[Home](https://www.selecthub.com/) \> [Help Desk Management](https://www.selecthub.com/category/help-desk/) \> [Help Desk Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/help-desk-software/) \> [osTicket](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/osticket/) \> osTicket vs FreeScout # osTicket vs FreeScout Last Updated: May 11th, 2026 Our analysts compared [osTicket](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/osticket/) vs [FreeScout](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/freescout/) based on data from our 400+ point analysis of [Help Desk Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/help-desk-software/), user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our [free software selection platform](https://www.selecthub.com/about/start-free-selection-project-site/?category=Help Desk Software&cta=help-desk-software). [Overview](#product-overview) [Pricing](#product-pricing) [Our Review](#product-analyst-summary) [User Ratings](#user-sentiment-section) [Features](#product-benefits-features) [Screenshots](#product-screenshots) Remove Add to Compare [![osTicket Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/b685ed5a90e50a5da1ee68da44ab612c-c82e320f0db5419ab21333af6de0d639/resources/normal/logo.png?1749007389)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/osticket/) Remove Add to Compare [![FreeScout Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/cf9dfba593148297d8d8b0abd1c42612-cc6005aff1beb369500f34628f386380/resources/normal/logo.png?1739630359)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/freescout/) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product%5Fname=osTicket&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fb685ed5a90e50a5da1ee68da44ab612c-c82e320f0db5419ab21333af6de0d639%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1749007389) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product%5Fname=osTicket&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fb685ed5a90e50a5da1ee68da44ab612c-c82e320f0db5419ab21333af6de0d639%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1749007389) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product%5Fname=osTicket&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fb685ed5a90e50a5da1ee68da44ab612c-c82e320f0db5419ab21333af6de0d639%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1749007389&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product%5Fname=osTicket&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fb685ed5a90e50a5da1ee68da44ab612c-c82e320f0db5419ab21333af6de0d639%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1749007389&price=1) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product%5Fname=FreeScout&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fcf9dfba593148297d8d8b0abd1c42612-cc6005aff1beb369500f34628f386380%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1739630359) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product%5Fname=FreeScout&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fcf9dfba593148297d8d8b0abd1c42612-cc6005aff1beb369500f34628f386380%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1739630359) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product%5Fname=FreeScout&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fcf9dfba593148297d8d8b0abd1c42612-cc6005aff1beb369500f34628f386380%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1739630359&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product%5Fname=FreeScout&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fcf9dfba593148297d8d8b0abd1c42612-cc6005aff1beb369500f34628f386380%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1739630359&price=1) ### Products Insights Product Ranking ## #13 among all Help Desk Software ## #25 among all Help Desk Software [Find out who the leaders are](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard?post%5Ftype=auto%5Fvs%5Farticle&category%5Fslug=help-desk-software&product%5Fslug=osticket&category=Help+Desk+Software) Price Starts From $10/User, Monthly Free Trial is unavailable → $0 Free, Open-Source Free Trial is unavailable → Pros What we like about osTicket and FreeScout: * Open-source codebase lets you customize fields, workflows, and reporting to fit your support process * Automated ticket routing assigns work to the right team based on rules you set * Connects with popular CRM, email, and knowledge base tools to keep workflows tight * Open-source and self-hosted, so your customer data stays under your own control * Users find the interface clean and intuitive, which shortens onboarding for new agents * Modular design lets you add only the pieces your support team actually needs Cons What we dislike about osTicket and FreeScout: * Deeper customization needs coding knowledge, which limits non-technical admins * Native integrations are thin, so you often need plugins or manual workarounds * Mobile app is limited, making on-the-go ticket handling harder for agents * Mobile experience feels more like a responsive site than a real native app * Many advanced features sit behind paid modules that add up over time * Smaller user base means a thinner pool of public reviews and shared playbooks ### Our Review **Bottom line:** osTicket and FreeScout both give you open-source help desk software, but they fit different buyers. Pick osTicket if you want a mature ticketing system with strong automation and SLA tracking. Pick FreeScout if you want a shared inbox feel with a lighter setup and tighter cost control. osTicket starts at $10 per user per month, while FreeScout starts at $0 as a free, open-source download. Both let you self-host, so your real cost depends on hosting and any paid modules you add. FreeScout's core is free, but advanced workflows and some integrations sit behind paid add-ons. On features, osTicket leans into ticket automation, SLA management, and reporting that suits IT support and high-volume customer service. FreeScout leans into a shared team inbox, collision detection, private notes, and email-first workflows that feel natural for small support teams. Customization works differently on each side. osTicket gives you deep control if you have developers who can work with the source. FreeScout uses modules, so you can bolt on what you need without touching core code, though some of those modules cost extra. If you run a busy IT or e-commerce help desk and want structured SLAs and routing, osTicket is the safer pick. If you're a small or mid-sized team coming from a clunky tool like Zendesk or Salesforce and you want something light, FreeScout is the easier landing spot. ### User Sentiment Summary osTicket has a user sentiment rating of 86 based on 92 reviews. FreeScout has a user sentiment rating of 86 based on 19 reviews. ![Great User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/great.svg) 92 reviews ![Great User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/great.svg) 19 reviews Synopsis Evaluating all review platforms, our market analysts have compiled the following user sentiment data. 86% of users recommend this product osTicket has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 92 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites. 86% of users recommend this product FreeScout has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 19 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites. User Review Scores **Software Advice, Inc** **4.32** (45) **4.2** (13) **Capterra Inc** **4.3** (47) **4.5** (6) ### Product Assistance Training Resources Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Knowledge Base 24/7 Live Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Knowledge Base 24/7 Live Support ### Product Basics Company Size i Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Deployment Supported Cloud On-Premise Mobile Cloud On-Premise Mobile Comparison of Top Alternatives [ osTicket Alternatives](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/osticket/alternatives/) [ FreeScout Alternatives](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/freescout/alternatives/) ### Screenshots ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ### Key Features * **Ticket automation** – Routes, escalates, and notifies based on rules you define, which suits structured support queues. * **SLA management** – Tracks service level agreements per ticket so response and resolution times stay visible to agents. * **Reporting and analytics** – Surfaces ticket trends, agent activity, and customer satisfaction signals for data-driven choices. * **Knowledge base** – Gives customers a self-serve library of articles, which helps cut down repeat tickets. * **Customizable workflows** – Lets you build automations through modules rather than core code changes, which keeps upgrades cleaner. * **Collaborative inbox** – Centers the experience on a shared team inbox with collision detection so two agents don't reply at once. * **Advanced reporting** – Tracks team performance and customer satisfaction with dashboards aimed at smaller support groups. * **Self-hosted deployment** – Runs on your own servers or cloud, giving you full control over data location and security posture. ### Top Alternatives in Help Desk Software [ Freshdesk ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/freshdesk/) [ Front ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/customer-service-software/front/) [ Gorgias ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/conversational-ai-platforms/gorgias/) [ HappyFox ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/happyfox/) [ Help Scout ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/help-scout/) [ HubSpot Service Hub ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/customer-service-software/hubspot-service-hub/) [ Intercom ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/live-chat-software/intercom/) [ Jira ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/project-management-software/jira/) [ Jitbit ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/jitbit/) [ Kayako ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/kayako/) [ LiveAgent ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/liveagent/) [ LiveChat ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/live-chat-software/livechat/) [ Salesforce Service Cloud ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/customer-service-software/salesforce-service-cloud/) [ ServiceNow ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/servicenow/) [ TeamSupport ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/teamsupport/) ### Head-to-Head Comparison ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![Freshdesk Software Tool]() [osTicket VS Freshdesk](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/freshdesk-vs-osticket/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![HappyFox Software Tool]() [osTicket VS HappyFox](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/happyfox-vs-osticket/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![Help Scout Software Tool]() [osTicket VS Help Scout](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/help-scout-vs-osticket/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![Jitbit Software Tool]() [osTicket VS Jitbit](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/osticket-vs-jitbit/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![Kayako Software Tool]() [osTicket VS Kayako](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/kayako-vs-osticket/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![LiveAgent Software Tool]() [osTicket VS LiveAgent](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/osticket-vs-liveagent/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![ServiceNow Software Tool]() [osTicket VS ServiceNow](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/servicenow-vs-osticket/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![TeamSupport Software Tool]() [osTicket VS TeamSupport](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/osticket-vs-teamsupport/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![Teamwork Desk Software Tool]() [osTicket VS Teamwork Desk](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/osticket-vs-teamwork-desk/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![Vision Helpdesk Software Tool]() [osTicket VS Vision Helpdesk](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/osticket-vs-vision-helpdesk/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![Zendesk Software Tool]() [osTicket VS Zendesk](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/zendesk-vs-osticket/) ![osTicket Software Tool]() ![Zoho Desk Software Tool]() [osTicket VS Zoho Desk](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/zoho-desk-vs-osticket/) **About SelectHub (and our data)** We’re the employee-owned Austin-based startup democratizing software data so you can make your decisions in an influence-free zone. Our market data is crowdsourced from our user-base of 100,000+ companies. WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more... ![SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics]() [ Build Your Requirements](https://pmo.selecthub.com/help-desk-software-requirements-onsite/) ![SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide]() [ Get Your Free Comparison Report](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard/?category=Help%20Desk%20Software) **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. 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