Chatwoot vs Crisp

Chatwoot and Crisp represent two different philosophies in customer support software. Chatwoot positions itself as an open-source alternative with custom pricing starting at $20 per agent monthly, while Crisp offers a freemium model ranging from $0 to $295 per workspace monthly.

With Chatwoot earning a 4.4/5 G2 rating and Crisp slightly ahead at 4.5/5, both platforms have proven their worth in the market, but serve different business needs and team structures.

Chatwoot excels in customization and self-hosting capabilities, making it ideal for businesses with specific compliance requirements or those wanting complete control over their data. Its open-source nature allows for extensive modifications and integrations.

Crisp takes a different approach, combining live chat with email marketing, knowledge base, and CRM features in one platform. It includes advanced automation, chatbots, and visitor tracking that many businesses find valuable for lead generation.

While both support multiple channels, Chatwoot focuses on traditional support channels, whereas Crisp emphasizes customer acquisition and conversion alongside support.

Chatwoot's custom pricing model starting at $20 per agent can become expensive for larger teams, but offers predictable costs and enterprise-grade features. The open-source version is free but requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain.

Crisp's workspace pricing ($0-$295/month) can be more economical for larger teams since you pay per workspace rather than per agent. The free tier supports up to 15 agents with basic features, making it attractive for growing businesses.

For a 10-agent team, Chatwoot would cost around $200+ monthly, while Crisp's Pro plan at $95/month could serve the same team size more affordably.

Choose Chatwoot if you need open-source flexibility, custom deployment options, and don't mind per-agent pricing. Choose Crisp if you prefer workspace-based pricing, built-in marketing tools, and a more comprehensive all-in-one platform.

Choose Chatwoot if: You need open-source flexibility, have technical resources for deployment, or require specific compliance controls that only self-hosting can provide.

Choose Crisp if: You want an all-in-one platform with marketing tools, prefer workspace-based pricing, or need a solution that works out-of-the-box without technical setup.

For teams seeking a middle ground, Converge at $49/month flat rate offers predictable pricing without per-agent fees, making it worth considering alongside these options.