Crisp alternatives: 7 free & open-source picks
Curated, verified, and actually free. No trials, no crippled tiers. Star counts and last-activity dates checked by hand, not scraped and forgotten.
ZombieA proper support inbox with chat, email and a help center; free software, billable server chores.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installDocker Compose on a Linux VM, followed by environment, database, reverse-proxy and TLS configuration
dataApplication data in PostgreSQL, queues/cache in Redis, and attachments on local disk or S3-compatible/cloud object storage
vs CrispYou replace Crisp's managed service with Docker, upgrades, backups and channel-deliverability work.
setupProvisioning a Linux server and correctly wiring DNS/TLS, SMTP, PostgreSQL/Redis and storage
facts verified 2026-08-11
A modern email-and-live-chat desk in one compact stack, because apparently that was allowed.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installRun Docker Compose with an edited config file, or launch the release binary against PostgreSQL
dataRecords in PostgreSQL, queues/cache in Redis, and uploads on the local filesystem or S3-compatible object storage
vs CrispLibreDesk is newer, less proven and has far fewer integrations than Crisp.
setupDocker plus a correct config, encryption key, PostgreSQL/Redis and mail/channel credentials
facts verified 2026-08-11
A battle-tested live-chat desk with routing, transcripts and canned replies; the interface has seen some things.
licenseApache-2.0
runsyour server
installUpload the release archive to a PHP web server and run the browser installer, or deploy its Docker image
dataChats and settings in MySQL/MariaDB, with uploads and media in writable server-side storage directories
vs CrispIt covers chat well but has an older agent experience and a weaker shared-inbox and integration story than Crisp.
setupA PHP 8.2+/MySQL web host, a pre-created database and correct filesystem permissions
facts verified 2026-08-11
A two-seat shared inbox and live chat bolted to a CRM; free until the limits become colleagues.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup, then connect a team inbox/email and add the website tracking or chat-widget code
dataCRM contacts and conversation history in HubSpot's cloud; records export to spreadsheet files and conversations are available through its API
vs CrispThe free inbox is limited to two users and feels CRM-first rather than like Crisp's compact omnichannel team inbox.
setupConnecting and verifying the shared email inbox and website domain
facts verified 2026-08-11
Live chat, tickets and a knowledge base for zero dollars; the little badge is how the arithmetic survives.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup, then paste the generated JavaScript widget or install a CMS plugin
dataChats, tickets and contacts in tawk.to's cloud account; chat and ticket exports are JSON
vs CrispThe free widget carries tawk.to branding and offers less flexible automation and inbox polish than Crisp.
setupAccess to edit the website or install its CMS plugin
facts verified 2026-08-11
A real hosted ticket desk for unlimited users, as long as Helpdesk is your one free Odoo app.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted Odoo Online signup with Helpdesk selected as the single free app
dataAn Odoo Online PostgreSQL database in Odoo's cloud, with record exports and downloadable ZIP database backups
vs CrispIts one-app-free constraint makes expansion awkward, and the support experience is less focused than Crisp's.
setupno real blockers; verified to install clean
facts verified 2026-08-11
A hosted shared inbox, live chat, and ticket queue for two users; the knowledge base lives upstairs.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup, then connect a team inbox/email and add the website tracking or chat-widget code
dataCRM records, tickets and conversation history in HubSpot's cloud; records export to spreadsheet files and conversations are available through its API
vs CrispTwo free users and paywalled knowledge-base and automation depth create a much tighter ceiling than Crisp.
setupConnecting and verifying the shared email inbox and website domain
facts verified 2026-08-11
last updated 2026-08-11 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
ChaskiqThe homepage still smiles; the repo carries an open abandonment report and years of unresolved production-install breakage.
PapercupsEveryone still recommends it; the main repo has not moved since February 2024.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatwoot | MIT | self-host, real ops | web, ios, android, self-hosted | 35,534 | 2026-08 |
| LibreDesk | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 2,682 | 2026-08 |
| Live Helper Chat | Apache-2.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 2,236 | 2026-08 |
| HubSpot Free CRM | proprietary, free | they host it | web, ios, android | — | — |
| tawk.to | proprietary, free | they host it | web, macos, windows, ios, android | — | — |
| Odoo Helpdesk One App Free | proprietary, free | they host it | web | — | — |
| HubSpot Free Help Desk | proprietary, free | they host it | web, ios, android | — | — |
People still pay for Crisp because support software survives because missing or misrouting one customer message is expensive and every channel behaves differently. The recurring cost buys message delivery, webhooks, threading, identity, permissions, attachments, notifications, spam, search, uptime, and retention, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $540 a year.
Is there a free alternative to Crisp?
Yes: Chatwoot, LibreDesk, Live Helper Chat and 4 more. Every tool on this page is either open source or genuinely free to use long-term: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Should I just build my own Crisp?
Our verdict is KINDA. The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Crisp, combine website chat and a shared inbox for one small support team. The hard boundary is multi-channel inbox, chat delivery, knowledge base, campaigns, and workspace pricing, plus channel integrations and support operations. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at canivibecodeit.com/crisp.
