Crisp vs Kayako: Helpdesk Software Comparison 2026
Crisp and Kayako are both helpdesk and customer support platforms, but they are built for different operating models, budgets, and team workflows. This comparison reviews pricing, AI and automation, integrations, use cases, migration considerations, and practical buying trade-offs.
Quick verdict
Crisp is usually a stronger fit for SMB, SaaS / Chat teams that value Live chat, Flat pricing, Simple. Kayako is usually a stronger fit for SMB teams that value Email, Live chat, Legacy. On listed starting price, Kayako appears more affordable, but final cost depends on seats, add-ons, AI usage, support channels, and implementation scope. Based on the available G2 rating in this dataset, Crisp has the higher user rating.
Pricing comparison
Crisp starts at from $25/agent/mo, while Kayako starts at from $15/agent/mo. Treat this as a starting point, not a full total cost estimate. Real pricing can change with agent count, AI features, phone or messaging channels, advanced reporting, implementation, marketplace apps, and data migration needs.
| Factor | Crisp | Kayako |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | from $25/agent/mo | from $15/agent/mo |
| G2 rating | 4.4 | 4 |
| Best fit | SMB, SaaS / Chat | SMB |
| Founded | 2015 | 2001 |
| HQ | Nantes, France | London, UK |
| Customers | 600,000+ | 50,000+ |
| Known clients | Various SaaS startups and SMBs across Europe | NASA, FedEx, General Electric (historically) |
AI and automation
Crisp
Crisp AI — MagicType (AI-autocomplete for agents), AI-summarized conversations, chatbot builder.
Kayako
Basic — limited modern AI features. Product development has notably slowed since ~2019.
For AI buying decisions, compare not only feature names but also automation limits, handoff quality, knowledge base dependency, pricing per resolution or add-on, reporting, and how much configuration your team needs before AI becomes useful.
Integrations
Crisp is commonly evaluated by teams that need Live chat, Flat pricing, Simple. Kayako is commonly evaluated by teams that need Email, Live chat, Legacy. Before choosing, check native integrations for your CRM, ecommerce platform, chat tools, telephony, BI stack, identity provider, and data warehouse.
When to choose Crisp
Choose Crisp when its pricing model, workflow depth, and operational fit match your team better than Kayako. It may be the better option if the following strengths are central to your support strategy:
- Flat pricing per workspace (not per agent)
- Great live chat
- Simple
Watch out for these limitations before committing:
- Basic ticketing features
- Limited reporting
When to choose Kayako
Choose Kayako when its ecosystem, product direction, and implementation model are a better fit for your team than Crisp. It may be the better option if these strengths matter most:
- Unified customer journey
- Good live chat
Check these trade-offs carefully before rollout:
- Product development has slowed down
- Support can be unresponsive
Migration considerations
If you are moving from Crisp to Kayako, or from Kayako to Crisp, the main challenge is usually not just ticket export. You need to plan how users, organizations, companies, comments, private notes, attachments, tags, statuses, custom fields, knowledge base articles, and record relationships will map into the new system.
Before migration, verify API limits, attachment handling, deleted or archived records, field mapping, ticket status logic, agent matching, knowledge base structure, and whether you need a delta migration close to go-live.
FAQ
The main difference is usually fit: pricing model, workflow depth, integrations, AI capabilities, implementation complexity, and the type of support team each product serves best.
Not universally. Crisp can be better for some teams, while Kayako can be better for others. The right choice depends on your support channels, team size, budget, automation needs, and existing software stack.
Yes, in many cases you can migrate tickets, users, companies, comments, attachments, tags, custom fields, and knowledge base data. The exact scope depends on each platform's API and export/import limitations.
Based on listed starting prices, Kayako is cheaper at entry level. However, total cost depends on add-ons, AI usage, number of agents, support channels, and implementation work.