Scenario verdict
Teams as the workspace or a separate support centre
WebChat documents a website enquiry as a post in the responsible Teams channel and the return of an agent response from its thread. This can reduce application switching but requires clear channel ownership, notifications and Teams governance. Entra SSO and Power Platform paths are documented; current numeric pricing, product hosting region, DPA and retention remain incomplete.
Crisp presents Free as a first shared inbox with website widget, two seats, mobile apps and ecommerce integrations. Higher workspace plans add email, omnichannel messaging, routing, analytics, automation and AI. The reviewed pricing page does not document handling website conversations from Microsoft Teams channel threads. Choosing Crisp therefore means deliberately adopting another support surface.
Evidence matrix
Use the same criteria instead of declaring one winner
| Criterion | WebChat | Crisp |
|---|---|---|
| Agent workspace | Teams channel and thread | dedicated Crisp shared inbox |
| Website chat | widget routed to configured Teams channel | widget included in Free |
| Other channels | WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok claimed | omnichannel from a higher workspace plan |
| Pricing | per channel; amount open | per workspace with included seat count |
| AI and routing | Power Platform/own AI with prerequisites | credits, workflows and routing depend on plan |
| Governance | Entra SSO named; product privacy open | cloud service; obtain DPA, region and retention details |
Procurement
Workspace prices do not map directly to channel prices
On 10 August 2026 Crisp listed Free at USD 0 with two included seats. Mini was USD 45 per month with four seats, Essentials USD 95 with ten seats, and Plus USD 295 with at least 20 seats. Additional seats, AI credits, sub-inboxes, omnichannel, routing and integrations vary. This is a dated snapshot and must be refreshed before an order.
WebChat has no verified numeric amount in this research; the vendor describes per-channel licensing with unlimited users per channel. A workspace plan can behave differently for five full-time agents than a channel plan for 50 occasional Teams responders. Model real quotes, workspaces or channels, training, setup, AI/messaging usage and the cost of operating another inbox over 12 and 36 months.
Acceptance test
Compare behaviour, not marketing copy
- 01
Ten identical enquiries
Measure routing, ownership, concurrent replies, escalation, mobile handling and closure.
- 02
Same channel scope
Compare website, WhatsApp or Instagram only with identical prerequisites and volume.
- 03
Same governance
Obtain roles, SSO, logs, DPA, hosting, retention, export and deletion evidence.
- 04
Same period
Calculate workspaces or channels, seats, AI, implementation and operations for 12 and 36 months.