The questions every owner-operator actually asks.
Straight answers, kept short. Where a page already covers it in full, we link you there rather than repeat ourselves.
Do I have to self-host?
No. Self-host it free and own every byte, or let us run it for you — Opentra Cloud and Pro + Managed both mean you skip the ops. Same product either way; you choose how much you want to hold.
What happens to my business if Opentra shuts down?
Nothing stops. Opentra runs on your infrastructure with your full PostgreSQL database — even in the worst case your instance keeps running and your data stays yours. No cloud to switch off, no account to lock. That’s the whole point of self-hosting. See how it’s architected →
How do I get my data out?
Anytime, all of it. You hold the PostgreSQL database, so export is a property of owning the system, not a favour we grant. Query or dump it with standard tooling — no proprietary format, no export fee, no lock-in by design.
Can my data be subpoenaed or handed over through you?
No — we never hold it. Any legal request for your clients’ data goes to you, the data controller, under your own agreements. A SaaS PSA can’t say that. More on the data-controller model →
Do I need to be a Linux expert to run it?
No. If you can run a docker compose command you can deploy Opentra — most shops are up in an afternoon, and the self-hosting guide is free and ungated. Don’t want to touch it? Opentra Cloud or Pro + Managed handles deploy, patching and backups for you.
Who handles updates and backups?
Self-hosting: you do — on your schedule, with full database access and a documented backup routine. Updates ship as container images you pull when you’re ready; a bad release can never be pushed to your production. On Opentra Cloud / Pro + Managed, we handle it under SLA.
How long does it take to switch from what I use now?
Deploying takes an afternoon; moving your history is the real work, and we’ve mapped the common paths on the migration page. Coming off spreadsheets and a shared inbox means pointing your support mailbox at Opentra and importing clients and rates from a spreadsheet. Coming off ITFlow (or another self-hosted tool) means a CSV or API export of clients, contacts and open tickets, which we help you map before connecting Xero so billing stops being a re-key. HubSpot comes across via the live sync. Hands-on help is included in Opentra Cloud and Pro + Managed.
Do I still need an RMM?
Yes — and keep the one you trust. Opentra is PSA-only by design. ScreenConnect and Level.io are live today (Huntress on the roadmap); their alerts and devices flow in as tickets, time and invoices. We run your service desk and billing; your monitoring stays yours. See how we compare →
Which integrations are live right now?
Live: Microsoft 365, HubSpot, Xero, ScreenConnect, Level.io. Beta: Hudu. Planned: Twilio SMS, Huntress, MSPBackups, Stripe. We’d rather show a short accurate list than a wall of logos that don’t all work yet. Full integration status →
Does it work for MSPs outside Australia, NZ and the UK?
Yes. There’s no regional lock-in — any MSP can run Opentra. Currency, tax and invoicing follow your connected Xero organisation, so GST, VAT or sales tax are handled wherever Xero operates. The product was shaped in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, so you’ll see those conventions in the defaults, but nothing ties the software to a region.
Is my clients’ data safe if I host it myself?
Yes, and arguably safer than any cloud PSA — single-tenant, SSO through Microsoft Entra ID or Google, MFA inherited from your identity provider, secrets held server-side, expiring token portals, and inbound email sandboxed against XSS. The full breakdown is on the security page →, written to hand straight to your clients’ auditors.
Is Community really free?
Yes — free forever, self-hosted, full core PSA (tickets, time, contracts, projects). No trial clock, no seat cap, no card. Start from the self-hosting guide. Pro adds every integration, customer portals and priority support; Opentra Cloud / Pro + Managed add hosted, white-glove options. See pricing →
Why flat pricing instead of per-tech?
Because you self-host it, you pay for the software — not for every person who logs in. A five-tech shop and a fifteen-tech shop pay the same. Hire freely; your PSA bill doesn’t notice.
Still have a question?
The fastest way to know if Opentra fits is to run it — the self-hosting guide is free and ungated. Or just ask us.