Free help desk software should provide ongoing ticket management, not a temporary promotion labeled free. Hosted entry plans and self-hosted tools have different limits and operating responsibilities. This shortlist includes only confirmed ongoing options.
| Tool | Free plan or open source | Main free-plan limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho Desk | Free Forever email ticketing for three users. | Advanced routing, SLAs and AI are not all included in Free. | Small email-based support teams. |
| HubSpot ticketing | Basic tickets, shared inbox and live chat without cost. | Advanced Help Desk workspace features require eligible paid Service Hub access. | Teams starting basic customer support. |
| osTicket | Free download, use and modification of the ticketing application. | A web server, PHP, database, backups and upkeep are your responsibility. | Teams able to operate their own server. |
| Help Scout | Free includes one inbox, up to five users and a limited Docs site. | Monthly contacts are capped; replies stop at the cap until reset or upgrade. AI trials are separate. | Small support teams with low request volume. |
Truly free options
1. Zoho Desk
A hosted support-ticket platform.
Strengths: An explicit ongoing small-team ticketing plan.
Limitations: Advanced routing, SLAs and AI are not all included in Free.
Pricing model: Free Forever email ticketing for three users. Advanced routing, SLAs and AI are not all included in Free.
Best for: Small email-based support teams.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Free Forever email ticketing for three users. Advanced routing, SLAs and AI are not all included in Free.
2. HubSpot ticketing
Customer ticketing connected to a CRM.
Strengths: Connected contacts and ticket records.
Limitations: Advanced Help Desk workspace features require eligible paid Service Hub access.
Pricing model: Basic tickets, shared inbox and live chat without cost. Advanced Help Desk workspace features require eligible paid Service Hub access.
Best for: Teams starting basic customer support.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Basic tickets, shared inbox and live chat without cost. Advanced Help Desk workspace features require eligible paid Service Hub access.
3. osTicket
GPL-licensed open-source support software.
Strengths: Self-managed support records without license fees.
Limitations: A web server, PHP, database, backups and upkeep are your responsibility.
Pricing model: Free download, use and modification of the ticketing application. A web server, PHP, database, backups and upkeep are your responsibility.
Best for: Teams able to operate their own server.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Free download, use and modification of the ticketing application. A web server, PHP, database, backups and upkeep are your responsibility.
4. Help Scout
An email-like shared support inbox.
Strengths: An approachable shared-email workflow.
Limitations: Monthly contacts are capped; replies stop at the cap until reset or upgrade. AI trials are separate.
Pricing model: Free includes one inbox, up to five users and a limited Docs site. Monthly contacts are capped; replies stop at the cap until reset or upgrade. AI trials are separate.
Paid tools with a free trial
Zendesk and Intercom are paid platforms. Freshdesk’s current free ticketing promotion lasts six months, so it is not included as permanently free. Confirm evaluation terms before moving customer requests.
Free ticketing system
A free ticketing system records requests, owners and resolution status. Hosted entry tools reduce infrastructure work; osTicket lets you operate your own server. Basic HubSpot tickets should not be confused with its advanced paid Help Desk workspace.
Limits of free help desk tools
Agents, channels and routing are common restrictions. Open source avoids licenses but needs hosting and maintenance. Compare support, data export and the upgrade path before importing customer information. A temporary promotion is not a permanent zero-price budget.
Choosing free help desk software
Check the plan that remains after any trial. Match required access, exports and support to how you work before importing live data.
Related reading
help desk software for small business
Methodology and disclosure
This comparison uses official product documentation and pricing pages. Recommendations describe editorial fit, not hands-on testing, benchmarks or aggregated user ratings. StackReporter may receive compensation through approved affiliate links; editorial references are separate from offer CTAs. We disclose applicable relationships in line with FTC guidance. Confirm current plans, limits and terms before buying.
Official plan and product checks
osticket.com — official source
www.freshworks.com — official source
www.helpscout.com — official source
www.hubspot.com — official source
www.zoho.com — official source
Best for: Small support teams with low request volume.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Free includes one inbox, up to five users and a limited Docs site. Monthly contacts are capped; replies stop at the cap until reset or upgrade. AI trials are separate.
Paid tools with a free trial
Zendesk and Intercom are paid platforms. Freshdesk’s current free ticketing promotion lasts six months, so it is not included as permanently free. Confirm evaluation terms before moving customer requests.
Free ticketing system
A free ticketing system records requests, owners and resolution status. Hosted entry tools reduce infrastructure work; osTicket lets you operate your own server. Basic HubSpot tickets should not be confused with its advanced paid Help Desk workspace.
Limits of free help desk tools
Agents, channels and routing are common restrictions. Open source avoids licenses but needs hosting and maintenance. Compare support, data export and the upgrade path before importing customer information. A temporary promotion is not a permanent zero-price budget.
Choosing free help desk software
Check the plan that remains after any trial. Match required access, exports and support to how you work before importing live data.
Related reading
help desk software for small business
Methodology and disclosure
This comparison uses official product documentation and pricing pages. Recommendations describe editorial fit, not hands-on testing, benchmarks or aggregated user ratings. StackReporter may receive compensation through approved affiliate links; editorial references are separate from offer CTAs. We disclose applicable relationships in line with FTC guidance. Confirm current plans, limits and terms before buying.
Official plan and product checks
osticket.com — official source
www.freshworks.com — official source
www.helpscout.com — official source