Can I open-source Crisp?
YES · mature open-source replacementYes. Chatwoot (36k stars), Zammad (5k stars), LibreDesk (3k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Crisp — self-host with real ops work and stop paying $45/mo.
People still pay for Crisp because support software survives because missing or misrouting one customer message is expensive and every channel behaves differently. The recurring cost buys message delivery, webhooks, threading, identity, permissions, attachments, notifications, spam, search, uptime, and retention, not just the visible interface.
xmulti-channel inbox, chat delivery, knowledge base, campaigns, and workspace pricing
xomnichannel integrations
xlarge-scale deliverability
xAI resolution tuning
xenterprise routing and compliance
These projects already replace it, free.
CChatwootA proper support inbox with chat, email and a help center; free software, billable server chores.open source↗LLibreDeskA modern email-and-live-chat desk in one compact stack, because apparently that was allowed.open source↗LLive Helper ChatA battle-tested live-chat desk with routing, transcripts and canned replies; the interface has seen some things.open source↗What each one is, in full: Chatwoot
all 4 open-source alternatives to Crisp →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Crisp pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0/workspace | $0/workspace | 2 agent seats, 100 customer profiles, unlimited conversations and 0 included AI credits |
| mini | $45/workspace | — | 4 seats, 5,000 customer profiles, unlimited conversations and $5 AI credits/month (about 90 automated conversations) |
| essentials | $95/workspace | — | 10 seats, 50,000 customer profiles, 2 sub-inboxes and $25 AI credits/month (about 450 automated conversations) |
| plus | $295/workspace | — | 20+ included seats, 200,000 customer profiles, 5 sub-inboxes and $75 AI credits/month (about 1,350 automated conversations) |
| enterprise | custom | — | Custom onboarding, SLA, rate limits, features and training |
free tier2 agent seats; 100 customer profiles; unlimited conversations; no included AI credits
billingmonthly + yearly payment available; no public yearly price or stated annual discount; 14-day all-feature trial
hidden costsAI overage is token-based pay-as-you-go after included credits; estimated $0.05-$0.10 per AI-handled conversation. Plus seats above the included 20+ cost $10/month; extra CRM contacts, agent capacity and other limits can cost extra; VAT may apply.
verified 2026-08-12 · source ↗
Can I open-source Crisp?
Yes. Chatwoot replaces Crisp today — self-host it on your own server or machine with no subscription. The full list of open-source alternatives is on this page.
How much does Crisp cost?
Crisp costs about $45/month (Mini, checked 2026-07-31), which is $540 per year. That's what you save by replacing it with open source.
What do I lose by replacing Crisp?
Honestly: multi-channel inbox, chat delivery, knowledge base, campaigns, and workspace pricing; omnichannel integrations; large-scale deliverability; AI resolution tuning; enterprise routing and compliance. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Crisp?
Yes: Chatwoot (A proper support inbox with chat, email and a help center; free software, billable server chores.) LibreDesk (A modern email-and-live-chat desk in one compact stack, because apparently that was allowed.) Live Helper Chat (A battle-tested live-chat desk with routing, transcripts and canned replies; the interface has seen some things.) All 4 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/crisp/alternatives.