ReplyKit vs Crisp: a shared inbox with chatbot, knowledge base and campaigns priced per workspace, against a WhatsApp AI agent with booking and CRM priced per reply
Crisp is a polished shared inbox for small teams: website chat, email, social and WhatsApp in one place, with a bot builder, a knowledge base and campaigns, priced per workspace rather than per seat. ReplyKit is an AI agent for WhatsApp and websites with booking and CRM. Crisp helps a team answer; ReplyKit answers for the team.
Quick answer
Choose Crisp if you want a shared multichannel inbox for a small team with a bot builder, knowledge base, email campaigns and a free plan to start, with paid workspace plans from about $45 a month and AI features on higher tiers, and WhatsApp through the official API with Meta fees. Choose ReplyKit if you want an AI agent that answers and books on WhatsApp and your website from your knowledge, with an inbox for hand-overs, from $29 with 1,000 AI replies included and no Meta fees. ReplyKit pairs by QR, instant but not sanctioned by Meta; Crisp uses the official API.
Side by side
Rival prices and features are as listed on the vendor's public pricing page when we checked in October 2026 and are summarised in US dollars; they change, so confirm on the vendor's page. ReplyKit's figures are current. We sell ReplyKit, and we have tried to say plainly where the other tool is the better choice.
| ReplyKit | Crisp | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | AI-first answering on WhatsApp and website | Small teams sharing a multichannel inbox |
| Plans | $29, $49, $99 a month | Free; paid per workspace from about $45 a month; higher tiers for AI and automation |
| AI answering | Included | AI features on higher tiers |
| Channels | WhatsApp, website | Web, email, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, SMS |
| QR pairing | Official API; Meta fees | |
| Bot builder | No flows; plain-English rules | Visual scenarios |
| Booking | Built in with reminders | No native booking |
| Campaigns and email | No | Yes |
| Number risk | Restriction possible | None on the official API |
Where Crisp wins
- Multichannel inbox with email, social DMs and web in one view, priced per workspace.
- Campaigns and a public knowledge base.
- Free plan for a tiny team.
- Official WhatsApp API with no number risk.
Crisp's tiers and what each includes are on its pricing page. Inbox-first alternatives are compared in ReplyKit vs Trengo and ReplyKit vs SleekFlow.
Where ReplyKit wins
- AI from the first plan. Answers from your knowledge at $29, not a higher tier.
- Booking and reminders built in.
- No flows: knowledge and rules in plain English.
- No Meta fees and setup in an afternoon.
The honest caveat on our side, repeated in every comparison: ReplyKit pairs with your number as a linked device. It is instant and free of Meta fees, and it is not sanctioned by Meta, so a number can be restricted. Rivals on the official API do not carry that risk and pay Meta per message instead. The trade-off is in API vs QR pairing and our ban guide.
ReplyKit plans: Starter $29 (1 number, 1 agent, 1 website assistant, 1,000 replies), Growth $49 (3 numbers, 5 agents, 5 website assistants, 5,000 replies, follow-up nudges), Pro $99 (15 numbers, unlimited agents, 20,000 replies). Extra replies are $10 per 1,000. AI is included and there are no Meta fees. Details in what it costs.
Who should choose which
- Small team across email, social and web: Crisp.
- WhatsApp answered and booked automatically: ReplyKit.
- Need campaigns and a public help centre: Crisp.
- Want AI included at the entry price: ReplyKit.
Frequently asked questions
Does Crisp include AI answering?
AI features are on its higher tiers. ReplyKit includes AI replies from the $29 plan.
Which supports more channels?
Crisp. ReplyKit does WhatsApp and website.
Does Crisp do appointment booking?
Not natively. ReplyKit books into your slots with reminders.
Which connects WhatsApp more safely?
Crisp, on the official API with Meta fees. ReplyKit pairs by QR with restriction risk.
Which is cheaper with AI?
ReplyKit at $29 with 1,000 replies included, for most small businesses.
WhatsApp-first, website included
AI replies in the plan, booking and CRM built in. 7-day free trial.
Sources and further reading
- WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy · opt-in, opt-out and prohibited-use rules every business must follow
- ReplyKit, Will WhatsApp ban my number for automation? · our own account of the risk and the limits we enforce
ReplyKit is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or WhatsApp. This article is general guidance for running a small business, not legal, financial or regulatory advice.