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Start with Chatwoot if you want a shared multichannel inbox: it starts at $19 per agent and has a free plan. Tawk.to offers free chat and unlimited agent seats. Crisp is listed from $45 and has a free plan, but its free AI allowance is zero. The right switch depends on whether you need channels, AI or CRM more than Crisp’s bundled chat, CRM, knowledge base and no-code AI workflows. The published Reddit links don't document support-software complaints.
01Why people leave Crisp
Free AI isn't enough
Crisp's free plan includes zero AI allowance, so teams that want AI without moving to a paid plan may need another option.
You want a lower starting price
Crisp is listed from $45; Chaty starts at $12, while Chatwoot and LiveChat start at $19.
Your channels matter more
Superchat focuses on WhatsApp and email; Wazzup focuses on WhatsApp and Telegram chats managed inside a CRM.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Best shared inbox
ChatwootChatwootSwitch to Chatwoot if the main job is a shared inbox across channels, rather than Crisp’s chat, CRM and knowledge-base bundle. It starts at $19 per agent and has a free plan. Chatwoot also offers voice and automation as later additions, so check their costs before moving workflows that depend on them.
Trade-off: Voice and automation cost more.
7.8/10from
$19/mofree plan - Best free start
tawk.totawk.toTawk.to offers a free starting point, unlimited agent seats, and chat and CRM together. That makes it worth considering when seat count matters more than a bundled AI workflow. The tradeoff is paid extras: check which additions your current Crisp setup needs before assuming the replacement will stay free.
Trade-off: Paid extras can change the cost.
7.0/10from
Freefree plan - Best chat and AI
LiveChatLiveChatLiveChat fits teams combining AI with live-agent chat, or tracking chat-attributed revenue. It starts at $19, but the published pricing is annual-only, and Essential has limits. Its fit is strongest for small teams with modest AI volume; compare those constraints with the work your Crisp setup handles.
Trade-off: Annual-only pricing; Essential has limits.
6.5/10from
$19/mo - Best WhatsApp and email
SuperchatSuperchatSuperchat is a more focused option if your team handles WhatsApp and email and wants CRM and messaging together. It has a free plan and starts at $79. Check the free tier before moving: it is described as tight, and useful AI features raise the price.
Trade-off: The free tier is tight; AI costs more.
6.3/10from
€79/mofree plan - Best channel routing
ChatyChatyChaty suits smaller sites that route visitors to messaging apps, use channel and traffic targeting, or collect leads through forms. It has a free plan and starts at $12. The key limit to check is its free plan’s 500-visitor cap, especially if your site gets more traffic.
Trade-off: Free plan caps traffic at 500 visitors.
7.2/10from
$12/mofree plan - Best CRM messaging
WazzupWazzupWazzup is a better match when sales chats live inside a CRM and the key channels are WhatsApp and Telegram. It starts at $12 and includes chat oversight for managers. Before switching, account for possible channel costs and chat caps; those can affect the total value.
Trade-off: Channel costs or chat caps may add up.
6.8/10from
$12/mo - Best multilingual support
KindlyKindlyKindly is worth considering if you support customers across several channels and serve multilingual markets. Its feature set is broad, but pricing is custom, so you cannot verify the cost from a public starting price. Choose it only if a sales conversation and contract-based pricing fit your buying process.
Trade-off: Custom pricing; no public starting price.
6.2/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8 | $45/mo | Yes | Small teams wanting one shared support inbox | |
| 7.8 | $19/mo | Yes | Small teams starting with live chat | |
| 7.0 | Free | Yes | Teams starting with free live chat | |
| 6.5 | $19/mo | No | Teams combining AI and live-agent chat | |
| 6.3 | €79/mo | Yes | Teams handling WhatsApp and email | |
| 7.2 | $12/mo | Yes | Small sites routing visitors to messaging apps | |
| 6.8 | $12/mo | No | Sales teams working inside a CRM | |
| 6.2 | Custom | No | Teams supporting customers across several channels |
Questions people ask
What is the best alternative to Crisp?
Chatwoot is the closest fit in this list for teams looking for a shared multichannel inbox: it starts at $19 per agent and has a free plan. Tawk.to is another option if free chat and unlimited agent seats matter more. The best choice depends on which Crisp features you need to replace.
Which Crisp alternatives have a free plan?
The published pricing details list free plans for Chatwoot, Chaty, Superchat and tawk.to. Chaty’s free plan caps traffic at 500 visitors, while Superchat’s free tier is described as tight. Tawk.to has paid extras, so check the price of anything your team needs beyond its free starting point.
Does Crisp's free plan include AI?
No. Crisp’s published product details list a zero AI allowance on the free plan. If free AI is a requirement, compare specific plan allowances before switching: the available information here does not give the AI limits for the alternatives. LiveChat is described as having AI features, but its Essential plan has limits.
