open source · Support · AGPL

FreeScout

A free, self-hosted help desk.

In short

What it is: Support, 9k+ GitHub stars, licensed AGPL.
Replaces: Zendesk — around $1,068/year saved.
Installed for: $199 on your own server — you own it, no monthly platform fee.
Licence: AGPL. AGPL obligations apply — self-host is fine; comply if offered as a service.

How the service works

9k+ GitHub starsAGPLinstall difficulty: medium

$1,068

replaces per year

$5,340

saved over 5 years

$199

one-time install (yours forever)

48h

delivery

what it replaces

FreeScout vs the tools it replaces.

Feature	Commercial tool	FreeScout (self-hosted)
Monthly cost	$89/mo	Your compute only
Branding	Vendor brand	See licence
Data	Vendor-hosted	On your server
Licence	Proprietary	AGPL

Replaces

Zendesk — ~$89/mo

Licence posture

AGPL. AGPL obligations apply. Self-hosting is fine; comply if you offer it as a service, or buy a commercial licence.

AGPL obligations apply — self-host is fine; comply if offered as a service.

how to resell / replace

Turn it into a business.

Self-host for a client's internal use and charge for the install. If you modify and offer it as a network service, comply with AGPL — or buy a commercial licence.

Bundle this with a done-for-you product: see the AI businesses or the white-label alternatives.

Best for

saas

Install difficulty

medium

what we do

The install, step by step.

Provision VPS + Docker

Configure secrets + provider keys

Database + storage setup

Branding + domain

HTTPS + backups

Smoke test + handover

freescout · install demo

see it installed

Watch a FreeScout install.

We generate an architecture diagram of the repo and walk through the deployment. Enter your name and email to unlock the demo.

Install FreeScout — $199.

Flat fee, delivered in 24–48 hours, on your own server, with HTTPS, backups and the AI keys wired.

All repos

FAQ

FreeScout: common questions

What does FreeScout replace?

Zendesk — about $1,068 a year in subscriptions you stop paying.

How much does it cost to run FreeScout?

No licence fee — it ships under AGPL. You pay only for your own server and any model/API keys. We install, harden and hand it over for a one-time $199.

Can I white-label and resell FreeScout?

AGPL obligations apply. Self-hosting is fine; comply if you offer it as a service, or buy a commercial licence. AGPL obligations apply — self-host is fine; comply if offered as a service.

How hard is the install, and how long does it take?

We rate it medium. Delivered in 24–48 hours on your own server, with HTTPS, backups and the AI keys wired.

What do I actually own after installing FreeScout?

The running app, your data and the brand. No monthly platform fee and no per-seat pricing — you own it outright.

related open source

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