Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Live Chat Software

Crisp vs Gist

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Crisp #8 in Live Chat Software 8.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Crisp
Gist #63 in Live Chat Software 3.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Gist

Crisp leads on 1 check, Gist on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCrisp · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

Crisp scores higher on our rubric for live chat software: 8.4 against 3.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #8 and #63.

Crisp leads on listed integrations: 2000 apps versus 50 apps.

Crisp is the better fit for small teams wanting a free omnichannel inbox. Gist is the better fit for teams wanting free chat plus customer messaging.

  • Crisp fits best

    Small teams wanting a free omnichannel inbox

  • Gist fits best

    Teams wanting free chat plus customer messaging

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Crisp 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Gist 3.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 3.8
Ranking #8 in Live Chat Software #63 in Live Chat Software
Best for Small teams wanting a free omnichannel inbox Teams wanting free chat plus customer messaging
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $45/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 14 days · card required
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Compliance GDPR, 2FA GDPR
Integrations 2,000+ integrations 50+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features Crisp 3/3 · Gist 3/3
Website chatbot ✓ ✓
Live agent chat ✓ ✓
Visitor tracking ✓ ✓
Specs
Chat channels Omnichannel Omnichannel
Included agent seats 2 agents 2 agents
Listed integrations 2000 apps (best) 50 apps
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes website chat, shared inbox, apps, SDKs, and two seats
  • Omnichannel messaging covers WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, SMS, Line, and more
  • Paid tiers add automation, AI, knowledge base, profiles, and analytics
  • Free plan includes live chat, inbox, history, notifications, and mobile apps
  • Supports website, email, Facebook, Twitter, and in-app messaging
  • Includes bots, visitor tracking, workflows, knowledge base, and API access
Cons
  • Paid plans begin at $45 per workspace per month
  • Free plan is limited to two included seats
  • Advanced capabilities require higher tiers, including Plus at $295 monthly
  • Free plan is limited to 2 support seats
  • Advanced features require the $29 or $99 monthly plans
  • Premium capabilities such as calls and custom bots start at $99 monthly
Our verdict

Crisp is a customer-support platform built around website chat, a shared team inbox, and conversations across email and messaging channels. It suits small teams that want to centralize customer communication without starting with a paid…

Read the review →

Gist is customer communication and CRM software for businesses that want to engage website visitors and customers through live chat, messaging, email, and automated bots. Its feature set covers a collaborative team inbox, visitor and event…

Read the review →
  1. CrispLive Chat Software 8.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. GistLive Chat Software 3.8Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Crisp — where it wins

    • Free plan includes website chat, shared inbox, apps, SDKs, and two seats
    • Omnichannel messaging covers WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, SMS, Line, and more
    • Paid tiers add automation, AI, knowledge base, profiles, and analytics

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid plans begin at $45 per workspace per month
    • Free plan is limited to two included seats
    • Advanced capabilities require higher tiers, including Plus at $295 monthly

  • Gist — where it wins

    • Free plan includes live chat, inbox, history, notifications, and mobile apps
    • Supports website, email, Facebook, Twitter, and in-app messaging
    • Includes bots, visitor tracking, workflows, knowledge base, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 2 support seats
    • Advanced features require the $29 or $99 monthly plans
    • Premium capabilities such as calls and custom bots start at $99 monthly
  • Crisp8.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A capable free inbox for small teams, with paid tiers starting at $45 per workspace monthly.

    Visit CrispFull verdict →
  • Gist3.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A capable free chat and messaging platform with clear upgrades for growing support teams.

    Visit GistFull verdict →

More comparisons

All live chat software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update