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Updated 13 Nov 2026 · prices read on vendor pages

12 best ManyChat alternatives in 2027

Mehmet ElmicenniReviewed by Mehmet Elmicenni, founder of Zekai•Prices checked •How we check

The short answer

The best ManyChat alternatives in 2027 are Chatfuel (best overall, $20/mo), SendPulse (best free plan: 500 subscribers, 3 chatbots) and ChatbotX (best open source, MIT). ManyChat itself starts at $29/mo billed yearly. Zekai checked these prices on vendor pages on 13 Nov 2026; 9 more are compared below, including 4 with a free plan and 3 open source.

12alternatives compared
5with a free plan
4open source
$9.60/mo billed yearlycheapest paid · SendPulse
$29/mo billed yearlyManyChat starts at
01 · Zekai Price Ledger

Which ManyChat alternatives are worth it in 2027?

The best ManyChat alternatives in 2027 are Chatfuel ($20/mo Business S), respond.io ($99/mo Starter for teams), SendPulse (free plan, Pro from $9.60/mo billed yearly), Landbot ($45/mo), Heyy ($49/mo) and Botpress ($189/mo Plus). New ManyChat accounts pay $39/mo for Pro ($29 billed yearly), with a free plan of 25 Active Contacts. ChatbotX is the open-source option.

ToolTypeStarting priceFree plan limitBest forCost for your teamChecked
ManyChatThe tool you are replacing
You are here
$29/mo billed yearlyPro for accounts created since 2 Mar 2026: $39 billed monthly or $29/mo billed yearly, 2,500 Active Contacts. The public pricing page still shows an older "from $15/mo" contact-based Pro.
25 Active Contacts a month on new accounts Instagram comment-to-DM automation for creators — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Chatfuel logo
Chatfuel Not yet reviewed by ZekaiBest overall
$20/moBusiness S, $20 billed monthly or $18/mo billed yearly ($216/yr); includes US$20 of AI credits a month
No free plan WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok sales bots — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
respond.io logo
respond.io Zekai score 7.6
$99/moStarter, $99 billed monthly or $79/mo billed yearly ($948/yr); 1,000 monthly active contacts, 5 users
No free plan Multi-agent team inbox across messaging channels — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
SendPulse logo
SendPulse Zekai score 7.9Best free planCheapest paid
Free plan + paid
$9.60/mo billed yearlyChatbots Pro, from $9.60/mo billed yearly at 500 subscribers; the monthly-billed figure was not read because the billing toggle did not update
3 chatbots, 500 subscribers, 10,000 messages a month Cheapest multi-channel bot with a real free plan — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Landbot logo
Landbot Zekai score 7.3
Free plan + paid
$45/moStarter, $45 billed monthly or $36/mo billed annually; the Black November promo showing $22.50 for the first year is not used here
100 chats a month, 1 seat, no AI chats Web and WhatsApp lead-capture flows — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Heyy logo
Heyy Zekai score 4.7
$49/moHobby, $49 billed monthly or $41/mo billed yearly; 1,000 credits, 3 channels, 1 user
No free plan WhatsApp-first AI employees with unlimited contacts — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Mixdesk logo
Mixdesk Zekai score 8.4
Free plan + paid
$49/moEssential, $49 billed monthly or $39/mo billed yearly ($468/yr); Pro $199 monthly or $159/mo yearly with 5,000 AI messages
10 conversations a month, unlimited teammates, no AI messages Shared inbox with unlimited teammates — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Tidio logo
Tidio Zekai score 6.6
Free plan + paid
$24.17/mo billed yearlyStarter, $24.17/mo on the 'Annually (2 months free)' setting; the monthly figure did not update when toggled and was not read
50 billable conversations, 50 one-time Lyro AI conversations Live chat plus Lyro AI for online stores — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Botpress logo
Botpress Zekai score 7.9
Free plan + paid
$189/moPlus, $189 billed monthly or $150/mo billed annually; 250 conversations a month, packs of 100 for $65
100 conversations a month, 3 seats, 3 AI agents Developer-grade AI agents on WhatsApp and web — 13 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
ChatbotX logo
ChatbotX Zekai score 7.3Best open source
Open source
Free (self-hosted)
No limit, self-hosted (MIT) Self-hosted ManyChat-style flow builder $0 14 Nov 2026 Code ↗
OpenReply logo
OpenReply Zekai score 6.8
Open source
Free (self-hosted)
No limit, self-hosted (MIT) Instagram comment-to-DM keyword automation $0 14 Nov 2026 Code ↗
Chatwoot logo
Chatwoot Zekai score 8.6
Open source
Free (self-hosted)
No limit, self-hosted (MIT) Open-source shared inbox for DMs $0 14 Nov 2026 Code ↗
Hexabot logo
Hexabot Zekai score 7.3
Open source
Free (self-hosted)
No limit, self-hosted (FCL-1.0-ALv2) Developer-built YAML chatbot workflows $0 14 Nov 2026 Code ↗

Every price was read on the vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. The Cost Finder assumes one entry plan per person, so it multiplies by your team size; yearly prices are shown per month, and team or business plans can cost more per seat. "Not checked" means we could not confirm a public price.

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02 · Free plan

Is there a free version of ManyChat?

Yes. ManyChat's pricing page shows a Free plan for up to 1,000 contacts, limited to Instagram DM and Messenger, with 10 tags, 2 sequences, 3 keywords and 1 team member. Its Help Center describes a newer Free plan of 25 Active Contacts for accounts created from 2 March 2026, so the limit you see depends on your account.

Source: ManyChat pricing page, read 13 Nov 2026.

Free$0

25 Active Contacts a month on new accounts

Paid from$29/mo billed yearly

Pro for accounts created since 2 Mar 2026: $39 billed monthly or $29/mo billed yearly, 2,500 Active Contacts. The public pricing page still shows an older "from $15/mo" contact-based Pro.

03 · Free alternatives

What are the best free ManyChat alternatives?

The best free ManyChat alternatives are SendPulse (3 chatbots, 500 subscribers, 10,000 messages a month), Botpress (100 conversations a month, 3 AI agents), Landbot (100 chats a month, 1 seat) and Mixdesk (10 conversations a month). ManyChat's own Free plan, per its pricing page, allows up to 1,000 contacts on Instagram and Messenger only.

SendPulse logo

SendPulse

Best free planCheapest paidFree plan + paid
3 chatbots, 500 subscribers, 10,000 messages a month
Paid from $9.60/mo billed yearly
Landbot logo

Landbot

Free plan + paid
100 chats a month, 1 seat, no AI chats
Paid from $45/mo
Mixdesk logo

Mixdesk

Free plan + paid
10 conversations a month, unlimited teammates, no AI messages
Paid from $49/mo
Tidio logo

Tidio

Free plan + paid
50 billable conversations, 50 one-time Lyro AI conversations
Paid from $24.17/mo billed yearly
Botpress logo

Botpress

Free plan + paid
100 conversations a month, 3 seats, 3 AI agents
Paid from $189/mo
04 · Open source

What are the best open-source ManyChat alternatives?

Open-source ManyChat alternatives are ChatbotX (MIT, enterprise folder separate), OpenReply (MIT) for Instagram comment-to-DM, Chatwoot (MIT, enterprise folder separate) as a shared inbox, and Hexabot (source-available, not OSI-approved). Running them means hosting Postgres or Redis and handling Meta app review yourself.

ChatbotX logo

ChatbotX

MIT★ 1.1k GitHub stars · 13 Nov 2026
To self-host: Node.js 24 monorepo needing PostgreSQL with pgvector, Redis and S3-compatible storage; a separate Docker Compose repo runs pre-built images, and AI uses your own LLM keys.
Commercial use
Yes for the MIT code; the enterprise folder needs a commercial licence.
Runs on
Docker host running Postgres with pgvector, Redis and S3-compatible storage.
Setup
Moderate · Docker Compose with pre-built images, plus Meta app review for channels.
Last commit
13 Nov 2026
Last release 11 Nov 2026
OpenReply logo

OpenReply

MIT★ 3.2k GitHub stars · 13 Nov 2026
To self-host: Deploy your own copy with PostgreSQL, Redis, a background worker and a public HTTPS URL; Instagram access comes from your own Meta app or the optional paid Zernio connector.
Commercial use
Yes (MIT).
Runs on
Server with PostgreSQL, Redis, a worker process and a public HTTPS URL.
Setup
Moderate · Deploy your own copy; Instagram needs your own Meta app or Zernio.
Last commit
28 Oct 2026
Chatwoot logo

Chatwoot

MIT★ 39.8k GitHub stars · 13 Nov 2026
To self-host: Rails app shipped with Docker and docker-compose files and a Docker Hub image; one-click deploys for Heroku and DigitalOcean Kubernetes are documented in the README.
Commercial use
Yes for the MIT code; the enterprise folder is under a separate licence.
Runs on
Docker or docker-compose host; Heroku and DigitalOcean one-click deploys exist.
Setup
Moderate · Docker Compose, or a documented one-click cloud deploy.
Last commit
13 Nov 2026
Last release 24 Oct 2026
Hexabot logo

Hexabot

FCL-1.0-ALv2★ 1.2k GitHub stars · 13 Nov 2026
To self-host: Node.js 24 plus the Hexabot CLI: create a project, run it in development mode, and optionally use Docker for supporting services; workflows are written in YAML.
Commercial use
Yes unless it competes with Hexabot; converts to Apache-2.0 later.
Runs on
Node.js 24 with npm, pnpm, yarn or bun; Docker optional.
Setup
Moderate · Install the CLI, create a project, run hexabot dev.
Last commit
13 Nov 2026
Last release 24 Jan 2025
05 · Side by side

How does ManyChat compare with each alternative?

ManyChat Pro is $39 monthly or $29/mo billed yearly for new accounts. Chatfuel charges $20/mo with US$20 of AI credits, SendPulse bills by subscribers from $9.60/mo yearly, Heyy bills by credits ($49/mo), and respond.io charges $99/mo for five users. Landbot and Botpress meter by chats and conversations instead. Each vendor's page was read on 13 Nov 2026.

01
Chatfuel logo

ManyChat vs Chatfuel

Best overall$20/mo · checked 13 Nov 2026
The differenceChatfuel Business S includes US$20 of AI credits a month and bulk WhatsApp campaigns, and its pricing page lists TikTok next to Instagram and Facebook; ManyChat's page shows contacts, not AI credits.
Switch to Chatfuel ifyou run click-to-WhatsApp ads and want leads qualified and booked in chat, with Meta WhatsApp fees billed through one wallet
Stay with ManyChat ifyou only need Instagram comment-to-DM flows on a free tier and can live with ManyChat's contact-based billing
02
respond.io logo

ManyChat vs respond.io

$99/mo · checked 13 Nov 20267.6
The differencerespond.io Starter covers 5 users with extra users at $12/month each, 5,000 AI credits and a workflow builder; priced per monthly active contacts from 1,000, with WhatsApp fees billed separately.
Switch to respond.io ifyou have a support or sales team of five or more sharing one WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger inbox with routing
Stay with ManyChat ifyou are a solo creator who needs keyword and comment triggers at a fraction of a $99 plan
Pros
  • Chats, calls and emails sit in one conversation thread
  • AI Agents include guardrails and human takeover
Cons
  • No free plan; only a 7-day trial
  • WhatsApp fees are not included and are charged by Meta

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of respond.io · Verdict: Omnichannel chat + AI

03
SendPulse logo

ManyChat vs SendPulse

Best free planCheapest paidFree plan + paid$9.60/mo billed yearly · checked 13 Nov 20267.9
The differenceSendPulse's free chatbot plan allows 3 chatbots, 500 subscribers and 10,000 messages a month with unlimited flows; its Pro plan lists a free WhatsApp Business API and removes SendPulse branding.
Switch to SendPulse ifyou want a free tier with 3 bots and 10,000 messages before paying, or a sub-$10 paid entry price
Stay with ManyChat ifyou need ManyChat's Instagram-first growth tools and template ecosystem more than a lower subscriber-based price
Pros
  • Official WhatsApp Business Solution Provider and Meta Business Partner
  • Pause the bot when a team member takes over a chat
Cons
  • Free plan is limited to 500 subscribers, 10 triggers and limited API
  • WhatsApp messages carry Meta charges, e.g. marketing templates $0.0300 each in the US

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of SendPulse · Verdict: Cheap multi-chat bots

04
Landbot logo

ManyChat vs Landbot

Free plan + paid$45/mo · checked 13 Nov 20267.3
The differenceLandbot's builder is chat-based rather than Instagram-first: Starter gives 500 chats a month at $0.05 per extra chat, and WhatsApp on your own number starts at the Professional plan.
Switch to Landbot ifyou want a website and WhatsApp lead-qualification flow billed per chat, with EU-hosted data
Stay with ManyChat ifyou want Instagram and Messenger comment automations rather than website chat flows
Pros
  • Free plan available to start building immediately.
  • Combines AI flexibility with rule-based control for predictable outcomes.
Cons
  • May require a learning curve to master complex, data-driven workflows.
  • Less focused on pure voice-based IVR automation than some competitors.

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Landbot · Verdict: Hybrid AI Support Automation

05
Heyy logo

ManyChat vs Heyy

$49/mo · checked 13 Nov 20264.7
The differenceHeyy bills by credits (1,000 on Hobby, 6,000 on Pro) with unlimited contacts, and sells extra WhatsApp numbers at $8/month; ManyChat meters by contact count instead.
Switch to Heyy ifyour contact list is large but conversations are few, so credit billing with unlimited contacts is cheaper
Stay with ManyChat ifyour list is under 1,000 contacts and you want to stay on a free plan
Pros
  • Provides 24/7 guest support, capturing inquiries from different time zones.
  • Unifies all major messaging channels into a single dashboard.
Cons
  • Not a specialized hospitality tool; lacks deep PMS integrations out-of-the-box.
  • Pricing is based on credits, which can be complex to predict for seasonal businesses.

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Heyy · Verdict: Unified Guest Messaging Automation

06
Mixdesk logo

ManyChat vs Mixdesk

Free plan + paid$49/mo · checked 13 Nov 20268.4
The differenceMixdesk charges no per-seat fees (unlimited teammates and contacts on every plan) and includes AI messages only from Pro: 5,000 a month, then $100 per extra 10,000.
Switch to Mixdesk ifa growing team needs many inbox seats at a flat price and wants AI replies metered by message
Stay with ManyChat ifyou are a single operator, since ManyChat's free tier is larger than Mixdesk's 10 free conversations
Pros
  • No per-seat fees across any plan tier
  • Supports 10 major communication channels
Cons
  • AI messages are metered separately and capped monthly
  • Advanced AI tools and API access require the Expert plan

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Mixdesk · Verdict: Multi-channel AI inbox

07
Tidio logo

ManyChat vs Tidio

Free plan + paid$24.17/mo billed yearly · checked 13 Nov 20266.6
The differenceTidio combines live chat and ticketing with its Lyro AI agent (from $32.50/mo billed yearly for 50 AI conversations) and lists Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp integrations.
Switch to Tidio ifyou want live chat and an AI agent for a store, with Messenger and Instagram as extra channels
Stay with ManyChat ifyour main job is automated Instagram comment and story replies rather than website live chat
Pros
  • Provides a unified helpdesk to streamline customer interactions and improve response times
  • Offers proactive automations that convert, enabling marketing teams to focus on high-value activities
Cons
  • May require significant setup and training for the AI agent to be effective
  • Limited customization options for the chatbot's tone and personality

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Tidio

08
Botpress logo

ManyChat vs Botpress

Free plan + paid$189/mo · checked 13 Nov 20267.9
The differenceBotpress prices by conversation, not contact: Free covers 100 a month with 3 AI agents and 3 seats, Plus adds 250 conversations plus $25 of AI usage; its compare table lists WhatsApp and webchat.
Switch to Botpress ifyou want a programmable AI agent with webchat and WhatsApp and are happy to pay per conversation
Stay with ManyChat ifyou want Instagram-native keyword triggers and a no-code visual flow without per-conversation fees
Pros
  • No per-seat cost, offering significant savings over competitors.
  • Integrates with existing helpdesks like Zendesk and Intercom.
Cons
  • Pricing is based on conversation volume, which can be unpredictable for high-traffic teams.
  • The free plan is limited to 100 conversations per month.

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Botpress · Verdict: Powerful Support Automation

09
ChatbotX logo

ManyChat vs ChatbotX

Best open sourceOpen sourceFree (self-hosted)7.3
The differenceDrag-and-drop flow builder with 15+ node types for WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and Telegram, plus comment automation and bring-your-own-key AI agents on Postgres you host.
Switch to ChatbotX ifyou want to host your own flow builder and keep contact data in your own PostgreSQL
Stay with ManyChat ifyou do not want to run Postgres, Redis and Meta app review yourself
10
OpenReply logo

ManyChat vs OpenReply

Open sourceFree (self-hosted)6.8
The differenceDoes one job: when an Instagram comment matches your keyword it sends a private reply through Meta's official API, with an optional follow gate; it has no multi-step flow builder.
Switch to OpenReply ifyour main need is keyword comment-to-DM replies on Instagram and you can host a small app
Stay with ManyChat ifyou need multi-step flows, broadcasts and WhatsApp or Messenger in one tool
11
Chatwoot logo

ManyChat vs Chatwoot

Open sourceFree (self-hosted)8.6
The differenceShared inbox rather than a flow builder: the README lists website live chat, email, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, Line and SMS channels, plus its Captain AI agent.
Switch to Chatwoot ifhumans answer most Instagram and WhatsApp messages and you want an MIT-licensed inbox you control
Stay with ManyChat ifyou want keyword-triggered comment-to-DM automations out of the box
12
Hexabot logo

ManyChat vs Hexabot

Open sourceFree (self-hosted)7.3
The differenceBuilds agentic workflows written in YAML with tools, MCP, memory and RAG across conversational channels; the Fair Core licence is source-available and not OSI-approved.
Switch to Hexabot ifyou are a developer who wants YAML workflows and agent tooling across channels
Stay with ManyChat ifyou want a visual drag-and-drop flow builder for Instagram DMs without writing code
06 · What changed

Why do people leave ManyChat?

  • ManyChat announced on 20 April 2026 that billing moves from cumulative contacts to monthly Active Contacts, with new Free, Essential, Pro, Business and Advanced plans; AI starts on Pro and Inbox seats cost extra on Pro and above. (source)

  • ManyChat's Help Center says the Active Contacts model launched 2 March 2026 for new accounts: Free 25 Active Contacts, Pro 2,500 at $0.05 per extra contact, and Pro costs $39 monthly or $29/mo billed yearly. (source)

08 · FAQ

Questions people ask about ManyChat alternatives

What is the best alternative to ManyChat in 2027?

Chatfuel is the best overall ManyChat alternative on this page ($20/mo). For no cost, SendPulse has a free plan (3 chatbots, 500 subscribers, 10,000 messages a month). To self-host, ChatbotX is open source (MIT).

Is there a free version of ManyChat?

Yes. ManyChat has a free plan: 25 Active Contacts a month on new accounts. Paid plans start at $29/mo billed yearly, checked on 13 Nov 2026.

Is there a 100% free alternative to ManyChat?

Yes. ChatbotX, OpenReply, Chatwoot, Hexabot are open source and free to self-host. SendPulse, Landbot, Mixdesk, Tidio, Botpress have a free plan with limits, shown in the table.

What is cheaper than ManyChat?

SendPulse starts at $9.60/mo billed yearly, against $29/mo billed yearly for ManyChat, as listed on each vendor's pricing page on 13 Nov 2026.

How much do ManyChat alternatives cost for a team of 5?

If each of 5 people buys the entry paid plan, at the prices Zekai checked on 13 Nov 2026, the monthly cost is SendPulse $48/mo, Chatfuel $100/mo, Tidio $120.85/mo, against ManyChat $145/mo for ManyChat. Team and business plans can cost more per seat. The Zekai Cost Finder on this page recalculates for any team size.

Which is better, Chatfuel or ManyChat?

Chatfuel Business S includes US$20 of AI credits a month and bulk WhatsApp campaigns, and its pricing page lists TikTok next to Instagram and Facebook; ManyChat's page shows contacts, not AI credits. Choose Chatfuel if you run click-to-WhatsApp ads and want leads qualified and booked in chat, with Meta WhatsApp fees billed through one wallet. Stay with ManyChat if you only need Instagram comment-to-DM flows on a free tier and can live with ManyChat's contact-based billing.

Why are people leaving ManyChat?

The documented reasons are: ManyChat announced on 20 April 2026 that billing moves from cumulative contacts to monthly Active Contacts, with new Free, Essential, Pro, Business and Advanced plans; AI starts on Pro and Inbox seats cost extra on Pro and above (20 Apr 2026); ManyChat's Help Center says the Active Contacts model launched 2 March 2026 for new accounts: Free 25 Active Contacts, Pro 2,500 at $0.05 per extra contact, and Pro costs $39 monthly or $29/mo billed yearly (2 Mar 2026). Each is sourced in the section above.

What are the best ManyChat alternatives?

Chatfuel, respond.io, SendPulse, Landbot and Heyy are the closest paid options; SendPulse and Botpress have free plans, and ChatbotX is an open-source ManyChat-style builder.

09 · Method

How did Zekai check this page?

Zekai independently reviews AI tools. For this page we read each vendor's own pricing and product pages and recorded the starting price, the free-plan limit and the date of the check. Only tools that do the same job as ManyChat are listed, and sponsors never change the order or the scores.

1 · Same job onlyEvery alternative does the same task as ManyChat; tools for other jobs are left out.
2 · Vendor pages onlyPrices and free limits come from each vendor's own pricing page, never from blogs.
Zekai score0–10, from four published weights: ease 25%, output quality 30%, value 20%, time saved 25%. How we score
3 · Re-checkedA price older than 35 days is re-read or the page falls back to an older version.
Change log
  • Page rebuilt on v6; all prices re-read on vendor pages.

  • Open-source options expanded; each now shows licence, commercial use, hardware and setup.

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