Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Zoho Desk

Chatwoot is an open-source customer support platform that centralizes customer conversations into a shared, omnichannel inbox. It combines live chat, email, and popular messaging integrations with tools for team collaboration, automation, and customer context.

Key Features

• Omnichannel inbox for managing conversations across website chat, email, and supported messaging channels
• Website chat widget for real-time customer messaging
• Help center portal to publish FAQs and support articles
• Team collaboration tools such as private notes, mentions, labels, and canned responses
• Workflow automation including auto-assignment, business hours, and autoresponders
• Contact management with customer profiles, history, segmentation, and custom attributes
• Reporting and analytics including agent/inbox performance and CSAT reporting
• Integration options for common support workflows (for example Slack and external tools)

Use Cases

• Customer support teams handling live chat and email in a single shared inbox
• SaaS and e-commerce support desks needing contact context, automation, and CSAT tracking
• Organizations replacing proprietary helpdesk tools while keeping control of customer data

Limitations and Considerations

• Some channel integrations and advanced capabilities depend on configuring external providers and environment variables

Chatwoot is a strong choice for teams that need a modern, scalable support desk with omnichannel communication and built-in productivity features. It works well for both internal support operations and customer-facing support at growing organizations.

UVdesk is an open‑source, PHP-based helpdesk and ticketing platform designed for multichannel customer support. It provides a configurable support center, mailbox-to-ticket conversion, automation and app integrations aimed at ecommerce and marketplace workflows. (github.com)

Key Features

• Multi-channel ticketing with email/mailbox conversion and unlimited mailbox integrations.
• Workflow/automation engine for prepared responses, rules and ticket routing.
• Knowledge base / support center (Binaka) and public FAQ/article management.
• eCommerce and CMS connectors (Magento, Shopify, PrestaShop, OpenCart, WordPress, etc.) and apps/extensions.
• Agent management: unlimited agents, groups, roles, saved replies and agent activity tracking.
• Email templates, attachments, ticket forwarding, tags, search and spam blocking.
• API bundle and extensible extension framework; packaged as a Symfony project with Docker support. (github.com)

Use Cases

• Centralize customer queries from email, web forms and marketplace channels into a single ticketing workflow for ecommerce teams.
• Build a branded support portal and knowledge base for self‑service and reducing repeat tickets.
• Automate ticket routing, canned responses and SLA workflows for small to medium support teams. (uvdesk.com)

Limitations and Considerations

• Community edition is a PHP/Symfony application that requires a LAMP/LNMP environment (PHP 7.2+/8.x, Composer, IMAP/mailparse) and a relational database (MySQL is commonly used); check system requirements before deployment. (raw.githubusercontent.com)

UVdesk offers a feature-rich open source foundation for teams that need customizable, ecommerce-focused support tooling. It is intended for organizations comfortable managing a PHP/Symfony stack or using the provided Docker setup for deployment. (github.com)

GLPI (Gestionnaire Libre de Parc Informatique) is an open source IT Service Management (ITSM) and IT Asset Management (ITAM) platform. It centralizes service desk processes, configuration/asset tracking (CMDB), inventory, and governance features in a single web application.

Key Features

• ITIL-aligned service desk for incidents, requests, problems, and changes
• Asset and configuration management (SACM) with CMDB relationships and impact analysis
• Native dynamic inventory management (v10+) and integrations via agents/plugins
• Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) for racks and critical assets
• Software and license management, including auditing and compliance tracking
• Knowledge base/FAQ for faster resolution and team enablement
• Contract, supplier, and IT financial management (budgets, warranties, depreciation)
• Multi-entity separation for managing multiple organizational units

Use Cases

• Run an internal helpdesk with SLAs, service catalog forms, and structured ITIL workflows
• Maintain an accurate IT inventory/CMDB for audits, lifecycle tracking, and impact analysis
• Manage data center assets and software licenses to improve compliance and cost control

Limitations and Considerations

• Many advanced capabilities depend on plugins and ecosystem components, which can add operational complexity

GLPI is a strong fit for organizations that need both a full service desk and detailed IT asset/CMDB management in one platform. Its broad module set and plugin ecosystem make it adaptable for a wide range of IT operations and governance needs.

Zammad is a web-based, open source helpdesk and customer support system designed to help teams manage customer inquiries in a structured ticket workflow. It centralizes communication across multiple channels and provides tools for agents and administrators to deliver consistent support.

Key Features

• Ticket management with agent workflows, queues, and prioritization
• Multi-channel customer communication (e.g., email, chat, phone, social media)
• Web-based interface for agents and administrators
• REST API and GraphQL support for integrations and automation
• Deployable via packages and containerized setups (e.g., Docker)

Use Cases

• Customer support desk for SaaS and online businesses handling high ticket volume
• Internal IT/service desk for handling employee requests and incident tickets
• Centralized support inbox to unify communication from multiple channels

Zammad is a mature helpdesk platform suited for organizations that need a flexible, extensible ticketing system with modern integration options. It works well for both external customer support and internal service management workflows.

FreeScout is an open source help desk and shared inbox focused on email-based customer support. It provides a lightweight web interface for managing conversations across shared mailboxes, similar to Help Scout-style workflows.

Key Features

• Shared mailboxes with seamless email integration for receiving and replying to customer messages
• Conversation management tools such as merging, moving between mailboxes, forwarding, and starring
• Internal notes, collision detection when multiple agents view the same conversation, and per-user notification settings
• Search, thread editing, open tracking, auto-replies, and automatic list refresh
• Mobile-friendly interface with optional mobile apps
• Web-based installer and updater, plus an extensible module ecosystem
• Integrations via API and automation platforms (e.g., Zapier/Make)

Use Cases

• Running a shared support inbox for a small business or SaaS team
• Replacing hosted help desk platforms while keeping data under your control
• Organizing multi-mailbox customer communications across teams or departments

Limitations and Considerations

• Primarily designed around email/conversation workflows rather than omnichannel support
• Some advanced capabilities may require installing additional modules

FreeScout is a solid choice for teams that want a straightforward, email-centric help desk with shared inbox workflows, flexible deployment options, and extensibility through modules and integrations.

osTicket is an open source support ticket system for managing customer and internal help desk requests. It consolidates inquiries from email, web forms, phone, and API into a single multi-user web interface so teams can track, respond, and archive support conversations.

Key Features

• Centralized ticket intake from email, web portal forms, phone/manual entry, and API
• Agent-facing web interface for assigning, replying, and tracking ticket status
• Ticket filters and routing to help triage requests to the right department or queue
• Customer support portal for creating and viewing tickets
• Configurable help topics and categories to standardize request intake
• SLA and business-hours handling for response and resolution tracking
• Basic reporting and dashboard views for help desk metrics
• Ticket archiving to keep historical conversations organized

Use Cases

• Customer support help desk for small to mid-sized organizations
• Internal IT/service desk for employee requests and incident tracking
• Shared support inbox replacement with assignment and auditability

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires a PHP web stack and a MySQL/MariaDB-compatible database
• Advanced enterprise features may require additional customization or plugins

osTicket is a lightweight, widely used ticketing platform designed to be straightforward to deploy and operate. It provides the core workflows needed to manage support requests end-to-end while keeping processes organized for both agents and requesters.

Peppermint is an open source ticket management and issue tracking system designed for help desks and internal service desks. It focuses on a lightweight, fast experience while keeping all data stored on your own server.

Key Features

• Ticket creation with Markdown editor and file uploads
• Email-to-ticket mailbox integration via SMTP/IMAP
• Customer/client history logging for better context
• Built-in Markdown notebook with to-do lists
• Notifications and integrations via webhooks
• OIDC authentication for connecting to existing identity providers
• Responsive UI for mobile through large displays

Use Cases

• Internal IT/service desk ticketing for small to mid-sized teams
• Customer support inbox that converts emails into trackable tickets
• Simple issue tracking for projects that need a lightweight workflow

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature set is intentionally simpler than large enterprise platforms, so advanced ITSM workflows may require customization

Peppermint is a practical alternative to hosted help desk and issue management platforms when you want straightforward ticketing, email ingestion, and modern authentication. It is well-suited to teams that value simplicity, speed, and full data ownership.

Frappe Helpdesk is a modern, open-source customer service and ticket management application built for handling support requests in an organized, workflow-driven way. It provides dedicated views for support agents and customers, aiming to replace ad-hoc email-based support with a streamlined portal.

Key Features

• Agent and customer portal views for submitting, tracking, and resolving tickets
• Configurable SLAs to define and measure response and resolution targets
• Auto-assignment rules based on criteria such as priority, issue type, or workload
• Built-in knowledge base for publishing help articles and reducing inbound tickets
• Saved replies for faster, more consistent responses to common questions

Use Cases

• Running a customer support desk for SaaS products, agencies, or internal IT teams
• Providing a self-service portal with knowledge base articles to deflect tickets
• Managing support operations with SLA tracking and rule-based ticket assignment

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires the Frappe Framework runtime and its standard operational components (commonly deployed via containers), so it is best suited to teams comfortable operating Frappe-based applications

Frappe Helpdesk is a solid choice for teams that want a customizable, open-source ticketing system with a clean UI and practical automation features. It fits well in organizations already using (or planning to use) the Frappe ecosystem.

Live Helper Chat is an open-source customer communication platform for adding real-time support chat to websites. It provides an operator console, embeddable chat widgets, automation and bot capabilities, and integrations for messaging channels.

Key Features

• Embeddable website live chat widget with operator console and multi-operator handling
• Chatbot/bot workflows with support for integrating third-party AI and REST APIs
• Omnichannel integrations (e.g., Telegram, WhatsApp via providers, Facebook Messenger/Instagram)
• File uploads, chat transcripts, archiving, search, and basic reporting/statistics
• Department routing, transfers, canned responses, and working-hours configuration
• Optional voice/video/screensharing integrations via external providers

Use Cases

• Customer support chat for websites with multiple agents and departmental routing
• Omnichannel messaging inbox bridging web chat with popular chat platforms
• AI-assisted support flows (FAQ-style automation, intent routing, or agent assist)

Limitations and Considerations

• Voice/video/screensharing capabilities rely on external integrations rather than being fully native
• Advanced high-scale analytics/search typically requires optional components (e.g., Elasticsearch)

Live Helper Chat fits organizations that need a self-managed live support system with extensibility and integrations. It is suitable for both small teams and higher-volume deployments when paired with optional scaling components.

Libredesk is a modern customer support desk for managing customer conversations in a unified, real-time shared inbox. It is designed for straightforward self-hosting and can be deployed as a single binary with a web UI.

Key Features

• Multiple shared inboxes to handle conversations across teams
• Role-based access control with granular permissions and custom roles
• Automation rules for auto-tagging, assigning, and routing conversations
• Macros/templates for one-click saved responses and actions
• CSAT surveys and metrics for measuring customer satisfaction
• SLA management with response-time targets and breach notifications
• Tags, custom statuses, snoozing, and fast search for organization
• Webhooks and HTTP/JSON APIs for integrations and custom workflows
• Single sign-on support (including OIDC)
• Attachments with S3-compatible storage

Use Cases

• Running a shared support inbox for a SaaS or internal IT/helpdesk team
• Automating triage and routing of incoming requests using rules and tags
• Collecting CSAT feedback and tracking SLA performance for support teams

Libredesk fits teams that want an open help desk with strong workflow features like automation, macros, and permissions, while keeping deployment and operations simple. Its API and webhooks make it suitable for integrating support workflows into existing systems.

Request Tracker (RT) is an open source, enterprise-grade issue and ticket tracking system used to manage requests, tasks, and support work. It combines a full web interface with deep email integration and extensive customization for workflows, permissions, and automation.

Key Features

• Ticketing and issue tracking with queues, custom fields, and fine-grained access control
• Seamless incoming and outgoing email handling for ticket creation and replies
• Workflow automation using lifecycles, actions, and scrips triggered by ticket transactions
• Dashboards, charts, and scheduled email reports for operational visibility
• Knowledge base (Articles) for canned responses and internal documentation
• Full ticket history and audit trail of all changes and communications
• Optional asset management for tracking tangible and intangible assets alongside tickets

Use Cases

• Helpdesk and customer support ticket management via web UI and email
• Internal IT and operations request tracking with custom workflows and SLAs
• Security and incident-response style queue management with traceable communications

Limitations and Considerations

• SQLite is intended for testing only and does not provide a guaranteed upgrade path
• Requires configuring a supported SQL database and a web server capable of FastCGI or mod_perl

RT is well-suited for teams that need a highly configurable, extensible ticketing system that scales without built-in usage limits. Its automation, reporting, and access controls make it a strong fit for complex operational workflows beyond a basic helpdesk.

ITFlow is an all-in-one Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform for managed service providers (MSPs). It centralizes client documentation, support ticketing, and billing/accounting in a single web application, with an included client portal.

Key Features

• Client documentation management for contacts, locations, vendors, assets, licenses, domains, SSL certificates, files, and passwords
• Ticketing system to create, prioritize, and track support requests
• Billing and accounting features including quotes, invoices, recurring invoicing, expenses, and reporting
• Client portal for self-service access to tickets, quotes, invoices, and documents
• Alerting for items such as account balances and domain/SSL renewals
• API for integrating with other systems (for example, RMM and CRM tooling)

Use Cases

• Running day-to-day MSP operations with unified documentation, billing, and support workflows
• Providing customers with a portal to track tickets and manage invoices and quotes
• Organizing and auditing client infrastructure details (assets, domains, certificates, credentials)

Limitations and Considerations

• Includes sensitive data (such as passwords and client documentation); evaluate your security posture and operational controls before storing highly confidential information

ITFlow is a practical alternative to proprietary MSP documentation and PSA tools, aiming to reduce context switching by consolidating core MSP processes. Its modular approach and integrations make it suitable for small to mid-sized providers looking for a unified system.

OTOBO is a flexible, web-based open-source ticketing system designed for customer service, help desks, and IT service management. It provides ticket lifecycle management, automation, a knowledgebase, and optional ITSM/CMDB components for tracking assets and configurations.

Key Features

• Full ticketing system with ticket creation, queues, priorities and SLA handling
• Email integration for inbound/outbound tickets and notifications
• Automation and workflow capabilities to route, escalate and process tickets
• Integrated knowledgebase with internal and external interfaces for FAQs and articles
• Optional ITSM extension including CMDB for asset and configuration tracking
• Highly configurable templates, roles, permissions and business rules
• Docker-friendly deployment artifacts and traditional packages for sysadmin installation

Use Cases

• Customer support centers handling inbound requests and SLA-driven responses
• Internal IT service desks tracking incidents, requests and assets via CMDB
• Automating repetitive service processes and escalation workflows for faster resolution

Limitations and Considerations

• Deep customization often requires knowledge of Perl and OTOBO's configuration model
• Initial setup and integration (email servers, database, LDAP) can be complex for novice administrators

OTOBO is suitable for organizations that need a mature, configurable ticketing and service-management platform with extensible ITSM capabilities. It is best chosen when strong customization and control over workflows and assets are required.

HelpRealm is an open-source, lightweight SaaS support ticket system that centralizes customer requests into workspaces and tickets. It supports ticket creation via a contact form, e-mail (SMTP/IMAP) and a REST/API widget, and provides an agent-driven interface for processing requests.

Key Features

• Ticket creation, listing and management with types, priorities and statuses
• Group-based routing and role-based agent management (including superadmins)
• Email integration: notifications, email-created tickets and reply processing via IMAP/SMTP
• REST API and embeddable widget for custom frontends
• File attachments, ticket notes and Gravatar support
• Workspace-specific FAQ, multi-language support and responsive UI
• Built-in dashboard, friendly installer and Stripe payment integration for SaaS billing
• Security protections against XSS, SQL injection, CSRF and spam

Use Cases

• Freelancers or small agencies offering customer support via a lightweight multi-workspace system
• Small businesses consolidating web-form and email support into a single ticketing backend
• Developers embedding a support widget or using the REST API to create tickets from custom frontends

Limitations and Considerations

• Documentation is limited; the project README references an optional external documentation link and the hosted instance is described as a testing/demo instance
• No official production SLA or commercial support is provided by the repository owner; adoption for critical enterprise use should be evaluated carefully
• Repository shows no published binary releases on GitHub; deployment requires following the source setup and system requirements (PHP/MariaDB, mailserver)

HelpRealm is a compact, PHP/Laravel-based helpdesk intended for small teams and testing instances. It offers core ticketing, email integration and an API/widget for embedding support flows, while users should plan for self-deployment and limited official documentation or commercial support.

Roundup is a Python-based issue-tracking system designed for flexible workflows and multiple interfaces. It provides web, email, REST, XML-RPC and command-line access and ships with predefined tracker templates that are meant to be customized for different use cases.

Key Features

• Multiple user interfaces: web UI, email-based interaction, REST and XML-RPC APIs, and CLI/local Python scripting
• Customizable tracker model: schema, templates, detectors and extensions to implement bespoke workflows and fields
• Multi-database support: works with SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL and other supported backends
• Built-in demo mode for quick evaluation and a demo tracker shipped with the distribution
• REST endpoints that can return binary content (attachments, images, PDFs) and programmatic access for integrations
• Permission model with optional database-level filters to improve performance for index pages
• Internationalization support and tools to extract translatable strings from extensions and detectors
• Lightweight deployment: runs on standard Python runtime and can be packaged with Docker for production

Use Cases

• Bug tracking and agile development boards with customizable issue types and workflows
• Customer support and help-desk ticketing with email inbound/outbound integration and phone-answerer wizards
• Workflow and task tracking for research groups, events (paper submission and review), asset/fleet maintenance

Limitations and Considerations

• The web UI is traditional server-rendered templates rather than a modern single-page application; significant UI rework requires template customization
• Smaller community and ecosystem compared to large commercial trackers; fewer third-party plugins and integrations available out of the box
• Some advanced production features (scaling, full-text indexing, advanced UI themes) may require additional configuration or external components

Roundup is best suited for teams that need a lightweight, extensible tracker they can adapt to varied workflows. Its multiple interfaces and scriptable internals make it a practical choice for administrators who want deep customization and programmatic control.