HelpDesk Picker › Best Free Helpdesk Software in 2026

Best Free Helpdesk Software in 2026

Whether you need a completely free tool or a generous free tier to start, these platforms offer real functionality at no cost. Open-source options are free to use but require self-hosting and some technical setup.

Ranked by fit — 9 platforms
Top pick
Freshdesk
Best free tier — up to 10 agents, email and social channels, knowledge base included. No time limit.
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#2
Tawkto
Permanently free — unlimited agents and conversations. Live chat focused with a basic ticketing system.
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#3
Zoho Desk
Free for up to 3 agents — email ticketing, help centre and mobile app included.
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#4
HubSpot Service Hub
Free CRM and ticketing together — best if you also need sales and marketing tools in one place.
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#5
Crisp
Free for 2 agents — live chat, shared inbox and basic chatbot. Good for early-stage startups.
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#6
Tidio
Free live chat tier — Shopify integration, basic Lyro AI, one agent. Good for small e-commerce.
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#7
FreeScout
Free open source — full help desk experience, self-hosted, no agent limits.
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#8
Chatwoot
Free open source — 20+ channels including WhatsApp, available as self-hosted or cloud.
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#9
osTicket
Classic open source — highly configurable, large community, very lightweight footprint.
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