Top ServiceNow Alternatives for 2025: A Comparison Guide

Enterprise service management has changed. Teams no longer want platforms that take months to deploy, cost a fortune to run, and require specialists to maintain. They need tools that are faster, lighter, and built with automation at the core.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the top alternatives to ServiceNow in 2025. We’ll highlight their strengths, who they best suit, and how to pick one that’s right for your business.

Our top picks

Sprinto	BMC Helix ITSM	Jira Service Management
Tools considered: 30+	Tools reviewed: 11	Best tools chosen: 6

• ServiceNow is powerful but too costly, complex, and slow for smaller or faster-moving teams.
• Strong alternatives in 2025 include Sprinto, BMC Helix, Jira Service Management, Freshservice, Zendesk, and Xurrent.
• The right choice depends on your size, budget, and needs. Sprinto is our top pick for cloud-native companies that need fast, automated compliance.

What is ServiceNow, and what does it do?

ServiceNow is a cloud-based SaaS platform that enterprises use to automate and manage digital workflows. It provides a single system of record where data, business processes, and tasks from different departments can be connected and automated.

It began in 2004 with IT service management, but has since expanded to cover areas such as:

• IT operations management
• IT asset management
• Customer service management
• HR service delivery
• Governance, risk, and compliance

Instead of juggling separate tools for IT tickets, HR requests, customer issues, or risk management, teams can bring them all into the ServiceNow platform. This ensures that data flows more consistently, work doesn’t get lost between departments, and leaders clearly understand what’s happening across the business.

Why are people moving away from ServiceNow?

ServiceNow is one of the most established names in enterprise service management. It’s powerful, trusted, and built for large organizations with complex needs. However, the same qualities that make it a fit for Fortune 500s make it hard to use for smaller companies.

Here are the most common reasons teams look for ServiceNow alternatives:

1. High and unpredictable costs

ServiceNow does not publish standard pricing. Costs vary depending on modules, licenses, implementation, and support services. What many teams find is that:

• Licensing is sold per user and scales quickly as IT teams expand
• Advanced features such as AI and automation come as paid add-ons
• Implementation and ongoing management usually require certified consultants, adding significant expense

For many organizations, this means paying enterprise-level prices for features they don’t fully use.

2. Slow and complex implementation

Rolling out ServiceNow can take months or even longer. For custom workflows and scaling, teams may have to call on special admins or developers, further slowing down the process. This is a serious hurdle for teams that want quick results.

3. Limited flexibility

While ServiceNow is technically customizable, making significant changes without skilled developers can be challenging.

In contrast with other tools that use low-code or no-code design, ServiceNow requires dedicated administrators or consultants to build and maintain workflows.

This means teams cannot easily adapt processes independently, slowing down innovation and increasing dependence on complex technical resources.

4. Need for control

Some industries (primarily regulated ones) prefer open-source or self-hosted tools that allow them to audit the code and control the environment. ServiceNow’s closed SaaS model doesn’t allow that level of oversight.

Top 6 ServiceNow alternatives for 2025 and beyond

Here are our top six picks for the best ServiceNow alternatives:

1. Sprinto

Sprinto is a compliance automation platform for cloud-native companies that want to stay audit-ready without extra busywork.

It connects to your cloud tools, maps controls to standards such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR and automatically collects evidence.

Compliance keeps running in the background so your team can focus on growth while staying prepared for audits.

It’s also built for speed. Most teams get programs up and running in days, not months. Real-time monitoring, instant alerts, and auditor dashboards make the process easier and reduce back-and-forth during reviews.

Strengths

• Continuous compliance with automated evidence collection
• Pre-mapped controls for 20+ frameworks
• Real-time monitoring and alerts to prevent last-minute audit scrambles
• 200+ integrations across cloud, HR, security, and CI/CD tools
• Expert-led onboarding and dedicated compliance guidance
• Auditor collaboration is built into the platform

Best for: Fast-growing SaaS and cloud companies that need to get certified quickly and stay compliant without hiring big teams.

Keep in mind: Sprinto works best in cloud setups. Companies running mostly on-premise systems may need a different tool.

2. BMC Helix

BMC Helix is one of ServiceNow’s closest peers in terms of scope. It’s aimed at large organizations that need ITIL-compliant workflows, predictive analytics, and automation across complex infrastructure.

A key difference is deployment flexibility. While ServiceNow is SaaS-only, Helix can be run on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid setup. This makes it appealing for enterprises with strict regulatory requirements or those managing infrastructure across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and on-premise data centers.

Strengths

• Low-code/no-code workflow customization
• Built-in IT asset management
• Centralized visibility across multi-cloud environments
• Automated incident, change, and request handling

Best for: Enterprises with complex, multi-cloud environments that need complete ITIL alignment and advanced automation.

Keep in mind: Smaller IT teams may find it overly complex and costly compared to simpler tools like Freshservice.

3. Jira Service Management

Jira Service Management is Atlassian’s ITSM platform, which was built to connect IT operations with software development teams. It integrates directly with Jira Software, making it a natural fit for organizations already working in Agile or DevOps environments.

The platform allows IT and development to share context, manage incidents, and coordinate changes without delays. A self-service portal is included, letting employees handle routine requests independently and keeping the ticket queue lighter.

Strengths

• Tight integration with Jira Software and DevOps pipelines
• Flexible, customizable workflows without complex setup
• Real-time incident tracking and communication tools
• Self-service portal to reduce ticket volume

Best for: Organizations already using Atlassian products.

Keep in mind: It doesn’t provide the same depth of ITIL-aligned processes as enterprise tools like ServiceNow or BMC Helix.

4. Freshservice

Freshservice is a cloud-based ITSM platform built for teams that want something easier to deploy and manage than ServiceNow. It focuses on simplicity, automation, and AI-driven ticket management, making it well-suited for organizations that lack the resources to maintain a complex enterprise system.

Unlike ServiceNow, which often requires customization and training to get value, Freshservice is designed to be intuitive from day one, with quick setup and transparent pricing.

Strengths

• AI-powered ticket triage and anomaly detection
• Automation rules for approvals, routing, and incident handling
• Built-in IT asset management
• Multi-channel support (email, chat, Slack, Teams, and mobile)

Best for: Mid-sized businesses that want an affordable ITSM platform with strong automation and ease of use.

Keep in mind: It’s cloud-only, so organizations needing on-premise deployment may find it limiting.

5. Zendesk

Zendesk is a customer service platform that also works for internal IT support. Unlike ServiceNow (built around ITIL-heavy processes), Zendesk focuses on ticketing, self-service, and customer engagement. It’s best suited for organizations that want to manage both employee IT requests and customer-facing support in one system.

Zendesk allows teams to handle requests from multiple channels, such as email, chat, social media, Slack, and Teams, without adding complexity. It also includes AI-powered chatbots and automated ticket routing to reduce repetitive work.

Strengths

• Omnichannel ticketing and support
• Automated ticket routing and prioritization
• AI-driven chatbots and self-service portals
• Strong analytics and integrations with CRM and collaboration tools

Best for: Companies that need a platform for both IT support and customer service.

Keep in mind: It’s light on IT asset management and structured change control, so it’s not a complete ITSM replacement for complex environments.

6. Xurrent

Xurrent is built around two things that often frustrate ServiceNow users: long implementations and expensive add-ons. Instead of taking months to configure, most Xurrent rollouts finish in about five weeks.

The platform is also designed with AI at its core. Many features are built into it, like sentiment analysis, ticket classification, and predictive recommendations, rather than bolted on later.

You also get enterprise service management features, knowledge management, and substantial compliance and security credentials (ISO 27001, SOC 2, C5, and BYOK encryption).

Strengths

• Quick implementation
• Lower total cost of ownership with transparent pricing
• AI-driven ticketing, incident resolution, and knowledge management
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance certifications

Best for: Mid-sized and large enterprises that want full ITSM capabilities with faster time-to-value and predictable costs.

Keep in mind: As a newer entrant, its community and ecosystem are still growing compared to legacy providers.

How to pick the right ServiceNow alternative that works for you

The right choice depends on your size, speed, and setup. Here are a few considerations:

1. Team size

Small teams without admins should look at simple, low-maintenance tools (Freshservice, Sprinto). Larger enterprises may need BMC Helix or ServiceNow-level depth.

2. Speed

Sprinto or Xurrent can be live in weeks if you need a fast rollout. BMC or ServiceNow will take longer.

3. Deployment

Cloud-native companies should lean toward Sprinto, Freshservice, or Zendesk. Choose BMC for hybrid systems.

4. Budget

Tools like Freshservice or Zendesk are budget-friendly. BMC is at the higher end. Sprinto balances affordability with better features and automation.

5. Focus

Pick based on your primary need: compliance (Sprinto), customer support (Zendesk), developer alignment (Jira), or ITIL-heavy workflows (BMC).

Be sure not to overbuy. Choose the tool that covers your essentials without adding cost or complexity you don’t need.

When is Sprinto the right choice for you?

If your priority is compliance and GRC, Sprinto is the right choice. Most growing cloud companies don’t have the time or people to manage compliance manually, and Sprinto takes that weight off your team.

It connects to your systems, keeps controls in check, and automatically gathers the right evidence. Instead of scrambling at audit time, you stay ready all year without building a big compliance department or slowing down product work.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the alternatives to ServiceNow?

Top alternatives include Sprinto, BMC Helix ITSM, Jira Service Management, Freshservice, Zendesk, and Xurrent. 

2. How does ServiceNow differ from Sprinto?

ServiceNow is a broad enterprise platform built for complex, multi-department workflows. Sprinto is purpose-built for cloud companies, focusing on compliance automation, faster setup, and continuous audit readiness.

3. How do I select the best ServiceNow alternative?

Match the tool to your needs. Pick Sprinto for compliance automation, Freshservice or Zendesk for ease of use, Jira for developer alignment, and BMC Helix for ITIL-heavy or hybrid setups.

4. Can I move from ServiceNow to some other compliance tool?

Yes. Migration involves exporting controls, evidence, and workflows, then mapping them into the new tool. 

5. What is the best substitute for real-time compliance monitoring?

Traditional tools only run periodic checks. The closest alternative is an automation platform like Sprinto, which stays connected to your systems and keeps evidence up to date in the background.