Crisp alternatives: 4 open-source picks
Crisp costs $45/mo — $540 a year. These 4 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Chatwoot, LibreDesk and Live Helper Chat. All 4 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
A proper support inbox with chat, email and a help center; free software, billable server chores.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installDocker Compose on a Linux VM, followed by environment, database, reverse-proxy and TLS configuration
dataApplication data in PostgreSQL, queues/cache in Redis, and attachments on local disk or S3-compatible/cloud object storage
the catch vs CrispYou replace Crisp's managed service with Docker, upgrades, backups and channel-deliverability work.
setupProvisioning a Linux server and correctly wiring DNS/TLS, SMTP, PostgreSQL/Redis and storage
facts verified 2026-08-11
A modern email-and-live-chat desk in one compact stack, because apparently that was allowed.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installRun Docker Compose with an edited config file, or launch the release binary against PostgreSQL
dataRecords in PostgreSQL, queues/cache in Redis, and uploads on the local filesystem or S3-compatible object storage
the catch vs CrispLibreDesk is newer, less proven and has far fewer integrations than Crisp.
setupDocker plus a correct config, encryption key, PostgreSQL/Redis and mail/channel credentials
facts verified 2026-08-11
A battle-tested live-chat desk with routing, transcripts and canned replies; the interface has seen some things.
licenseApache-2.0
runsyour server
installUpload the release archive to a PHP web server and run the browser installer, or deploy its Docker image
dataChats and settings in MySQL/MariaDB, with uploads and media in writable server-side storage directories
the catch vs CrispIt covers chat well but has an older agent experience and a weaker shared-inbox and integration story than Crisp.
setupA PHP 8.2+/MySQL web host, a pre-created database and correct filesystem permissions
facts verified 2026-08-11
Helpdesk and ticketing that pulls email, chat, phone, and socials into one agent workspace.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Chatwoot · Zammad
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
the usual suspects · recommended everywhere, rejected here
ChaskiqThe homepage still smiles; the repo carries an open abandonment report and years of unresolved production-install breakage.
PapercupsEveryone still recommends it; the main repo has not moved since February 2024.
how to choose a Crisp alternative
Most proven
Chatwoot, with 35,534 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 4, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Works on your phone
Chatwoot has a mobile app on iOS and Android.
Needs real ops to self-host
Chatwoot and Live Helper Chat are capable but expect someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing one.
what you give up by leaving Crisp
- multi-channel inbox, chat delivery, knowledge base, campaigns, and workspace pricing
- omnichannel integrations
- large-scale deliverability
- AI resolution tuning
- enterprise routing and compliance
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Crisp alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatwoot | MIT | self-host, real ops | web, ios, android, self-hosted | 35,534 | 2026-08 |
| LibreDesk | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 2,682 | 2026-08 |
| Live Helper Chat | Apache-2.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 2,236 | 2026-08 |
| Zammad | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 5,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Crisp
People still pay for Crisp because support software survives because missing or misrouting one customer message is expensive and every channel behaves differently. The recurring cost buys message delivery, webhooks, threading, identity, permissions, attachments, notifications, spam, search, uptime, and retention, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $540 a year.
questions about switching from Crisp
Is there an open-source alternative to Crisp?
Yes: Chatwoot, LibreDesk, Live Helper Chat and 1 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Crisp?
Our verdict is YES. Chatwoot (36k stars), Zammad (5k stars), LibreDesk (3k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Crisp — self-host with real ops work and stop paying $45/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/crisp.
What is the most popular open-source Crisp alternative?
By GitHub stars, Chatwoot (35,534). Zammad is next with 5,000.
