ServiceNow Alternatives: Top 10 ITSM Platforms in 2026

ServiceNow is the enterprise standard for IT service management. It's comprehensive, customizable, and capable of handling almost any IT workflow. It's also expensive, complex to implement, and often overkill for companies that don't need a full ITSM suite.

If you're in HR or IT at a growing company, you might be looking at ServiceNow and realizing it's not the right fit. Maybe you just need better device lifecycle management. Maybe you need global IT support without building an entire ticketing system. Or maybe you need something that works out of the box without requiring a team of consultants to configure.

This guide breaks down the top 10 ServiceNow alternatives in 2026, including what each platform does well, where it falls short, and which types of teams benefit most.

1. Deel IT

Deel IT handles the entire device lifecycle for distributed teams in 130+ countries. It manages procurement, shipping, pre-configuration, MDM enrollment, repairs, and offboarding. Unlike ServiceNow, which focuses on ticketing and workflows, Deel IT focuses on making sure employees have the right devices, set up correctly, delivered on time, and supported globally.

Why it's a better alternative than ServiceNow: ServiceNow is built for enterprise IT service management, but it doesn't handle the physical logistics of managing devices globally. If you're managing a distributed team, you need a platform that can ship laptops to Berlin, São Paulo, and Singapore, pre-configure them with apps and security policies, and handle repairs without creating a support nightmare.

Deel IT eliminates the gap between IT service management and device operations. You don't need ServiceNow's complexity if your main challenge is getting devices to employees on time and keeping them secure.

Key features

• Global device procurement: Choose from 230+ standardized devices and ship to 130+ countries with 99% on-time delivery
• Pre-configuration and MDM enrollment: Devices arrive with apps, policies, and security settings already applied
• 24/7 IT support and repairs: Employees get help and loaner devices without HR or IT needing to coordinate vendors
• Device recovery and offboarding: Automated collection, data erasure, and reconditioning in 59 countries
• Flexible leasing and ownership: Rent devices or purchase them, with options to refresh, reuse, or clear at end of life
• Integrations: Connects with Okta, Slack, HRIS systems, Jira, and other tools to automate workflows

Who it's for

Deel IT is ideal for HR and IT teams managing distributed or global workforces. If you're tired of chasing laptop shipments, coordinating repairs across time zones, or managing spreadsheets to track who has which device, Deel IT replaces the complexity with one platform that handles everything.

It's especially valuable for companies that:

• Onboard employees in multiple countries
• Need devices delivered on time without delays or customs issues
• Want security and compliance built in from day one
• Don't have a dedicated IT team in every location
• Are looking to consolidate vendors and reduce manual work

Pricing

Deel IT pricing starts at $37 per device per month for lifecycle management, which includes pre-configuration, enrollment, recovery, offboarding, 24/7 support, and repairs. Device procurement is available at retail price minus 25%. Custom enterprise pricing is available for larger deployments.

Unlike ServiceNow, which requires significant upfront investment and ongoing customization costs, Deel IT is transparent, predictable, and includes everything needed to manage a global device fleet.

Why choose Deel IT over ServiceNow

ServiceNow is designed for large enterprises with complex IT operations and dedicated teams to manage it. Deel IT is designed for companies that need to streamline IT onboarding, manage devices globally, and reduce the burden on HR and IT teams.

If your primary challenge is getting devices to distributed employees, keeping them secure, and handling support without hiring locally, Deel IT is the better choice. If you need a full ITSM platform with incident management, change management, and custom workflows, consider ServiceNow alongside Deel IT for device operations.

Get started: Explore Deel IT or book a demo to see how it simplifies global device management.

2. Jira Service Management

Jira Service Management (JSM) is Atlassian's ITSM platform built on top of Jira. It handles incident management, change management, asset tracking, and service requests. JSM is especially popular with software development teams already using Jira for project management.

Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: JSM is more affordable and easier to deploy than ServiceNow, especially for companies already in the Atlassian ecosystem. It offers similar ITSM capabilities but with a simpler interface and tighter integration with development workflows.

Limitations: JSM lacks the depth of ServiceNow's enterprise features and isn't as customizable for non-IT workflows. It's also not designed to handle physical device logistics, global procurement, or device lifecycle management like Deel IT.

Best for: Tech companies, startups, and IT teams that already use Jira and need integrated ITSM without ServiceNow's complexity.

Pricing: Starts at $20/agent/month for Standard, with Premium and Enterprise tiers available.

3. Freshservice

Freshservice is a cloud-based ITSM platform from Freshworks. It includes incident management, asset management, change management, and a self-service portal. Freshservice is known for its clean interface and fast deployment.

• Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: Freshservice is simpler, more affordable, and faster to implement than ServiceNow. It's designed for small to mid-sized companies that need ITSM without spending months on configuration.
• Limitations: Freshservice lacks the enterprise-grade features and customization of ServiceNow. It's also not a replacement for device lifecycle management or global IT operations, which is where Deel IT excels.
• Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses that need ITSM with minimal setup and don't require deep customization.
• Pricing: Starts at $19/agent/month for Starter, with Growth and Enterprise tiers available.

4. Ivanti (formerly Heat Software)

Ivanti offers IT service management combined with unified endpoint management (UEM) and asset discovery. It's particularly strong in inventory tracking, patch management, and endpoint security.

• Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: Ivanti combines ITSM with endpoint management, making it a good fit for organizations that need both ticketing and device control in one platform.
• Limitations: Ivanti's interface feels dated compared to modern ITSM platforms, and deployment can be complex. It also doesn't handle global device procurement or logistics like Deel IT.
• Best for: Enterprises with hybrid or on-premises IT environments that need integrated endpoint and service management.
• Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing based on deployment size and modules.

5. ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus

ServiceDesk Plus is an ITSM platform with incident, problem, change, and asset management. It's one of the most affordable enterprise ITSM options on the market.

• Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: ServiceDesk Plus offers similar core ITSM features at a fraction of ServiceNow's cost. It's ideal for companies that need ticketing and asset tracking without enterprise-level complexity.
• Limitations: The interface is functional but not modern. Reporting and automation features are less robust than ServiceNow or Deel IT. It also doesn't handle device procurement or global logistics.
• Best for: Budget-conscious organizations that need basic ITSM without advanced features.
• Pricing: Starts at $10/technician/month for Standard, with Professional and Enterprise tiers available.

6. TOPdesk

TOPdesk is a European ITSM platform with strong ITIL support, incident management, and asset tracking. It's popular in Europe and offers localized support in multiple languages.

• Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: TOPdesk is easier to deploy than ServiceNow and offers strong ITIL frameworks for companies with compliance requirements. It's also more affordable for mid-market companies.
• Limitations: TOPdesk is less flexible than ServiceNow for custom workflows and doesn't handle global device operations. For companies managing distributed teams, Deel IT offers better global coverage and device lifecycle support.
• Best for: European mid-market companies with ITIL compliance needs.
• Pricing: Custom pricing based on user count and modules.

7. SysAid

SysAid is an ITSM and remote support platform designed for small IT teams. It includes ticketing, asset management, and remote desktop tools in one package.

• Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: SysAid is affordable, easy to deploy, and includes remote support capabilities that reduce the need for additional tools.
• Limitations: SysAid is best suited for smaller teams and lacks the scalability and enterprise features of ServiceNow. It doesn't handle device procurement, global logistics, or lifecycle management.
• Best for: Small businesses and IT teams that need ITSM and remote support in one platform.
• Pricing: Starts at $99/month for up to 10 users, with additional per-user costs.

8. Cherwell (now Ivanti Neurons for ITSM)

Cherwell (rebranded as Ivanti Neurons for ITSM) is a highly customizable ITSM platform with no-code workflow automation. It's designed for organizations that need tailored workflows beyond standard ITSM.

• Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: Cherwell offers similar customization to ServiceNow but at a lower cost and with a faster deployment timeline.
• Limitations: Customization requires time and expertise. The interface is less intuitive than modern ITSM platforms. It doesn't cover device operations or global IT logistics.
• Best for: Mid-sized enterprises that need customizable ITSM without ServiceNow's price tag.
• Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing.

9. BMC Helix ITSM

BMC Helix is an AI-powered ITSM platform designed for large enterprises. It includes incident, problem, change, and asset management with advanced automation and analytics.

• Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: BMC Helix competes directly with ServiceNow in the enterprise space, offering similar features with different pricing and deployment models.
• Limitations: BMC Helix is complex and expensive, making it less suitable for small to mid-sized companies. Like ServiceNow, it doesn't handle device procurement, global shipping, or lifecycle management.
• Best for: Large enterprises with complex IT operations and dedicated ITSM teams.
• Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing based on deployment size and requirements.

10. HaloITSM

What it does: HaloITSM is an ITSM platform built for managed service providers (MSPs) and internal IT teams. It supports multi-tenancy, making it easy to manage multiple clients or business units from one platform.

• Why it's a ServiceNow alternative: HaloITSM is more affordable than ServiceNow and designed specifically for MSPs that need to manage multiple clients efficiently.
• Limitations: HaloITSM is best suited for MSPs and lacks some of the enterprise features and integrations of ServiceNow. It doesn't handle device lifecycle operations globally.
• Best for: Managed service providers and IT teams managing multiple clients or business units.
• Pricing: Starts at £30/agent/month, with volume discounts for MSPs.

Comparison table: ServiceNow alternatives at a glance

How to choose the right ServiceNow alternative

Choose Deel IT if:

• You're managing distributed teams across multiple countries
• Your main challenge is getting devices to employees on time, configured correctly, and supported globally
• You need to consolidate device procurement, MDM, repairs, and offboarding into one platform
• You want 24/7 IT support without hiring locally or managing multiple vendors
• You're tired of spreadsheets, delayed shipments, and chasing down laptops during offboarding

Choose a traditional ITSM platform (Jira, Freshservice, etc.) if:

• You need full incident, problem, and change management workflows
• Your IT team primarily supports on-site or office-based employees
• You require deep integration with existing enterprise tools and custom workflows
• You have dedicated IT resources to manage and maintain an ITSM platform

Consider Deel IT + ITSM if:

Many companies use Deel IT for device lifecycle management alongside a traditional ITSM platform for ticketing and workflows. Deel IT integrates with Jira, ServiceNow, and other platforms, allowing you to track device issues in your existing ticketing system while Deel IT handles procurement, logistics, and global support.

This combination gives you the best of both worlds: enterprise ITSM for internal workflows and Deel IT for the operational complexity of managing devices globally.

Why Deel IT is the best alternative for distributed teams

ServiceNow is excellent at managing IT workflows, but it doesn't solve the practical challenges of getting devices to employees in 130+ countries, pre-configuring them with apps and security policies, or handling repairs without creating a support nightmare.

Deel IT was built specifically for companies managing distributed teams. It replaces the complexity of juggling vendors, customs, MDM platforms, and repair services with one platform that handles everything from device procurement to secure offboarding.

What makes Deel IT different

• Global coverage, local execution: Deel IT operates in 130+ countries with a network of warehouses, repair centers, and logistics partners. Devices ship on time, repairs happen locally, and offboarding is handled without needing a local IT presence.
• Pre-configured devices: Every device ships with your MDM enrolled, apps installed, and security policies applied. Employees open the box, log in, and start working.
• Lifecycle management, not just ticketing: Deel IT handles procurement, shipping, support, repairs, refresh cycles, and offboarding. You get visibility into every device without needing to manage logistics yourself.
• Built for HR and IT: Deel IT is designed so HR teams can manage device requests and onboarding without constantly involving IT. At the same time, IT gets full visibility, control, and reporting on the entire device fleet.
• Integrates with your stack: Deel IT connects with Okta, Slack, Jira, your HRIS, and other tools, so device data flows into the systems you already use.

Ready to simplify IT operations for your distributed team? Book a demo to see how we handle device lifecycle management globally.