How to Cancel Intercom in 2026 (Stop Paying $74+/Seat + Export Data)
Updated 2026-02-26 · 8 min read
💰 The Usage-Based Pricing Trap
Intercom restructured pricing in 2024 and it got more confusing, not less. Essential: $29/seat/month. Advanced: $85/seat/month. Expert: $132/seat/month. But that's just the base — Intercom now charges $0.99 per AI resolution with their Fin AI agent. A growing startup handling 2,000 conversations/month with 5 seats on Advanced = $5,100/month base + $990/month in Fin resolutions = $73,080/year. And they charge per "People Reached" for outbound messages — costs spiral as your user base grows.
Why Intercom Bills Surprise You
Per-seat pricing: Every agent who uses Intercom is a paid seat — including part-time support staff
Fin AI resolutions: $0.99 per resolution adds up fast. 1,000 AI resolutions/month = $990/month you didn't budget for
People Reached: Outbound messages (emails, in-app, push) are billed by volume. Growing user base = growing bill
Annual contracts: Best pricing requires annual commitment — no mid-contract cancellations
Add-ons stack: Product Tours ($199/month), Surveys ($49/month), WhatsApp ($0.036/conversation) — each adds up
Overage charges: Exceed your plan limits and Intercom charges overages automatically
Step 1: Export All Conversations and Data
Conversations: Settings → General → Export your data → Request full data export (CSV format)
Contacts/Users: People → All Users → Export (includes custom attributes)
Companies: People → Companies → Export
Help Center articles: Export each article individually or use the Intercom API for bulk export
Custom Bots/Workflows: Document all automation flows — screenshot each one
Saved replies: Export or copy all canned responses
Product Tours: Record or screenshot each tour step (these don't export)
💡 GDPR Data Export
Intercom is required to provide a full data export under GDPR. If the in-app export doesn't include everything you need, email privacy@intercom.io requesting a complete data export under GDPR Article 20 (right to data portability). They must comply within 30 days.
Step 2: Cancel Your Subscription
Go to Settings → General → Billing
Look for Cancel subscription or Downgrade
If on an annual plan, you may need to contact support or your account manager directly
Email team@intercom.io with your workspace ID, company name, and cancellation request
Request written confirmation that auto-renewal is disabled
Remove the Intercom snippet from your website/app immediately to stop tracking new conversations
Step 3: Remove Intercom from Your Product
Intercom lives in your product code. Clean removal checklist:
Remove the JavaScript snippet from your website header/footer
Uninstall the SDK from your iOS/Android app
Remove API integrations: Any backend code that sends events or user data to Intercom
Disconnect third-party integrations: Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, Stripe, Segment, etc.
Update your privacy policy: Remove mentions of Intercom as a data processor
Remove Intercom cookies: Update your cookie consent banner
Better Alternatives
Crisp ($0-95/month flat): No per-seat pricing. Live chat, chatbot, shared inbox, knowledge base. Best value for growing teams
Tidio ($0-$29/month): AI chatbot + live chat with flat pricing. Built for e-commerce with Shopify integration
Help Scout ($22/user/month): Shared inbox + docs + beacon widget. Simple, no usage-based surprises
Freshdesk (Free for 10 agents): Full helpdesk with email, social, and phone support at $0/month
Chatwoot (Open source, free): Self-hosted alternative with live chat, email, and social channels. No per-seat fees ever
Drift/Salesloft ($0-$2,500/month): If you need conversational marketing, though equally expensive
Tawk.to (Free): Completely free live chat with unlimited agents. Ad-supported but functional
💸 Real Savings
A 5-seat team switching from Intercom Advanced ($85/seat + $500/month Fin resolutions) to Crisp Pro ($95/month flat) saves $66,660/year. Even Help Scout at $22/user saves $59,280/year. The savings are massive because Intercom's usage-based pricing punishes growth.
Cancellation Script
"Hi Intercom team, I'd like to cancel our Intercom subscription effective at the end of our current billing period. Our workspace ID is [X] and our company is [Company Name]. We've completed our data export and are migrating to another platform. Please confirm the cancellation, disable auto-renewal, and let us know when our access will end. We've already removed the Intercom snippet from our product."
Common Retention Offers
"We can offer 3 months free" — Tempting, but the pricing problem returns in month 4
"Let us move you to the Starter plan" — Check if the reduced features actually meet your needs
"We can reduce your Fin costs" — Get any discount in writing with a cap on future increases
"Your data will be deleted" — This is why you export first. Don't let data loss anxiety keep you paying
Find Hidden SaaS Costs
Intercom isn't the only tool with sneaky usage-based pricing. Scan your statements to find them all.