iTop
French open-source ITSM and CMDB from Combodo, with a service catalog tied to configuration data
Quick Overview
| Company | Combodo |
|---|---|
| Category | IT Service Management |
| Headquarters | Échirolles, France |
| Founded | 2010 |
| EU Presence | EU (France) |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Pricing | iTop Community free for up to 10 agents (self-hosted or SaaS); Atelier (up to 50 agents) and Forge (50+ agents) editions priced on request |
| Free Option | Free, self-hosted Community edition |
| Replaces | ServiceNow, Ivanti Neurons, BMC Helix |
Detailed Review
iTop covers the core ITIL processes — incident, request, problem and change management — with a service catalog and configuration management database built as one system rather than bolted together, so a change request and the CMDB item it touches stay linked automatically. Combodo, the French company behind it, describes it as "100% open, reversible", with the source on GitHub and no lock-in if a customer later moves away.
The free Community edition covers up to 10 agents with no time limit, which is a genuine way to run a small IT department's service desk at zero licence cost. Atelier extends that to 50 agents and Forge beyond, both available self-hosted or as SaaS, though Combodo does not publish euro pricing for either tier — a quote is needed once an organisation outgrows Community.
Combodo is based in Échirolles near Grenoble and was registered in 2010. iTop's low-code customisation and ITIL-aligned processes have found particular traction with European public sector bodies, including at least one German statistical office cited as a reference customer, which fits the pattern of open-source ITSM doing well where procurement rules favour it.
What iTop does well
- Free Community edition for up to 10 agents
- CMDB and service catalog built as one system
- Open source, self-hosted or SaaS
- Low-code customisation
- French vendor with public sector references
Where iTop falls short
- No published pricing above the Community tier
- Smaller ecosystem than GLPI or the commercial platforms
- Atelier and Forge need a sales conversation to scope
Standout feature. A free, open-source ITSM platform where the CMDB and the change process are the same system from day one.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free Community edition for up to 10 agents
- CMDB and service catalog built as one system
- Open source, self-hosted or SaaS
- Low-code customisation
- French vendor with public sector references
Cons
- No published pricing above the Community tier
- Smaller ecosystem than GLPI or the commercial platforms
- Atelier and Forge need a sales conversation to scope
Alternatives to iTop
Frequently Asked Questions
What is iTop?
iTop covers the core ITIL processes — incident, request, problem and change management — with a service catalog and configuration management database built as one system rather than bolted together, so a change request and the CMDB item it touches stay linked automatically. Combodo, the French company behind it, describes it as "100% open, reversible", with the source on GitHub and no lock-in if a customer later moves away.
Where is iTop based?
iTop operates from Échirolles, France, which places it under EU (France).
What does iTop cost?
iTop Community free for up to 10 agents (self-hosted or SaaS); Atelier (up to 50 agents) and Forge (50+ agents) editions priced on request. Free, self-hosted Community edition.
Who is iTop best for?
Organisations that want an open-source ITSM platform tied to its CMDB. A free, open-source ITSM platform where the CMDB and the change process are the same system from day one.
What are the drawbacks of iTop?
No published pricing above the Community tier. Smaller ecosystem than GLPI or the commercial platforms. Atelier and Forge need a sales conversation to scope.
Is iTop a good alternative to ServiceNow?
iTop is built as a European alternative to ServiceNow: French open-source ITSM and CMDB from Combodo, with a service catalog tied to configuration data. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where the two genuinely differ before switching.
How does iTop compare to other IT Service Management tools?
iTop is one of several European IT Service Management tools we cover. It is most often compared with ServiceNow, Ivanti Neurons, BMC Helix.