# Colliedesk vs FreeScout

> Both are open source under AGPL-3.0. FreeScout is a lightweight PHP helpdesk with paid modules. Colliedesk keeps every feature in the free code. Here is the difference, with sources.

Source: https://colliedesk.com/vs/freescout
Updated: 2026-10-16

## The short answer

- **Choose FreeScout** if you want a mature, self-hosted helpdesk in the style of Help Scout, you already run PHP, and you are fine buying modules for the knowledge base, live chat, tags or workflows.
- **Choose Colliedesk** if you want every feature in the open-source code, an official hosted option at one flat price, and a Freshdesk importer that proves nothing was lost. Colliedesk is alpha; read the status table first.

## Side by side

| | FreeScout | Colliedesk |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | AGPL-3.0 | Open source, AGPL-3.0. Self-host or use Cloud. |
| Self-host | Free core, unlimited agents; paid modules with lifetime licences per instance | Self-host free, every feature. Cloud: 14-day free trial, no card. |
| Official hosting | None; the FreeScout wiki lists third-party hosts | Cloud Team: $49 per workspace per month, or $490 per year, up to 10 agents, 100 GB of attachments. Team 25: $99 per month, or $990 per year, up to 25 agents, 250 GB. No per-agent fees. Founding customers: $100 per year, locked for life. |
| Stack | PHP 8.2+ (Laravel) with MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL; runs on shared hosting | One container plus PostgreSQL 16+ |
| Knowledge base, live chat, tags, workflows | Paid modules | Tags shipped; knowledge base coming after beta; automations and live chat later, all in the free code |
| AI | Free AI Integration module | Included (coming after beta). LLM cost +30% on our key, or bring your own key. |

## Moving from Freshdesk

| | FreeScout | Colliedesk (**Available now**) |
|---|---|---|
| Importer | No official one. Third-party paid service, or a community module "not guaranteed" by the FreeScout team | Official importer, free on every install |
| Attachments | Depends on the tool | Downloaded and checksummed (SHA-256) |
| Proof that nothing was lost | Not described | Reconcile report |
| Done for you | Through the third-party service, priced by them | [Free for founding customers](https://colliedesk.com/migrate/freshdesk/done-for-you) |

## What Colliedesk does today

| Capability | Colliedesk |
|---|---|
| Shared inbox: replies, private notes, status, priority, assignee, tags, search, bulk actions | **Available now** (alpha) |
| Email channel (inbound and outbound, threading) | **Available now** (alpha) |
| Freshdesk importer with reconcile report | **Available now** (alpha) |
| Saved replies, attachments, live updates and browser notifications | **Available now** (alpha) |
| Passwordless sign-in, revocable sessions, isolated workspaces, full export | **Available now** (alpha) |
| One-command install and published container image | **Available now** |
| Colliedesk Cloud with a 14-day free trial, then Team or Founding | **Available now** (alpha) |
| Cc on replies, new conversation from the inbox, contact history | **Beta** (0.1.0) |
| Upgrade guide, upgrades tested on real data | **Beta** (0.1.0) |
| AI draft replies, triage, auto-answer with a human in the loop | **Coming after beta** |
| Knowledge base and public help center | **Coming after beta** |
| Automations, macros, SLA, business hours, CSAT and reports | **Coming later** |
| Zendesk and Help Scout importers, live chat widget | **Coming later** |

## Sources

Read on 16 October 2026.

- FreeScout: [freescout.net](https://freescout.net)
- Modules and licence terms: [freescout.net/modules](https://freescout.net/modules/)
- Hosting options: [FreeScout wiki, one-click installs](https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/wiki/One-Click-Installs)
- Migration: [FreeScout wiki, migrate to FreeScout](https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/wiki/Migrate-to-FreeScout)
- Community modules: [FreeScout wiki, community modules](https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/wiki/Community-Modules)
- Requirements: [FreeScout installation guide](https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/wiki/Installation-Guide)

## Questions people ask

### Is FreeScout really free?

The core is free under AGPL-3.0, with unlimited agents, tickets and mailboxes. Features such as the knowledge base, live chat, tags and workflows are paid modules, sold as lifetime licences per instance. There is no official FreeScout cloud; third-party hosts run it for you.

### Can FreeScout import from Freshdesk?

Not with an official importer. FreeScout points to a third-party paid migration service, and its wiki lists a community "Freshdesk Import" module with the warning that community modules are not guaranteed to be reliable and secure.

### Should I pick FreeScout or Colliedesk?

FreeScout if you want a proven, lightweight PHP helpdesk that runs even on shared hosting, and you are happy to buy modules. Colliedesk if you want every feature in the free code, a hosted option at a flat price, and a Freshdesk importer with a reconcile report (available now).