Build vs Zendesk

Customer service software — Should you build, vibe code, or buy?

What is Zendesk?

Zendesk is a customer service software. The company is private ($10.2b acquisition). With 5,000+ employees, Zendesk serves teams looking for customer support solutions.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Who Should Use Zendesk?

Best For

• Support Teams
• Enterprise
• Omnichannel

Not Ideal For

• Small Teams
• Simple Needs

Vibe Coding Zendesk

Using AI tools like Cursor and Claude, you can build a zendesk-like solution in 3-4 weeks for approximately $10k-25k.

What You Can Build

What's Harder to Replicate

Build a customer service software 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.

Open Source Alternatives

Before paying for Zendesk, consider these open source options:

Alternatives to Zendesk

The Bottom Line

Whether to build or buy Zendesk depends on your situation. Evaluate your actual requirements before deciding.