TL;DR
Invent: Invent suits product, marketing, and CX teams that want no-code, multi-channel AI automation with model choice and usage-based pricing.
Crisp suits SMBs that want a shared inbox unifying chat, email, and messaging with flat-rate pricing.
Overview
Crisp centralizes chat, email, social, and SMS into one collaborative inbox with AI-assisted replies and a customizable widget. Invent is a no-code automation platform built on multiple LLMs for conversational workflows across WhatsApp, SMS, email, Slack, and Instagram, billed by usage. Crisp's center of gravity is the shared inbox; Invent's is flexible automation across channels.
Core feature comparison
Crisp vs Invent at a glance. Crisp uses flat-rate workspace pricing; Invent is usage-based with multi-model access. Figures as of May 2026.
Here's how they compare right now (May 2026):
- Setup: Crisp quick setup with drag-and-drop automations; Invent plug-and-play, ready in about ten minutes
- Channels: Crisp web chat, email, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS; Invent WhatsApp, SMS, email, Slack, Instagram, plus CRM
- AI models: Crisp proprietary AI plus ChatGPT-powered automations; Invent GPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok, with voice agents (coming soon)
- Pricing: Crisp has a free plan for up to 2 seats, then Mini around EUR 45 per month (about 4 seats, includes AI credits), Essentials around EUR 95, and Plus around EUR 295; Invent gives 100 free messages a month, then usage-based per message with no per-seat fees
A deeper look at the differences
Pricing and predictability
Crisp's flat-rate workspace pricing is easy to budget but tied to seat tiers, so growing the team can mean a tier jump, and AI use draws on bundled credits. Invent charges per message with no per-seat fees, so cost moves with conversation volume rather than team size. See usage-based vs subscription pricing.
AI flexibility
Crisp uses its own AI plus ChatGPT-powered automations. Invent lets you choose GPT, Claude, Gemini, or Grok per assistant and switch as models improve.
Channels and workflows
Both cover the main messaging channels. Invent adds Slack and deeper no-code workflow building for product and marketing cases beyond a support inbox.
Team collaboration
Crisp's strength is the shared inbox and collaboration for a support team. Invent focuses on the automation layer and clean handoff, and pairs well when you need conversations to span more than support.
An illustrative cost scenario
Illustrative only; confirm current vendor pricing. A growing team of eight handling moderate volume:
- On flat-rate seat tiers: eight people likely pushes past the entry tier into a higher workspace plan, so cost steps up with headcount regardless of message volume.
- On Invent: no per-seat fees, and you pay per message handled, so the eight teammates add no seat cost and the bill follows actual conversations.
Switching from Crisp to Invent
- Export your saved replies and help content; they become Invent knowledge.
- Recreate your top automations as Invent assistants and connect web chat.
- Add WhatsApp, Instagram, or SMS, run in parallel, compare results, then cut over.
Use cases and best fit
Invent fits when
- You need multi-channel automation beyond a website inbox
- You want model choice and pay-as-you-go usage pricing
- You're designing more complex product or marketing workflows
Crisp fits when
- You want one shared inbox for chat, email, and messaging
- You value fast onboarding, collaboration, and flat-rate billing
- You mostly automate frequent questions with clean human handoff
Which should you choose in 2026?
Choose Crisp for unified team collaboration with predictable flat cost and basic AI automation. Choose Invent for scalable, multi-model automation across many channels with usage-based pricing. Comparing more tools? See the AI chat automation roundup and Intercom Fin vs Invent.
FAQs
Can Crisp handle multi-channel messaging?
Yes. Crisp aggregates chat, email, WhatsApp, SMS, and Messenger into a shared inbox with automated routing.
Which platform gives more AI flexibility?
Invent offers direct multi-model access (GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok). Crisp uses proprietary AI supplemented with ChatGPT.
Is onboarding complex?
Crisp sets up quickly with a collaborative inbox and drag-and-drop automation. Invent needs about ten minutes for multi-channel workflows, no coding required.
How is pricing structured?
Crisp uses flat-rate workspace pricing with a free 2-seat plan. Invent is usage-based per message with 100 free messages a month and no per-seat fees. Figures as of May 2026.
Which scales better for a growing team?
Invent has no per-seat fees, so there are no tier jumps as you hire; Crisp remains simple for smaller, stable teams.
Want multi-channel automation with model choice? Start free with Invent
