Usage-based AI
AI Answers costs per resolution, AI Drafts per conversation. The better the AI performs, the higher the bill — that’s not predictable.
askVela vs Help Scout
Help Scout is clean —askVela actually takes action.
Help Scout is a friendly email inbox, but its AI charges per answer and the servers are in the US. askVela is live chat plus AI that resolves shop cases on its own — with a fair flat rate.
Fair flat rate · unlimited agents · AI included · EU-hosted · free migration
Your shop address goes here — your customers ask the questions later.
See askVela with your own store dataLive
Temporary demo, for testing only. No data is stored permanently.
Direct comparison
askVela vs Help Scout
Both handle email replies well. The difference is the pricing model, EU data protection, and whether the AI truly resolves shop cases.
FeatureaskVelaHelp Scout
Pricing modelaskVelaFair flat rateHelp ScoutPer user (formerly per contact)
Predictable costsaskVelaHelp Scout
AI replies includedaskVela1,000–12,000/monthHelp ScoutPer resolution / per conversation
Unlimited team membersaskVelaHelp ScoutOnly in the old contact model
AI handles order status & cancellations on its ownaskVelaHelp Scout
AI negotiates fair partial refundsaskVelaHelp Scout
Product recommendations in chat (upsell)askVelaHelp Scout
Replies with source citations (no hallucinations)askVelaHelp Scout
Knowledge gap queue → 1-click articleaskVelaHelp Scout
Live chat for your shopaskVelaHelp Scout
Clean email inboxaskVelaHelp Scout
EU hosting / GDPR / DPAaskVelaHelp Scout
Native German AIaskVelaHelp Scout
Self-hosting availableaskVelaHelp Scout
Free migrationaskVelaHelp Scout
Where Help Scout falls short
Great inbox, pricey AI, wrong continent
For simple email replies, Help Scout is charming. For a growing DACH shop, it quickly gets messy — and expensive.
Hosting in the US
Help Scout is a US provider. For GDPR-compliant DACH shops, that means more effort and uncertainty around data protection.
AI replies, but doesn’t act
The AI writes replies and drafts. Order status, cancellations, refunds, or upsells? It doesn’t handle them — your team still has to.
Why askVela
What Help Scout doesn’t give your AI
Help Scout stops at drafting text. askVela resolves the case, protects your margin, and keeps your data in the EU.
Answers from your content
With source citations — no hallucinations. Finds knowledge gaps and suggests ready-to-use articles.
Sells & protects your margin
Recommends relevant products in chat and negotiates a fair partial refund before money leaves your account.
EU-hosted, GDPR, DPA
Native German AI, self-hosting available. Your customer data stays in the EU.
Playground
No video. No mockup. The real dashboard.
One click creates your personal sandbox workspace – with real conversations, real AI and every setting. You click through exactly the product your customers get.
- No sign-up
- 60 minutes, all yours
- Deletes itself
€100 time guarantee
Switch with zero risk
We’ll migrate your entire Help Center for free and build you a ready-to-use demo. Don’t like it at all? We’ll send you 100 € for your time.
Frequently asked questions
01How do I switch from Help Scout to askVela?
You don’t have to move anything yourself. We migrate your docs and Help Center for free, build a ready-to-use demo with your content, and only go live once you’re happy. Your email inbox stays just as clean as you’re used to.
02Is askVela GDPR-compliant — unlike a US provider?
Yes. askVela is fully EU-hosted, the DPA is included, and the AI speaks native German. Help Scout is a US provider, which makes data protection more complex for DACH shops. Self-hosting is even available on request.
03Is it true that Help Scout’s AI costs per answer?
Yes. AI Answers is billed per successful resolution, and AI Drafts per conversation with a draft — on top of your user plan or former contact-based plan. The more the AI works, the higher the bill. With askVela, all AI replies are included in the flat rate.
04What does askVela cost and what’s included?
askVela is a fair flat rate: unlimited agents and a fixed AI allowance of 1,000 to 12,000 replies a month at one predictable price. No billing per seat, per conversation, per AI resolution, or per contact. What your AI resolves within the allowance doesn’t cost extra — unlike Help Scout’s usage-based model.
Ready to modernise your support?
Start for free, embed the widget, and let the AI work from the very first minute.
GDPR-compliant · your data stays protected