Crisp vs Zendesk
Crisp and Zendesk, side by side across AI, pricing, channels, security, and seven more categories. We pull every figure from public sources and don’t pick a winner.
Last updated:
Compare a different pair
vs
Crisp
The AI customer support platform for every business. Omnichannel shared inbox plus AI agent.
Best for SMBs and growing teams wanting affordable all-in-one AI support; bootstrapped companies.
2015 · Nantes, France.
Zendesk
AI-first resolution platform with autonomous AI agents that resolve tickets across all channels.
Best for Mid-market to enterprise support teams wanting an all-in-one omnichannel helpdesk with built-in AI agents. Also SMBs via self-serve.
2007 (Copenhagen, Denmark) · San Francisco, CA, USA.
Claimed: from the vendor, not independently verified.
3rd-party: sourced elsewhere, not on the vendor's site.
Everything else: from the vendor's own pages and verifiable.
Pricing
List prices, seat rules, trials, and pricing transparency.
- Pricing model
- CrispFlat rate per workspace/mo, not per-seat (extra seats $10/mo each).
- ZendeskPer agent/mo, annual or monthly. Suite is omnichannel, Support is email/ticketing only. AI billed separately.
- Free plan
- CrispYes. Forever free; 2 seats, 100 profiles, no AI credits.
- ZendeskNo
- Free trial / guarantee
- Crisp14-day; all features; no card.
- Zendesk14 days (Suite Professional + Copilot).
- Price
- Crisp$45/mo (Mini, 4 seats, 5,000 profiles, ~$5 AI credits). · $95/mo (Essentials, 10 seats, 50,000 profiles, ~$25 AI credits). · $295/mo (Plus, 20+ seats, ~$75 AI credits); Enterprise custom.
- Zendesk$19/agent/mo (Support Team, annual, email only). $55 (Suite Team, omnichannel). · $115/agent/mo (Suite Professional, annual). · Custom (Suite Enterprise + Copilot).
- Seat minimum
- Crisp2 (Free); 4 (Mini); 10 (Essentials); 20+ (Plus); extra seats $10/mo.
- ZendeskNot disclosed (none for self-serve).
- Unlimited agents
- CrispNo. Extra agents $10/mo.
- ZendeskNo. Priced per agent.
- Implementation fee
- CrispNone.
- ZendeskNot disclosed (Launch/Optimization Services extra).
- Transparency
- CrispHigh. All tier prices public.
- ZendeskModerate. Base prices public; per-resolution AI and Enterprise pricing not.
- Pricing last verified
- Crisp2026-06-02
- Zendesk2026-06-02
Channels
Where each tool can talk to customers.
- CrispNative
- ZendeskNative
- Live chat
- CrispNative
- ZendeskNative
- In-app messenger
- CrispNative (SDK iOS/Android/React Native/JS)
- ZendeskNative (Web Widget and mobile SDK).
- Voice
- CrispVia integration (Aircall, Ringover, KrispCall; no native phone)
- ZendeskNative (Zendesk Talk, usage billed separately).
- SMS
- CrispVia integration (Twilio)
- ZendeskNative (Zendesk Text).
- CrispNative (WhatsApp Business)
- ZendeskNative (all Suite plans).
- Social
- CrispNative. Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, Line, Viber, Twitter/X.
- ZendeskNative (FB Messenger, Instagram; X, LINE, WeChat available).
- Unified inbox
- CrispNative
- ZendeskNative. Agent Workspace.
Voice & Telephony
Native voice vs telephony integrations.
- Native vs via integration
- CrispVia integration. Aircall/Ringover/KrispCall; no native PSTN.
- ZendeskNative. Zendesk Talk, included in Suite.
- Voice AI / transcription
- CrispYes. Voice-to-text for audio messages and recorded calls.
- ZendeskYes. Live $0.027/min, post-call $0.01/min. Voice AI Agents in EAP.
- Telephony billed separately
- CrispYes. Via third-party provider.
- ZendeskYes. Numbers $1–2/mo, inbound $0.016/min, recording $0.003/min.
AI & Automation
Autonomous resolution, agentic actions, models, and how AI is priced.
- Autonomous AI agent
- CrispYes. Hugo AI agent resolves tickets 24/7.
- ZendeskYes. AI Agents resolve multi-step, multi-intent requests end to end across email, messaging, and voice.
- Copilot / Assist mode
- CrispYes. Reply suggestions, grammar, rephrasing, summarization, transcription, translation.
- ZendeskYes. Copilot handles next-best-action, auto-assist, triage, and call transcription. Add-on $50/agent/mo or in Suite Enterprise + Copilot.
- Claimed automation rate
- CrispResolves up to 60% of repetitive questions automatically.(claimed)source
- ZendeskUp to 80% (homepage). Customers: Hello Sugar 66%, TeamSystem 80% email, Best Egg 80% messaging.(claimed)source
- AI channel coverage
- CrispWeb chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, email, SMS, Telegram, Line, Viber, Twitter/X.
- ZendeskEmail, messaging (web, mobile, social), voice (Voice AI Agents in EAP), and ticketing.
- Agentic actions (API) vs answer-only
- CrispActions via API. HTTP calls in workflows (Shopify refunds, order lookup, password resets).
- ZendeskActions via API. Orchestrates refunds, cancellations, and legacy-system integrations. Agentic multi-step from May 2026.
- Knowledge sources
- CrispAnswer snippets, KB articles (auto-reindexed), website crawl, conversation history, file importer (PDF/CSV).
- ZendeskHelp center, external sources (Google Drive, PDFs), and Confluence, via a unified knowledge graph.
- Underlying model
- CrispNot fully disclosed. Can connect Claude, Llama, or ChatGPT; in-house private LLM mentioned.
- ZendeskOpenAI (zero-retention) on Azure. Also Azure, Amazon Bedrock, and GCP options, plus proprietary intent models.
- Trains on past tickets
- CrispYes. Conversation history is a knowledge source.
- ZendeskYes. Resolution Learning Loop. Forethought acquisition adds self-improving agents.
- Pre-deploy simulation / sandbox
- CrispWorkflow testing available; no dedicated simulation sandbox.
- ZendeskNot disclosed on AI pages. Enterprise plans include a general sandbox.
- Multilingual
- CrispYes. Multilingual snippets, language detection, translation.
- ZendeskYes. 80 languages at native fluency with auto-switch. KB in 40+ languages.
- Runs on your existing helpdesk vs native-only
- CrispNative only.
- ZendeskNative to Zendesk (some deployment beyond Zendesk noted).
- AI pricing model
- CrispAI credits bundled per plan tier.
- ZendeskOutcome-based per successful resolution, with an allowance included. Packaging consolidated May 2026.
- AI unit price
- Crisp~$0.055/automated conversation implied (Mini $5 credit ~90; Essentials $25 ~450; Plus $75 ~1,350).
- ZendeskNot disclosed (per-resolution price not published).
- Copilot / Assist price
- CrispNot disclosed (bundled).
- Zendesk$50/agent/mo (annual). Suite Enterprise + Copilot custom.
How Open.cx compares
Open.cx runs on top of Crisp or Zendeskas an AI layer, or works as its own helpdesk. Here's where it lands on the same questions.
- Runs on your existing helpdesk vs native-only
- Both. Add it on top of the helpdesk you already run, or use it as your own inbox. Works with Zendesk, Intercom, Front, Freshdesk, Gorgias, Salesforce, HubSpot, Dynamics 365, Twilio Flex, and Creatio.
- Autonomous AI agent
- Yes. Autopilot resolves tickets end to end on its own, across every channel.
- AI pricing model
- Per resolution, so you pay for outcomes. Escalations to a human are free.
- Claimed automation rate
- 77% average automation; up to 80% (Trunkrs)(claimed)source
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data residency, and access controls.
- SOC 2 Type II
- CrispNot certified. No SOC2 audit; self-assessed only.
- ZendeskSOC 2 Type II (report under NDA).
- GDPR
- CrispYes. Fully GDPR-compliant; DPA; EU-only storage; DPO.
- ZendeskYes. EU BCRs, ISO 27701, published DPA.
- HIPAA / PCI
- CrispNot disclosed.
- ZendeskYes. Advanced Compliance add-on with BAA.
- SSO / SAML
- CrispOIDC SSO (Enterprise); SAML not confirmed.
- ZendeskYes. SAML and OIDC, social SSO, 2FA.
- Data residency
- CrispEU only. Messaging in Netherlands, plugin data in Germany; relay (no storage) US/UK/SG.
- ZendeskYes. US, AU, JP, EEA (Data Center Location add-on).
Integrations
Marketplace breadth, APIs, and developer tooling.
- Marketplace / integrations (approx.)
- Crisp~73 integrations across 7 categories.
- Zendesk1,800+ apps and integrations.
- Shopify depth
- CrispOrder history in inbox; refunds actionable; live chat widget; built-in ecommerce features.
- ZendeskDeep native (built with Shopify). Order details, refunds, and cancellations in-context. Shopify and Plus, free.
- Open / public API
- CrispYes. REST API; Developer Hub.
- ZendeskYes. REST APIs across Support, AI Agents, Talk, Custom Objects, and more.
- Developer SDK / MCP
- CrispYes. Chat SDK (JS, iOS, Android, React Native); open-source on GitHub.
- ZendeskYes. Android, iOS, and Unity messaging SDKs, plus Apps Core API.
Automation & Workflows
Builders, triggers, routing, and SLAs.
- Workflow builder
- CrispYes. No-code visual builder; conditional logic, HTTP calls.
- ZendeskYes. No-code builder. App Builder (Pro+), Action Builder (Team+).
- Triggers / automations
- CrispYes. Auto-trigger on conversation start/events/Hugo scenarios.
- ZendeskYes. Triggers and automations, with conditional logic across external integrations.
- Routing
- CrispYes. Round Robin, origin-based, intent-based, custom rules.
- ZendeskOmnichannel (all plans). Skills-based and IVR (Pro+), intelligent triage (Enterprise+).
- Macros / canned responses
- CrispYes. Shortcuts (templated, dynamic data).
- ZendeskYes. Macros plus AI macro suggestions.
- SLA management
- CrispPersonalized SLA at Enterprise only; SLA tracking in analytics.
- ZendeskYes. Growth/Professional+.
Collaboration
How support teams work a queue together.
- Internal notes
- CrispYes. Agent-only private notes.
- ZendeskYes
- Collision detection
- CrispYes. Real-time alerts when another agent is replying.
- ZendeskNot disclosed on reviewed pages.
- Side conversations
- CrispNot disclosed (@mentions exist).
- ZendeskYes. In Agent Workspace.
- Shared inbox
- CrispYes. Omnichannel shared inbox.
- ZendeskYes. Unified Agent Workspace.
Self-Service & Knowledge
Knowledge base, help center, and deflection.
- Knowledge base
- CrispYes. Customizable, brandable, multilingual.
- ZendeskYes. Guide, with branded help centers in 40+ languages.
- Help center
- CrispYes. Public-facing, widget plus standalone URL.
- ZendeskYes. Multiple help centers per brand.
- Community forum
- CrispNot offered.
- ZendeskYes. Zendesk Gather.
- AI answers from knowledge base
- CrispYes. Hugo uses KB articles as primary source.
- ZendeskYes. Generative AI search, semantic search, AI article generation, and gap detection.
Reporting & Analytics
Dashboards, custom reports, and CSAT.
- Dashboards
- CrispYes. Line/bar/treemap/heatmap, operator performance, geo, ratings.
- ZendeskYes. Explore. Prebuilt on all Suite plans, real-time on Pro+.
- Custom reports
- CrispYes. Custom analytics playground; filtering; formulas; export.
- ZendeskYes. Suite Professional+ (Explore Pro). Not on Team.
- Included in lowest tier
- CrispAnalytics across plans; advanced gating not disclosed.
- ZendeskTeam: prebuilt only. Professional+: custom plus real-time.
- CSAT surveys
- CrispYes. Automated post-interaction CSAT via email and chat.
- ZendeskYes. Native CSAT. Explore CSAT reporting on Pro+.
Onboarding & Support
Implementation, CSM tiers, and partners.
- Onboarding
- CrispSelf-service all tiers; dedicated onboarding plus training at Enterprise; Plus gets onboarding assistance.
- ZendeskLaunch, Optimization, and AI Services. Zendesk Assist, Academy, and Help Center.
- Support channels
- CrispKB; chat; email. Per-tier channels not disclosed.
- ZendeskWeb and help form on all plans. Premier adds phone and 24/7.
- Dedicated CSM
- CrispEnterprise only. Dedicated onboarding/personalized service.
- ZendeskPremier Plus: PSE plus TAM, monthly reviews. Enterprise: weekly.
- Implementation partners
- CrispNot disclosed. No partner program found.
- ZendeskYes. 1,800+ Marketplace partners plus Professional Services.