Alternatives / Crisp
A Crisp alternative when the AI agent is the point, not an add-on
Crisp is a strong multichannel inbox for small businesses. It connects more channels than almost anyone (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, Instagram, Discord, Slack, SMS, and more), has a real free plan, and prices per workspace rather than per seat at the low end. If your problem is "too many inboxes", Crisp solves it.
Where the two products differ is the role of AI. In Crisp the AI agent is funded by credits bundled into each plan: about 90 automated conversations on Mini, about 450 on Essentials. In SupportHQ the agent is the product: every plan includes thousands of conversations, and the agent decides on its own when to escalate to your team.
Both are fair choices for a small team. The comparison below uses Crisp's pricing page as of the date shown.
Crisp pricing quoted from its pricing page as of September 6, 2026. Prices change. Check the source before deciding.
SupportHQ vs Crisp at a glance
Crisp is a multichannel inbox that can do some AI. SupportHQ is an AI agent that ships with an inbox. Choose by which one is doing most of the work.
| SupportHQ | Crisp | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat monthly plan. No per-seat fees, no per-resolution fees. | Per workspace with seats included, plus AI credits per plan and $10/month per extra seat. |
| Entry price | Starter $29/month or $290/year. Growth $49/month or $490/year. | Free plan (2 seats, no AI credits). Mini $45/month per workspace (4 seats, $5 AI credits, about 90 automated conversations). Essentials $95/month (10 seats, $25 credits, about 450 conversations). Plus $295/month. |
| Team seats | Unlimited team members on every plan. | 2 on Free, 4 on Mini, 10 on Essentials. Extra seats $10/month each. |
| AI agent pricing | Included. 2,000 conversations/month on Starter, 3,000 on Growth. Resolving more costs nothing extra. | AI credits bundled per plan. Roughly 90 automated conversations on Mini and 450 on Essentials, then more credits are needed. |
| Free trial | 7-day free trial. Card required, not charged if you cancel before it ends. | Free plan forever, plus 14 days of full features. |
| Channels | Website widget, Telegram (chats and groups), Discord (servers). WhatsApp coming soon. | Website chat, WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, Instagram, Twitter DM, Discord, Slack, SMS (Twilio), Viber, Line, email, and more. |
| Human handoff | On every plan. The agent escalates with its own reason, urgency, and summary into a unified inbox. Team notified by email, Telegram, or SMS. | Shared inbox for the team; AI replies are credit-metered. |
| How the AI answers | Answers only from approved content: files, synced website, articles, past conversations. Says when it does not know. | AI answers from your Crisp help center and connected content. |
Feature by feature
| Feature | SupportHQ | Crisp |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat monthly plan | Per workspace + AI credits + extra seats |
| Entry paid price | Starter $29/month (unlimited members) | Mini $45/month (4 seats) |
| AI conversations included | 2,000 on Starter, 3,000 on Growth | About 90 on Mini, about 450 on Essentials ($95) |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | Yes, 2 seats, no AI |
| Website chat widget | Yes | Yes |
| Telegram and Discord | Yes, both | Yes, both |
| WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, SMS | WhatsApp coming soon; others not supported | Yes |
| Email inbox | No | Yes |
| Agent escalates on its own with reason and summary | Yes, on every plan | Not described on the pricing page |
| Team notified on handoff | Email, Telegram, or SMS | In-app and integrations |
When Crisp is the better choice
- You need WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, or SMS today, in one inbox.
- You want a free plan for a very small team with no AI.
- Your AI volume is low (under a few hundred automated conversations a month) and the bundled credits cover it.
- Email is one of your main support channels.
When SupportHQ is the better choice
- AI is expected to handle most of your volume and you do not want to buy credits as it improves.
- Your channels are your website, Telegram, and Discord, and you want one agent with one knowledge base across them.
- You want the agent to decide when to escalate, with a written reason, urgency, and summary, rather than metering AI replies.
- You want unlimited team members on a $29 plan.
Switching from Crisp
- Bring your content. Point SupportHQ at your public help center or website to sync it, upload exported articles as files, or write articles directly. The agent answers only from what you approve.
- Add the widget. One script tag on your site. Connect Telegram and Discord in a few clicks if your customers are there.
- Set escalation rules. Plain English, per channel. Start strict and relax as the knowledge base covers more.
- Run both during the trial. Keep Crisp live for 7 days while you compare answers, handoffs, and the bill.
For the reasoning behind flat pricing, read how AI support pricing models compare. For the full plan detail, see pricing.
FAQ
Is Crisp cheaper than SupportHQ?
For a tiny team with little AI use, Crisp's free plan is cheaper than anything. For AI-first support the picture flips: as of the date on this page Crisp Mini is $45 per month with about 90 automated conversations, and Essentials is $95 with about 450. SupportHQ Starter is $29 per month with 2,000 conversations included.
Does SupportHQ support WhatsApp like Crisp?
Not yet. WhatsApp is coming soon. SupportHQ currently supports a website widget, Telegram, and Discord. If you need WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, or SMS from customers today, Crisp covers more channels.
How does AI pricing differ?
Crisp bundles AI credits per plan and you buy more when they run out. SupportHQ includes conversations in the plan (2,000 on Starter) with no per-resolution fee, so a better knowledge base reduces your workload without raising your bill.
Can I bring my Crisp help center to SupportHQ?
Yes. Sync your public help center URL as knowledge, upload exported articles, or write articles directly. The agent answers only from that content.
Do both have a free trial?
Crisp has a free plan and 14 days of full features. SupportHQ has a 7-day free trial on every plan, card required, not charged if you cancel before it ends.