Crisp vs Text by LiveChat
Pricing
Crisp: Free tier, Pro from $25/mo
Text by LiveChat: From $19/user/mo (billed annually)
Description
Crisp: Live chat, shared inbox, and knowledge base in one, with a free tier that actually works
Text by LiveChat: Dedicated live chat tool (formerly LiveChat) with a fast widget, 200+ integrations, and an AI Agent included
Pros
- Free tier includes live chat and a shared inbox for 2 operators
- Modern, clean interface that does not look like 2010 enterprise software
- Knowledge base and chatbot features on paid plans
- Chat widget loads fast and looks clean, one of the best-designed widgets on the market
- Works with 200+ eCommerce and CMS platforms, including Shopify and WordPress, plus WhatsApp and Messenger
- AI Agent included: Essential has 1 agent and 10 AI resolutions a month, Growth has 10 agents and 200
Cons
- Free tier is limited to 2 team members, solo founder only
- Mobile app can be slow and miss notifications
- Some features (chatbot, video calls) are locked to expensive tiers
- No free plan: Essential is $19/user/mo (annual) or $25/month-to-month
- Essential plan only keeps 60 days of chat history, then it is gone
- AI resolutions beyond the monthly allowance cost $49.50 per pack of 50
Details
Crisp gives solo founders live chat, email support, and a knowledge base without paying Intercom prices. The free tier includes live chat and a shared inbox, enough to handle customer conversations professionally when you are the only person responding.
The interface is modern and does not feel like enterprise support software. On paid plans, you get chatbot automation and a knowledge base that can deflect common questions before they hit your inbox. The main gripe is the mobile app: notifications can be unreliable, which matters when you are the only person on support.
Text by LiveChat is the current name of LiveChat, made by Text, Inc., the team behind LiveChat.com, HelpDesk.com and ChatBot.com. It is a focused live chat tool, not a full helpdesk: it puts a fast, good-looking chat widget on your site and lets you talk to visitors in real time. The Essential plan is $19 per user per month billed annually ($25 monthly), and the Growth plan is $79 per user per month billed annually ($99 monthly). Both have a 14-day free trial, and existing LiveChat customers keep their current plans.
The widget itself is genuinely one of the best: fast to load, easy to customize, and does not slow your site down. An AI Agent comes with every plan and answers customer questions when you are busy or offline, though Essential covers only 10 AI resolutions a month. The downside is cost: there is no free tier, Essential limits chat history to 60 days, and extra AI resolutions are sold in packs. For a solo founder who wants live chat specifically and can justify the spend, it is polished. If you need a free option, look at tawk.to or Tidio instead.
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