FreeScout
freescout.net
What it is
FreeScout is a free, open-source help desk and shared inbox built with PHP and Laravel. It centralizes conversations from email, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Slack, and Live Chat, with email support for SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 and OAuth for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. The product includes saved replies, internal notes, auto replies, conversation merging and forwarding, collision detection, and search, alongside SLA management, ticket automation, a help center, and a customer portal. Its free plan lists unlimited support agents, tickets, and mailboxes. FreeScout is self-hosted, and the maker presents this model as a way for organizations to retain control of their service and privacy. The listed platforms include Android, iOS, web, API, and self-hosted use. The maker says mobile apps support the same functionality and modules as the web installation. Zapier and Make integrations are listed, as is an API and webhooks module. FreeScout says it is translated into 33 languages.
Spec sheet
- Product
- FreeScout is a free, open-source help desk and shared inbox built with PHP and Laravel.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Free plan
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · freescout.net
- API
- The maker lists an API and webhooks module that enables API and webhook features.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Integrations
- The maker lists Zapier and Make for connecting FreeScout to other services.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Security
- The maker lists an Extra Security module that can add reCAPTCHA to the login form or End-User Portal and restrict access by IP address.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Privacy
- The maker describes FreeScout as self-hosted and says users can avoid giving up privacy or being locked into a service they do not control.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Support
- For installation or configuration difficulties, the maker directs users to the installation guide troubleshooting section or GitHub.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- API access
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · freescout.net
- Channels
- It centralizes customer conversations from email, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Slack, and Live Chat.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Core features
- The product includes saved replies, internal notes, auto replies, conversation merging and forwarding, collision detection, and search.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Customer portal
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · freescout.net
- Email integration supports SMTP, IMAP, and POP3, with OAuth authentication for Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Encryption
- A Mail Signing & Encryption module supports PGP or S/MIME mail signing and encryption.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Help center
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · freescout.net
- Languages
- FreeScout says it is translated into 33 languages.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Limit
- The maker’s module FAQ says each module license key is requested to be used on one FreeScout instance.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Mobile
- The maker says its mobile apps support the same functionality and modules as the web installation, for support agents and administrators.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
- Shared inbox
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · freescout.net
- SLA management
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · freescout.net
- Ticket automation
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · freescout.net
- Use case
- FreeScout is intended for organizations that need professional customer support without the cost of Zendesk or Help Scout.Read 11 Oct 2026 · freescout.net
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Unlimited agents, tickets, and mailboxes.
- Self-hosted deployment.
- Supports six listed conversation channels.
- Mobile apps support web functionality and modules.
- Translated into 33 languages.
Limits
- Module license keys are requested for one instance each.
- Installation or configuration help points to the guide or GitHub.
Who it suits
It suits organizations seeking a self-hosted customer support workspace with shared conversations and no listed caps on agents, tickets, or mailboxes. Support teams can also use its mobile apps, integrations, API, and webhooks.
Verdict
FreeScout combines a shared inbox with help desk functions and a self-hosted deployment model. Organizations should account for the one-instance module license-key limit when planning installations.
Where Specifiction places it
- Customer Service - Midmarket Software#6 of 308.8
- Customer Support Software#6 of 298.7
- Help desk software#22 of 1018.7