Fed up with customer support tools that promise the moon but deliver a soggy biscuit? You’re not alone. Numerous businesses are seeking Crisp.chat alternatives that deliver on their promises without bankrupting the company or requiring a computer science degree to operate.

The customer support software market is crowded with options, making it challenging to find the right fit for your business needs.

Look, finding decent customer support software shouldn’t feel like searching for a needle in a haystack whilst blindfolded. Your customers deserve better than robotic responses, and your team deserves tools that don’t make them want to chuck their laptops out the window.

Why Switch?

Crisp's drawbacks

Crisp is a solid entry-level support tool, but many teams outgrow it once customer volumes rise. While Crisp's business model works well for small teams, it may not support the needs of rapidly scaling businesses. The platform shows its limits in three key areas:

1. Scaling beyond a small team

Crisp can handle light traffic, but performance issues appear as soon as more agents are added to a single account and conversation volumes increase. Businesses often notice lag in the chat widget, slower response times, and limited filtering options that make it harder to prioritise customers at scale. Managing larger teams and higher conversation volumes also becomes increasingly difficult with Crisp.

2. Automation and AI

While Crisp offers a basic chatbot, it lacks the advanced AI capabilities found in competing platforms. Some of the main features available in other platforms, such as advanced AI and ready-made automation templates, are missing in Crisp. There are no ready-made templates to get started, so teams must create automation flows manually, which can be time-consuming. Setting up complex automations can be daunting, especially without in-house technical expertise.

3. Experience and flexibility

Compared with other providers, Crisp’s interface feels less intuitive for agents and less seamless for customers. Mobile support is patchy, pricing becomes confusing with add-ons and integrations, and some users have raised concerns about data transparency. Some users also report challenges with seamless integration into their existing organisation workflows. These gaps add friction both for your team and your customers, and can hinder the efficiency of the entire organisation.

For businesses ready to scale, these shortcomings often become blockers. That’s why many move from Crisp to platforms that combine stronger AI, simpler automation, and a more reliable customer experience.

Comparison table of the top 10 Crisp alternatives

1. Cue

Overview

Cue is built to handle customer support at scale. Instead of leaving your team stuck answering the same questions, Cue’s AI agents can automate more than 80% of routine queries. That frees up your people to focus on issues that need a human touch.

Cue offers significant benefits to support teams by increasing efficiency and streamlining workflows, allowing them to deliver better customer experiences.

The platform connects with the channels your customers already use, such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and web chat, so help is always a message away. Brands like Payflex and Stellantis have already cut response times and lifted customer satisfaction with Cue in place.

Cue provides solutions tailored to the needs of modern customer support teams, offering flexible and scalable tools to address specific business challenges.

Scaling support no longer means scaling headcount. Cue manages thousands of enquiries simultaneously, keeps data flowing into your existing systems, and operates around the clock. The result is simple, fast answers for customers while lowering costs for you.

Features

Pros and cons

You want to know what works well and what could be better. Here is a summary based on user feedback:

Pricing

Cue offers a simple and transparent pricing model that helps you control costs as you scale your customer support. You pay only for the resolutions you achieve, not for the number of agents or conversations.

Compared to the Crisp unlimited plan, which charges a flat fee for unlimited usage, Cue’s pricing is based on actual usage, making it more flexible for businesses with fluctuating support volumes.

Why Cue is the best choice

You want a customer support platform that delivers real results, not just promises. Cue stands out because it combines advanced AI automation with human expertise, helping you achieve more with less effort. Here is why you should consider Cue above other options:

1. Proven automation at scale
   Cue’s AI Agents automate over 80% of routine queries. You save time, reduce costs, and let your team focus on complex issues that matter most to your customers.

2. Real-world success stories
   Businesses like Payflex and Stellantis have seen dramatic improvements. Payflex resolved 82% of queries with AI, while Stellantis brands increased response rates by 196% and boosted NPS scores by 14%. These results show that Cue works in practice, not just in theory.

3. Seamless multi-channel support
   You can manage conversations across WhatsApp, Messenger, web chat, and more, all from one dashboard. This flexibility ensures your customers always reach you on their preferred channel.

4. Customisation and integration
   You tailor chat widgets and workflows to match your brand. Cue integrates with your CRM and business tools, keeping your data and processes in sync.

5. Transparent, scalable pricing
   You pay only for what you use. There are no hidden fees or confusing tiers. This model supports your growth and helps you plan your budget with confidence.

6. Outstanding support and onboarding
   Cue’s team helps you set up, train your AI Agents, and optimise your workflows. You get expert guidance every step of the way.

Cue is a great platform for businesses seeking scalable, AI-driven support with a wide range of features and seamless integration. If you are interested in learning more or want to see Cue in action, request a demo or explore our features today.

2. Zendesk

Overview

Zendesk is one of the most established customer support platforms, widely used by enterprises and mid-sized businesses. It brings together conversations from email, live chat, social media, and voice into a single workspace. The platform is powerful but can feel complex, especially for smaller teams that don’t need enterprise-level functionality.

Features

Zendesk provides a wide range of features to manage and scale support:

• Omnichannel support across email, chat, voice, and social media

• Automation tools for routing, tagging, and workflows

• AI-powered chatbots and self-service options

• Knowledge base and community forums, allowing teams to create and manage help articles easily

• Advanced analytics and reporting dashboards

• Large marketplace of third-party integrations

• Features designed to empower customer support teams

Pros and cons

3. Tidio

Overview

Tidio is a customer support platform popular with e-commerce businesses, startups, and growing SMEs. It combines live chat, AI chatbots, and multichannel messaging in one place, with an intuitive interface that makes setup quick and training minimal.

Tidio helps businesses engage website visitors through live chat and automation, making it easier to support, convert, and interact with potential customers in real time.

Multiple inboxes and assignment features help teams organise conversations efficiently, while higher-tier plans offer enterprise options such as multilingual support and multiple workspaces.

Features

Tidio provides a mix of automation and support tools to improve customer service:

• Live chat with AI-powered chatbots for real-time engagement with website visitors

• Centralised multichannel inbox (chat, Messenger, Instagram, email) that simplifies managing conversations across multiple channels

• Drag-and-drop automation builder for no-code workflows

• Native integrations with Shopify, Wix, WordPress, and more

• Prebuilt workflows for faster onboarding

• Advanced reporting and analytics

• Multilingual auto-translation on higher plans

• Mobile apps for agents on the go

Pros and cons

4. Intercom

Overview

Intercom is one of the best-known conversational support platforms, widely used by SaaS companies, e-commerce brands, and startups. It combines live chat, email, and in-app messaging, with a strong focus on proactive support and reaching customers before they even raise a ticket.

Intercom offers solutions tailored to SaaS companies and startups seeking proactive customer engagement.

Intercom’s interface is polished, but some users find it complex at first. Pricing is seat-based and can become expensive as teams scale, especially on advanced plans.

Features

Intercom provides a wide set of tools to manage and personalise customer interactions:

• Live chat and in-app messaging with rich media support

• AI-powered bots, including the Fin AI Agent, to automate common queries

• Workflow automation for routing and repetitive tasks

• Ticketing system and customisable knowledge base

• Targeted in-app, email, and push notifications

• Product tours that function as a guided course to onboard and educate users

• Analytics and reporting to track team performance and customer behaviour

• Integrations with tools such as Slack, Salesforce, and HubSpot

Pros and cons

5. Tawk.to

Overview

Tawk.to is a free live chat platform that appeals to businesses wanting essential support tools without paying per seat. It includes unlimited agents and unlimited chats, making it cost-effective for small teams and startups.

Tawk.to is a low-cost solution, making it ideal for startups and small businesses looking for affordable live chat options.

The platform is quick to install, supports 27+ languages, and offers paid add-ons for branding removal, video and voice chat, and outsourced live agents.

Features

Tawk.to provides a solid set of live chat and support features:

• Unlimited agents, chats, and contacts on the free plan, with the ability to have multiple agents operate under a single account

• Customisable chat widget with real-time visitor monitoring

• Built-in ticketing and canned replies for faster responses

• Mobile apps for iOS and Android

• Group messaging and unlimited chat history

• Basic reporting and analytics dashboard

• 100+ integrations with third-party tools

• Optional paid add-ons: branding removal, video/voice chat, hire-a-live-agent services

Pros and cons

6. HelpCrunch

Overview

HelpCrunch is an all-in-one customer communication platform that combines live chat, email, and a knowledge base in a single dashboard. It’s used by startups through to mid-sized businesses that want a modern interface and multichannel support without committing to enterprise-level tools.

HelpCrunch enables businesses to communicate with customers across multiple channels, making it easier to facilitate personalised conversations and improve customer engagement.

Automation is available, but chatbots are rule-based rather than powered by advanced AI, which limits scalability compared with some competitors.

Features

HelpCrunch provides a solid mix of support and engagement tools:

• Live chat with customisable widgets

• Shared inbox for email support

• Knowledge base creation and management, allowing businesses to create and customise help articles for their users

• Automated messages and pop-ups for engagement

• Rule-based chatbot flows (on Pro and Unlimited plans)

• In-app messaging for web and mobile

• Reporting and analytics on performance

• Three pricing tiers: Basic, Pro, and Unlimited (with higher tiers unlocking chatbots, advanced features, and unlimited users)

Pros and cons

7. ProProfs Chat

Overview

ProProfs Chat is a straightforward live chat tool aimed at small teams and growing businesses. It’s quick to set up, comes with a free plan, and supports unlimited domains and chat history.

ProProfs Chat allows businesses to manage multiple operators within a single account, making it easy to scale and organise user access as your team grows.

Teams can manage multiple operators with defined roles and groups, while businesses wanting a cleaner look can remove branding via a White Label Package. ProProfs is also known for offering responsive support through email, chat, and phone.

Features

ProProfs Chat includes a mix of live chat and support tools:

• Real-time messaging with canned responses for faster replies

• Customisable chat widgets (branding, colours, themes)

• Basic AI-powered chatbots with natural language processing

• Visitor tracking and performance analytics

• Multi-language support and proactive chat invitations

• Operator roles and groups for managing support teams and workflows

• Integrations with Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, Shopify, Magento, WordPress, and more

• Mobile apps and SDKs for iOS and Android

• Free forever plan for one operator, with paid plans starting at $19.99 per operator/month (annual billing)

Pros and cons

8. Missive

Overview

Missive is a collaborative inbox that centralises email, SMS, WhatsApp, social media, and live chat in one platform. It’s built for teams that need to coordinate closely on customer conversations, with features like shared drafts, assignments, and internal chat.

Missive is designed to streamline communication and collaboration within an organisation.

Unlike traditional helpdesks, Missive also includes task management, making it a hybrid between a support tool and a team workspace. Pricing is per user, which scales cleanly for small and mid-sized teams.

Features

• Unified inbox for email, SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and live chat

• Collaboration tools for internal chat, shared drafts, labels, and assignments

• Task management with Kanban and calendar views built into the inbox

• Workflow automation set up for rules, SLAs, workload balancing, API, and webhooks

• AI assistant for summarisation, translation, and writing help (no chatbots)

• Integrations for tools like Slack, Trello, Asana, Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Zapier

• Security with 2FA, encryption, and SSO support

• Mobile apps for iOS and Android

Pros and cons

9. Kustomer

Overview

Kustomer is a customer service CRM engineered for mid‑sized to enterprise teams. Its standout feature is the unified customer timeline, which consolidates conversations, purchase history, and customer data into one view, helping agents deliver personalised, context‑rich support.

Kustomer is built to empower support teams by providing unified customer data and automation, enabling them to deliver efficient and streamlined customer service.

The platform blends omnichannel messaging, AI‑powered automation, and extensive customisability, making it a strong choice for retail, e‑commerce, and financial service businesses.

Features

• Customer Timeline: See all interactions, orders, and notes in a unified view.

• Omnichannel Support: Handle email, chat, SMS, WhatsApp, social (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X), and voice.

• AI Automation (Kustomer IQ): Includes AI agents for reps and customers, smart routing, suggested responses, and intent prediction.

• Customisable CRM Workspace: Use custom objects, fields, and layouts to tailor workflows.

• Workflows & Routing: Automate tickets, SLAs, workload balancing, and queue routing.

• Dashboards & Reporting: Real‑time analytics tracking KPIs like CSAT and response times.

• Integrations: Connect with Shopify, Magento, Salesforce, Zendesk, Slack, and via API.

• Security & Scale: Enterprise‑grade SSO, HIPAA‑compliance, and multi‑brand support.

Pros and cons

10. Kayako

Overview

Kayako is a cloud-based help desk and customer service platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses. Its key differentiator is SingleView, which brings together every customer interaction, purchase history, and activity into one timeline. Kayako combines live chat, shared inbox, social channels, and a self-service knowledge base, giving teams context and helping them respond faster.

Features

• SingleView timeline: Complete customer history across channels in one view

• Omnichannel inbox: Manage email, live chat, Facebook, and Twitter from a single dashboard

• Knowledge base: Build a self-service help centre for FAQs and support articles

• Automation: Routing, SLAs, canned responses, and workflow automation

• Collaboration tools: Internal notes, tagging, and team assignment

• Reporting & analytics: Track performance and customer satisfaction

• Integrations: Slack, Salesforce, Zapier, and other third-party apps

• Mobile apps: iOS and Android support for agents on the go

Pros and cons

What matters (beyond the marketing fluff)

When evaluating Crisp alternatives, forget the fancy feature lists for a moment. Focus on what moves the needle:

Many businesses chose Crisp.chat for its initial simplicity and flexibility, making it a popular option for teams seeking an easy start. Crisp was created to address the need for accessible customer support tools, and its growth reflects the demand for such solutions.

Can it handle your worst day?

When your inbox explodes with queries and half your team is off sick, will the platform crumble or keep running smoothly?

Does it make your team's life easier or harder?

The flashiest features mean nothing if your agents spend more time fighting the software than helping customers. Look for platforms that feel intuitive from day one, not ones that require a PhD to operate.

Will it grow with you without breaking the bank?

Hidden fees and surprise charges are relationship killers. You need transparent pricing that won't ambush you with massive bills as you scale.

Can it solve problems without human intervention?

Basic chatbots that can only say "please hold" aren't automation; they're digital queue management. Real AI should handle common queries completely, not just shuffle them around.

Does it connect with the tools you already use?

If your new support platform can't talk to your CRM, e-commerce system, or marketing tools, you're creating data silos and workflow nightmares.

The truth is, most platforms tick these boxes on paper. The difference lies in execution and results.

Getting a demo with Cue

You can book a personalised demo with a Cue expert in just a few steps. The process is simple and designed to give you maximum value:

1. Visit the Cue website
   Go to our homepage and click on the “Book a Demo” button.

2. Share your details
   Fill in a short form with your contact information and a brief description of your business. You can mention your industry, team size, and any specific challenges you face.

3. Choose your focus
   Select the areas you want to explore, such as AI automation, live chat, or multi-channel support. Cue’s team will prepare examples relevant to your sector.

4. Meet your Cue expert
   A member of the Cue team will contact you to schedule a session. You will receive a walkthrough of the platform, focusing on your unique use case. The expert will answer your questions and show you how Cue can solve your support challenges.

5. See real results
   During the demo, you will see how Cue automates routine queries, reduces agent workload, and improves customer satisfaction. You can discuss integration with your existing tools and see analytics in action.

Book your free demo today and discover how Cue can help your team deliver faster, smarter support. You will leave the session with a clear plan for improving your customer service and a direct line to Cue’s support experts.

Frequently asked questions

What features should you prioritise when choosing a customer support platform?

You should look for automation, multi-channel support, customisation, and analytics. AI-driven tools, such as chatbots and live chat, help you resolve queries quickly. Integration with your CRM and other business systems ensures smooth workflows. Real-time analytics let you track performance and improve your service.

How does Cue differ from other Crisp Chat alternatives?

Cue stands out with its AI Agents, which automate over 80% of routine queries. You benefit from transparent, pay-per-resolution pricing, unlimited agent access, and proven results from real businesses.

Can you integrate these platforms with your existing tools?

Most leading platforms, including Cue, Zendesk, and Intercom, offer integrations with popular CRMs, e-commerce systems, and marketing tools. You should check the integration list before choosing a solution. Cue provides seamless connections, keeping your data and workflows in sync.

How does pricing work for customer support platforms?

Pricing varies. Some platforms charge per agent, while others use pay-per-resolution or flat monthly fees. Cue uses a transparent pay-per-resolution model at £0.89 per resolved query. You avoid hidden costs and can scale your support team without extra charges.