Zammad vs Trengo
Both Zammad and Trengo 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
Zammad
EU- Headquarters
- Berlin, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Trengo
EU- Headquarters
- Utrecht, NL
- Pricing
- From €19/mo
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- Zammad offers a free tier, while trengo starts at €19/month. This makes Zammad more accessible for individuals and small teams exploring their options before committing.
- Zammad is open source, meaning you can audit the code, self-host, and avoid vendor lock-in. Trengo is proprietary, which often means a more polished out-of-the-box experience and dedicated support, but less flexibility for customisation.
- Data residency differs: Zammad hosts data in Germany, while Trengo hosts in Netherlands, EU. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Each product has unique strengths: Zammad offers Multi-channel ticketing (email, phone, chat, social) and Knowledge base, while Trengo provides Omnichannel inbox and WhatsApp Business. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Zammad | Trengo |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Zammad | Trengo |
| Pricing | Free | From €19/mo |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Berlin, DE | Utrecht, NL |
| Data Centers | DE | NL, EU |
| Multi-channel ticketing (email, phone, chat, social) | ||
| Knowledge base | ||
| SLA management and escalation | ||
| Automation with macros and triggers | ||
| Full-text search | ||
| Time accounting | ||
| Reporting and analytics | ||
| LDAP and Exchange integration | ||
| Role-based access control | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Omnichannel inbox | ||
| WhatsApp Business | ||
| Live chat | ||
| Chatbots | ||
| Team collaboration | ||
| Automations | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Custom integrations |
Pricing Comparison
Zammad
Freefree self-hosted / hosted plans
Trengo
From €19/mosubscription
Compliance Comparison
Zammad
GDPRDPA
Trengo
GDPRDPA
Get Started
Categories
How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose Zammad
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Trengo
You're a startup or individual on a budget
Choose Zammad
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Trengo
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Zammad
Zammad vs Trengo — FAQ
What is the main difference between Zammad and Trengo?
Both Zammad and Trengo are European customer support solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Zammad is open source while Trengo is proprietary, and Zammad uses free self-hosted / hosted plans pricing while Trengo uses subscription. Zammad is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, while Trengo is based in Utrecht, Netherlands. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Zammad or Trengo?
Zammad offers a free tier, while trengo starts at €19/month. Pricing models differ (free self-hosted / hosted plans vs. subscription), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Zammad and Trengo GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Zammad and Trengo 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.