Tiledesk is an open-source live-chat and AI chatbot platform for customer support, combining a no-code design studio for LLM agents with human-agent handoff. Agents draw on knowledge-base RAG with multiple routable retrieval flows and guardrails, and deploy across web, WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, and voice. Teams self-host with Docker Compose or Kubernetes Helm charts, or use the managed cloud with a 14-day trial.[1][2][3]
Quick verdict
Teams that must keep support conversations inside their own boundary get the most from Tiledesk: a no-code LLM agent builder with knowledge-base RAG and human handoff, deployed from Docker Compose to Kubernetes with a free MIT-licensed core. The decisive constraint is operations plus metering: servers, updates, and backups are yours when self-hosting, and the cloud meters tokens and conversations, so teams wanting zero-ops hosted simplicity should choose the hosted incumbent Intercom instead.[1][2][3]
Key features
No-code design studio with human handoff Visual design studio for building LLM-enabled chatbots that hand conversations to human agents with full context when automation reaches its limit.[1][2]
Live chat plus messaging and voice channels Website live chat plus WhatsApp Business, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and voice deployment, with replies configured once and adapted per channel.[1][2]
Knowledge-base RAG with guardrails Multiple RAG flows that can be sequenced and routed per query, with guardrails and search fallbacks, fed from knowledge-base items, documents, and external data sources.[1]
Copilot assistance for human agents AI copilot positioning for human agents alongside autonomous resolution, so routine questions end with the agent and complex ones reach the team.[1]
Self-hosted Docker to Kubernetes deployment Self-hosted deployment with Docker Compose as the documented path, plus Kubernetes with Helm charts and install-from-source configuration.[1][2]
REST, webhook, and widget APIs Documented extension points for builders: a REST API, a webhook API, a chatbot API, and a widget JavaScript API, with Android and iOS SDKs for mobile apps.[1]
MCP tools and business integrations MCP tools and actions plus integrations such as Shopify for connecting agents to business data and workflows, including order-status lookups from chat.[1]
Managed cloud with trial and paid plans Managed cloud with hosted signup, a 14-day free trial without a credit card, and Pro and Business plans metering users, agents, tokens, and conversations.[1][2]
Who it fits
Support teams wanting an open-source AI chatbot with human handoff: the design studio, knowledge-base RAG, and escalation path cover routine-to-complex conversations in one platform.[1][2]
Teams priced out of proprietary support suites: Tiledesk substitutes the same embed-chat, automate-routine-answers, escalate-the-rest workflow that Intercom sells, without per-seat lock-in on the self-hosted core.[1][2]
Builders needing chat inside their own product: the widget JS API, REST and webhook APIs, and mobile SDKs embed conversations in web and native apps you control.[1][2]
Who should avoid it
Teams wanting zero-operations hosted simplicity: the Docker Compose and Helm paths need servers, domains, and container operations, and updates and backups are all yours.[1][2]
Organizations wanting every advanced control in the free tier: it is open core, so enterprise-only private images and metered cloud allowances sit behind commercial terms.[1][2]
Teams with unpredictable conversation volumes: cloud plans meter tokens and conversations per month, so spiky support loads need allowance planning against overages or self-hosting.[1]
Alternatives and compatibility
Intercom is the published catalogue incumbent: choose Intercom for hosted ease with support, or Tiledesk when conversation data and infrastructure must stay under your own control.[1]
Adopt with the open-core structure in view: the self-hostable core is MIT-licensed while enterprise images and cloud allowances are commercial, so confirm the edition matrix covers your needs before committing.[1][2]
Integration and deployment surface is documented for both builders and operators: REST, webhook, chatbot, and widget APIs connect chat to surrounding tooling, and Docker Compose, Kubernetes Helm, and source installs cover hosting.[1][2]
Questions worth asking
What is the best Tiledesk alternative for non-technical users?
Is Tiledesk really no-code?
How much does Tiledesk cost per month?
Self-hosting the MIT-licensed core carries no licence fee beyond your own infrastructure. The managed cloud starts with a 14-day free trial, then Pro at EUR 149 per month (EUR 124 billed yearly) with 3 users, 20 AI agents, 5M tokens, and 3,000 conversations, and Business at EUR 499 per month with 5 users and 50 agents. Checked October 13, 2026.[1]
Sources and editorial review
Source research. Reviewed on October 13, 2026. Written by Sanjib Sah. AI assisted; reviewed by a human editor.
We have not run or tested this product.
- Tiledesk homepage (official)
official · Observed October 13, 2026
Official Tiledesk homepage: agentic AI operating system positioning, no-code platform, open source with GitHub link, knowledge-base integration, deployment across web/WhatsApp/voice, AI-to-human handoff, MCP and APIs, signup and demo paths.
- Tiledesk/tiledesk repository (official)
official · Observed October 13, 2026
GitHub repo Tiledesk/tiledesk: install entire product with Docker Compose or Kubernetes Helm; open-source LLM chatbot builder with human-agent handoff; MIT license; multichannel (WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram); enterprise-only private Docker images via email credentials.
- Tiledesk pricing (official)
official · Observed October 13, 2026
Official Tiledesk pricing: 14-day free trial without credit card; Pro EUR 149/mo monthly (124 yearly) with 3 users, 20 AI agents, 5M tokens, 3000 conversations; Business EUR 499/mo with 5 users, 50 agents; priority support and contact sales.
- Tiledesk developer hub (official)
official · Observed October 13, 2026
Tiledesk developer hub: widget JS API, chatbot API, REST API, webhook API, Android and iOS SDKs, architecture of the open-source live-chat platform, install via Docker/Kubernetes/source.
- Intercom homepage (official)
official · Observed October 13, 2026
Intercom homepage: proprietary helpdesk with natively integrated Fin AI agent plus omnichannel human inbox and Copilot; free trial; used as the incumbent-workflow reference for the Tiledesk replacement relationship.