Trengo vs OTOBO
Both Trengo and OTOBO are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the customer support space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Trengo
EU- Headquarters
- Utrecht, NL
- Pricing
- From €19/mo
- Open Source
- No
OTOBO
EU- Headquarters
- Oberursel, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- OTOBO offers a free tier, while trengo starts at €19/month. If you want to try before you buy, OTOBO lets you get started without any upfront cost.
- OTOBO is open source, giving you full code transparency and the option to self-host. Trengo is proprietary — typically offering a more streamlined setup and managed support, but without the ability to inspect or modify the source code.
- Data residency differs: Trengo hosts data in Netherlands, EU, while OTOBO hosts in Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Trengo was founded in 2017, giving it a 3-year head start over OTOBO (founded 2020). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Trengo offers Omnichannel inbox and WhatsApp Business, while OTOBO provides Ticket system and ITIL processes. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Trengo | OTOBO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Trengo | OTOBO |
| Pricing | From €19/mo | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Utrecht, NL | Oberursel, DE |
| Data Centers | NL, EU | DE |
| Omnichannel inbox | ||
| WhatsApp Business | ||
| Live chat | ||
| Chatbots | ||
| Team collaboration | ||
| Automations | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Custom integrations | ||
| Ticket system | ||
| ITIL processes | ||
| SLA management | ||
| Email and phone channels | ||
| Customer portal | ||
| Knowledge base | ||
| Process management | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Self-hosting |
Pricing Comparison
Trengo
From €19/mosubscription
OTOBO
Freefree (open source) / managed
Compliance Comparison
Trengo
GDPRDPA
OTOBO
GDPRDPA
Get Started
Categories
How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose OTOBO
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Trengo
You're a startup or individual on a budget
Choose OTOBO
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Trengo
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose OTOBO
Trengo vs OTOBO — FAQ
What is the main difference between Trengo and OTOBO?
Both Trengo and OTOBO are European customer support solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: OTOBO is open source while Trengo is proprietary, and Trengo uses subscription pricing while OTOBO uses free (open source) / managed. Trengo is headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, while OTOBO is based in Oberursel, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Trengo or OTOBO?
Trengo starts at €19/month, while oTOBO offers a free tier. Pricing models differ (subscription vs. free (open source) / managed), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Trengo and OTOBO GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Trengo and OTOBO are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.