Crisp vs Groove: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Crisp
8.0(920 reviews)
Business messaging platform for startups and SMBs with live chat, shared inbox, chatbot, and a generous free plan.
Groove
Simple, affordable help desk built for small businesses. Shared inbox, knowledge base, and live chat starting at $4.80/user/mo.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Crisp | Groove |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution | Small businesses and startups with 3-25 agents |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $4.8/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Crisp
Pros
- Free plan includes 2 seats, live chat, and shared inbox — no time limit
- Per-workspace pricing instead of per-agent means predictable costs as you grow
- MagicBrowse co-browsing and video calls are rare at this price point
- Supports 12+ messaging channels including WhatsApp, Telegram, and SMS
- Status page feature eliminates the need for a separate uptime monitoring tool
- Clean, modern UI that takes minutes to set up
Cons
- Chatbot capabilities are basic compared to Intercom or Tidio
- Reporting and analytics are limited, especially on lower plans
- No phone/voice channel support
- Small company (11-50 employees) means support response times can vary
- Advanced routing rules only available on the Unlimited plan ($95/month)
Groove
Pros
- Among the cheapest paid help desks at $4.80/user/month
- Agents get productive within an hour — minimal training required
- Clean, distraction-free interface that stays out of your way
- Knowledge base and live chat included even on the lowest plan
- Collision detection prevents embarrassing duplicate replies
- Built by a small team that understands small team problems
Cons
- Limited reporting — no custom dashboards or advanced analytics
- No phone channel support at all
- Automation is basic compared to Freshdesk or Zendesk
- Not suitable for teams larger than 25 agents
- No multi-brand or multi-product support
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Crisp | freemium | Free0 |
| Groove | subscription | $4.8/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Crisp if...
Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution
Choose Groove if...
Small businesses and startups with 3-25 agents
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.