LiveChat alternatives: 7 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 como debe ser, 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 LiveChatYou trade LiveChat's managed uptime, upgrades and deliverability for operating a multi-service server yourself.
setupProvisioning a Linux server and correctly wiring DNS/TLS, SMTP, PostgreSQL/Redis and storage
facts verified 2026-08-11
Un escritorio 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 LiveChatZammad is a heavyweight ticket suite, so website chat is less focused and much harder to operate than LiveChat.
setupA comparatively large server and familiarity with Docker/Portainer, PostgreSQL and Elasticsearch
facts verified 2026-08-11
Un escritorio moderno de correo y chat en vivo en un stack compacto, porque al parecer eso estaba permitido.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installRun Docker Compose with an edited config file, or launch the release binary against PostgreSQL
dataRecords in PostgreSQL, queues/cache in Redis, and uploads on the local filesystem or S3-compatible object storage
the catch vs LiveChatLibreDesk is much newer and less battle-tested, with a far smaller integration and support ecosystem than LiveChat.
setupDocker plus a correct config, encryption key, PostgreSQL/Redis and mail/channel credentials
facts verified 2026-08-11
Un escritorio de chat en vivo probado en batalla, con enrutamiento, transcripciones y respuestas prediseñadas; la interfaz ya ha visto de todo.
licenseApache-2.0
runsyour server
installUpload the release archive to a PHP web server and run the browser installer, or deploy its Docker image
dataChats and settings in MySQL/MariaDB, with uploads and media in writable server-side storage directories
the catch vs LiveChatIts agent interface, reporting and integration catalog are markedly less polished than LiveChat's.
setupA PHP 8.2+/MySQL web host, a pre-created database and correct filesystem permissions
facts verified 2026-08-11
Chat en vivo, tickets y base de conocimiento por cero dólares; el pequeño distintivo es lo que hace que las cuentas cuadren.
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 LiveChatThe free widget keeps tawk.to branding, and its routing and reporting are shallower than LiveChat's.
setupAccess to edit the website or install its CMS plugin
facts verified 2026-08-11
Un escritorio 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 LiveChatThe one-app-free plan is not a clean live-chat replacement, and adding unrelated Odoo apps can end the free arrangement.
facts verified 2026-08-11
Una bandeja de entrada compartida alojada, chat en vivo y cola de tickets para dos usuarios; la base de conocimiento vive arriba.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup, then connect a team inbox/email and add the website tracking or chat-widget code
dataCRM records, tickets and conversation history in HubSpot's cloud; records export to spreadsheet files and conversations are available through its API
the catch vs LiveChatThe free plan is capped at two users and lacks LiveChat's mature routing, staffing and chat-reporting depth.
setupConnecting and verifying the shared email inbox and website domain
facts verified 2026-08-11
last updated 2026-08-11 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
PapercupsA once-obvious open-source pick whose main repo stopped in February 2024.
| 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 |
| LibreDesk | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 2,682 | 2026-08 |
| Live Helper Chat | Apache-2.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 2,236 | 2026-08 |
| tawk.to | proprietary, free | they host it | web, macos, windows, ios, android | — | — |
| Odoo Helpdesk One App Free | proprietary, free | they host it | web | — | — |
| HubSpot Free Help Desk | proprietary, free | they host it | web, ios, android | — | — |
People still pay for LiveChat 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 $300 a year.
Is there a free alternative to LiveChat?
Yes: Chatwoot, Zammad, LibreDesk and 4 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 LiveChat?
Our verdict is PARCIAL. The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For LiveChat, provide reliable website chat with routing, transcripts, and canned replies. The hard boundary is global chat delivery, mobile apps, staffing tools, integrations, and support, plus channel integrations and support operations. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at puedovibecodearlo.app/livechat.
