8 Honestly Compared ManyChat Alternatives – Complete Review

ManyChat offers an accessible entry point into chatbot marketing. However, your business might need more advanced features or integrations that ManyChat doesn't provide... Or you might be too early to use Manychat at this point and looking for a free and easier alternative... 

This is why exploring alternatives is crucial before making a decision.

By the end of the article, I have also broken down the key features of Manychat. I highly encurage you to look into it if you are yet to choose a chat marketing platform.

ManyChat: The Good, The Bad, and The Limitations

What ManyChat Gets Right

I started using Manychat for Instagram automation. It makes life so much easier with DM marketing, sending new resources to your followers time by time and much more. ManyChat has earned its popularity for good reasons:

• It has a User-friendly interface
• Quick setup process
• Advanced Manychat AI to assist you all along (New one)
• Integration with Facebook Messenger and Instagram
• Visual flow builder
• Marketing Automation capabilities

I have explained use cases and features after comparing the alternatives. However, I must highlight, Manychat's IG funnel builder is indeed a great tool for many small businesses and solopreneurs.

But as your business grows, you might start feeling the pinch of ManyChat's limitations.

Where ManyChat Falls Short

1. Limited platform integrations
2. Restricted customization options
3. Limited to Instagram and Messangers.
4. Scaling challenges for larger businesses
5. Pricing that can become steep as you grow

You might be thinking, "But ManyChat has served me well so far!" And you're right.

For many businesses, ManyChat remains an excellent choice. However, as your needs evolve, exploring alternatives becomes crucial. 

But if you're managing a larger business with complex marketing needs, require advanced integrations, or are looking to scale your automation across multiple channels, let's look into the Manychat alternatives.

Top ManyChat Alternatives: A Bird's Eye View

Chatbot market is big. The chatbot market is expected to reach $1.25 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 24.3% as published by the Grand View Research, in 2021. This rapid growth has spurred innovation, leading to a diverse ecosystem of chatbot platforms.

But with great diversity comes great confusion. How do you choose the right platform when there are dozens of options? In my experiment, I discovered these tools as the best possible choice beyond Manychat, whether it's for Instagram, Whatsapp or Facebook messenger.

I will quickly cover all of them before helping you with picking one.

Chatfuel: The Power Player

Key Features:

• Advanced AI capabilities
• Multi-platform support (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)
• Robust analytics dashboard
• A/B testing functionality

Pricing:

• Free plan available just like Manychat.
• Pro plan starts at $15/month
• Premium plans for larger businesses

Chatfuel boasts an impressive client list including Adidas and Netflix.

But is it the right fit for you?

The platform shines in its AI capabilities, allowing for more natural conversations.

However, the learning curve can be steeper than ManyChat. Therefore, if you're willing to invest time in learning a new tool, Chatfuel could be a good place to switch.

Customer.AI: The Omnichannel Champion

Another great alternative to Manychat especially for SMS and Facebook is, Mobile Monkey or now called Customers AI. While Manychat for Instagram and Messanger is good, it lacks email and cross channel capabilities. Here is Mobile Monkey:

Key Features:

• Omnichannel chatbot creation (Facebook, SMS, Web)
• Registered OmniChat technology for unified inbox
• Lead generation-focused tools
• Extensive template library just like Manychat

Pricing:

• Free plan with limited features
• Pro plan at $19/month
• Team pricing is available for larger teams

Customers.AI's omni channel approach is its standout feature. But with great power comes great complexity. The platform offers more channels than ManyChat, which is fantastic for reaching a wider audience.

However, managing multiple channels can be overwhelming for small teams.

This is why Customers.ai is particularly suited for businesses ready to scale their chatbot strategy across various platforms.

Popular Digital marketing expert, Neil Patel mentions it as "His go-to platform." Hope that was not a paid review.

If you're looking to expand beyond Facebook Messenger, Customers.ai could be your go-to platform

Octane AI: The E-commerce Specific Chatbot

Manychat is popular in many domains, including Real estate, coaching, consulting and more. It also has a Shopify integration for e-commerce businesses as mentioned in the official blog. However, Manychat is not optimized for the use-case. Octane focuses on one specific industry. This offers it an edge:

Key Features:

• Shopify integration 
• Quiz builder for product recommendations
• Facebook Messenger and SMS marketing
• Abandoned cart recovery

Pricing:

• Starts at $29/month
• Custom pricing for high-volume stores

Octane AI is tailor-made for e-commerce.

Now here is a point to pay attention to: While Octane AI excels in features like abandoned cart recovery and product recommendations, its specialization can be limiting for businesses in other industries.

If you're running an online store, especially on Shopify, Octane AI deserves serious consideration. Its laser focus on e-commerce means you get features specifically designed to boost your online sales. But if not, then the next alternative might be interesting.

Landbot: The No-Code Wonder

Key Features:

• Visual, no-code bot builder
• Web, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger bots
• Human takeover capability
• Extensive integration options

Pricing:

• Free plan available
• Pro plan starts at $30/month
• Business plan at $80/month

Landbot's visual builder makes it incredibly easy to create complex conversational flows without coding. Also, it is specifically designed for customer support and conversations. It can be practically more useful than Manychat for customer queries.

However, ease of use sometimes comes at the cost of advanced customization. While Landbot offers more integrations than ManyChat, you might find it frustrating to ask for more control over the bot's behavior.

This is why Landbot is an excellent choice for businesses that want to quickly deploy sophisticated chatbots without a steep learning curve. If you value ease of use and quick deployment over deep customization, Landbot could be your ideal ManyChat alternative.

Drift: The Conversation-Driven Revenue Machine

Key Features:

• AI-powered chatbots
• Advanced routing and qualification
• Account-based marketing features
• Revenue acceleration platform

Pricing:

• Custom pricing based on needs
• Premium solution with a higher price point

Drift from Salesloft positions itself as more than just a chatbot—it calls itself 'a complete revenue acceleration platform'. But this comprehensive approach comes with a higher price tag and a steeper learning curve.

Drift's enterprise-level features might be overkill for small businesses or those just starting with chatbots.

In my expererience, Drift is best suited for B2B companies with complex sales processes and larger budgets. If you're looking to align your sales and marketing teams and don't mind investing in a premium solution, Drift could be the game-changer.

Intercom: The Customer Communication Hub

Intercom is one of the oldest platform for managing customer relations. It is not a direct competitor for Manychat and offers a way more extensive service for mid to large scale businesses.

Key Features:

• Integrated help desk and live chat
• Product tours and onboarding tools
• Custom bots and machine learning
• Extensive app ecosystem

Pricing:

• Starts at $59/month for small teams
• Custom pricing for larger businesses

Intercom offers a complete customer communication platform, going beyond just chatbots.

But this comprehensive approach can be overwhelming and expensive for businesses primarily seeking a chatbot solution. Intercom's strength lies in its ability to unify customer interactions across multiple touchpoints.

This is why Intercom is particularly valuable for SaaS companies or businesses with a strong focus on customer support and engagement.

If you're looking for a solution that goes beyond marketing to encompass all aspects of customer communication, Intercom could be your answer.

Tidio: The All-in-One Live Chat and Chatbot

Key Features:

• Live chat and chatbots in one platform
• AI-powered chatbots
• Easy-to-use visual editor
• Multichannel communication (Web, Email, Messenger)

Pricing:

• Free plan available
• Chatbots plan starts at $39/month
• Communicator plan at $29/month

Tidio combines live chat with chatbots, offering a flexible solution for businesses of all sizes.

But while this combination is powerful, it might not offer the depth of features found in more specialized tools. Tidio's strength lies in its balance of functionality and ease of use.

Therefore, Tidio is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a straightforward, affordable solution that combines human and bot interactions.

If you value simplicity and direct customer communication, Tidio could be your ideal ManyChat alternative. But know that you might miss the automation capabilities that come with Manychat.

Botpress: The Open-Source Chatbot Powerhouse

Botpress is truly a free Manychat alternative for WhatsApp, Telegram and other messagers. It can be integrated with different platforms through Make.com and custom developer APIs.

Key Features:

• Open-source core
• Advanced natural language processing
• Visual flow editor
• Extensible with custom modules

Pricing:

• Open-source version is free
• Pro version starts at $99/month

Botpress offers unparalleled flexibility with its open-source core. It allows anyone to use it for creating chatbot automation.

But know that this flexibility comes with a trade-off: it requires more technical expertise to fully leverage its capabilities. While Botpress provides a visual editor, getting the most out of the platform often involves coding.

This is why Botpress is ideal for businesses with technical resources who want complete control over their chatbot infrastructure. If you're willing to invest time and resources into building a truly custom solution, Botpress could be the foundation you need.

Making the Right Choice: ManyChat or an Alternative?

After exploring these alternatives, you might be wondering: "Should I stick with ManyChat or make the switch?" Let me offer a non-diplomatic answer from my point of view as a Manychat user and an internet entrepreneur for over 9 years.

ManyChat remains an excellent choice for:

• Small businesses just starting with chatbots
• Marketers focused primarily on Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp and Instagram.
• Users who value simplicity and ease of use

However, you can consider switching if you:

• Need more advanced features or integrations
• Are looking to scale your chatbot across multiple channels
• Require deeper analytics or AI capabilities
• Have specific needs (e.g., e-commerce focus, enterprise-level features)

Remember, the "best" platform is the one that aligns most closely with your business goals and resources. 

These are some common factors when you compare platforms:

1. Your budget
2. Technical expertise of your team
3. Desired features and integrations
4. Growth projections for your business
5. Primary channels where your audience engages

Here are the key use-cases for Manychat if you haven't explored yet...

ManyChat Use Cases

ManyChat's versatility makes it an invaluable tool for businesses across various sectors. Let's explore some practical applications that showcase its power in driving engagement, sales, and customer satisfaction.

E-commerce

Interactive Product Recommendations

• Example Scenario: A clothing retailer uses ManyChat to create a style quiz.

Abandoned Cart Recovery

• Example Scenario: An electronics store automates follow-ups for abandoned carts.
• Implementation: ManyChat sends a sequence of messages with product reminders, urgency triggers, and exclusive discounts.

Lead Generation

Real Estate Lead Qualification

• Scenario: A real estate agency uses ManyChat to pre-qualify potential buyers.
• Implementation: The bot asks about budget, preferred locations, and property types, then routes qualified leads to agents.

Salon Appointment Booking

• Scenario: A hair salon implements an automated booking system.
• Implementation: Customers can view available slots, book appointments, and receive reminders through ManyChat.

Customer Support

Instant FAQ Responses

• Scenario: A software company creates a support bot to handle common queries.
• Implementation: The bot provides instant answers to frequently asked questions and offers options to escalate to human support if needed.

Proactive Order Updates

• Scenario: An online retailer automates order status communications.
• Implementation: ManyChat sends automated updates at key stages: order confirmation, shipping, and delivery.

Content Distribution

Webinar Promotion and Follow-up

• Scenario: A digital marketing agency uses ManyChat to promote and follow up on webinars.
• Implementation: The bot sends reminders before the event, provides easy access links, and follows up with resources and next steps.

Personalized Content Delivery

• Scenario: A fitness influencer uses ManyChat to distribute workout plans.
• Implementation: Subscribers receive daily workout routines based on their fitness level and goals, with options to ask questions or modify exercises.

On the top, there are some key features which are hard to find anywhere else in the same suit.

Manychat Features

ManyChat offers a solid set of features designed to help businesses create, automate, and optimize their conversational marketing strategies in comparision to other tools competing in the space.

Visual Flow Builder

Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface

• ManyChat's visual flow builder allows users to create complex conversation flows without coding.
• Key Benefit: Reduces the learning curve, enabling marketers to quickly build and deploy chatbots.
• Example: A clothing retailer creates a product recommendation flow in under an hour, guiding customers through style preferences to suggest ideal outfits.

Advanced Customization Options

• Users can add conditions, create loops, and incorporate variables for highly personalized conversations.
• Key Benefit: Enables the creation of sophisticated, branching dialogues that adapt to user inputs.
• Example: An insurance company designs a quote generator that adjusts questions based on previous answers, providing accurate estimates in real-time.

Audience Segmentation

Dynamic Tagging System

• Automatically assign tags to users based on their interactions, responses, or behaviors.
• Key Benefit: Allows for precise targeting and personalization in future campaigns.
• Example: An e-commerce store tags users interested in "eco-friendly products," enabling targeted promotions for new sustainable items.

Custom Fields for Rich User Profiles

• Create and populate custom fields with user-specific information gathered through conversations or integrations.
• Key Benefit: Builds comprehensive user profiles for enhanced personalization and targeting.
• Example: A fitness app collects data on users' workout preferences, fitness levels, and goals, using this information to provide tailored workout recommendations.

Automation Tools

Multi-Step Drip Campaigns

• Set up sequences of messages delivered over time, triggered by specific actions or timeframes.
• Key Benefit: Nurtures leads and customers with timely, relevant content without manual intervention.
• Example: A SaaS company creates a 7-day onboarding sequence, gradually introducing new users to key features and encouraging product adoption.

Smart Delay and Time-Based Actions

• Schedule messages or actions based on specific times, dates, or intervals.
• Key Benefit: Ensures messages are delivered at optimal times for engagement.
• Example: A restaurant sends lunch specials at 11 AM local time, increasing the likelihood of influencing customers' dining decisions.

Manychat AI Powered Capabilities

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

• Understands and responds to user inputs in natural language, beyond pre-defined keywords.
• Key Benefit: Creates more human-like interactions, improving user experience and engagement.
• Example: A travel agency's bot can understand and respond to complex queries like "I want a beach vacation in Europe for under $2000 in July."

Smart Replies and Suggestions

• Offers AI-generated response suggestions based on the conversation context.
• Key Benefit: Speeds up human agent responses and maintains consistency in communication.
• Example: Customer service agents receive suggested responses for common inquiries, reducing response time by 40%.

Cross Platform Integration Capabilities

Zapier and Make.com Integration

• Connects ManyChat with over 2,000 other apps and services through Zapier.
• Key Benefit: Automates workflows across multiple platforms without custom coding.
• Example: Automatically add new ManyChat leads to a CRM system and trigger a welcome email through an email marketing platform.

Native Integrations

• Direct integrations with popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and HubSpot.
• Key Benefit: Enables seamless data exchange and action triggers between ManyChat and essential business tools.
• Example: A Shopify store automatically sends order updates and shipping notifications through ManyChat, reducing support inquiries by 30%.

Analytics and Reporting

Comprehensive Dashboard

• Description: Provides real-time metrics on user engagement, conversion rates, and bot performance.
• Key Benefit: Offers insights to optimize chatbot flows and marketing strategies.
• Example: A lead generation campaign uses the dashboard to identify the highest-converting conversation paths, focusing efforts on the most effective strategies.

Custom Report Builder

• Description: Allows users to create tailored reports focusing on specific KPIs and date ranges.
• Key Benefit: Facilitates data-driven decision making and stakeholder reporting.
• Example: A marketing manager creates a monthly report showcasing chatbot-driven sales, user growth, and engagement metrics, demonstrating ROI to company leadership.

Here is what you can do...

In my experience, Manychat is a perfect tool and no alternative comes close if your use-case is included in the domain. However, for a mid to large scale businesses that need capabilities beyond just chatbot marketing, above platforms offer the right solutions.

Remember, switching platforms is not a decision to be taken lightly. Carefully evaluate your options, take advantage of free trials, and experiment.

Whether ManyChat or one of these other tools, the power to elevate your customer engagement lies in your hands.

If you have any further questions, you can ask in the comments below.