System requirements

Plan the deployment once, then roll ZChat into the environment you already trust.

ZChat 2.0 is built around flexible hosting and a practical operations model. Use this page to confirm the minimum baseline for compute, operating system, database, and runtime before you start installation work.

Download ZChat Installation Guide

Windows or Linux deployment paths SQL Server-backed .NET 8 runtime

Deployment note

The widget can live on almost any website stack.

The ZChat application itself has a defined hosting/runtime baseline, but the customer-facing chat widget can be embedded into PHP, React, WordPress, Shopify, ASP.NET, static HTML, and similar sites with a script include.

When in doubt

Pick the environment closest to production.

For the cleanest evaluation, validate in the same kind of infrastructure you expect to use later. That avoids surprises around networking, certificates, runtime packages, and database access.

Minimum baseline

Requirements for the main ZChat deployment.

These are the practical minimums for the core application. Production environments may choose more capacity depending on traffic, operator load, transcript retention, and any AI usage patterns you expect.

Processor

x64 CPU

Intel or AMD x64 processor. Virtual machines and containerized environments are supported as long as the runtime and networking prerequisites are in place.

Memory

1 GB minimum

Plan for at least 1 GB of RAM, with 2 GB or more recommended for smoother operation and headroom during real operator activity.

Operating system

Windows or Linux

Windows Server 2016 or later is the recommended path.
Windows 10 or later is supported for local testing.
Linux deployments work on distributions with supported .NET 8 runtime coverage, including common Ubuntu, Debian, and RHEL-family options.
Docker-based hosting is also supported.

Database

SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server 2022 is recommended.
SQL Server 2019, 2017, and 2014 are also supported.
Express editions are supported for these versions.
Azure SQL Database is an option for cloud-oriented deployments.

Runtime and web server

.NET 8

.NET 8 ASP.NET Core Runtime is required.
The app can run standalone on Kestrel, behind IIS, behind Nginx, or inside Docker.
IIS deployments require the ASP.NET Core Hosting Bundle.

Planning tip

Infrastructure questions are easiest to solve before licensing and rollout work start.

If you are still deciding between Windows, Linux, IIS, reverse proxy, or container paths, lock that down before you purchase production coverage. It keeps the rest of the rollout much cleaner.

Need help choosing?

Use these next steps.

Read the deployment FAQ Ask support about your environment Review production pricing

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.