--- description: "osTicket vs HESK: Which solution wins in 2026? Compare pricing, features, and analyst ratings side-by-side to find the best Help Desk Software for your business." --- [Home](https://www.selecthub.com/) > [Help Desk Management](https://www.selecthub.com/research/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 HESK # osTicket vs HESK Last Updated: November 2nd, 2026 We compared **[osTicket](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/osticket/)** vs. **[HESK](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/hesk/)** to help you decide which product makes more sense for you. Our comparison of these **[Help Desk Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/help-desk-software/)** solutions is based on user reviews and publicly available information about each product’s features and pricing. [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 [![HESK Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/214846ab5ca61bd83f438070a4ef7e34-545a343b946ec81408b761c0d8b9ca13/resources/normal/logo.png?1739632155)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/hesk/) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product_name=osTicket&product_logo=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_name=osTicket&product_logo=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_name=osTicket&product_logo=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_name=osTicket&product_logo=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_name=HESK&product_logo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F214846ab5ca61bd83f438070a4ef7e34-545a343b946ec81408b761c0d8b9ca13%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1739632155) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product_name=HESK&product_logo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F214846ab5ca61bd83f438070a4ef7e34-545a343b946ec81408b761c0d8b9ca13%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1739632155)    [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product_name=HESK&product_logo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F214846ab5ca61bd83f438070a4ef7e34-545a343b946ec81408b761c0d8b9ca13%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1739632155&price=2) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Help+Desk+Software&product_name=HESK&product_logo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F214846ab5ca61bd83f438070a4ef7e34-545a343b946ec81408b761c0d8b9ca13%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1739632155&price=2) ### Products Insights Product Ranking ## #13 among all Help Desk Software ## #26 among all Help Desk Software [Find out who the leaders are](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard?post_type=auto_vs_article&category_slug=help-desk-software&product_slug=osticket&category=Help+Desk+Software) Price Starts From $10/User, Monthly Free Trial is unavailable → $39.95 Monthly [Free Trial is available →]() Pros What we like about osTicket and HESK: - Open-source code lets you customize fields, workflows, and reporting to fit specific needs. - Automated ticket routing assigns tickets to the right team based on rules you set. - Connects with popular CRM, email, and knowledge base systems to streamline daily work. - Users find the dashboard intuitive, which cuts training time for new help desk staff. - Users say setup is straightforward, so you can get a working help desk running quickly. - The built-in knowledge base lets customers self-serve and reportedly cuts incoming ticket volume. - Reviewers praise the responsive customer support team when questions or issues come up. - Lightweight design keeps the interface simple and easy for non-technical staff to learn. Cons What we dislike about osTicket and HESK: - Changing the look or behavior takes coding skills, which limits what non-technical users can do. - Reporting is basic and lacks advanced filtering, sorting, or visualization for deeper analysis. - Frequent updates can disrupt teams that need stability and predictable release cycles. - The mobile app has limited features, making ticket work harder when you're away from a desk. - Users note the interface looks dated next to modern help desk tools, which can affect daily feel. - Reviewers point out gaps in advanced features like automation that competitors typically include. - Customizing the platform's interface and workflows is limited if you have specific branding needs. - Better fit for small or simple setups, so larger teams with complex workflows may outgrow it. ### Our Review **Bottom line:** osTicket and HESK both target small and mid-sized support teams, but they fit different buyers. Pick osTicket if you want an open-source tool you can shape to your workflow. Pick HESK if you want something simple, stable, and quick to roll out. osTicket leans on its open-source roots. You can customize fields, automate ticket routing, and tweak reporting if you have someone comfortable with code. It connects with CRM, email, and knowledge base tools, which helps if you're plugging it into an existing stack. HESK takes a lighter approach. Users say setup is easy and the interface is simple enough that new staff pick it up fast. The built-in knowledge base is a real strength, and reviewers say it cuts incoming ticket volume. The tradeoff is fewer advanced features, especially around automation. On pricing, osTicket starts at $10 per user per month, while HESK starts at $39.95 per month. The billing units are different, so think about how your team size shapes the actual cost before comparing. If you need deep customization, integrations, and rule-based routing, osTicket gives you more room to build. If your priority is getting a working help desk live this week without much fuss, HESK is the easier path. Just know that HESK's interface looks dated and its automation is thin, so growing teams may feel boxed in over time. ### User Sentiment Summary osTicket has a user sentiment rating of 86 based on 92 reviews. HESK has a user sentiment rating of 84 based on 10 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) 10 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. 84% *of users recommend this product* HESK has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 10 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites. User Review Scores**Software Advice, Inc** **4.32** (45) **4.2** (5) **Capterra Inc** **4.3** (47) **4.2** (5) ### Product Assistance Training Resources Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Help Desk Knowledge Base Tickets Training 24/7 Live Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Help Desk Knowledge Base Tickets Training 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/) [HESK Alternatives](https://www.selecthub.com/help-desk-software/hesk/alternatives/) ### Screenshots ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ### Key Features - **Ticket automation** – Automates assignment, escalation, and notifications using rules you define so agents spend less time on routine handoffs. - **Knowledge base** – Offers a self-service portal where customers can search articles, which helps reduce repeat support requests. - **Reporting and analytics** – Tracks ticket trends, agent performance, and SLA metrics, though the views stay basic compared to dedicated BI tools. - **Multi-channel intake** – Handles tickets coming in through email, web forms, live chat, and phone from one shared queue. - **Open-source access** – Gives you the full source code so you can modify behavior, branding, or fields without waiting on a vendor. - **Auto-assign tickets** – Distributes incoming tickets to staff based on predefined criteria, keeping the routing logic simple to set up. - **Knowledge base** – Provides a self-service area for FAQs and solutions that users say measurably cuts ticket volume. - **Reporting and analytics** – Shows ticket volume, response times, and staff productivity in straightforward reports aimed at quick reads. - **Email piping** – Converts inbound emails directly into tickets so customer messages flow into the queue without extra setup. - **API access** – Lets you connect HESK with other tools and build custom automations on top of the core help desk. ### Top Alternatives in Help Desk Software [![Freshdesk Software Tool]()--- Freshdesk](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/freshdesk/) [![Front Software Tool]()--- Front](https://www.selecthub.com/p//front/) [![Gorgias Software Tool]()--- Gorgias](https://www.selecthub.com/p/conversational-ai-platforms/gorgias/) [![HappyFox Software Tool]()--- HappyFox](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/happyfox/) [![Help Scout Software Tool]()--- Help Scout](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/help-scout/) [![HubSpot Service Hub Software Tool]()--- HubSpot Service Hub](https://www.selecthub.com/p//hubspot-service-hub/) [![Intercom Software Tool]()--- Intercom](https://www.selecthub.com/p/live-chat-software/intercom/) [![Jira Software Tool]()--- Jira](https://www.selecthub.com/p/project-management-software/jira/) [![Jitbit Software Tool]()--- Jitbit](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/jitbit/) [![Kayako Software Tool]()--- Kayako](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/kayako/) [![LiveAgent Software Tool]()--- LiveAgent](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/liveagent/) [![LiveChat Software Tool]()--- LiveChat](https://www.selecthub.com/p/live-chat-software/livechat/) [![Salesforce Service Cloud Software Tool]()--- Salesforce Service Cloud](https://www.selecthub.com/p//salesforce-service-cloud/) [![ServiceNow Software Tool]()--- ServiceNow](https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/servicenow/) [![TeamSupport Software Tool]()--- 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. Close ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Help Desk Management", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/research/help-desk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Help Desk Software", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/c/help-desk-software/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "OsTicket", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/p/help-desk-software/osticket/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "OsTicket Vs HESK" } ] } ```