Zendesk vs FreeScout

Fit:

Migration notes

Lightweight shared inbox/ticket support. Official migration guide requires API/Webhooks module; custom fields/tags need their modules. Ticket numbers cannot be preserved; imported chat threads lose messenger connection, so replies cannot reach original chat customer.

Sources: freescout.net, github.com · checked 2026-10-21

ZendeskPaid incumbent

Entry priceUSD 19 / seat / month

Pricing modelper-seat, billed annual

OwnerInvestor group led by Hellman & Friedman and Permira

Support Team USD19 per agent/month billed yearly; omnichannel Suite Team starts USD55. Source

Zendesk plans reviewed
Support Team	entry	USD 228 / agent / yr
Suite Professional	popular	USD 1,380 / agent / yr
Suite Team	business	USD 660 / agent / yr
Suite Enterprise + Copilot	enterprise	Quote only

FreeScoutOpen-source alternative

Fit for Zendesk

License

GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 Permissions of this strongest copyleft license are conditioned on making available complete source code of licensed works and modifications, which include larger works using a licensed work, under the same license. Copyright and license notices must be preserved. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights. When a modified version is used to provide a service over a network, the complete source code of the modified version must be made available. May Commercial useModificationDistributionPatent usePrivate use Must License and copyright noticeState changesDisclose sourceNetwork use is distributionSame license No LiabilityWarranty Summary from GitHub's choosealicense.com

Paid-feature tier C

Self-host

Paid-feature limits5 noted

FreeScout plans reviewed
FreeScout core	free self-hosted core	Free

What you may give up

Paid module acquisition: saved replies
Paid modules: tags and custom fields
Paid modules: workflows and SLA
Paid modules: API/webhooks and reports
Paid modules: knowledge base and customer portal

Tier C: Unlimited core agents/tickets/mailboxes. Everyday workflow extensions sold separately with lifetime per-instance licenses; official module page says modules AGPL3. Tier C denotes paid acquisition, not proprietary licensing. No first-party cloud service; third-party hosting available. License source

What running it takes

PHP7.4–8.x
Cron and background queue worker

or
Apache
or
IIS

Hover or focus an icon for its name. Dashed means not established; struck through means no; grouped icons are alternatives.

PHP web+SQL stack. Cron-managed queue daemon required; no separate Redis service required by documented default install. Optional social modules need provider credentials. Infrastructure and staff time are not priced here; this page does not compare total cost.