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Best BOSSDesk Alternatives in 2026

#25 of 49 in IT Help Desk Software

The top BOSSDesk alternatives are ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, Freshservice and SolarWinds Service Desk: 15 IT help desk software our editors would look at instead of BOSSDesk, in our ranking order.

6.7/10Editor score
BOSSDesk6.7 Visit BOSSDesk

BOSSDesk: BOSSDesk combines ticketing, service workflows, and asset tracking with cloud or on-premise deployment. Where it falls short: no free plan; paid plans are billed annually.

Switching from BOSSDesk? For most it help desk software buyers the best BOSSDesk alternative is ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, built for broad ITSM with strong value. On a budget, Desk365 starts at $12/user/mo, against $29/user/mo for BOSSDesk.

Why People Look for a BOSSDesk Alternative

  • No free plan; paid plans are billed annually
  • Problem and change management start with the Professional plan
  • Enterprise is required for SAML SSO and API access
  • No free plan — 6 of the alternatives below have it
  • Paid from $29/user/mo — Desk365 is $12/user/mo

Quick Picks by What You Need

All 15 BOSSDesk Alternatives, Ranked

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

  1. Best forBroad ITSM with strong value

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Free plan
    • Paid from: $13/user/mo vs $29/user/mo
    • Editor score 9.3 vs 6.7

    A broad ITSM suite with a free plan, asset management, CMDB, automation, and AI.

    • Mobile apps
    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    Free plan · 30-day trial Our ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus verdict → Visit site
    9.3/10★★★★★
    Visit site
  2. Best forPolished ITSM for growing teams

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Paid from: $19/user/mo vs $29/user/mo
    • Editor score 9.2 vs 6.7

    Deep ITSM, asset management, automation and AI for growing service teams.

    • Mobile apps
    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    9.2/10★★★★★
    Visit Freshservice
  3. Best forEnterprise ITSM with CMDB depth

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Editor score 9.1 vs 6.7

    A mature ITSM suite for teams that need CMDB, asset, SLA, and change-management depth.

    • Mobile apps
    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    9.1/10★★★★★
    Visit SolarWinds
  4. Best forEmployee service desks needing omnichannel AI support

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Editor score 9.0 vs 6.7

    A broad employee service desk with AI, self-service, ticketing and workflow tools.

    • Asset management
    • SLA management
    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit Zendesk
  5. GLPI

    Best forOpen-source asset and ticket management

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Free plan
    • Editor score 8.9 vs 6.7

    A broad open-source ITSM suite for teams pairing ticketing with asset control.

    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    • Employee portal
    Free plan · 45-day trial Our GLPI verdict → Visit GLPI
    8.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit GLPI
  6. Desk365

    Best forAffordable Microsoft-centric help desks

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Free plan
    • Paid from: $12/user/mo vs $29/user/mo
    • Editor score 8.8 vs 6.7

    An affordable Microsoft-centric help desk with broad ITSM coverage and a free plan.

    • Mobile apps
    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    Free plan · 21-day trial Our Desk365 verdict → Visit Desk365
    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit Desk365
  7. SysAid

    Best forAI-heavy enterprise service desks

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Editor score 8.7 vs 6.7

    A broad, AI-heavy service desk for enterprises that can justify its 89-per-agent starting price.

    • Mobile apps
    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit SysAid
  8. Zammad

    Best forLow-cost open-source ticketing

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Free plan
    • Editor score 8.6 vs 6.7

    A low-cost open-source help desk with strong ticketing, workflows, SLAs, and self-service tools.

    • Single sign-on
    • Employee portal
    • SLA management
    Open source · 30-day trial Our Zammad verdict → Visit Zammad
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Zammad
  9. Best forEnterprise workflow-heavy IT teams

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Editor score 8.5 vs 6.7

    A broad ITSM platform for enterprise teams managing complex service workflows.

    • Mobile apps
    • Approval workflows
    • Employee portal
    8.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit TeamDynamix
  10. Best forTeams wanting configurable workflows and AI assistance

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Editor score 8.4 vs 6.7

    Configurable IT service management with AI, mobile tools, and cloud or self-hosted options.

    • Mobile apps
    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit InvGate
  11. Best forAsset-focused service desks

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Paid from: $19/user/mo vs $29/user/mo
    • Editor score 8.2 vs 6.7

    A broad IT service desk with strong asset coverage and tiered ITSM depth.

    • Mobile apps
    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Try Alloy Navigator
  12. Vivantio

    Best forCross-department service desks with CMDB needs

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Editor score 8.1 vs 6.7

    A cloud service desk with ITIL workflows, CMDB capabilities and cross-department support.

    • Asset management
    • Knowledge base
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit Vivantio
  13. Best forSelf-hosted or cloud help desks

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Paid from: $24/user/mo vs $29/user/mo
    • Editor score 8.0 vs 6.7

    A flexible help desk with cloud and perpetual self-hosted deployment options.

    • Mobile apps
    • Single sign-on
    • Employee portal
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit Jitbit
  14. OTOBO

    Best forOpen-source service management

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Free plan
    • Editor score 7.8 vs 6.7

    A broad, license-free service management platform for teams that can self-host.

    • Approval workflows
    • Single sign-on
    • Employee portal
    Free plan Our OTOBO verdict → Visit OTOBO
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit OTOBO
  15. Best forFree, customizable ticket operations

    • Better than BOSSDesk:
    • Free plan
    • Editor score 7.7 vs 6.7

    A capable free help desk for teams comfortable managing a self-hosted system.

    • SLA management
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Try Request Tracker

BOSSDesk Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to BOSSDesk?

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus: #1 in our IT Help Desk Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad ITSM suite with a free plan, asset management, CMDB, automation, and AI.

Is there a free alternative to BOSSDesk?

Yes. ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, GLPI, Desk365, Zammad and OTOBO have a free plan or a free tier (6 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

What is the cheapest paid alternative to BOSSDesk?

Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Desk365 starts lowest, at $12/user/mo.

Why do people look for BOSSDesk alternatives?

No free plan; paid plans are billed annually; Problem and change management start with the Professional plan; Enterprise is required for SAML SSO and API access.

How do I switch from BOSSDesk?

Export your data from BOSSDesk (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel BOSSDesk.

How to Switch from BOSSDesk

  1. Export your data from BOSSDesk (most tools have an export in their settings).
  2. Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
  3. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
  4. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel BOSSDesk.

BOSSDesk vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromSLA managementKnowledge baseEmployee portalAsset managementScore
25BOSSDeskNo$29/user/moYesYesYesYes6.7
1ManageEngine ServiceDesk PlusYes$13/user/moYesYesYesYes9.3
2FreshserviceNo$19/user/moYesYesYesYes9.2
3SolarWinds Service DeskNo$39/seat/moYesYesYesYes9.1
4Zendesk Employee ServiceNo$29/user/moYesYes9.0
5GLPIYes€19/user/moYesYesYesYes8.9
6Desk365Yes$12/user/moYesYesYesYes8.8
7SysAidNo$89/user/moYesYesYesYes8.7
8ZammadYes€7/seat/moYesYesYes8.6
9TeamDynamix ITSMNoYesYesYesYes8.5
10InvGate Service ManagementNo$500/user/yrYesYesYesYes8.4
11Alloy NavigatorNo$19/user/moYesYesYesYes8.2
12VivantioNo$49/user/moYesYes8.1
13Jitbit HelpdeskNo$24/moYesYesYesYes8.0
14OTOBOYesFreeYesYesYesYes7.8
15Request TrackerYesFreeYes7.7

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update