Chatwoot vs Help Scout
Self-host swap-in for Help Scout. · Self-host Help Scout · Chatwoot on os-alt
Chatwoot is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Help Scout — license MIT, 30min docker-compose (Rails + Postgres + Redis + Sidekiq) to stand up, and $10/mo vps for a small team; postgres + redis are the core ops surface. Compare against Help Scout's Standard $20/user/mo; Plus $40/user/mo; Pro $65/user/mo (annual) below.
| Chatwootopen-source | Help Scoutpaid SaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Customer support helpdesk / shared inbox | Customer support helpdesk / shared inbox |
| License / pricing | MIT | Standard $20/user/mo; Plus $40/user/mo; Pro $65/user/mo (annual) |
| Starting price | $0 self-host | $20/user/mo |
| GitHub | chatwoot/chatwoot | closed source |
| Setup time | 30min docker-compose (Rails + Postgres + Redis + Sidekiq) | SaaS — sign up + bill |
| Monthly cost | $10/mo VPS for a small team; Postgres + Redis are the core ops surface. | from $20/user/mo (Standard $20/user/mo; Plus $40/user/mo; Pro $65/user/mo (annual)) |
Switching from Help Scout to Chatwoot
Pull `chatwoot/chatwoot:latest` with the official compose. Chatwoot is omnichannel (email + live chat + WhatsApp + Telegram + Instagram + SMS) — Help Scout's email-only model maps to a single Email channel inbox. Migrate via Chatwoot's API: pull conversations from Help Scout's API, POST to Chatwoot's `/api/v2/accounts/{id}/conversations`. Customers map cleanly; canned responses re-create as Chatwoot canned responses.
- Good fit for
- Support teams adding live chat, WhatsApp, or social DMs to their email-only Help Scout setup.
- Weak at
- Email-only workflows feel slightly heavy in Chatwoot's omnichannel UI; FreeScout is more focused if email is all you have.
- License note
- Core is MIT; some Enterprise features (SLAs, custom roles) are gated.
Other open-source self-host alternatives to Help Scout
Chatwoot also replaces
In a terminal? npx os-alt helpscout prints Help Scout's self-host options —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Is Chatwoot a free alternative to Help Scout?
Yes — Chatwoot is open source under MIT. Self-host cost: $10/mo VPS for a small team; Postgres + Redis are the core ops surface.. Help Scout starts at $20/user/mo (Standard $20/user/mo; Plus $40/user/mo; Pro $65/user/mo (annual)).
How long does Chatwoot take to set up vs Help Scout?
Self-hosting Chatwoot: 30min docker-compose (Rails + Postgres + Redis + Sidekiq). Help Scout is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.
What is Chatwoot good at, and what is it weak at?
Good fit for: Support teams adding live chat, WhatsApp, or social DMs to their email-only Help Scout setup.. Weak at: Email-only workflows feel slightly heavy in Chatwoot's omnichannel UI; FreeScout is more focused if email is all you have..