Providing chat channels for your customers is an effective way to increase sales leads and customer satisfaction. However, it can be hard to keep up with all the chats or fielding a team large enough to do so. Enter chatbots.
Businesses use chatbot software to handle a lot of concerns and questions customers may have, and they can be customized to handle even more processes.
With so many options available, it can be hard to choose one. So, we compiled a list of the best chatbot software for you.
In this article, we’ll give you a rundown on the best AI Chatbot Software available, and what sets them apart from the rest.
What is Chatbot Software?
Chatbots are software or computer programs that simulate human conversation through text or voice. Chatbot-based virtual assistants are increasingly used by both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) users for simple tasks, as they reduce overhead costs and improve support staff efficiency.
Why Does Your Business Need Chatbot Software?
Experts expect chat-based communication methods to grow as consumers move away from traditional forms of communication. As chatbot-based virtual assistants become more prevalent, human agents are freed to handle other duties.
Not only that, chatbots can continue to service your clients even at times when you are not available, support multiple languages, automate processes, improve customer engagement, and help you collect and analyze customer data.
The 10 Best Chatbot Software Options
Now let’s dive into each chatbot option, their pricing, and their pros and cons:
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Tidio
Tidio has a live view feature that allows you to see who’s on your website and be proactive about your customer service. Their chatbot has conversational AI and natural language processing. Plus, building your own chatbot is easy with templates and a visual builder interface. Pricing starts at $49/ month.
Pros
- Free live chat app for mobile
Cons
- Free plan doesn’t include chatbots
- Free live chat app for mobile
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ChatBot.com
Chatbot.com has an intuitive drag-and-drop chatbot builder, with pre-built templates to make things even simpler. It offers WordPress integration and works perfectly with Facebook Messenger. Pricing starts at $50/month.
Pros
- Easy chatbot creation process with intuitive UI
Cons
- Support is only available through email
- Easy chatbot creation process with intuitive UI
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HubSpot
HubSpot offers a live chat and smart chatbot builder on top of its marketing tools and CRM solution. You can customize the design of the live chat to match your website and can create automated responses and workflows without knowing how to code. There’s a free plan option, and the starter plan costs $50/month.
Pros
- Simple chat flow builder
Cons
- Chat widget customization is limited.
- Simple chat flow builder
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ManyChat
ManyChat offers a simple drag-and-drop interface to build your own chatbot for Facebook messenger. It can also be integrated with Shopify, Facebook Ad Campaign, and MailChimp. Pricing starts at $15/month for the premium plan, but it has a free version.
Pros
- Supports audience segmentation
Cons
- Lacks website integration (for Slack, WhatsApp, and others)
- Supports audience segmentation
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Freshdesk Messaging (Freshchat)
Freshwork’s Freshchat lets you build chatbots for WhatsApp, Messenger, and other platforms. Thanks to its proprietary AI and machine learning technology, it can detect intent and engage with the customer on its own. Pricing starts at $18/month.
Pros
- Includes extensive reporting
Cons
- No spellcheck
- Includes extensive reporting
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Drift
Drift combines live chats and automated chatbots, while integrating third-party tools like Zendesk and Help Scout. With Drift, you can proactively start conversations with customers on your site. Pricing starts at $400/month
Pros
- Drag-and-drop chatbot builder
Cons
- Limited customization options
- Drag-and-drop chatbot builder
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Chatfuel
Chatfuel is an intuitive chatbot for Instagram and Facebook messenger customer support. Their website has plenty of guides and support for building your own bot. Pricing starts at $15/month, but there’s a free plan available.
Pros
- Allows integration with third parties like Zapier and Shopify
Cons
- Limited to Facebook Messenger and Instagram.
- Allows integration with third parties like Zapier and Shopify
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Tars
Tars works best for marketing teams that want to increase their conversions. Their chatbot includes multiple templates for different industries, such as a B2B service chatbot or one for travel services. Pricing is available on request.
Pros
- Includes analytics tool
Cons
- No live chat integration
- Includes analytics tool
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MobileMonkey
MobileMonkey is an omnichannel solution for chatbots, allowing you to work with SMS, Webchat, Facebook, and Instagram. It even allows you to export your contact lists to the bot. Pricing starts at $14.25/month (billed annually), but there’s a free option available.
Pros
- Supports multiple platforms
Cons
- Doesn’t have ecommerce integration
- Supports multiple platforms
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landbot
Quriobot is great for companies on a tight budget. It can be integrated with help desk software like LiveAgent, and allows you to customize it to fit your website’s style.Pricing starts at
€30/month, with a free plan available.
Pros
- Easy to customize chatbots
Cons
- No Mobile apps
- Easy to customize chatbots
Which Chatbot Works Best for You?
At the end of the day, the chatbot software you use will largely depend on the needs of your business. If you are looking for a free option, you’ll have to compare the different limitations they
have, such as maximum number of chats or active bots. We personally recommend Tidio thanks to its mobile app and unlimited chatbots, but another option could be a better fit for you depending on your needs.
