Softabase

Gladly vs Crisp: Complete Comparison 2026

An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

Gladly logo

Gladly

8.2(520 reviews)

People-centered customer service platform that replaces ticket numbers with lifelong conversation threads per customer.

Crisp logo

Crisp

8.0(920 reviews)

Business messaging platform for startups and SMBs with live chat, shared inbox, chatbot, and a generous free plan.

Quick Comparison

AspectGladlyCrisp
Best ForPremium retail and D2C brands with high-touch supportStartups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution
Pricing ModelContact SalesFreemium
Starting PriceContact SalesFree
Deploymentcloudcloud
PlatformsWEBWEB, IOS, ANDROID
Rating8.2/108.0/10

Pros & Cons

Gladly

Pros

  • No-ticket model creates a genuinely better customer experience
  • Single lifelong conversation thread per customer across all channels
  • People Match routes customers to agents who already know their history
  • Agent interface is clean and easy to learn β€” most ramp up in under a week
  • Strong adoption among premium retail brands like Warby Parker and Crate & Barrel
  • Task management and internal collaboration built into conversations

Cons

  • Pricing is premium ($150+/agent/month) and requires contacting sales
  • Minimum agent requirements (10 for Hero, 45 for Super Hero) exclude small teams
  • Fewer third-party integrations than Zendesk or Freshdesk
  • Reporting is functional but not as deep as dedicated analytics tools
  • No self-serve free trial available

Crisp

Pros

  • Free plan includes 2 seats, live chat, and shared inbox β€” 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)

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelStarting Price
Gladlycontact salesContact Sales
CrispfreemiumFree0

Our Verdict

Choose Gladly if...

Premium retail and D2C brands with high-touch support

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Choose Crisp if...

Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution

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Still Not Sure?

Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.