MailDesk vs osTicket
See how MailDesk compares to osTicket for email ticketing and customer support
Last updated: 2026-03-30
Feature Comparison
Why Teams Switch to MailDesk
Modern UI built for 2026
osTicket's interface hasn't changed in years. MailDesk offers a modern React UI with dark mode, real-time updates, and responsive design.
AI-powered support
osTicket has zero AI capabilities. MailDesk includes AI replies with knowledge base RAG and automatic translation.
Built-in team collaboration
osTicket has basic ticket locking. MailDesk offers real-time team chat with channels, threads, @mentions, and file sharing.
No scaling headaches
osTicket degrades at 15–30 agents. MailDesk is built on modern infrastructure (PostgreSQL, Redis, SSE) designed to scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is osTicket free?
Yes, osTicket is GPL2 open source and completely free. MailDesk has a free tier (2 agents, 100 tickets/month) and paid plans starting at €29/month.
Why choose MailDesk over free osTicket?
osTicket is free but has an outdated UI, no AI features, no team chat, and scaling issues. MailDesk offers a modern experience with AI, real-time collaboration, and professional support.
Can I migrate from osTicket to MailDesk?
Yes. Both systems use standard email protocols. You can transition your mailboxes to MailDesk and start receiving new tickets immediately.
Does MailDesk work on shared hosting like osTicket?
MailDesk requires Docker (self-hosted) or can be used as a cloud service. It doesn't run on traditional shared PHP hosting like osTicket.
Ready to switch from osTicket?
Try MailDesk free — no credit card required. Cloud or self-hosted.