AI customer support , by Crisp , since 2015
Crisp AI
Live chat/helpdesk suite with metered AI credits bundled into flat-fee plans
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What Crisp AI does
Crisp is an all-in-one messaging and helpdesk platform (live chat, shared inbox, knowledge base) for small and mid-size businesses, with an AI layer that auto-drafts replies, summarizes conversations and can autonomously resolve simple queries. It targets startups and SMBs wanting flat per-workspace pricing rather than per-agent seats. AI usage is metered separately via included 'AI credits' that vary by plan, with unlimited AI only on the top Plus tier.
What you get: Metered AI credits for automated replies and summaries, Rule-based chatbot builder (Flows) on entry plans, Shared inbox and knowledge base, Internal AI copilot for agents, Multilingual AI support, Auto-tagging and conversation summaries, Omnichannel deployment (chat, email, social).
Typical jobs: affordable all-in-one live chat and helpdesk for startups; flat-rate support tool for small teams with many seats; AI chatbot with per-workspace (not per-agent) pricing; small business alternative to Intercom or Zendesk.
Worth knowing: AI is metered via separate credits even though base plans are marketed as flat/unlimited; each workspace (e.g., per brand) needs its own paid subscription.
What users complain about: Users report sudden account suspension without warning after setup, and pricing escalations described as jumping from $99 to $500/month with difficulty canceling. (Trustpilot / Sitejabber (via bigsur.ai review))
Pricing and plan limits
Verified August 2026| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per mo) | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free | 2 seats; no AI credits included |
| Mini | $45 | $45 | 4 seats; ~$5 AI credits (~90 automated conversations) |
| Essentials | $95 | $95 | 10 seats; ~$25 AI credits (~450 automated conversations, ~50 AI uses/month per some plan pages) |
| Plus | $295 | $295 | 20+ seats; ~$75 AI credits (~1,350 automated conversations), unlimited AI uses |
Where it wins
- Flat per-workspace pricing (not per-agent) keeps costs predictable for small teams with several support staff
- Bundles live chat, shared inbox, knowledge base and AI in one product rather than requiring separate add-ons
- 14-day free trial with full feature access on any plan
- Multilingual AI responses and internal AI copilot included on paid plans
- Strong G2/Capterra ratings (4.5-4.6) from small business buyers
Where it falls short
- Each workspace is billed separately, so agencies or multi-brand businesses can see costs double or triple
- AI runs on separate metered credits on top of the flat plan fee, the 'unlimited conversations' pitch doesn't cover AI usage below the Plus tier
- Entry-level Mini plan chatbot is rule-based only ('if X say Y'), not true conversational AI
- Essentials tier's AI cap (~50 AI uses/month per some sources) is tight for any real support volume
- Trustpilot rating is much lower (1.9/5) than Capterra/G2, with reports of sudden account suspension and billing escalations from $99 to $500/month
How we scored it
Full methodology| Criterion | Weight | Score | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability | 30% | 5.8 | 1.74 |
| Value for money | 25% | 6.5 | 1.63 |
| Ease of use | 15% | 7.5 | 1.13 |
| Maturity | 15% | 6.5 | 0.97 |
| Support & docs | 10% | 6.0 | 0.60 |
| Momentum | 5% | 5.5 | 0.28 |
| Weighted total | 100% | 6.3 | 6.30 |
Alternatives to Crisp AI
Chosen by editors, not sponsors-
AdaPaidClosest match on capability
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Forethought (Solve)PaidClosest match on capability
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SierraPaidClosest match on capability
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DecagonPaidClosest match on capability
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