Zammad vs Crisp
Both Zammad and Crisp are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the customer support space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Zammad
EU- Headquarters
- Berlin, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Crisp
EU- Headquarters
- Nantes, FR
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- Zammad offers a free tier, while crisp offers a free tier. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Zammad is open source, meaning you can audit the code, self-host, and avoid vendor lock-in. Crisp is proprietary, which often means a more polished out-of-the-box experience and dedicated support, but less flexibility for customisation.
- Data residency differs: Zammad hosts data in Germany, while Crisp hosts in France, Netherlands. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Each product has unique strengths: Zammad offers Multi-channel ticketing (email, phone, chat, social) and SLA management and escalation, while Crisp provides Live chat and Shared inbox. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Zammad | Crisp |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Zammad | Crisp |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Berlin, DE | Nantes, FR |
| Data Centers | DE | FR, NL |
| Multi-channel ticketing (email, phone, chat, social) | ||
| Knowledge base | ||
| SLA management and escalation | ||
| Automation with macros and triggers | ||
| Full-text search | ||
| Time accounting | ||
| Reporting and analytics | ||
| LDAP and Exchange integration | ||
| Role-based access control | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Live chat | ||
| Shared inbox | ||
| Chatbot builder | ||
| CRM | ||
| Status page | ||
| Video calls | ||
| Campaigns | ||
| Co-browsing |
Pricing Comparison
Zammad
Freefree self-hosted / hosted plans
Crisp
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Zammad
GDPRDPA
Crisp
GDPRDPA
Get Started
Categories
How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose Zammad
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Crisp
Zammad vs Crisp — FAQ
What is the main difference between Zammad and Crisp?
Both Zammad and Crisp are European customer support solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Zammad is open source while Crisp is proprietary, and Zammad uses free self-hosted / hosted plans pricing while Crisp uses freemium. Zammad is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, while Crisp is based in Nantes, France. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Zammad or Crisp?
Both Zammad and Crisp offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (free self-hosted / hosted plans vs. freemium), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Zammad and Crisp GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Zammad and Crisp are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.