Chatwoot is a popular open-source inbox for live chat, email and messaging. Cloud plans are free (Hacker, very limited) or $19, $39 and $99 per agent per month annually, and its Captain AI uses credits with overage at $20 per 1,000. The self-hosted Community Edition is free.
Teams look elsewhere when they want ticket-first workflows, simpler hosting, more predictable AI costs or extra tools like CRM and projects.
Alternatives
| Alternative | Type | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Zammad | Open source | Ticket-first, strong email workflows |
| FreeScout | Open source | Lightweight shared inbox |
| Helpin | Open source (AGPL) + cloud | Support, CRM, projects and docs with AI agents |
| Libredesk | Open source | Modern, lightweight single binary |
| Crisp | Hosted | Flat workspace pricing, chat-first |
| Intercom | Hosted | Top AI chat, higher cost |
| Help Scout | Hosted | Simple email-first support |
Picks
- Ticket-first, open source: Zammad.
- Support + CRM + projects in one: Helpin.
- Hosted, chat-first, predictable price: Crisp.
Related: Open source ticketing systems · Intercom alternatives
Munaza
Founder & Editor, SupportPricing
Munaza runs a digital marketing agency that manages social media and SEO for client brands across multiple platforms. Her work puts her inside SaaS tools every day: she sets up help centers, writes product content and compares software for clients before they buy. She started SupportPricing because customer service software pricing kept changing faster than anyone could track. Every price on this site comes from the vendor’s own pricing page and carries the date she checked it.