Crisp vs Kayako: 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.
Kayako
Customer service platform for unified conversations across email, live chat, and social media channels.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Crisp | Kayako |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution | Companies wanting a unified view of customer interactions across channels |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free Trial |
| Starting Price | Free | $39/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud, on premise |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
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)
Kayako
Pros
- SingleView timeline gives agents complete customer context across channels
- On-premise option rare among modern help desk tools
- Messenger-style live chat with persistent conversations
- Mature product with 25 years of development behind it
- Clean, modern interface after the 2016 redesign
Cons
- Integration ecosystem significantly smaller than Zendesk or Freshdesk
- Reporting feels basic relative to the price point
- Big price jump from Essential ($39) to Scale ($99) with no middle tier
- Company leadership changes have created uncertainty about the roadmap
- No built-in phone/voice channel support
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Crisp | freemium | Free0 |
| Kayako | free trial | $39/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Crisp if...
Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution
Choose Kayako if...
Companies wanting a unified view of customer interactions across channels
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.