Blog · Comparisons · 5 min read
Best WhatsApp shared team inbox for 2027: 6 tools compared honestly
Six WhatsApp shared inboxes compared on assignment rules, roles, mobile apps and user limits. Who each suits and where plan caps apply. Checked Nov 2026.
By the ConvoBox team · ConvoBox Inc, Official Meta Tech Partner
Key takeaways
- A shared inbox lets several people reply from one WhatsApp number, each on their own login.
- Assignment rules, extra users and multi-number support are often tied to higher plans.
- DoubleTick lists Android and iOS apps, while ConvoBox's mobile app is Android only.
- Respond.io and WATI cover Instagram and TikTok, while ConvoBox is WhatsApp only.
- Ask each vendor to show assignment, notes and the mobile app live in a demo.
- This guide was written by the ConvoBox team from vendors' official pages checked in November 2026.
On this page
- Why does a team need a shared WhatsApp inbox?
- How do you choose a shared WhatsApp inbox?
- How do the six inboxes compare?
- Which shared inbox is best for which team?
- Which inbox should you shortlist?
- What should you ask in a shared inbox demo?
- Where does ConvoBox fit, and when should you pick something else?
The best shared WhatsApp inbox is the one whose plan gives your team the users, assignment rules and mobile apps it actually needs. If you run several numbers or have iPhone users, DoubleTick is built around that. If customers reach you on many channels, look at Respond.io. If your team is WhatsApp-only and wants the inbox, CRM and Meta Ads tracking together, ConvoBox may fit. Disclosure: we make ConvoBox, one of the six tools below. Updated November 2026.
- ConvoBox (our product): best for WhatsApp-only teams that want admin and agent logins on Android, private notes and a CRM beside the chat.
- DoubleTick: best for multiple numbers, SLA tracking and Android plus iOS apps.
- WATI: best for a team inbox with Instagram and TikTok, if you can live with routing on higher plans.
- Respond.io: best for omnichannel teams with routing, CSAT and analytics.
- Gallabox: best for small teams that also want drips and chatbots, with user caps on lower plans.
- Interakt: best for a Support Hub inside a broad WhatsApp suite.
Why does a team need a shared WhatsApp inbox?
Because a business WhatsApp number on one phone means one person replies, chats get missed, and history leaves when staff do. A shared inbox on the WhatsApp Business API lets several people answer from one number, each on their own login.
Say you run an electronics shop in Chennai with four salespeople. With a shared inbox the chat can be assigned to Karthik, Priya can leave him a private note, and the owner can see who's slow to reply. Our shared inbox guide covers the habits that matter.
How do you choose a shared WhatsApp inbox?
Look at five criteria, then check which plan includes each.
- Assignment rules. Manual, by workflow, round robin or load-balanced. These are often on higher plans.
- Roles and access. Can you limit what an agent sees? Admin and agent logins matter once you have more than a few people.
- Mobile apps. Android, iOS or both? Test what agents can do on the phone.
- Notes and context. Private notes, CRM stage and order history beside the chat.
- Multi-number support. Needed if you run branches or several brands.
How do the six inboxes compare?
As listed on each vendor's official pages, checked November 2026. "Not listed" means we did not find it.
| Tool | Assignment | Roles and access | Mobile apps | Notes | Multi-number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConvoBox | Manual, workflow, round robin (Growth) | Admin and agent logins, access control | Android (web on iPhone) | Private notes, tag teammates | Not stated |
| DoubleTick | Assignment rules, SLA tracking | Role-based access, data masking | Android and iOS | AI chat and call summaries | Yes, unified inbox |
| WATI | Teams and intelligent routing on Pro+; round-robin on Business | Users per plan | Not listed | Not listed | Business plan, extra numbers ₹2,499/mo |
| Respond.io | Routing | Users per plan | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Gallabox | Not listed | Basic capped at 3 users | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Interakt | Load-balanced auto-assignment on Advanced | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Which shared inbox is best for which team?
Our product · best for WhatsApp-only teams that work from phones
ConvoBox
ConvoBox's inbox assigns chats to people or teams, with round robin on Growth, and adds private notes with teammate tagging, snooze, quick replies, catalog sharing, CRM stage and a contact timeline. Access control limits what each role sees. The Android app has separate admin and agent logins, so owners can reassign chats from a phone and agents reply from the shop floor.
- Separate admin and agent logins on the Android app
- Chats from click-to-WhatsApp ads arrive tagged with campaign and ad
- CRM, bots and AI agents in the same inbox
- No iPhone app; iPhone users use the web app
- WhatsApp only: no Instagram or TikTok inbox
- 2 team logins on Launch, 5 on Grow, 10 on Scale; extra logins cost extra
Best for · multiple numbers and iPhone and Android teams
DoubleTick
DoubleTick, from Mumbai, has a multi-number unified inbox covering chats, calls and groups, with assignment rules, SLA tracking, role-based access, data masking, AI summaries and multi-number broadcasts. It has Android and iOS apps and syncs two ways with Salesforce and other CRMs.
- Both mobile platforms
- SLA tracking and data masking
- Prices not shown on the site
- No free trial listed
Best for · inbox with Instagram and TikTok
WATI
WATI includes a team inbox alongside a no-code chatbot, broadcasts, catalog, Instagram and TikTok DMs and WhatsApp calling.
- Several channels in one product
- Many CRM integrations
- Growth: 3 users, no extra users (listed ₹2,699/mo quarterly, official pricing page, November 2026)
- Teams and intelligent routing need Pro+; round-robin and multiple numbers need Business
Best for · omnichannel teams
Respond.io
Respond.io offers an omnichannel inbox covering WhatsApp (including calls), Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, email and VoIP, with routing, CSAT and analytics.
- Widest channel coverage
- Routing and CSAT built in
- Listed in USD: Starter $79/mo (5 users), Growth $159 (10), Advanced $279 (10), tiered by active contacts
- Meta fees extra
Best for · small teams wanting inbox plus drips
Gallabox
Gallabox has a shared team inbox with broadcasts and drip sequences, chatbots, pipeline management and 30+ integrations.
- Inbox, drips and bots in one place
- Basic is a hard cap of 3 users, listed ₹2,999/mo quarterly or ₹2,399 annual; Essential 6 users, Advanced 10 (official pricing page, November 2026)
Best for · a Support Hub in a broad suite
Interakt
Interakt's Support Hub is its team inbox, next to a Marketing Hub, Sales CRM and AI agents.
- Support, marketing and sales from one vendor
- Load-balanced auto-assignment needs Advanced, listed ₹3,799/mo plus taxes (official pricing page, November 2026)
Which inbox should you shortlist?
Which phones does your team use?
ConvoBox and DoubleTick both list Android apps. Ask to see agents reassigning and noting from the phone.
DoubleTick lists iOS. ConvoBox's mobile app is Android only, so iPhone users would use the web app. For other tools, ask.
Compare on assignment rules and user limits, since mobile won't matter.
What should you ask in a shared inbox demo?
- How many users does my plan include, and what does each extra one cost?
- Which assignment methods are on my plan, including round robin?
- Can I limit an agent to their own chats?
- Show the mobile app: can agents assign, note and reply?
- Can a teammate leave a private note the customer never sees?
- Can I run more than one number in the same inbox?
- What happens to chat history when an agent leaves?
Where does ConvoBox fit, and when should you pick something else?
ConvoBox fits WhatsApp-only teams that want the inbox, CRM and Android app together. See the pricing page for plans.
Sources
7-day free trial, no credit card, hand-held onboarding.
