Looking for a free Freshdesk alternative?
Freshdesk offers solid support tooling, but AI features and advanced automations are locked behind expensive plans. GudDesk gives you live chat, AI agents, and a modern shared inbox — free for small teams, with everything included.
Free forever for small workspaces · No credit card required
Freshdesk Pricing
Free tier available but limited. Paid plans start at $15/agent/month, AI features at $29+/agent/month.
Feature Comparison
See how GudDesk stacks up against Freshdesk feature by feature.
| Feature | Freshdesk | GudDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Live chat widget | Separate product (Freshchat) | Included |
| Shared inbox | ||
| AI agents | Pro plan+ ($49/agent/mo) | Included free |
| Knowledge base | ||
| Workflow automations | Growth plan+ ($15/agent/mo) | Included free |
| Self-hosting | ||
| Open source | GPL-3.0 | |
| Free tier | Limited (10 agents, no automations) | Full features (3 agents) |
| Unified platform | Multiple products | All-in-one |
| Plugin/API ecosystem | ||
| Slack integration | ||
| Email integration |
Why switch from Freshdesk?
One platform, not three
Freshworks splits support across Freshdesk, Freshchat, and Freshcaller. GudDesk unifies live chat, email, and bot conversations in a single platform with a single price.
Full features on the free tier
Freshdesk's free tier strips out automations, AI, and advanced reporting. GudDesk's free tier includes everything — AI agents, automations, knowledge base — for up to 3 agents.
AI that's actually accessible
Freshdesk locks AI behind the Pro plan at $49/agent/month. GudDesk includes AI agents in every plan, including free. Bring your own AI key for advanced features.
Modern developer experience
GudDesk is built with Next.js, TypeScript, and a Plugin API. If your team is technical, you'll appreciate the modern stack and the ability to extend the platform with custom code.
What makes GudDesk different
Open Source
GPL-3.0 licensed. Audit, extend, and contribute.
Self-Hostable
Run on your own infrastructure. Own your data.
AI Agents Included
Three built-in agents. No per-resolution fees.
No Per-Seat Pricing
Free for 3 agents. Flat pricing for workspaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GudDesk's free tier better than Freshdesk's?
For small teams, yes. Freshdesk's free plan supports 10 agents but excludes automations, AI, and most advanced features. GudDesk's free plan supports 3 agents with full access to all features including AI agents, automations, and the knowledge base.
Do I need Freshchat too, or does GudDesk cover chat?
GudDesk includes live chat as a core feature. Unlike Freshworks, where chat is a separate product (Freshchat) with separate pricing, GudDesk bundles everything in one platform.
How does GudDesk compare for larger teams?
GudDesk is ideal for small to mid-size teams. For enterprise teams with hundreds of agents and complex ITSM requirements, Freshdesk's enterprise features may be more appropriate. However, GudDesk's self-hosting option and open-source nature make it appealing for organizations that prioritize data control.
Can I self-host GudDesk instead of using Freshdesk's cloud?
Absolutely. GudDesk is fully open source under GPL-3.0. Clone the repo, run Docker Compose, and you have a complete support platform on your own infrastructure. Freshdesk offers no self-hosting option.
Also comparing other tools?
Ready to switch from Freshdesk?
Get started in 5 minutes. Free for small workspaces. No credit card required.