Have you ever felt like support requests are coming at you from every direction? Emails, chats, random messages from customers or teammates. It gets overwhelming fast, and keeping track of everything becomes a daily struggle. Before long, replies are missed, customers get frustrated, and you start thinking, “We really need a ticketing system for this.”
That is why so many teams start searching for a free ticketing system that can bring order to the chaos without adding another cost. A simple and reliable tool that helps you organize requests, assign tasks, and respond faster.
Whether you run a small business, manage a nonprofit, handle IT issues, or just need a better way to track incoming requests, a free ticketing system can make a big difference. It gives you structure, visibility, and peace of mind without requiring an upfront investment.
In this post, we will look at some of the best free tools available today. Let’s get started.
TL;DR - Best Free Ticketing Systems Shortlist
We tested 15 free tools and narrowed it down to 9 that are genuinely easy to use and worth your time.
- Desk365 – Free for up to 3 agents with essential ticketing, shared inbox, and basic automation.
- Zoho Desk – Free for up to 3 agents with email ticketing, a help center, and basic reporting.
- HubSpot Service Hub – Free for unlimited users with ticketing, a shared inbox, live chat, and a simple knowledge base.
- Jira Service Management – Free for up to 3 agents with basic ITSM features, request forms, and simple automation.
- Spiceworks – Completely free for unlimited agents with core helpdesk ticketing supported by ads.
- osTicket – Free open-source version with customizable ticketing, forms, and workflows if you self-host.
- Zammad – Free open-source edition with multi-channel ticketing, roles, permissions, and a modern interface.
- FreeScout– Fully free and open-source, self-hostable ticketing system with unlimited agents, tickets, and mailboxes.
- LiveAgent – Offers a limited free plan with email ticketing and a basic customer portal.
Why you can trust our reviews
When we review free ticketing systems, we look at more than just the features listed on a website. We test the tools ourselves, but we also pay attention to what real users are saying. That means reading customer reviews, checking Reddit conversations, and paying attention to real discussions about what works and what does not.
We also consider how easy each tool is to set up, because no one wants software that is complicated or time-consuming. By combining hands-on testing with real user feedback and practical setup experience, we aim to give you a clear and honest picture of which free ticketing systems are worth your time.
Best free ticketing system reviews
Here are the ticketing tools that stood out after all my testing. For each one, I put together an easy-to-read overview that highlights what the tool does well, where it might fall short, the integrations it supports, and the situations where it works best. Some of these options include a fully free plan, while others only give you a limited trial, so I made sure to point out exactly what you can access at no cost. The goal is to help you quickly figure out which tool fits the way your team works.
1. Desk365
Desk365 is an affordable help desk software that allows teams to manage customer support across multiple channels, including Microsoft Teams, email, phone, web widget, web portal, and more within a single unified interface.
Rating: 4.4/5
Here’s why Desk365 earned its spot on the list:
Desk365 made the list because it gives you a lot of useful features without overwhelming you. It is easy to set up, the interface feels clean, and it includes helpful automation and email ticketing tools that many free plans do not offer. It is also reliable and fast, which makes it a good option for teams that want structure without complexity.
What Customer's are saying
For over a year, my team has been utilizing Desk365, which has proven to be a valuable asset for all users. The implementation process was swift and straightforward, allowing us to start using the application within days. As interest from other teams grew, we have now expanded our user base to 25 agents, a significant increase from the initial 4. This expansion has led to sourcing, finance, and vendor support teams adopting the tool to enhance and streamline their processes. Users appreciate the tool’s user-friendly interface, while from an agent’s standpoint, we have successfully leveraged the API and Automations to enhance and broaden our work capabilities in the field.
Desk365 free plan features:
Free for up to 3 agents
Up to 50 tickets per month
Email ticketing and shared inbox
Microsoft Teams integration
Web forms and customer portal
Basic workflow automation
SLA setup and tracking
Mobile app for agents
Built-in security, including GDPR and HIPAA compliance in all plans
Microsoft single sign-on
Pros
- Free for up to 3 agents and 50 tickets per month: Ideal for small teams or those just starting out.
- Omni-Channel Support: Manage tickets from multiple channels, including Microsoft Teams, email, web forms, and support portals.
- Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive tasks and ticket assignments to boost efficiency.
- SLA Management: Set and track service level agreements to ensure timely responses and resolutions.
- Knowledge Base: Build and maintain a repository of solution articles for both agents and customers.
- Microsoft Teams Integration: Handle tickets directly within Microsoft Teams for seamless collaboration.
- Built-in security you can trust: GDPR & HIPAA compliance, available in every plan — including Free.
- Microsoft Single Sign-On: Seamless Microsoft Single Sign-On (SSO) support for secure, one-click access.
Cons
- Unlimited Tickets: In the free plan, there’s a cap of only 50 tickets that can be created each month. Once this limit is reached, no additional tickets can be submitted; you must upgrade to a paid plan.
- Advanced AI Capabilities: Features like AI-powered ticket summarization and knowledge base article generation are available only in the paid plans.
- Customization: Options such as custom ticket fields, forms, roles, and reports are not accessible in the free plan.
2.Zoho Desk
Zoho Desk is a cloud-based help desk and ticketing platform that helps small teams manage customer inquiries in a more organized way. Instead of juggling emails and spreadsheets, it brings all your support requests into one place and gives you simple tools to track, respond, and stay on top of customer issues.
Rating: 4.4/5
Here’s why Zoho Desk earned its spot on the list:
Zoho Desk earned a place on the list because its free plan gives small teams everything they need to run a basic support operation without paying for software. It is reliable, easy to set up, and offers a clean way to move from messy email-based support to a structured ticketing workflow. For startups and small businesses, it is one of the smoothest ways to get started with help desk software.
What Customer's are saying
Zoho Desk is easy to use and simple to set up. The interface is clean and user-friendly. It helps us manage customer tickets in one place. Assigning tickets to team members is quick and simple.
The ability to create different departments keeps things organized.
It saves time by allowing us to set up basic workflows and rules.
Even the version includes useful features for small teams.
It improves communication with customers and keeps everything on record.
Zoho Desk’s customer support is helpful and responsive.
Zoho Desk free plan features:
Free for up to 3 agents
Email ticketing that converts incoming emails into trackable tickets
A simple help center or knowledge base for FAQs and support articles
Basic ticket management tools like tags, statuses, and notes
Predefined SLAs for response and resolution times
Customer and contact management
Mobile app access
Multilingual help center support
Zoho Desk Pros
Great fit for small teams or startups with low ticket volume
Easy transition from email-only support
Includes a built-in knowledge base for self-service
Covers all essential ticketing needs
Cloud-based and quick to set up
Zoho Desk Cons
Limited to 3 agents on the free plan
No advanced automation or reporting
Customization options are fairly basic
Not ideal for growing or complex support teams
3. HubSpot Service Hub
HubSpot Service Hub is a customer support platform that brings ticketing, communication tools, and basic CRM features together in one place. It is designed to help small teams organize customer conversations, track issues, and offer faster responses without needing multiple tools or complex setup.
Rating: 4.4/5
Here’s why HubSpot Service Hub earned its spot on the list:
HubSpot earned a spot on the list because its free plan gives you a surprisingly complete set of tools for managing customer issues, especially if you are already using or considering HubSpot’s CRM. It is easy to start with, requires no technical setup, and gives you a single dashboard to manage emails, chats, and tickets. For teams starting from scratch or using basic email support, this free plan feels like a major upgrade.
What Customer's are saying
What I like the most is that it has so many amazing features such as ticketing system. knowledge base, live chat, team email, automation, etc. in one place. Besides it is very easy to use, and the implementation is simple as well. You can integrate all your sales and advertising channels in it.
HubSpot Service Hub free plan features:
Free ticketing system with unlimited users
Shared inbox for managing support emails
Live chat widget for your website
Basic help desk automation
Email templates and simple productivity tools
Conversation routing rules
Basic reporting and dashboards
Access to HubSpot CRM, which stores customer details and history
Mobile app for managing conversations on the go
HubSpot Service Hub Pros
Free plan includes a wide range of communication tools
Unlimited users make it ideal for early or growing teams
Integrates natively with HubSpot’s CRM and marketing tools
Easy to set up and beginner-friendly
Helpful for teams that want both CRM and support features in one place
HubSpot Service Hub Cons
Automation and advanced workflows are limited on the free plan
Customization options are basic
Some features require a paid Service Hub or other HubSpot tools
Not ideal for complex IT or internal support workflows
Learn more about HubSpot Service Hub
4.Jira Service Management
Jira Service Management is designed for IT teams and internal service desks that need a structured way to track requests, incidents, and workflows. It provides a clean and organized system for managing internal support, change requests, technical fixes, and team operations.
Rating: 4.3/5
Here’s why Jira Service Management earned its spot on the list:
Jira Service Management earned a place on the list because its free plan gives small teams access to true IT service management tools without cost. It works especially well for companies already using Jira Software or Confluence. The free edition is a strong starting point for building organized IT workflows and support processes.
What Customer's are saying
I really enjoy using Jira Service Management as it is an extremely comprehensive and easy-to-use tool. The ability to easily clone tickets allows me to work on the same project with different cases effectively. Additionally, I highlight that the platform is extremely fast, which is a great differentiator compared to other ticket management platforms that tend to be slow. Appreciating the speed and efficiency in ticket handling is key to my daily performance. I also value that it allows me to have all the tickets in one place, which helps to keep track of what is being worked on and what has already been resolved. The ability to generate reports on the SLAs managed by each ticket is also very useful.
Jira Service Management free plan features:
Free for up to 3 agents
Request portal for employees or customers to submit issues
Email ticketing
Basic automation to streamline simple tasks
Incident, change, and service request management
Access to Jira’s issue-tracking engine
Integration with Confluence for knowledge base articles (viewing articles is free)
Customizable request forms
Mobile app for agents
Jira Service Management Pros
Excellent for small IT teams or internal service desks
Strong workflow and request management tools
Integrates smoothly with Jira Software and Confluence
Clean and efficient interface for tracking technical issues
Easy way to introduce structure into IT operations
Jira Service Management Cons
Limited to 3 agents on the free plan
Some ITSM features require paid tiers
It can feel overwhelming for non-technical support teams
Knowledge base creation requires a separate Confluence subscription
5. Spiceworks
Spiceworks Help Desk is a completely free cloud-based and on-premise ticketing system designed mainly for IT teams. It helps you track issues, communicate with end users, and manage requests without needing a paid subscription. Its simple interface makes it easy for small IT teams to organize day-to-day support work.
Rating: 4.3/5
Here’s why Spiceworks earned its spot on the list:
Spiceworks earned a place on the list because it is genuinely free to use, with no per-agent fees or hidden limits. Many small IT teams rely on it because it delivers essential help-desk features without complexity. If you want a basic but functional ticketing system with zero cost, Spiceworks is one of the most accessible options available.
What Customer's are saying
It is simple, streamlined and perfect for a small business help desk. I can set up my agents, ticket notifications and start receiving tickets in minutes, and it is easy to use.
Spiceworks free plan features:
Completely free for unlimited agents
Cloud and on-premise versions available
Email ticketing with automatic ticket creation
User portal for submitting and tracking requests
Ticket assignment, priorities, and status management
Internal notes and communication tools
Simple reporting and ticket overviews
Active community and plugin support
Spiceworks Pros
100 percent free with no licensing fees
Great entry-level option for IT support teams
Easy to deploy and simple to use
Offers both cloud and self-hosted versions
Large community with plenty of tutorials and add-ons
Spiceworks Cons
Interface feels basic compared to modern alternatives
Limited automation and workflow options
Reporting is minimal
Occasional ads in the cloud version
Not ideal for customer-facing teams needing advanced features
Learn more about Spiceworks
6. OsTicket
osTicket is a widely used open-source ticketing system that you can download and host yourself. It gives you a customizable and flexible help-desk platform at no cost, making it a popular choice for teams that want full control over their support system.
Rating: 4.4/5
Here’s why OsTicket earned its spot on the list:
osTicket earned a spot because it gives you full ticketing functionality for free in its open-source version. You can modify it, customize workflows, and host it anywhere you want. For teams with technical skills or IT support needs, osTicket provides a solid, no-license alternative to paid help-desk tools.
What Customer's are saying
It has everything what we need to do the efficient support system, and it’s simple php code. It’s in active development in github. And it has support forums. Which helps. To solve any issue.
OsTicket free plan features:
Completely free and open-source
Highly customizable and flexible
Suitable for IT teams and internal support
No user or ticket limits
Large community and plugin ecosystem
Pros
100 percent free with no licensing fees
Great entry-level option for IT support teams
Easy to deploy and simple to use
Offers both cloud and self-hosted versions
Large community with plenty of tutorials and add-ons
Cons
-
Requires your own hosting and setup
-
Maintenance and updates are your responsibility
-
Interface feels outdated compared to newer tools
-
No built-in automation beyond basics
-
Limited built-in integrations unless
you extend it
7. Zammad
Zammad is an open-source help desk and ticketing system known for its modern interface and flexible setup. Since it is open-source, teams can host it themselves and gain full control over customization, workflows, and data.
Rating: 4.5/5
Here’s why Zammad earned its spot on the list:
Zammad made the list because it combines the freedom of open-source software with a polished and user-friendly interface. You get advanced ticketing capabilities without paying for licenses, and you can customize nearly every part of the system if you self-host. For tech-savvy teams, it offers power and flexibility at zero cost.
What Customer's are saying
Nice clean interface that is easy to use straight away
Zammad free plan features:
Fully free and open-source
Unlimited agents and tickets
Multi-channel ticketing (email, phone, web form, social options when configured)
Roles, permissions, and skill-based routing
Ticket histories, internal notes, and overviews
Custom fields and attributes
Integrations using APIs
Reporting dashboards
Modern, intuitive UI
Zammad Pros
Completely free when self-hosted
Modern interface compared to many open-source tools
Highly customizable
Suitable for growing teams
Strong permission and user-role system
Zammad Cons
- Requires technical skills to host and manage
Advanced features may require additional configuration
More setup effort compared to cloud tools
Support relies on community unless you pay for hosted plans
8. LiveAgent
LiveAgent is a help desk and customer support platform offering ticketing, chat, and a customer portal. It provides a limited free plan designed to help very small teams get started with basic email-based support.
Rating: 4.5/5
Here’s why LiveAgent earned its spot on the list:
LiveAgent earned a place because even its limited free plan gives teams an organized way to manage email tickets. If you only need simple email ticketing with a customer portal and want no monthly cost, LiveAgent’s free tier covers the essentials.
What Customer's are saying
I like everything about Liveagent. I love its clean, uncluttered interface, which makes responses always faster. It’s great that Liveagent is easy to customize and integrates seamlessly with all our social media and web pages. Setting up a service bot is easy, and it’s great that it serves multiple functions simultaneously, enhancing our marketing capabilities and allowing our customers to access services quickly. I also love its documentation capabilities, which allow us and our customers to easily track tickets using reference numbers.
LiveAgent free plan features:
Free email ticketing
Basic customer portal
Contact and ticket history
Simple reporting
Limited automation tools
Unlimited ticket storage
Basic integrations
LiveAgentPros
Easy to set up and start using
Clean interface suitable for beginners
Offers a working ticketing system at no cost
Good for freelancers or very small teams
LiveAgent Cons
Many features locked behind paid tiers
No live chat or advanced automation on free plan
Not suitable for teams with higher volume or multi-channel needs
Limited customization
Learn more about LiveAgent
9. FreeScout
FreeScout is a lightweight, open-source help desk and shared inbox system designed for teams that want a simple, affordable, and fully self-hosted ticketing option. It is fast, minimal, and flexible.
Rating: 4.2/5
Here’s why FreeScout earned its spot on the list:
FreeScout earned its place because it offers a complete help desk experience without any licensing fees. It is easy to set up, resource-light, and ideal for teams that want a shared inbox and ticketing workflow without depending on a cloud provider. It is especially popular with small businesses, support teams, and developers who want control and privacy.
What Customer's are saying
FreeScout free plan features:
Completely free and open-source
Unlimited agents and tickets
Shared inbox and email ticketing
Multiple mailboxes
Internal notes and tagging
Customer profiles and history
Mobile-friendly interface
Extensions available to add features
FreeScout Pros
Fully free and self-hosted
Very lightweight and fast
Easy to customize with extensions
Ideal for privacy-focused teams
Simple and intuitive interface
FreeScout Cons
Requires hosting and maintenance
Some advanced features require paid add-ons
Not as feature-rich as large cloud help desks
Best suited for smaller or moderately sized teams
Other ticketing tools worth considering
Here are some additional options that also offer free plans or trials. While these tools did not make it onto my shortlist, they are still worth checking if you want to explore more choices:
10. Freshservice – Free plan for small IT teams with incident and asset management.
11. Frappe Helpdesk – Free and open-source with customizable workflows and a modern UI.
12. Hesk – Free self-hosted help desk ideal for small teams that need basic ticketing.
13. OTRS – Open-source help desk with advanced features.
14. Freshdesk – Free plan for unlimited agents with email ticketing and a team inbox.
15. GLPI – Free open-source ITSM platform with ticketing and asset management.
16. Tawk.to – 100% free live chat with ticketing via messaging history and offline forms.
17. Bitrix24 – Free plan includes a help desk module, CRM, live chat, and a customer portal.
Free ticketing system selection criteria
Choosing a free ticketing system can feel a little overwhelming, so it helps to focus on the essentials. Here are the key criteria to consider when you compare your options.
1. Ease of use
Look for a system that is simple to set up and navigate. Your team should be able to learn it quickly without needing long training sessions.
2. Ticket management features
A good free system should let you create, assign, prioritize, and track tickets easily. Make sure it supports things like categories, status updates, and notes so your team can stay organized.
3. Collaboration tools
Check that the system allows multiple team members to work together smoothly. Shared inboxes, internal comments, and notifications can make a big difference in response time.
4. Automation options
Even in a free plan, basic automation can save time. Look for features like auto assignment, simple workflows, or response templates.
5. Customer communication
Make sure the tool lets you reply to customers in a clean and consistent way. Email integration, a customer portal, or a simple chat widget can improve the experience.
6. Reporting and analytics
Basic reporting lets you see trends and understand how well your support process is working. Look for metrics like ticket volume, response time, and resolution time.
7. Integrations
Check if the system connects with tools you already use such as email providers, CRM platforms, or team communication apps.
8. Customization
Even a free tool should allow some level of customization. This may include custom fields, branded communication, or adjustable workflows.
9. Scalability
Choose a system that can grow with you. Even if you start with a free plan, make sure the paid options are flexible and affordable if you need them later.
Frequently asked questions
- Desk365 — Good for teams that want something easy to adopt across channels. Its free plan supports core ticketing with a clean interface, and it integrates well if you already use collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams.
Zoho Desk — If you want a solid, well-rounded free system, this is one of the strongest. It offers email ticketing, a help centre (knowledge base), and basic reporting even on the free plan for up to 3 agents.
FreeScout — If you prefer open-source and self-hosting (for more control and no recurring costs), FreeScout is a great option. It’s lightweight, offers a shared mailbox model and handles email ticketing well.
Zammad — Another solid open-source ticketing option that supports multiple channels and gives you flexibility to customise workflows. Good if you want more control and are comfortable self-hosting.
Yes there are free ticketing systems available and many of them are surprisingly capable for small teams or businesses. Tools like Desk365, Zoho Desk, Freshdesk, osTicket, Zammad and FreeScout let you manage customer requests without paying anything. They usually include core features like creating and tracking tickets assigning work to team members replying to customers and keeping everything organized in one place. Some free plans have limits while open source options give you full control if you are comfortable hosting them yourself. Overall a free ticketing system is a great way to start managing support without any upfront cost.
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