organized."

"We work in print so being able to preview files attached and having larger files (larger than 7MB would be great) would be a welcomed improvement."

"The look and feel could use a little more polish."

More Zendesk cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"They sell it by license, but if they could charge by case or by interaction, that might be better. Right now, it's expensive when you want to scale or use them for simple processes."

"Approximately, for a developer, it is around $750 for a license a year. For Bot Runners, it is about $550."

"The cost of this solution is a little bit high, but it is worth the price."

"Its cost is good."

"Automation Anywhere University is pretty good. They make it available free for everyone."

"It's very good in terms of cost and pricing."

"While calculating the setup cost you should account for the server, virtual machines, product licenses, maintenance costs, and running costs."

"We have established a CoE and we take our bot opportunities based on their ROIs. The best ROI opportunity goes to development first. Our ROI opportunities are compliance, profitable growth, productivity enhancements, productivity gains, number of hours the productivity saved, and resources not available that the work can be done by the bot. However, the single most important criteria that we use to measure ROI is how much time does the bot cut down from an analyst's work, as this has the best ROI. E.g., if an analyst is spending a 100 hours of work that a bot can do in one hour, we calculate the 99 hours saved as ROI."

More Automation Anywhere pricing and cost advice

"Our organization pays about $40,000 annually. There are ongoing consultancy costs and if we want to change anything, we're charged a day rate. Other than that, there are no other extra costs involved in working with the solution."

"The price is very competitive."

"You have to pay extra for better support. So it's not only the license that you pay for, but you have to pay extra for the support as well."

"We pay for the solution on a yearly basis and my understanding is that the cost is about $30,000. That's the cost for 24 to 25 agents."

"There are different plans that are offered. We are using the entry-level plan. The overall price of the solution should be reduced. The price is too high."

"From what I hear, Zendesk's pricing is a little expensive."

"Zendesk's licensing is not cheap. For Enterprise, we are paying $200 per agent. It's a per-month cost, so it's pretty steep. There are some services you need to pay extra for. For example, with Zendesk Guide, we had to buy the most expensive offering in order to get Multibrand and everything. We also had to pay a lot of money for themes."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

14%

Construction Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Outsourcing Company

10%

No data available

Construction Company

11%

Outsourcing Company

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	157
Midsize Enterprise	81
Large Enterprise	558

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	37
Midsize Enterprise	21
Large Enterprise	12

Questions from the Community

How good is Automation Anywhere for RPA processes?

It depends on your use case. Is it simply to automate a couple of processes? Is it to augment a human team? AA is ver...

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How good is Automation Anywhere for RPA processes?

From my experience using AA tool, it depends on the applications that you want to automate, because there some applic...

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How good is Automation Anywhere for RPA processes?

It is a highly preferred RPA tool. You can check my Automation Anywhere Review to know more.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zendesk Support?

I actually have no idea about pricing, setup costs, and licensing. That was provided by our client, so they handled t...

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What needs improvement with Zendesk Support?

The time saved or how quickly we resolve tickets now compared to before depends on the situation we are handling. If ...

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What is your primary use case for Zendesk Support?

My main use case for Zendesk is for ticketing purposes. I was replying to customers over Zendesk, and I was also usin...

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Automation Anywhere

August 2026

Download Automation Anywhere product report

Buyer's Guide

IT Service Management (ITSM)

July 2026

Download Hornbill Systems Supportworks product report

Buyer's Guide

Zendesk

July 2026

Download Zendesk product report

Also Known As

Automation Anywhere, Testing Anywhere, Automation Anywhere Enterprise, Agentic Process Automation System (Now Certified for WorkSpaces)

Supportworks

Zendesk Support, Zendesk Guide, Zendesk Sell

Interactive Demo

Automation Anywhere

Demo not available

Hornbill Systems

Demo not available

Zendesk

Overview

Automation Anywhere offers ease of use, robust system connectivity, and GenAI-driven document automation through a cloud-native platform, significantly enhancing productivity across multiple industries with advanced AI features.

Delivering a comprehensive suite of tools designed for easy integration and rapid deployment, Automation Anywhere drives efficiency by reducing costs and automating repetitive tasks. Its cloud-native platform supports broad industry adoption, including advanced AI features like process automation and Co-Pilot, streamlining complex workflows with minimal technical skills required. Users benefit from robust integration capabilities, which facilitate seamless interaction with multiple systems. However, there is room for improvement in areas such as user-friendliness for beginners, stability, flexible licensing, and enhanced OCR functionality. Organizations in sectors such as banking, finance, manufacturing, and healthcare gain from the improved operational efficiency and ROI Automation Anywhere offers.

What are the important features of Automation Anywhere?

Ease of Use: Simplifies automation tasks with a user-centric interface.
Robust Connectivity: Provides seamless integration with multiple systems.
GenAI-Driven Document Automation: Leverages AI to automate document management.
Process Automation & Co-Pilot: Enhances workflow automation with advanced AI.
Cloud-Native Platform: Enables rapid deployment and integration.

What benefits should be evaluated in reviews?

Time Savings: Automation drastically reduces manual processing time.
Cost Efficiency: Decreases overall operational costs by automating tasks.
Productivity Enhancement: Streamlines workflows with AI-driven tools.
Improved Integration: Enhances ability to work with multiple systems.
Scalability: Supports growth with a flexible cloud-native architecture.

In the insurance industry, Automation Anywhere is utilized for automating processes such as enrollment management and compliance checks. Its applications extend to supply chain management, financial transactions, and business performance monitoring across sectors like banking, finance, manufacturing, and healthcare, helping organizations to automate routine tasks, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

Automation Anywhere

Hornbill Systems Supportworks is a flexible IT service management tool designed to manage complex IT environments with ease.

Designed for IT service management, Hornbill Systems Supportworks facilitates efficient operation within complex environments. With customizable workflows and automation capabilities, it addresses detailed requirements for seamless process execution.

What are the standout features of Hornbill Systems Supportworks?

Customizable Workflow: Offers tailored workflows to fit precise IT management needs.
Automation Capabilities: Enhances efficiency through task automation, reducing manual intervention.
Integration Options: Supports integration with third-party applications, ensuring interoperability.
User Management: Streamlines user role assignments and access provisions.
Reporting Tools: Provides comprehensive reporting for data-driven decision-making.

What benefits can you expect when evaluating reviews of Hornbill Systems Supportworks?

Scalability: Adapts to growing business demands without performance issues.
Cost Efficiency: Lowers operational costs through automation and effective resource management.
Enhanced Productivity: Increases productivity by minimizing downtime and improving process flows.
Improved Service Delivery: Elevates the quality of IT services with enhanced management tools.
Time Savings: Reduces time spent on troubleshooting and routine tasks.

Hornbill Systems Supportworks is implemented across industries such as finance, healthcare, and education, where streamlined operations and reliable service management are critical. Its adaptability ensures it meets sector-specific compliance and operational challenges effectively.

Hornbill Systems

Zendesk provides a versatile platform for managing customer interactions, offering efficient ticketing, customization, and integration features across multiple channels to enhance user experiences.

Zendesk stands out for its simplicity, ease of use, and comprehensive integration capabilities with CRM tools, which help optimize workflow efficiency. Users benefit from advanced analytics and reporting features that offer valuable insights into customer behavior. Multi-channel support and self-service portals are integral components, enhancing customer interaction experiences. While security protocols and flexible configurations contribute to its broad appeal, areas for improvement include more intuitive reporting, advanced customization of triggers and automations, and enhancements in knowledge management. Users express the need for better ticket management functionalities, efficient data synchronization, and refined interface aesthetics. Performance can be impacted by extensive customization, and there’s a call for competitive pricing and simplified licensing options.

What are Zendesk's most important features?

Simplicity and Ease of Use - Facilitates smooth onboarding and daily operations.
Integration Capabilities - Seamlessly integrates with CRM tools to enhance workflows.
Analytics and Reporting - Provides insights into customer behavior and operational efficiency.
Multi-Channel Support - Manages customer interactions across various channels.
Self-Service Portals - Empowers users to access information and solve issues independently.
Security and Flexibility - Offers strong security protocols and flexible configuration options.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

Increased Productivity - Streamlines processes to boost team efficiency.
Enhanced Customer Experience - Multi-channel support and self-service options improve interactions.
Insightful Data Analysis - Superior reporting features offer valuable business insights.
Improved Workflow - Integrates seamlessly with existing tools to optimize operations.

Zendesk is extensively applied across sectors for customer support management and technical issue resolution. In HR or IT settings, it facilitates internal requests and knowledge base creation. Organizations leverage Zendesk's integration with collaboration tools like Slack and Jira, automating workflows and delivering detailed analytics, which are particularly useful for multinational operations handling queries in different languages and brands.

Zendesk

Sample Customers

Google, Linkedin, Cisco, Juniper Networks, DellEMC, Comcast, Mastercard, Quest Diagnostics

Aylesbury Vale District Council

Mailchimp, Tesco, Vimeo, Instacart, Mediaocean, Slack, Uber

Buyer's Guide

Hornbill Systems Supportworks vs. Zendesk

August 2026

Free Report: Hornbill Systems Supportworks vs. Zendesk

Find out what your peers are saying about Hornbill Systems Supportworks vs. Zendesk and other solutions. Updated: August 2026.

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