Erxes vs GLPI
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted helpdesk & ticketing options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
GLPI
IT asset management and service desk
| Feature | Erxes | GLPI |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 89 · Excellent | 91 · Excellent |
| Category | Helpdesk & Ticketing | Helpdesk & Ticketing |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,085 | ★ 6,382 |
| First released | 2017 | 2003 |
| Replaces | Zendesk, Intercom, HubSpot | ServiceNow, Zendesk |
What are Erxes and GLPI?
Erxes
Erxes is an open-source experience operating system that combines a help desk, ticketing, live chat, and CRM in one platform. Its ticketing module routes conversations from many channels into a unified agent inbox.
- Omnichannel inbox
- Plugin marketplace
- Built-in CRM
- Live chat widget
GLPI
GLPI is a free IT service management software combining a helpdesk ticketing system with IT asset and inventory management. It is widely used by IT departments.
- ITIL-aligned service desk
- Asset and inventory management
- Self-service portal
- Large plugin ecosystem
Erxes vs GLPI: key differences
Erxes is written in TypeScript, while GLPI is built with PHP. GLPI is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for Erxes. GLPI is the more established project (first released 2003), while Erxes arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose Erxes if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Active community (4.1k GitHub stars)
Choose GLPI if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 6.4k GitHub stars
- Written in PHP
Frequently asked questions
Is Erxes or GLPI better?
GLPI is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Erxes if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Erxes and GLPI free and open-source?
Yes. Erxes is licensed under GPL-3.0 and GLPI under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Erxes and GLPI with Docker?
Erxes: yes. GLPI: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Erxes or GLPI?
GLPI has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for Erxes. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.