Zavu Inbox review
A self-hosted, contact-centered inbox foundation for teams building around Zavu API.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Zavu Inbox is an open-source, self-hosted shared inbox built on the Zavu API. It brings SMS, WhatsApp, email, Telegram, Instagram, and Messenger conversations into contact-centered threads, with assignment and status filters for teams handling customer messages. Private notes with teammate mentions, saved replies, contact properties, and tasks support shared work around those conversations. Its clearest fit is for developers wanting an inbox foundation they can run themselves rather than a separately priced hosted inbox product.
The project documents Docker or Node deployment and support for SQLite, Turso, and PostgreSQL backends. Zavu handles messaging infrastructure, delivery, compliance, and AI-agent functionality. This makes the inbox part of a Zavu-centered setup: teams can use scheduled outbound messages, business-hours settings and out-of-hours auto-replies, while AI-agent conversation transcripts and dry runs are also included. The listed integrations are the Zavu API and those database backends, so buyers should assess the fit against their intended infrastructure before adopting it.
Operational flexibility comes with responsibilities: the repository documents self-hosting, and setup requires a Zavu account with at least one sender. The available collaboration features include assignment, notes, filters, and tasks, but assignment-rule automation and collision detection are not verified. Teams looking for a hosted inbox, mobile apps, or a more automated assignment workflow should compare alternatives; developers comfortable operating a self-hosted service and building around Zavu API have a more aligned use case.
Zavu Inbox pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Organizes SMS, WhatsApp, email, Telegram, Instagram, and Messenger in contact threads
- Includes assignments, private notes, saved replies, tasks, and scheduled messages
- Supports Docker or Node with SQLite, Turso, and PostgreSQL backends
- Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosting and a Zavu account with at least one sender
- No verified mobile apps or collision detection
- Assignment-rule automation is not verified
Zavu Inbox fact sheet, pricing and score →
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