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Crisp vs Microsoft Bot Framework

Crisp logo

Crisp

Live Chat

Customer messaging platform for startups and SMBs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Live Chat

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Crisp free tier limited to 2 seats and 100 customer profiles; Microsoft Bot Framework no pricing information published on official product pages
  • They diverge on capability: Crisp covers Live chat, Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crisp and Microsoft Bot Framework actually diverge.

Attributes where Crisp and Microsoft Bot Framework differ
AttributeCrispMicrosoft Bot Framework
PlatformsCloud-based SaaSWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice
Founded20151975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Live Chat).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Crisp

  • Live chat
  • Shared inbox
  • Chatbots
  • Knowledge base
  • Video calls
  • CRM
  • WordPress
  • Shopify

Only in Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Bot Builder
  • Language Understanding (LUIS)
  • QnA Maker
  • Multi-channel support
  • Teams
  • Facebook
  • Telegram
  • Mobile support

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Crisp

  • Customer service and support automationnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Chat and omnichannel messagingnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Chatbot and AI conversation managementnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Customer profile and ticket managementnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Team collaboration on customer communicationnot Microsoft Bot Framework

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Chatbot development and deploymentnot Crisp
  • Conversational AI applicationsnot Crisp
  • Microsoft Teams bot integrationnot Crisp
  • Multi-channel bot deploymentnot Crisp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Crisp

  • Free tier limited to 2 seats and 100 customer profiles
  • Additional agents cost $10/month per seat beyond included seats
  • Customer profile limits increase with each tier; 5,000 (Mini) to 200,000 (Plus)
  • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • No pricing information published on official product pages
  • Pricing likely depends on underlying Azure services used
  • Customers directed to Azure pricing calculator for cost estimation

Pricing, plan by plan

Crisp

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 seats
    • Website chat widget
    • Shared inbox
  • Mini$45/month
    • 4 seats
    • ~$5 AI credits (around 90 automated conversations)
    • Shared email inbox
  • Essentials$95/month
    • 10 seats
    • ~$25 AI credits (around 450 automated conversations)
    • Omnichannel inbox
  • Plus$295/month
    • 20+ seats
    • ~$75 AI credits (around 1,350 automated conversations)
    • Unlimited task automations

Microsoft Bot Framework

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Bot Framework SDK
    • Azure Bot Service basic
  • Standard$0.5/month
    • Advanced connectors
    • Premium support
  • Premium$undefined/month
    • Enterprise features
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Crisp if

  • You need live chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud-based SaaS.
  • You also want shared inbox.
Crisp review

Choose Microsoft Bot Framework if

  • You need bot builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice.
  • You also want language understanding (luis).
Microsoft Bot Framework review

Questions people ask

Is Crisp or Microsoft Bot Framework better?
Neither clearly leads. Crisp starts at Free and Microsoft Bot Framework at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crisp or Microsoft Bot Framework?
Crisp starts at Free and Microsoft Bot Framework at Free.
Does Crisp or Microsoft Bot Framework run on more platforms?
Crisp runs on Cloud-based SaaS. Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice.
Can I use Crisp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Crisp best used for?
Crisp is most often used for customer service and support automation, chat and omnichannel messaging, chatbot and ai conversation management, customer profile and ticket management. Of those, customer service and support automation and chat and omnichannel messaging are not what Microsoft Bot Framework is typically brought in for.
What can Crisp do that Microsoft Bot Framework cannot?
Crisp covers Live chat, Shared inbox, Chatbots, Knowledge base. Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Multi-channel support. Both handle Slack, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Crisp: How much does Crisp cost?

Crisp offers a free plan ($0/month for 2 seats), Mini ($45/month for 4 seats), Essentials ($95/month for 10 seats), Plus ($295/month for 20+ seats), and Enterprise (custom pricing).

Source
Microsoft Bot Framework: How much does Microsoft Bot Framework cost?

Microsoft Bot Framework itself has no published pricing. Costs depend on the Azure services used to host and run bots, which are billed through Azure consumption-based pricing for compute, storage, and other resources required.

Source
Crisp: Is there a free version of Crisp?

Yes, Crisp Free includes 2 seats, website chat widget, shared inbox, and mobile/desktop apps with a 100 customer profile limit and no AI credits.

Source
Microsoft Bot Framework: How do I estimate Microsoft Bot Framework costs?

Use the Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate costs based on your bot's compute, storage, and messaging requirements. Costs scale based on bot traffic, deployment region, and storage needs for conversation data.

Source
Crisp: What are AI credits in Crisp?

AI credits power automated conversations. Mini plan includes ~$5 credits (90 conversations), Essentials includes ~$25 credits (450 conversations), Plus includes ~$75 credits (1,350 conversations).

Source
Microsoft Bot Framework: Are there any free tiers for Microsoft Bot Framework?

Microsoft Bot Framework itself is free to develop and deploy, but hosting and operating bots incurs Azure service costs that vary based on usage patterns and selected Azure services.

Source
Crisp: Does Crisp charge per additional agent?

Yes, additional agents beyond included seats cost $10/month per person. Free plan includes 2 seats; additional seats available on paid plans.

Source
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