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Help Scout alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Help Scout: no native phone channel, and less routing and reporting depth than Zendesk. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Help Scout, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Front currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1FreeScout logoFreeScoutOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted3 of 362.6
  1. FreeScout logo

    1. FreeScoutTop pick

    Best for: Small teams that want a Help Scout-style inbox they can self-host cheaply

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Help Scout

    Open-source clone of the Help Scout model that you can self-host for free.

    Pros

    • Free core with no limits on agents or tickets
    • Runs even on inexpensive shared PHP hosting
    • Familiar email-like workflow

    Cons

    • Many features are paid modules
    • Reporting and polish behind commercial tools
    • You handle hosting, updates and email setup
    Visit FreeScout Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is FreeScout a good Help Scout alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freescout.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Limits
    No limits on agents or tickets
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freescout.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Stack
    PHP (Laravel) and MySQL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freescout.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best Help Scout alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Front logo

Best Help Scout alternative for most people

Front

Shared inbox with more channels and automation for larger teams.

FreeScout logo

Best Help Scout alternative for a free option

FreeScout

Open-source clone of the Help Scout model that you can self-host for free.

FreeScout logo

Best Help Scout alternative for open source

FreeScout

Open-source clone of the Help Scout model that you can self-host for free.

FreeScout logo

Best Help Scout alternative for self-hosting

FreeScout

Open-source clone of the Help Scout model that you can self-host for free.

Front logo

Best Help Scout alternative for Mac

Front

Shared inbox with more channels and automation for larger teams.

Front logo

Best Help Scout alternative for Windows

Front

Shared inbox with more channels and automation for larger teams.

Zendesk logo

Best Help Scout alternative for iPhone and Android

Zendesk

More routing, phone and enterprise features as the team grows.

Helply (formerly Groove) logo

Best Help Scout alternative for working in the browser

Helply (formerly Groove)

Similar email-first help desk with no per-user fees.

Help Scout alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Help Scout?

Front ranks first right now. Shared inbox with more channels and automation for larger teams. FreeScout and Helply (formerly Groove) follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Help Scout?

Yes. FreeScout (open source) has a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Help Scout?

Yes: FreeScout. FreeScout can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Help Scout?

The complaints we hear most: no native phone channel; less routing and reporting depth than Zendesk; free plan limited to one inbox and one Docs site.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Help Scout, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.