ChatFuel has been a leader in conversational AI for long now, but it’s not always the best option. These alternatives offer the features, flexibility, and control enterprises need to excel.
ChatFuel is used to build bots, that can be easily deployed on Facebook, Instagram, & WhatsApp. It includes features like Live chat, Shared inbox, Assigning agents, Mobile inbox app, Triggering flows from Live chat, Official WhatsApp API, & Click-to-WhatsApp Ads.
Pricing for Businesses
1) Instagram & Facebook - ₹1,020/month + ₹1.02/extra conversation per month
2) WhatsApp - ₹1,630/month + ₹0.83/extra conversation per month
Pricing for Enterprises
Starting $300 that includes bot building services (10 free hours) & a personal account manager + bulk conversational pricing
ChatFuel Alternatives
1. Dialogflow
Both Botpress and Dialogflow are widely used chatbot platforms, but they cater to different audiences.
Key Features & Differences
Feature | Botpress | Dialogflow |
|---|---|---|
Free Version | Yes (Open Source) | Yes (Limited Trial) |
Enterprise Solution | Yes | Yes (Dialogflow CX) |
3rd Party NLU Support | Yes | No |
Supported Languages | 12+ via FastText | 30+ languages supported |
Conversational Flow Editor | Yes | No (Dialogflow ES), Yes (CX) |
Messaging Platforms | Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Slack, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp (via Smooch.io) | Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Slack, Twilio, Web, LINE, etc. |
Implementation
Aspect | Botpress | Dialogflow |
Setup Speed | Quick setup, low-code interface | Requires customization for full use |
Customization | Drag-and-drop design with JS | Templates and starter packs available |
Cost
Aspect | Botpress | Dialogflow |
Pricing Model | Free Open Source + Enterprise | Charges per request and audio minute |
Additional Costs | None for core features | Extra Google Cloud costs may apply |
Knowledge/Resources
Aspect | Botpress | Dialogflow |
Ease of Use | Visual interface for easy iteration | Simple for basic bots, steep curve for CX |
Learning Curve | Designed for developers with clear guidance | Requires integration with Google Cloud services |
Best for: Botpress for open-source flexibility; Dialogflow for businesses already invested in Google Cloud services.
Pricing
2. Microsoft Copilot Studio
Microsoft Copilot Studio is designed for businesses using Microsoft tools like Dynamics 365 and Teams. Its automation capabilities enhance efficiency across departments.
Key features:
Seamless integration with Microsoft products
Workflow automation to boost productivity
Scalable to suit enterprises of all sizes
Best for: Businesses operating within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Pricing
1) Microsoft Copilot Studio - $200 for 25,000 messages/month (Build your own agents, available across multiple channels, to assist employees and customers)
2) Microsoft Copilot Studio Pay as you go - Start using without any commitment up front. Pay for only what you use. Build and deploy agents across multiple channels, to assist employees and customers.
3) Microsoft 365 Pilot - $30/user/month paid yearly. Use Copilot Studio to create agents that work with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Bring Microsoft 365 Copilot to your organization with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription for business or enterprise.
3. Rasa
Rasa gives businesses unmatched control over their conversational AI. Unlike closed platforms, it lets you create assistants that reflect your unique business goals. With tools like Rasa Studio, businesses can simplify development without compromising power. Rasa supports on-premises deployment for greater data control and handles unexpected user inputs effectively.
Key features
Customizable AI development
Full data ownership
Flexible language model options
No-code interface for easy workflow design
Best for: Enterprises prioritizing flexibility, security, and scalability.
Pricing
1) Free Developer Edition - One bot per company, with up to 1000 external conversations/month or 100 internal converations/month.
2) Growth Plan - Simple deployment and fast time-to-market with our no-code UI. For teams and growth stage organizations (<500,000 Conversations Annually)
3) Enterprise Plan - Large scale deployment and increased automation rates with pre-built enterprise security features.
4. Kore.ai
Kore.ai excels at delivering AI-driven virtual assistants that manage complex interactions across multiple channels. Prebuilt templates speed up implementation, ensuring businesses can launch quickly.
Key features
Omnichannel deployment
Prebuilt templates for fast setup
Advanced NLP for improved accuracy
Best for: Businesses seeking consistent customer experiences across platforms.
Pricing
Not Available on their website (Enterprise Plans only)
5. IBM watsonx Assistant
IBM watsonx Assistant offers powerful NLP capabilities and integrates well with IBM Watson Discovery for deeper data insights. It’s ideal for businesses requiring intelligent automation in complex industries.
Key features
Advanced AI models for complex queries
Industry-specific solutions for faster deployment
Seamless integration with IBM's ecosystem
Best for: Enterprises leveraging IBM tools for data analysis and customer engagement.
Pricing
WatsonX AI has a complicated pricing structure that can be referenced to from here.
6. Amazon Lex
Amazon Lex is ideal for businesses operating within AWS, integrating easily with Lambda and DynamoDB to streamline chatbot deployment.
Key features
AWS ecosystem integration
Voice and text support for multimodal interactions
Scalable to handle large user volumes
Best for: AWS users seeking a scalable conversational AI platform.
Pricing
With Amazon Lex, you pay only for what you use. There is no upfront commitment or minimum fee. Amazon Lex's Pricing is variable based on the company's region of operation , number of text requests, number of speech requests, and other factors that can be referred to from here.
You can also calculate your personalized pricing using their AWS Pricing Calculator.
7. Amelia
Amelia mimics human-like conversations with advanced sentiment analysis and contextual understanding, making it ideal for customer service and IT support roles.
Key features
Human-like conversations via sentiment analysis
Omnichannel engagement support
Continuous learning for improved performance
Best for: Enterprises seeking highly intelligent, natural-feeling interactions.
Pricing
Pricing is customized and variable based on an enterprise's need and services.
8. Heltar - Best WhatsApp Chatbot Builder
While creating a chatbot with BotPress or its other competitors is a straightforward process that involves defining intents, training responses, and integrating with external platforms, Heltar provides a fully no code drag-and-drop chatbot builder that can be used by literally anyone and everyone because of its intuitive UI. By leveraging Heltar's AI & Chatbot capabilities, businesses can build chatbots that provide seamless, intelligent, and automated conversations for customer interactions.
Want to integrate a WhatsApp chatbot for your business? Heltar offers the best solutions to help you get started with WhatsApp Business API-powered automation. Contact us today!
