Crisp vs Respond.io
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Crisp | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $95/mo | From $199/mo |
| Best For | SMBs wanting comprehensive messaging with chatbot automation | Medium to large enterprises needing advanced automation and AI-powered customer engagement across multiple channels |
| Standout Feature | Built-in video calls and screen sharing for support | Sophisticated AI agents that can handle complex customer conversations and automatically qualify leads through intelligent workflows |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 |
Crisp ($0-$295/workspace, G2 4.5) and Respond.io ($79-$299/month, G2 4.8) are both messaging platforms, but with different specializations. Crisp offers broader customer service features while Respond.io focuses specifically on messaging automation and workflows.
Both platforms excel at multi-channel messaging but differ in their approach to automation and pricing structures.
Feature Comparison
Crisp provides a full customer service suite with messaging, video calls, chatbots, and knowledge base features. Its broad feature set makes it suitable for comprehensive customer support needs, though some features require additional plugins.
Respond.io specializes in messaging automation with sophisticated workflow builders and advanced chatbot capabilities. It excels at complex messaging scenarios and automation but lacks features like video calling and traditional helpdesk functionality.
Respond.io's higher G2 rating (4.8 vs 4.5) reflects its specialized excellence in messaging automation.
Pricing Comparison
Crisp's workspace pricing ($0-$295/workspace) includes a free tier and doesn't scale per agent, making it accessible for small teams and cost-effective for larger ones. However, advanced features often require additional plugin purchases.
Respond.io starts at $79/month with no free tier, reaching up to $299/month for advanced features. While more expensive, it includes sophisticated automation tools without additional plugin costs.
The pricing reflects their different focuses: Crisp offers broader accessibility while Respond.io targets businesses needing advanced messaging automation.
Crisp
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive omnichannel support
- ✓ Good WhatsApp and Telegram integration
- ✓ Generous free tier for testing
Cons
- ✗ Interface can feel cluttered
- ✗ Plugin system adds costs
- ✗ Limited CRM compared to dedicated tools
Respond.io
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive omnichannel support with deep integrations
- ✓ Advanced AI capabilities for automated customer interactions
- ✓ Powerful workflow automation with visual builder
Cons
- ✗ Complex setup and learning curve for advanced features
- ✗ Higher cost structure with per-agent pricing model
- ✗ WhatsApp API charges add significant ongoing costs
Verdict
Choose Crisp if you want comprehensive customer service features including video calls and workspace-based pricing. Choose Respond.io if you need advanced messaging automation and workflows with the highest G2 rating in this comparison.
Choose Crisp if: You need comprehensive customer service features including video calls, want workspace-based pricing, and prefer a platform with free tier options for testing.
Choose Respond.io if: You prioritize advanced messaging automation, sophisticated workflows, and are willing to pay premium prices for specialized messaging excellence.
Alternative consideration: Converge offers up to 15 agents at $49/month flat rate, providing excellent value for teams wanting comprehensive features without the complexity or high costs of specialized platforms.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Crisp comparisons and all Respond.io comparisons.