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Zendesk alternatives · Help Desks

Self-hosted alternatives to Zendesk

The Zendesk listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 10 of the 66 other help desk and live chat tools in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Zendesk is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly). 7 of them are free or have a free plan.

10 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Zendesk

  1. Chatwoot

    Open-source support inbox you can self-host or use in the cloud

    • Chatwoot starts at $19 per agent / month, billing term not stated. Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • Chatwoot has a free plan. Zendesk does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Chatwoot is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Chatwoot also covers shared inbox.
    Chatwoot vs ZendeskChatwoot pricing and details

  2. Deskpro

    Help desk for cloud or self-hosted use, with seat minimums

    • Deskpro starts at $39 per agent / month, billed annually (minimum 5 agents). Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • Deskpro is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Zendesk also covers reports.
    Deskpro vs ZendeskDeskpro pricing and details

  3. FreeScout

    Free open-source help desk and shared mailbox you host yourself

    • FreeScout is free. Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • FreeScout has a free plan. Zendesk does not, though it has a free trial.
    • FreeScout is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • FreeScout also covers shared inbox.
    FreeScout pricing and details

  4. Jitbit Help Desk

    Ticketing system with cloud plans and a self-hosted license

    • Jitbit Help Desk starts at $24.92 per month for 1 agent, billed annually ($29 billed monthly). Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • Jitbit Help Desk is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Jitbit Help Desk also covers ticketing.
    • Zendesk also covers reports and AI support agent.
    Jitbit Help Desk pricing and details

  5. SupportPal

    Self-hosted help desk with flat pricing and unlimited agents

    • SupportPal starts at $29.95 per month, self-hosted license for unlimited operators. Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • Only Zendesk lists iOS and Android apps.
    • SupportPal is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • SupportPal also covers shared inbox and ticketing.
    SupportPal pricing and details

  6. Zammad

    Open-source help desk, hosted in Germany or run on your own server

    • Zammad starts at €7 per agent / month, billed annually (€9 billed monthly). Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • Zammad has a free plan. Zendesk does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Zendesk lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Zammad is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Zammad pricing and details

  7. UVdesk

    Open-source help desk for online stores with hosted Pro and Enterprise

    • UVdesk starts at $8 per agent / month, billed annually ($11 billed monthly). Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • UVdesk has a free plan. Zendesk does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Zendesk lists iOS and Android apps.
    • UVdesk is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    UVdesk pricing and details

  8. osTicket

    Open-source support ticketing, self-hosted or as a cloud edition

    • osTicket starts at $12 per agent / month, for the cloud-hosted edition (billing basis not stated). Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • osTicket has a free plan. Zendesk does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Zendesk lists iOS and Android apps.
    • osTicket is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    osTicket pricing and details

  9. Hesk

    PHP help desk you host yourself, or a flat-fee cloud version

    • Hesk starts at $29.99 per month for up to 10 agents (Hesk Cloud). Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • Hesk has a free plan. Zendesk does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Zendesk lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Hesk is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Hesk pricing and details

  10. Faveo Helpdesk

    Help desk and service desk, cloud-hosted or self-hosted

    • Faveo Helpdesk starts at $6 per agent / month, billed annually ($7 billed monthly). Zendesk starts at $19 per agent / month, billed annually ($25 billed monthly).
    • Faveo Helpdesk has a free plan. Zendesk does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Zendesk lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Faveo Helpdesk is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Faveo Helpdesk pricing and details

Common questions

Is there a self-hosted alternative to Zendesk?

Yes. Chatwoot, Deskpro, FreeScout, Jitbit Help Desk, SupportPal, Zammad, UVdesk, osTicket and 2 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Can Zendesk be self-hosted?

The Zendesk listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Oct 17, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these help desk and live chat tools are free?

Chatwoot, FreeScout, Zammad, UVdesk, osTicket, Hesk and Faveo Helpdesk are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Zendesk: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.