# Erxes — Open Source Experience Operating System > An open-source business platform that unifies marketing, sales, operations, and support into a single self-hosted system, replacing tools like HubSpot and Zendesk. ## Install Save in your project root: # Erxes — Open Source Experience Operating System ## Quick Use ```bash # Deploy with Docker Compose git clone https://github.com/erxes/erxes cd erxes docker compose up -d # Access the dashboard at http://localhost:3000 ``` ## Introduction Erxes is an open-source experience operating system (XOS) that combines marketing automation, CRM, customer support, and project management into a unified platform. It provides a self-hosted alternative to commercial tools like HubSpot, Zendesk, and Linear in a single deployment. ## What Erxes Does - Manages customer relationships with a built-in CRM and contact database - Automates marketing campaigns across email, SMS, and social channels - Provides customer support ticketing with live chat and knowledge base - Includes project management with boards, tasks, and team collaboration - Offers form builders, lead capture, and customer journey mapping ## Architecture Overview Erxes is built with TypeScript and uses a microservices architecture with plugins for each business function. The frontend uses React with a modular plugin system. The backend runs on Node.js with MongoDB for data storage and Redis for caching and real-time events. Each module (CRM, marketing, support) operates as an independent plugin. ## Self-Hosting & Configuration - Deploy via Docker Compose with all services pre-configured - Configure SMTP for email campaigns and notifications - Set up integrations with external channels (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) - Enable specific plugins based on your business needs - Scale individual microservices independently based on load ## Key Features - All-in-one platform replacing multiple SaaS subscriptions - Plugin architecture allowing selective feature enablement - Self-hosted with full data ownership and privacy control - Multi-channel customer communication (email, chat, social, SMS) - Open-source with no per-seat licensing or feature restrictions ## Comparison with Similar Tools - **HubSpot** — similar scope but proprietary, expensive at scale - **Zendesk** — support-focused only, lacks CRM and marketing - **Twenty CRM** — CRM only, no marketing automation or support - **Chatwoot** — customer support only, narrower scope - **Mautic** — marketing automation only, no CRM or support desk ## FAQ **Q: Can I use only specific modules?** A: Yes. Erxes uses a plugin architecture so you can enable only the features you need. **Q: What database does it use?** A: MongoDB is the primary database, with Redis for caching and real-time messaging. **Q: Is there a limit on users or contacts?** A: No. The self-hosted version has no artificial limits on users, contacts, or data. **Q: Does it support third-party integrations?** A: Yes. It integrates with Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Gmail, and custom webhooks. ## Sources - https://github.com/erxes/erxes - https://erxes.io --- Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/erxes-open-source-experience-operating-system-c197bcb9 Author: AI Open Source