Crisp is a customer messaging platform that brings website chat, email, social messages and an AI agent into one shared inbox. Its biggest difference from most competitors is pricing: Crisp charges per workspace, not per agent, so a team of ten can cost the same as a team of five. That makes it a favorite of startups and small teams, especially in Europe.
Here’s what Crisp offers, how its plans and AI credits work in 2026, and whether it’s the right fit for you.
Quick Verdict
- Best for: Startups and small to mid-sized teams that want an affordable all-in-one inbox with predictable pricing.
- Not ideal if: You want heavy AI automation included cheaply, or WhatsApp and AI on the lowest paid plan.
- Is there a free plan? Yes, with live chat for 2 seats, but no AI.
What Is Crisp?
Crisp is a French-built customer support and messaging platform. You add the Crisp chat widget to your website, and your team handles chats, emails and social messages from one inbox on the web, desktop or mobile. Higher plans add chatbots, a knowledge base, ticketing and Crisp’s AI agent, called Hugo.
Comparing website chat tools? See our guide to adding an AI chatbot to your website.
Key Features
- Website chat widget with customization and visitor information.
- Shared inbox for chat and, on paid plans, email.
- Omnichannel messaging: Connect WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and more (Essentials and above).
- Hugo AI agent: Answers questions using your knowledge base and past conversations.
- Chatbot and workflow builder for lead capture, routing and FAQs.
- Knowledge base to publish help articles.
- Chat triggers to message visitors automatically based on behavior.
- Integrations with Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, Slack, Zapier and more.
- Mobile and desktop apps for your team.
Crisp Pricing (2026)
Crisp prices each plan per workspace per month, with a set number of seats included. Prices as of October 2026 (shown in USD; euro prices are similar):
| Plan | Price per workspace | Seats | AI credits | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2 | None | Chat widget, shared inbox, mobile and desktop apps |
| Mini | $45/month | 4 | $5 (about 90 AI conversations) | Shared email inbox, chat triggers, shortcuts, custom email domain |
| Essentials | $95/month | 10 | $25 (about 450 AI conversations) | Omnichannel inbox including WhatsApp, chatbot and workflow builder, knowledge base, analytics |
| Plus | $295/month | 20 (extra seats about $10 each) | $75 (about 1,350 AI conversations) | Ticketing, white label, advanced analytics, more integrations |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom | Large-scale needs |
How Crisp’s AI credits work
- Each paid plan includes a monthly amount of AI credit for Hugo.
- Hugo uses roughly $0.05 to $0.10 of credit per automated conversation.
- Included credits reset each month and don’t roll over.
- When credits run out, you can buy more or let conversations go to your team.
Crisp usually offers a 14-day free trial of paid plans. Check crisp.chat/pricing for current details.
How to Set Up Crisp (Step by Step)
- Sign up free at crisp.chat and create your workspace.
- Install the widget with the WordPress plugin, the Shopify app or the code snippet.
- Customize the widget’s color, greeting and availability hours.
- Invite your teammates (2 seats on Free).
- Add shortcuts for common replies.
- On a paid plan, connect your email, create triggers for key pages, and build a simple chatbot for lead capture.
- On Essentials or above, write knowledge base articles and turn on Hugo, then test it with real questions.
Best Use Cases
- Startups and SaaS companies wanting chat, email and help articles in one place.
- Small support teams that would pay a lot more with per-seat pricing.
- European businesses that prefer an EU-based provider for GDPR.
- Online stores handling pre-sales and order questions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flat per-workspace pricing, very good value for teams
- Useful free plan for basic live chat
- All-in-one: chat, email, social, knowledge base and AI
- Clean, modern interface and good apps
- EU-based company, popular for GDPR-conscious businesses
Cons
- No AI on the free plan
- Included AI credits are limited and expire monthly
- WhatsApp and chatbot builder start on Essentials ($95)
- Ticketing only on Plus
- Fewer advanced enterprise features than Intercom
Crisp vs Tidio vs Intercom vs tawk.to
- Crisp: Best value for teams thanks to per-workspace pricing.
- Tidio: Strong for online stores, but AI and Flows cost extra.
- Intercom: Most advanced AI agent, but priced per seat plus per resolution.
- tawk.to: Free unlimited agents for human live chat.
Tips to Get the Most From Crisp
- Write knowledge base articles first so Hugo gives accurate answers.
- Watch your AI credit usage in the first month to choose the right plan.
- Use triggers carefully on pricing and checkout pages, not every page.
- Use one workspace per brand only if needed, since pricing is per workspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crisp free?
Yes. The free plan includes live chat, a shared inbox and apps for 2 seats, but no AI.
How much does Crisp cost?
Paid plans are $45 (Mini), $95 (Essentials) and $295 (Plus) per workspace per month, with seats included.
Does Crisp charge per agent?
No. Crisp charges per workspace, and each plan includes a set number of seats. Plus allows extra seats for a small fee.
What is Hugo in Crisp?
Hugo is Crisp’s AI agent. It answers customer questions using your knowledge base and uses monthly AI credits included in paid plans.
Does Crisp support WhatsApp?
Yes, from the Essentials plan. For large WhatsApp campaigns, see our WhatsApp automation tools guide.
Is Crisp GDPR compliant?
Crisp is a European company and markets itself as GDPR-friendly. Always review its data processing terms for your own compliance needs.
Note: These details come from the company’s own announcements and have not been independently verified by Next DigiTech.
The Bottom Line
Crisp is one of the best-value customer messaging platforms for growing teams, thanks to per-workspace pricing and an all-in-one inbox. Start free, move to Essentials when you need WhatsApp, chatbots and AI, and keep an eye on AI credit usage. Explore more tools in our AI tools directory.
Related Guides
- Chatbase Review 2026: Build an AI Chatbot Trained on Your Website, Pricing and Tips
- Respond.io Review 2026: Omnichannel Inbox, AI Agents, Pricing and Is It Worth It?
- Gallabox Review 2026: WhatsApp Chatbots, AI Agents, Pricing and Is It Worth It?
- AI Tools for Small Business Owners: 10 Ways to Save Time
Explore more in our Automation and Chatbot Tools hub.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is based on details available at the time of writing. Prices, plans, features, release dates, policies and availability can change at any time and may vary by country. Please verify the latest information on the official website of the company or product mentioned before making any decision or purchase. This is not medical, financial, legal or security advice; consult a qualified professional for your situation. Next DigiTech is an independent website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the companies mentioned; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. We are not responsible for any loss or decisions made based on this content.
