ZChat ZChat 2.0 Self-Hosted Live Chat

Compatibility

Deployment flexibility

Fit ZChat into the hosting model you already trust

ZChat is designed for teams that want modern live chat without having to rebuild infrastructure choices around a hosted vendor. Run it on Windows or Linux, behind IIS or a reverse proxy, in containers, or on the VM strategy that already powers the rest of your application stack.

Windows and Linux

Choose the operating system that fits your ops model instead of being locked into one vendor-preferred stack.

IIS, reverse proxy, or container

Deploy with IIS, Kestrel, Nginx, Docker, or your preferred server arrangement.

Broad website support

Embed the chat surface into standard sites, authenticated portals, and modern web applications.

What ZChat is built to work with

Server environments

Windows Server, Linux servers, cloud VMs, container hosts, and localhost evaluation environments.

Hosting styles

IIS, Kestrel, reverse-proxy deployments, Docker-based setups, and infrastructure managed by your internal team.

Web experiences

Marketing sites, customer portals, product dashboards, authenticated areas, and mobile-friendly web surfaces.

Network realities

Real-time transport where possible, with practical support for more restricted environments through compatible fallbacks.

What it actually needs

The dependency list is short on purpose. If you already run Windows or Linux servers and a SQL Server instance, you already have everything the ASP.NET Core edition requires.

Server requirements

The .NET 8 ASP.NET Core Runtime and SQL Server 2014 or newer - Express included. Nothing else is required, and there is no build step: the download ships compiled.

The install scripts create the schema and the initial accounts, and the server verifies both on startup.

Where it runs

Windows or Linux. Behind IIS, Kestrel directly, or a reverse proxy such as Nginx. A Dockerfile and docker-compose file are included for container deployments.

Two editions, one schema

The ASP.NET Core 8 edition is the current product. A separate Web Forms 4.8 edition runs on the .NET Framework already present on Windows Server and installs through a browser wizard - and both use the same SQL Server schema.

Your website, whatever it is

The visitor widget is one script tag, so your site's stack is irrelevant to it - WordPress, Shopify, a custom application or static HTML all work the same way. Only the ZChat server needs .NET and SQL Server.

Also worth knowing

  • A Windows desktop agent console is available for agents who prefer it to a browser.
  • The widget is responsive and supports dark mode.
  • Interface languages: English, Spanish, French and German.
  • Shadow DOM isolation prevents CSS collisions with your site.
  • The widget bundle is roughly 29 KB gzipped and loads asynchronously.
  • Health endpoints suit standard uptime monitoring.

Questions we get asked

What do I need to run ZChat?

The .NET 8 ASP.NET Core Runtime and SQL Server 2014 or newer; SQL Server Express is fine. That is the whole dependency list for the ASP.NET Core edition.

Does ZChat run on Linux?

Yes. The ASP.NET Core edition runs on Linux or Windows, behind IIS, Kestrel or a reverse proxy such as Nginx. A Dockerfile and docker-compose file ship in the package if containers are your normal deployment.

Is there a version for classic .NET Framework and IIS?

Yes. A separate ASP.NET Web Forms 4.8 edition runs on the .NET Framework already present on Windows Server, installs through a browser-based wizard, and uses the same SQL Server schema.

Which browsers does the visitor widget support?

Current versions of the major browsers on desktop and mobile. The widget is responsive, follows the visitor's dark-mode preference, and renders inside a Shadow DOM so it neither breaks your site's styles nor is broken by them.

Does it matter what my website is built with?

No. The widget is a single script tag, so it works on WordPress, Shopify, a custom application, or plain HTML regardless of your server-side stack. Only the ZChat server itself needs .NET and SQL Server.

Owned customer support software

Deploy live chat on your own terms, not on someone else's pricing model.

ZChat gives you the installable server, web dashboard, website widget, and desktop agent tools in one self-hosted product you buy once and keep. Run it on infrastructure you trust and connect AI only if and how you want it.

Download ZChat See Product Demo

Deployment

Install on Windows or Linux, behind IIS or Nginx, in a VM, or in Docker if that fits your stack.

Commercial model

One-time purchase, perpetual license, and no monthly per-agent bill attached to growth.

AI Flexibility

Use Ollama locally or connect OpenAI and Anthropic with your own provider accounts.