Crisp vs Intercom Suite: Which One Deserves Your Money?
Two retention tools, one budget. We compared Crisp and Intercom Suite head-to-head — real pricing, real features, honest verdict. No affiliate games.
Updated February 2026 · Support and customer success
| Feature |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $45/month | $39/month |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Free Tier | ||
| Free Trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Best For | SMBs | SMBs |
| Tool Type | Best-value |
Crisp vs Intercom Suite — Quick Summary
Who each tool is built for, what it does best, and how much effort it takes to get started.
| Tool | Best for | Strength | Setup effort | Ideal ICP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-to-medium teams | Strong features at a fraction of enterprise pricing | High | SMBs and growing startups |
| Small-to-medium teams | Enterprise-grade power and scalability | High | SMBs and growing startups |
At a Glance
What Each Tool Does
Crisp
Crisp is a chat tool that helps with customer support, sales, and marketing. It lets you talk to your customers through chat, email, and social media.
Standout features:
- •AI Agents — automate replies and reduce workload.
- •Shared Inbox — keep all messages in one place.
- •Knowledge Base — help customers find answers themselves.
Limitations:
- •Might be too complex for small teams — small businesses with simple needs might not use all features.
- •Requires some setup — not ideal for non-tech users.
Pricing: Offers a free trial, with paid plans starting after 14 days.
Intercom Suite
Intercom Suite is a tool for handling customer service. It combines Fin AI with a helpdesk to make things faster and easier.
Standout features:
- •AI helps answer tough questions — saves time for your team.
- •All customer info in one place — makes it easy to track issues.
- •Works on many channels — reach customers wherever they are.
Limitations:
- •Might be too much for small teams — small businesses might not need everything.
- •Can be pricey for startups — budget-conscious users might look elsewhere.
Pricing: Contact for pricing details.
Growth Hacker Verdict
Crisp is a solid choice for businesses looking to enhance customer support with AI and automation. Its freemium model offers great value, but scaling up may require a paid plan.
Intercom Suite is a powerful tool for large businesses needing a robust customer support solution. However, its cost may be prohibitive for smaller teams.
TL;DR — Crisp vs Intercom Suite
Choose Crisp if you want maximum value for your money — does 80% of what the big names do at a fraction of the cost. Starts at $45/month. Free tier available — no credit card needed.
Choose Intercom Suite if you want enterprise-grade power and support for scaling teams. Starts at $39/month.
On price alone, Intercom Suite wins at $39/month. But cheaper isn't always better — check the feature breakdown above.
When to Choose Crisp Over Intercom Suite
Crisp is a best-value retention tool built for smbs, starting at $45/month. Crisp is an all-in-one customer support platform with AI and omnichannel capabilities.
Choose Crisp if:
- Small-to-medium teams — This is where Crisp shines. Strong features at a fraction of enterprise pricing.
- Setup effort: High — There's a meaningful setup investment, but you get more control and customization.
- Free tier available — You can test Crisp without a credit card. Try it alongside Intercom Suite and see which fits your workflow.
- Ideal for: SMBs and growing startups
See all Intercom Suite alternatives or browse the Retention directory.
When to Choose Intercom Suite Over Crisp
Intercom Suite is a enterprise retention tool built for smbs, starting at $39/month. A comprehensive customer service suite for efficient support and faster response times.
Choose Intercom Suite if:
- Small-to-medium teams — Enterprise-grade power and scalability.
- Setup effort: High — More involved setup, but the flexibility is worth it for teams that need it.
- Pricing starts at $39/month — That's 13% less than Crisp.
- Ideal for: SMBs and growing startups
See all Crisp alternatives or browse the Retention directory.
Crisp vs Intercom Suite: Pricing Breakdown
Let's talk money — because that's usually what drives the decision for startups and growth teams.
Crisp starts at $45/month with 4 pricing tiers. Free tier included. Mid-range pricing for growing teams.
Intercom Suite starts at $39/month with 3 pricing tiers. 14-day free trial available. Reasonable pricing for scaling teams.
Our take: Intercom Suite is the more affordable option at $39/month vs $45/month. Check the feature comparison above to see if the savings come with trade-offs. We always list monthly billing rates — not the discounted annual price that makes everything look cheaper.
FAQ: Crisp vs Intercom Suite
Is Crisp better than Intercom Suite in 2026?
It depends on your team size, budget, and priorities. Crisp is a best-value retention tool built for smbs, starting at $45/month. Intercom Suite is a enterprise option aimed at smbs, starting at $39/month. See the feature comparison above for a detailed side-by-side.
Which is cheaper, Crisp or Intercom Suite?
Crisp starts at $45/month, while Intercom Suite starts at $39/month. Intercom Suite is more affordable on paper. Keep in mind: the cheapest plan isn't always the best deal. Compare what you get at each tier, not just the starting price. We always list monthly billing rates, not discounted annual prices.
Can I use both Crisp and Intercom Suite together?
Both are support and customer success tools, so most teams pick one to avoid redundancy and extra costs. That said, some teams use both for different segments or use cases — just make sure the overlap doesn't waste your budget.
Does Crisp or Intercom Suite have a free tier?
Crisp offers a free tier, while Intercom Suite does not. If you want to test before buying, Crisp has the advantage here.
How do I switch from Crisp to Intercom Suite (or vice versa)?
Most retention tools support data export. Start by exporting your data from your current tool, then check the new tool's import documentation. Many offer migration assistance or onboarding calls to help with the switch.
