Freshdesk alternatives: 6 free & open-source picks
Curated, verified, and actually free. No trials, no crippled tiers. Star counts and last-activity dates checked by hand, not scraped and forgotten.
Una bandeja de entrada de soporte adecuada con chat, correo y centro de ayuda; software gratuito, tareas de servidor facturables.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installDocker Compose on a Linux VM, followed by environment, database, reverse-proxy and TLS configuration
dataApplication data in PostgreSQL, queues/cache in Redis, and attachments on local disk or S3-compatible/cloud object storage
the catch vs FreshdeskChatwoot is omnichannel-first and self-hosted, so Freshdesk's mature email-ticket workflow, reporting and managed operations are weaker or become your job.
setupProvisioning a Linux server and correctly wiring DNS/TLS, SMTP, PostgreSQL/Redis and storage
facts verified 2026-08-11
Un centro de tickets serio con correo, chat, SLA y base de conocimiento; la configuración es el primer ticket.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installDeploy the Docker Compose/Portainer stack or install supported Linux packages
dataTicket and user data in PostgreSQL, search indexes in Elasticsearch, and attachments/backups in Docker volumes or server storage
the catch vs FreshdeskIt demands substantially more infrastructure and administration than Freshdesk's hosted service.
setupA comparatively large server and familiarity with Docker/Portainer, PostgreSQL and Elasticsearch
facts verified 2026-08-11
Correos y formularios web se convierten en tickets asignados; anticuado, confiable y muy tu servidor PHP.
licenseGPL-2.0
runsyour server
installUpload the release to a PHP web root, create a MySQL database, then finish the browser installer
dataTickets and configuration in MySQL; attachments in the database or server filesystem depending on storage setup; ticket metadata can export as CSV
the catch vs FreshdeskIts interface, automation and reporting feel dated beside Freshdesk.
setupA PHP/MySQL web host plus database credentials, filesystem permissions and mail piping or IMAP setup
facts verified 2026-08-11
Tickets, SLA y base de conocimiento en un entorno Frappe limpio; el instalador de cinco minutos aún te deja la guardia.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installRun Frappe's easy-install script against the stable container image on a Linux server
dataTickets in the Frappe site database, with public and private attachments in the site's files directories
the catch vs FreshdeskIts integration catalog and reporting are less mature than Freshdesk's, and you operate the Frappe stack.
setupA Linux server, domain/DNS, Docker or the easy-install script, and mail account configuration
facts verified 2026-08-11
Un centro de tickets alojado real para usuarios ilimitados, siempre que Helpdesk sea tu única app gratuita de Odoo.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted Odoo Online signup with Helpdesk selected as the single free app
dataAn Odoo Online PostgreSQL database in Odoo's cloud, with record exports and downloadable ZIP database backups
setup✓ installs clean
the catch vs FreshdeskThe one-app-free constraint and Odoo-centric workflows are less focused than Freshdesk's dedicated support desk.
facts verified 2026-08-11
Chat en vivo, tickets, correo y centro de ayuda por cero dólares; la pequeña insignia de tawk.to paga la renta.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup, then paste the generated JavaScript widget or install a CMS plugin
dataChats, tickets and contacts in tawk.to's cloud account; chat and ticket exports are JSON
the catch vs FreshdeskTicketing is secondary to live chat, with weaker SLA, reporting and help-center depth than Freshdesk.
setupAccess to edit the website or install its CMS plugin
facts verified 2026-08-11
last updated 2026-08-11 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
FreeScoutThe shared inbox is free, but its knowledge base is a paid module, so it misses the stated job.
Zoho Desk FreeEmail and web forms are free; the public knowledge base required for a real help centre is paid.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatwoot | MIT | self-host, real ops | web, ios, android, self-hosted | 35,534 | 2026-08 |
| Zammad | AGPL-3.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 5,800 | 2026-08 |
| osTicket | GPL-2.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 3,868 | 2026-06 |
| Frappe Helpdesk | AGPL-3.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 3,300 | 2026-08 |
| Odoo Helpdesk One App Free | proprietary, free | they host it | web | — | — |
| tawk.to | proprietary, free | they host it | web, macos, windows, ios, android | — | — |
People still pay for Freshdesk because support software survives because missing or misrouting one customer message is expensive and every channel behaves differently. The recurring cost buys message delivery, webhooks, threading, identity, permissions, attachments, notifications, spam, search, uptime, and retention, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $228 a year.
Is there a free alternative to Freshdesk?
Yes: Chatwoot, Zammad, osTicket and 3 more. Every tool on this page is either open source or genuinely free to use long-term: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Should I just build my own Freshdesk?
Our verdict is PARCIAL. The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Freshdesk, manage tickets from email and a web form with priorities, owners, and a help center. The hard boundary is omnichannel features, automations, marketplace, reporting, and freshworks ecosystem, plus channel integrations and support operations. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at puedovibecodearlo.app/freshdesk.
