FreeScout
Lightweight open-source helpdesk — a free Help Scout alternative
- License
- AGPL-3.0
- Deploy difficulty
- Easy
- GitHub stars
- 4.3k
- Last commit
- 1d ago
Latest
1.8.220 0.7k forks
32 open issues Synced 2026-05-17 What FreeScout is#
FreeScout takes Help Scout’s shared-inbox flow and ships it as an open-source PHP app. The headline is how light it is — 1 vCPU / 1 GB runs it, and teams don’t need Docker. If 80% of your support is email, FreeScout will feel smoother than Chatwoot.
Strengths
- PHP monolith — runs on 1 vCPU / 1 GB
- Email workflow polished — onboard a team in 5 minutes
- Mature commercial modules ecosystem
- Solid shared-inbox experience
Trade-offs
- Email-first; weak on real-time IM
- AI relies on third-party modules
- Mobile experience is average
Best for
- Small teams replacing Help Scout / Front
- Resource-constrained startups