Crisp vs Help Scout
Crisp starts at $45/mo and Help Scout at $25/agent/mo on annual billing — but agent minimums, seat caps and AI resolution fees decide the real bill. See it costed below.
Costed for three setups
| Setup | Crisp | Help Scout | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI | $45/mo Mini | $0/mo Free | Help Scout |
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI (monthly billing) | $45/mo Mini | $0/mo Free | Help Scout |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo | $95/mo Essentials | $475/mo Standard | Crisp |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $95/mo Essentials | $525/mo Standard | Crisp |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo | $595/mo Plus | $2,750/mo Standard | Crisp |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $595/mo Plus | $3,000/mo Standard | Crisp |
At a glance
| Feature | Crisp | Help Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Flat per workspace | Per user |
| Watch out for | Mini and Essentials are hard-capped at 4 and 10 agents — no extra seats. | Annual billing saves about 16% ($25 vs $30 on Standard). |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $45/mo | $25/agent/mo |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $45/mo | $30/agent/mo |
| Entry plan includes | Mini: 4 agents included · no extra agents · AI credits included · per-resolution cost Not listed | Standard: per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Forever free | Yes | Yes |
| Trial | 14 days | Not listed |
| Add-ons | Additional agents $10/mo on Plus only. | Envoy AI $0.75/resolution. Pre-paid AI discounts not priced. |
All plans
Crisp
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — | 2 agents included · no extra agents · AI resolution price Not listed |
| Mini | $45 | — | 4 agents included · no extra agents · AI credits included · per-resolution cost Not listed |
| Essentials | $95 | — | 10 agents included · no extra agents · AI credits included · per-resolution cost Not listed |
| Plus | $295 | — | 20 agents included · +$10/agent · AI credits included · per-resolution cost Not listed |
Help Scout
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | per agent · max 5 · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Standard | $30 | $25 | per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Plus | $54 | $45 | per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
| Pro | $90 | $75 | per agent · $0.75 per AI resolution |
Gotchas
Crisp
- Mini and Essentials are hard-capped at 4 and 10 agents — no extra seats.
- AI usage draws from dollar credits; cost per resolution is not stated.
- No annual price is shown on the pricing page.
Help Scout
- Annual billing saves about 16% ($25 vs $30 on Standard).
- The Free plan is capped at 5 users and a single inbox.
- Pro must be bought through a demo even though its price is listed.
FAQ
Is Crisp cheaper than Help Scout?
For 10 agents, 300 AI resolutions a month, annual billing: Crisp $95/mo on Essentials vs Help Scout $475/mo on Standard. The answer flips with agent count, AI resolution volume and monthly vs annual billing — use the calculator on the help desk hub for your exact setup.
Do Crisp and Help Scout have free plans or trials?
Crisp: Free plan: $0 with 2 agents and 100 customer profiles. Paid plans: 14-day free trial, no card required. Help Scout: Free plan: 5 users, 1 inbox and 1 Docs site. Paid plans: “Try for Free”; Envoy AI add-on has a 3-month free trial.
How do Crisp and Help Scout charge for AI?
Crisp: AI is metered in AI credits: $5 (Mini), $25 (Essentials), $75 (Plus) included per month; the cost per AI resolution is Not listed. Help Scout: Envoy AI add-on: $0.75 per resolution, billed monthly; 3-month free trial; pre-paid discounts available.