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Quick Summary
Best Overall: Freshdesk Free - 10 agents, email ticketing, knowledge base
Best Open Source: osTicket - unlimited everything, self-hosted
Best for Zoho Users: Zoho Desk Free - 3 agents, email tickets, help center
1. Freshdesk Free
Best OverallFree Includes
- Up to 10 agents
- Email ticketing
- Knowledge base
- Ticket dispatch rules
- Basic reporting
Limitations
- No automation rules
- No SLA management
- No collision detection
2. Zoho Desk Free
Free Includes
- Up to 3 agents
- Email ticketing
- Help center
- Predefined SLAs
- Mobile app
3. osTicket (Open Source)
Free Includes
- Unlimited agents and tickets
- Custom forms and fields
- SLA plans
- Auto-routing rules
- Self-hosted (full control)
Limitations
- Requires server setup and maintenance
- No built-in chat
- Community support only
4. Spiceworks Help Desk
- Completely free (ad-supported)
- Unlimited agents and tickets
- IT asset management
- Network monitoring
5. HubSpot Service Hub Free
- Unlimited users
- Ticketing pipeline
- Live chat
- Shared inbox
- Basic reporting
6. Jira Service Management Free
- Up to 3 agents
- ITSM workflows
- SLA management
- Self-service portal
7. UVdesk (Open Source)
- Unlimited agents
- Multi-channel support
- Knowledge base
- Self-hosted
| Tool | Free Agents | Ticketing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshdesk | 10 | Best all-around free helpdesk | |
| Zoho Desk | 3 | Zoho ecosystem users | |
| osTicket | Unlimited | Email, web | Self-hosted, full control |
| Spiceworks | Unlimited | IT teams | |
| HubSpot | Unlimited | Pipeline | HubSpot CRM users |
| Jira SM | 3 | ITSM | Dev and IT teams |
| UVdesk | Unlimited | Multi-channel | Open source alternative |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free help desk for small teams?
Freshdesk Free is the best for most small teams with up to 10 agents, email ticketing, and a knowledge base. If you need more than 10 agents for free, consider osTicket (self-hosted) or Spiceworks (ad-supported).
Is Freshdesk free forever?
Yes. Freshdesk's free plan has no time limit and includes up to 10 agents. The main limitations are no automation, no SLA tracking, and no collision detection. Most teams upgrade to Growth ($15/agent/mo) when they need these features.
Should I use open source help desk software?
Open source options like osTicket give you unlimited everything with full control. The trade-off is you need server infrastructure, technical skills for setup, and handle your own updates and security. For non-technical teams, Freshdesk Free is simpler.