kitio.aiCrisp vs Activechat
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Crisp starts at $45/mo and Activechat starts at $3995 one-time. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Website live chat
- Omnichannel inbox
- AI agent from your docs
- Knowledge base
- Co-browsing
- Natural language chatbots
- AI hints for live agents
- Visual chatbot builder
- Knowledge extraction from docs
- Smart chat routing
- Customer CRM tools
| Feature | Crisp | Activechat |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Customer messaging inbox with live chat and an AI chatbot | Self-hosted customer service automation with AI chatbots and live chat |
| Category | Customer support | Customer support |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $45/mo | $3995 one-time |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Made by | Crisp IM | Activechat |
| Based in | France | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Crisp starts at $45/mo and Activechat starts at $3995 one-time. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- 2 agent seats
- 100 customer profiles
- Live chat widget
Mini
$45/mo
- Per workspace, 4 seats included
- Shared email inbox
- $5 AI credits included
- Shortcuts and chat triggers
Essentials
$95/mo
- Per workspace, 10 seats included
- Omnichannel inbox and AI chatbot
- $25 AI credits included
- Workflow automation builder
Plus
$295/mo
- Per workspace, 20+ seats
- AI-first support suite
- $75 AI credits included
- Ticketing and 100+ integrations
2 plans
Company License
$3995 one-time
- One installation
- Unlimited projects
- Chatbots and live chat automation
Developer License
$9995 one-time
- Unlimited installations
- TypeScript source code
- Billing system and dev docs
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Crisp
- Flat workspace pricing
- Free plan for small teams
- Many channels in one inbox
- AI usage limits on lower plans
- Reporting is basic
- Fewer enterprise controls
Activechat
- One-time payment, no subscription
- Source code on the Developer licence
- Flexible conversation flows
- High upfront cost
- Self-hosting needs technical staff
- No free plan
Which one should you choose?
Choose Crisp if you want:
- Flat workspace pricing
- Free plan for small teams
- Many channels in one inbox
Watch out: ai usage limits on lower plans.
Choose Activechat if you want:
- One-time payment, no subscription
- Source code on the Developer licence
- Flexible conversation flows
Watch out: high upfront cost.
Crisp vs Activechat FAQ
What is the difference between Crisp and Activechat?
Crisp: Customer messaging inbox with live chat and an AI chatbot. Activechat: Self-hosted customer service automation with AI chatbots and live chat. Both are customer support tools.
Is Crisp or Activechat cheaper?
Crisp starts at $45/mo and Activechat starts at $3995 one-time. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Crisp and Activechat have free plans?
Crisp: Yes. Activechat: No.
Who makes Crisp?
Crisp is made by Crisp IM, based in France.
Who makes Activechat?
Activechat is made by Activechat, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Crisp or Activechat?
Choose Crisp if you value flat workspace pricing and free plan for small teams. Choose Activechat if you value one-time payment, no subscription and source code on the developer licence.