---
title: "FreeScout"
url: "/freescout/"
description: "A free, open-source help desk and shared inbox that rivals Help Scout and Zendesk — without per-agent fees."
eyebrow: "Software Library · Help Desk & Shared Mailbox"
headline: "FreeScout: The Ultimate Self-Hosted Help Desk for Superior Customer Service"
dek: "A free, open-source help desk and shared inbox that rivals Help Scout and Zendesk — without per-agent fees."
replaces: "Zendesk, Freshdesk, Help Scout"
plans: "Best"
price: "$50/mo"
projectUrl: "https://freescout.net/"
---

At Federated Computer, we empower businesses with powerful, privacy-focused tools that boost productivity and revenue. One of our standout offerings is FreeScout—a free, open-source help desk and shared inbox platform that rivals paid solutions like Help Scout and Zendesk without the costly per-agent fees.

Whether you need customer service, live chat, IT help desk, or application support, FreeScout delivers a feature-rich, self-hosted solution that keeps you in control of your data.

## Why FreeScout? The Best Help Desk for Businesses

FreeScout is a complete customer support solution that helps businesses streamline help desk operations, live chat, email ticketing, and multi-channel support—all while cutting costs.

## Key Features for Exceptional Customer Service

- **Unlimited Agents & Mailboxes** — No hidden fees or user restrictions.
- **Multi-Channel Support** — Email, live chat (via modules), Facebook, WhatsApp, SMS, and more.
- **Advanced Ticketing** — Collision detection, tags, saved replies, internal notes, and satisfaction ratings.
- **Self-Hosted & Secure** — Full data ownership, GDPR compliance, and no vendor lock-in.
- **Extensible with Modules** — Add SAML SSO, WooCommerce, Rocket.Chat, Meilisearch, and more.
- **Mobile & Web Notifications** — Stay updated with browser/mobile push alerts.

## How FreeScout Fits into Federated Computer's Productivity Suite

At Federated Computer, we bundle FreeScout with other powerful apps to help businesses:

- **Reduce Costs** — Eliminate expensive SaaS subscriptions.
- **Enhance Security** — Self-hosting means no third-party data risks.
- **Scale Effortlessly** — Unlimited agents, mailboxes, and tickets.
- **Automate Workflows** — Integrate with Slack, Zapier, Make.com, and more.

## FreeScout vs. Paid Help Desks

| Feature | FreeScout | Help Scout | Zendesk | Freshdesk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Self-Hosted | ✔ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Unlimited Agents | ✔ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Multi-Channel | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Open-Source | ✔ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| API & Webhooks | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Data Control | ✔ Full | ❌ Limited | ❌ Limited | ❌ Limited |