Erxes vs Libredesk
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted helpdesk & ticketing options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Erxes | Libredesk |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 89 · Excellent | 87 · Excellent |
| Category | Helpdesk & Ticketing | Helpdesk & Ticketing |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,085 | ★ 2,959 |
| First released | 2017 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Zendesk, Intercom, HubSpot | Zendesk, Intercom |
What are Erxes and Libredesk?
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
Libredesk
Libredesk is a self-hosted, open-source customer support tool. It offers shared inboxes, SLA management, automations, and reporting in a clean modern interface.
- Shared inbox and SLAs
- Automation rules
- Canned responses
- Single binary deployment
Erxes vs Libredesk: key differences
Erxes is written in TypeScript, while Libredesk is built with Go. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Erxes versus AGPL-3.0 for Libredesk. Libredesk is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for Erxes. Erxes is the more established project (first released 2017), while Libredesk arrived in 2024.
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 Libredesk if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3k GitHub stars)
- Written in Go
Frequently asked questions
Is Erxes or Libredesk better?
Neither is universally better. Erxes has the larger community, while Libredesk is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Erxes and Libredesk free and open-source?
Yes. Erxes is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Libredesk under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Erxes and Libredesk with Docker?
Erxes: yes. Libredesk: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Erxes or Libredesk?
Libredesk 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.