Build vs Intercom
AI-first customer service — Should you build, vibe code, or buy?
Our Verdict
🤔 It Depends
Great for chat-first. Expensive. Consider Crisp for simpler needs.
Pricing
$39-$139/seat/mo
Founded
2011
HQ
San Francisco, CA
Vibe Time
3-4 weeks
What is Intercom?
Intercom is a ai-first customer service. The company is $240m raised. With 1,000+ employees, Intercom serves teams looking for customer support solutions.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Best-in-class chat
- Product tours
- AI chatbot
- Modern UI
Weaknesses
- Very expensive
- Complex pricing
- Resolution costs
Who Should Use Intercom?
Best For
- Saas
- Chat First
- Product Teams
Not Ideal For
- Budget Conscious
- Email First
Vibe Coding Intercom
Using AI tools like Cursor and Claude, you can build a intercom-like solution in 3-4 weeks for approximately $10k-25k.
What You Can Build
What's Harder to Replicate
Getting Started
Use this prompt with Cursor or Claude to scaffold your alternative:
Build a ai-first customer service with these core features: Tech stack: Next.js 14, TypeScript, Prisma, PostgreSQL, Tailwind, shadcn/ui Include authentication, API routes, database schema, and a clean UI.
Alternatives to Intercom
Crisp
More affordable
Zendesk
More comprehensive
Help Scout
Email-focused
The Bottom Line
Whether to build or buy Intercom depends on your situation. Evaluate your actual requirements before deciding.
Calculate Your Build vs Buy Costs →