Choosing between Crisp and Kayako is a common decision for customer support buyers in 2026. Kayako has been in the market since 2001, giving it a 14-year head start over Crisp (founded 2015). Crisp serves 500K+ orgs users while Kayako has 35K+ orgs users globally. Crisp differentiates with shared inbox and live chat, while Kayako leads with unified customer view and live chat. In this head-to-head comparison, Crisp earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 90/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.
AI Verdict
After comparing Crisp and Kayako across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Crisp takes the lead with a score of 90/100 versus Kayako's 82/100. Crisp's key advantages include "generous free plan" and "all-in-one for early-stage companies". That said, Kayako has its own strengths — particularly "good unified customer journey view" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.
On pricing, there's a clear difference: Crisp offers a free plan, making it more accessible for individuals and small teams exploring customer support solutions. Kayako starts at $30/agent/mo with no free tier, but often justifies the cost with unified customer view and live chat.
Bottom line: Choose Crisp if you need startups wanting free, all-in-one customer messaging from day one. Go with Kayako if your priority is smbs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view. Both are strong customer support tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.
CHOOSE CRISP IF:
Startups wanting free, all-in-one customer messaging from day one.
CHOOSE KAYAKO IF:
SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crisp better than Kayako in 2026?
Crisp scores 90/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Kayako's 82/100. Crisp stands out for "generous free plan" and is best for Startups wanting free, all-in-one customer messaging from day one. Kayako is known for "good unified customer journey view" and suits SMBs wanting affordable help desk with a unified customer interaction view. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Crisp and Kayako?
Crisp offers a free plan while Kayako starts at $30/agent/mo, making Crisp the more budget-friendly option. When comparing value, consider that Crisp (founded 2015, 500K+ orgs users) includes features like Shared inbox, Live chat, Chatbots. Kayako (founded 2001, 35K+ orgs users) offers Unified customer view, Live chat, Help center. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Crisp and Kayako?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Crisp excels at Shared inbox, Live chat, Chatbots, while Kayako focuses on Unified customer view, Live chat, Help center. Crisp's main advantage is "generous free plan", though some users note "limited scalability for enterprise". Kayako's strength is "good unified customer journey view", but "interface feels dated" can be a drawback. Both serve the Customer Support market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Crisp to Kayako?
Switching between Crisp and Kayako is possible since both operate in the Customer Support space. Before migrating, export your data from Crisp and check Kayako's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Shared inbox, Live chat, Chatbots (Crisp) vs Unified customer view, Live chat, Help center (Kayako). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Crisp or Kayako?
For small teams, Crisp has an advantage with its free plan, letting you get started without financial commitment. Crisp is best for Startups wanting free, all-in-one customer messaging from day one. Kayako (starting at $30/agent/mo) may be worth the investment if your team specifically needs Unified customer view, Live chat, Help center.