Best free ticketing systems in 2025

Simplify customer service without spending a dime with the best free ticketing systems of 2025. Explore practical features and benefits, including the AI-powered capabilities of Freshdesk, to deliver exceptional customer support.

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Mar 28, 202511 MIN READ

All businesses want to keep customer concerns in check and respond to them quickly. But we understand that managing support requests can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where free ticketing systems come in.

Without the complexity or upfront cost of a complete-scale solution, these systems enable you to track client requests, simplify responses, and enhance service delivery. While some systems stress simplicity and ease of use, others stand out with automation and scalability. This guide contains a list of the best free ticketing systems, compared by features and a fit that enables employees to provide outstanding service from the first day. Let's start by checking out some features to consider in a free ticketing system.

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Key features to look for in a free ticketing system

Not all free ticketing systems are created equal. So, how do you pick the best one? It all comes down to what your team needs most. The best tools help you manage high ticket volumes, improve response times, and deliver seamless support without adding unnecessary complexity.

Whether you’re a small team or just testing new processes, these must-have features set the best free ticketing software apart:

1. Knowledge base for self-service

A built-in knowledge base allows you to construct a library of answers to frequently asked topics, empowering consumers to handle difficulties on their own. This lowers incoming ticket volume and allows your agents more time to concentrate on complex issues, benefiting customer satisfaction and efficiency. Freshdesk lets you design a self-service site where users can quickly locate answers, hence lowering ticket loads and increasing resolution speed.

2. Organized ticket management

A solid free ticketing system logs, categorizes, prioritizes, and tracks every customer request across channels. With clear status updates and streamlined workflows, your team can handle high ticket volumes without letting anything get missed. Freshdesk’s AI-powered ticketing features include automatic tagging, conversation history tracking, and unified dashboards to manage all customer inquiries in one place.

3. Automation for faster workflows

Why spend time on repetitive manual tasks when you can automate them? Look for features like auto-routing, priority tagging, and AI-powered responses, which speed up resolutions and reduce workload. Freshdesk's workflow automation enables enterprises to establish rule-based actions, automatically allocate tickets, and dispatch alerts, guaranteeing that no requests are neglected.

4. Seamless ticket escalation

Not every ticket can be handled at the frontline. Built-in escalation rules ensure that critical or complex issues automatically reach senior agents or specialists, keeping your response times sharp and your customers happy. Freshdesk’s intelligent escalation system ensures that tickets nearing SLA breaches are escalated to the right team at the right time, improving service reliability.

5. Smart ticket distribution

Balanced workloads make for happier teams and faster responses. Look for free tools that automatically assign tickets based on agent availability, skillset, or department and, if possible, leverage AI to match requests to the most qualified agent. Freshdesk’s AI-powered auto-assignment distributes tickets equitably among agents, ensuring an efficient and balanced workload.

6. Omnichannel support options

Your customers expect to reach you wherever they are, whether by email, live chat, social media, or phone. The best free ticketing systems unify all these channels into one dashboard, giving your agents full context without switching between tools. Freshdesk’s omnichannel support consolidates conversations from email, WhatsApp, Messenger, phone, live chat, and social media, providing a single-pane view for agents.

7. Actionable analytics and insights

Even with a free system, visibility matters. Reporting tools that track response times, resolution rates, and customer satisfaction give you the data you need to optimize your support processes, turning every ticket into a learning opportunity. Freshdesk’s advanced analytics dashboard provides real-time reports, heatmaps, and CSAT insights, allowing teams to improve customer support efficiency continuously.

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Top 10 free ticketing systems to streamline your support in 2025

Finding the right free ticketing system can make or break your support operations. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a solid help desk tool. Below, we have compared 10 of the best free ticketing systems for 2025, so you can pick the one that works best for your business.

Help Desk SoftwareTicket automationMulti-channel supportKnowledge baseFree plan limitationsBest for
FreshdeskYesYes (Email, Chat, Social)Yes10 agents limitSmall and growing businesses
HelpDeskYesNo (Email only)NoBasic email supportSimple email-based support
Zoho DeskYesYes (Email, Phone, Chat)Yes3 agents limitAI-driven support with CRM integration
osTicketYesNo (Email & Web only)NoSelf-hosted version freeIT teams needing customization
LiveAgentYesYes (Live Chat, Social)No1 agent limitReal-time customer support
SpiceworksNoNo (Email only)NoFree foreverIT support teams
ProProfs Help DeskYesYes (Email, Chat)YesLimited automation
HubSpot Service HubYesYes (Omnichannel)YesLimited advanced featuresBusinesses using HubSpot CRM
ZenddeskYesYes (Email, Chat, Social, AI Bot)YesLimited automation & reporting in free planBusinesses needing AI-driven support
UVdeskYesYes (E-commerce focus)YesOpen-source setup requiredOnline retailers needing ticketing integration

1. Freshdesk

Freshdesk is an AI-powered customer service solution that enables organizations to streamline customer support across several channels. It provides strong automation, omnichannel support, and a self-service knowledge library to improve client interactions. While Freshdesk is a feature-rich customer service tool, it provides a free plan that lets companies properly handle support operations free from initial expenses. Starting from the free ticketing software, which offers necessary facilities such as email ticketing, knowledge base access, and team collaboration, it is a perfect place for developing companies. Its AI-driven automation and easy-to-use interface make it a great option for companies trying to improve the help desk efficiency without paying extra costs.

Key features

  • AI-powered ticketing: Freddy AI automates ticket categorization, response suggestions, and resolution.

  • Omnichannel support: Manage tickets from email, chat, phone, social media, and website in one place.

  • Self-service portal and knowledge base: Customers can find answers on their own, reducing ticket volume.

  • Collision detection and team collaboration: Avoid duplicate responses and collaborate within tickets.

  • Automation and SLA management: Set ticket priorities, auto-assign tickets, and ensure timely responses.

  • Reports and analytics: Gain insights into agent performance, response times, and customer satisfaction.

Pros

  • User-friendly interface

  • AI and automation capabilities in the free plan

  • Scalable with premium features for growing teams

  • Strong integration options with CRM and third-party tools

Cons

  • Limited automation in the free plan

  • Free plan supports only two agents

Best for: Startups and small businesses needing scalable, AI-powered free ticketing software

Why customers like it: Users appreciate Freshdesk for its intuitive dashboard, automation tools, and ability to manage support tickets across multiple channels seamlessly.

2. HelpDesk

HelpDesk is a cloud-based free ticketing tool to improve team collaboration and automate customer support workflows. It offers a simple ticketing interface with shared inbox functionality for managing customer requests effectively.

Key features

  • Centralized ticket management

  • Email-based ticket creation and tracking

  • Customizable ticket views and filtering

  • Internal notes and agent collaboration tools

  • SLA tracking for ticket prioritization

Pros

Cons

  • Limited to email-based support

  • Free plan offers basic functionalities only

Best for: Businesses looking for a straightforward, email-focused ticketing system

Why customers like it: Users value its simplicity and effective email ticketing for small to medium-sized businesses.

3. Zoho Desk

Driven by artificial intelligence, Zoho Desk is a free ticketing tool helping companies effectively manage their support operations. It offers clients a self-service knowledge base and blends easily with other Zoho products.

Key features

  • AI-powered ticket responses

  • Multi-channel support (email, phone, chat)

  • Workflow automation and macros

  • Self-service knowledge base

  • Integration with Zoho CRM

Pros

  • AI-powered assistance through Zia (Zoho’s AI)

  • Omnichannel support in the free plan

  • Customizable workflows

Cons

  • Free plan supports only three agents

  • Limited automation capabilities in the free plan

Best for: Small businesses needing AI-driven customer support with CRM integration

Why customers like it: Users like its integration with the Zoho ecosystem, making it a powerful solution for businesses already using Zoho products.

4. osTicket

osTicket is an open-source ticketing system that provides both self-hosted and cloud-based options. It offers configurable ticket workflows, rendering it a versatile choice for enterprises requiring comprehensive control over their support procedures.

Key features

  • Customizable ticket workflows

  • Multi-channel ticket submission (email, web forms)

  • SLA-based escalation

  • Ticket filtering and routing

  • Open-source flexibility

Pros

  • Fully customizable and open-source

  • No user limit for the self-hosted version

  • Strong workflow automation

Cons

  • Requires technical expertise for setup

  • No built-in live chat support

Best for: Businesses with IT teams that prefer open-source ticketing solutions for complete customization

Why customers like it: Users appreciate its open-source flexibility, allowing businesses to customize workflows and integrate additional functionalities.

5. LiveAgent

LiveAgent is a free multi-channel ticketing system that connects businesses with email, chat, and social media platforms. It is optimal for organizations seeking a complementary ticketing solution with real-time assistance capabilities.

Key features

  • Email, live chat, and social media ticketing

  • Automated ticket distribution

  • Internal team collaboration tools

  • Canned responses and automated workflows

  • Ticket merging and split options

Pros

  • Excellent live chat and real-time support features

  • User-friendly interface with automation capabilities

  • Multi-channel communication support

Cons

  • The free plan supports only one agent

  • Limited reporting and analytics in the free version

Best for: Businesses that rely on live chat support as part of their customer service strategy

Why customers like it: Users appreciate its multi-channel support and automation features, making it easier to handle real-time customer inquiries efficiently.

6. Spiceworks

Spiceworks is a free help desk ticketing solution designed particularly for IT support teams. It provides a self-hosted or cloud-based solution equipped with fundamental ticketing functionalities.

Key features

  • IT-focused ticketing and asset management

  • Email ticketing with automation rules

  • Self-service portal with FAQs

  • Customizable reporting and dashboards

  • Active community forum for IT professionals

Pros

  • 100% free, with no hidden costs

  • IT-focused ticketing and asset tracking

  • Active community support for troubleshooting

Cons

  • Lacks modern AI and automation features

  • Limited customization options

Best for: IT teams looking for a free, reliable internal IT service management ticketing system

Why customers like it: Users appreciate its zero-cost model and dedicated IT-focused capabilities, making it an excellent option for IT service teams.

7. ProProfs Help Desk

ProProfs Help Desk is an uncomplicated yet effective free ticketing software that enables firms to oversee customer care via email, live chat, and knowledge bases. It is intended for small enterprises requiring a user-friendly solution.

Key features

  • Email ticketing with automation

  • Shared inbox for better team collaboration

  • Live chat support

  • Knowledge base integration

  • SLA tracking and reporting

Pros

  • User-friendly and requires minimal setup

  • Good collaboration features for small teams

  • Knowledge base integration improves self-service options

Cons

  • The free plan supports only a limited number of agents

  • Lacks advanced automation features

Best for: Small businesses needing a simple and easy-to-use free ticketing system

Why customers like it: Users appreciate its ease of use and quick setup, making it an excellent option for teams with basic support requirements.

8. HubSpot Service Hub

HubSpot Service Hub is a customer service software designed to help businesses scale their support and enhance customer retention. It includes a help desk, knowledge base, and customer feedback management, all integrated with HubSpot's CRM. This gives you a 360-degree view of the customer journey to transform customer experience into a revenue driver.

Key features

Pros

  • Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM

  • User-friendly interface

  • Comprehensive all-in-one solution

Cons

  • Can become expensive, especially for larger teams

  • Limited customization options compared to specialized customer service platforms

Best for: Businesses that already use HubSpot and need a free ticketing platform with CRM integration

Why customers like it: Users like its native CRM integration and AI-powered automation,

making customer service more efficient.

9. Zendesk

Zendesk for Service is a flexible ticketing system driven by AI that helps businesses handle customer queries quickly and effectively. Businesses can improve response times and resolution rates by streamlining assistance across email, chat, social media, and AI chatbots with a consolidated help desk.

Key features

  • AI-driven automated ticketing workflows

  • Multi-channel support (email, chat, phone, and social media)

  • Self-service knowledge base and AI-powered chatbot

  • Ticket routing and SLA management

  • Customizable reporting and analytics

Pros

  • AI-powered automation enhances efficiency

  • Strong omnichannel support with chatbot integration

  • Scalable for businesses of all sizes

Cons

  • Free plan has limited automation and reporting features

  • Some advanced features require paid upgrades

Best for: Businesses that require an AI-driven free ticketing system with strong multi-channel support and self-service capabilities.

Why customers like it: Users appreciate Zendesk’s intuitive interface, AI-powered automation, and ability to manage high ticket volumes efficiently.

10. UVdesk

UVdesk is an open-source help desk solution that provides businesses with a scalable, customizable free ticketing platform. It offers multi-channel ticketing and strong integrations with e-commerce platforms.

Key features

  • Open-source and cloud-based ticketing

  • Multichannel ticket submission (email, chat, social media)

  • Knowledge base and customer portal

  • Ticket automation and SLA management

  • E-commerce platform integrations (Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce)

Pros

  • Highly customizable open-source solution

  • Best for e-commerce businesses needing help desk support

  • Strong automation features

Cons

  • Requires some technical expertise for setup

  • Limited third-party integrations outside of e-commerce

Best for: E-commerce businesses that need an open-source, scalable ticketing system

Why customers like it: Users like its flexibility and strong e-commerce integrations, making it a top choice for online retailers.

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Benefits of using free help desk software

A free ticketing system helps businesses streamline support operations without high costs. While premium solutions offer advanced features, free help desk software provides efficient request management, automation, and scalability.

1. Efficiently manages support requests

A free ticketing software guarantees that all client inquiries are recorded, classified, and monitored, minimizing lost emails and protracted responses. Automated ticket procedures enable firms to prioritize and handle issues more swiftly.

2. Increases support team productivity

Automation reduces manual sorting and assignment, allowing agents to focus on critical issues. Features like self-service knowledge bases further cut down on ticket volume, enhancing efficiency.

3. Improves customer satisfaction

Faster resolutions and automated ticket routing ensure customers get timely support. Multi-channel support and SLA tracking help maintain service consistency, boosting customer trust.

4. Saves costs for businesses

For startups and SMBs, a free ticketing tool offers essential features without an upfront investment. Businesses can scale gradually, upgrading only when advanced functionalities are needed.

How to choose the right free help desk software

Selecting the right free ticketing system requires evaluating your business needs, key features, and future scalability. Here’s how to make an informed decision:

1. Assess your needs

Identify your support concerns, including whether you require a solution for IT support, customer service, or internal team cooperation. Comprehending your requirements facilitates the selection of a complimentary ticketing instrument that corresponds with your process.

2. Identify key features

Look for essential features like ticket automation, multi-channel support, knowledge base, and reporting tools. A strong free ticketing software should offer efficient ticket management and workflow automation to streamline operations.

3. Plan for growth, not just today

While free plans offer solid functionality, consider potential upgrade costs if your business requires advanced features later. When scaling, ensure the platform provides a seamless transition from free to paid plans.

4. Consider scalability

Your free ticketing platform should support your business as it grows. Choose a system that allows you to add more agents, integrate with other tools, and customize workflows over time.

5. Test drive before committing

Before committing, take advantage of free trials or free plans to evaluate the usability, automation, and reporting capabilities of each help desk software. Testing ensures that the platform fits your team’s workflow and business requirements.

Find the best free ticketing system with Freshdesk

Choosing theright free ticketing system will help companies improve response times, automate processes, and simplify customer service without additional expenses. Effective ticket management, multi-channel assistance, and flawless teamwork guaranteed by a well-organized help desk finally result in increased customer satisfaction. Designed for companies of all kinds, Freshdesk is a powerful, artificial intelligence free ticketing tool. Freshdesk helps support teams provide faster resolutions and improve customer interactions by providing automatic ticket assignment, omnichannel assistance, SLA tracking, and a self-service knowledge library. Get your Freshdesk demo today, if you want something scalable and manageable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What differentiates a help desk from a ticketing system?

Live chat, knowledge bases, and automation are just a few of the several options available in a help desk, it is more of a general support tool for handling consumer service inquiries. Conversely, a ticketing system especially targets orderly logging, tracking, and resolving of support tickets. A ticketing system is typically a basic capability of most support desks.

Can small businesses benefit from free ticketing software?

Without spending in costly software, small businesses can utilize free ticketing applications to simplify customer questions, automate ticket workflows, and increase response times. Many free ticketing systems provide necessary tools to enable expanding companies to scale effectively like multi-channel assistance, automation, and reporting.

How does automation improve ticket management?

By routing tickets to the correct agents, giving urgent requests first priority, and providing automated customer responses, automation aids. This guarantees more effective handling of tickets, lowers handwork, and helps to avoid delays.

Is free ticketing software secure?

Most respectable free ticketing systems adhere to industry standards, data encryption, and role-based access restrictions. Businesses should, therefore, check the security policies of every platform and upgrade if necessary to provide more protection.

When should I upgrade from free ticketing software to a paid plan?

Should your support team expand, ticket volume escalates, or advanced functionalities such as AI automation, custom reports, or integrations become requisite, transitioning to a paid ticketing system may prove advantageous. Businesses must assess their scalability requirements and customer support objectives before implementing the transition.