Best ITSM / Help Desk Ticketing Software · 2026

Freshservice logoFreshservice vs Zammad logoZammad

Freshservice vs Zammad: on our data-weighted scoring, Zammad edges ahead (8.3 vs 8.1/10). Freshservice starts at $19/agent/mo and is best for internal it teams wanting modern itsm with strong automation; Zammad starts at EUR 7/agent/mo and is best for teams wanting a modern, open-source help desk with an optional managed cloud. Choose Zammad for the stronger overall track record; consider Freshservice if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.

Our pick

Freshservice

8.6/10
MSP Compared score
Starting price
$19/agent/mo
Reviews
4.6/5 (~1.2k G2 reviews)
Free trial
14 days
Deployment
Cloud
Best for
Internal IT teams wanting modern ITSM with strong automation
Visit Freshservice →

Zammad

7.9/10
MSP Compared score
Starting price
EUR 7/agent/mo
Reviews
4.5/5 (~10 G2 reviews)
Free trial
Free tier + free trial
Deployment
Cloud + self-host
Best for
Teams wanting a modern, open-source help desk with an optional managed cloud
Visit Zammad →

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Strengths at a glance

Six criteria, each scored 0–10 on the same scale from real review data, public pricing and feature coverage. See our methodology →

EditorialUser reviewsAdoptionAffordabilityFeature breadthEase of trial
FreshserviceZammad
CriterionFreshserviceZammad
Editorial 8.1 8.3
User reviews 9.2 9.0
Adoption 8.2 2.8
Affordability 3.3 9.5
Feature breadth 5.0 9.0
Ease of trial 6.0 10.0

Freshservice vs Zammad: head-to-head

Freshservice vs Zammad — specs and pricing
FreshserviceZammad
Starting price $19/agent/mo EUR 7/agent/mo
Pricing model per agent per user
Free trial / tier 14 days Free tier + free trial
Best for Internal IT teams wanting modern ITSM with strong automation Teams wanting a modern, open-source help desk with an optional managed cloud
Deployment Cloud Cloud + self-host
G2 rating 4.6/5 (1200) 4.5/5 (10)
Capterra rating
Our score 8.1 8.3

Choose Freshservice if…

You need internal it teams wanting modern itsm with strong automation.

Pros

  • Clean modern UI
  • Strong automation
  • Good ITIL features

Cons

  • Per-agent costs climb
  • Some features only on Pro+
  • Aimed at internal IT not MSP

Freshservice pricing · review

Choose Zammad if…

You need teams wanting a modern, open-source help desk with an optional managed cloud.

Pros

  • Free
  • modern open-source core
  • Clean
  • intuitive UI
  • Hosted + self-hosted flexibility

Cons

  • AI features cost extra
  • Self-hosting needs more resources
  • Smaller ecosystem than incumbents

Zammad pricing · review

In depth

Pricing: Zammad vs Freshservice

Zammad bills on a per user model from EUR 7/agent/mo (free tier available), while Freshservice uses a per agent model from $19/agent/mo (14 days trial). Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.

Features & deployment

Zammad ships 9 headline capabilities (Open-source self-hosted core, Multi-channel (email, chat, Telegram) and deploys Cloud + self-host. Freshservice ships 5 (ITSM ticketing, Asset management, Workflow automation, AI (Freddy)), deploying Cloud.

Ratings & verdict

Zammad holds 4.5/5 (~10 G2 reviews); Freshservice holds 4.6/5 (~1.2k G2 reviews). On our data-weighted score, Zammad edges ahead (8.3 vs 8.1/10). Pick Freshservice instead when internal it teams wanting modern itsm with strong automation. See Zammad alternatives or Freshservice alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

Freshservice vs Zammad: which is better?
Freshservice vs Zammad: on our data-weighted scoring, Zammad edges ahead (8.3 vs 8.1/10). Freshservice starts at $19/agent/mo and is best for internal it teams wanting modern itsm with strong automation; Zammad starts at EUR 7/agent/mo and is best for teams wanting a modern, open-source help desk with an optional managed cloud.
Is Freshservice cheaper than Zammad?
Freshservice starts at $19/agent/mo and Zammad starts at EUR 7/agent/mo (see the pricing rows for models and limits).
Data as of June 16, 2026. Sources: freshworks.com, zammad.com. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.