This article covers the Early Stage program for customers who joined the program from June 29, 2026. If you're already on the Early Stage program, your existing plan details and pricing apply. Contact support if you have questions about your current subscription.
What is Early Stage program?
Use this article to understand what's included in the Early Stage program, review your pricing across all three years, and apply. The Early Stage program gives eligible new customers access to Intercom's Advanced plan at a deep discount, 93% off in year one, 50% in year two, and 25% in year three. This gives you time to scale before paying full price.
Key benefits
Access to the Advanced plan, Proactive Support Plus and Pro.
Enjoy deep discounts for your first three years while scaling your business.
Get up to 300 free Fin outcomes and 15 free Fin qualifications per month to deliver exceptional customer experiences while dramatically reducing costs.
Learn faster with the Early Stage Academy and the Startups Dealbook, offering over $100k in exclusive partner discounts.
What's included in the Early Stage program?
What features are included?
You will be on the Advanced plan. Here's a quick breakdown of what's included in your monthly plan:
2 full seats (teammates with full inbox and feature access)
2 Copilot unlimited usage seats (AI assistance for your support teammates, included for each full seat)
20 lite seats (teammates with limited access for viewing and collaborating on conversations)
300 free monthly Fin outcomes (a Fin outcome is counted each time Fin AI resolves a customer conversation without a human handoff)
15 free monthly Fin qualifications (a Fin qualification is counted when Fin qualifies a sales lead on your behalf)
How much does the Early Stage program cost?
In the first year of the Early Stage program, you'll pay just $33 per month for the Advanced plan — a 93% discount off the list price of $466. Additional usage-based charges apply, see details below for the breakdown.
What's my monthly subscription discount?
The table below shows the monthly subscription cost for the Early Stage program (2-seat base plan) across all three years, including your discount rate and included free Fin AI outcomes.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
Full seats | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Price per seat | $99 | $99 | $99 |
Copilot per seat | $35 | $35 | $35 |
Proactive Support Plus | $99 | $99 | $99 |
Pro | $99 | $99 | $99 |
Total monthly list price | $466 | $466 | $466 |
Discount | 93% | 50% | 25% |
Free Fin AI outcomes | 300/month | 150/month | 75/month |
Free Fin qualifications per month | 15/month | 15/month | 15/month |
Total monthly price after discount | $33 | $233 | $350 |
Note: Your included free Fin AI outcomes reduce each year — 300/month in Year 1, 150/month in Year 2, and 75/month in Year 3. Additional outcomes beyond your monthly allowance are charged at list price.
How are usage-based channels discounted?
The Early Stage discount also applies to Bulk Email Sent, Messages Sent, and Pro usage as follows:
Usage-based channel | Discount applied |
All Bulk Email Sent prices will be discounted at the same rate as the overall discount in that year (93% year one, 50% year two, 25% year three). | |
Messages Sent | All Messages Sent prices will be discounted at the same rate as the overall discount in that year (93% year one, 50% year two, 25% year three). |
Pro add-on | Your monthly subscription includes Pro usage up to 1,000 conversations. Pro charges above 1,000 conversations are also discounted at the same rate as the overall discount in that year (93% year one, 50% year two, 25% year three). |
Which channels are charged at list price?
The following usage-based channels are not eligible for the Early Stage discount and are charged at list price:
SMS | SMS Segments can be used but no discount will be applied, they will be charged at list price. |
Bulk WhatsApp Sent are available but no discount will be applied, they will be charged at list price. Inbound WhatsApp conversations are free. | |
Phone | Phone is available but no discount will be applied, calls will be charged at list price. |
Can I add or remove seats from my plan?
You may add more seats to your plan if you wish. Additional seats will also be discounted at the same rate as the overall discount in that year (93% year one, 50% year two, 25% year three).
You can't reduce the number of seats to lower the cost of your plan, as all 2 seats are included as part of the Early Stage program.
What features are not included?
Any features from our Expert plan and Regional Hosting are not available for the Early Stage program. If your startup requires Expert plan features or Regional Hosting, contact our Sales team via the Messenger to discuss your options.
Fin Voice: Fin Voice is not currently available on the Early Stage program. It's still in Managed Availability, and we'll update this article when it becomes available.
Important: Fin beyond included outcomes, SMS, WhatsApp, and Phone usage are not discounted.
If you find the costs are too high in year two and beyond, you can always move to our Essential plan.
How do I apply for the Early Stage program?
Am I eligible for the Early Stage program?
Early stage: The startup should have raised up to $10 million in funding
Small company: The startup should have fewer than 15 employees
New customer: The startup must currently not be an Intercom customer
To grow your startup with Intercom's Early Stage program, apply here.
Some applications can be automatically approved and others go to review, the approval process typically takes 1 to 2 business days. If you're approved, you'll be notified via email. It's important to provide accurate information for our team to approve your application.
Once approved, you have 7 days to start your subscription. If you don't activate your subscription within 30 days, the application expires and reapplication will be required.
Note: US-based nonprofit organizations may be eligible for a nonprofit discount.
How do I transition off the Early Stage program?
What should I know before switching plans?
Switching from Early Stage to another plan (such as Essential) can affect pricing and seat counts. Keep in mind:
Per-seat costs increase — Essential is billed at $39 per seat.
Usage discounts end — messages, emails, and other usage-based items return to list pricing.
How do I migrate to a new plan?
Contact Support to remove your Early Stage plan. Your billing page won't show new plan options until removal is confirmed.
Explore new plans from your workspace's Subscription tab.
Review pricing and billing — changes take effect in your next billing cycle.
How can I reduce my costs?
Remove inactive teammates to reduce seat charges.
Downgrade plans carefully — Early Stage acts as an annual contract billed monthly, so downgrades apply after your current billing period.
Use the Pricing Calculator to estimate your costs before switching.
What other benefits are included?
Early Stage Academy
Here you'll find practical tips and best practice advice on topics like:
Setting up Intercom.
Automating customer queries using Fin, an AI agent.
Tips for running an effective support program, whether you're an experienced hand or brand new.
Access to Early Stage Academy is included in your plan to enable you and your team to get the most from Intercom.
Intercom's Startups Dealbook
The Dealbook is a collection of over $100k worth of deals & discounts from our favorite startup solutions to help our customers grow even faster. We've collated exclusive deals from Notion, Stripe, Mercury, Brex & more.
FAQs
What's included in the $33/mo startup plan?
What's included in the $33/mo startup plan?
The Early Stage plan at $33/mo includes:
2 Advanced seats
2 Copilot seats
Pro add-on
Proactive Support Plus
300 free Fin AI outcomes per month (declining to 150 in Y2, 75 in Y3)
15 free Fin sales qualifications per month
You can add more seats at any time — each additional Advanced seat is $6.90/mo and each additional Copilot seat is $2.50/mo in Year 1 (same discount rates apply in Years 2 and 3).
How much does it cost to add more seats?
How much does it cost to add more seats?
The table below shows the total monthly plan cost depending on how many Advanced + Copilot seat pairs you have, across all three years of the Early Stage program.
Seats (Advanced + Copilot) | Year 1 (93% off) | Year 2 (50% off) | Year 3 (25% off) |
2 (included) | $33 | $233 | $350 |
3 | $42 | $300 | $450 |
4 | $51 | $367 | $551 |
5 | $61 | $434 | $651 |
6 | $70 | $501 | $752 |
Additional seats beyond the base: +$9.40/mo per seat pair in Year 1 ($6.90 Advanced + $2.50 Copilot)
What happens to my pricing after Year 1?
What happens to my pricing after Year 1?
Your discount steps down over three years:
Year 1: 93% discount ($33/mo for 2 seats)
Year 2: 50% discount ($233/mo for 2 seats)
Year 3: 25% discount ($350/mo for 2 seats)
Standard Intercom pricing applies after the program
My partner shared materials showing 6 seats — which is correct?
My partner shared materials showing 6 seats — which is correct?
We recently updated the program. New enrollments include 2 base seats. You can add as many seats as you need — the table in the "How much does it cost to add more seats?" FAQ shows pricing for up to 6, and additional seats beyond that follow the same per-seat discount schedule.
What happens if I'm not accepted to the program?
What happens if I'm not accepted to the program?
If you don't meet the eligibility criteria for the Early Stage program, we have plans available here for all businesses, or you can chat to our Sales team.
Can existing Intercom customers apply for the Early Stage program?
Can existing Intercom customers apply for the Early Stage program?
No, companies with an active Intercom subscription or on an annual plan are not eligible for the Early Stage program. Applicants must be new customers at the time of application.
I've started a trial with Intercom, can I still join the program?
I've started a trial with Intercom, can I still join the program?
Yes, if you've already started an Intercom trial and you meet the Early Stage program eligibility criteria you can still apply here.
What happens in Early Stage year two?
What happens in Early Stage year two?
You can move to the second year of the Early Stage program with the 50% year two discount applied, or downgrade to an Essential plan.
What happens in year three?
What happens in year three?
You can move to the third year of the Early Stage program with the 25% year three discount applied, or downgrade to an Essential plan at list price, or chat to our Sales team about the Expert plan.
What happens at the end of the program?
What happens at the end of the program?
At the end of year three you'll graduate from the Early Stage program onto one of our plans at list price. 30 days out from your graduation date we will share options. You can choose a different plan if that suits your needs better.
Can I join the program a second time?
Can I join the program a second time?
The Early Stage program is a one-time opportunity for each startup. Once you switch from the Early Stage program to a standard plan, you will permanently forfeit any remaining Early Stage discounts or benefits. You cannot rejoin the Early Stage program after leaving it, even if you choose to upgrade to a more expensive plan like Expert or Advanced.
Is this a monthly subscription or annual contract?
Is this a monthly subscription or annual contract?
This is a monthly subscription, you can cancel at any time from your workspace Billing. If you would prefer to explore annual contracts, please reach out to our Sales team in the Messenger.
Can we change this subscription at any time?
Can we change this subscription at any time?
Yes, this is a monthly subscription, you can cancel or upgrade at any time from your workspace Billing. If you would prefer to explore annual contracts, please reach out to our Sales team in the Messenger.
Are there any limitations to the Early Stage program?
Are there any limitations to the Early Stage program?
Fixed seat allocation: The Early Stage program includes two full seats as part of a fixed package. You cannot reduce this number to lower costs or adjust the plan for fewer users. All two seats are billed regardless of actual usage. You can add seats beyond two, and your discount applies for each additional seat.
Restrictions on add-ons: Add-ons included in the Early Stage program cannot be removed. Customers needing tailored configurations may need to switch to a plan like Advanced, where add-ons can be managed more flexibly.
Non-reinstatement: Once you leave the Early Stage program, reapplying is not an option. This is a one-time plan designed for startups and early-stage businesses.
No temporary Expert plan upgrade: Early Stage plan customers can't temporarily upgrade to the Expert plan. Switching out of the Early Stage program is permanent — once the migration period has ended, reverting back isn't possible.
Does the Early Stage discount apply to the Expert plan?
Does the Early Stage discount apply to the Expert plan?
No, the Early Stage program is only available on the Advanced plan. Expert plan features, including multibrand Messenger, multibrand Help Center, SLAs, HIPAA support, and SSO, are not included in the Early Stage program. If you need Expert features, you'll need to purchase the Expert plan at standard pricing.
What support does Intercom offer during plan transitions?
What support does Intercom offer during plan transitions?
Our team can guide you through plan migration, workspace optimization, and best practices for using Intercom tools effectively.
What happens to my data if I cancel my subscription?
What happens to my data if I cancel my subscription?
See how to delete your workspace data.
To grow your startup with Intercom's Early Stage program, apply here.
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