Hiver wants a subscription.
These cost $0.
4 free alternatives to Hiver, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Hiver vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs paid
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatwoot | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 36k | Hiver vs Chatwoot → |
| Zammad | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 5.8k | Hiver vs Zammad → |
| FreeScout | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 4.5k | Hiver vs FreeScout → |
| Frappe Helpdesk | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 3.3k | Hiver vs Frappe Helpdesk → |
The picks
4 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Chatwoot
open sourceMITSelf-host36kaug 2026A proper support inbox with assignments and automations; it replaces the Gmail skin rather than living inside it.
The catch vs HiverAssignments and private notes work, but the team leaves Gmail and does support in a separate application.
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
Zammad
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host5.8kaug 2026Mature ticketing, ownership and team workflows; Gmail becomes an input channel, not the workplace.
The catch vs HiverGmail becomes an input channel rather than the workplace, with heavier ticket semantics and server operations.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Deploy the Docker Compose/Portainer stack or install supported Linux packages
- setup
- A comparatively large server and familiarity with Docker/Portainer, PostgreSQL and Elasticsearch
- your data
- Ticket and user data in PostgreSQL, search indexes in Elasticsearch, and attachments/backups in Docker volumes or server storage
- checked
- 2026-08-11
- 03
FreeScout
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host4.5kjul 2026Shared mailboxes, assignments and internal notes without per-agent rent; you leave Gmail for PHP and MySQL.
The catch vs HiverYou leave Gmail for a PHP/MySQL web app, and several advanced channels and features are separate paid modules.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Install on a PHP/MySQL host with its web installer, or deploy a community Docker image
- setup
- A web server/database plus IMAP/SMTP credentials; several advanced channels and features require separate modules
- your data
- Mailboxes, users and conversation metadata in the configured SQL database, with attachments in application server storage
- checked
- 2026-08-11
- 04
Frappe Helpdesk
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host3.3kaug 2026Clean shared support queues, assignments and SLAs; installing Frappe is the first ticket.
The catch vs HiverIt replaces Hiver's native Gmail workflow with a separate ticket queue and a Frappe server to operate.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Run Frappe's easy-install script against the stable container image on a Linux server
- setup
- A Linux server, domain/DNS, Docker or the easy-install script, and mail account configuration
- your data
- Tickets in the Frappe site database, with public and private attachments in the site's files directories
- checked
- 2026-08-11
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Hiver open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Hiver?+
The top free alternative to Hiver is Chatwoot (open source, MIT). A proper support inbox with assignments and automations; it replaces the Gmail skin rather than living inside it. Other popular Hiver replacements include Zammad, FreeScout, Frappe Helpdesk.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Hiver?+
Yes. Of the 4 free alternatives to Hiver, 4 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Chatwoot (MIT), Zammad (AGPL-3.0), FreeScout (AGPL-3.0), Frappe Helpdesk (AGPL-3.0).
Should I vibe-code or build my own Hiver clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Hiver is NOT REALLY (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Do not mistake the interface for the product. Hiver's durable value is deliverability, security, integration, which a solo one-shot build cannot reproduce responsibly. The prompt therefore builds only the closest honest personal consolation tool.
What is the catch when switching from Hiver to Chatwoot?+
Assignments and private notes work, but the team leaves Gmail and does support in a separate application.
