Buyer's guide · WhatsApp Business
The best WhatsApp Business tools — and when you need the API
If one person answers customers from one phone, the free WhatsApp Business app is enough. Once several people share a number, you message customers who haven't saved your number, or you want a chatbot or your CRM connected, you need a tool built on the WhatsApp Business API. MotherBot is a Meta Business Partner offering the API with a shared team inbox and a free-forever plan.
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 | A full team inbox on the official API | ₹0 · Free Forever | Yes |
2. Interakt | Adding many people without a seat fee | ₹0 · Starter | Yes |
3. AiSensy | A low-cost start on the API | ₹0 · Free Forever | Yes |
4. Wati | Up to three people | $49/mo · Growth | No |
5. Gallabox | Clear plans and documentation | ₹2,399/mo · Basic | No |
6. DoubleTick | Mobile-first sales teams | On request · All plans | Not published |
7. respond.io | Global, many-channel support teams | $79/mo · Starter | No |
8. Trengo | European teams needing EU data | €299/mo · Boost | No |
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
An official Meta partner
The API should come straight from Meta through a recognised partner — not a workaround that drives the WhatsApp app.
02
A shared inbox with assignment
Several people on one number, each chat assigned to one person, with notes and a clear 'who replied'.
03
Your number, in your name
Your WhatsApp account should be yours, with Meta billing you directly, so you can move providers without losing the number.
04
Keep the app on the same number
Many businesses still want the WhatsApp Business app on the owner's phone. Check the tool lets the app and the API share the number.
05
A mobile app for your team
Replies happen away from the desk. Your team needs an app, not just a website.
The list
1. MotherBot
Ten channels, one inbox, built in India
Best for: A full team inbox on the official API
A Meta Business Partner with a shared inbox, chatbots, broadcasts, a CRM and iOS and Android apps. Your number can stay on the WhatsApp Business app at the same time. Meta bills your own WhatsApp account and we add no markup.
- 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. Interakt
Unlimited agents, WhatsApp-led
Best for: Adding many people without a seat fee
Unlimited agents on every paid plan and a free tier. Mostly WhatsApp and Instagram.
- 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 Interakt3. AiSensy
Cheapest entry, AI sold separately
Best for: A low-cost start on the API
The lowest paid price of the Indian tools here, with five agents included. Chatbot and AI are add-ons.
- 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 AiSensy4. Wati
Low entry price, tight seats
Best for: Up to three people
Proven and low-priced at the entry level, but the entry plan can't add a fourth person.
- 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 Wati5. Gallabox
Well documented, steep seat ladder
Best for: Clear plans and documentation
Plans and limits are laid out more clearly than most. Seats climb steeply between plans.
- 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 Gallabox6. DoubleTick
Sales-led, price on request
Best for: Mobile-first sales teams
A strong mobile app for teams in the field. No published prices.
- All plans
- On request
DoubleTick publishes no pricing page, so there is nothing to quote. We have deliberately left this blank rather than repeat a third-party estimate — every other figure on this site comes from the vendor's own page and this one would not.
MotherBot vs DoubleTick7. respond.io
Global multi-channel inbox
Best for: Global, many-channel support teams
The widest channel list here, with custom inboxes and lifecycle stages. Priced in dollars, with broadcasts from the second plan.
- 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.io8. Trengo
European inbox, conversation-metered
Best for: European teams needing EU data
A mature European inbox with generous seats. Priced in euros, well above the Indian market, with a monthly conversation limit.
- Boost
- €299/mo
- Pro
- €499/mo
- Enterprise
- Custom
From Trengo's own pricing page at annual billing; monthly rates in brackets. Quoted in euros and not converted — an exchange rate is an assumption.
MotherBot vs Trengo
WhatsApp Business app or WhatsApp Business API?
The app is free and made for one owner on one phone. You get a business profile, a catalogue, quick replies, labels, and greeting and away messages. Broadcast lists only reach people who saved your number, and there is no real chatbot or shared inbox.
The API is WhatsApp for teams and software. Many people answer from one number, chatbots and workflows reply on their own, you can message anyone who agreed to hear from you with an approved template, and it connects to your shop, CRM and website. You use it through a tool like the ones on this list. The tool may be free; Meta charges per message.
You don't have to give up the app. With MotherBot, your number can stay on the WhatsApp Business app on your phone while your team uses the API in the shared inbox, and your recent chats come across when you connect.
Questions people ask
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