FreeScout

Self-Hosted

Open-source help desk & ticketing system (alternative to Zendesk/Help Scout)

Overview

FreeScout is a self-hosted, open-source help desk built on Laravel, designed for teams to manage customer support efficiently. It offers shared inboxes for support emails, ticket assignment/prioritization, knowledge base integration, and team collaboration tools. It integrates seamlessly with IMAP/SMTP to convert emails into tickets. Deployment options include Docker (quick setup) or traditional LAMP stack, with comprehensive docs to guide you. Lightweight and customizable, it keeps data private on your server—ideal for small/medium teams avoiding SaaS ticketing costs.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  freescout:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: freescout
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Shared inboxes for support emails
Ticket management (assignment, priorities, tags)
Knowledge base integration
Email IMAP/SMTP integration
Team collaboration tools

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is FreeScout hard to install?

Docker installations are straightforward with pre-built images. Traditional setups (LAMP stack) need basic PHP/Laravel knowledge, but comprehensive docs guide you through both methods—so it’s manageable for most users with server experience.

? Is it a good alternative to Zendesk?

Yes, for small/medium teams. It covers core ticketing/inbox features but lacks enterprise tools like advanced reporting or AI chatbots. It’s ideal if you want self-hosted control and zero subscription costs.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely! FreeScout is licensed under MIT, so it’s 100% free to use, modify, and distribute. All core features are available without hidden fees or premium tiers.

Top Alternatives

Zendesk Search Google

Help Scout Search Google

Freshdesk Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Ticketing

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data control via self-hosting
⊕ No recurring subscription fees
⊕ Open-source (customizable to needs)
⊕ Seamless email-to-ticket conversion

Cons

⊖ Requires server setup (technical knowledge)
⊖ Lacks enterprise features (advanced analytics, AI chatbots)
⊖ Manual updates for non-Docker installations