Protodesk vs Plain
Protodesk is an AI-powered support inbox with native WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, and AI triage starting at $14.99/mo. Plain is a modern email support tool at $49/mo. Here's how they compare.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Protodesk | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $14.99/mo | $49/mo |
| Free trial | Yes (7-day full Pro trial) | No |
| Native | No | |
| Slack / Discord | Native | Slack only |
| AI triage | Yes | No |
| AI auto-resolve | Yes (7-layer guardrail) | No |
| AI sidekick | Yes | No |
| Setup time | < 2 minutes | 10–20 minutes |
| SLA management | Yes | No |
| Seats (Starter) | 5 | Unlimited |
| Monthly AI credits | 300–3,000 | None |
Key differences
Protodesk wins on AI
Protodesk includes AI triage, auto-resolve with 7-layer guardrail, and sidekick in every paid plan. Plain has no AI features at all.
Protodesk wins on channels
WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord are all native in Protodesk. Plain supports email and Slack only — no WhatsApp, no Discord.
Protodesk wins on price
Protodesk Starter is $14.99/mo. Plain starts at $49/mo with no free plan. Protodesk is 80% cheaper for small teams.
Plain wins on API design
Plain has a well-designed GraphQL API with strong TypeScript support. Protodesk offers REST API and webhooks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Protodesk cheaper than Plain?
Yes. Protodesk Starter is $14.99/month for 5 seats. Plain starts at $49/month. For a 3-person team, Protodesk costs $14.99/mo vs Plain's $49/mo. Protodesk also includes AI features that Plain does not offer.
Does Plain have AI features?
Plain does not currently offer AI triage, auto-resolve, or sidekick. Protodesk includes all three AI capabilities in every paid plan with predictable monthly credits.
Which is better for small teams?
Protodesk is built for small teams of 2–50 people with a 7-day Pro trial and under 2-minute setup. Plain targets B2B SaaS companies and starts at $49/mo with no free tier.
Does Protodesk have WhatsApp support?
Yes. WhatsApp is native in Protodesk via Cloud API or Baileys QR scan. Plain does not support WhatsApp and is focused on email and Slack only.
Summary
- •Choose Protodesk if you need AI, WhatsApp, Discord, and a free plan for small teams.
- •Choose Plain if you're a B2B SaaS company that only needs email and Slack support with a polished API.
- •Protodesk is 80% cheaper and includes AI that Plain does not offer.
Try Protodesk free for 7 days. No credit card required.
Start for free →