Chatwoot vs FreeScout
Both Chatwoot and FreeScout are self-hosted alternatives to Help Scout and Zendesk.
Side by side
| Field | Chatwoot | FreeScout |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Customer communication platform. | Email-based customer support application, help desk and shared mailbox. |
| GitHub stars | 38,716 | 4,627 |
| License | ⊘ Proprietary | AGPL-3.0 |
| Platforms | Ruby, Docker, K8S | PHP, Docker |
| Latest release | v4.19.1, 24 October 2026 | 1.8.249, 31 October 2026 |
| Repository activity | 30 October 2026 | 31 October 2026 |
| Health | Active | Active |
| Categories | Communication - Custom Communication Systems | Ticketing |
| Website | https://www.chatwoot.com | https://freescout.net/ |
| Source code | https://github.com/chatwoot/chatwoot | https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout |
Where the records differ
Computed from the two records above: a line appears only where the dataset states a figure, a date or a set relation, and no line recommends one application over the other.
- Chatwoot has more GitHub stars in the dataset, 38,716 against 4,627.
- FreeScout recorded repository activity more recently, 31 October 2026 against 30 October 2026.
- FreeScout has the newer release on record: 1.8.249, 31 October 2026, against v4.19.1, 24 October 2026.
- Licenses differ: Chatwoot is listed under ⊘ Proprietary; FreeScout under AGPL-3.0.
- Platforms differ: Chatwoot lists Ruby, Docker, K8S; FreeScout lists PHP, Docker.
- Chatwoot is filed under Communication - Custom Communication Systems; FreeScout is filed under Ticketing.