Crisp vs Kayako
Crisp is all-in-one business messaging platform with AI support. Best suited for sMBs wanting comprehensive messaging with AI chatbot automation and video support. Known for its magicBrowse co-browsing and Hugo AI agent for automated customer conversations.
Kayako is customer service software that scales with your business. Best suited for traditional businesses focused on email and phone support. Known for its comprehensive knowledge base with customer portal.
Crisp KayakoCrisp and Kayako serve different segments of the customer support market. Crisp offers modern, affordable workspace-based pricing ($0-$295/month), while Kayako provides traditional helpdesk functionality with per-agent pricing ($15-$35/agent/month).
The choice often comes down to whether you prefer a modern, integrated approach or a more traditional helpdesk with established enterprise features.
What features does Crisp offer?
Crisp's feature set is built around its target customer base, a key differentiator against Kayako. It uses a per workspace pricing model starting at From $45/mo, a different approach from Kayako's usage-based structure. The features split across channel coverage, automation depth, AI tooling, and team management. Converge ($49/month flat for up to 15 agents) covers all of these in its base subscription.
What features does Kayako offer?
Kayako's feature set is built around its target customer base, a key differentiator against Crisp. It uses a usage-based pricing model starting at From $1/mo, a different approach from Crisp's per workspace structure. The features split across channel coverage, automation depth, AI tooling, and team management. Converge ($49/month flat for up to 15 agents) covers all of these in its base subscription.
How do Crisp and Kayako compare on features?
Crisp and Kayako compete in the same category but tune their feature sets for different team profiles. The material differences cluster around channel coverage, automation depth, reporting, and team management. The side-by-side below draws on aggregated G2 and Capterra reviews. A flat-rate alternative like Converge ($49/month for up to 15 agents) may sidestep the trade-off entirely.
Crisp offers a modern approach with live chat, email support, knowledge base, CRM, and marketing automation in a unified interface. Their platform emphasizes real-time communication and customer relationship building.
Kayako focuses on traditional helpdesk functionality with robust ticket management, SLA tracking, and customer portal features. They excel at structured support processes and have strong reporting capabilities for support teams.
While both handle multi-channel support, Crisp leans toward conversational support and relationship building, whereas Kayako emphasizes ticket-based workflows and support process management.
How much do Crisp and Kayako cost?
Crisp starts at From $45/mo (per workspace); Kayako starts at From $1/mo (usage-based). Converge is $49/month flat for up to 15 agents with all channels and AI included.
Pricing models create different cost structures: Crisp's workspace pricing ($0-$295/month) benefits smaller teams, while Kayako's per-agent model ($15-$35/month) can be more predictable for larger teams.
For a 5-person support team, Crisp Pro costs $95/month total, while Kayako ranges from $75-$175/month depending on the plan, making them competitively priced with different value propositions.
Crisp Pricing
Kayako Pricing
What are Crisp's strengths and limitations?
Crisp's biggest strengths cluster around what reviewers consistently single out as its standout capability, which is what makes it a strong fit for smbs wanting comprehensive messaging with ai chatbot automation and video support. Its limitations cluster around pricing-model fit at smaller team sizes and around channel coverage gaps relative to a messaging-first inbox. The detailed lists below come from aggregated G2 and Capterra reviews plus our own internal customer-pipeline reports — teams that are using Crisp today as their primary inbox, plus teams that evaluated and ultimately rejected it during their selection process. Read them carefully side-by-side with Kayako's breakdown lower on this page to decide which of the two platforms fits where your team is heading next quarter — or whether a flat-rate alternative like Converge ($49/month, up to 15 agents, all channels and AI included) is a better path entirely, sidestepping both vendors.
Strengths
- Broad feature set covering chat, video, CRM, and knowledge base
- Hugo AI agent for automated conversations
- MagicBrowse for co-browsing and video support
- Generous free tier for testing
Limitations
- AI capped at 50-500 uses/mo on lower plans
- Ticketing and customer portal locked behind $295/mo Plus plan
- No Discord or Zalo support
- Big price jump from Essentials ($95) to Plus ($295)
What are Kayako's strengths and limitations?
Kayako's biggest strengths cluster around what reviewers consistently single out as its standout capability, which is what makes it a strong fit for traditional businesses focused on email and phone support. Its limitations cluster around pricing-model fit at smaller team sizes and around channel coverage gaps relative to a messaging-first inbox. The detailed lists below come from aggregated G2 and Capterra reviews plus our own internal customer-pipeline reports — teams that are using Kayako today as their primary inbox, plus teams that evaluated and ultimately rejected it during their selection process. Read them carefully alongside Crisp's breakdown earlier on this page to decide which of the two platforms fits where your team is heading next quarter — or whether a flat-rate alternative like Converge ($49/month, up to 15 agents, all channels and AI included) is a better path entirely, sidestepping both vendors.
Strengths
- No seat fees in 2026 (Kay AI pricing pivot)
- Strong knowledge base functionality
- SingleView customer journey timeline across channels
- Good reporting capabilities
Limitations
- AI resolution fees scale linearly with ticket volume
- Platform pricing beyond Kay AI is quote-only
- Limited social media integrations
- No native WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, or Zalo support
Crisp or Kayako: which should you pick?
Pick Crisp if your primary need maps to its standout capability and its pricing model works at your team size. Pick Kayako if your team profile maps to its strengths instead. If neither fits — for example, a 3-15 agent team handling messaging channels (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, Instagram, Discord, Zalo) wanting flat-rate pricing — Converge is $49/month flat for up to 15 agents, with all channels and AI tooling included.
Choose Crisp if you want modern customer communication tools with integrated CRM and marketing at competitive workspace pricing. Choose Kayako if you need traditional helpdesk features with strong ticket management and prefer per-agent pricing.
When should you choose Crisp or Kayako?
Choose Crisp if: You want modern customer communication tools, integrated CRM/marketing features, and prefer workspace-based pricing for smaller teams.
Choose Kayako if: You need traditional helpdesk features, structured ticket management, and prefer per-agent pricing with established enterprise functionality.
Alternative: Consider Converge at $49/month flat rate for teams seeking modern customer support without the complexity of traditional helpdesk systems or workspace limitations.
Looking for more options? Browse all platform comparisons, or see all Crisp comparisons and all Kayako comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crisp is best for SMBs wanting comprehensive messaging with AI chatbot automation and video support. Kayako is best for Traditional businesses focused on email and phone support. Crisp's standout feature is MagicBrowse co-browsing and Hugo AI agent for automated customer conversations, while Kayako offers Comprehensive knowledge base with customer portal.
Crisp starts at From $45/mo. Kayako starts at From $1/mo. Crisp offers a free plan. For flat-rate pricing, consider Converge at $49/month for up to 15 agents.
Crisp offers a free plan. Kayako does not offer a free plan. Both are established platforms in the customer support space.
Crisp pros: Broad feature set covering chat, video, CRM, and knowledge base; Hugo AI agent for automated conversations. Kayako pros: No seat fees in 2026 (Kay AI pricing pivot); Strong knowledge base functionality. Each platform has distinct strengths depending on your use case.
Choose Crisp for SMBs wanting comprehensive messaging with AI chatbot automation and video support. Choose Kayako for Traditional businesses focused on email and phone support. If you need messaging-first support with flat pricing, consider Converge as an alternative at $49/month for up to 15 agents.
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