Chatwoot
A proper support inbox with chat, email and a help center; free software, billable server chores.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-11
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- MIT
- Hosting Model
- Self-host (your server)
- Platforms
- mobilewebself-hostedself-host, real ops
- Installation
- Docker Compose on a Linux VM, followed by environment, database, reverse-proxy and TLS configuration
- Operational Setup
- Provisioning a Linux server and correctly wiring DNS/TLS, SMTP, PostgreSQL/Redis and storage
- Where Your Data Lives
- Application data in PostgreSQL, queues/cache in Redis, and attachments on local disk or S3-compatible/cloud object storage
- The Catch / Trade-off
- The software is the same core, but you lose Chatwoot Cloud's managed upgrades, backups, monitoring and incident response.
Replaces 12 paid apps
up to $294/mo ($3,528/yr) in subscriptions
Chatwoot FAQ
Common questions
Is Chatwoot free and open source?+
Chatwoot is an open-source tool licensed under MIT that runs on self-host. A proper support inbox with chat, email and a help center; free software, billable server chores.
What paid software does Chatwoot replace?+
Chatwoot serves as a free replacement for 12 paid SaaS applications: Chatwoot Cloud, Crisp, Freshdesk, Front, Groove, Help Scout, Hiver, Intercom, LiveChat, Missive, Tidio, Zendesk, saving up to $294/month ($3,528/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up Chatwoot?+
Installation: Docker Compose on a Linux VM, followed by environment, database, reverse-proxy and TLS configuration. Setup notes: Provisioning a Linux server and correctly wiring DNS/TLS, SMTP, PostgreSQL/Redis and storage
What is the catch or trade-off with Chatwoot?+
The software is the same core, but you lose Chatwoot Cloud's managed upgrades, backups, monitoring and incident response.