FreeScout vs osTicket
FreeScout and osTicket are both listed on Forkshelf as open source alternatives to Zendesk. This page sets their license and GitHub activity side by side. Every figure comes from the GitHub API, fetched on 8 Nov 2026 [S1].
FreeScout vs osTicket at a glance
| FreeScout | osTicket | |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0 [S1] | GPL-2.0 [S1] |
| GitHub stars | 4,646 on 8 Nov 2026 [S1] | 4,003 on 8 Nov 2026 [S1] |
| Last push | 7 Nov 2026 [S1] | 18 Jun 2026 [S1] |
| Latest release | 1.8.250 on 7 Nov 2026 [S1] | v1.18.4 on 18 Jun 2026 [S1] |
| Archived | No [S1] | No [S1] |
| Project site | freescout.net | osticket.com |
| Repository | freescout-help-desk/freescout | osTicket/osTicket |
What is FreeScout?
FreeScout describes itself as a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Its code is on GitHub at freescout-help-desk/freescout [S1].
What is osTicket?
osTicket is an open source ticketing system. This repository covers versions 1.8 and later. Its code is on GitHub at osTicket/osTicket [S1].
What Zendesk does
Our catalog sums it up as: Zendesk is a hosted help desk for tickets, shared email, and customer conversations. [S2]
How we list FreeScout and osTicket
Our Zendesk alternatives page describes FreeScout as: Customer support. License: AGPL-3.0. Self-hosted: yes. [S2] We also list FreeScout as an alternative to Intercom [S3].
Our Zendesk alternatives page describes osTicket as: Customer support. License: GPL-2.0. Self-hosted: yes. [S2] We list osTicket only as an alternative to Zendesk [S3].
FreeScout vs osTicket license
The FreeScout repository is under AGPL-3.0 [S1].
The osTicket repository is under GPL-2.0 [S1].
Activity
On 8 Nov 2026, FreeScout had 4,646 GitHub stars. It is not archived, and its last push was on 7 Nov 2026 [S1].
On 8 Nov 2026, osTicket had 4,003 GitHub stars. It is not archived, and its last push was on 18 Jun 2026 [S1].
FreeScout's latest GitHub release is 1.8.250, from 7 Nov 2026 [S1].
osTicket's latest GitHub release is v1.18.4, from 18 Jun 2026 [S1].
Which one fits
FreeScout has more GitHub stars than osTicket as of 8 Nov 2026 [S1]. Stars show interest, so check the issue tracker too.
FreeScout had the more recent push, on 7 Nov 2026, against 18 Jun 2026 for osTicket [S1].
FreeScout uses AGPL-3.0 and osTicket uses GPL-2.0 [S1]. If you plan to change the code and run it as a service for others or ship it, read both licences before you pick.
Other Zendesk alternatives
See the full list on the Zendesk alternatives page [S2].
Related comparisons
FAQ
Is FreeScout open source?
Its repository is under AGPL-3.0, as of 8 Nov 2026 [S1].
Is osTicket open source?
Its repository is under GPL-2.0, as of 8 Nov 2026 [S1].
Is the FreeScout repository still active?
As of 8 Nov 2026, it is not archived and its last push was on 7 Nov 2026 [S1].
Is the osTicket repository still active?
As of 8 Nov 2026, it is not archived and its last push was on 18 Jun 2026 [S1].
Sources (all fetched 8 Nov 2026)
- [S1] https://api.github.com/repos/freescout-help-desk/freescout, https://api.github.com/repos/osTicket/osTicket
- [S2] Forkshelf listing, https://forkshelf.com/alternative-to/zendesk
- [S3] Forkshelf catalog, https://forkshelf.com/alternatives