Buyer's guide · WhatsApp automation
The best WhatsApp automation tools for business
The best WhatsApp automation tool lets you build a chatbot without code, sends follow-ups on its own, hands the chat to a person when the bot gets stuck, and connects to the apps you already use — all on the official WhatsApp Business API. MotherBot includes the chatbot builder and workflows on every plan, free included. On some platforms the chatbot is a paid add-on, so check before you compare prices.
Updated 27 October 2026. Competitor prices quoted from each vendor’s own pricing page, checked 3 September 2026.
At a glance
The short version. Every row links to the detail below.
| Tool | Best for | Starts at | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
1. MotherBot | Chatbots and workflows on every plan | ₹0 · Free Forever | Yes |
2. respond.io | Complex workflows for global teams | $79/mo · Starter | No |
3. Gallabox | AI lead qualification built in | ₹2,399/mo · Basic | No |
4. Interakt | Simple auto-replies for big teams | ₹0 · Starter | Yes |
5. AiSensy | Price-led teams adding modules later | ₹0 · Free Forever | Yes |
6. Wati | Small teams wanting a proven chatbot | $49/mo · Growth | No |
7. Manychat | Instagram and TikTok comment-to-DM | $0 · Free | Yes |
8. Picky Assist | Building the logic yourself | $0 · Free Forever | Yes |
We make MotherBot, so it’s first on our own list — read it knowing that. To keep it fair, every competitor figure is quoted from that company’s own page, “Not published” means they don’t say (not that they can’t), and each card names where the tool is weaker, ours included.
What to look for
01
A builder you can use without code
You should be able to draw the conversation — questions, buttons, branches — and test it yourself, without a developer.
02
A clean hand-over to a person
When the bot can't help, the chat should land in your team's inbox with everything the customer already said.
03
Automation beyond the chatbot
Real savings come from things that start on their own: a cart reminder, an appointment reminder, a follow-up when a lead goes quiet.
04
AI that answers from your own information
An AI reply is only useful if it answers from your prices, policies and products — not from the internet.
05
Whether the chatbot costs extra
Some platforms sell the chatbot builder or the AI agent as a monthly add-on on top of the plan.
The list
1. MotherBot
Ten channels, one inbox, built in India
Best for: Chatbots and workflows on every plan
A drag-and-drop chatbot builder and workflows that start on their own — new orders, missed carts, quiet leads, appointments — are on every plan. AI replies run on your own AI account (OpenAI, Gemini and others), so there are no AI credits to buy; that AI provider bills you for what you use. AI trained on your own documents starts on the Growth plan.
- Free Forever
- ₹0
- Spark
- ₹2,499/mo
- Growth
- ₹4,499/mo
- Infinity
- ₹6,499/mo
Monthly prices, plus GST. No card for the free plan; nothing expires.
See all plans2. respond.io
Global multi-channel inbox
Best for: Complex workflows for global teams
Powerful workflows and AI agents across more channels than anyone else here. Workflows start on its second plan, and AI is sold in metered credits.
- Starter
- $79/mo
- Growth
- $159/mo
- Advanced
- $279/mo
From respond.io's own pricing page, annual billing. Contact overage $12 per 100 on Growth, $15 per 100 on Advanced; AI credits $15 per 1,000.
MotherBot vs respond.io3. Gallabox
Well documented, steep seat ladder
Best for: AI lead qualification built in
AI lead qualification and follow-up are plan features, not add-ons, with clear documentation. The entry plan caps you at three users.
- Basic
- ₹2,399/mo
- Essential
- ₹5,599/mo
- Advanced
- ₹13,599/mo
From Gallabox's own pricing page at annual billing; quarterly rates in brackets. Meta's charges are separate on both platforms.
MotherBot vs Gallabox4. Interakt
Unlimited agents, WhatsApp-led
Best for: Simple auto-replies for big teams
Good for auto-replies with unlimited agents. Branching chatbot flows start on its Advanced plan.
- Starter
- ₹0
- Growth
- ₹2,799/mo
- Advanced
- ₹3,799/mo
From Interakt's own pricing page, plus taxes. WhatsApp's own per-message charges are separate on both platforms.
MotherBot vs Interakt5. AiSensy
Cheapest entry, AI sold separately
Best for: Price-led teams adding modules later
A low starting price. The chatbot builder and the AI agent are separate monthly add-ons, so add them to the price before comparing.
- Free Forever
- ₹0
- Basic
- ₹1,500/mo
- Pro
- ₹3,200/mo
From AiSensy's own pricing and help-centre pages. Excludes GST. WhatsApp's own per-message charges are separate on both platforms.
MotherBot vs AiSensy6. Wati
Low entry price, tight seats
Best for: Small teams wanting a proven chatbot
A mature product with a long track record. Its advanced chatbots start on the Pro plan.
- Growth
- $49/mo
- Pro
- $99/mo
- Business
- $399/mo
From Wati's own pricing page at annual billing; monthly rates in brackets. Meta's charges are separate on both platforms.
MotherBot vs Wati7. Manychat
Social-first, contact-metered
Best for: Instagram and TikTok comment-to-DM
The best tool here for social media automation. It isn't built for a sales or support team on WhatsApp.
- Free
- $0
- Essential
- $17/mo
- Pro
- $39/mo
Manychat restructured its pricing on 2 March 2026 into five tiers; figures here are the monthly rates. WhatsApp and SMS carry additional per-message charges on top.
MotherBot vs Manychat8. Picky Assist
Cheapest per seat, capped
Best for: Building the logic yourself
More settings than most, if you want full control. Its free plan includes one chatbot and contacts are capped on every plan.
- Free Forever
- $0
- Starter
- $39/mo
- Growth
- $49/mo
From Picky Assist's own plan-comparison page. Additional WhatsApp numbers $29 each. Meta's charges are separate on both platforms.
MotherBot vs Picky Assist
Five automations worth setting up first
These pay back fastest for most businesses, whichever tool you choose.
Welcome and menu. Answer the first message in seconds with a short menu — orders, prices, talk to a person.
Abandoned cart reminder. Message the shopper a while after they leave items in their cart, and stop as soon as they buy or reply.
Appointment reminders. Confirm the booking, remind the day before, and let the customer reschedule in the chat.
Lead follow-up. If a new lead hasn't replied after a day, send a follow-up and tell the salesperson.
Away message. Outside business hours, say when you'll reply — then make sure someone sees the chat in the morning.
Is WhatsApp automation allowed?
Yes, on the official WhatsApp Business API, which is built for chatbots and automatic messages. Every tool on this list uses it.
Auto-reply apps and scripts that control the normal WhatsApp app on your phone or computer break WhatsApp's rules, and WhatsApp bans the numbers it catches using them.
Questions people ask
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