Peppermint
Open-source helpdesk and ticket management solution
About Peppermint
Peppermint is a fully open-source, self-hosted helpdesk and issue tracking platform designed as a free alternative to Zendesk and Jira. Built with Next.js and PostgreSQL, it offers ticket management, email-to-ticket conversion, client tracking, and notebook features while running on lightweight infrastructure via Docker or Kubernetes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no per-agent or per-ticket pricing
- Lightweight enough to run on minimal hardware, keeping infrastructure costs near zero
- Easy Docker deployment with one-command setup gets teams operational in minutes
- Self-hosted architecture ensures full data privacy and sovereignty
- Active development community with regular releases and Discord support
- Modern tech stack (Next.js, React, Prisma, PostgreSQL) makes it easy for developers to extend
Cons
- No managed/hosted option — requires technical knowledge to deploy and maintain
- Lacks advanced features found in mature platforms like SLA management, advanced reporting, and AI-powered routing
- Still in pre-1.0 development (v0.5.x) so breaking changes and bugs may occur
- Limited third-party integrations compared to commercial helpdesk solutions
- No official mobile app — relies on responsive web design for mobile access
Key Features
Ticket Management
Create, assign, and track support tickets with a markdown editor, file uploads, and customizable workflows for both internal and external requests.
Email-to-Ticket Conversion
Integrated mailbox support via SMTP and IMAP that automatically converts incoming emails into trackable support tickets.
Client Interaction History
Logs complete interaction history per client, giving support agents full context on previous conversations and issues.
Markdown Notebook
Built-in notebook feature with markdown support and task lists for internal documentation, knowledge sharing, and note-taking.
OIDC Authentication
Single sign-on support through OpenID Connect, allowing integration with existing identity providers like Keycloak, Okta, or Azure AD.
Webhook Notifications
Configurable webhook and email notifications to keep teams informed of ticket updates and important events in real time.
Docker & Kubernetes Deployment
Easy deployment via Docker Compose with support for Kubernetes scaling, plus one-click installers for Ubuntu/Debian and Linode Marketplace availability.
Lightweight Architecture
Designed to run on low-end hardware with minimal resource requirements, making it accessible for small teams and budget-conscious organizations.
Responsive Design
Fully responsive interface that works seamlessly across mobile devices, tablets, and 4K displays for managing tickets on the go.
Internationalization Support
Built-in i18n framework allowing the platform to be translated and localized for teams working in different languages.
Pricing
- Unlimited tickets
- Unlimited agents
- Docker & Kubernetes deployment
- Email-to-ticket (SMTP/IMAP)
- OIDC authentication
- Webhook notifications
- Markdown notebook
- Community support via Discord
Best For
Small Team Internal IT Support
Small businesses and startups can deploy Peppermint to handle internal IT requests and employee support tickets without paying for expensive per-agent helpdesk licenses.
Customer Support for SaaS Products
Software companies can self-host Peppermint as a customer-facing helpdesk with email-to-ticket conversion, keeping support costs at zero while maintaining full control over customer data.
Privacy-Focused Organizations
Companies in regulated industries or privacy-conscious organizations can use Peppermint's self-hosted architecture to ensure all support data stays on their own infrastructure.
Developer and DevOps Teams
Technical teams familiar with Docker and Kubernetes can quickly spin up Peppermint as an internal issue tracker and knowledge base alongside their existing infrastructure.
MSPs and IT Service Providers
Managed service providers can deploy Peppermint instances per client to track support requests with full client interaction history and notebook documentation.
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Featured In
7 Best Open-Source Customer Support Platforms You Can Self-Host (2026)
Best lightweight helpdesk for small teams — zero cost, minimal resources, and simple ticket management without the complexity of full-featured platforms
Zendesk Alternatives Without Per-Agent Seat Pricing (2026)
Best for internal IT and small dev-friendly teams who want the simplest possible self-hosted replacement for Zendesk's basic ticketing.