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Crisp vs Help Scout
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Crisp and Help Scout.
Last reviewed:
| Feature | Crisp | Help Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Monthly Cost (Solo) | $0 | $20 |
| Target Audience | solopreneurs, startups | solopreneurs, startups, small-business |
| Verified | Yes | Yes |
| Solo-Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Editorial Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Categories | Customer Support, Communication | Customer Support, Communication |
| Key Features | Live chat widget, Shared inbox, Chatbot builder, Knowledge base, CRM | Shared mailbox, Beacon (in-app messenger), Docs (knowledge base), Saved replies, Workflows |
| Free Tier Quality | good | None |
Pricing Breakdown
Crisp
Basic (Free): 2 seats, live chat. Pro: $25/month (4 seats, chatbot, KB, CRM). Unlimited: $95/month (20 seats, video, analytics).
Help Scout
Standard: $25/user/month (2 mailboxes, help center). Plus: $50/user/month (5 mailboxes, advanced features). Free plan discontinued.
Integration Overlap
Shared Integrations (4)
ShopifySlackZapierGitHub
Only in Crisp (6)
WordPressWhatsAppInstagramFacebook MessengerTelegramSegment
Only in Help Scout (6)
HubSpotSalesforceJiraMailchimpStripeTrello
Use Case Fit
Overlapping Use Cases (1)
Self-service knowledge base
Crisp
- * Website live chat support
- * Multi-channel customer messaging
- * Automated chatbot responses
- * Team shared inbox
Help Scout
- * Email-based customer support
- * Website help widget (Beacon)
- * Customer satisfaction surveys
- * Team collaboration on support
Crisp
Pros
- + Very affordable vs Intercom/Zendesk
- + All-in-one platform
- + Generous free tier
- + Built-in video calling
Cons
- - Less powerful automation than Intercom
- - Fewer integrations than Zendesk
Help Scout
Pros
- + Best email-based support experience
- + Customers never see ticket numbers
- + Excellent knowledge base
Cons
- - No native phone channel
- - Less suited for complex ticketing
- - No free tier
Editorial Verdict
For solo founders on a budget, Crisp wins with solo-friendly pricing and a good free tier. For the highest-rated experience, Help Scout edges ahead with a 4.3/5 editorial rating.
Sarah Chen
Editor-in-Chief