FreeITSM vs GudDesk
FreeITSM
freeitsm.co.ukGudDesk
guddesk.comSide by side
| Figure | FreeITSM | GudDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $29/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · AI IT Service Desk Software | 8.9 (#4) | 7.7 (#15) |
| Integrations | Official pages document Microsoft 365, Google Workspace/Gmail, VMware vCenter, Microsoft Intune, WhatsApp through Twilio or Meta, and optional chat channels. | Available or listed integrations include Claude AI, Slack, n8n, webhooks, REST API, and the Widget SDK; email, WhatsApp, Telegram, Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zapier, Make, Google Analytics, and PostHog are marked soon. |
| Knowledge base | Knowledge supports rich-text articles, folders, audience visibility, review workflows, semantic search and AI chat. | The knowledge base provides article editing, collections, a public searchable help center, article suggestions, analytics, and AI-agent integration. |
| Product | FreeITSM is an open-source IT service management platform with 23 integrated modules. | GudDesk is an open-source customer messaging platform with live chat, a shared inbox, a knowledge base, AI-powered agents, and workflow automations. |
| Security | The System module lists OpenID Connect SSO, AES-256-GCM encryption key management, TOTP multi-factor authentication, account lockout, IP-based brute-force protection, and trusted device management. | The privacy policy states that GudDesk uses TLS/SSL in transit, encryption at rest for sensitive data, regular security audits, access controls, and secure development practices. |
| Self-hosting | Supported deployment methods are Docker or manual installation on WAMP, XAMPP, LAMP, IIS or another PHP-capable server. | Self-hosted deployment is supported with Docker Compose or bare metal, using PostgreSQL and Node.js. |
| Support | The maker describes FreeITSM as a solo passion project with no formal support and directs users to GitHub to report bugs or ideas. | Documentation lists GitHub Issues, GitHub Discussions, and [email protected] for help; the Pro plan includes priority email support. |
Plans
In their own words
FreeITSM
FreeITSM is an open-source IT service management platform with 23 integrated modules for running a service desk. Its Tickets module connects Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace mailboxes for email ticketing, assignment, prioritisation, replies, attachments and audit trails. Assets tracks physical and virtual equipment and can discover VMware virtual machines through vCenter. Listed service-management tools include risk assessment, approval workflows, change calendars and change audit trails. Optional AI features provide knowledge answers, ticket-reply cleanup, form assistance, workflow authoring and problem detection. They use a customer-provided Anthropic, OpenAI or OpenRouter key, and provider usage may cost extra. FreeITSM runs with Docker on Linux or Windows, or through IIS with PHP or WAMP and MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.5+. Security options include OpenID Connect SSO, AES-256-GCM key management, TOTP multi-factor authentication, account lockout, brute-force protection and trusted devices. The project has no formal support.
GudDesk
GudDesk is an open-source customer messaging platform combining live chat, a shared inbox, knowledge-base publishing, AI agents and workflow automation. Its embeddable widget handles real-time messages, custom colors and visitor tracking. The inbox unifies chat, email and bot conversations with assignment, tags, priorities, internal notes and collision detection. GudBot, TriageBot and OnboardBot are included, while custom agents can connect through webhooks and the REST API. Knowledge-base tools cover article editing, collections, a public searchable help center, suggestions, analytics and AI-agent integration. Rules can assign, tag, route, notify or escalate conversations based on lifecycle events. GudDesk is self-hostable under AGPL-3.0 using Docker Compose or bare metal with PostgreSQL and Node.js. Hosted data is stored in United States and European Union data centers; self-hosted data remains on the customer’s infrastructure. The Free plan allows two workspace members and 500 conversations monthly. Pro costs $29 a month, billed flat, with unlimited members and conversations, Claude-powered AI, Slack integration and priority email support.