Crisp vs Zendesk Chat
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Crisp | Zendesk Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $95/mo | From $89/seat/mo |
| Best For | SMBs wanting comprehensive messaging with chatbot automation | Large support teams needing comprehensive ticketing integration |
| Standout Feature | Built-in video calls and screen sharing for support | Deep integration with Zendesk Support platform |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.2 |
Crisp and Zendesk Chat represent different approaches to live chat solutions. Crisp offers workspace-based pricing from free to $295 monthly with a 4.5/5 G2 rating, while Zendesk Chat uses per-agent pricing from $0 to $59 per agent monthly with a 4.2/5 rating.
The choice often comes down to whether you prefer Crisp's all-in-one marketing approach or Zendesk's established support ecosystem integration.
Feature Comparison
Crisp combines live chat with email marketing, knowledge base, and CRM functionality, making it ideal for businesses focused on lead generation and customer acquisition. Its chatbot builder and visitor tracking help convert website visitors into customers.
Zendesk Chat excels in pure support scenarios, especially when integrated with Zendesk Support. It offers advanced routing, real-time visitor monitoring, and robust reporting that support teams rely on for efficient ticket resolution.
While Crisp includes marketing tools like campaigns and automation, Zendesk Chat focuses solely on support excellence with features like proactive chat triggers and detailed agent performance analytics.
Pricing Comparison
Crisp's workspace model ($0-$295/month) becomes more economical as teams grow since you're not paying per agent. The free plan supports up to 15 agents with basic chat functionality, making it attractive for startups.
Zendesk Chat's per-agent pricing ($0-$59/agent/month) can become expensive for larger teams but offers predictable scaling. The Lite plan is free for up to 1 agent, while Professional at $59/agent includes advanced features.
For a 5-agent team, Crisp Pro at $95/month costs less than Zendesk Chat Professional at $295/month ($59 × 5 agents), making Crisp significantly more affordable for growing teams.
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
Zendesk Chat
Pros
- ✓ Strong brand recognition
- ✓ Comprehensive support suite
- ✓ Good integrations
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing gets expensive
- ✗ Limited to web chat only
- ✗ No social media messaging
Verdict
Choose Crisp if you want marketing automation, workspace pricing, and an all-in-one platform. Choose Zendesk Chat if you need deep integration with Zendesk Support or prefer traditional per-agent pricing with enterprise features.
Choose Crisp if: You want marketing tools integrated with chat, prefer workspace pricing, or need an all-in-one solution for customer acquisition and support.
Choose Zendesk Chat if: You already use Zendesk Support, need enterprise-grade chat features, or prefer the reliability of per-agent pricing for budget planning.
Teams looking for predictable costs without per-agent fees should also consider Converge at $49/month flat rate, which eliminates the complexity of scaling pricing models.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Crisp comparisons and all Zendesk Chat comparisons.