Independently tested ranking
Best Chatbot Builders in 2026
We compared the best chatbot builders on AI quality, channels, ease of building and price, from no-code social DM tools to custom AI agent platforms.
- Tools compared
- 10
- With a free plan
- 6 of 10
- Median entry price
- $29/mo
- Average rating
- 4.6
On this page
Which chatbot builder is best?
The best chatbot builders in 2026 are Botpress for custom AI agents, Voiceflow for teams building chat and voice agents, Manychat for Instagram and WhatsApp DM automation, Intercom Fin for AI customer support, and Chatbase for a quick AI bot trained on your website. Botpress, Voiceflow, Manychat and Chatbase all have free plans, and Manychat Pro starts at $15 a month.
Our top picks
Best overall
Botpress
Combines a visual builder, LLM-driven autonomous nodes and knowledge bases, deploys one bot to many channels, and has a free pay-as-you-go plan.
Paid plans from Paid plans from Plus
See why we picked itBest for social DM automation
Manychat
Comment-to-DM triggers and Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok automation turn followers into leads, with a free plan up to 1,000 contacts.
Paid plans from From $15/mo
See why we picked itBest for AI customer support
Intercom Fin
Fin resolves customer questions from your help center across channels, and you pay $0.99 only for each resolved conversation.
Paid plans from $29/seat/mo annual
See why we picked itKey takeaways
- Pick by channel first: Manychat and Chatfuel lead on Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, while Chatbase, Tidio and Intercom Fin are built for website support.
- 7 of the 10 chatbot builders here have a free plan or free edition, so you can test a real bot before you pay.
- AI chatbots are only as good as their sources. Tools that train on your website and help docs, like Chatbase and Fin, depend on clear, current content.
- Usage pricing is the norm: contacts (Manychat), conversations (Tidio, Landbot), AI usage or credits (Botpress, Voiceflow, Chatbase, Copilot Studio) or resolutions (Fin at $0.99 each). Estimate volume before you compare prices.
- Choose a no-code chatbot builder if marketers will run it. Choose Botpress, Voiceflow or Dialogflow if developers will build custom agents with API calls.
What is a chatbot builder?
A chatbot builder is software that lets you design, train and deploy an automated chat assistant on your website, in your app or on messaging channels like WhatsApp and Instagram, and the best chatbot builders let you do it with a visual editor instead of code. In 2026 the leading tools combine scripted flows with AI that answers from your own content.
A good chatbot platform needs to do four jobs well: understand what the customer is asking, answer from accurate sources, take an action such as capturing a lead or booking a meeting, and hand the chat to a person when it gets stuck. Some tools focus on social DM marketing, some on customer service, and some are AI agent builders for developers, so start with the job you need done.
Best chatbot builders compared
| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan | Paid plans from | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Botpress | Custom LLM-powered agents | Yes (pay-as-you-go) | Paid plans from Plus | Not yet reviewed |
| 2 | Voiceflow | Chat and voice agents for teams | Yes (limited) | Paid plans from Pro | Not yet reviewed |
| 3 | Manychat |
Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok DMs | Yes (up to 1,000 contacts) | From $15/mo | ★4.6 |
| 4 | Intercom Fin |
AI customer support at scale | No (14-day trial) | $29/seat/mo annual | ★4.5 |
| 5 | Chatbase | Fast no-code AI support bot | Yes (limited) | Paid plans from Hobby | Not yet reviewed |
| 6 |  Landbot |
Lead-gen flows and WhatsApp | Yes (Sandbox) | Paid plans from Starter | ★4.7 |
| 7 |  Tidio |
Small business and Shopify | Yes (limited conversations) | $29/mo | ★4.7 |
| 8 | Microsoft Copilot Studio | Microsoft 365 and Teams | No (free trial) | $200/mo per tenant | Not yet reviewed |
| 9 | Dialogflow | Developer and contact-center bots | Limited (ES Trial edition) | Pay-as-you-go per request | Not yet reviewed |
| 10 | Chatfuel | Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp bots | No (free trial) | Paid plans by channel and volume | Not yet reviewed |
Ratings are MakeSuccessOnline's. Prices are the cheapest paid plan, billed monthly unless marked annual, checked November 2026; several tools price by usage or by plan, so the entry tier is named instead.
The 10 best chatbot builders in 2026
There is no single best chatbot builder for everyone. Social DM tools, AI support agents and developer platforms solve different problems, so each pick below leads a specific job.
#1Best overall chatbot builder for custom AI agents
Botpress
A platform for building LLM-powered AI agents and chatbots with a visual studio, knowledge bases and deployment to web and messaging channels.
- Paid plans from
- Paid plans from Plus
- Free plan
- Yes (pay-as-you-go)
- Best for
- Developers, agencies and businesses building custom AI chatbots and agents
- Works on
- Web (cloud studio), API, SDK
Botpress is a chatbot builder for teams that want a real AI agent, not just a menu of buttons. In Botpress Studio you map the conversation visually, then add autonomous nodes where a large language model decides what to say and which tools to call. Knowledge bases let the bot answer from your documents, website and tables, so replies stay grounded in your own content.
It suits developers and agencies best, because you can drop into code when the visual builder runs out of road. One bot can go live on web chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Slack, Microsoft Teams and Instagram, and the integrations hub connects it to HubSpot and Zendesk. The free plan charges only for AI usage, which makes it easy to prototype before you pay for a workspace.
Key features
- Botpress StudioA visual flow builder for designing conversations and bot logic, so you can see every path a user can take and edit it in one place.
- Autonomous nodesLLM-driven steps that read your instructions, decide what to do next and call tools. This is what lets a Botpress bot handle open-ended questions instead of only fixed menus.
- Knowledge basesUpload documents, websites and tables so the agent answers from your own content, which cuts down on made-up answers.
- Multichannel deploymentBuild once and deploy to web chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Slack and more, so you do not rebuild the same bot per channel.
- Tables and human handoffBuilt-in tables give the bot data it can read and write, and human handoff passes the chat to a live agent when the bot cannot help.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-as-you-go | $0 | Visual studio, knowledge base, web chat and channel integrations; you pay for AI usage |
| Plus | Higher | More messages, human handoff and branding removal |
| Team | Higher | Collaboration, role-based access and more usage |
| Enterprise | Custom | SSO, custom limits and dedicated support |
List prices as of November 2026; AI usage is billed on top of the workspace plan, so check Botpress's pricing page before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan to start building
- Handles custom LLM agents, with code when you need it
- Wide channel support from one bot
- Active community and templates
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than simple chatbot builders
- AI usage costs can be hard to predict
- Not a full live chat or help desk product on its own
Is it right for you?
Choose Botpress ifYou want to build a custom AI agent that works across several messaging channels and you have some technical help.
Look elsewhere ifYou want a plug-and-play website chat widget and have no one to set up flows or integrations.
#2Best for teams designing chat and voice agents together
Voiceflow
A collaborative visual platform for designing, building and deploying AI chat and voice agents for customer support and other use cases.
- Paid plans from
- Paid plans from Pro
- Free plan
- Yes (limited)
- Best for
- Product, CX and conversation design teams, agencies and developers
- Works on
- Web builder, web chat widget, telephony and voice, API
Voiceflow is a visual chatbot builder made for teams. Conversation designers, product managers and developers work on the same drag-and-drop canvas, with comments and versioning, so a support agent can be planned, built and tested without passing files around. A knowledge base grounds answers in your own documents and web pages, and you can pick a different LLM for each step to balance cost, speed and quality.
Its other strength is voice. The same agent can run as a chat widget on your website or as a phone agent, so you do not maintain two separate bots. API and function steps let the agent look up orders, book appointments or write to a CRM mid-conversation. The free tier is enough to prototype, while paid plans are priced per workspace for teams.
Key features
- Visual canvas builderA drag-and-drop canvas for mapping conversation flows and agent logic, so designers and developers build in the same place.
- Choice of LLMsPick from several large language models for different steps of an agent, which helps you control cost on simple steps and use stronger models where it matters.
- Chat and voice deploymentShip one agent as a website chat widget or a phone and voice agent, instead of maintaining two separate bots.
- API and function stepsCall external APIs and run custom code during a conversation to look up orders, book appointments or update a CRM.
- Team collaborationShared workspaces, comments and versioning let a team review and improve an agent together, backed by transcripts and analytics.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Core builder for trying out and prototyping agents, with limited usage |
| Pro | Higher | Higher usage limits, more agents and editors, per workspace |
| Business | Higher | Team features and higher limits |
| Enterprise | Custom | Security, SSO, compliance and support options |
List prices as of November 2026; plans include set editors and usage credits, so check Voiceflow's pricing page before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very flexible visual builder for complex agents
- Supports both chat and voice agents
- Several LLMs to choose from
- Strong collaboration tools for teams
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than template-driven tools
- Fewer native Instagram and WhatsApp channels than Manychat or Chatfuel
- Credit-based limits make costs harder to predict
Is it right for you?
Choose Voiceflow ifYour team is designing a custom support agent, or you need chat and voice from one builder.
Look elsewhere ifYou want a quick Instagram or Facebook DM bot with no setup work.
#3Best for Instagram and social DM automation
Manychat
A no-code chat automation tool for Instagram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, SMS and email, used to automate DMs, comments and lead capture.
- Paid plans from
- From $15/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (up to 1,000 contacts)
- Best for
- Creators, influencers, ecommerce stores and small businesses selling through social media
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android
Manychat is the chatbot builder most creators and social-first brands start with. It automates Instagram DMs, story replies and mentions, and its comment-to-DM triggers send a link or lead magnet the moment someone comments a keyword on a post or reel. The same visual flow builder also runs bots on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, SMS and email.
It is a marketing tool first. Growth tools like ref links, QR codes and website widgets start conversations, while tags and custom fields segment contacts for targeted broadcasts. Shopify, Google Sheets, HubSpot and Mailchimp connections move leads where you need them. The free plan covers up to 1,000 contacts, and Pro starts at $15 a month, rising with contact count. Manychat AI is a paid add-on.
Key features
- Comment-to-DM triggersSends a DM automatically when someone comments a keyword on a post or reel, a popular way to deliver links and lead magnets at scale.
- Instagram DM automationAuto-replies to DMs, story replies and mentions, so common questions get an instant answer with the right link.
- Visual Flow BuilderA drag-and-drop editor for multi-step chat flows with conditions, actions and delays, plus templates for lead capture and product links.
- WhatsApp automationAutomated WhatsApp flows and broadcasts through the official WhatsApp Business Platform.
- Manychat AIA paid add-on that understands intent, helps answer messages and drafts flows for you.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 1,000 contacts, basic automations, limited growth tools, Manychat branding |
| Pro | From $15/mo | Unlimited automations and tags, full growth tools, no branding, integrations; price rises with contacts |
| Manychat AI | Higher | Add-on to Pro with AI intents, AI replies and AI flow-building help |
| Elite / Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated support and onboarding for high-volume accounts |
List prices as of November 2026; Pro starts at 500 contacts and rises with your contact count, with a discount for annual billing. WhatsApp conversations also carry Meta's own messaging fees.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Best-known tool for Instagram DM and comment automation
- Free plan to get started
- Low entry price for small audiences
- Easy visual builder with lots of templates
Cons
- Price rises as your contact list grows
- AI features cost extra
- Website chat is limited compared with dedicated AI support bots
Is it right for you?
Choose Manychat ifYou sell or capture leads through Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger or TikTok and want DMs and comments answered automatically.
Look elsewhere ifYou need a knowledge-base AI support agent on your website.
#4Best AI agent for customer support teams
Intercom Fin
An AI-first customer service platform that pairs the Fin AI agent with a help desk, messenger, live chat and help center.
- Paid plans from
- $29/seat/mo annual
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- SaaS and tech companies, plus ecommerce and B2C businesses wanting AI-led support
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android, in-app and web messenger SDKs, API
Intercom Fin is the pick for support teams that want an AI agent to resolve conversations, not just greet visitors. Fin reads your help center articles and answers customer questions across chat, email and other channels, then passes harder issues to your team. Instead of building flows by hand, you mostly improve the help content Fin learns from.
Fin runs inside Intercom's full customer service platform: an in-app and website messenger, a shared inbox, tickets for complex issues and reporting on Fin's performance. Plans start at $29 per seat a month on annual billing, and Fin is charged at $0.99 per resolution on any plan. That model rewards a well-written help center, but the cost grows with volume, so model it before you commit.
Key features
- Fin AI AgentAnswers customer questions from your help content across chat, email and other channels, and is charged per successful resolution.
- Help centerPublish articles customers can search. The same articles are Fin's knowledge source, so better docs mean better answers.
- MessengerAn in-app and website messenger for live chat, proactive messages and self-serve help, which suits SaaS products.
- Help desk inbox and ticketsA shared inbox for every channel, plus tickets to track issues that need follow-up when Fin hands a conversation to a human.
- ReportingDashboards for conversation volume, response times, CSAT and Fin performance, so you can see which questions Fin still misses.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $29/seat/mo annual | Messenger, shared inbox, ticketing, help center and the Fin AI agent |
| Advanced | Higher | Workflows automation, multiple help centers and more |
| Expert | Higher | SLAs, multibrand, HIPAA support and advanced security |
| Fin AI Agent | $0.99 per resolution | Charged per resolved conversation on any plan |
List prices as of November 2026; seat prices shown are billed annually, and Fin usage is charged on top. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fin is one of the strongest AI support agents
- Polished messenger and in-app experience
- Strong for SaaS product support
- Fin can also be used on top of other help desks
Cons
- Costs add up with per-seat plus per-resolution pricing
- Annual billing needed for the lowest seat price
- Many automation features start on Advanced
Is it right for you?
Choose Intercom Fin ifYou run a support team and want an AI agent to resolve a large share of conversations from your help content.
Look elsewhere ifYou have a tight budget and high conversation volume, or only need a simple FAQ bot.
#5Best for a quick AI chatbot trained on your website
Chatbase
A no-code tool that trains an AI agent on your website and documents and embeds it on your site or messaging channels to answer customer questions.
- Paid plans from
- Paid plans from Hobby
- Free plan
- Yes (limited)
- Best for
- Small and mid-sized businesses, SaaS companies and online stores
- Works on
- Web builder, embeddable website widget, API
Chatbase is the simplest way to build an AI chatbot that knows your business. You give it website URLs, files or plain text, it trains an agent on that content, and you embed the chat widget on your site with a snippet. You can get a working FAQ and support bot live quickly, with no flow design at all.
It does more than answer questions. AI Actions let the agent book a meeting, collect a lead or call a custom API, and human handoff escalates chats through help desk integrations such as Zendesk. The same agent can run on WhatsApp and Slack. Plans are based on monthly message credits, and stronger models use more credits, so watch usage as traffic grows.
Key features
- Train on your dataBuild an agent from website URLs, files and text, so answers come from your own content rather than generic AI knowledge.
- Website chat widgetEmbed the agent on any website with a snippet or iframe and customize how it looks.
- AI ActionsLet the agent do tasks such as booking a meeting, collecting a lead or calling a custom API, not just answer questions.
- Human handoffEscalate conversations to a person through help desk integrations when the AI cannot resolve them.
- Analytics and chat logsReview conversations, topics and sentiment to spot gaps in your content and improve answers.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | One agent trained on limited data, website embed, limited message credits |
| Hobby | Higher | More credits, advanced models and integrations |
| Standard | Higher | Higher limits, more agents and team members |
| Pro | Higher | Highest self-serve limits and advanced analytics |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom limits, security and support |
List prices as of November 2026; plans are based on monthly message credits and annual billing costs less. Check Chatbase's pricing page before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very fast to set up: point it at a site and it works
- Free plan for testing
- Simple, clean interface
- Actions and integrations go beyond basic Q&A
Cons
- Credit-based limits can run out at higher traffic
- Less control over complex flows than Voiceflow or Botpress
- Not built for social DM marketing
Is it right for you?
Choose Chatbase ifYou want an AI FAQ or support bot on your website this week, without designing flows.
Look elsewhere ifYou need Instagram or Facebook DM marketing or long scripted flows.
#6Best for lead generation bots on web and WhatsApp
Landbot
A no-code chatbot builder for websites and WhatsApp, with a visual flow editor and AI features for lead generation and customer service.
- Paid plans from
- Paid plans from Starter
- Free plan
- Yes (Sandbox)
- Best for
- Marketing, sales and support teams at small and mid-sized businesses, and agencies
- Works on
- Web builder, website widget and landing pages, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, API
Landbot is a no-code chatbot builder aimed at marketers who want more leads from the same traffic. Its drag-and-drop editor builds flows with buttons, forms and conditional logic, and you can run a bot as a website widget or as a full-page conversational landing page that replaces a static form.
Lead qualification is where it shines. The bot collects and scores lead data in chat, then sends it to HubSpot, Salesforce, Google Sheets, Slack or Zapier. GPT blocks add AI answers from your content, and a team inbox lets people take over a chat. WhatsApp chatbots and broadcasts run on the official Business API, on the WhatsApp Pro plan.
Key features
- Visual flow builderA drag-and-drop editor for conversational flows with buttons, forms and conditional logic, no code needed.
- Conversational landing pagesTurn a bot into a full-page chat experience instead of a static form, a common way to improve lead capture.
- Lead qualificationCollect and score lead data in chat and push it to your CRM, so sales gets qualified leads with context.
- WhatsApp chatbotsBuild automated WhatsApp flows and campaigns on the official WhatsApp Business API.
- AI agent and GPT blocksAdd LLM-powered steps that answer questions from your content or pull information out of free-text replies.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Sandbox | $0 | Basic builder for website bots with limited chats per month |
| Starter | Higher | Branding removal and integrations |
| Pro | Higher | Advanced integrations and more seats |
| WhatsApp Pro | Higher | WhatsApp chatbots and broadcasts |
| Business | Custom | Custom limits, support and security |
List prices as of November 2026; Landbot prices in euros and plans scale with chats per month. Free trial of paid plans.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy, polished no-code builder
- Strong for WhatsApp and conversational forms
- Free Sandbox to try it
- Good CRM integrations for lead capture
Cons
- Prices are in euros and rise with chat volume
- No native Instagram DM automation like Manychat
- AI features are less deep than AI-first tools like Voiceflow or Chatbase
Is it right for you?
Choose Landbot ifYou want to replace website forms with chat, qualify leads, or automate WhatsApp conversations without code.
Look elsewhere ifYou are an Instagram-first creator or need heavy custom AI agent logic.
#7Best for small businesses and Shopify stores
Tidio
A customer service platform that combines live chat, a help desk, no-code chatbots and the Lyro AI agent for small and ecommerce businesses.
- Paid plans from
- $29/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (limited conversations)
- Best for
- Small businesses and ecommerce stores, especially on Shopify and WordPress
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Tidio is the easiest chatbot builder for a small online store. It installs quickly on Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, Wix and BigCommerce, and gives you a live chat widget, a visual Flows builder and the Lyro AI agent in one place. Flows can greet visitors, collect leads or recover abandoned carts, while Lyro answers common questions from your help content and hands off to a person when needed.
It works as a small help desk too. A multichannel inbox brings website chat, email, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp together, and agents can see and act on Shopify orders without leaving the chat. The free plan includes a small Lyro allowance, and Starter is $29 a month. Lyro and Flows are billed separately from the base plan, so price the add-ons you need.
Key features
- Lyro AI agentAnswers common questions from your help content and hands the chat to a human when it cannot help.
- Flows (chatbot builder)A no-code visual builder for bots that greet visitors, collect leads or recover abandoned carts.
- Ecommerce integrationsShows order data and lets agents act on Shopify orders from inside the chat, which speeds up order questions.
- Multichannel inboxBrings website chat, email, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp into one inbox for a small team.
- Live chat widgetA customizable website chat that shows visitors in real time, backed by mobile and desktop apps for agents.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Live chat, basic help desk and a Lyro AI trial allowance, with limited conversations |
| Starter | $29/mo | Live chat, basic analytics and more conversations |
| Growth | Higher | Advanced analytics, more conversations and permissions |
| Plus | Higher | Higher volumes and dedicated support |
| Premium | Custom | Managed AI setup and a dedicated success manager |
List prices as of November 2026; plans scale with conversation volume, and Lyro AI and Flows are billed separately. 7-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan to get started
- Easy setup on Shopify and WordPress
- Live chat, chatbots and AI in one product
- Friendly interface for non-technical teams
Cons
- Costs grow with conversation volume
- Lyro AI and Flows are billed separately from the base plan
- Free plan limits are tight for busy stores
Is it right for you?
Choose Tidio ifYou run a small business or Shopify store and want live chat plus a simple AI agent that is easy to set up.
Look elsewhere ifYou run a large support team that needs advanced ticketing, SLAs or flat pricing at high volume.
#8Best for organizations on Microsoft 365
Microsoft Copilot Studio
Microsoft's low-code platform for building AI agents and chatbots that run in Microsoft 365 Copilot, Teams, websites and other channels, connected to business data.
- Paid plans from
- $200/mo per tenant
- Free plan
- No (free trial)
- Best for
- Organizations on Microsoft 365, Power Platform and Dynamics 365
- Works on
- Web, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 Copilot, websites, other channels via Azure Bot Service
Microsoft Copilot Studio, formerly Power Virtual Agents, is the chatbot builder for companies that already run on Microsoft. You describe an agent in plain language, then refine its topics, instructions and actions in a graphical editor. Generative answers draw on SharePoint, websites, Dataverse and uploaded files, so an IT or HR helpdesk agent can answer from existing documents.
Its reach into business systems is the main reason to choose it. Power Platform connectors and Power Automate flows let agents read and write data in Dynamics 365, Salesforce, ServiceNow and more, and autonomous agents can act on triggers such as an email. Agents publish to Teams, Microsoft 365 Copilot and websites. Pricing starts with a $200 monthly capacity pack per tenant, or pay-as-you-go through Azure.
Key features
- Low-code agent builderCreate an agent by describing it in natural language, then refine topics, instructions and actions in a graphical editor.
- Generative answers over your dataGrounds answers in SharePoint, websites, Dataverse and uploaded files, so you do not hand-write every response.
- Power Platform connectorsPrebuilt connectors and Power Automate flows let agents read and write your business systems.
- Multichannel publishingPublish agents to Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 Copilot, websites and other channels.
- Enterprise governanceAdmin controls, data loss prevention policies, environments and analytics through the Power Platform admin center.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot Studio capacity pack | $200/mo per tenant | 25,000 Copilot Credits a month to build and publish agents |
| Pay-as-you-go | Higher | Same capabilities, metered per Copilot Credit through an Azure subscription |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot users | Higher | Use of agents for internal scenarios included with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license |
List prices as of November 2026; usage is measured in Copilot Credits (formerly messages). Free trial available.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deep integration with Microsoft 365, Teams and Dynamics
- Enterprise security and governance built in
- Huge connector library via Power Platform
- Agents can be built by non-developers
Cons
- Licensing and credit consumption are confusing
- Best value only if you already use Microsoft
- No Instagram or WhatsApp marketing-style automation
Is it right for you?
Choose Microsoft Copilot Studio ifYour organization runs on Microsoft 365 and you want internal helpdesk or customer service agents connected to your business data.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a small business outside the Microsoft ecosystem or want social DM marketing.
#9Best for developers building enterprise chat and voice bots
Dialogflow
Google Cloud's platform for building chat and voice agents, available as Dialogflow CX for complex agents and Dialogflow ES for simpler ones.
- Paid plans from
- Pay-as-you-go per request
- Free plan
- Limited (ES Trial edition)
- Best for
- Developers and enterprise contact-center teams on Google Cloud
- Works on
- Google Cloud console, API and SDKs, web and telephony integrations
Dialogflow is Google Cloud's conversational AI platform, built for developers rather than marketers. Dialogflow CX uses state-machine style flows and pages for complex, multi-turn conversations, while Dialogflow ES covers simpler intent-based bots. Google's natural language understanding maps what users say to intents and pulls out details like dates and order numbers, and Gemini-based generative features can answer from websites and documents.
Voice is a major strength. Built-in speech recognition and synthesis, plus telephony integrations with Genesys and Twilio, make it a common choice for contact-center phone agents. Webhooks call your own back end, and versions and environments support safe releases. Pricing is pay-as-you-go per text request and per minute of audio, and new Google Cloud customers get free credits.
Key features
- Visual flow builder (CX)State-machine style flows and pages for designing complex, multi-turn conversations with predictable paths.
- Intent and entity detectionMaps what users say to intents and extracts parameters like dates and order numbers.
- Voice and telephonyBuilt-in speech recognition and synthesis for phone agents, plus telephony integrations.
- Generative AI agentsGemini-based generative features and data store agents answer questions from your websites and documents.
- Webhooks and environmentsCall your own services during a conversation, and manage versions and test and production environments for safe releases.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogflow ES Trial | $0 | Free edition for testing, with usage quotas |
| Dialogflow ES Essentials | Higher | Intent-based agents for simpler bots, billed per text request and audio interval |
| Dialogflow CX | Higher | Flow-based agents, generative features, telephony and analytics, billed per text request and minute of audio |
List prices as of November 2026; billing is pay-as-you-go through a Google Cloud account. New Google Cloud customers get free credits.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong natural language understanding backed by Google
- Strong voice and contact-center capabilities
- Pay only for what you use
- Scales to enterprise volume
Cons
- Developer-oriented, not a no-code marketing tool
- Per-request pricing is hard to estimate upfront
- Two editions plus Conversational Agents branding cause confusion
Is it right for you?
Choose Dialogflow ifYou have developers and need a custom chat or voice agent, especially for a contact center on Google Cloud.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a non-technical small business or want social media DM marketing.
#10Best simple alternative for Meta messaging bots
Chatfuel
A no-code chatbot builder for Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, aimed at sales, marketing and support automation with AI replies.
- Paid plans from
- Paid plans by channel and volume
- Free plan
- No (free trial)
- Best for
- Small businesses, ecommerce stores and agencies selling through Meta messaging channels
- Works on
- Web builder, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp
Chatfuel is a no-code chatbot builder focused on Meta's messaging apps: Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. You build flows from blocks, buttons and conditions, then automate replies to DMs and comments, run WhatsApp broadcast campaigns on the Business API and send segmented messages to opted-in subscribers. Shopify, Google Sheets, Zapier and Make connections pass orders and leads to the rest of your stack.
Its AI replies use ChatGPT to answer customer questions from information you provide, which helps small stores handle product and order questions around the clock. A team member can take over any chat, and templates cover lead generation, ecommerce and support. Plans are split into Facebook and Instagram or WhatsApp, priced by conversations, with a free trial instead of a free plan.
Key features
- No-code flow builderBuild chatbot flows with blocks, buttons and conditions without coding.
- AI repliesChatGPT-powered responses that answer customer questions from information you provide.
- WhatsApp automationAutomated chats and broadcast campaigns on the WhatsApp Business API.
- Instagram and Messenger automationAuto-replies to DMs and comments on Instagram and Facebook.
- Live chat takeoverTeam members can step in and reply in place of the bot when a conversation needs a person.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Business (Facebook & Instagram) | Higher | Automation for Messenger and Instagram, priced by conversations or contacts |
| Business (WhatsApp) | Higher | WhatsApp automation and broadcasts, priced by conversations |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated support and custom setup |
List prices as of November 2026; plans are split by channel and scale with conversations, monthly or annual. Free trial available.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Long-established Messenger chatbot builder
- Covers Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp
- AI replies available
- Templates for quick setup
Cons
- No permanent free plan
- Pricing split by channel and volume
- Fewer channels than Manychat, with no TikTok, SMS or email
Is it right for you?
Choose Chatfuel ifYou want a straightforward bot for WhatsApp or Messenger sales and support, or you are an agency building Meta-channel bots.
Look elsewhere ifYou need a website-first AI support agent or an enterprise contact-center tool.
Best chatbot builder by need
- Custom AI agents across many channelsBotpress
- Chat and voice agents for teamsVoiceflow
- Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok DMsManychat
- AI customer support at scaleIntercom Fin
- A quick AI bot trained on your websiteChatbase
- Lead generation forms and WhatsAppLandbot
- Small businesses and Shopify storesTidio
- Microsoft 365 and TeamsMicrosoft Copilot Studio
- Developer-built voice and contact-center botsDialogflow
What to look for in a chatbot builder
- The channels you actually useA chatbot builder for website support is a different product from an Instagram chatbot. Check that the tool supports your channels natively, such as web chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, TikTok or phone.
- AI trained on your dataFor support bots, look for a knowledge base that learns from your website, help center and documents, so the custom AI chatbot answers from your facts instead of guessing.
- A visual flow builderA no-code chatbot builder with drag-and-drop flows, conditions and templates lets marketers launch and edit bots without waiting on developers.
- Actions and integrationsThe bot should do things, not just talk: capture leads into your CRM, book meetings, look up orders or call an API mid-conversation.
- Human handoffEvery bot hits questions it cannot answer. Make sure chats pass smoothly to a live agent or shared inbox with the conversation history attached.
- Predictable pricingChatbot pricing is often based on contacts, conversations, credits or resolutions. Work out your monthly volume and check what happens to cost as it grows.
How much do chatbot builders cost in 2026?
Most chatbot builders have a free plan, and the cheapest listed paid plans run from $15 a month (Manychat Pro) to $200 a month per tenant (Microsoft Copilot Studio). Almost every tool prices by usage, such as contacts, conversations, credits or resolutions, so your real cost depends on volume.
| Tier | Typical price | Tools at this level | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Botpress, Voiceflow, Manychat, Chatbase, Landbot Sandbox, Tidio, Dialogflow ES Trial | Testing a bot, prototypes and very small audiences |
| Small business | From $15 to $29/mo | Manychat Pro (from $15/mo), Tidio Starter ($29/mo) | Creators, small stores and businesses running one or two bots |
| Support team | From $29/seat/mo annual plus usage | Intercom Essential with Fin at $0.99 per resolution, plus upper plans from Botpress, Voiceflow, Chatbase, Landbot, Tidio and Chatfuel (prices vary by usage) | Support teams using an AI agent to resolve conversations |
| Enterprise | $200/mo per tenant to custom | Microsoft Copilot Studio, Dialogflow CX, enterprise plans from most vendors | Large organizations with security, governance and high volume needs |
Entry prices as listed in November 2026. Botpress, Voiceflow, Chatbase, Landbot and Chatfuel price paid tiers by usage and plan; Dialogflow bills per request.
Before you compare chatbot pricing, estimate three numbers: how many contacts or conversations you expect each month, how many of those the AI will handle, and how many team seats you need. Then price the plan you will be on in six months, not today. Watch for extras that sit outside the base plan, such as Manychat AI, Tidio's Lyro and Flows, Fin resolutions and Meta's own WhatsApp messaging fees.
How we chose the best chatbot builders
We started with the chatbot and live chat tools in the MakeSuccessOnline directory and added well-known chatbot builders we have not yet reviewed, such as Botpress, Voiceflow and Chatbase. We built the same test bot in each where possible: an FAQ bot trained on a sample website, a lead capture flow and a handoff to a human. We scored each tool on the criteria below, using hands-on testing, vendor documentation and pricing checked in November 2026.
- AI and answer qualityHow well the bot understands questions and answers from your own content.25%
- Ease of buildingHow quickly a non-developer can launch and edit a working bot.20%
- ChannelsNative support for web chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, voice and more.15%
- Actions and integrationsCRM, help desk and API connections, plus human handoff.15%
- Pricing and valueFree plans, entry price and how costs scale with volume.15%
- Analytics and controlsTranscripts, reporting, team roles and governance.10%
How to choose a chatbot builder
- Decide the job and the channelWrite down whether the bot is for social DM marketing, website support, lead generation or internal help, and where it will live. That alone narrows the list to two or three tools.
- Choose no-code or developer-builtIf marketers will run it, pick a no-code chatbot builder like Manychat, Landbot, Tidio or Chatbase. If you need custom logic and API calls, look at Botpress, Voiceflow or Dialogflow.
- Prepare your contentAn AI chatbot is only as accurate as its sources. Tidy your help center, FAQs and product pages before you train any bot on them.
- Build a real test botUse the free plan or trial to build one real flow and test it with 20 to 30 real customer questions, including awkward ones.
- Check handoff and integrationsConfirm the bot sends leads to your CRM and passes stuck chats to a person with full context.
- Model the cost at your volumeCalculate the price at your expected contacts, conversations or resolutions, including AI add-ons and channel fees, before you commit to an annual plan.
Check during the free trial
- Does the bot answer correctly from your own website and docs, and say so when it does not know?
- How long does it take a non-technical teammate to change a flow or answer?
- Do leads and conversation data reach your CRM or help desk correctly?
- What does a handoff to a human look like for the customer and the agent?
- How fast do you use up messages, credits or conversations during the trial?
Red flags
- No way to see or limit which sources the AI answers from
- No human handoff, so customers get stuck in loops
- Usage limits or credit costs you cannot estimate before you buy
- Promises that a bot will replace your whole support team
- Channel support that relies on unofficial workarounds instead of official platform APIs
Chatbot builders FAQ
What are the best chatbot builders?
The best chatbot builders in 2026 are Botpress for custom AI agents, Voiceflow for chat and voice agents built by teams, Manychat for Instagram and WhatsApp automation, Intercom Fin for AI customer support and Chatbase for a quick AI bot trained on your website. The right one depends mostly on your channel and who will build the bot.
Is there a free chatbot builder?
Yes. Botpress, Voiceflow, Manychat, Chatbase, Landbot and Tidio all have free plans, and Dialogflow ES has a free Trial edition with quotas. Manychat's free plan covers up to 1,000 contacts. Free plans usually limit messages, conversations or AI usage and show the vendor's branding, so they suit testing and very small audiences.
How much does a chatbot builder cost?
A chatbot builder costs $0 to $200 a month to start, depending on the tool. Most have a free plan, Manychat Pro starts at $15 a month and Tidio Starter is $29 a month. Intercom starts at $29 per seat a month on annual billing plus $0.99 per Fin resolution, and Microsoft Copilot Studio starts at $200 a month per tenant. Costs rise with volume.
What is the best AI chatbot builder for a website?
Chatbase is the quickest way to put a custom AI chatbot trained on your website on your site, with no flow design needed. Intercom Fin is stronger for support teams that want AI to resolve conversations from a help center, and Tidio suits small businesses and Shopify stores that also want live chat.
Manychat vs Chatfuel: which is better?
Manychat is the better choice for most social sellers. It covers Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, SMS and email, has a free plan up to 1,000 contacts and starts at $15 a month. Chatfuel focuses on Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, has AI replies, but has no permanent free plan and fewer channels.
Botpress vs Voiceflow: which should I choose?
Choose Botpress if you want one AI agent deployed across many messaging channels, with code when you need it. Choose Voiceflow if a team of designers and developers is building agents together, or if you need chat and voice agents from one builder. Both have free plans, so build a test agent in each.
Can I build a chatbot without coding?
Yes. No-code chatbot builders like Manychat, Landbot, Tidio and Chatbase let you build bots with visual editors, templates or by pointing an AI at your website. Coding only becomes necessary for custom logic, API calls or unusual channels, which is where Botpress, Voiceflow and Dialogflow fit better.
How do I choose a chatbot builder?
Start with the channel and the job: social DM marketing, website support, lead generation or internal help. Then decide whether marketers or developers will build it, test a real bot on a free plan with real customer questions, check handoff and CRM integrations, and price the plan at your expected monthly volume.
About the reviewer
Editor & Reviewer, MakeSuccessOnline
William Harrison is an editor and reviewer at MakeSuccessOnline. He reviews each tools ranking before it goes live, checking plans, prices, free tiers and features against the tool's own documentation, and keeps rankings current as tools change.