Blog · Comparisons · 7 min read
Best WhatsApp chatbot builders for 2027: 7 tools compared honestly
Seven WhatsApp chatbot builders compared on no-code flows, AI agents, human handover and plan limits. Who each suits and who should look elsewhere. Nov 2026.
By the ConvoBox team · ConvoBox Inc, Official Meta Tech Partner
Key takeaways
- Rule-based flows suit fixed journeys like order status and booking, while AI agents suit open questions.
- The builder itself is an add-on at some vendors, so check whether it is in the plan you are buying.
- Human handover with full chat history is the feature to test hardest in any demo.
- Meta allows AI that supports your own customers but prohibits general-purpose AI assistants on the platform since 15 January 2026.
- AI replies can be wrong, so review the agent's chats whichever tool you pick.
- This guide was written by the ConvoBox team from vendors' official pages checked in November 2026.
On this page
- Do you need a rule-based chatbot or an AI agent?
- How do you choose a WhatsApp chatbot builder?
- How do the seven builders compare?
- Which chatbot builder is best for which business?
- Which builder should you shortlist?
- What should you ask in a chatbot demo?
- Where does ConvoBox fit, and when should you pick something else?
For a first WhatsApp chatbot, pick a no-code builder where the bot, the human inbox and your contact list live together, and check whether the builder is in the plan or sold as an add-on. If you want an AI agent that takes actions, or you need enterprise voice and chat, look at Spur or LimeChat. If WhatsApp is only one of many channels, Respond.io is built for that. Disclosure: we make ConvoBox, one of the seven builders below. Updated November 2026.
- ConvoBox (our product): best for no-code workflows plus AI agents with handover to a shared inbox, WhatsApp only.
- WATI: best for a no-code chatbot plus an AI support agent (Astra), with Instagram and TikTok too.
- AiSensy: best for marketing-led teams who want a chatbot and catalog flow builder, as a paid add-on.
- Gallabox: best for chatbots plus drips and pipeline, with flow caps by plan.
- Spur: best for AI agents that take actions, with Instagram comment-to-DM.
- Respond.io: best for omnichannel teams that need AI agents across many channels.
- LimeChat: best for enterprise brands that want AI agents for chat and voice and RTO-reduction flows.
Do you need a rule-based chatbot or an AI agent?
Most businesses need both, in different places. A rule-based chatbot follows the steps you draw, with buttons and lists. An AI agent reads free-typed messages and writes replies in natural language from your business information.
Use rules for fixed journeys: order status, appointment booking, lead qualification, address collection. Use an AI agent for open questions such as sizes, policies or delivery times. Say you run a clinic in Madurai: booking a slot is a flow, while "is the doctor available on Pongal day?" is an AI question. Our chatbot guide and AI agent guide go deeper.
One policy point. Since 15 January 2026, Meta's terms prohibit providers of general-purpose AI assistants from the platform, but businesses using AI to support their own customers (support, sales, order help) are fine. And automated chats need a clear path to a human, whatever tool you use.
How do you choose a WhatsApp chatbot builder?
Judge builders on five things, and check the plan for each.
- No-code builder
Can a non-technical person build and edit a flow? Is the builder in the plan you're buying, or an add-on?
- AI agents
Can the AI answer from your own FAQs and products, and is it metered or capped?
- Human handover
Does the chat move to a person with the full history? This is the feature to test hardest.
- Flows and forms
Can the bot collect details with WhatsApp Forms or Flows, instead of one question at a time?
- Integrations
Can it call your systems through webhooks or an API, and does it connect to Shopify, a CRM or Sheets?
How do the seven builders compare?
As listed on each vendor's official pages, checked November 2026. "Not listed" means we didn't find it, not that it's missing.
| Tool | No-code builder | AI agents | Human handover | Forms / Flows | Plan notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConvoBox | Drag-and-drop workflows, webhooks | Yes; voice agent in development | Yes, to agent or team | WhatsApp Flows | See pricing page |
| WATI | No-code chatbot | Astra AI support agent | Team inbox | Not listed | Automation triggers and AI credits metered; Growth has no webhooks |
| AiSensy | Chatbot and catalog flow builder | AI agents | Multi-agent live chat | WhatsApp Forms | Chatbot Builder add-on; AI Agent Builder add-on |
| Gallabox | Chatbots | Yes (not on Basic) | Shared team inbox | WhatsApp Forms | Active flows capped at 5, 20, 100 or unlimited by plan |
| Spur | Automated campaigns, ecommerce workflows | AI agents that take actions | AI-to-human handover | Not listed | 14-day trial listed on Shopify |
| Respond.io | Workflows (Growth+) | AI agents (Growth+) | Routing and omnichannel inbox | Not listed | USD pricing; Meta fees extra |
| LimeChat | Conversion and post-purchase flows | AI agents for chat and voice | Not listed (omnichannel CRM with AI copilot) | Not listed | Gen AI chatbot on Advanced only; per-ticket charges |
Which chatbot builder is best for which business?
Our product · best for no-code flows plus AI, handing over to a shared inbox
ConvoBox
ConvoBox's builder is a visual canvas with triggers (keyword, any message, ad click, Shopify event, webhook), conditions, delays, buttons, lists, questions for name, address and location, WhatsApp Flow forms, API requests, CRM stage moves and assign-to-agent steps. A workflow can pass a chat to an AI agent that answers from your FAQs, policies and catalog, and the agent can hand it back to a person with the history attached.
- Workflows, AI agents and human inbox share one contact record
- Bot can move CRM stages and trigger from Meta ads
- Webhooks for developers; Claude MCP server for admins
- WhatsApp only, no Instagram or TikTok bot
- Voice agent is in development, not live
- Advanced builder and round robin are on Growth; fewer public reviews than older tools
Best for · chatbot plus AI support agent, across channels
WATI
WATI offers a no-code chatbot and an AI support agent called Astra, plus broadcasts, catalog, team inbox, Instagram and TikTok DMs, WhatsApp calling, an API and an MCP server. Integrations include Shopify, HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho CRM and Zapier.
- Chatbot and AI agent in one product
- Many integrations and an MCP server
- Automation triggers and AI credits are metered (official pricing page, November 2026)
- Growth has no webhooks; routing needs Pro or higher
Best for · marketing teams adding a bot later
AiSensy
AiSensy is an Indian WhatsApp marketing platform with broadcasts, CTWA ads, WhatsApp Forms, in-chat payments, multi-agent live chat and a chatbot and catalog flow builder, plus AI agents.
- Catalog flow builder and in-chat payments
- Prepaid billing
- Chatbot Builder listed at ₹2,500/mo for 5 chatbots, and AI Agent Builder at ₹1,350/mo (official pricing page, November 2026)
- Base plan prices not verified; see the pricing page
Best for · bots with drips and pipeline
Gallabox
Gallabox lists chatbots, WhatsApp Forms, broadcasts with drip sequences, a shared team inbox, pipeline management and AI agents that also cover Instagram, voice and web.
- Bots sit beside drips, forms and pipeline
- 30+ integrations
- Active chatbot flows are capped at 5, 20, 100 or unlimited by plan
- Basic has no AI agents, no drip, no full API; AI voice needs Advanced
Best for · AI agents that take actions
Spur
Spur, from New Delhi, describes AI agents that take actions, with AI-to-human handover, broadcasts and automated campaigns, Instagram comment-to-DM, a website chat widget, a shared inbox with ticketing and ecommerce workflows. It covers WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and live chat. Its Shopify app is rated 5.0 from 119 reviews (checked November 2026).
- Actions and handover are central to the product
- Instagram comment-to-DM and website chat
- 14-day trial
- We didn't check its pricing for this guide; see its site
Best for · many channels with AI agents
Respond.io
Respond.io, based in Kuala Lumpur, offers an omnichannel inbox covering WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, email and VoIP, with AI agents, routing, broadcasts, CSAT and analytics.
- Widest channel list here
- Routing, CSAT and analytics
- Broadcasts, workflows, AI agents and API need Growth, listed at $159/mo (official pricing page, November 2026)
- Tiered by monthly active contacts; Meta fees extra
Best for · enterprise brands, chat and voice
LimeChat
LimeChat, from Faridabad, is enterprise-focused: AI agents for chat and voice, conversion and post-purchase flows, broadcasts, CTWA, a WhatsApp commerce bot, RTO-reduction flows and an omnichannel CRM with an AI copilot. Its Shopify app is rated 4.9 from 46 reviews (checked November 2026).
- RTO-reduction flows and voice agents
- Enterprise-focused
- Gen AI chatbot is on the Advanced plan only
- Per-ticket usage charges apply
Which builder should you shortlist?
What do you want the bot to do first?
A rule-based flow is enough. Check that the builder, forms and webhooks are in your plan. AiSensy sells its builder as an add-on, and Gallabox caps active flows by plan.
Compare ConvoBox, WATI (Astra), Spur and Respond.io. Test how each answers a question that is not in its FAQ, and how quickly it hands over.
LimeChat targets enterprise, and Respond.io suits many channels. Ask both about per-ticket or per-contact charges.
What should you ask in a chatbot demo?
- Build a three-step flow live. Could someone on my team do that unaided?
- Is the builder in my plan, or an add-on? How many active flows or bots can I run?
- What happens when the AI doesn't know the answer?
- Show me the handover: does the agent see the whole conversation?
- Are AI replies metered or capped? What does extra usage cost?
- Can the bot call my systems through webhooks or an API on my plan?
- How do customers opt out, and are opt-outs respected in every flow?
Where does ConvoBox fit, and when should you pick something else?
ConvoBox fits businesses that want one WhatsApp tool where flows, AI and a human team share the same contacts. See the builder and AI agents pages, or the pricing page.
Sources
7-day free trial, no credit card, hand-held onboarding.
