Overview

DeskGrid models offices, floors, zones and desk configurations, with no stated cap on offices or floors. That gives multi-site organizations room to represent varied workspaces without a location limit. Its MIT license and €0 license cost make adoption inexpensive at the software level, but self-hosting means the organization still needs to provide and manage an environment for it.

The maker emphasizes data ownership, privacy control, security and compliance readiness. Those aims will matter to organizations that want direct control of their data, though they are not a substitute for evaluating how the deployment fits internal security and compliance requirements.

Key features

Booking and live floor plans

Suggestions draw on employee preferences, team proximity and availability patterns, helping staff find a suitable desk rather than browse every option. Live availability, instant notifications and real-time floor-plan updates are useful in offices where occupancy changes during the day. The floor plan view makes the spatial layout part of the booking experience.

Administration and analytics

Role-based access, team grouping, department management and flexible permissions give administrators tools to reflect organizational structure. Dashboards show utilization, popular spaces and optimization opportunities, which can help workplace teams make decisions about how space is used rather than relying only on reservation counts.

Customization and connections

Organizations can customize branding and workflows, while the REST API covers offices, floors, desks, reservations and users. Documented integrations include email through Resend and file storage compatible with MinIO or S3. These options suit teams able to adapt or connect a self-hosted platform; they are less compelling for buyers seeking a fully managed product with minimal technical responsibility.

The responsive interface is designed for desktop, tablet and mobile use. Active community support and regular updates are advertised, rather than a dedicated support arrangement.

Pricing

DeskGrid — 0.00 USD per free. The plan is open source under the MIT license, self-hosted, and carries €0 license cost; the maker advertises it as free forever. It is a strong fit for organizations comfortable providing hosting and operational support themselves. There is no paid tier or usage cap described here, but the unlimited office and floor support does not make deployment itself costless.

Platforms

DeskGrid supports web use and self-hosting, and exposes an API. Its responsive interface is designed for desktop, tablet and mobile devices, so teams can access it across common screen sizes without relying on a stated native mobile app.

Who it's for

DeskGrid is a good match for hybrid organizations with multiple offices or varied floor layouts that want to control their booking data and tailor the system to internal workflows.

Pros and cons

Pros: MIT licensing and no license cost remove a software license charge, while unlimited offices and floors accommodate multi-site layouts.
Pros: Suggestions, live availability and floor-plan updates address the practical problem of finding and booking a desk as occupancy shifts.
Pros: Role-based access, utilization dashboards, customization and documented API and storage options give administrators room to adapt the system.
Cons: Self-hosting shifts deployment and ongoing operation to the organization.
Cons: Community support is not the same as a dedicated support commitment, and security and compliance claims do not identify specific controls or certifications.

Alternatives

Browse the broader Desk Booking Software category if you want to compare more options. Choose Officely instead if a free plan capped at five users or a paid per-user plan for simple desk booking better suits your scale. Roomzilla is worth considering when you want a free plan for up to three resources or an annual Standard plan for unlimited resources.

desk.ly may suit smaller teams that want a free plan for up to 15 users and enterprise features. Choose Deska if a tightly limited free option—one office, two desks and two users—with an interactive office map meets your needs. Flexopus is an alternative for buyers who prefer a paid product and want to begin with a 30-day demo plan.

deskbird may be a better fit for those seeking paid desk, room and parking booking, native mobile apps, check-ins and Microsoft Teams integration. Consider Kadence for a broader workplace operations scope including visitor management and move management. Trezod is another option to compare.

Verdict

Choose DeskGrid if your organization wants adaptable desk reservations, floor plans and workplace analytics without a license charge, and is prepared to host and maintain the platform. Look elsewhere if you need a managed service or a clearly defined dedicated support offering; DeskGrid’s central advantage—organizational control—comes with the responsibility of running it.

	DeskGrid	Hot Desk
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	api, self-hosted, Web	—
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Floor plan view	Yes	—
Paid from	—	2.35 /user/mo
Meeting room booking	—	Yes
Desk check-in	—	Yes

DeskGrid vs Hot Desk

DeskGrid

Hot Desk