Getting Started With the Free Plan

Learn how to set up a Crisp Free workspace the right way from day one.

The Free plan is a great starting point if you want a proper shared inbox without adding complexity too early. You can handle unlimited conversations with up to 2 seats included, install the chatbox on your website, receive messages from a contact form, and reply from web or mobile apps. It does not include Hugo credits, AI workflows, or the advanced automation features available on paid plans.

Free plan features

The Free plan is designed for small teams or early projects that need the basics first: a website chat widget, a shared inbox, mobile access, and a simple way for visitors to contact you.

Main features included:

• 2 seats included → invite a second person to help answer conversations

• Shared inbox → collaborate on customer conversations from one place

• Website chat widget → chat with visitors directly from your website

• Mobile apps → reply on the go from iOS and Android

• Chat SDKs → add Crisp to your website or app with the available SDKs

• Contact form → receive form submissions directly in your Crisp Inbox

• E-commerce integrations → connect platforms such as Shopify, Adobe Commerce, WooCommerce, or PrestaShop

• Push notifications → stay up to date when a new message comes in

The Free plan includes no Hugo credits. If you want to use Hugo, AI workflows, shared email, shortcuts, triggers, or more collaboration tools, review the Mini, Essentials, or Plus plans.

Recommended setup

Start by making the workspace reachable, recognizable, and easy to manage. Most configuration starts from Crisp.

Invite your second teammate

If you plan to share customer conversations, one of the first things to do is invite the second person who will help manage the Inbox.

Open Settings → Workspace Settings → Operators and Teams, then click Invite Operator, enter the email address, and choose the right role.

Need a walkthrough? Read How do I invite other agents to my Inbox?.

Set up profile, availability, and notifications

Before you start replying to customers, make sure each operator completes their own account setup. A profile picture makes conversations feel more human, availability settings help set expectations, and notifications prevent missed conversations.

Each operator can review this from Settings → Account → Availability and Settings → Account → Notifications.

Useful account setup guides:

• How to edit my profile and add a profile picture

• How can I schedule when to be seen online/offline?

• How do email notifications work?

Install the website chatbox

Once the workspace is ready, install the Crisp chatbox so visitors can start conversations from your website.

Open Settings → Workspace Settings → Setup & Integrations → Chatbox setup instructions to copy the installation script. If your website uses a CMS, e-commerce platform, or framework, follow the dedicated guide for that platform when available.

Useful installation resources:

• How to install the Crisp live-chat chatbox on my website

• Crisp Live Chat

• Crisp Web SDK

Add a contact form fallback

If someone lands on your website when nobody is available, a contact form gives them a reliable fallback. The Contact Form plugin is available on the Free plan and can be embedded on your contact page with an iframe.

You can configure it from the plugin settings, then add the embed code to your website.

Read How to setup the Contact Form plugin to enable it properly.

Daily usage

Once the basics are live, keep the workflow simple. The Free plan is strongest when you use it to build good support habits before adding more channels or automation.

Good habits to start with:

• Reply from one Inbox → keep website chat and contact form messages centralized

• Use clear ownership → decide who should answer and who should resolve conversations

• Keep availability accurate → avoid appearing online when nobody can reply

• Review missed conversations → use notifications and mobile apps to stay responsive

• Document repeated questions → prepare future shortcuts, knowledge base articles, or Hugo training resources when you upgrade

When to upgrade

Upgrade when the limitation is no longer the setup, but the volume or collaboration level. Mini is usually the next step when you need shared email, 4 seats, shortcuts, triggers, internal notes, unlimited conversation history, internal search, and included Hugo credits.

You are probably ready for Mini or higher if:

• More than two people need Inbox access

• Support emails should be handled in Crisp

• You repeat the same replies often and need shortcuts

• You want proactive chat triggers

• You want to test Hugo on a smaller volume

• You need more history and internal search

Read Getting started with the Mini plan when you are ready for the next step.