Crisp vs LiveAgent: 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.
LiveAgent
4.5(1,456 reviews)
All-in-one help desk with ticketing, live chat, call center, and social media support.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Crisp | LiveAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution | Teams needing omnichannel including phone |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud, self hosted |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWS, MAC |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 4.5/10 |
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)
LiveAgent
Pros
- All channels included in one platform
- Built-in call center without separate tool
- Competitive pricing with free tier
- Hybrid ticket stream shows all channels
- Gamification for agent motivation
Cons
- Interface feels dated compared to newer tools
- Some workflows are clunky to use
- Mobile apps need improvement
- Learning curve for full feature utilization
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Crisp | freemium | Free0 |
| LiveAgent | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose Crisp if...
Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution
Choose LiveAgent if...
Teams needing omnichannel including phone
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.