Chatwoot
Open-source customer support platform you can self-host for free or use their cloud starting at $19/agent
Chatwoot is the open-source alternative to Intercom that bootstrapped founders actually use. You can self-host the community edition for free on a $5-10/month VPS, or use their managed cloud starting at $19 per agent per month (Startups plan). Cloud tiers go up to $99/agent for Enterprise, and every paid plan includes Captain AI credits for automated replies — 300, 500, or 800 depending on your tier.
The self-hosted route is where Chatwoot shines for one-person operations. You get live chat, email, social channels, and a knowledge base without a monthly per-seat fee. The trade-off is real though: you are your own DevOps team, handling updates and uptime. If you are comfortable with Docker and basic server admin, this is the cheapest way to get a professional multi-channel support setup. If the idea of maintaining infrastructure makes you nervous, their cloud plans or Crisp’s free tier are simpler paths.
What's good
- Fully open-source under MIT license — self-host on your own server at zero cost
- Omnichannel inbox covers live chat, email, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram
- Cloud plans include AI credits (Captain AI) for automated responses out of the box
Watch out for
- Self-hosting means you handle updates, backups, and server maintenance yourself
- Smaller plugin and integration ecosystem compared to Intercom or Freshdesk
- WhatsApp and SMS channels add external costs that are not included in the plan price
Alternatives
More in Customer Support
Crisp
Live chat, shared inbox, and knowledge base in one — with a free tier that actually works
Freshdesk
Traditional helpdesk with ticketing, knowledge base, and automation — with a usable free tier for up to 2 agents
Help Scout
Help desk that looks and feels like regular email — customers never feel like a ticket number