FreeScout vs UVdesk
Self-host pick — both replace Help Scout (Customer support helpdesk / shared inbox).
Both FreeScout and UVdesk self-host as a replacement for Help Scout (Customer support helpdesk / shared inbox). Pick FreeScout if you want the lighter footprint — 20min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB), $5/mo vps for a small support team. Pick UVdesk if you need e-commerce support teams that want order-context shown alongside the ticket without extra plugins — 30min docker-compose (Symfony + MySQL) and $5-10/mo vps.
| FreeScoutopen-source | UVdeskopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Setup time | 20min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB) | 30min docker-compose (Symfony + MySQL) |
| Monthly cost | $5/mo VPS for a small support team. | $5-10/mo VPS. |
| GitHub | freescout-help-desk/freescout | uvdesk/community-skeleton |
| Replaces | Help Scout + 1 other | Help Scout |
Good fit for
FreeScout
Teams who want the closest one-for-one Help Scout clone — same UI vocabulary (Mailbox, Conversation, Customer), same workflows.
Weak at:PHP plugin ecosystem is the integration story — extending FreeScout with a non-PHP tool is awkward.
UVdesk
E-commerce support teams that want order-context shown alongside the ticket without extra plugins.
Weak at:UI feels more 'tickets' than 'shared inbox' — a different mental model than Help Scout if email-conversations are your primary metaphor.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli helpscout prints Help Scout's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, FreeScout or UVdesk?
FreeScout: 20min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB). UVdesk: 30min docker-compose (Symfony + MySQL).
What does each cost to run?
FreeScout: $5/mo VPS for a small support team.. UVdesk: $5-10/mo VPS.. Both projects are free and open source.
Do FreeScout and UVdesk replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Help Scout.