KIX
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Forum
Active project forum for releases, operations, and bug reports
Data-based comparison
KIX vs OTOBO: Asset ITSM vs Docker OTRS Fork
Comparing KIX 18 and OTOBO: A rewrite with integrated CMDB versus an OTRS fork featuring Docker, Elasticsearch, Redis, and .opm packages.
Updated 2026-08-26 · Metrics are snapshots, not an overall ranking.
Facts side by side
The table is generated from Open ITSM Hub system and version data. Scroll horizontally on small screens to see every system.
| Property | KIX | OTOBO |
|---|---|---|
| Stack | ||
| Primary Language | Perl | Perl |
| Language Breakdown | ||
| Frameworks | KIX 18 backend, TypeScript frontend | OTOBO framework |
| Web Servers | — | Nginx, Apache with mod_perl, Gazelle |
| Operating Systems | Linux | Linux |
| Databases | MySQL, MariaDB | MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL |
| Search | — | Elasticsearch |
| Cache | Redis | Redis, File system |
| Versions | ||
| Current version | 18.37 | 11.1 |
| Latest Release Date | 2026-04-28 | 2026-06-24 |
| Supported Branches | 18 | 11.1, 11.0, 10.1 |
| Lts Available | — | — |
| Release Notes Url | Open source | Open source |
| Security | ||
| Security Policy Url | — | Open source |
| Advisories Url | — | Open source |
| Security Contact | — | — |
| Signed Releases | — | — |
| Sbom Available | — | — |
| Recent Updates | KIX 18.37 (build 5130) published as a stabilization release on 2026-04-28 | — |
| Update Policy | — | Security reports and advisories are handled through the public GitHub security area. |
| Community | ||
| GitHub stars | 24 | 331 |
| GitHub forks | 2 | 89 |
| GitHub issues | Open source | Open source |
| Open issues | 0 | 194 |
| Governance | Vendor-led open-source development | Vendor-led open-source development |
| Commercial Backer | KIX Service Software GmbH | Rother OSS GmbH |
| Project forum | Open source | Open source |
| Forum activity | Active project forum for releases, operations, and bug reports | Active; visible posts on the same day, especially in the German-language forum |
| Documentation Url | Open source | Open source |
| Contribution Url | Open source | Open source |
| New issues (90 days) | — | 194 |
| Closed issues (90 days) | — | 208 |
| Issue window since | — | 2026-05-01 |
| Latest forum activity | — | 2026-07-30 |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Package format | — | .opm |
| Package Repository Url | — | Open source |
| Migration Paths | Earlier KIX releases, OTRS-derived installations | OTRS Community Edition, Earlier OTOBO releases |
| Integration Interfaces | REST API | Generic Interface, REST, SOAP, Email |
| Features | ||
| Built In | Ticketing, CMDB / Assets, FAQ, Reports, Organizations and contacts | Ticketing, Process management, Generic Interface, Elasticsearch search, OAuth, OpenID Connect, AI assistance (beta) |
| Available Via Addon | Service contracts (KIX Pro), News (KIX Pro) | Additional ITSM and integration packages |
| Unsupported | — | — |
| Unknown | Native Kubernetes operator | Native Kubernetes operator |
Feature and integration matrix
| Funktion | KIX | OTOBO |
|---|---|---|
| Ticketing | Integriert | Integriert |
| CMDB / Assets | Integriert | — |
| FAQ | Integriert | — |
| Reports | Integriert | — |
| Organizations And Contacts | Integriert | — |
| Service Contracts (KIX Pro) | Per Add-on | — |
| News (KIX Pro) | Per Add-on | — |
| Process Management | — | Integriert |
| Generic Interface | — | Integriert |
| Elasticsearch Search | — | Integriert |
| OAuth | — | Integriert |
| OpenID Connect | — | Integriert |
| AI Assistance (Beta) | — | Integriert |
| Additional ITSM And Integration Packages | — | Per Add-on |
GitHub issues and forum activity
Public activity in the main repositories and official project forums, as of 2026-08-26.
Issue-Zahlen zeigen sichtbare Entwicklungsaktivität, aber keine Produktqualität. Automatisierte Issues und unterschiedliche Arbeitsweisen der Projekte können die Werte verzerren.
Community and ecosystem in numbers
Stand: 2026-08-26
Einzelmetriken, keine Gesamtwertung
GitHub stars
Public stars of each main repository.
- KIX24
- OTOBO331
Packages in Open ITSM Hub
Compatible packages currently listed in the hub.
- KIX15
- OTOBO56
Year of first public release
Timeline context; longer bars mean a later release.
- KIX2006
- OTOBO2020
KIX and OTOBO are both active, Perl-based, and container-ready—yet they follow different design philosophies. OTOBO remains a fork of the OTRS Community Edition with .opm format support, Elasticsearch search, and a publicly maintained GitHub project. KIX 18 is a rewrite featuring a TypeScript frontend, integrated CMDB, and a Docker on-premise setup. Their shared OTRS background helps with classification, but you should not assume package or API compatibility between them.
Fork vs. Rewrite
OTOBO is maintained by Rother OSS GmbH under the GNU GPL v3.0 license, launched in 2020, with the current branch 11.1 (24.06.2026). Migration paths include the OTRS Community Edition and earlier OTOBO releases. The Generic Interface (REST/SOAP) and the .opm package format remain close to OTRS.
KIX 18 originates from the KIX/OTRS lineage but is described as a redesigned platform. It is maintained by KIX Service Software GmbH under the GNU AGPL v3.0 license. A public .opm repository is absent from the dataset. If you expect OTOBO packages or OTOBO skins to work in KIX, you cannot derive that from the hub.
Container Stack and Search Infrastructure
Both systems list Docker as a documented deployment method. OTOBO additionally describes Linux and source installations along with Nginx, Apache/mod_perl, and Gazelle; its stack includes MariaDB/MySQL/PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch, and Redis. Full-text search is tied to Elasticsearch.
KIX 18 is provided as a Docker setup via kix-on-premise. Supported databases in the dataset are MySQL and MariaDB. Redis is used for caching. A search engine like Elasticsearch is not listed for KIX and remains unknown. PostgreSQL appears in the 18.37 notes as a planned switch rather than the current standard.
Operational effort thus differs less in terms of "containers yes/no" and more regarding auxiliary services: OTOBO relies firmly on Elasticsearch, while KIX 18 shows no documented evidence of it.
Features and Integrations
OTOBO lists ticketing, process management, the Generic Interface, Elasticsearch search, OAuth, OpenID Connect, and an AI assistant in beta status. Additional ITSM packages are available in the add-on section, located at ftp.otobo.org.
KIX features integrated ticketing, CMDB/assets, FAQs, reports, and organizations. Service contracts and news are part of KIX Pro. The confirmed integration interface is the backend REST API. Whether Generic Interface webservices from OTRS/OTOBO can be ported over is not documented.
For asset-driven technical services, KIX is clearer in the dataset. For SSO (OIDC/OAuth), search capabilities, and a growing fork ecosystem, OTOBO is clearer.
Community and Transparency
OTOBO maintains a public main repository (331 stars, 194 open issues as of 30.07.2026), a GitHub security section, and a German-language forum with daily activity. Release notes can be found in the CHANGES.md file of the 11.1 branch.
KIX publishes its backend, frontend, and on-premise compose setup separately. The on-premise repository has 24 stars. A security policy and advisory URL are missing from the dataset. Releases are announced in the forum, among other places.
If you require audit trails via GitHub advisories and issue histories, OTOBO offers a more complete public track record. If you accept a vendor forum and the KIX Start/Pro product line, you can check release communications there.
Which System Fits Whom?
KIX is worth evaluating if:
- CMDB and assets should reside in the same product.
- AGPL and a Docker on-premise setup align with your licensing and operational strategy.
- The REST API and vendor-managed ITSM modules are your primary focus.
OTOBO is worth evaluating if:
- You want to stick with an OTRS fork utilizing .opm packages and the Generic Interface.
- Elasticsearch, Redis, and a documented Docker Compose stack are required.
- OAuth/OIDC and transparent GitHub releases are part of your requirements.
Data Status and Limitations
OTOBO metrics are as of 30.07.2026, and KIX data is as of 26.08.2026. Missing search engine details for KIX and missing CMDB depth for OTOBO are not assumed. Test backup, restore, authentication, and a representative volume of tickets/assets in a staging environment.
Individual criteria without an overall score can be found in the table above and in the interactive overview.