Chatwoot

Chatwoot is an open-source customer engagement platform with shared inboxes, live chat and AI agents across every channel.

Overview

Chatwoot gives support teams one open-source platform for live chat, email, WhatsApp, Twitter, Messenger and more — unified in a shared inbox with contact profiles and conversation history. AI agents handle routine queries and assist human agents with suggested replies grounded in your help center. Being open source, it can be self-hosted for full data control or used as a cloud service, and the API-first design makes customization practical. It is a favorite alternative to proprietary helpdesks for cost-conscious and privacy-conscious teams.

Key Features

• Omnichannel shared inbox across major channels
• Live chat widget with customization
• AI agents and suggested replies
• Open-source with self-hosting option
• Automation rules and SLA management
• REST API and developer-friendly architecture

Pricing

Chatwoot is freemium with a free tier and cloud plans by agent count; self-hosting the open-source edition is free with enterprise support available.

Who Is It For

Support teams that want an affordable or self-hosted alternative to Zendesk and Intercom without sacrificing channel coverage.

FAQ

Is Chatwoot free to use?

Yes — the open-source edition is free to self-host; cloud plans add convenience and support.

Does Chatwoot offer an API?

Yes — comprehensive APIs and webhooks support deep customization and integration.

How does Chatwoot compare to alternatives?

Versus Zendesk or Intercom, Chatwoot is open source and much cheaper; versus Tidio it is broader across channels with more control.

How does self-hosting work?

The open-source edition deploys with Docker on your own infrastructure, giving complete data control; enterprise support is available for larger deployments.

Which channels are supported?

Website live chat, email, WhatsApp, Twitter, Messenger, Instagram, Telegram and more route into one shared inbox with unified contact history.

What automation is available?

Rules route, prioritize and label conversations automatically, and macros speed agent replies for the questions your team answers every day.

How do AI agents fit in?

AI agents handle routine queries using your knowledge base content, escalating complex conversations to humans with full context attached.

Is there a mobile app?

Yes — iOS and Android apps let support teams handle conversations on the go without losing access to the full inbox.

Can we customize the widget?

Colors, positioning, language and pre-chat forms adapt the chat widget to your brand across web and mobile apps.

What reporting is included?

Volume, response time and agent performance reports cover the basics, with APIs for custom analytics.