This article refers to our new pricing plans. If you joined Intercom before February 1, 2024 this information may not apply to you. For information about one of our legacy plans, please log in to view these articles instead, or contact us through the Messenger.
What is Intercom's Early Stage program?
Intercom's Early Stage program is aimed at helping eligible startups gain access to Intercom at a discounted rate. Launched in 2016, the program has over 10,000 startup customers as alumni. Our goal is to help startups grow with us by offering incremental pricing discounts. This allows startups the time they need to scale up while enjoying the full range of Intercom features.
Key benefits
Access advanced features such as the Advanced plan, Slack workflows, and Proactive Support Plus.
Enjoy deep discounts for your first three years while scaling your business.
Get up to 300 free Fin AI resolutions in your first year.
Learn faster with the Early Stage Academy and the Startups Dealbook, offering over $100k in exclusive partner discounts.
Early Stage program details
Included features
You will be on the Advanced plan. Here’s a quick breakdown of what's included in your monthly plan:
20 lite seats
300 free Fin resolutions*
*Free Fin AI Agent resolutions per month
The number of free Fin resolutions per month in year 1 depends on when you were accepted to the Early Stage program:
After April 3rd, 2025 | Before April 3rd, 2025 |
300 Fin resolutions per month | 10 Fin resolutions per month |
If you joined the Early Stage program before April 3rd, 2025, you currently have 10 free Fin resolutions each month. If you’re still within your first year of the program, you can contact our support team to request an upgrade to the latest Early Stage plan, which includes 300 free Fin resolutions per month.
Early Stage pricing
In the first year, you'll be getting this plan for just $65 per month, reflecting a 93% discount off the original list price of $903.
Some usage-based charges still apply for Fin, SMS, outbound WhatsApp, and Phone which are charged at list price. See details below.
Breakdown of monthly pricing for your plan
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
Full seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Price per seat | $99 | $99 | $99 |
Copilot per seat | $35 | $35 | $35 |
Proactive Support Plus | $99 | $99 | $99 |
Total monthly list price | $903 | $903 | $903 |
Discount | 93% | 50% | 25% |
Total monthly price after discount | $65 | $451.50 | $677.25 |
You may add more seats to your plan if you wish. Additional seats will 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 6 seats are included as part of the Early Stage program. If you find the costs of Early Stage Year 1 too high, you can switch to the Essential plan starting at $39/month for 1 seat or $29/month for 1 seat if you choose the annual option.
Breakdown of pricing for usage-based channels
The Early Stage discount also applies to usage-based channels with the exception of Fin AI Agent resolutions, SMS, outbound WhatsApp, and Phone which are charged at list price.
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). |
Fin AI Agent | Free Fin AI Agent resolutions are included in year 1, the amount depends on when you joined the early stage program, 300 resolutions per month if you joined after April 3rd, 2025. If before then there are 10 resolutions per month included. |
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. |
What features are not included?
Any features from our Expert plan and Regional Hosting are not available for the Early Stage program.
Important: Fin, 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 starting at $39/month for 1 seat or $29/month if you choose the annual option.
Application process
Eligibility criteria
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.
Transitioning from the Early Stage program
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.
Migration steps
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.
Cost optimization tips
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.
Additional benefits
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, Segment, Brex & more.
FAQs
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.
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 at list price, or chat to our Sales team about the Expert plan. The Essential plan offers pricing at $39/month per seat or $29/month (billed annually). Features include Shared Inbox, Chatbots, email, SMS, WhatsApp, public help centers, and ticketing systems. For more details, use Intercom's Pricing Calculator.
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.
How do I restart my trial?
How do I restart my trial?
If you need to restart your trial or request a refund, please contact Customer Support via the Messenger and ask to talk to our team.
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.
Can existing Intercom customers apply for the early stage?
Can existing Intercom customers apply for the early stage?
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.
Is there a specific requirement to receive program benefits?
Is there a specific requirement to receive program benefits?
Yes, startups must meet all specified criteria outlined in the program terms to qualify for all benefits.
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. Once you leave the Early Stage program, you are not eligible to rejoin, 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.
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.
How do I switch from the Early Stage plan to the Essential plan in Intercom?
How do I switch from the Early Stage plan to the Essential plan in Intercom?
To downgrade from the Advanced plan on Early Stage to the Essential plan in Intercom, you'll need to cancel your current subscription and begin a new subscription on the Essential plan.
If you’d prefer to avoid any disruption, we can manually adjust your plan for you. Please note that no refunds will be issued. Instead, a prorated credit will be automatically applied to your next invoice. This credit will reflect the difference between what you paid for your plan from the day you requested the downgrade and the cost of the Essential plan for that same period.
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 six full seats as part of a fixed package. You cannot reduce this number to lower costs or adjust the plan for fewer users. All six seats are billed regardless of actual usage.
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.
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.
To grow your startup with Intercom’s Early Stage program, apply here.
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