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Helply (formerly Groove) alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Helply (formerly Groove): credit-based AI pricing is harder to predict, and A big change for teams used to classic Groove. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Helply (formerly Groove), then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Help Scout currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1FreeScout logoFreeScoutOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted3 of 355.3
  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

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Helply (formerly Groove)

    Free, self-hosted shared inbox with no user limits.

    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 ×0.363
    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 Helply (formerly Groove) 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 Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for…

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

Help Scout logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for most people

Help Scout

Email-style help desk with a free plan and predictable seat pricing.

FreeScout logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for a free option

FreeScout

Free, self-hosted shared inbox with no user limits.

Help Scout logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Help Scout

Email-style help desk with a free plan and predictable seat pricing.

FreeScout logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for open source

FreeScout

Free, self-hosted shared inbox with no user limits.

FreeScout logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for self-hosting

FreeScout

Free, self-hosted shared inbox with no user limits.

Front logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for Mac

Front

Shared inbox with strong collaboration for larger teams.

Front logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for Windows

Front

Shared inbox with strong collaboration for larger teams.

Intercom logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for iPhone and Android

Intercom

Mature AI agent and help desk, priced per seat plus per resolution.

Hiver logo

Best Helply (formerly Groove) alternative for working in the browser

Hiver

Run shared inboxes directly in Gmail with lighter AI.

Helply (formerly Groove) alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Helply (formerly Groove)?

Help Scout ranks first right now. Email-style help desk with a free plan and predictable seat pricing. Intercom and Hiver follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Helply (formerly Groove)?

Yes. Help Scout (free plan + paid) and FreeScout (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Helply (formerly Groove)?

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

Why do people switch from Helply (formerly Groove)?

The complaints we hear most: credit-based AI pricing is harder to predict; A big change for teams used to classic Groove; younger product with a smaller ecosystem than Zendesk.

How is this list ranked?

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