Crisp vs Intercom
Crisp starts at $45/mo and Intercom at $29/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 | Intercom | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI | $45/mo Mini | $87/mo Essential | Crisp |
| Startup · 3 agents · no AI (monthly billing) | $45/mo Mini | $117/mo Essential | Crisp |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo | $95/mo Essentials | $587/mo Essential | Crisp |
| Growing team · 10 agents · 300 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $95/mo Essentials | $687/mo Essential | Crisp |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo | $595/mo Plus | $3,430/mo Essential | Crisp |
| Support org · 50 agents · 2,000 AI resolutions/mo (monthly billing) | $595/mo Plus | $3,930/mo Essential | Crisp |
At a glance
| Feature | Crisp | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Flat per workspace | Per seat + per AI outcome |
| Watch out for | Mini and Essentials are hard-capped at 4 and 10 agents — no extra seats. | AI is billed per Fin outcome “from $0.99” — at volume the AI bill can exceed seat costs. |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $45/mo | $29/agent/mo |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $45/mo | $39/agent/mo |
| Entry plan includes | Mini: 4 agents included · no extra agents · AI credits included · per-resolution cost Not listed | Essential: per agent · $0.99 per AI resolution |
| Forever free | Yes | No |
| Trial | 14 days | Not listed |
| Add-ons | Additional agents $10/mo on Plus only. | Add-ons: Pro (Operator), Copilot, Proactive Support Plus — priced on the page via add-on cards. Email campaigns, SMS, WhatsApp and phone are pay-as-you-go. |
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 |
Intercom
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $39 | $29 | per agent · $0.99 per AI resolution |
| Advanced | $99 | $85 | per agent · $0.99 per AI resolution |
| Expert | $139 | $132 | per agent · $0.99 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.
Intercom
- AI is billed per Fin outcome “from $0.99” — at volume the AI bill can exceed seat costs.
- Advertised Essential prices ($29 monthly / $19 annual) are new-customer discounts; we use the regular $39 / $29.
- Lite seats (20 on Advanced, 50 on Expert) are free but limited.
FAQ
Is Crisp cheaper than Intercom?
For 10 agents, 300 AI resolutions a month, annual billing: Crisp $95/mo on Essentials vs Intercom $587/mo on Essential. 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 Intercom 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. Intercom: No free plan; “Start free trial” on every plan (trial length Not listed on the pricing page).
How do Crisp and Intercom 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. Intercom: Fin AI Agent on every plan: from $0.99 per Fin outcome. Fin can also be bought standalone for another help desk (no seats required).