Hiver vs Crisp: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Hiver
8.3(1,890 reviews)
Gmail-based help desk that turns your inbox into a shared workspace with ticketing, SLAs, and automation. Free for up to 10 users.
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
| Aspect | Hiver | Crisp |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Teams already using Gmail/Google Workspace for email | Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 |
Pros & Cons
Hiver
Pros
- Zero learning curve if your team already uses Gmail
- Free plan genuinely useful for up to 10 users — not a crippled trial
- Collision detection stops agents from duplicating replies
- Internal notes and email assignments feel native to Gmail
- Live chat feeds into the same Gmail workflow, keeping everything unified
- SLA and automation features rival standalone help desks
Cons
- Only works with Gmail — if you use Outlook or another client, forget it
- No standalone web app — you depend entirely on the Gmail extension
- Live chat features are basic compared to dedicated tools like Intercom
- Limited customization since everything runs within Gmail constraints
- Advanced automation and AI features are locked behind the $49/user Elite plan
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)
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hiver | freemium | Free0 |
| Crisp | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose Hiver if...
Teams already using Gmail/Google Workspace for email
Choose Crisp if...
Startups and indie hackers needing a free messaging solution
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.