LiveChat vs Crisp (2026)
LiveChat is a polished, per-agent live chat platform for sales and support; Crisp is a flat-priced, omnichannel messaging suite for budget-conscious teams. Compare pricing models, channels, and AI here.
LiveChat
LiveChat is a customer communication platform centered on real-time website chat, with AI-powered support tools and multi-channel integrations.
Crisp
Bootstrapped customer messaging platform that combines live chat, shared inbox, AI chatbots, knowledge base, and a lightweight CRM in one flat-priced workspace. A cost-effective Intercom alternative for growing teams.
TL;DR
- Pick LiveChat if your priority is a refined website chat widget with visitor tracking, proactive triggers, and sales-oriented engagement, and you're comfortable with per-agent billing.
- Pick Crisp if you want predictable flat per-workspace pricing and an all-in-one omnichannel inbox with chatbots and a lightweight CRM included — ideal for a growing small team.
Pricing
The billing model is the key divide. LiveChat is per agent, from $19/agent/mo (annual), with a 14-day free trial — clean and transparent, but costs scale with headcount, and its ChatBot is a separate add-on from around $52/mo. Crisp uses flat per-workspace pricing from $45/mo, plus a free plan covering two seats. The practical upshot: for a single operator, LiveChat's entry price is lower; for a team of several agents, Crisp's flat fee usually wins because adding agents doesn't raise the bill. Factor the ChatBot add-on into LiveChat if automation matters.
Channels
LiveChat centers on website chat but extends to Facebook Messenger, Apple Messages for Business, SMS, and WhatsApp from one inbox. Crisp is broader on omnichannel out of the box: website chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and SMS all flow into one shared inbox, plus an included knowledge base on paid plans. If you want email and a help center consolidated alongside chat without extra tools, Crisp covers more ground; if website chat is your main channel and you want it best-in-class, LiveChat is more focused.
Sales vs support orientation
LiveChat leans toward sales and proactive engagement: visitor tracking monitors who's on your site, and automated campaigns trigger chat invitations based on page or time rules. That makes it strong for ecommerce and conversion-focused teams. Crisp is support-first — it consolidates inbound conversations across channels and adds a lightweight CRM (contact history and segmentation, not a full sales pipeline). Choose by intent: capture-and-convert favors LiveChat; consolidate-and-support favors Crisp.
AI and automation
Both offer AI. LiveChat includes reply suggestions, chat summaries, sentiment analysis, and a Copilot assistant across plans — but full chatbot automation is the paid ChatBot product. Crisp bundles AI agents and chatbot automation into its paid plans, so you don't pay separately to automate common requests or qualify leads. For included automation without an add-on, Crisp is the better value; for polished AI-assist features layered onto a premium chat experience, LiveChat delivers.
Bottom line
Choose LiveChat if you want a polished, sales-savvy chat widget with strong visitor tracking and proactive triggers, and per-agent pricing fits your size — just budget for the ChatBot add-on. Choose Crisp if predictable flat pricing and an all-in-one omnichannel inbox with built-in chatbots and a basic CRM matter more, especially as your team grows. Sales-focused chat: LiveChat. Budget omnichannel support: Crisp.