OTOBO
Self-HostedOpen-source alternative to Zendesk for ticket management & service desk
Overview
OTOBO is an open-source, self-hosted ticket management and service desk platform built for IT and customer support teams. It supports multi-channel ticketing (email, web form, phone), SLA tracking, automated workflows, knowledge base integration, and customizable reporting. Deployable via Docker containers, on-premise servers, or virtual machines, it offers full data privacy control and flexible customization to align with organizational needs. Ideal for teams seeking a cost-effective alternative to proprietary tools without recurring subscription fees.
Self-Hosting Resources
Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml.
⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.
version: '3'
services:
otobo:
image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
container_name: otobo
ports:
- "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
volumes:
- ./data:/app/data
restart: unless-stopped Key Features
- Multi-channel ticketing (email, web, phone)
- SLA tracking & automated workflows
- Knowledge base & customizable reporting
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is OTOBO hard to install?
OTOBO offers Docker containers for simplified setup, accessible to users with basic DevOps knowledge. On-premise installs require a LAMP/LEMP stack (Linux, Apache/Nginx, MySQL/MariaDB, Perl), but detailed official documentation guides users through configuration steps.
? Is it a good alternative to Zendesk?
Yes—OTOBO matches core Zendesk features like multi-channel support, SLA management, and automation while providing full self-hosted data control and no subscription costs. It’s ideal for teams prioritizing privacy over SaaS convenience.
? Is it completely free?
OTOBO is open-source under the GPLv3 license, so it’s free to use, modify, and distribute for self-hosted deployments. Commercial support and enterprise modules (e.g., advanced analytics) are available for a fee, but the core platform remains free.
Top Alternatives
People Also Ask about OTOBO
Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Full data ownership & privacy focus
- ⊕ No recurring subscription fees
- ⊕ Highly customizable workflows and modules
Cons
- ⊖ Requires technical server setup (Docker or LAMP stack)
- ⊖ Steeper learning curve compared to SaaS ticketing tools
- ⊖ Limited official cloud hosting support (primarily self-hosted)