Customer Support Tool Comparison
Compare support platforms for solopreneurs and small operations. Free tiers, AI costs, and pricing models that won't break your budget.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Free Tier | AI Cost | Unpredictable Bills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tawk.to | Zero-cost professional support | Unlimited everything | $29/mo flat | No |
| Tidio | AI deflection testing | 50 chats + 50 AI | $0.15-0.78/conv | Possible |
| Help Scout | Email-centric support | 5 users, 100 contacts | $0.75/resolution | Possible |
| Crisp | Multiple brands | 2 agents | €95-295/mo | No |
Enterprise Tools to Avoid
These platforms have pricing models designed for 50+ seat deployments, not solopreneurs.
Intercom
$29/seat + $0.99/resolution AI
Unpredictable bills, enterprise pricingZendesk
$19-55/agent + $50/agent AI + $1.50-2/resolution
Add-on maze, enterprise-focusedDrift
$2,500/month minimum ($30K/year)
Sales tool, not supportLiveChat
$20/mo chat + $52/mo AI = $72+ total
Split products, worse economicsFeature Comparison
Free Tier Limits
Feature
tawk.to
Tidio
Help Scout
Crisp
Agents/Users Unlimited 10 seats 5 users 2 agents
Live chat conversations Unlimited 50/month 100 contacts/mo Unlimited
Websites Unlimited 1 1 inbox 1 workspace
Knowledge base Yes Yes 10 articles €95/mo
Ticketing system Yes Yes Yes €45/mo
AI & Automation
Feature
tawk.to
Tidio
Help Scout
Crisp
Free AI included 100 credits/mo 50 lifetime 3 months unlimited None
AI pricing model Flat $29/mo Per conversation Per resolution Flat (€95-295)
AI learns from KB Yes Yes (Lyro) Yes Yes
Chatbot flows Yes Yes Basic Yes
Auto triggers Yes Yes Limited Yes
Channels & Integrations
Feature
tawk.to
Tidio
Help Scout
Crisp
Website chat widget Yes Yes Beacon Yes
Email support Yes Yes Primary Yes
WhatsApp/Messenger Limited Yes No Yes
Video/Voice calling $29/mo add-on No No Yes
WordPress plugin Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pricing Reality
Scenario
tawk.to
Tidio
Help Scout
Crisp
Basic support (no AI) $0 $0 (50 chats) $0 €0
With AI (100 conv/mo) $29 $59-79 $75* €95
With AI (500 conv/mo) $29 $149 $375* €295
Viral article spike $29 (flat) Variable Variable €295 (flat)
Bill predictability High Medium Medium High
*Help Scout: $0.75/resolution after 3-month trial
Find Your Match
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Platform Recommendations
ZERO-COST PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
tawk.to
Genuinely free unlimited support
- Free Tier: Unlimited everything
- AI Cost: $29/mo flat
- Chat Widget: Yes
- Knowledge Base: Yes
AI DEFLECTION TESTING
Tidio
Test AI before committing
- Free Tier: 50 chats + 50 AI
- AI Cost: $0.15-0.78/conv
- Chat Widget: Yes
- Knowledge Base: Yes
EMAIL-CENTRIC SUPPORT
Help Scout
Email-first support platform
- Free Tier: 5 users, 100 contacts
- AI Cost: $0.75/resolution
- Chat Widget: Yes (Beacon)
- Knowledge Base: 10 articles free
MULTIPLE BRANDS
Crisp
Workspace-based pricing
- Free Tier: 2 agents
- AI Cost: €95-295/mo
- Chat Widget: Yes
- Knowledge Base: €95/mo
Read the Full Comparison
Deep dive into pricing models, AI capabilities, enterprise tools to avoid, and implementation guides.
Read Support Guide