Use it if
Teams that need a full-featured, multi-channel helpdesk (email, phone, chat, Twitter) and want to self-host on their own infrastructure with full AGPL source access.
github.com/zammad/zammad/blob/develop/README.mdVerified 2026-08-13
Zammad, Zendesk
Zammad is an open source alternative to Zendesk. Open-source web-based helpdesk with ticket management, multi-channel support, and a REST API. AGPL-3.0-only licensed, 5.8k GitHub stars, hosted version available, self-host with Docker, and last released 2026-08-04.
Open-source web-based helpdesk with ticket management, multi-channel support, and a REST API.
Alternative toAll alternatives to Zendesk
How to start todayShould you switch?
Skip it if
Avoid Zammad if your team lacks Ruby/Rails ops experience; several HN users note it requires significantly more hardware and maintenance than PHP-based alternatives.
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26832678Verified 2026-08-13
Watch out
The AGPL-3.0 license requires you to publish source of any modifications if you run Zammad as a network service. Zammad GmbH also offers a hosted SaaS at zammad.com, creating an open-core-adjacent commercial dynamic.
github.com/zammad/zammad/blob/develop/LICENSEVerified 2026-08-13
Support the creator
Support this project directly once our USDC payment option launches.
Coming soon
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Community proof
"I got in love with Zammad for this kind of things. It's a modern alternative to OTRS, but it's so light and easy to use that you can push it to any kind of business or personal project. Every time I build something long-term with at least 3 people, I check if we can use Zammad. It's opensource, I know how to get a complete setup in 3 hours, the design and perf are nice."
"We tried fresh desk, but left disappointed. We now use Zammad, written in ruby by one of the lead devs of otrs, which used to be awesome before it went closed source (ish). unlimited users and agents for the cost of a $5 a month VPS"
Maintenance health
CadenceActive
Last release7.1.2 · 2026-08-04github.com/zammad/zammad/releases/tag/7.1.2
Can you do it today?
Get started
1. Use the hosted versionCommercial hosted plans available from Zammad GmbH; pricing on website.
2. Run with Docker
git clone https://github.com/zammad/zammad-docker-compose && cd zammad-docker-compose && docker compose up -dGitHub
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Topics
customer-carecustomer-supporthelpdeskrailsruby