Chatwoot Cloud costs $19/mo.
These cost $0.
5 free alternatives to Chatwoot Cloud, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Chatwoot Cloud vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $19/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatwoot | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 36k | Chatwoot Cloud vs Chatwoot → |
| HubSpot Free CRM | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Chatwoot Cloud vs HubSpot Free CRM → |
| tawk.to | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Chatwoot Cloud vs tawk.to → |
| HubSpot Free Help Desk | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Chatwoot Cloud vs HubSpot Free Help Desk → |
| Odoo Helpdesk One App Free | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Chatwoot Cloud vs Odoo Helpdesk One App Free → |
The picks
1 open source · 4 free to use · ranked by fit
- 01
Chatwoot
open sourceMITSelf-host36kaug 2026A proper support inbox with chat, email and a help center; free software, billable server chores.
The catch vs Chatwoot CloudThe software is the same core, but you lose Chatwoot Cloud's managed upgrades, backups, monitoring and incident response.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- mobilewebself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Docker Compose on a Linux VM, followed by environment, database, reverse-proxy and TLS configuration
- setup
- Provisioning a Linux server and correctly wiring DNS/TLS, SMTP, PostgreSQL/Redis and storage
- your data
- Application data in PostgreSQL, queues/cache in Redis, and attachments on local disk or S3-compatible/cloud object storage
- checked
- 2026-08-11
- 02
HubSpot Free CRM
freeproprietary, freeHostedA two-seat shared inbox and live chat bolted to a CRM; free until the limits become colleagues.
The catch vs Chatwoot CloudIt is capped at two users and replaces Chatwoot's omnichannel support model with a CRM-centric inbox.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- mobilewebthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup, then connect a team inbox/email and add the website tracking or chat-widget code
- setup
- Connecting and verifying the shared email inbox and website domain
- your data
- CRM contacts and conversation history in HubSpot's cloud; records export to spreadsheet files and conversations are available through its API
- checked
- 2026-08-11
- 03
tawk.to
freeproprietary, freeHostedLive chat, tickets and a knowledge base for zero dollars; the little badge is how the arithmetic survives.
The catch vs Chatwoot CloudYou accept vendor branding and less control over inbox workflows and data than Chatwoot Cloud.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobilewebthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup, then paste the generated JavaScript widget or install a CMS plugin
- setup
- Access to edit the website or install its CMS plugin
- your data
- Chats, tickets and contacts in tawk.to's cloud account; chat and ticket exports are JSON
- checked
- 2026-08-11
- 04
HubSpot Free Help Desk
freeproprietary, freeHostedA hosted shared inbox, live chat, and ticket queue for two users; the knowledge base lives upstairs.
The catch vs Chatwoot CloudThe two-user free ceiling and shallower support automation make it a small-team stopgap rather than an equivalent managed inbox.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- mobilewebthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup, then connect a team inbox/email and add the website tracking or chat-widget code
- setup
- Connecting and verifying the shared email inbox and website domain
- your data
- CRM records, tickets and conversation history in HubSpot's cloud; records export to spreadsheet files and conversations are available through its API
- checked
- 2026-08-11
- 05
Odoo Helpdesk One App Free
freeproprietary, freeHostedA real hosted ticket desk for unlimited users, as long as Helpdesk is your one free Odoo app.
The catch vs Chatwoot CloudThe one-app-free rule and Odoo-wide workflow model are less focused than Chatwoot Cloud's support inbox.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webthey host it
- install
- Hosted Odoo Online signup with Helpdesk selected as the single free app
- your data
- An Odoo Online PostgreSQL database in Odoo's cloud, with record exports and downloadable ZIP database backups
- checked
- 2026-08-11
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Chatwoot Cloud open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Chatwoot Cloud?+
The top free alternative to Chatwoot Cloud is Chatwoot (open source, MIT). A proper support inbox with chat, email and a help center; free software, billable server chores. Other popular Chatwoot Cloud replacements include HubSpot Free CRM, tawk.to, HubSpot Free Help Desk.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Chatwoot Cloud?+
Yes. Of the 5 free alternatives to Chatwoot Cloud, 1 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Chatwoot (MIT).
How much does switching from Chatwoot Cloud to a free alternative save?+
Chatwoot Cloud starts at $19/month per seat ($228/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Chatwoot saves $1,140 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Chatwoot Cloud clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Chatwoot Cloud is KINDA (the core, yes. the polish, no). The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Chatwoot Cloud, use a managed shared inbox and website widget instead of operating Chatwoot yourself. The hard boundary is managed upgrades, backups, delivery infrastructure, support, and integrations, plus channel integrations and support operations.
What is the catch when switching from Chatwoot Cloud to Chatwoot?+
The software is the same core, but you lose Chatwoot Cloud's managed upgrades, backups, monitoring and incident response.
